Today, focus is upon relationships among critical thinking, freedom, self-will, and who believers are through the cross. Correctly understood, all Christians are entered into a spiritual process, not one that is academic. Christian belief requires continual alertness and vigilance of mind and spirit, for all believers must acquire sacred knowledge, and maintain sacred practices that are to fulfill divine promises, prophecies, and eternal purposes. Such aspects of human experience as error through habits, ignorance, fantasy, foolishness, and sentiment are unfruitful, useless, and vain (i.e., lacking spirit content and power from the makeup of GOD). Readers are asked to consider the following points from the Scriptures, and the presentation below:
Romans 8: 1-5, King James Version (KJV): 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
1st Corinthians 1: 18-24, KJV: 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Ephesians 4: 29-32, KJV: 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
1st Corinthians 1: 25-32, KJV: 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Jerrime” (Level 1 with 125 points, a member since March 16, 2016) posted the following:
Does a person with a lack of free will think critically?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1: 16-25, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: By Law and Relationships (04/05/2016); Divine Meanings and Values? (03/31/2016); Possible For Intelligent People? (02/07/2016); The Bridge To Heaven (01/27/2016); Academic Language? (12/10/2015); To Study the Book of Judges (09/09/2015); Meanings That Support Eternal Existence? (06/02/2015); Saved by His Death? (05/13/2015); Is Science the Right Tool? (12/04/2013); To Grieve the Spirit? (12/05/2013)
“Jerrime”, increasingly, for many mature Christian believers, there are only two forms of “will”, finite will (also called, self-will) as within created beings and living creatures (e.g., angels, animals, mankind, sacred beasts in heaven), and divine will that makes Deity knowable and known as “active” and “present”. Just as believers in Jesus Christ as Savior and Son of GOD use the same carnal tools for running, speaking, and walking as those who count themselves intellectuals and scientists, the disciples and followers of Christ as Lord use the same forms provided by the flesh for discursive and intellectual thought upon the earth (e.g., analysis, comparison, contrast, deduction, induction, synthesis). What many call “scientific method” and “critical thinking” are regularly used by Christians; however, for those “born again,” more powerful tools have been supplied that are not grounded in profane or worldly definitions, logic, and process.
Relationship with GOD through Jesus Christ is the goal for every Christian; and just as “critical thinking” important and necessary within the academic arena, classroom or laboratory is less relevant and useful in the relationship with ones “soul mate” or spouse, relationship to the Creator requires commitment that appears as exclusive and restricting more than it demands “critical thinking.” The believer is to reach a point of understanding where, positioned before Christ on the cross, they clearly see their own faults, needs, and place within a new creation. Even so, GOD values the “whole” person, body, mind and Spirit on the basis of what we will become. Those outside of a sound relationship with our Maker experience bitterness, spiritual confusion, envy, exaggerated pride, resentment (as if betrayed or cheated), and a profound sense of loss. However, correctly understood, even the natural emotional states (e.g., anger, fear, suspicion) are to be suspended; and operations from ones own content of the Holy Spirit are to go forward. Born again believers are to meet the same life challenges as all others upon the earth being endowed with spirit matter from the makeup of GOD. Included are inseparable aspects of divine being such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
In life, Christ demonstrated that freedom is not destroyed by commitment, promise, or having fixed goals and eternal purposes. His followers now are in an ongoing process whereby they experience permanent change (i.e., growth, learning, maturity, transformation) to continue as life companions of divinity, who are immortal and incorruptible (we say, perfected). As those who are being made “ripe” to be harvested from the earth at his appearing (we say, the Rapture, the Second Coming), the disciples of Christ all trust that, despite time and space, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now. Consider how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:
(1.) Deuteronomy 6: 4-6, King James Version (KJV): 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
(2.) Deuteronomy 30: 6, KJV: 6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
(3.) Micah 6: 7-9, KJV: 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? 9 The LORD’s voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.
There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Luke 10: 25-28, KJV: 25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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