Today, the common errors are in view of seeking to identify and label Christian believers—and count the number of those within the Kingdom—on the basis of extraordinary events (signs), or their “good works” and service, rather, than their spirit content from GOD. The followers of Jesus are not required to “move mountains” so much as they are to quietly endure and respond as Jesus would to life experiences upon the earth that may include betrayal, contradiction, loss, oppression, persecution, and suffering. The ability to distinguish the spiritual standing and status of others requires discernment (i.e., applying ones own divine spirit content to correctly recognize spirit matter in events, messages, objects, oneself, other persons, etc.). The character, nature, and spirit substance of sinners can be permanently changed through rebirth that may occur in baptism, or the falling of the Holy Spirit. Content from the makeup of divinity is imparted to the sinner, and must develop, grow and bear fruit within them, in a way similar to that for seeds that are planted in the earth. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. In place of the works of the flesh, or even more ceremonies, rites, rituals, and sacraments, a godly crop from the divine presence is to appear. For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Even so, as those who are born-again, all believers will not be gifted, given deposits from Deity, and guided to serve as apostles, bishops, deacons and prophets who will regularly display casting out devils (exorcism), healing, speaking in tongues, or interpreting tongues. While all are not required to oversee congregations, be head of a family, perform miracles, preach, and teach, all are to continually acknowledge and portray the gentleness, godliness, and goodness of Jesus Christ in their own daily routines of life. Believers are enabled to share the Gospel through personal testimony, their ongoing relationships, and by witness to things recorded in the holy writings. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Abraham” (Level 1 with 31 points, a member since June 12, 2014) posted the following:
Are all people who run their mouthes claiming they believe in God real believers?
Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.
How many of you people can do this?
How many true believers are there?
How many true believers are there?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6: 30-37, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Proud, Yet Not Mature? (07/11/2016); To Him That Hath... (07/08/2016); About Other People's Beliefs (06/22/2016); Guided By Divine Truth (06/20/2016); The Only One Sent? (02/19/2016); Growing Up Again? (12/09/2015); Whatsoever Ye Shall Ask? (09/21/2015); Not Anti-Catholics, Antichrists? (09/22/2015)
“Abraham”, until they have been “born again” and established within the system of Christian belief as “doers of the word, not hearers, only”; sinners are not capable of performing as apostles, prophets, and spokespersons sent by GOD. To exercise the authority, power, and wisdom for such office, a believer first must gradually mature (“grow up again”) through such activity as exchange and interaction with more experienced disciples and followers of the Lord (e.g., clergy); by praise, prayer, reverence, thanksgiving, and worship; by study of the holy writings as well as by giving, sharing, and unselfish service. While sacred events (we say, miracles; signs; wonders) may result through faith, faith is not always the outcome of miracles. Amazing and spectacular displays may derive from lust for popularity and vainglory, self-promotion, and “showmanship”. When not prayerfully provided, miracles may increase complacency, fear, indifference, skepticism, superstition, and uncertainty. Thus, more than performing miracles, those who are sent as incarnations and vessels of divinity are to display faith and the other inseparable aspects of spirit content from GOD. Included are balance, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, love, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. The appearance and message of believers are to center upon grace, not works. Consider again how some of this is stated in the language of the Bible:
(1.) 2nd Kings 5: 9-13, King James Version (KJV): 9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. 10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
(2.) Matthew 12: 38-40, KJV: 38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
(3.) John 6: 27-29, KJV: 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
There is far more that should be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) Ephesians 2: 8-10, KJV: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment