Today, discussion focuses upon prophecy, examples for the Church from children, and godly sorrow. Christian believers receive an inheritance of joy, divine love, and peace through one who is called “a man of sorrows,” Jesus Christ. In popular culture, the character, Charlie Brown, is a type of Christ as are Adam, Noah, David, Jeremiah, and Job. The expression, “Good grief!”, is used when a person is annoyed, is exasperated, is vexed (i.e., repeatedly encounters vanity; becomes frustrated, irritated, or provoked by efforts to oppose and quench ones spirit), or their patience is exhausted. Thus, the catch phrase is not a reference to bereavement, loss of a loved one, or mourning. Before Peanuts first appeared, October 2, 1950, the American cartoonist Charles M. Schulz did lettering in a Roman Catholic comic magazine, Timeless Topix. In the newspaper comic strip, “Good grief!” is used in social commentary that acknowledges the absurdity, brevity, and incongruity that may characterize life with its many challenges, episodes, and odd encounters. The reply (below) was posted at WordPress.com where “guestspeaker” (Netherlands, a Christadelphian writer) shared “Facing daily events and exclaiming “Good grief!” ” in response to my blog (11/04/2016) Works of the Spirit?:
Be encouraged! “Good grief” is “godly sorrow.” I first saw Charlie Brown as a child when I was reading the "Sunday funnies" (comic strips in the newspaper). I recognized the phrase as slang and "street talk" being used in a formal setting, by a little white boy, and understood its awkward displacement as a form of humor akin to irony and sarcasm. Later I was shown the spirit value of the phrase (not the letter) through an epistle by the Apostle Paul: 2nd Corinthians 7: 9-11, King James Version (KJV): 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 7: 1-6, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: To Foster Godly Sorrow (03/11/2016); African American Christmas? (12/15/2015); Antidotes to the Poisons (10/30/2014); About “The Just” (10/29/2014); Beliefs, Customs and Racism? (09/24/2014); Life Choices (12/14/2013); That Mortal Children Die? (12/15/2013)
“guestspeaker”, it is very likely that “good grief” was an appropriation (a use out of context; wresting) of the phrase “godly sorrow.” Error, exaggeration, reversal, surprises, twists, and the unexpected are equally important throughout our many worldly amusements and entertainments—be they comedy, drama, or “tales of suspense.” Sophistication in children is thought to be atypical, “hip”, and precocious as are insight among minority persons, wisdom among the poor, and conversation shared among bumpkins, oafs and fools. On this dimension, sorrow for sin (i.e., guilt, regret, remorse, shame) that results in repentance has them all beat.
Children are pointed out as Christian (a word that meant “little Christs”, and first was used to disparage and mock the Lord’s disciples and followers), and were promoted as models before the early church on the basis of their example of humility. However, it is not to be missed that exemplary children are uncomplaining, and also display cheerfulness, industry, innocence, gratitude, loyalty, meekness (i.e., readiness and willingness to learn), obedience, patience, purity, resilience, and truthfulness. To be “childlike” (plain, straight forward, unassuming) in a godly manner is far from being “childish” (immature, playful, silly, worldly). Through the adoption of the Holy Spirit, adult believers in Jesus Christ are to become “a new creation,” and children through rebirth who answer as the offspring and seed of divinity.
Some (both believers and sinners) do not acknowledge and discern prophecy without there first being comfort, threats, and warnings; yet, the benefits by edification and exhortation are usually greater. Prophetic demonstrations, sacred events (we say, miracles), and authentic visions from GOD usually excel in sophistication by virtue of their simplicity. For those who are born again, profound truth often comes into view at a level, and through processes of communication and exchange that may appear casual, informal, and vain (i.e., lacking spirit substance from the makeup of Deity). Included are praise, prayer, preaching, promise, and witness.
Mockers and scorners often approach believers in a friendly manner; and believers must use discernment (regard their own spirit content from GOD as a standard to determine and respond to the spirit content in events, within themselves, in other persons, in statements, etc.). Believers are cautioned to be vigilant (watch and pray), and to carefully, impartially yet thoroughly examine, test and try (prove) all things. Hidden attacks, insults, and thrusts will characterize the “wolves in sheep’s clothing;” and those promoting disbelief often seek to make secular use of ideas from the Scriptures. With this in view, many mature believers trust that truth from GOD may be apprehended and uncovered at any time, in every situation, and is not restricted to the place of assembly, the prayer chamber, and the sanctuary.
Consider the following points from the holy writings:
(1.) James 4: 8-10, King James Version (KJV): 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
(2.) Romans 8: 24-27, KJV: 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
(3.) Psalms 126: 5-6, KJV: 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
(4.) Psalms 8: 2, KJV): 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
(5.) Matthew 21: 10-16, KJV: 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
(6.) Colossians 2: 6-10, KJV: 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
(7.) 1st Thessalonians 5: 19-22, KJV: 19 Quench not the spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
(8.) Isaiah 53: 3-5, KJV: 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
(9.) Romans 8: 14-18, KJV: 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended, here. (For example, (10.) Isaiah 53: 8-12, KJV: 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.) 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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