Today, topics include the response of Jesus to Judas, discerning divine operations, and realizing the active presence who is GOD. Reply is made to a person boasting that he is an atheist and an imposter who deceives Christian believers. Those who insist on foolishness and being playful in response to the Gospel do so risking the loss of their salvation from GOD. For thereby they trod under foot the Son of God, count the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and do despite unto the Spirit of grace. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are granted discernment to correctly respond to divinity, acknowledge and return genuine love, protect one another from fraud, and to shun iniquity and ungodliness. Even so, judgment within the body of Christ is to be limited, and aims to avoid pronouncing perdition, and utter condemnation. Authority to seal and make final determinations of sacred value (and its absence) for individuals, and various events are reserved and exclusive to divinity. The faithful are instructed that all have sinned and come short,” yet, are cautioned to “judge nothing before the time,” and realize we are in a period of grace. A person denying the Lord today may become changed in an instant to be a new creation. When you see them tomorrow, or a few days from now, they may have had their own personal experience of salvation through Christ. More than this, even where they deny the Lord now, they are no less divine instruments and tools to accomplish eternal purpose. Jesus and the other apostles accepted the presence of Judas of Iscariot for some three years before the agent of Satan betrayed the Savior with a kiss. During those years, his acceptance by the Lord was never because Jesus had been “fooled” or tricked regarding the man’s motives and true nature. Con artists, deceivers, agents of the devil, and “flimflam” men seek to exploit human error, weaknesses, and wickedness in others thinking themselves specially skilled and superior. Thus, their downfall and exposure usually come through hubris and their own exaggerated pride. That others make no complaint or push the disbeliever away can be attributed to compassion, correct focus on the coming of Christ to harvest the earth, the greater maturity of believers, and that others do recognize the offender’s desperate need for ministry from a friend who is truly in Christ. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (Malaysia)” using the ID “Kristophoros” (Level 2 with 284 points, a member since October 14, 2014) posted the following:
If Christians have a Holy Spirit, why can't they tell that I'm kidding when I say I'm a Christian?
All I have to do is quote some scripture, praise Jesus, and they don't have a clue I'm an atheist. Where is the Holy Spirit? I even had a Christian say they could feel the Holy Spirit flowing from me!
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1st Corinthians 4: 1-5, King James Version (KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Called, Justified, and Glorified? (01/08/2017); Knowing GOD and Sin? (02/03/2017); Waiting For His Appearing (02/09/2016); Answer a Fool? (06/04/2015); The Gift of Meekness (11/25/2014); Concerning Meekness (11/26/2014); On Testing GOD (06/20/2013); GOD Grants License? (06/21/2013); Origin of Baptism? (06/22/2013)
“Kristophoros”, correctly understood, the “good fight of faith” is not one to condemn sinners so much as it is to bestow the love of GOD upon them. In addition to wrath against sin, the operations of GOD to maintain and reinforce divine order, eternal life, and the sovereign will of Deity are to be recognized through the appearance of such inseparable spirit content as balance, forbearance, forgiveness, humility, longsuffering, lovingkindness, maturity, meekness, patience, respect, restraint, and sobriety. Every born-again Christian believer must accept permanent changes in their own character and makeup that only result from operations of the imparted, indwelling Spirit of GOD. A reborn sinner must “grow up again” by acquiring sacred knowledge through fellowship, praise, prayer, service, study and worship; by completing sacred assignments and duties; by enduring “growing pains” that may include oppression, persecution, and suffering as well as by enduring and overcoming multiple temptations, thrusts and trials from those outside of Christ. Accusation, confrontation, denouncing others, and slander are weapons of the Devil along with deceit, lies, malice and violence. True Christian warfare occurs on a higher plane. Consider again the following from the holy writings:
(1.) 2nd Corinthians 10: 3-5, King James Version (KJV): 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
(2.) 2nd Timothy 2: 19-26, KJV: 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) Malachi 3: 17-18, KJV: 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.) 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