Today, focus is on accountability, commitment, and exclusive devotion to GOD to be shown by mature Christian believers. The problem of reverence and worship to false gods or man-made things that have importance in our living is described as “idolatry.” Where a man will say, “ I can’t live without” this or that, he makes a questionable claim that some object has authority, contains divinity, and is a source of power for change, continuance, duration, and survival. He may be speaking of his automobile, his family, his job, or his wife. Often, he will be speaking of money; and he may be blind to the things that establish correct relationship with divinity and are necessary for eternal life, salvation, and genuine righteousness. A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “RU55311” (Level 1 with 11 points, a member since October 19, 2010) posted the following:
Christians: how do you interpret this?
Luk_16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
Does this mean we are to compromise with the world? Or is it just a token of natural wisdom?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1st Timothy 6: 3-11, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Fundraising A Sacred Practice? (01/01/2017); About The Great Whore? (06/24/2016); More On Sacrificial Giving (11/03/2015); A $1,000 Dollar Seed? (11/02/2015); Money Is No Object? (10/14/2015); The Rich in Divine Relationship? (11/29/2013); We Are Still Sinning? (11/30/2013)
“RU55311”, fruitful relationship with the Creator requires commitment, meekness (i.e., being teachable by the Holy Spirit), and single-mindedness (we also say, determination, focus, a made-up mind). For many mature Christian believers the language used in the Bible seems to always be plain and to-the-point. However, through the use of parables and prophecy, many statements in the holy writings are challenging and at first unclear. Like divine law, the instruction and lessons contained within the Scriptures are intended for sinners, for those who are indecisive, and for those vacillating, and so must speak to their level of grasp and understanding while also internalizing and installing a fresh endowment of consciousness and self-will from the makeup of divinity. (Given it is true that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD,” there are only 2 kinds of people in the world: impenitent and repentant sinners.) The character and nature of discourse, exchange, and public preaching allow use of such language tools as comparison, contrast, hyperbole (exaggeration for emphasis), metaphor, poetry, rhetoric, and sarcasm (clarification by introducing obviously contrary points). A believer avoids confusion by using “discernment”, that is, by concentrating on the inseparable spirit substance from the makeup of GOD deposited within such features as cautions, events, messages, oneself, other persons, practices, prophecy, warnings, etc. Consider the following points from the Bible:
(1.) 1st Corinthians 1: 17-24, King James Version (KJV): 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 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.
(2.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 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. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) 1st John 2: 15-17, KJV: 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.) 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