A
depiction of Jesus as a small child
Today,
reply is on becoming Christ-like through the death, burial, and
rebirth of ones inborn spirit. Mankind is to display the image of
GOD that was presented throughout the life of Jesus Christ. The hope
of mature Christian believers is not merely to reflect the authentic
humanity of Jesus revealed through his birth, childhood, ministry to
others, suffering, death, and resurrection. Believers strive to
manifest his new life as one resurrected, who is free from sin, no
longer in an ongoing judgment, and who will never see the second
death. Christians seek to be like Jesus, edified to serve as his
new creation. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers”
public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Malcolm”
(Level 4 with 4,165 points, a member since June 06, 2010) posted the
following:
"...except
ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter
into the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18:3 What is the import?
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the
feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went
up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had
fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind
in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But
they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s
journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and
acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to
Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days
they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors,
both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him
were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw
him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast
thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee
sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist
ye not that I must be about my Father’s
business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto
them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was
subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her
heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with
God and man. (Luke 2: 41-52, King James Version, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: How GOD Speaks Today (12/10/2018); We Begin Within
GOD (02/06/2018); Growth Is Through Edification (06/20/2017);
Chocolate Bunnies! Easter Eggs! (04/18/2017); Proclaiming A New
Kingdom? (04/13/2017); His Birth Signals Rebirth (01/03/2017); The
Birth of Jesus (12/27/2016); About Conversion (09/03/2012); By Grace
(09/04/2012)
“Malcolm”,
mankind is being challenged and destroyed continually by severe
problems that are carnal, material, social, and spiritual. Such
finite human tools as intellect, logic, philosophy, reason, science
and technology have not been powerful or thoroughgoing enough to
resolve the many conflicts and disputes that characterize existence
and life; and humanity has had to return to its origin (we say,
divinity; the Creator; the Godhead) for guidance, protection, and
survival.
The
operations of sin may dominate consciousness and self-will
(willpower) in created beings and living creatures; yet, sin has not
been emanated or put forth as divine substance. Sin opposes the
continued existence of sacred law, the Lawgiver, and divine order
throughout the universe. Sin can not be totally eliminated and
eradicated through a mechanical process of destruction, or reversal.
What must occur is a living process of rebirth and transformation:
The character and makeup within the living must be infused with
spirit content from the divine fullness who is GOD. Included are
faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, longsuffering,
lovingkindness, personhood, purity, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath
against sin.
To
become Christ-like (we also say, sanctified), sinners must endure the
death, burial, and resurrection of their inborn spirit. Like
Jesus—who existed in heaven as
the Word, and was born on the earth, matured, ministered, died, and
was raised from death by the Father—those
turning to GOD through Christ are to be born from divine seed, and
pass through the same stages of discovery, gradual growth, learning,
and unselfish service. We say, those who are “born again” also
must “grow up again,” and become mature/ripe for harvest by Jesus
Christ at his appearing (we say, the Advent; the Rapture; the Second
Coming). Consider the following that describes the sacred pattern
using language from the Bible:
1.
John 3: 1-7, King James Version (KJV): 1 There was a man of the
Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to
Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a
teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou
doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a
man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his
mother’s womb, and be born? 5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom
of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which
is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,
Ye must be born again.
2.
Proverbs 20: 11, KJV: 11 Even a child is known by his doings,
whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
3.
1st Samuel 2: 26, KJV: 26 And the child Samuel grew on,
and was in favour both with the LORD, and also
with men.
4.
Luke 2: 39-40, KJV: 39 And when they had performed all things
according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to
their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in
spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
There
is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually
apprehended. (For example, 5. 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.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it
unto you according to your faith.
Washington,
DC
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