(06/22/2016) About Other People's Beliefs

Today, points are shared on comparing ones own and the beliefs of others, and salvation through grace rather than obedience to law.  Spiritual confusion can only be avoided by a person first becoming fully anchored, committed, and convicted through the operations of GOD.  The same wisdom we must exercise to correctly acquire the full range of doctrine and practice necessary within a chosen community of faith also must be applied when considering the beliefs that have been chosen by others.  Multiple subtleties (barely visible differences; hidden shifts in meaning and value) always are involved that may not immediately come into view.  Emotions and sentiment can break off the impartiality and sobriety vital to critical thinking and sound judgment.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “King” (Level 6 with 15,231 points, a member since November 25,  2015) posted the following:

How can christians say they are going to make it to heaven when they don't keep ALL the laws of the bible?

Christians are of the devil.

Christianity is the religion that slaughtered my people.

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise:  but God gave it to Abraham by promise.  Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid:  for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (Galatians 3:  16-26, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  By Law and Relationships (04/05/2016); Belief, Content And Works? (02/12/2016); How To Treat Unbelievers? (01/13/2016); The Death Penalty? (10/08/2015); Pointing Out Error? (10/07/2015); Making Sin Appear as Sinful? (06/07/2015); Death, Forgiveness, Sin and Spirit? (05/28/2015)

“King”, where your people belong to GOD, it is in the hands of Deity, not any other people, how and if they die.  The GOD I serve has demonstrated that death can be endured, and made to have less damaging impact against created beings and living creatures through such features as atonement, forgiveness, divine grace, mercy, rebirth, resurrection, and sanctification.

In the same way it requires careful study, growth, and experience over time to accomplish balance, completeness, consistency, and stability (we say, maturity) as one having knowledge and who routinely practices a lifestyle within your own system of belief, it also requires discernment, fellowship, insight, and many years of gradual development to correctly recognize errors, imperfections, and weaknesses from the belief systems of others.

For mature Christian believers, redemption, salvation, and life as an eternal companion to divinity is received as a gift (we also say, blessing); and is not a prize from competition, a reward, or wages for their own attitudes, efforts, obedience to a formal system of laws, or their own “good works.”  With this in view, Christians declare their faith in the proclamations, promises, and prophecies that have been provided from GOD through the Scriptures.  The holy writings give believers a divine point of view, so to speak, and make divinity knowable and known by showing the active presence and operations of GOD through thousands of events within thousands of lives over the course of thousands of years.

There is far more that should be carefully said, thoughtfully examined, and spiritually understood.  For example, for Christians, the challenge is to display and perform the righteousness of GOD that is communicated and spoken in divine law.  The benefit and supply the living need from GOD is obtained by acknowledging the character, nature and spirit substance of the law more than by “going through the motions” and mechanical obedience to the formal letter of the law.  Even so, I am sure this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(08/31/2014) Why Similar Accounts

Today, more points are shared on the process of Scripture and why similar accounts featuring different persons and times may appear. 


THE BATTLE AXE:  Stories Repeated in the Bible? (08/30/2014)—(5.)  Often, what appears as repetition in the Scriptures presents added and new information that furthers discernment and insight.  The process of spirit growth is one of gradual change and transformation.  The many life lessons of the Bible are conveyed using such elements as comparison, contrast, and diversity.  Many points are provided as admonitions and warning, others for explanation and instruction, while some serve to establish or trigger memory.  What appears to be their similarity and sameness is often the result of their displaying a shared and single spirit.  In the power and purpose of GOD, holy writings provide deposits of spirit content that continually nourish, refresh, and revive ones own endowment of spirit from GOD.  Finite intelligence may only recognize these operations when they appear through familiar forms and clear patterns.  Consider how, when assembling a jigsaw puzzle with thousands of pieces, we find there are many parts that at first appear all to be the same, that we later discover have form and unique details that make each one different from the others.  More than serving to publish carnal and historical information, the Scriptures impart inseparable (where one appears, all the others appear) aspects of divinity from the makeup of GOD.  Thus, with faith there are also holiness, joy, love, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  To those lacking discernment (ability to use their own spirit content to recognize and respond to spirit content in events, objects, persons, purposes) these aspects of GOD are lumped together, spoken of, and thought to be interchangeable—that they do the same thing and work the same way.  In fact, however, they are all distinct, yet only have their sacred effect interacting and working together.

(6.)  The device of divine prophecy first appears in the Scriptures during the account of Adam and Eve hearing GOD rebuke the serpent.  Early accounts of prophecy where dreams are used to proclaim divine intent include visions given patriarchs Abraham and Jacob.  Later examples are kings David and Solomon, prophets Ezekiel and Micah, the Apostle Paul, and John the Revelator.  In the Bible, lessons are repeated to demonstrate that the word from GOD given forth as proclamation, promise, and prophecy is credible, focused, trustworthy, and unchanging.

(7.)  Both Daniel and Joseph are symbols, and types (figures that appear repeatedly to represent a peculiar theme, a specific principle, or an operation of GOD) like Jacob and Esau that point to features among humanity such as birthright, brotherhood, competition, covenant, duty, gifts, sibling rivalry, and inheritance to clarify priesthood, service to GOD, and intimate relationship with divinity.  Believers are to discern and recognize that the same GOD is able to function and operate in different conditions and circumstances. 

(8.)  All dreams do not carry messages from GOD that reveal sacred events with otherwise hidden and invisible purpose, and our routine dreams are not prophetic in nature.  Prophetic dreams appear through operations by an aspect of full divine person, the Holy Spirit, through and upon the spirit content of those having faith from GOD.  Ordinarily, dreams are a product of ones emotional and mental states.  Actions and declarations are repeated in Scripture to indicate the correct interpretation, divine origin, and significance of dreams and prophesies.  Where a dream from GOD recurs or repeats, it is to indicate the firmness of divine purpose.  See Deuteronomy 13:  1-5, Ecclesiastes 5:  2-3 and 7, Jeremiah 23:  31-33, Daniel 2:  28, Amos 3:  7, Genesis 41:  32 and Acts 2:17, KJV.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:   Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me:  and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in:  behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.  But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:  And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.  Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.  And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.  Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.  But ye said, Wherein shall we return?  (Malachi 3:  1-7, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Chosen To Serve As Prophets (01/01/2014); Lawful Revenge? (01/02/2014); Why A “Spokesperson”? (01/14/2013); No Contradictions? (01/15/2013); About Conversion (09/03/2012)


There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (9.)  The Scriptures also are recorded to serve as evidence and testimony in divine judgment.  The device of repetition of similar events over time may be seen as establishing the “weight of evidence” for argument in the same way as multiple eye witness reports, and corroborating materials such as ballistic test results, DNA, fibers, finger prints and telephone logs.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/27/2013) By Inspiration of GOD

That correct knowledge of GOD and Christ must be gained by careful study of the holy writings is considered, today, as I again seek to encourage spiritual insight and understanding by using the Scriptures on Scripture format.

SOME THOUGHTS ON

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.  (2nd Timothy 3:  16-17, KJV) 


Deuteronomy 4:  2 (KJV)  2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.


Mark 12:  24 (KJV)  24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?


John 7:  37-43 (KJV)  37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive:  for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)  40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.  41 Others said, This is the Christ.  But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?  42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?  43 So there was a division among the people because of him.


Luke 24:  13-27 (KJV)  13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.  14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.  15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.  16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.  17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?  18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?  19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:  20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.  21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel:  and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.  22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;  23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.  24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said:  but him they saw not.  25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?  27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.


John 20:  19-31 (KJV)  19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.  20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.  21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you:  as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:  23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.  24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.  25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.  26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them:  then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.  27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side:  and be not faithless, but believing.  28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.  29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed:  blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.  30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:  31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.


2nd Corinthians 5:  7 (KJV)  7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)


Romans 15:  4 (KJV)  4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.


2 Peter 1:  19-21 (KJV)  19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:  but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.


Revelation 22:  18-20 (KJV)  18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.  20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus.


There is far more to be said, correctly shared, and spiritually understood.  Again, I welcome readers to share as a comment a few of the Scriptures you feel should be added to those already being displayed, here.  I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.  Jesus is coming.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC