(09/24/2018) Ye That Work Iniquity

Today, reply describes divine love, and the response divinity must make to those who deny Jesus Christ. The operations of GOD provide for mankind to become joined to divinity as the new creation of Jesus Christ. Those who acknowledge Jesus as High Priest, redeemer, and savior are to receive atonement and spirit substance from the makeup of GOD that include faith, holiness, oneness without sameness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality public forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:

If Jesus loves everyone, then why will He say 'Depart from me...'?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:  21-23, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Consequences and Divine Love (07/05/2018); Whoso Keepeth His Word (03/09/2018); To Define “Godly Love” (08/20/2017); Who Deserves Divine Love? (06/23/2017); Divine and Unconditional Love (09/18/2016); The GOD Who Loves? (10/02/2016); Known by GOD? (10/16/2010)

“Anonymous”, among Christian believers, the expression and operation of divine love have to be accepted and recognized as coming from a GOD who is the origin of all existence and life, yet is also a GOD of judgment who provides divine law, sacred standards, eternal purpose and values for the continuance of the universe. To love as a mature partner within a relationship with divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) requires more than to simply show affection, respond to earthly desires, or center upon satisfying one another’s needs. Accountability, commitment, and discharging duty should appear along with obedience (putting aside ones self-will to carryout the will of another), and maintaining the genuineness and integrity of ones own personhood.

Mankind is being freely given every benefit, opportunity, and privilege required to live as companions to a GOD who is immortal, incorruptible, and righteous. Included are atonement for sin; endowments of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, impartiality and mercy in judgment, lovingkindness, wisdom, wrath against sin); forbearance; forgiveness; redemption; and salvation. To “walk in the Lord” is to conform to the example and image Jesus Christ has demonstrated for all the sons and daughters of GOD in heaven and on earth. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Amos 3:  3, King James Version (KJV):  3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

(2.) Deuteronomy 28:  8-10, KJV:  8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.  9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

(3.) Matthew 22:  8-14, KJV:  8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.  9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.  10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.  11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:  12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

(4.) Luke 13:  24-30, KJV:  24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.  25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:  26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.  27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.  28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.  29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.  30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

(5.) 2^nd Timothy 2: 15-19, KJV:  15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;  18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.  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.

(6.)  2^nd Corinthians 6: 14-17, KJV:  14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (7.) Luke 12:  8-9, KJV:  8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:  9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(01/13/2016) How To Treat Unbelievers?

The duty of believers to serve and share salvation through Jesus Christ with unbelievers is topic, today.  Christians are to operate as those who also are part of a man-made world system for communication and survival, yet, not become separated from divinity as an instrument or product of the world’s influence.  For there to be cleansing, healing, or sacred events (we say, miracles), faith must be present that acknowledges the authority and power of divinity that produces change.  Believers serve as a point of access and entry into the divine kingdom.  Thus, the followers of Jesus are to encourage spiritual change, development, and maturity in others by such methods as acknowledgment of the righteousness the other person may display or express (we say, praise), providing correction, expressing hope in place of despair, inspiring prayer and right relationship with Deity, maintaining godly standards, demonstrating divine love, and continually applying sacred knowledge.  Forbearance, forgiveness, guidance, humility, and thanksgiving are primary.  Believers avoid combativeness, condemnation, hostility and indifference as well as boasting, complaining, negative criticism, being “lukewarm,” and behaving as if unfeeling.  Showing courtesy, friendliness, good manners, and respect pertain more to cultural and social processes than to the sacred work of imparting Spirit content from GOD.  Those who stop their ears, refuse to listen, and push away the gospel often do so because their need for a divine response is urgent.  Their resistance is intended to call forth greater efforts by those seeking to share.  Even so, ministry to such unbelievers may be more effective through “long distance” (i.e., from ones private prayer chamber) as intercession where the needs of the unbeliever may be confessed, and brought before the Father upon a higher level).  Having been in similar circumstances and situations, born again disciples of Jesus humbly ask for help on behalf of others whose attitude and behavior make them difficult, distant, remote, and unaware.  The saved offer prayer from a child of GOD that answers as obedience while also being intimate and personal.  Consider again the following Scriptures, and the discussion below:

Hosea 6:  6, King James Version (KJV):  6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Mark 16:  14, KJV:  14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

2nd Corinthians 6:  14-18, KJV:  14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.  18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

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.

The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Luke” (Level 6 with 10,540 points, a member since February 06, 2014) posted the following:



What does the Bible say about how to treat unbelievers?  

Update: Please provide some quotes from Bible verses.



THE GOLDEN ARROW:   Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:  we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  (2nd Corinthians 5:  17-21, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Respect to Our Religious Beliefs? (04/21/2015); Some People Are Just Bad? (08/24/2014); Sermons About Good Sex? (08/25/2014); Focus of Believers? (06/17/2014); Discernment (06/18/2014); If You Are Sent…? (06/08/2013); Those Who Never Heard? (06/07/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013)


“Luke”, the followers of Jesus are cautioned to respond to the different forms of unbelief that may appear among those within the church as well as among those who are not members of the community of faith.  On the one hand, believers are to show mercy and share the very benefits they themselves have received from GOD. On the other hand, believers must discern (recognize) when the operations of sin will not permit the works of divine ministry.  Believers are counseled to be “wise as serpents, gentle as doves.” Consider the following Bible verses:

(1.)  Matthew 5: 43-45, King James Version (KJV):  43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

(2.)  2nd Timothy 3:  1-5, KJV:  1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

(3.)  2nd Timothy 2:  22-26, KJV:  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 are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a part of ones spiritual arsenal.  (For example, (4.) Matthew 7:  6, KJV: 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(08/24/2014) Some People Are Just Bad?

The idea that some are bad people who can not be saved, comes into view, today.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Darryl” (Level 2 with 604 points, a member since October 28, 2010) posted the following:


Where does the Bible stand on this issue? 

As a Christian, I believe there are some people who are just bad people - not good people who do bad things bad just bad evil people that no matter what their background, opportunities or lack of, life, socio-economic background, etc will be bad people.

I do think most criminals do suffer from disadvantages, trauma, low intelligence, etc that led them to do bad things but could have been good people.

But I do believe there are such thing as truly bad people - where does the bible stand on this ?

I also believe that a man is defined but what he does - so if a man does bad things - he is a bad man and vice-versa.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for thy name:  Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.  If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;  Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;  And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:  Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,  And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:  (1st Kings 8:  44-50, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Humility Needed for Salvation? (08/15/2014); False Angels of Light? (08/16/2014); All Sins Are Equal? (06/25/2014); Sanctify Yourselves? (06/26/2014); Self-control and Law (04/15/2014); A Conflict of Interest? (04/16/2014); A Conflict of Interest? (03/17/2014); Unclear Scriptures? (03/18/2014)


“Darryl”, here are a few points to consider for a correct understanding of the Bible, of mankind, and of salvation:

(1.)  The holy writings document eternal purpose, covenant relationships, sacred events (we say, miracles), godly interventions, and operations carried out by the Spirit of GOD whereby divinity has been shown to be active and present (we say, revealed) to created beings and living creatures.  While thousands of lives over the course of thousands of years are used to establish a clear image of the Invisible, the Scriptures are very different from writing intended for academic study, amusement (we say, entertainment, fiction, stories), biographies, history, and philosophical speculation.  Believers are to internalize and experience aspects of spirit process and spirit substance that pertain to the full person of GOD.  Through their baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth having divine content) followers of Jesus are different from all other finite beings, including angels and men.

(2.)  By operating through and upon their awareness and self-will, sin may dominate created beings and living creatures.  Sin was first recognized as an ungodly influence among the holy angels, and later was introduced upon the earth.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, of sacred knowledge, of GOD as sovereign, and of uninterrupted divine order throughout the earth, the heaven, and the entire universe.

(3.)  In addition to diversity, the life process for mankind embraces divinely directed change and transformation on many levels, and through multiple mechanisms.  Within the frameworks of time and space provided for order among mankind, the final judgment of individuals and of the human race often seems to be delayed, or postponed.  However, the process of GOD is eternal; therefore, only ones death can deny their possibility of salvation.  Ongoing, yet, unseen divine operations include atonement, birth, death, redemption, and sanctification that are accomplished using great subtlety (barely visible differences; hidden shifts and changes).  The person you condemn in this hour, may not yet be irreversibly condemned by GOD, and may have had a saving encounter with Christ by the next time you see him or her.

(4.)  The Adversary encourages men to believe that they are doomed, and can never be saved.  He encourages despair, bitterness, death, and sin by declaring there are those GOD can not claim.  Nothing is impossible for GOD; yet, salvation is by divine grace, not by human deeds and works.  To be fully aware of their place with GOD through judgment and mercy, there is the condition that men willingly accept and acknowledge the provisions from GOD.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  In accounts such as Noah’s flood, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the eternal wrath of GOD against sin is demonstrated.  The Scriptures plainly declare that all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD.  With this in view, even clergy, those in covenant relationships, those ordained as kings, priests, and prophets—those who have not sinned—the rich as well as the poor, all stand in need of the one salvation provided from GOD through Jesus Christ.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC