(09/06/2012) Father Forgive

    
     Words spoken by Jesus from the cross, forgiveness, prophecy, and the nature of human knowledge are discussed, today, along with more on judgment and “judging others.”  The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Agent Sixty Three” (Level 2 with 468 points, a member since September 13, 2011) posted the following:


Does "father forgive them, they know not what they do" refer to fulfilling prophecy?

Did Jesus want God to forgive the romans for doing exactly what God knew they would do, exactly what God wanted them to do?
Does this imply that ignorance is an excuse in terms of Christianity? Will God save those who never had a chance to learn about Jesus? If so, then doesn't teaching people about Jesus serve only to give them a chance to reject, thereby -reducing- their chances of being saved?


THE BATTLE AXE:  Yet If I Judge (09/05/2012)—For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.  (1st Corinthians 11:  31-32, KJV)

As the only Creator and Beginning of all that is, Almighty GOD has an absolute right to assign value to all that exists, and to determine what things will continue as expressions of divinity, and eternal person.  Those who deny GOD such sole authority and entitlement, and those who seek to exalt themselves or replace GOD upon the throne of judgment, are correctly identified as rebels, sinners, thieves, and usurpers.  As the children of GOD in the earth through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, every believer is in a process of continual examination that may be called “judgment.”  Both those having law (covenant) and those without law (outside of covenant) will come under a final divine review.  Those who promote themselves through unkind social behavior labeled as “judging others” (e.g., harsh, unasked for, unwarranted and malicious criticism; character assassination; gossip; mocking; name-calling; rumors; sarcasm and slander) are not to be regarded as the agents of GOD.  Just as GOD has used men to prophesy and proclaim divine will, the church is instructed, provided with divine gifts of insight and wisdom, and is used as an agent in divine judgment.  The spirit imparted to mankind that resides as divine person within a believer installs the sacred purposes of judgment at the same time that it deposits such content as humility, faith, forgiveness, holiness, love, and wrath against sin.  Given that all do not have the same levels of maturity, skill and understanding, all are not fit for the same duties and work of judgment.  Yet, it remains that, judgment is a matter of choice; and in obedience to Jesus who has been appointed Judge of the quick and the dead, it is natural for believers to assess, acknowledge, embrace or refuse the spirit content of those with whom they regularly interact.  Believers are not to be apologetic as GOD uses them to warn, intercede and witness upon the earth.  Nor are believers obliged to respect those who are hateful and ungodly as if they are not to be held accountable, should be lauded as innocent, or trusted as pure and supportive.  To challenge the Judge, officers of the court, and agents of judgment is dangerous business.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  The secret things belong unto the LORD our God:  but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.  (Deuteronomy 29:  29, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Why Is GOD Blamed? (08/23/2012); Shaken Once More (08/22/2012); Wrong To Love? (08/17/2012); Jesus Our “Advocate” (08/16/2012); Apostasy Forgiven? (08/15/2012); Girdle 14:  Reasonable Service (11/29/2011); Dispatch 33:  The Lamb of GOD (09/12/2011); Not Sacrificed? (12/15/2010)


     In the reflections of many Christian believers the words “father forgive them” uttered by Jesus from the cross are heard as (1) an intercessory prayer offered to GOD by the Son of the Highest; (2) a heartfelt, and impassioned plea that divine acceptance and love take precedence over punishment for those guilty of the crucifixion; and (3) acknowledgment that sin and unbelief have established nonnegotiable demands for direct response from GOD as divine judgment and supreme justice against mankind, and all living in the earth.  Generally, the expression “for they know not what they do”, is taken to describe both a lack of knowledge regarding divine purpose, and inability to correctly value revealed spiritual truth (i.e., unbelief).  The “ignorance” of mankind is a divinely established and permanent condition; there will always be sacred truth that is hidden and invisible to the created.

     Among more mature Christians, “father forgive” says, accept the offering for atonement, acknowledge the partial fulfillment of your promises, be reconciled to the human condition, the law is now fulfilled, and pour forth in greater abundance the remedy of divine grace.  The cross is an altar and a bar of judgment.  A lawful petition is presented to the Supreme Judge on behalf of Adam, Eve and all their descendants; on behalf of the nation of Israel; on behalf of all who would believe and accept salvation through Christ; and for all the family of mankind, and their future generations.  “They know not what they do” describes human knowledge as incomplete, imperfect, finite, and temporal.  Through perverted awareness, imagination, and unbalanced consciousness all human existence is “tainted” including  human judgment, love, obedience to divine law, and conformity to sanctified examples of righteousness.

     Deeper thoughts also identify the calling forth of a more exalted judgment, and a more glorious revelation.  The human predicament is understood as going beyond the lack of mankind not being equipped to discern and recognize things recorded in scripture.  For created beings and living creatures, the certainty and clarity of divine presence are now confounded through immaturity, instability, physical separation, and divergent will.  Even when accessible and manifest as incarnate, men do not immediately recognize (know) GOD their Creator and Savior.

     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, through the laws given to Moses, we are further led to understand that blood atonement also must be made for sins committed in ignorance (we say “by accident” and “unintentionally”).  Unknown to mankind, divine commitments, unseen operations and sacred processes must go forth whereby Creation is benefited and preserved.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC