Idolatry, Incarnation, the GODhead, the Holy Spirit, and willpower are topics, today. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Call me Gary” (Level 5 with 6,461 points, a member since July 11, 2006) posted the following:
Is Jesus a man living in heaven?
Most Trinitarians believe that Jesus is both man and God.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the Bible teaches that when Jesus died he died a human and was raised to heaven as a spirit person.
Do Trinitarians really believe that Jesus is a man living in heaven?
THE BATTLE AXE: The Spirit by Measure (09/22/2012)—Idolatry, the worship of false gods by adoration of graven images, is also a condition of infirmity and reduced willpower wherein a person believes there is will in some lifeless object or thing greater than their own human, self-will. Otherwise harmless and useful items are made to be abominations, exalted and given the place of our GOD. For example, many lament not being able to quit the habit of cigarette smoking; so the “will of the smoke” must be greater than “the will of the folk.” These acknowledge some power within the cigarette that controls their attitudes and behavior. Similarly, in one of the most widespread errors of our times, we see those who do not use alcohol and drugs indignant and terrified by the mere thought of their children or some neighbor being “users”. Saying this another way: Many are now addicted to anger, confusion and hate on the basis of what they suppose others are addicted to. The pursuit of such themes as drug addiction, LGBT, freedom, madness, and pleasure, derive from operations of the flesh, not from the Spirit of GOD. Where the prevailing notion of sexual freedom entails acceptance of spiritual duty as “optional”, and both decreased responsibility and lack of inhibition are acceptable, a person’s deposit of divine will, and the Spirit from GOD are seen to be woefully diminished. Surely, it cannot be correct for the children of GOD to approve that selfishness, sex, drugs and controlled substances, be feared, praised or promoted above family, friendship, offspring, parents, and spouse. Efforts to recover and release the victims of addictions cannot succeed when directed to change only a discrete behavior. Addiction is a life pattern expressed simultaneously on multiple levels of a person’s emotional, mental, physical, psychological and spiritual being. Change of ones spirit content can only be brought about through the action of divinity, and the increased measure of Spirit that is now imparted to mankind.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1st Timothy 3: 16, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Chances for Change (09/15/2012); What He Died For (09/14/2012); Why Is GOD Blamed? (08/23/2012); Shaken Once More (08/22/2012); How Life Exists (08/20/2012); Why Jesus Prayed (08/19/2012); Is That All It Takes? (03/18/2012); Many Forms of GOD? (03/17/2012)
Many mature Christian believers endorse the teaching that Jesus is now in heaven, and continues in the flesh and form of a man. As with the doctrines of Creation and Salvation, the doctrine of Incarnation speaks to a divine revelation whereby the eternal person and presence of Almighty GOD is made known and visible as immortal, incorruptible, and sovereign by the use of flesh and blood. GOD is a spirit, and as such is without limits, dimension, material being, and shape. Moreover, GOD is not a cloud, a fog, mist, smoke, a vapor, or any other material thing that lacks cohesion and solidity. GOD must be understood as a divine person consisting of such inseparable sacred substances as faith, holiness, hope, humility, joy, love, righteousness, truth, wisdom and wrath against sin.
GOD is known and made visible to created beings and living creatures through various mechanisms in line with the measure of divine person deposited within them at Creation. Angels, animals, mankind and sacred beasts all apprehend GOD as if GOD changes, or displays himself in various forms. However, rightly understood, GOD is immutable and unchanging. Those who deny that GOD is less than divine, because they do not understand all that is necessary or possible with GOD must be accounted as those spiritually underdeveloped and immature.
The oneness of GOD is not violated by the fact that created beings and living creatures only apprehend divinity on terms dictated by GOD, not by themselves. The oneness of GOD is not determined by human frameworks such as form, time and space. The oneness of GOD derives from such sacred processes and purposes as Creation, damnation, eternal life, forgiveness, rebirth, regeneration, resurrection and sanctification.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, there are many truths concerning the character and nature that are the person of GOD that will never be shared with humankind. Acceptance, respect, trust and understanding are vital to the relationship established as Christian belief. The validity of sacred truth must be discerned and recognized without use of the usual tools of the flesh (appetite, sensation, mind). Only by the imparted, indwelling spirit (called the Comforter, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) supplied through Jesus Christ, can there be this peculiar knowledge of the GODhead among the created.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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