Some thoughts are shared on how the word of GOD can appear to be altered by created beings and living creatures. Also, there is more using the idea of milk and orange juice to describe salvation and GOD living inside us. Consider again the words from Jesus: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15: 8-9, King James Version, KJV) Because believers understand the divine word as an appearance (we say, incarnation) of Divine Person, many assume that the word of GOD must be final, fixed, immutable, and unchanging as GOD is. Many agree that men may not change GOD’s word, yet, are in doubt on whether GOD may change his own word. On the one hand, GOD is a spirit having all authority and sovereign majesty, and who appears using many different forms. On the other hand, even Almighty GOD is believed to be bound and restricted by his own word, and can not annul, cancel, contradict, or go back upon the truth he speaks and voices.
THE BATTLE AXE: GOD Lives Inside Us? (07/11/2014)—(4.) The gradual transformation mankind must undergo as salvation also may be described by using the glass of milk with juice. In effect, GOD is thirsting for a glass of pure orange juice; however, obeying divine law for the natural order, the milk may not be altered, and at no time is the glass to be empty. Filling the glass with orange juice may be accomplished by continuing to add juice one drop at a time. At first, there will be no visible change where one will stir in the new content. At some point, the drops of juice will begin to force milk to splash out of the glass; and later, as the milk and juice congeal, the two will become a sour, ugly and unattractive mess that no one would dare to drink (we say, it becomes “good for nothing”), and that will require considerable effort to clean up as it flows to a countertop or onto the floor. Even so, by continuing to put in drops of juice, the milk will eventually be completely emptied from the glass; and a glass of pure orange juice will remain. Where mankind is to serve as a permanent companion to divinity having eternal life, believers first must become immortal and incorruptible. Humanity is presently filled with such finite tools for earthly survival such as algebra, astrophysics, biochemistry, complaining, deceit, genetics, intellect, logic, lying, mathematics, philosophy, reason, and science. Earthly features will have to be replaced by aspects from the makeup of GOD such as faith, forgiveness, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Through Jesus Christ, GOD has begun to deposit and pour forth continuing streams of divinity that are to reside within mankind. The transfer of sacred substance is being accomplished by the use of divine mechanisms and sacred operations that include baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth having divine DNA, so to speak), fellowship in the church, practice of sacraments, prayer, preaching, and regular study of the holy writings. At first, there may no visible change, or a stable condition for the believer. As their infilling continues, they also reach a point where they are surrounded by a mess demanding clean up, and believers will appear “good for nothing.” Even so, where they will continue in humility responding to the ministry of GOD, at the appearing of Christ, every believer who was once filled by the flesh and by sin, will be completely filled with the Holy Spirit. See again Joel 2: 28-30, Acts 2: 1-4, Romans 8: 1-11, Ephesians 5: 17-19, Colossians 1: 9-20, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could not swear by anyone greater, he swore by himself, 14 saying: “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.” 15 So after Abraham had shown patience, he obtained this promise. 16 For men swear by someone greater, and their oath is the end of every dispute, since it is a legal guarantee to them. 17 In this same way, when God decided to demonstrate more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 in order that through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to the refuge may have strong encouragement to take firm hold of the hope set before us. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, both sure and firm, and it enters in within the curtain, 20 where a forerunner has entered in our behalf, Jesus, who has become a high priest in the manner of Mel·chiz’e·dek forever. (Hebrews 6: 13-20, New World Translation (2013 Revision) )
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Meaning of Worship? (07/09/2014); GOD Permits Evil? (05/12/2014); The Bible is Unchanging? (03/23/2014); Genuine Repentance? (03/24/2014); Evil is not Sin? (09/22/2013); Moses Killed? (09/23/2013); Blessings, Curses and Woes (10/03/2012); After We Die? (10/04/2012)
(1.) While the word of GOD should not be spoken of as flexible, open to manipulation, or plastic, neither is the word exacting, rigid, and severe. The word of GOD is directed to abundance, inclusion, life (rather than death), order, perfection, and permanence. The word is rich and supple by virtue of balance, diversity and comprehensiveness. The holy writings document the operations of GOD who has appeared among mankind through thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years. Various agreements, covenants, messages, statements, and utterances are recorded as commanded, directly expressed, and delivered from GOD through chosen agents and spokespersons who were carefully purified, set apart (we say, sanctified), endowed, and acknowledged through sacred events (we say, miracles).
(2.) The word of GOD has appeared in multiple forms that are not all directed to the same discrete focus, or intent. Thus, every word of GOD respected as Scripture does not bear the same weight and significance. Nor do all have the same aspect of duration. Many statements must be read as specific to the context of their own eternal purpose, as appropriate only to peculiar divine operations, as applicable only for named actors and their location as well as being confined to those meeting the spiritual conditions for relationship with divinity. Consider again: Blessing is not cursing; comfort is not exhortation; doctrine is not vision; history is not liturgy; praise is not proclamation; principle itself is not sacred law; prophecy is not promise; the good news of the resurrection is not the same as the gospel declaring gifts from the Holy Spirit; the apostolic witness to confirm the experience from Pentecost is not the same as the testimony of Jesus (the revelation of Jesus Christ that GOD gave unto him to deliver unto his servants).
(3.) Each word from GOD is like a multifaceted jewel. Many surfaces together create a single brilliance and color by operating both in agreement and in conflict at the same time. Thus, the sternest word expressing divine wrath also conveys reassurance of divine love: Admonition is also the expression of care and concern. Law is also healing. Reproof is also instruction. Scolding is also opportunity for growth and improvement. What at first may appear as contradiction later may be seen providing layers of correction, and levels of enlightenment.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Most of the things promised are sure, because they are upon the oath of GOD. By contrast, the things proclaimed and prophesied are less certain of fulfillment, because they may depend upon occurrence of a specific sequence of events, or the appearance of otherwise unrelated conditions. Spiritual confusion and error repeatedly develops regarding law and the things commanded (e.g., love ye one another; remember the Sabbath; turn the other cheek), because often they are taken to be circumstantial, conditional, and temporal.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to the measure and operations of the faith and love from GOD within you.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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