Today, principles of correct belief are in view with more points on being judged about sexual activity by the body of believers, ones church or local congregation.
THE BATTLE AXE: Condemned by the Church? (08/19/2014)—(4.) Christian believers must reject many premises and unspoken points of truth established at birth that are widely held as carnal thoughts, popular culture, and social consciousness. For example, it is common to hold that, where GOD has something to say to me, no human may speak for GOD. GOD must speak for himself. Such a belief also denies that GOD has authority to appoint or send angels, agents, congregations, covenant people, pastors, or any other representatives as his spokesperson (we say, prophet). No document, record or holy writings may convey the heart and mind of GOD. Only his physical appearance and audible voice are acceptable. More than this, GOD may not appear incarnate (in flesh or human form), for then, he can not be acknowledged as having divine person and power as GOD. For those who are born again, the content and operations of the flesh and mind are being gradually changed and transformed to constantly maintain genuine spiritual focus. Created beings and living creatures do not otherwise escape the inborn mechanics of appetite, self, and sensation that continually make the false declarations: Life is only good when I can get what I want; I can’t live without what I desire; where we can’t have our way we should refuse to obey the command to live; I’ll die if I can’t have my way.
(5.) For many, observing a principle that GOD is One—an amount or quantity, rather than an immeasurable aspect or quality of existence (we say, spirit)—denies that GOD may at once appear, or be expressed through multiple forms, functions, and person. Insisting that only a single Supreme Being may be in ones life as an expression of sovereign truth also results in the rejection of admonition, chastisement, comfort, and divine love that are generated and proclaimed by the imparted Spirit of GOD residing within those who are his Creation, his offspring, and his servants. Curiously, many of those insisting that GOD is One, reject a second principle that also must be upheld: Nothing shall be impossible for GOD.
(6.) Because we call it “being saved” and “salvation” many fail to recognize the Gospel calls mankind into a divine process of correction. As with many aspects of rebirth, eternal life and divinity, the frameworks of time and space must be suspended to embrace the divine victory over sin. For even though the sinner is destroyed by death, the consequences of their deeds continue indefinitely. Believers are not to deny or forget their own experience of errors and problems that blocked their access to GOD before coming to Christ. All are to develop discernment, the ability to identify the spirit content within such focuses as events, messages, motives, objects, other persons, the holy writings, and themselves. Discernment makes it possible to clearly identify ones own disobedience, doubt, short comings, spiritual needs, and sin; and then correctly apply sacred knowledge for cleansing and permanent change.
(7.) Clergy, parents, those charged to make critical evaluations or reviews, and all other authority figures will be attacked when they are incorrectly seen to be despots, “false gods,” and manipulators. The covenant agreement between Christ and a believer that is established through the Savior’s blood and body is a contract for intercession and mediation in judgment that does not immediately eliminate, or remove all sin and temptation. Also, believers are not relieved of accountability, obligation to GOD, duty, or responsibility within the covenant relationship. In this sense, salvation is conditional and requires acceptance, communication (e.g., praise, prayer, promise, prophecy), cooperation, discipline, fulfillment of terms, and trust. Conflict, defiance, doubt, rebellion, and suspicion appear within a church body until believers become balanced, mature and stable through the Holy Spirit.
(8.) While public prohibitions of early, pre-marital and same gender sexual experiences are becoming relaxed and suspended on the basis of inclusiveness, political franchise, popular culture, and campaigns by social media among secular communities, the standard within the church community must remain fixed as the expression of sacred law, divine order and eternal purpose. Almighty GOD is correctly described as loving, responsive, and understanding, yet, he is also immutable and unchanging. There must be repentance—not necessarily guilt or shame—and the redirecting of ones will regarding things held to be “natural”, normal, and of unquestioned value. Under the spells of appetite and sensation many young people “innocently” become entrapped within defilement and uncleanness that weaken their bond to GOD. The unexpected spiritual outcomes from fornication can only be reversed through purification provided from GOD. Sexual behavior may be thought of as always being dangerous, for the consequences—even with the same couple (a man and his wife) who have had no other partners since sharing loss of virginity on their wedding night, in the same location, under the same circumstances—may vary greatly from one episode to the next (e.g., dissatisfaction, failure to climax, unwanted pregnancy, STDs). In general, sex is an animal aspect that can not be controlled, or made predictable simply using finite intellect, logic, reason, and science. While the joining of spirits through sexual activity can be a sacred device to build, heal, and strengthen individuals, through lust, pride and violence sex also becomes an instrument that spreads confusion, cuts off ones divine possibilities, weakens, and destroys. Sacred knowledge and fellowship within the body of Christ will ever oppose ignorance of divine law regarding sexuality as well as the correct processes for marriage and commitment to ones life companions (e.g., offspring, parents, spouse).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1st Corinthians 6: 1-11, KJV)
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, consider again Isaiah 44: 6-8, Matthew 15: 5-20, Mark 12: 18-34, 1st Corinthians 6: 15-20, 2nd Corinthians 12: 20-21, 1st Peter 4: 14-16 and 1st John 5: 3-20, KJV.) 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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