Matthew 20: 25-28, King James Version (KJV): 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Titus 2: 11-14, KJV: 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
2nd Peter 1: 2-4, KJV: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Revelation 21: 6-8, KJV: 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Matthew 13: 12, KJV: 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
2nd Peter 1: 5-11, KJV: 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile shared) posted the following:
I been saved for a year & 2 mths now and I have been a fool of the church, telling people things about me and how I feel & they spread it.?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. (1st Corinthians 4: 7-15, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Repentance and New Life? (12/30/2015); Offspring of GOD? (12/23/2015); Answer a Fool? (06/04/2015); What To Say To A Friend? (03/29/2015); Silent Wisdom? (12/02/2015); The Needs of the Many? (03/08/2015); When Does Gossip Become Sin? (01/08/2013); Understanding Hell (01/09/2013)
“Anonymous”, many believers mistakenly look to the church for emotional support and social acceptance. Because their focus is not upon the revelation of Jesus Christ as Redeemer and Savior, they will continue to be disappointed and frustrated, for it is more correct to embrace the church as an environment, and setting where one may concentrate upon acquiring and applying sacred knowledge and spirit substance from Christ as Head of the Church. Yes, the church is a social center and hub for activity among believers, however giving and receiving spiritual benefit must be recognizable as the shared goal and purpose for all. Many who attend church may be there “for all the wrong reasons.” Often the church is expected to serve as a place to “meet and greet” (i.e., develop new relationships based upon shared secular interests); offer diverse support groups (e.g., alcohol and drug addiction, bereavement, single-parenting); provide family-friendly activities, amusements, and entertainment; or even, be a place to merchandise, pursue networking for business and employment opportunities as well as develop and explore marriage prospects. While the sacred process of the church does include prayer in ones own “secret chamber” and silent, unspoken prayer, as genuine disciples to Christ, every member of the church will come under scrutiny (we also say, judgment), and aspects of their private life will be examined and exposed in detail. Included may be ambition, covetousness, envy, bad habits, lusts, phobias, cherished or hidden sin, shortcomings, and sin not visible to themselves yet visible to others as committed in ignorance. The believer must expect challenges, criticism, mockery, and direct opposition to their new life in Christ by those scorning religious beliefs and godly living—who also may be found within their congregation. The deposit of divine spirit a believer receives through baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth having DNA from GOD, so to speak) makes possible their continued faith, hope, joy, optimism, and perseverance. For many, growth as one who is set apart and belonging to Christ (we say, sanctification) heightens their sense of alienation, conflict, and the sense of no longer belonging to the world. This is part of the full pattern for those who are born again. Consider the following verses from the Bible:
(1.) Psalms 69: 4-9, King James Version (KJV): 4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. 5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee. 6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. 7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. 8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. 9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
(2.) Ecclesiastes 5: 1-2, KJV: 1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
(3.) Ecclesiastes 7: 16-18, KJV: 16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ? 17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a part of ones spiritual treasure. (For example, (4.) 1st Corinthians 3: 17-19, KJV: 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.) 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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