Today, the character and nature of family as shown at the cross is in view. Divine authority, compassion, eternal purpose, and consecrated transactions to repurchase the earth make family an aspect of the new creation and testament in his blood brought into being by Jesus Christ. The covenants through Abraham and Moses permanently altered continuity, inheritance, and social relationships for those as heads of families, heirs, parents, siblings, spouses, and those having legal authority with privilege to resolve financial and other disputes (we say, kinship redeemers). The law of Levirate marriage was intended to preserve the economy of Israel whereby ownership of the Promised Land would continue by the eternal word of promise made by GOD to the fathers. Similarly, the new covenant in Christ establishes family as a body of those united through divine blood, faith, humility, obedience, the righteousness of the law, and imparted spirit content from the makeup of divinity. There may be oneness without sameness; and equality of accountability and condition does not always mean having the same duty, perfection, and privilege. Consider again the following Scriptures, and the presentation below:
2nd Corinthians 5: 17-21, King James Version (KJV): 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Hebrews 12: 6-10, KJV: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Hebrews 12: 6-10, KJV: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Ephesians 2: 18-22, KJV: 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
1st Peter 4: 14-17, KJV: 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” who regularly uses the ID “Anonymous” (no required profile information shared) posted the following. I would rather not reply to this person, because I don’t believe they will truly respect and value the response I carefully create (O foolish Galatians!). However, my process is to ask GOD to choose the question before looking to see the profile of its writer. “Anonymous” repeatedly poses some of the most challenging and important questions within the “Yahoo! Answers” International outreach that impress me as suitable for a sacred writings blog. While my answers are intended for my readers, here, my responses at Yahoo! still must be as brief, complete, and correct as I can make them:
How can we be equal to Jesus? How can we be his mother?
http://bible.com/111/mat.12.48-50.niv He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Atheists please do us a favor and go away. Thanks
THE GOLDEN ARROW: The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. (Matthew 22: 23-33, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: By Law and Relationships (04/05/2016); Heirs of The Cross? (04/01/2016); Divine Meanings and Values? (03/31/2016); Strong Families? (11/10/2015); Sin As Our Inheritance? (06/08/2015); Babies Given A Second Life? (01/25/2015); Family and Beliefs of Children? (08/29/2014); Stories Repeated in the Bible? (08/30/2014)
“Anonymous”, you seem to have been chosen to pose some of the hard questions that many are puzzled by as they consider Christian belief. Trusting that answers are continuing to flow to us across time and space through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood and truth from the cross are reaching to here and now. There are multiple sacred operations wherein created beings and living creatures are brought into intimate and personal relationship with Deity. In addition to baptism (i.e., death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak), believers become joined to the body of Christ through adoption of the Holy Spirit, anointing, childbearing, commitment (some say, dedication or devotion), holy matrimony, inheritance, ordination, praise, prayer, repentance, sanctification, and worship. The meaning and process of “family” as used by divinity has altered over the course of time since the first pair, Adam. Family was a divine (not human) tool for populating the earth, and the finite social values we now emphasize regarding incest were not in place. Covenant law granted to Moses and those who left Egypt (Gentiles included) was as much to establish correction, guidance, and standards for birthrights, family, and sexual relations as to establish a full functioning geopolitical state (nation). Through the ministry of Jesus Christ, the new and eternal basis for ones standing within the framework of family and divine heritage is the Savior’s blood and Spirit, and is no longer to be ones own birth order, blood, kinship, and sanguinity. The foundations for family are such grounding as faithfulness, righteousness, spirit content from the makeup of divinity, shared suffering, trust, truth, and unselfishness. Jesus demonstrated this at the cross when he surrendered his place as the son of Mary to John, and charged him to be dutiful as her son in his place. Consider how this is stated using language from the Bible in the following verses:
(1.) Romans 8: 14-17, King James Version (KJV): 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
(2.) 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.
(3.) John 17: 18-23, KJV: 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) John 19: 25-27, KJV: 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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