Focus, today, is on discerning the image of God, and displaying oneness without sameness. Christian believers all are encouraged to become disciplined, behave as selfless and unselfish, exercise restraint, and master techniques for achieving accord, agreement and peace, yet, none are required to act, look, speak and be the same as though GOD also does not value excellence, distinctiveness, independence, and uniqueness. Those in the church founded by Jesus Christ are called “chosen”, “elect”, and “his body.” From the time of Moses, believers have been privileged to declare themselves members of the family of GOD, and a household of faith (e.g., see Deuteronomy 14: 1-3, King James Version (KJV): 1 Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. 2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. 3 Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.). The Apostle Paul regarded the stripes on his back as the mark of his being in covenant with Jesus Christ, rather than his circumcision. Similarly, many Christians now point to their scars and wounds received overcoming obstacles, struggles, and suffering in service to the Lord as evidence of acceptance by GOD, and marks of divine approval. The time is fast approaching when all who belong to Christ will be recognized immediately because they will not have the mark of the beast in their forehead, or their right hand. Even so, since the beginning, when mankind first was created as a companion to divinity, it has been the divine essence and inward substance (we say, breath, spirit, word) that are to identify and seal the living as belonging to the Creator, rather than their outward form, or surface scars. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Sugar Skull” (Level 4 with 2,525 points, a member since June 24, 2016) posted the following:
If people say that we are brothers and sisters then why don't we look alike?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2: 13-22, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: His Children Are Sanctified (10/12/2016); An Habitation of GOD (07/24/2016); In The Divine Household? (05/05/2016); In The Image of Man (05/04/2016); Family at The Cross? (04/11/2016); The Image of GOD? (10/10/2013); Embodied Afterlife? (10/11/2013)
“Sugar Skull”, among mature Christian believers who understand they are the children of GOD, brothers and sisters with Jesus Christ, and joint heirs of a divine inheritance, all share the image of GOD that must be “seen” using spiritual discernment. Believers develop their ability to use their own spirit content from the makeup of Deity as a standard to recognize and respond to the spirit matter deposited within doctrines, events, born again believers, other persons, prophetic demonstrations, the holy writings, etc. Clear awareness of the imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD only becomes “visible” to those who continuously put sacred knowledge to use through fellowship (communication, exchange, and interaction with other believers); private and shared praise, prayer and worship; observing sacraments (i.e., sacred practices); regular study of the Scriptures; and unselfish service. Just as the fullness of divinity is emanated as “oneness without sameness,” perfected and sanctified believers will display the image of GOD through diversity and unity. Consider how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:
(1.) 2nd Corinthians 4: 3-5, King James Version (KJV): 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
(2.) Ephesians 2: 1-6, KJV: 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
(3.) Romans 8: 16-18, KJV: 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. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
(4.) 1st Corinthians 1: 9-10, KJV: 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended, here. (For example, (5.) Romans 8: 5-10, 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.) 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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