Today, topics include human autonomy, dependence on GOD, and suffering. To say “we are made in the image of GOD” also is to acknowledge that the same operations, patterns, and principles existing among the three persons of full divinity (we say, the GODhead) also must appear among created beings and living creatures. While those living on the earth are separate and distinct from those in the spirit realm, all are to conform to a single divine standard of oneness without sameness. Those despising divine law, who oppose the sovereign will of GOD, and insist upon having their own way do so under the grace and forbearance of divinity. They themselves exist within a context and a universe that belongs to GOD. One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers (UK & Ireland)” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:
What business is this of God's if I want to be abused?
Because my body is His temple? What if it wasn't? If it is my choice to pursue an abused life, that is my choice. I'm sick of my actions always involving other people. I wish it had no effect so that I can pursue what I want.
He is my enemy. You don't want me pursuing an abused life, but then you punish me, further compounding the pain and suffering? Sickening.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (1st John 3: 14-22, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Extravagance of Love? (04/02/2017); The Quality of Life? (03/29/2017); For Wanting Great Pleasure? (03/08/2017); Reflections on Existence (12/19/2016); Family Likeness and Traits? (11/08/2016); 3 Persons, 3 Minds? (02/03/2016); GOD and The Framework of Time (09/20/2014); About Knowing the Name of GOD (09/21/2014)
“Anonymous”, the battle is for the mind. Where you are truly willing to consider another point of view, here are some thoughts you might find fresh. In situations where faith exists, suffering can not dominate consciousness and self-will, or result in depression, self-destruction, and despair. While we may say a person’s body is their own, their existence, sphere of life, eternal purpose, quality, value, and sacred substance belong exclusively to GOD. In the same way our emotions, memories, and thoughts are not physical objects we can hold in our hands, the aspects of our unseen spirit from the makeup of GOD are not carnal, material, secular and social. Included are faith, forbearance, gratitude, holiness, hope, joy, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Correctly understood, an individual in the universe of GOD is like a single brick in a wall. Because the forces of stress and tension against each unit must be balanced and evenly distributed, there is no one brick that can be safely removed without resulting in a collapse of the entire wall. Transgression of divine law (we say, sin) introduces such elements as defiling ones spirit through fornication, dependence on secular knowledge, depression, despair, lack of self-esteem, lack of sacred knowledge, and permanent separation of the created from the Creator. Thus, to sin is like randomly removing bricks from a wall that is the universe. Where a breach and a hole is opened up is where the structure will begin to fall apart. The frameworks of time and space are damaged along with those for authority, form, knowing, and truth. Created beings and living creatures often prosper and survive best through operations that are cooperative, continuous, dynamic, gradual, harmonious, and interactive. Many life challenges to the living appear as fixed and recurring patterns. Therefore, coming together in stable relationships, acknowledging interdependence and thoughtfully addressing shared needs, meanings and values allows a maximum gain from ones own efforts with minimum losses and waste. Consider again the following:
(1.) 1st Corinthians 6: 15-20, King James Version (KJV): 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
(2.) Hebrews 10: 26-29, KJV: 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(3.) Romans 6: 3-12, KJV: 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Romans 6: 19-23, KJV: 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.) 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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