Today, reply is made on the Old and New Testament being both part of a single divine revelation wherein GOD is Father to all. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “OkieDevil” (Level 2 with 839 points, a member since January 21, 2017) posted the following:
Why do Christians still worship the Old Testament when Jesus says the God of the OT is the Devil? NOT His God...?
John 8 41-44 "The only Father we have is God himself." 42Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
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. (Ephesians 2: 13-18, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Fellowship With the Father (06/13/2017); The Fullness of GOD? (05/21/2017); Human Nature, Divine Spirit? (05/18/2017); That GOD Is Immutable (05/04/2017); Proclaiming A New Kingdom? (04/13/2017); The Complete Divine Revelation? (03/10/2017); Exalted By The Father? (01/26/2017)
“OkieDevil”, here are some ideas that have helped many avoid spiritual confusion: there is only one complete divine revelation. Because a believer’s focus on the things of GOD must be broad and inclusive, it also must be strictly ordered and structured. Mature Christian believers are called into the understanding that created beings and living creatures must receive from GOD the revelation that makes knowable and known the fullness and totality of divinity (we say, the GODhead—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The sacred knowledge provided to mankind through promise, prophecy, and the holy writings bring together multiple streams of truth that extend to events before the frameworks of time and space. GOD shares a divine perspective on natural occurrences, sacred operations, and eternal purposes using thousands of events, occurring within thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years.
Given Deity is immutable, incorruptible, and unchanging, many elements are fixed that display diversity (like the rose or tulips), do not change; and there are continuous, incomplete unfolding (we say, progression), rather than discrete, one-time events. Because relationships with mankind are interrupted by mortality (death, disease, dying), devices and mechanisms have been employed to establish continuity and stability that include covenants, dynasty, family, inheritance, priesthood, and sanctification.
We speak of intimate and personal relationship with GOD to acknowledge that divinity is more than an abstract, academic, and hypothetical construct. Even so, GOD is an invisible, yet, active presence (we also say, breath, life essence, a spirit, word) who must be known and “seen” by his divine fruitage (effects, outcomes, products). Consider again the following:
(1.) Deuteronomy 14: 1-2, 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.
(2.) Romans 10: 2-4, KJV: 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
(3.) Romans 11: 28-33, KJV: 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) 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.) 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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