(09/27/2016) The Divine Peace Process?

Today, peace is described as a result of divine operations that must occur within the living, and unfold like the gradual growth of a seed.  For mature Christian believers, peace is an inner condition as well as the social framework and lifestyle vital to relationships between and among nations seeking exchange, prosperity, and mutual support.  For modern nations, the peace process consists in such features as adjudication, conferences, diplomacy, negotiations, and talks.  Peace will result as the outcome of complete agreement, or consensus (i.e., accord achieved through acceptance, compromise, and consent).  Many heads of state and global councils adopt a “hard line” posture and refuse peace through consensus.  They prefer to pursue a war that may only spread bitterness, death, destruction, poverty, and revenge, and can never result in peace, because by a pact or treaty they also must lose advantages and benefits.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Harold” (Level 4 with 3,041 points, a member since June 24, 2009) posted the following:

Don't you just wish God Almighty would impose peace upon the world?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any:  even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.  (Colossians 3:  12-17, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  About Judgment By GOD (08/29/2016); Divine Focus and Process (07/19/2016); World Peace Is Coming? (05/08/2016); To Have True Peace? (11/12/2015);  Conflict Because of Religious Belief? (01/30/2015);  Understanding Peace? (11/20/2013); Adversary or Servant? (11/21/2013)

“Harold”, the divine operations to generate and maintain peace throughout the fullness of Creation also are aspects of the revelation of GOD whereby divinity is made knowable, known, and present for created beings and living creatures.  While ultimate authority, judgment, ownership and sovereignty only are to be found with GOD, the nature of divine control and governance are not coercion, external demands, and intimidation by outside forces.  Among Christian believers, peace is the outcome of judgment (i.e., applying law to establish balance, maintain fairness, resolve conflict, and settle disputes), and self-government under GOD, and is not the outcome or reward for warfare.  Personal peace must appear from within a person through the exchange, joining, interaction, and reconfiguration of inseparable aspects from the divine makeup that must reside within the living.  Included are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, joy, longsuffering, love, meekness, restraint, and wisdom.  With these points in view, one must understand that peace for the world must derive from within the world.  Consider again how some of this is stated using the Bible:

(1.)  Matthew 10:  32-39, King James Version (KJV):  32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.  34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth:  I came not to send peace, but a sword.  35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.  37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:  and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.  39 He that findeth his life shall lose it:  and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

(2.)  Hebrews 4:  12-13, KJV:  12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight:  but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

(3.)  Matthew 5:  8-10, KJV:  8 Blessed are the pure in heart:  for they shall see God.  9 Blessed are the peacemakers:  for they shall be called the children of God.  10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(4.)  John 15:  17-20, KJV:  17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.  18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:  but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

There is far more to be said, thoughtfully examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Romans 5:  1-5, KJV:  1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:  knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX 
Washington, DC

(01/03/2014) As GOD Loves Us?

Atheists, divine love, and the love of Christian believers are in view, today.  Also, there is more on justice and lawful revenge.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Madyson” (Level 1 with 135 points, a member since December 24, 2013) posted the following:


Christians, do you love us Atheists like God loves us?


THE BATTLE AXE:  Lawful Revenge? (01/02/2014)—Many confuse justice with retribution (we say, get back and pay back).  Such persons understand equity and fairness as a matter of “sameness” (those who attack or hurt me should suffer the exact same way that I suffer).  However, to correctly establish justice is not always a matter of parity.  Often imbalance may be removed by a 60/40 or 70/30 solution in place of the 50/50.  The violence of a community against transgressors is usually accounted as acceptable given that, where individuals seek to exalt their own will against consensus and law, patterns of extreme and unbalanced emotional and mental functioning tend to appear that cancel productive communication, logic, reason, and interpersonal exchange.  Saying this another way:  Offenders call forth violence upon themselves by displaying arrogance, lack of remorse, persistence, pride, selfishness and unwillingness to cooperate with, or submit to the law.  In divine judgment, grace and mercy come into view as eternal aspects of divinity, divine prerogative, and expressions of the sovereign will of GOD.  Thus, those who despise mercy are denied mercy, and those who do not at first submit to GOD willingly must do so by the force of truth revealed as Jesus Christ (see Romans 9:  15-17, James 2:  13 and Revelation 1:  7, KJV).


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;  (Hebrews 3:  12-14, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Kicked Out By Parents? (11/27/2013); Before Getting Baptized? (11/28/2013); Salvation for Atheists (06/14/2013); Church is Good (06/15/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013); On Producing Atheists (03/16/2013); The Children, not the Dogs (03/17/2013)


“Madyson”, few Christians achieve their goals for divine love and perfection while still caught up in the many life conflicts and struggles that are part of continuing as carnal, material and social beings upon the earth.  Even so, believers are commanded to love as the Father loves, and are endowed with divine spirit that makes possible their godly responses to enemies as well as to intimate dear ones.

The Bible also includes strong warnings against those who are not part of the life and work for Christian believers (see 2nd Corinthians 2:  16 and 2nd Timothy 3:  1-5, KJV).  Atheists are not a part of the priesthood in Christ.  Therefore, few atheists contain the same divine spirit substance provided by GOD to Christians; and so atheists often frustrate the godly efforts from followers of Jesus.  This is true even for acts to show kindness, love, prayer, reflection, sharing, and worship.  Many Christians, whose development may be in early stages, become sick in spirit as they deal with daily attacks, indifference and insults made by those promoting themselves as atheists.  Where a believer’s proper care for the salvation of others (many say, a burden for souls) is belittled and despised, he or she may feel a great anguish, despair, and sense of loss knowing the darkness a sinner will face without the divine provisions in Christ.  Other believers may react with what seems to be anger, or bitterness that, in fact, is the Spirit of GOD appearing as wrath against sin.

There is far more to be said, properly shared, and understood as true spirit content from GOD.  For example, every person’s salvation is from divine grace, not from their own desire, passion, and finite will.  New relationship to GOD at first comes only by multiple operations and sacred events carried out by the Spirit of GOD.  A sinner or unbeliever must experience many sweeping and permanent changes.  They must be born again from divine DNA, so to speak, and to receive the divine nature.  Once born again and endowed with content from the person of GOD, the believer must “grow up” again, and mature having new knowledge, and new aspects of self-will.  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Grow in grace.


He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  (Micah 6:  8, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/15/2012) Thoughts Upon A Warrior’s Fall

     General Petraeus, issues of leadership, and standards for sound government are considered, today.  Also, there is more on mockers and scoffers.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Joe Sch” (Level 1 with 231 points,  a member since July 17, 2011) posted the following:


Who cares that General Petraeus had an affair...why is that news?

I get that cheating on one's spouse is bad, but why is it big news and why did he resign? It happens every day by a large portion of our society. I'm not making light of adultery, only asking why it is relevant to his position and why it is of public interest.
And no, I don't believe that the type of character necessary to remain faithful to a spouse is necessary to be a government or military official.


THE BATTLE AXE:  Mockers in the Last Days (11/14/2012)—Many regard the increased appearance of mockers and scoffers as more than continued human error.  They realize an indication that the world is exhausting its opportunity for recovery by GOD that was granted through the birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.  While the prophecies of mockers contained within the holy writings address challenges to Jesus as Messiah, the many proclamations of the gospel, and his sacred work of salvation, the scriptures also describe a widespread condition of open cynicism, distrust, skepticism, and unbelief.  The scriptures and every basis for knowledge from GOD are opposed, including what may be regarded as the final and ultimate gift, the active presence and operation of the imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD, the Holy Ghost.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
(Proverbs 25:  28, King James Version)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Marriage and Civil Law (08/14/2012); Apostasy Forgiven? (08/15/2012); Jesus Our “Advocate” (08/16/2012); Wrong To Love (08/17/2012); A Sin To Question? (02/17/2012); Why Religion, Anyhow? (02/18/2012); Dispatch 11:  Peace (Hand in Hand) 08/19/2011; Conspiracy? (12/08/2010)


     The issues that must be addressed by those in government always include the maintenance of sound definitions and standards for balance, continuity, consistency, decision-making, efficiency, leadership, vision, and trust.  Among the elements that introduce weakness and that promote instability that results in collapse are such “natural” realities as ambition, anger, appetite, eccentricity, dishonor, fear, guilt, immaturity, injustice, violence, and lies. 
 
     Only through fundamental agreements and consensus put forth as law may any truly diverse population accomplish a minimal order that displays solidarity and unity.  Many incorrectly describe law as impersonal, inflexible and unfeeling.  However, law must be impartial, righteous, unimpeachable, and universal.

     Just as those who lead must acknowledge those by whom they are led, those who govern must acknowledge whereby they themselves are governed.  In societies that foster an illusion of equality, rejection of leadership is usually rife and widespread.  Defiance and rebellion against hierarchy are counted as vital to individuality and maturity.  True anarchy is an ideal that entails the perfection of mankind whereby conflict never occurs, or is instantly and agreeably removed.  In cultures where celebrities, elected officials, public figures and prominent persons repeatedly come under the scrutiny of those who lack talent, are undereducated, are unskilled, and “out of the loop,” there is also an illusion of oneself being invulnerable to slander, irreproachable, safe, secure, and untouchable.

     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, the enduring accomplishments of leaders demand discipline, focus, sacrifice and self-denial.  Opposition encountered by those who lead often include aspects of their own personality.  Included are envy, pride, secrecy, and stubbornness.  For leaders and those in positions of trust, a self-destructive pattern of behavior and conduct that contradicts their most solemn word, and overturns their private lives, indicates a level of massive internal break-down.  They are become erratic, unpredictable, unreliable and whipped.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC