(01/13/2020) The Meat That Perishes

Today, reply is on why Christians no longer observe dietary and other prohibitions that are recorded in the Old Testament. The covenant of Moses (we also say, the law) was provided as a “perpetual” covenant. Even so, GOD promised Israel that a new covenant would be made extending to the Gentiles, and to all mankind. While the demands of divine law and eternal purpose remain unchanged, how the living acknowledge, express and fulfill the law is now different. Mature Christian believers acknowledge the fulfillment of the divine promise for new covenant by the life, ministry, death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension into heaven of Jesus Christ along with men on the earth receiving the Holy Spirit. Where Jesus taught that man lives not by bread alone, rather, by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD, he also was declaring that life as a spirit process must come into view, not a carnal, material process such as eating and drinking. The word from divinity is to be understood as an appearance of the person and substance of GOD. By his word, GOD is active and present in the form of breath, life essence, speech and spirit. It is written: John 6: 47-54, King James Version (KJV): 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Acts 15: 28-29, KJV: 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data appears) posted the following:

Why do Christians drink alcohol and eat pork when it's prohibited in the old testament?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6: 26-29, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Place to Start (12/23/2019); Not By Bread Only (02/22/2019); Fed From The Altar? (06/19/2017); GOD’s Peculiar People (12/11/2016); Rebuked, And Not Baptized? (10/22/2015); Pork, A Stumblingblock? (03/06/2015); Salvation is Conditional? (01/30/2014); Lower-case or Capital? (01/31/2014)

“Anonymous”, there are those who argue that Jesus was a vegetarian, yet, mature Christian believers trust that Jesus regularly ate the lamb of Passover, and would have shared portions from such family sacrifices as calves and bullocks offered in thanksgiving. Many Christian believers, today, trust that the ancient dietary laws and Judaic ordinances (e.g., circumcision; observance of feasts and festivals; performing ritual washings to remove uncleanness; prohibitions against entering the home of a Gentile) that challenged the early church have been satisfied through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, and outpourings of the Holy Spirit. In addition to the multiple streams of truth that release the followers of Jesus from pursuing justification by obeying the “letter” of the law, the doctrine of Jesus is that men are to manifest and make visible righteousness, and the spirit imparted from the makeup of GOD that resides within all sacred law. A gathering of the apostles was held in Jerusalem to resolve the rifts and quarrels that began to appear over Gentile believers being required to behave as Jews, and over believers sharing food with their family and close friends that had been offered to idols. The outcome was four principles to be observed among both Gentile and Jewish believers. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible along with a selection from the music ministry of John Michael Talbot:

(1.) Ecclesiastes 3: 9-13, King James Version (KJV): 9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

(2.) 1^st Corinthians 10: 31, KJV: 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

(3.) Acts 15: 18-20, KJV: 18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

(4.) Colossians 2: 16-23, KJV: 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

(5.) Romans 8: 1-9, KJV: 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 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.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (6.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG9T8UmN6VY.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 2:15 AM, January 13, 2020 @ https://i.pinimg.com/736x/90/0c/12/900c124f2dcc41e2bd0a761033755064.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(10/22/2015) Rebuked, And Not Baptized?

Baptism, enforcement of church discipline, fellowship, and salvation as the cooperation of flesh and spirit are themes, today.  Given the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus as a complete and finished work on behalf of mankind, many mistakenly think that divine law has been completely rescinded, and there are no longer any sacred practices or rules that should be obeyed among believers.  Often, those who hold such a view are relying upon their unseen character, individuality, and inner being to be acceptable to GOD, and therefore, deny that others in the flesh like themselves may hold them accountable for what they do and say within the church.  It remains, there is a need for vigilance.  While clergy and fellow worshipers may have no authority either to approve or eternally condemn the spirit nature of others, every believer is required to maintain a clear separation from unrighteousness.  The flock must be protected from counterfeit believers and “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”  Consider again the following from the Bible, and the points appearing below:  1st Samuel 16:  7, King James Version (KJV):  7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:  for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.  Also, James 1:  26-27, KJV:  26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.  27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Spirit Of All” (Level 5 with 9,701 points, a member since February 16, 2014) posted the following:


Can Christians deny someone baptism?

I was about to be baptized last night but I was refused. It was cold out so I had vodka to warm me up and got slightly drunk. People noticed and I was rebuked for doing so. How is this fair?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.  The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away:  and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:  and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  And he commanded the chariot to stand still:  and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.  (Acts 8:  29-38, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Baptism, Then Communion (09/02/2015); Going to Church Before Baptism? (05/05/2015); Partially Baptized? (01/22/2015);  Before Getting Baptized? (11/28/2013); The Rich in Divine Relationship? (11/29/2013); Denying Baptism to Others (11/04/2013); Relating to GOD? (11/05/2013)


“Spirit Of All”, to truly understand why you were refused baptism, you would have to ask, How was this (my behavior)  godly?  On the basis of their attitude, behavior, and conduct, a person may be denied fellowship (i.e., continuing association; intimate and personal relationship) and recognition as a Christian believer as well as membership, ordination to serve in leadership roles, and such privileges as burial in consecrated ground or sharing the Lord’s Supper.  Because the church brings together diverse people having different levels of sacred knowledge, maturity, and preparation, discipline (i.e., training; restraint) and divine order must be maintained for management of the broad range of emotional, psychological and spiritual challenges every believer is required to face.  Consider again the instruction to the church from the holy writings:

(1.)  1st Corinthians 6:  9-11, King James Version (KJV):  9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived:  neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  11 And such were some of you:  but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

(2.)  2nd Timothy 3:  1-5, KJV:  1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 14:  26, KJV:  26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.  Let all things be done unto edifying.

(4.)  1st Corinthians 14:  40, KJV:  40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  1st Corinthians 5:  9-13, KJV:  9 I wrote unto you in a epistle not to company with fornicators:  10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.  11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.  12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?  13 But them that are without, God judgeth.  Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/06/2013) Sacrificed and Risen?

The operations of GOD at the cross, resurrection, and sacrifice are topics, today, along with more on alcohol, doubt, Holy Communion, and wine.  A writer at “Yahoo!7 Answers (Australia)” using the ID “James” (Level 1 with 16 points, a member since 20 July 2013) posted the following that was originally asked at “Yahoo! Answers Canada”:


If god sacrificed his only son for the sins of mankind, how come he raised him back from the dead?

If god didn’t really lose his son Jesus, how is that a sacrifice?


THE BATTLE AXE:  Everything a Lie? (10/05/2013)—In Old Testament Scripture, drunkenness and intoxication are used to depict aspects of spirit that include confusion, presumption, and pride.  In New Testament writings these qualities are described using such language as arrogance, hypocrisy, ignorance, and leaven (e.g., Isaiah 28: 1 and 28:  7, Matthew 16:  11-12, KJV).  The operations of GOD to cleanse, redeem and transform Creation are directed to a broad expanse (we say, the cosmos, and the universe).  Many unseen things are embraced and focused upon by the Sovereign GOD.  However, for the benefit of mankind, the operations of divinity are made to appear as simple things used to focus and trigger faith.  Included are baptism, confession, covenant meals, penitence, prayer, thanksgiving, and the regular giving of tithes.  As with participation in the Lord’s Supper, where otherwise common objects of bread and wine become the blood and body of Jesus, believers accept that the same Holy Spirit, who established the earth and the heaven, operates from within themselves as an imparted, indwelling presence from GOD.  The Christian believer acknowledges GOD in the person of Jesus Christ, in the recorded word (the Bible), and in the imparted Spirit to be their teacher, teachers sent from GOD.  Neither the simple objects employed, nor the simple lessons provided can be obstacles to genuine spiritual growth and understanding where one has fully received spirit content from Jesus.  Included must be the inseparable aspects of divine person such as gratitude, holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, truthfulness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Only by the indwelling Spirit do men properly detect, avoid and resist sin, or correctly embrace the word of prophecy from GOD (see Romans 14:  16-18, Micah 2:  11, Habakkuk 2:  2-5, 1st John 1:  5-7 and 1st John 2:  18-29, KJV).


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:  yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.  (Romans 5:  6-11, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Dying in Terror and Joy? (09/28/2013); Animals Do Not Sin? (09/29/2013); Believers and the Cross (06/24/2013); A Relationship not Just Knowledge? (06/25/2013); An Earth to Fix A Heaven? (05/18/2013); Jesus Lives! (05/04/2013); Experience Is Not Evidence? (05/05/2013); Why Blood? (04/13/2013); Time Before the Sun? (04/14/2013); Father Forgive (09/06/2012)


James, here are a few points about the death and resurrection of Jesus that are important to many Christian believers.  They may be different, new, and unfamiliar to you because they do not come from flesh and human intellect:

(1.)  The death upon the cross was more than a carnal and physical event.  Multiple sacred operations were in effect.  Included are atonement, forbearance, forgiveness, judgment, and reconciliation.

(2.)  Through the sovereign power of GOD, the death Jesus completed upon the cross was yours.  GOD appeared in the person of Jesus (we say, incarnate) to demonstrate and reveal peculiar truths regarding divinity that we otherwise could never know and understand.  Included are facts regarding the nature of sin and salvation.  Sin opposes the continuing existence of GOD, of divine law, and of all that has being.

(3.)  The sacred ministry that Jesus was performing upon the earth had to be completed in the heaven.  Jesus is a divine High Priest.  More than this, the blood (flesh) poured out upon the earth from his side portrayed the divine life essence (spirit) that would be used to purify the Temple in heaven, and prepare all things for final judgment.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood; however, my points are not intended to overwhelm you.  (For example, (4.)  We say, the blood is the life, because it conveys spirit essence to all the organs and tissues of the body.  Blood itself is not the spirit essence; it is a vehicle and vessel for spirit.  The blood of Jesus is said to cover and wash away our sin as it appears in the record of our deeds, the heavenly Book of Life.  Through the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ, believers today also receive a fresh endowment of spirit content (i.e., are born again having divine DNA, so to speak.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/05/2013) Everything a Lie?

Disillusionment, and errors in doctrine concerning the use of wine as causes for distrust and unbelief are topics, today.  Also, there is more on whether Jesus was educated.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Jenifer” (Level 2 with 509 points, a member since December 22, 2012) posted the following:


Christians, I don't know what to believe anymore?

I was always taught to not drink any alcohol as it is wrong and against got. but all my 19 years of living I found out that it's drunkenness that's the sin. not the alchohol. my preacher and parents always told me that when jesus turned the water to wine that the wine was grape juice because that's what we use in our church. i'm really upset and actually crying because everything I was taught is a lie. I don't know if I want to worship someone who actually promotes drinking alcohol. so I can drink wine and still go to heaven. how is god so holy if he drinks alcohol?


THE BATTLE AXE:  Was Jesus Literate? (10/04/2013)—Despite having attended holy convocations that were commanded for all first-born, heirs and heads of households three times in each year from the time he was twelve, Jesus was a stranger to the Temple community (often called, “the Jews” in the New Testament).  Most of them there at Jerusalem had grown up together in various parochial, preparatory and private schools (so to speak); and regarded Jesus as a bumpkin, a country boy, and an outsider.  Many traced their ancestry back to anointed royalty, the high priests, and families of the Levites; while Jesus presented himself as in the tradition of the ancient prophets, heralded by the Prophet John the Baptist, a son of the Temple priesthood.  Claiming to be holier than others (and therefore deserving greater authority), in their covetousness, presumption and pride the Jews thought to challenge the sacred heritage of Jesus (see John 7:  1-53 and John 8:  31-59, KJV).  Just like everyone who can recite the alphabet may not be able to read and write (particularly those in 1st and 2nd grade at school), everyone who can read and write are not literate.  Also, everyone who is literate is not a scholar, and does not use the academic tools of analysis and synthesis we associate with science.  It remains, however, that most mature readers rely heavily upon their intellectual skills identified as “critical thinking.”  Among Christian believers, critical thinking is replaced by “discernment”, the use of spiritual things to recognize other spiritual things.  This is made possible through the divine ministry of Jesus, whereby believers receive an added endowment of the same spirit content from Divine Person that resided in the Savior.  Included are such inseparable sacred substance as faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, righteousness, truthfulness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  In baptism, there is death and rebirth of ones inner spirit; and believers become new creatures through the deposit of divine DNA, so to speak.  Once born again, believers must continue to meet the challenges of having social contact with others, and living upon the earth in flesh.  Even so, all born again believers must grow, learn, and mature again with knowledge that is provided through the holy writings, fellowship in a community of believers, and discipline through practices such as giving, meditation, prayer, unselfish service, and worship.  See Psalms 119:  97-104, Isaiah 50:  4-5 and John 6:  44-46, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  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.  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.  (1st John 3:  18-24, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Come As You Are (06/19/2013); Freewill is Finite (06/20/2013); On Seeing Jesus Serve the Poor (12/03/2012); Hero or Zero? (12/04/2012); Henceforth of this Fruit (11/21/2012); Unexceptional Beginnings (11/22/2012); Believing Everything? (11/23/2012)


“Jenifer”, it is unreasonable for anyone to ever say “everything I was taught is a lie.”  The truth from GOD is simple, yet profound (i.e., divine truth is cosmic, and pertains to things that are unknown and unseen without the operations of GOD in ones experience).  Young people often make the mistake of assuming they should leave the community of believers, defy their parents, and condemn Almighty GOD, when they cannot easily and properly recognize the things of divinity.  Many leave the church before they have an adult knowledge for the things of GOD that are needed to meet the adult problems that will come against them.  More than this, many leave before they receive a full endowment of the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD (we say, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Prophecy).

Changes must occur within ones awareness and inner make-up that are accomplished and made permanent only through the Holy Spirit.  Another way this is said, you must be born again from divine DNA.  The divine nature, aspects of the inseparable make-up of GOD, must be made alive within otherwise ordinary created beings and living creatures.  Included as sacred substance from Almighty GOD are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, love, sobriety, truthfulness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  The focus for understanding must shift away from bodily appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual cravings), sense and sensations of the body (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching), and the emotional/mental functions (e.g., desire, fantasy, fear, forgetting, imagination, recall) that dominate life experience.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  (For example, Sin is immaterial; and is not a thing that has physical form, dimension, intellect, or spirit content.  Nonetheless, sin has direction, effect and presence, and sin may dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures.   Without the many divine tools provided from GOD, sin cannot be detected, eliminated, or resisted (because it appears to be an acceptable aspect of oneself, and is not alien, foreign, strange or unnatural).  Included are commandments, examples in the lives of other believers, holy writings, incarnation, parental authority, promises, prophecy, the cross, and the Holy Spirit.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(09/16/2013) The Limit to Believing?

The importance of belief to salvation and eternal life is today’s focus.  Also, there is more on alcohol, drugs, duty and spiritual experience.   A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “GodIsTheWay” (Level 2 with 804 points, a member since October 26, 2012) posted the following:


Why is entering heaven dependent on what you believe rather than your character and deeds on earth?

Additional Details

John 3:16
 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.



THE BATTLE AXE:  Weed and Godly Wisdom (09/15/2013)—(4.)  In their confusion, many young people believe that they cannot experience adulthood, freedom and full maturity without alcohol and drugs.  Some even insist they can not and do not want to live without them. Yet, GOD has not gone about to poison created beings and living creatures.  Also, it is the mercy, reconciliation to mankind, and righteousness of GOD that no one is condemned for sin and sent to hell without thorough investigation, fair hearing, and trial.  While the law describes offenses as actions and deeds, the judgment of our behavior and conduct is not separate from the assessment of our private motives and unspoken purposes.  Most of us agree that two men may carry out the same behavior having very different intentions, and very different outcomes in mind.  Casual use of alcohol and drugs to enable fornication, sexual exploitation and prostitution are not the same as wellness and medicinal use where frequency, dosage and potency are carefully monitored.  The sacred dimensions for divine judgment focus upon being, substance and transformation (we say, change), such that, what one does also displays what one contains, and (in that sense) what one was, what one is, and what one may yet become once being sealed of GOD.  Every believer receives and should regularly display such inseparable sacred content as faith, holiness, longsuffering, love, righteousness, truthfulness, wisdom, wrath against sin, and zeal.  In final judgment that occurs following Satan being cast into the Lake of Fire, there is no devil or person who acts as an accuser.  A person only has to answer to the record of their own deeds that are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  (5.)  Where a person wants to repeatedly “blame” alcohol or a drug for causing their behavior, in fact, they worship and attribute power to a false god, and idol.  Rather than having experiences of ecstasy, joy, pleasures, and “getting high,” the priorities for Christian life are sacrificial and unselfish service to spread the Gospel.  Believers count themselves privileged to receive the duty (i.e., things that must be done despite any cost or loss, like it, don’t like) of proclaiming the Son of GOD, and ministering to others from their own anointing and endowment received through the priesthood of Jesus Christ.  Once baptized and reborn, a believer must learn, grow up, and mature again as one who follows the Lord.  There will be many challenges to continue or resume habits, practices and preferences that are not in agreement with the divine nature that has  been imparted from GOD.  Thus, all believers experience some doubts and uncertainty as “growing pains” in their journey to full understanding despite their having many shared experiences of fellowship with other believers, answered prayer, and insights through study of the holy writings.  (6.)  The issues of communication, performance, sobriety, and trust that surround use of alcohol and drugs make them controversial, dangerous and divisive to Christian communities.  Like athletics, clothes and fashion, consumerism and shopping, death and pain, diet and food, disease and sickness, alcohol and drugs continue exaggerated focus upon our flesh that may delay development and growth of ones Holy Spirit.  As such they are unnecessary, useless, and vain (i.e., empty; lacking spirit substance from GOD).  Many hold that the effects of such substances are through devils.  Unlike curative and medicinal herbs, drugs are understood to shock and alter ones metabolism and body process, where various herbs only foster natural functioning.   Given the threat of addiction, progressive and subtle (i.e., barely visible) development of dependency, recreational use of alcohol and drugs should be limited, with two or three uses of marijuana being ones maximum.  The bottom line for the believer addresses their effectiveness in spreading the Gospel as well as the fineness, readiness and sharpness of the believer’s ability to discern sacred truth.  See how the same spiritual laws and principles are involved as you consider again the attitudes and instruction shown the early church on the eating of foods that are shared as part of worship to idols (Romans 14:  1-23, 1st Corinthians 8:  1-13 and 1st Corinthians 10:  13-33 and Revelation 2:  18-29, KJV).


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.  I am that bread of life.  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.  This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven:  if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father:  so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  This is that bread which came down from heaven:  not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead:  he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.  These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.  Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?  When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?  What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:  the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  (John 6:  47-63, KVJ)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  A Relationship not Just Knowledge? (06/25/2013); Lost Without GOD? (06/26/2013); Struggling? (05/11/2013); Through Much Tribulation (05/12/2013); Life Given By Knowledge? (04/03/2013); A Spirit Church? (04/04/2013)


“GodIsTheWay”,  here are a few points shared among many Christian believers that you may find helpful:

(1.)  From Creation, humanity was to develop a potential to commune with and display the nature of divine person.  Thus, the many aspects of full and right relationship for mankind that have been established by the operation of Almighty GOD include divine law, forbearance, forgiveness, glorification, justification, redemption, repentance, salvation and sanctification that are made available as awareness, inner change, growth, and spiritual endowment.  We say, by the grace (initiative, prerogative, will of GOD) created beings and living creatures are drawn and led into fellowship, new life, and service to the Creator.

(2.)  In seeking a correct and full experience of divine truth for mankind, a Christian believer responds to multiple levels of ministry from GOD through Jesus Christ.  Included are Incarnation, obedience, prayer, rebirth (from imparted, divine DNA, so to speak), death, resurrection, ascension into heaven, and presiding over final judgment.  Because human actions, behavior and conduct are visible displays generated from ones spirit content (not just emotion, imagination and intelligence), GOD has established through Christ that righteousness consists in more than simply blindly carrying out the sacred law as ceremony, custom, ritual and tradition.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  For example, (3.)  Where believing is an act of self-will, rather than an act of faith, believing is carnal, material, social, temporal, and after the flesh, rather than after the Spirit of GOD.  Ones spirit content is the basis of final determination of ones acceptance with GOD.  Such inseparable substance from the makeup of divinity must appear as faith, holiness, longsuffering, patience, truthfulness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.  Love has spoken.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(09/15/2013) Weed and Godly Wisdom

The effect of alcohol and drugs upon religious belief and experience are topics, today.  Also, there is more on the truth that there is only one GOD.  A “Yahoo! Answers Australia” writer using the ID “Matt” (Level 1 with 82 points, a member since March 28, 2013) posted the following:


If I'm a Christian and smoke weed, will I go to Hell?


THE BATTLE AXE:  (09/14/2013) Only One GOD— (4.)  Using human processes for examining experience and information, mankind may describe and realize many ideas of “god.”  However,  any god so arrived at, and understood to exist is in the nature of a mental construct, a product of meanings and words directed to specific uses in discourse and formal language (we say, rhetoric).  In addition to aspects of their substance at Creation, the otherwise invisible GOD worshiped by Christian believers, uses various divine operations to become known and visible through life experience of created beings and living creatures.  Included are incarnation, healing, exorcism, judgment, rebirth, repentance, revelation, and sanctification.  As GOD employs promise, prophecy, sacred events, divine process, and eternal purpose, created beings and living creatures realize awareness of divinity as active and present.   The oneness of divine spirit may appear through many forms and operations that do not also display sameness.  Examples are abundance, dearth, gentleness, forbearance, forgiveness, longsuffering, patience, and strength.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  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.  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him.  And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.  (1st John 3:  18-24, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Law in Christian Belief? (09/03/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013); A GOD of Love? (05/07/2013); About Preaching the Gospel (04/18/2013); When Jesus Comes Back? (04/19/2013); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); A Holy Kiss? (11/13/2012); Unwelcome Gifts? (09/17/2012)


Matt, here are a few points shared among many Christian believers who confess their personal truth of having enjoyed experiences with alcohol, hashish and marijuana:

(1.)  It is not wise to do anything you cannot openly share with other believers; that you would be ashamed to do before your parents, your spouse, the leadership of your church congregation; or that you would not want Jesus to find you doing at the time of his Advent.  Those who are addicted are damaged in their conscience, and in their self-will (we say, will power).  While the anguish and problems addicts address appear to be physical, psychological and social in nature, often it is merely that the self-destructiveness of sin (i.e., defiance of divine law with denial of existence to Divine Person and all the Creation of GOD) is operating in their lives.

(2.)  There are groups of believers who use alcohol and drugs as legitimate aspects of their worship.  However, in such cases, believers must strictly observe many disciplines, acknowledge accountability to civil laws and ordinances, and continue in conduct and behavior displaying modesty, circumspection, respect and restraint.  While alcohol and drugs cannot guarantee that a believer will have an experience of seeing GOD, or coming closer to the Holy, there is no reason to believe that alcohol and drugs have any power to stop the revelation of GOD, or to make it impossible for GOD to reveal himself to those of us upon the earth.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  For example, (3.)  GOD is a spirit.  For created beings and living creatures to know GOD, their awareness must be directed to things that are completely spirit in their operation, purpose and substance.  We say, mankind must be “born again;” and there must be a transformation of ones being whereby appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual craving), sense (e.g., hearing, seeing, smelling), mind (e.g., desire, fantasy, imagination, memory), and sin may no longer dominate self-will.  Where alcohol and drugs interfere with ones consciousness of GOD (i.e., they forget GOD), and a person’s ability to deal with the subtle (barely visible) differences and sameness among profane and sacred things, we know, a person may be overwhelmed in spiritual confusion.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/22/2012) Unexceptional Beginnings

Happy Thanksgiving! Topics today include how we first may have been introduced to Christ. Also, there is more on the use of alcohol and drugs along with a BATTLE CRY commending Christian rock group MercyMe. A “Yahoo! Answer” writer using the ID “ l.e.b. ” (Level 1 with 68 points, a member since November 19, 2012) posted the following:

Does god care how you became christian?

I became christian after i found out kanye west is a christian but i don't read the bible or go to church is this okay?


THE BATTLE AXE: Henceforth, Of This Fruit (11/21/2012)—Many young people in present day society approach the use of alcohol and drugs as a rite of passage, a process of growth, and a matter of facing ones fears essential to becoming adult. In their understanding, the sharing of food and drink should always be an acceptable and legitimate aspect of fellowship. For many younger Christians, their abstinence and putting away of alcohol and drugs are motivated by a desire to have clear grasp and comprehension of their experiences caused by the Spirit of GOD and to avoid all spiritual confusion, rather than by fears of addiction, fear of emotional and mental illness, or fear of punishments by the law and other bad experiences (see 2nd Peter 1: 10, KJV). The refusal of Jesus to partake of wine again pertains to the practice of ratifying a new covenant by sharing a meal that serves as a “deed” of accord and sealing as well as to the transformation of the Passover and its eternal purposes of GOD. New fruit and new life come in to view that emerges by the imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD (see Ephesians 5: 1-21 and Galatians 5: 16-26, King James Version).


THE GOLDEN ARROW: Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1st Peter 2: 1-5, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Faith of Ones Parents? (11/18/2012); Reading Only The Red Part (11/19/2012); Escape from Racism (10/24/2012); Christians Who Ignore GOD’s Laws (10/25/2012); Double Standard? (10/12/2012); Family and Romance (10/13/2012); Violence In The Bible (02/26/2012); When at Work… (11/08/2010)


THE BATTLE CRY: It has been a while since I last shared a comment on the works of those who prophesy and share as music ministers. Today, I encourage readers to hear an 8-time Dove Award winning Christian rock band, MercyMe. Formed in 1994, out of Greenville, Texas, the members of MercyMe are Bart Millard, vocalist; James Bryson, keyboardist; Robby Shaffer, percussionist; Nathan Cochran, bassist; Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul, guitarists. Be sure to hear “I Can Only Imagine” from the 2008 album Almost There, and the title selection from the band’s seventh album, “The Hurt & The Healer” 2012.


Many young people express a concern similar to yours where they were introduced to Christ in settings and situations apart from family values and “traditional church.” Included are evangelist crusades (tent meetings), mass media campaigns (e.g., Internet, radio, televangelism), Bible study groups, and concerts featuring Christian hip hop and rock music. Often, new believers are first encouraged to accept Christ by strangers who share Bibles, tracts and other materials; by athletes, news-makers and celebrity role models; as well as by those with whom they have or hope to develop intimate relationships (e.g., dates, friends, ones spouse). A person may have beginnings that are quiet, simple, and unexceptional. However, to correctly embrace the Savior is to embrace change, death, rebirth, growth, and eternity.

Where a person is “born again” they also have to “grow up” again. The new believer is like a baby and has much to learn in order to become full grown and mature in faith, service and understanding. In addition to being delivered from sin (called salvation), day-by-day, the believer must be made clean and set apart for GOD (called repentance, baptism and sanctification). All believers then receive duty and work (called ministry, priesthood and sharing the gospel). On the one hand, we cannot save ourselves, and Jesus Christ has done all the divine work necessary for mankind to have acceptance from Almighty GOD. On the other hand, there is a life-work that we must complete in order to have the full benefit from the sacred gifts that now are being shared with us.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, gaining new knowledge and mental growth are only one aspect of new life in Christ. There must be unseen spiritual growth that can be made visible through church attendance, forming new habits, praise, prayer, sacrificial giving and worship.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC