(05/17/2017) No Fear In Love?

Today, topics include access, awe, exclusive devotion and divine judgment.  The fear that comes by sin and transgression of the divine will results in separation from GOD.  Through Jesus Christ, sinners are given assurances of grace, forgiveness, and rebirth that replace fear and terror with access to GOD having confidence, hope, joy, and trust.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Kaliyah” (Level 1 with 2 points, a member since February 24, 2017) posted the following:


What does the Bible mean when it says, "there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear? ( 1 John 4:18)"?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.  (1st John 2:  28-29, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Convinced/Convicted? (05/16/2017); Operations of Christian Faith (04/28/2017); ...Because GOD Loves You (03/05/2017); The Gift of Humility (02/19/2017); Saying “GOD is Love” (12/18/2016); Herein Is True Love (10/21/2016); Fear That Acknowledges GOD? (07/15/2016)


“Kaliyah”, mature Christian believers generally accept that every relationship with divinity that bears spiritual fruit and produces genuine godliness also displays awe, fear of the Lord, respect, and reverence.  Sinners who turn away from  the darkness in their own lives that has been generated by the operations of sin, who turn to the light of divine acceptance in the Beloved (Jesus Christ), and who make commitment to endure as a new creation of GOD, will be released from the fear of divine punishment, the wrath of GOD, and what is called the second death.  The new believer will become known as a son or daughter of GOD, and a joint-heir with the Son of the Highest.  Once “born again”, a developing believer must “grow up again;” and will be edified, nourished, and made ripe (mature for harvest at the coming of the Lord) through such tools as divine promises, sacred knowledge, fresh endowments of spirit content imparted from the makeup of Deity (e.g., faith, holiness, holy boldness, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom) as well as duty, prayer, unselfish service, and suffering.  The believer overcomes depression, doubt, fear, even poverty, by filling their heart, mind, lifestyle and daily routines with the character and substance of Christ.  Consider the following:

(1.)  Zephaniah 3:  17, King James Version (KJV):  17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

(2.)  Psalms 27:  1-5, KJV:  The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.  3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:  though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.  4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.  5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:  in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock

(3.)  Isaiah 41:  10-13, KJV:  10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee:  be not dismayed; for I am thy God:  I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.  11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded:  they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.  12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee:  they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.  13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

(4.)  Mark 5:  35-36, KJV:  35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead:  why troublest thou the Master any further?  36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

(5.)  Luke 12:  4-6, KJV:  4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear:  Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.  6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (6.)  2nd Corinthians 5:  10, KJV:  10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/05/2017) Achieving Feats of Righteousness?

Today, repentance and the condition of sinless righteousness are topics.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Deino” (Level 7 with 75,403 points, a member since April 02, 2007) posted the following:


Obviously, even a repentant Christian cannot repent his way to sinlessness, so how do we judge legitimate repentance vs. outright blasphemy?

Or do Christians believe they really have achieved feats of sinless righteousness on Earth?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  And he is the propitiation for our sins:  and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected:  hereby know we that we are in him.  (1st John 2:  1-3, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Only GOD Is Good? (05/03/2017); Operations of Christian Faith (04/28/2017); No Repentance Without Rebirth? (12/14/2016); On Expecting Quick Results (11/07/2016); Spirit Process not Feelings? (09/21/2016); Why Are Works Required? (07/18/2016); The Remission of Sin? (06/02/2016)


“Deino”, given the Bible teaches, All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, there are only 2 kinds of people in the world, penitent sinners (those sorrowing and seeking change) and impenitent sinners (those refusing change who would rather sin than live without sin).  Salvation is a divine work that entails multiple sacred operations to benefit created beings and living creatures.  Included are adoption by the Spirit, anointing, atonement, forbearance, forgiveness, Incarnation, justification, rebirth, resurrection, revelation, and sanctification.  The works performed by believers that display faith and the many inseparable aspects of spirit content from the makeup of GOD (e.g., holiness, hope, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, wrath against sin) permit the living to express themselves as a new creation having awe, gratitude, humility, meekness, respect, reverence, and imparted righteousness.  Self-expression notwithstanding, while still upon the earth, all Christian believers first are accounted as offspring and heirs with Jesus Christ on the basis of the Savior’s life, ministry, and other works.  Included are his circumcision, his fasting 40 days and 40 nights, his rebuke of Satan, his death, his resurrection, his ascension.

Many speak of a spiritual condition of being “sinless”, yet, fail to realize that “sin” does not exist as a material object or thing that has form and substance provided by the Creator.  Because their thoughts are still framed according to things carnal, material, and social, they fail to apply the spiritual meanings and values established through the Holy Spirit.  Sin may be spoken of as an immaterial, non-spirit influence that opposes the continued existence of sacred law, the Law Giver, and divine order throughout the universe.  Sin is self-destructive and promotes both annihilation and non-existence; therefore, sin and Creation may not co-exist in perpetuity.

Sinners returning to GOD through Jesus Christ are to understand they presently will receive only a divine guarantee or “down-payment” of the full endowment intended for those acknowledging the Kingdom of GOD.  The living, though yet sinners, can be accounted as “blameless” and without sin while undergoing a divine process of growth, new life, and permanent change.  The ongoing transformation of mankind to exist as a companion to immortal, incorruptible divinity will be completed when Christ appears to harvest from the earth those belonging to him who are “ripe” (we say, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming).  Consider again the following from Scripture:

(1.)  John 3:  12, King James Version (KJV):  12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

(2.)  2nd Peter 1:  2-4, KJV:  2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,  3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:  that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

(3.)  Romans 4:  15-17, KJV:  15 Because the law worketh wrath:  for where no law is, there is no transgression.  16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,  17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

(4.)  Ephesians 2:  8-9, KJV:  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  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

(11/14/2016) The Transfiguration of Christ

The Transfiguration of Christ (oil on panel),
Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) (c.1488-1576)

Today, points are shared on the faith of Jesus, prophecy, and the Savior’s preparation for crucifixion.  The transfiguration of Jesus Christ is one of the greatest divine mysteries (i.e., events from the life of the Lord upon the earth).  At a time when Jesus was being followed by crowds, yet, knew the days of cruel suffering swiftly were approaching, Jesus would be acknowledged openly by emissaries from the kingdom of heaven, further reinforcing and strengthening his faith, and unveiling his divine glory and majesty.  The early prophets received the Savior in ways his apostles and living witnesses on the earth could not do.  Living as a man in the flesh, Jesus had to acquire sacred knowledge gradually the same as you and I; and the Lord would be given evidence for the truth of eternal life for mankind.  The appearance of the two prophets after thousands of years was also evidence of divine forgiveness, mercy in judgment, and reconciliation.  More than this, the Father would speak, and proclaim his continuing love.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” whose ID is “2.718281828459045235360287471352662” (Level 7 with 124,902 points, a member since February 26, 2006) posted the following:

Matthew 17:1-8. Do you ever suspect the story of Jesus being visited by two dead prophets may actually be false?

I mean look at this this way. When did anybody in the Bible ever get visited by two dead prophets before or since? Could it be that Jesus made up this story just to make himself look holy? What are your thoughts on this?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:  but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.  (2nd Peter 1:  16-21, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Baptist and The Tishbite? (02/18/2015); The Body of Moses (05/11/2014); GOD Permits Evil? (05/12/2014); To Live As a Sacrifice (03/08/2014); A Perfected Body (03/09/2014); Immutable GODhead (03/10/2014); Prophetic Demonstrations (09/06/2013); Why GOD Prayed to GOD (09/07/2013)

“2.718281828459045235360287471352662”, most mature Christian believers acknowledge that there are many points of sacred truth presented through the account of the transfiguration of the Lord.  Jesus approached his crucifixion having many concerns and was in need of assurances by the Father more than evidence from the apostles, or the multitudes that now followed him.  Consider again some of the following:

(1.)  The active presence of divine Spirit (also called, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) is first described in the account of the Creation.  In the beginning, Adam (the first pair) had direct access to the Creator.  The use of prophecy, prophetic demonstrations, and sacred events (e.g., angel visitations, dreams, miracles) first became necessary when Adam transgressed divine law, violated trust, and sought to hide, rather than confess, seek forgiveness, or ask for mercy.

(2.)  The provisions of GOD where the offspring of Adam do not complete mortality by death include translation (described with Enoch), and being taken up (described with Elijah).  Healing and restoring life to the dead (e.g., Lazarus) are practiced and demonstrated by Elisha and Jesus.  Resurrection is a temporary restoration of life specifically so that one may appear alive in judgment.  As many of the prophets before him, Just as John and many of the other prophets were slain through disbelief, injustice, and persecution, Jesus would also die as the memorial of their deaths.  Jesus is called the “firstborn from the dead” to set him apart as preeminent, not because he is the first person resurrected from the dead.

(3.)  Until John the Baptist appeared, no authentic prophet operating in the manner and style of Moses and those who followed him had been provided to Israel since the days of Malachi, more than 400 years earlier.  In the same way rule by anointed kings and consecrated priesthood became corrupt and vain (i.e., lacked spirit substance from GOD), prophecy became defiled and profane through human error, imagination, and sentiment.  The divine use of prophets as spokespersons sent from divinity, who also could petition GOD and serve as spokespersons on behalf of mankind (we say, mediators) was restored specifically to introduce the ministry of Jesus Christ as a further revelation of divinity, the satisfaction of all demands from the divine law, and the fulfillment of all prophecy.

(4.)  The birth of John the Baptist to elderly parents was accounted as a miracle demonstrating that the immutable, unchanging GOD who had blessed Abraham was continuing both in covenant and in word of promise.  John was endowed with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.  He was fed with the tithes and holy things from the altar in the Temple at Jerusalem.  Yet, moved by the Holy Spirit, John surrendered his inheritance as the son of an Aaronic priest to serve as the herald who would announce and prepare the way for the Anointed One (we say, Christ), the coming King.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  In the same way men receive only an earnest or “good faith payment” of their divine inheritance while upon the earth, while Jesus was still upon the earth, he received only an earnest of the glory and perfection that later would be restored to him.  The apostles who were eyewitnesses represent the mixed multitude that left Egypt with Moses and the remnant of Israel as well as and those belonging to Christ and taken out of death.  The voice of acknowledgment heard was the same as that at his baptism, and at the Temple during the feast of Tabernacles (Booths, Ingathering). )  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/28/2016) GOD's Answer to Injustice?

The death of Jesus Christ upon the cross as a divine provision for healing and justice is in view, today.  By establishing faith, hope (i.e., specific sacred expectations), and victory over death through resurrection and ascension, the cross serves as the remedy for multiple evils among believers and within the society at large.  The disciples of the Lord are further equipped to meet challenges that include being falsely accused, betrayal, inequality, oppression, poverty, pretension, presumption, slander, and tyranny.  Divinity is by no means blind, indifferent, unaware, or uncaring.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Gift” (Level 1 with 73 points, a member since March 31, 2016) posted the following:

What is God's encouragement for those disheartened because of injustice ?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ:  (he is Lord of all:)  That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:  who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.  And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:  Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;  Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.  And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.  (Acts 10:  36-42, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Trust and The Cross? (04/20/2016); The World and The Cross? (04/19/2016); A Guarantee of Judgment? (04/15/2016); Enduring As A Believer? (12/06/2015); All Is Vanity? (07/28/2015); Assurances of Salvation? (10/07/2013); Of War and Judgment (10/08/2013); Heart, Brain or Spirit? (10/09/2013)

“Gift”, for many the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross has been only a spark that kindles the fires of bereavement, condemnation, loss, and sorrow.  The Lord was arrested, provoked, and falsely accused before the High Priest and Sanhedrin court.  He also was tried, mocked, and scourged by Herod and by Pontius Pilate, representing the civil law of Judea, and the Roman empire.  Even so, in the plan of GOD to make Deity fully knowable, and correctly known to created beings and living creatures, the cross is the foremost answer from GOD addressing the vast range of needs for affirmation, comfort, empathy, and encouragement.  Mature Christians trust that, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood, correction, and truth from the cross continue to flow to here and now.  Like mercy, justice is a rubric of judgment—restoring balance and peace by applying divine law (i.e., the expressed will of GOD) to resolve conflict and settle disputes.  Justice and mercy become accessible only by entering into judgment, and are never the outcome of reprisal, retribution, and revenge.  The outcome of judgment always is blessing.  The demands of judgment include agreement, attention to detail, authority, balance, completeness, corroboration, discipline, discovery, humility, impartiality, lawfulness, order, righteousness, truth, and unity.  Injustice (simply put, unfair treatment) relates to bias, denial of benefits, oppression, persecution, prejudice, and violation of ones privileges and rights established through law.  It is faith and the promises of GOD that allow believers to close their spirit to injustice.  Thus, the cross also should be respected as an assurance that divinity will prevail over all corruption, cruelty, violence, and miscarriage of judgment.  Consider again how these ideas are shared using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Malachi 3:  13-18, King James Version (KJV):  13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?  14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God:  and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?  15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.  16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another:  and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.  18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

(2.)  Romans 5:  17-19, KJV:  17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)  18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

(3.)  Ecclesiastes 5:  8, KJV:  8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter:  for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Exodus 34:  4-8, KJV:  4 And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.  5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.  6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.  8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/15/2016) A Guarantee of Judgment?

Today, points are shared on the certainty final judgment will occur, divine revelation, and the cross.  Throughout the holy writings, judgment is symbolized using fire and burning.  Impartiality, mercy, and righteousness were proclaimed upon the cross; however, final judgment and burning will still appear, for many despise mercy; and the proper response to the cross is not to be inaction, iniquity, and refusal to change.  That the Son of GOD was not exempt from scourging, suffering, and death upon the cross are further indications that all living absolutely must pass through divine judgment.  The ministry of Christ to those in the earth has not been intended to cancel, circumvent, delay, or eliminate final judgment.  Bestowing forgiveness and mercy in judgment have been justified, not a wholesale granting of acquittal.  Jesus is serving in ongoing sacred tasks as King, High Priest, and Judge.  The gospel and sacred operations the Savior provides have been for atonement, propitiation, reconciliation, and rebirth that allow Creation to go through judgment having a new standing as blessed (we say, granted divine gifts), embraced, and forgiven.  Consider again how this is stated using language from the Bible, and see the presentation below:

Hebrews 4:  14-16, King James Version (KJV):  14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 7:  24-26, KJV:  24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.  25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.  26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Galatians 4:  4-7, KJV:  4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Hebrews 5:  8-10, KJV:  8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;  9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;  10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 12:  4-8, KJV:  4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.  5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Joseph” (Level 2 with 368 points, a member since January 25, 2016) posted the following:

 

Will Judgment Day really happen?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:  Whose voice then shook the earth:  but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  For our God is a consuming fire.  (Hebrews 12:  18-29, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Sign of Divine Love? (04/14/2016); Priesthood and The Cross (03/20/2016); Atonement and The Cross?  (02/29/2016); Jesus Under Judgment? (12/16/2015); We Are Still Sinning? (11/30/2013); Like a Thief? (12/01/2013); Only While We Live? (12/02/2013); Why Was A Son Sent? (11/10/2013); Promise of A Spirit? (11/11/2013)

 

“Joseph”, that divinity would appear in flesh as Jesus of Nazareth, come under divine judgment while upon the earth, and die upon a cross is taken by most mature Christian believers to be a further revelation of GOD the Father as a “god of judgment” (i.e., a deity who examines and assigns value to every created being, living creature, and object he has put forth to have existence).   When GOD appeared to Moses through the “burning bush,” displayed his glory, and proclaimed his sovereignty as Lord over Judgment, it was to prepare and strengthen a single chosen agent.  When GOD appeared upon the cross in the person of Jesus, it was to prepare and reinforce all who would be covered against divine wrath as followers of the Son of GOD.  Multiple layers of sacred operation are in place that pertain to judgment.  Included are atonement, confession, correction, damnation, death, forgiveness, punishment, rebirth, repentance, salvation and sanctification.  While compassion relates to divine love, mercy is obtained only during judgment, and grace pertains to all divine prerogative and eternal purpose.  While some seek to accuse, contend against, defy and oppose GOD, the Father is exalted, and does not come under any righteous judgment.  This is made clear to believers by teachings that come from the Scriptures such as the following:

(1.)  Exodus 34:  5-8, King James Version (KJV):  5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.  6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.  8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.

(2.)  Romans 6:  3-6, 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.

(3.)  Acts 17:  30-31, KJV:  30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:  31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

(4.)  1st Corinthians 15:  21-26, KJV:  21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.  24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Hebrews 9:  24-28, KJV:  24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:  25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;  26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world:  but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX 
Washington, DC

(04/14/2016) Sign of Divine Love?

The cross as a mirror for believers and an assurance of divine love are topics, today.  While water baptism, and many other sacred practices of the church are important for building confidence, skill, and strength for ones commitment and sacred knowledge, focus must be upon becoming able to discern within, and apply ones own spirit content to, such features as events, messages, persons, and purposes.  Focusing upon the humanity of the Savior upon the cross, believers are to become fully aware of the communion of Creator and the created, and realize the limits and possibilities for their own character, makeup and substance.  The divine process used imparts strength and calls forth life by exalting mercy in place of sacrifice.  The way of the Lord is not to coerce, intimidate, and threaten believers into submission; rather, it is one of encouraging acceptance and new relationship because of voluntary exchange, forgiveness, and mutual sharing of love.  Thus, the only acceptable offerings and sacrifices are those made with respect, and out of love.  In the same way, bad behavior or a child’s unwillingness to agree with his parents does not annul a lawful adoption, slowness to acquire sacred knowledge, to display permanent change, and to eliminate all sin in ones life does not immediately end a believer’s new life with GOD through his Son.  Consider again the following Scriptures, and the presentation below:

2nd Corinthians 3:  18, King James Version (KJV):  18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

James 1:  23-25, KJV:  23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Acts 19:  2-6, KJV:  2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.  3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.  4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.  5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

1st John 4:  9-15, KJV:  9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.  13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.  14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.  15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

1st Corinthians 13:  8-13, KJV:  8 Charity never faileth:  but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:  but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:  now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

A writer at “Yahoo! Answers (New Zealand) using the ID “Kayden” (Level 1 with 80 points, a member since April 13, 2016) posted the following:

 

Does God love me even when I m not baptised yet?

I m not baptised yet. But after growing knowledge of Jesus sacrifice to humanity, I wanted to show my respects back for his sacrifice. I love the LORD. But does he love me even when I m not baptised yet?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  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.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  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.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  For in that he died, he died unto sin once:  but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  (Romans 6:  3-12, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Love From The Cross? (04/08/2016); Belief, Content And Works? (02/12/2016); To Express the Fullness of GOD? (07/09/2015); Making Sin Appear as Sinful? (06/07/2015); Going to Church Before Baptism? (05/05/2015); Made in the Image of GOD? (10/09/2014); All Who Read Convert? (10/10/2014); The Image of GOD? (10/10/2013); Embodied Afterlife? (10/11/2013)

 

“Kayden”, mature Christian believers are to trust that answers are continuing to flow to us across time and space through operations of the Holy Spirit:  blood and truth from the cross are reaching to here and now.  Many things concerning divine love for you and others upon the earth, that otherwise would be hidden and invisible, are being openly displayed and revealed to mankind through divinity appearing in the flesh as Jesus Christ.  The holy writings report the active presence of divinity within thousands of events, using thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years.  We are allowed to see and hear from GOD’s point of view, so to speak, that includes feelings, human intent, motive, purpose, and thoughts.  Even so, it remains difficult for created beings and living creatures to escape the finite frameworks of time and space to comprehend all that GOD intends we know and understand.  We have been given divine law, covenant, priesthood, and systems for offerings, prayers, and sacrifices.  However, these have not been enough.  Thus, the Son of GOD dying upon the cross has been provided for atonement, a new testament in his blood, and establishment of his disciples and followers as a new, divine Creation.

The living must come to know GOD by receiving and regularly using spirit content from the makeup of GOD (divine DNA, so to speak).  So this will be understandable, we continue to say, “You must be born again.”  In water baptism, the inborn spirit dies, is buried, and a forms of “adoption” and “resurrection” occur, and the believer is reborn from divine seed that is spirit.  Once born again, alive in Christ, and through the Son, within the Father, a believer must “grow up again” and become mature by meeting the same life challenges (“growing pains”) as everyone else upon the earth.  A believer makes every reasonable effort to perform those things known to be acceptable to GOD from the Scriptures (e.g., childbearing, church attendance, marriage, tithing), yet, we rely completely upon what Christ is accomplishing on our behalf.

In the same way we were physically born as infants to our parents, having no decision-making input to the process for our development and continuing connection (we say, relationship), we are limited and may not control the fixed and pre-determined aspects of living as those chosen and embraced through the grace of GOD.  Even so, a divine commitment is now in place that is not based merely upon our appearance, ethnicity, flaws, errors, physical characteristics (eye color, hair, weight, etc.), and sin.  With this in view, ceremony, ritual, and tradition are often helpful, yet, what we see in the mirror of Christ upon the cross is more significant.  The most crucial factors are not the temporal elements of human attitudes, behavior, or feelings that come and go.  Inseparable spirit content is being deposited within us through sacred knowledge (the Scriptures) and practices (we say, sacraments such as confession, penance) that is to be built up, and should appear such as faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, humility, longsuffering, love, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Mature believers should discern and recognize that an aspect of themselves dies upon the cross in Jesus Christ, and eternal possibilities are now their inheritance from GOD.   Consider the following points shared using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Romans 5:  7-9, King James Version (KJV):  7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:  yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 

(2.)  Romans 3:  21-26, KJV:  21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:  for there is no difference:  23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness:  that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Ephesians 5:  25-29, KJV:  25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.  28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church;)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/10/2015) Getting GOD To Save?

Today, points are shared on truly accepting the salvation of GOD provided through Jesus Christ.  To be in Christ (i.e., to be in a new relationship with divinity as one purchased and recovered from death and sin), disciples and believers must acknowledge that only the Creator has the authority and power to re-make or transform mankind to live without fear, guilt and shame.  Mortality may not be replaced nor sin eliminated using such finite tools as emotions, intellect, logic, mathematics, philosophy and science.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Ava” (Level 1 with 44 points, a member since December 16, 2014) posted the following expressing her distress:


How can I get God to forgive me?

How can I get god to forgive me? I've prayed to him my whole life and he has somewhat helped me out of the dark or led the way out of it. But for some time now I've pray to god to take the fear and doubt out of my heart, I have just realized how short life is. Like what is the purpose of living if your just gonna die? I'm young and probably shouldn't be worrying about stuff like this. I'm scared of what comes after death, will I be able to see my family? There's so much fear, and God didn't exactly give us a purpose nor instructions how to live. After god gave me no answers I began to doubt, I locked my heart in a box, so no one could hurt or help me. I convinced myself that it is only me against the world. I can't be. Can I? I need help, I pray, attend church every week. Maybe god doesn't want to help me, I am a sinner after all. I'm so scared to lose it all, and don't say "Yolo, live while you can, that makes it worse cause I not really living, I'm dead inside. Help me please.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner:  but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:  (2nd Timothy 1:  7-10, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  How Can Christians Believe? (08/12/2014); The Sin of Pride? (08/13/2014); Focus of Believers? (06/17/2014); Discernment (06/18/2014); Relating to GOD? (11/05/2013); Does Satan Know? (11/06/2013); The Limit to Believing? (09/16/2013); All Things Possible? (11/07/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013); Believing Everything? (11/23/2012); How To Have Conviction (11/24/2012); A Text for Lives Today? (11/25/2012)


“Ava”, your question sounds like “How can I get myself to trust GOD.”  Often our “problem” as humans dealing with divinity are simply a matter of our acquiring sacred knowledge and a correct understanding of operations performed by GOD for human benefit (such as atonement, forbearance, forgiveness, repentance, sanctification), and does not require us to somehow change, influence, or “manipulate” GOD.  Here are a few points to consider that have helped many Christian believers to escape spiritual confusion:

(1.)  Numbers 23: 19 (KJV):  19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

(2.)  Ephesians 2:  8-10 (KJV):  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.  10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(3.)  1st John 4:  9-11 (KJV):  9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and properly apprehended.  However, most of it you have heard before, and need only to accept wholeheartedly asking questions only to gain more information.  For no one can “force” you to be saved.  (For example, (4.)  1st John 2:1-3 (KJV):  1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith and spiritual maturity.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC