Anthropomorphism, and the use of language that humanizes GOD are the focus of today’s presentation. The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the screen ID Buss W@nkers! says i love Liverpool FC” posted the following:
Why do people talk about God. like he's a man?
THE BATTLE AXE: No Free Will? (10/19/2010)—Rightly understood, there is no such thing as free will for angels, for mankind, for any other created being, or for any living creature. However, for all, there is the reality of self-will. The problems surrounding application of will center in the distinction between self-will and the will of GOD. In the same way all human beings are obliged to breathe oxygen (like it, don’t like it), all are obliged to operate under the influence of either sin, or divine will. The presence and action of sin is invisible and undetectable to all human senses and faculties of mind. Thus, sin’s dominion over human will is not a matter of human choice. Rather, it is a matter of human content, existence, and the framework of all being. Awareness of sin is only by the operation of the Spirit of GOD. Just as men are not deprived by having no ability to breathe underwater, men are not damned and persecuted by having to acknowledge GOD. Men are challenged; and meeting the challenge, men have applied human intelligence, and the focused operation of our full potential and will to develop diving gear, snorkels, and even submarines. Similarly, men are challenged by sin and must continually direct conscious being and person to achieve right relationship where the will is properly surrendered and yielded to GOD. When human will conforms to, expresses and performs divine will, mankind prospers. When divine will is despised, forgotten, neglected, or refused the human condition becomes one of agony, desolation, misery and wretchedness.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1: 1-2)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Two Wisdoms? (10/12/2010); Systems (09/10/2010); Sin Defined? (06/28/2010)
The task of providing a “language” that would allow us to speak about GOD in clear, direct, effective ways has best been met through the holy writings we call the Bible. However, the use of holy scripture to know the fullness of divinity is comparable to the use of bananas in order to speak about watermelon: On the one hand, the two are exactly the same—both are fruit, have the same function of distributing and protecting seed, and both are fairly tasty!). On the other hand, there are major differences in their several characteristics (color, shape, size, texture, weight). Where we maintain a strict focus on their sameness, and for the sake of meaning ignore their various differences (counting them as insignificant, and irrelevant), we definitely can use bananas in place of watermelon, have meaning, still make sense, and connect in understanding.
When communicating to one another about GOD, and the things that exist totally as spirit, mankind is forced to apply language that basically comes from, and is designed to express carnal, material, and social realities. In the same way, one must be born again to acquire divine substance that establishes correct awareness and consciousness of the active presence, intent, and purposes of GOD; one must be reborn in order to hear, grasp, and speak the new language given by the Bible for the revealed truth of GOD.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the Bible provides a divine perspective on human experiences of GOD: thousands of lives, and thousands of years are reported. While many sinful acts come into view, the focus is less upon “crime and punishment,” and more upon the revealing divine person as the most complete expression of compassion, forgiveness, justice and righteousness.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Showing posts with label bananas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bananas. Show all posts
Monday, April 13, 2015
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
(06/25/2014) All Sins Are Equal?
Today, points are shared to clarify how all sin can be the same. Also, there is more on salvation before the time of Christ incarnate upon the earth. A “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using the ID “Lady Bunt” (Level 1 with 237 points, a member since March 18, 2014) posted the following:
Is it true that Protestants think that all sins are equal in the eyes of the Lord?
if they do, this is the stupidest belief I've ever heard in my life
This is against reason and logic. And this is against God, given that God is logos, then the pure reason
So according to Protestant a liar is as sinful as a serial killer who murdered 20 people. This is absurd
Not even the state reasons in such a ridiculous way. In fact for the law a fraud is not punished in the same way as a serial killer
or, dear Protestants, should you advise the state to give all criminals the same penalty?
THE BATTLE AXE: Salvation Before Christ? (06/24/2014)—(5.) For many doctrines and teachings recorded within the Scriptures the labels and familiar language we now use to speak of salvation do not appear. Yet, there are multiple demonstrations and events that carry the same essence (we say, spirit), meanings, precepts, principles and values. Included have been comfort, covenants, deliverance, prophetic demonstrations, healing, messages, miracles, proclamations, signs, sacred songs, and victory in battle. From before Creation, at its beginning, and for all mankind that would ever exist, there has been only one divine mechanism for atonement and propitiation of sin: a presentation of divinity through blood offered in sacrifice from GOD appearing incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ. All upon the earth have been challenged to acknowledge salvation as faith fostered by the promises of GOD. All have been directed to continue specific observances and practices (we say, ceremonies, rituals, sacraments) that crystallize the expectation (hope) for a visible divine appearing (we say, revelation). Both the righteous and the unrighteous have been preserved by GOD through operations of death, and are to be returned to their bodies to appear before GOD. Even those from the earliest days of the earth can be taken up as saved to meet Christ in the air at his second coming (some say, Advent, the Rapture, the first resurrection). Others will be raised from the dead for judgment (we say, the second resurrection) as the wicked who must appear in an open tribunal where Christ will preside as judge. Atonement (applying the blood of Jesus to cover sin) and sealing to identify those belonging to Christ will have been completed before the first resurrection. Yet, those lifted then will participate in judgment to determine their eternal access to divinity, privileges and status (we say, rewards). When Christ comes to harvest the earth of those who have been purchased through the blood of atonement and redemption, only those who correctly responded to the many provisions for salvation will be granted life from the dead as the first resurrection. See again Acts 13: 38-39, Romans 6: 16-18, 1st Corinthians 3: 11-15, 1st Thessalonians 4: 14-16, Hebrews 11: 1-40 and 1st Peter 4: 1-7, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. (James 2: 5-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Expulsion from Eden (05/05/2014); Blasphemy Against the GODhead (05/06/2014); Speaking of GOD (10/20/2010); Sin Causes Death? (02/04/2014); Succession (02/05/2014); Teachings on Judgment (06/06/2013); Those Who Never Heard? (06/07/2013); Why Blood? (04/13/2013); Time Before the Sun? (04/14/2013)
“Lady Bunt”, here are a few points that have been useful for many Christian believers that might help strengthen your understanding:
(1.) GOD is a spirit who has put forth material beings and living creatures, the spheres wherein they may abide and endure, and the various conditions for them to gain sacred knowledge as well as to participate in intimate relationship with divinity.
(2.) Awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures may be dominated by sin. Sin is no material or spirit thing that has been created by GOD, has no concrete form or measurable dimension, yet, has direction, effect, and presence. Sin is an artifact of discrete being, independence, and separation from GOD; and sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, of the divine Law Giver, and of the universe manifest through divine law. Sin can not control or influence divine will.
(3.) Sin does not contain or have “existence” (an aspect of divinity). Thus, sin can not be suddenly and completely destroyed, eliminated and removed using such finite human tools as intellect, logic, mathematics, philosophy, reason, and science. To detect, correctly recognize, and resist sin, men and angels must receive inseparable, invisible aspects from the life essence of GOD that establish the power of divine will. Multiple divine operations are occurring that limit sin, and that are necessary to avoid cosmic upheaval for all divine order.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. For example, (4.) In order to correctly communicate about the things of life or death from GOD, believers all must learn and use a shared language of spiritual experience that is distinct from what we have through carnal, material, and social activity. So to speak, we must master talking about bananas to describe watermelons. Putting aside their size and weight differences, the two are exactly the same: Both are fruit. Both are green (at least for a while). Both have the same function of protecting and distributing seed. Also, both are pretty tasty. Sin first may become known and spoken of on the basis of such features as attitudes, behavior, and conduct; however, sin is a profound aspect of spirit substance, existence, and interaction.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. (Job 11: 18-20, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Is it true that Protestants think that all sins are equal in the eyes of the Lord?
if they do, this is the stupidest belief I've ever heard in my life
This is against reason and logic. And this is against God, given that God is logos, then the pure reason
So according to Protestant a liar is as sinful as a serial killer who murdered 20 people. This is absurd
Not even the state reasons in such a ridiculous way. In fact for the law a fraud is not punished in the same way as a serial killer
or, dear Protestants, should you advise the state to give all criminals the same penalty?
THE BATTLE AXE: Salvation Before Christ? (06/24/2014)—(5.) For many doctrines and teachings recorded within the Scriptures the labels and familiar language we now use to speak of salvation do not appear. Yet, there are multiple demonstrations and events that carry the same essence (we say, spirit), meanings, precepts, principles and values. Included have been comfort, covenants, deliverance, prophetic demonstrations, healing, messages, miracles, proclamations, signs, sacred songs, and victory in battle. From before Creation, at its beginning, and for all mankind that would ever exist, there has been only one divine mechanism for atonement and propitiation of sin: a presentation of divinity through blood offered in sacrifice from GOD appearing incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ. All upon the earth have been challenged to acknowledge salvation as faith fostered by the promises of GOD. All have been directed to continue specific observances and practices (we say, ceremonies, rituals, sacraments) that crystallize the expectation (hope) for a visible divine appearing (we say, revelation). Both the righteous and the unrighteous have been preserved by GOD through operations of death, and are to be returned to their bodies to appear before GOD. Even those from the earliest days of the earth can be taken up as saved to meet Christ in the air at his second coming (some say, Advent, the Rapture, the first resurrection). Others will be raised from the dead for judgment (we say, the second resurrection) as the wicked who must appear in an open tribunal where Christ will preside as judge. Atonement (applying the blood of Jesus to cover sin) and sealing to identify those belonging to Christ will have been completed before the first resurrection. Yet, those lifted then will participate in judgment to determine their eternal access to divinity, privileges and status (we say, rewards). When Christ comes to harvest the earth of those who have been purchased through the blood of atonement and redemption, only those who correctly responded to the many provisions for salvation will be granted life from the dead as the first resurrection. See again Acts 13: 38-39, Romans 6: 16-18, 1st Corinthians 3: 11-15, 1st Thessalonians 4: 14-16, Hebrews 11: 1-40 and 1st Peter 4: 1-7, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. (James 2: 5-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Expulsion from Eden (05/05/2014); Blasphemy Against the GODhead (05/06/2014); Speaking of GOD (10/20/2010); Sin Causes Death? (02/04/2014); Succession (02/05/2014); Teachings on Judgment (06/06/2013); Those Who Never Heard? (06/07/2013); Why Blood? (04/13/2013); Time Before the Sun? (04/14/2013)
“Lady Bunt”, here are a few points that have been useful for many Christian believers that might help strengthen your understanding:
(1.) GOD is a spirit who has put forth material beings and living creatures, the spheres wherein they may abide and endure, and the various conditions for them to gain sacred knowledge as well as to participate in intimate relationship with divinity.
(2.) Awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures may be dominated by sin. Sin is no material or spirit thing that has been created by GOD, has no concrete form or measurable dimension, yet, has direction, effect, and presence. Sin is an artifact of discrete being, independence, and separation from GOD; and sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, of the divine Law Giver, and of the universe manifest through divine law. Sin can not control or influence divine will.
(3.) Sin does not contain or have “existence” (an aspect of divinity). Thus, sin can not be suddenly and completely destroyed, eliminated and removed using such finite human tools as intellect, logic, mathematics, philosophy, reason, and science. To detect, correctly recognize, and resist sin, men and angels must receive inseparable, invisible aspects from the life essence of GOD that establish the power of divine will. Multiple divine operations are occurring that limit sin, and that are necessary to avoid cosmic upheaval for all divine order.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. For example, (4.) In order to correctly communicate about the things of life or death from GOD, believers all must learn and use a shared language of spiritual experience that is distinct from what we have through carnal, material, and social activity. So to speak, we must master talking about bananas to describe watermelons. Putting aside their size and weight differences, the two are exactly the same: Both are fruit. Both are green (at least for a while). Both have the same function of protecting and distributing seed. Also, both are pretty tasty. Sin first may become known and spoken of on the basis of such features as attitudes, behavior, and conduct; however, sin is a profound aspect of spirit substance, existence, and interaction.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. (Job 11: 18-20, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Thursday, May 8, 2014
(05/08/2014) On Death and Pain
Today, Scripture teachings on pain and the state of the dead are considered along with the idea of eternal torment. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “voney” (Level 3 with 1,060 points, a member since December 12, 2013) posted the following:
Does the Bible show whether the dead experience pain?
At:
Eccl. 9:5, 10 it says that “The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all . . . All that your hand finds to do, do with your very power, for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol,* the place to which you are going.”
(If they are conscious of nothing, they obviously feel no pain.)
Sheol refers to the grave.
Ps. 146:4: “His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts* do perish."
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20: 6-15, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Immortality (02/08/2014); Destroying the Resurrected Body? (02/10/2014); For They Shall Be Ashes (02/11/2014); Only While We Live? (12/02/2013); Reveal Himself To All? (12/03/2013); The Dead in Christ? (11/18/2013); Too Much Holy Spirit? (11/19/2013); The End of Pain? (06/10/2013); Night Cometh (06/11/2013); Death Has Been Transformed (05/09/2013); Loving the Enemy? (05/10/2013); After We Die? (10/04/2012); Does GOD Feel? (10/05/2012); Ghosts (09/02/2012); About Conversion (09/03/2012)
“voney”, here are a few points I can share based upon the holy writings, and the common sense reasoning for those who are led by the Spirit of Christ:
(1.) The state of the dead, the state of the blessed following judgment, and the state of the damned are three closely allied concerns that the Adversary uses to repeatedly challenge believers. The same subtlety (i.e., manipulation by hidden differences; barely visible shifts in meaning or purpose), and wiles that were practiced against our first parents (Adam) are used to introduce spiritual confusion, and to overthrow commanded expectation (we say, hope).
(2.) The process of the Scriptures is one of using bananas to describe watermelon—ignoring their differences, both are exactly the same: Both are green (at least, at first); both are fruit, both function as protection and vessels for seed (though banana seeds are barely visible and seedless watermelon has become popular like seedless grapes); and both are tasty as treats. In Scripture, carnal, material and social features are used to describe and demonstrate things that are totally made up from spirit matter such as faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
(3.) Awareness of divine condemnation is described using finite terms that are appropriate to the flesh such as aguish, pain, and suffering. However, eternal separation from GOD is also the removal of the godly substance that establishes ones own existence, character, and person.
(4.) Jesus used the parable of Dives and Lazarus (see Luke 16: 19-31, KJV) to instruct and prepare those closest to him for his own crucifixion, the sacred events on the day of Pentecost, and the revelations that would come by the Spirit of Truth. The parable does not have the same application and authority as the visions found throughout the Book of Revelation.
There is a lot more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) There must be a correct knowledge of both death and judgment. The idea that hell is a sphere of human existence (i.e., a place where people may walk, talk, quarrel among themselves, hunger, thirst, crave contact and affection, etc.) agrees with the declaration of the serpent in Eden: Ye shall not surely die. Hell is thought a place where men will be totally aware of their sins and wickedness as they burn, and are tortured forever. However, those who insist upon endorsing such a false promise of eternal life are effectively removed from the salvation of GOD in Jesus Christ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith, and the substance of divinity within you.
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. (Ecclesiastes 9: 17-18, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Does the Bible show whether the dead experience pain?
At:
Eccl. 9:5, 10 it says that “The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all . . . All that your hand finds to do, do with your very power, for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol,* the place to which you are going.”
(If they are conscious of nothing, they obviously feel no pain.)
Sheol refers to the grave.
Ps. 146:4: “His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts* do perish."
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20: 6-15, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Immortality (02/08/2014); Destroying the Resurrected Body? (02/10/2014); For They Shall Be Ashes (02/11/2014); Only While We Live? (12/02/2013); Reveal Himself To All? (12/03/2013); The Dead in Christ? (11/18/2013); Too Much Holy Spirit? (11/19/2013); The End of Pain? (06/10/2013); Night Cometh (06/11/2013); Death Has Been Transformed (05/09/2013); Loving the Enemy? (05/10/2013); After We Die? (10/04/2012); Does GOD Feel? (10/05/2012); Ghosts (09/02/2012); About Conversion (09/03/2012)
“voney”, here are a few points I can share based upon the holy writings, and the common sense reasoning for those who are led by the Spirit of Christ:
(1.) The state of the dead, the state of the blessed following judgment, and the state of the damned are three closely allied concerns that the Adversary uses to repeatedly challenge believers. The same subtlety (i.e., manipulation by hidden differences; barely visible shifts in meaning or purpose), and wiles that were practiced against our first parents (Adam) are used to introduce spiritual confusion, and to overthrow commanded expectation (we say, hope).
(2.) The process of the Scriptures is one of using bananas to describe watermelon—ignoring their differences, both are exactly the same: Both are green (at least, at first); both are fruit, both function as protection and vessels for seed (though banana seeds are barely visible and seedless watermelon has become popular like seedless grapes); and both are tasty as treats. In Scripture, carnal, material and social features are used to describe and demonstrate things that are totally made up from spirit matter such as faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
(3.) Awareness of divine condemnation is described using finite terms that are appropriate to the flesh such as aguish, pain, and suffering. However, eternal separation from GOD is also the removal of the godly substance that establishes ones own existence, character, and person.
(4.) Jesus used the parable of Dives and Lazarus (see Luke 16: 19-31, KJV) to instruct and prepare those closest to him for his own crucifixion, the sacred events on the day of Pentecost, and the revelations that would come by the Spirit of Truth. The parable does not have the same application and authority as the visions found throughout the Book of Revelation.
There is a lot more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) There must be a correct knowledge of both death and judgment. The idea that hell is a sphere of human existence (i.e., a place where people may walk, talk, quarrel among themselves, hunger, thirst, crave contact and affection, etc.) agrees with the declaration of the serpent in Eden: Ye shall not surely die. Hell is thought a place where men will be totally aware of their sins and wickedness as they burn, and are tortured forever. However, those who insist upon endorsing such a false promise of eternal life are effectively removed from the salvation of GOD in Jesus Christ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith, and the substance of divinity within you.
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. (Ecclesiastes 9: 17-18, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Monday, April 7, 2014
(10/20/2010) Speaking of GOD
Anthropomorphism, and the use of language that humanizes GOD are the focus of today’s presentation. The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the screen ID Buss W@nkers! says i love Liverpool FC” posted the following:
Why do people talk about God. like he's a man?
THE BATTLE AXE: No Free Will? (10/19/2010)—Rightly understood, there is no such thing as free will for angels, for mankind, for any other created being, or for any living creature. However, for all, there is the reality of self-will. The problems surrounding application of will center in the distinction between self-will and the will of GOD. In the same way all human beings are obliged to breathe oxygen (like it, don’t like it), all are obliged to operate under the influence of either sin, or divine will. The presence and action of sin is invisible and undetectable to all human senses and faculties of mind. Thus, sin’s dominion over human will is not a matter of human choice. Rather, it is a matter of human content, existence, and the framework of all being. Awareness of sin is only by the operation of the Spirit of GOD. Just as men are not deprived by having no ability to breathe underwater, men are not damned and persecuted by having to acknowledge GOD. Men are challenged; and meeting the challenge, men have applied human intelligence, and the focused operation of our full potential and will to develop diving gear, snorkels, and even submarines. Similarly, men are challenged by sin and must continually direct conscious being and person to achieve right relationship where the will is properly surrendered and yielded to GOD. When human will conforms to, expresses and performs divine will, mankind prospers. When divine will is despised, forgotten, neglected, or refused the human condition becomes one of agony, desolation, misery and wretchedness.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1: 1-2)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Two Wisdoms? (10/12/2010); Systems (09/10/2010); Sin Defined? (06/28/2010)
The task of providing a “language” that would allow us to speak about GOD in clear, direct, effective ways has best been met through the holy writings we call the Bible. However, the use of holy scripture to know the fullness of divinity is comparable to the use of bananas in order to speak about watermelon: On the one hand, the two are exactly the same—both are fruit, have the same function of distributing and protecting seed, and both are fairly tasty!). On the other hand, there are major differences in their several characteristics (color, shape, size, texture, weight). Where we maintain a strict focus on their sameness, and for the sake of meaning ignore their various differences (counting them as insignificant, and irrelevant), we definitely can use bananas in place of watermelon, have meaning, still make sense, and connect in understanding.
When communicating to one another about GOD, and the things that exist totally as spirit, mankind is forced to apply language that basically comes from, and is designed to express carnal, material, and social realities. In the same way, one must be born again to acquire divine substance that establishes correct awareness and consciousness of the active presence, intent, and purposes of GOD; one must be reborn in order to hear, grasp, and speak the new language given by the Bible for the revealed truth of GOD.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the Bible provides a divine perspective on human experiences of GOD: thousands of lives, and thousands of years are reported. While many sinful acts come into view, the focus is less upon “crime and punishment,” and more upon the revealing divine person as the most complete expression of compassion, forgiveness, justice and righteousness.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
*SEE ALSO THESE ENTRIES POSTED PREVIOUSLY AT YAHOO! PULSE
Why do people talk about God. like he's a man?
THE BATTLE AXE: No Free Will? (10/19/2010)—Rightly understood, there is no such thing as free will for angels, for mankind, for any other created being, or for any living creature. However, for all, there is the reality of self-will. The problems surrounding application of will center in the distinction between self-will and the will of GOD. In the same way all human beings are obliged to breathe oxygen (like it, don’t like it), all are obliged to operate under the influence of either sin, or divine will. The presence and action of sin is invisible and undetectable to all human senses and faculties of mind. Thus, sin’s dominion over human will is not a matter of human choice. Rather, it is a matter of human content, existence, and the framework of all being. Awareness of sin is only by the operation of the Spirit of GOD. Just as men are not deprived by having no ability to breathe underwater, men are not damned and persecuted by having to acknowledge GOD. Men are challenged; and meeting the challenge, men have applied human intelligence, and the focused operation of our full potential and will to develop diving gear, snorkels, and even submarines. Similarly, men are challenged by sin and must continually direct conscious being and person to achieve right relationship where the will is properly surrendered and yielded to GOD. When human will conforms to, expresses and performs divine will, mankind prospers. When divine will is despised, forgotten, neglected, or refused the human condition becomes one of agony, desolation, misery and wretchedness.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1: 1-2)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Two Wisdoms? (10/12/2010); Systems (09/10/2010); Sin Defined? (06/28/2010)
The task of providing a “language” that would allow us to speak about GOD in clear, direct, effective ways has best been met through the holy writings we call the Bible. However, the use of holy scripture to know the fullness of divinity is comparable to the use of bananas in order to speak about watermelon: On the one hand, the two are exactly the same—both are fruit, have the same function of distributing and protecting seed, and both are fairly tasty!). On the other hand, there are major differences in their several characteristics (color, shape, size, texture, weight). Where we maintain a strict focus on their sameness, and for the sake of meaning ignore their various differences (counting them as insignificant, and irrelevant), we definitely can use bananas in place of watermelon, have meaning, still make sense, and connect in understanding.
When communicating to one another about GOD, and the things that exist totally as spirit, mankind is forced to apply language that basically comes from, and is designed to express carnal, material, and social realities. In the same way, one must be born again to acquire divine substance that establishes correct awareness and consciousness of the active presence, intent, and purposes of GOD; one must be reborn in order to hear, grasp, and speak the new language given by the Bible for the revealed truth of GOD.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the Bible provides a divine perspective on human experiences of GOD: thousands of lives, and thousands of years are reported. While many sinful acts come into view, the focus is less upon “crime and punishment,” and more upon the revealing divine person as the most complete expression of compassion, forgiveness, justice and righteousness.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
*SEE ALSO THESE ENTRIES POSTED PREVIOUSLY AT YAHOO! PULSE
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