(03/04/2019) Displaying Faith Through Works

Today, reply is on two Scriptures that are to be read with a view to the doctrine that faith without works is dead. The two verses contrast believing and doing while also calling into understanding the perverseness of impenitence and willful sin (iniquity), the integrity of genuine relationship with divinity, and the essential operations of divine faith, grace, redemption, righteousness, and salvation. Even where they are unstated, and do not appear plainly written within the wording for a specific Bible verse or passage, mature Christians are ever to acknowledge that what is written also serves as the declaration of divine prerogative, sacred promise, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD. There are two forms of works that make faith visible: sacred works (e.g., confession; forbearance; forgiveness; praise; intercessory prayer) and secular works (e.g., caring for orphans and widows; feeding the hungry; giving shelter to the homeless). The two both appear through operations of the Holy Spirit; are necessary to each other being sound and whole; and they ought not be compared, or assigned value as though they are competing against one another. John 3: 15-16, King James Version (KJV) reads : 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Matthew 7: 21-23, KJV reads: 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “I trust the count” (Level 7 with 276,857 points, a member since March 02, 2006) posted the following:

Jesus claims everyone who believes in Him will be saved according to John 3:15-16, what about the people in Matthew 7:21-23?

Are the people in Scriptures John 3:15-16 the same people as those in Matthew 7:21-23?

What is so different about the people in John 3:15-16 and Matthew 7:21-23?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4: 3-5, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: We Have To Believe (01/06/2019); Known By His Fruit (11/04/2018); Ye That Work Iniquity (09/24/2018); “I Never Knew You” (03/23/2018); Attending Church a “Chore”? (01/23/2018); Praying For “More Faith”? (01/12/2018); The Savior of “All”? (08/22/2017); Salvation By Faith Alone? (01/19/2017); Many Are Called… (10/15/2015)

“I trust the count”, the two scripture passages (group of verses) you present must be understood on the basis of their fit with other teachings. The power and process of life in Christ must come into view as more than intellectual content, emotions, ideals, good intentions, thoughts, or finite self-will. There also must be action, obedience to divine law, performing the righteousness within the law, and completing unselfish works. The Bible is a special collection and library of sacred books that preserve the divine law, doctrine, guidance, instruction, and principles provided from divinity (we also say, the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) so that created beings and living creatures may exist in continuing relationship as life companions to GOD. Therefore, the holy writings include such features as parables, praises, prayers, promises, prophesies and visions. Because the sacred knowledge shared within the Scriptures has been gathered by multiple writers, from thousands of events that occur within thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years, there are multiple presentations of the same point of understanding that emerge from diverse aspects of focus, and that may use different language. To properly acknowledge all of the various requirements that must be met to receive the full benefit and privilege available to the offspring of GOD, a sinner must become a developing Christian believer who will be made mature/ripe for harvest by Jesus Christ at his appearing (we also say, the Advent; the Rapture; the Second Coming). Those who will meet the Lord in the air will have been prepared through discovery, gradual growth, learning, practice of the sacraments, unselfish service, and suffering. Consider again the following verses that clarify and complete the two verses you have highlighted:

1. John 7: 14-18, King James Version (KJV): 14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

2. Hebrews 11: 6, KJV: 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

3. James 2: 19-20, KJV: 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. James 2: 14-18, KJV: 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(12/17/2015) The Greatest Weapon?

Today, divine law is identified as the greatest weapon against the operations of sin.  Such aspects of salvation as atonement, baptism, rebirth, and repentance may be seen as expressions of eternal purpose, and the expressed will of GOD we call “law.”  While faith, miracles, and the blood of Jesus also have place in the divine process to cleanse and heal Creation, like forgiveness, divine love, and sending the Comforter, many sacred operations pertain more to reconciliation and revelation than to wrath against sin, and spiritual warfare against deception, idolatry, and temptation.  Consider the following from the Bible, and the points appearing below:  Romans 13:  12-14, King James Version (KJV):  12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand:  let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.  Also, 2nd Corinthians 10:  3-5, KJV:  3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  2nd Chronicles 20:  16-18, KJV:  16 To morrow go ye down against them:  behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.  17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:  set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem:  fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them:  for the LORD will be with you.  18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground:  and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.  Hebrews 4:  12-13, KJV:  12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight:  but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.  One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:


Is disbelief satan's most powerful weapon against good?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  (Ephesians 6:  11-18, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Holy Wars? (11/06/2014); Crimes Christ Crucified For? (11/07/2014); War and Peace? (07/17/2014); Prince of Peace? (07/18/2014); Does Satan Know? (11/06/2013); Unguarded Chocolates? (11/07/2013); An Attack Upon Creation? (12/08/2012); The Focus of Judgment? (12/09/2012)


“Anonymous”, for the disciples and those acknowledging the teachings of Jesus Christ, the greatest weapon in the ongoing struggles to cleanse, restore, and sanctify the Creation of GOD is the law.  In the same way modern armies among men all seek to employ the same or similar technology and weapons that are available, in the spiritual conflict for dominion of the earth, the reading and application of the law appears as the greatest tool for entangling and trapping mankind, just as law is a divine tool to benefit, guide, liberate and establish existence for all created beings and living creatures.  Using the idea of divine warfare, then, the weapon of sin has not been created by Satan.  The Adversary (Satan) is associated with sin as a casualty and victim, for sin operates through awareness and self-will in the living.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, of the Law Giver, and of all the divine order that sustains the present universe.  Just as sin has not been created or put forth by Deity, sin has no spirit substance, and has no divine origin.  Because Satan operates as one who is deceived, and can not discern or recognize the extent of his own wounds, he continues to go about claiming spiritual soundness, yet, spreading doctrine that is defiled, impure, and in error.  In this light, then, consider again the following from the Bible:

(1.)  James 2:  19, King James Version (KJV):  19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:  the devils also believe, and tremble.

(2.)  Ezekiel 28:  16-18, KJV:  16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned:  therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God:  and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.  17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness:  I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.  18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

(3.)  2nd John 1:  7, KJV:  7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

(4.)  Isaiah 44:  20, KJV:  20 He feedeth on ashes:  a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

(5.)  Romans 7:  9-14, KJV:  9 For I was alive without the law once:  but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.  10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.  11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.  12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.  13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.  14 For we know that the law is spiritual:  but I am carnal, sold under sin.

(6.)  Mark 9:  23-25, KJV:  23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.  25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a part of ones spiritual arsenal.  (For example, (7.)  1st John 3:  7-9, KJV:  7 Little children, let no man deceive you:  he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.  8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.  9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him:  and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/15/2015) Justice Not Revenge?

Negative life experiences, quitting fantasies of revenge, unauthorized judgment, and salvation through Christ are topics, today.  Authority to judge is now with Christ; and  GOD is permitting protection against divine wrath through the person of his only son, who was begotten through the Holy Spirit.  Lies can not heal wounds; and there must be grace and divine love for reconciliation with GOD.  Often, hurtful and unwanted events occur in ones life that are intended to minister benefit to others.  Reports and the personal testimonies of others are not enough to clarify expiation and sacrifice; believers also must have peculiar direct experiences.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Del” (Level 1 with 53 points, a member since November 23, 2014) posted the following:


As a Christian, how do I deal with people who have wronged me?

How do I get over these fantasies of me getting my revenge and all that?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:   Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.  Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:  because as he is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:  because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  We love him, because he first loved us.  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar:  for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.  (1st John 4:  10-21, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Lawful Revenge? (01/02/2014); As GOD Loves Us? (01/03/2014); Put Every Man His Sword By His Side (01/01/2013); The Common Danger (01/02/2013); Justice Comes by Love? (10/01/2012);  A Daily Revelation? (10/02/2012)


“Del”, for Christians change comes by right knowledge of truth.  Here are a few points to consider that are shared among those following Jesus Christ as Savior:

(1.) Justice not Revenge.  To love is to add value to another within a continuing relationship.  Believers turn to GOD for justice as an expression of love because the gifts of forgiveness, divine law, mercy, eternal purpose, and perfect righteousness also are aspects of the salvation provided only through Jesus Christ.  Finite human justice is often frustrating and warped because of anger, bereavement, bitterness, despair and fear.  Strong emotions erupt that may seem inescapable and persistent, yet, are passing and temporary. Believers embrace divine judgment as balanced, certain, able to detect hidden and unseen truth, impartial, conclusive and irreversible.

(2.)  Permanent Change.  Through the ministry of Jesus, believers are carried into a process of transformation that is so broad and complete that we say, they become “a new creation.”  In water baptism there is the death of ones inborn nature, and rebirth from a fresh endowment of the same inseparable divine content within the makeup of divinity such as faith, holiness, joy, love, longsuffering, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Once born again, believers are to learn and mature again by meeting life challenges upon the earth.  In addition to acquiring sacred knowledge through study of the holy writings, there should also be continuous practice of sacraments; regular fellowship with other believers; giving and unselfish service; and acknowledgment as praise, prayer, reverence, and worship.

(3.)  Feelings and Focus.  Many today indulge fantasies of themselves having power through destruction, hatred, lying and revenge.  In so doing they “despise their birthright,” and become like fatherless children and slaves having no inheritance with Christ.  Those who want to be known as champions, heroes, and martyrs upon the earth by spreading deceit, murder and slander are correctly understood as the children of darkness, and not the sons and daughters of the GOD who is establishing justice, light and eternal life.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Accepting Life in a Tainted World.  Many of the life experiences that have abased, disappointed, embarrassed, and hurt us have been necessary to mold and shape us for eternal companionship with Christ.  Much of what we call personal anguish, or suffering is common to mankind and those existing as mortals.  More than this, many events we think of as having damaged or deprived us were correctly introduced as expressions of divine commitment and sacred love.  The issue before our GOD is not the fairness or unfairness of conditions and life events; the issue is how divine identity is being made active and present throughout Creation.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/10/2014) Divine Goodness?

Today, more is shared on the differences between evil created by GOD and the sin and wickedness found among created beings and living creatures.  While the primary divine standard is one for spirit content, there also are necessary divine standards for behavior, conduct, and utterance (e.g., betrayal, blasphemy, lies, perjury, promises, prophecy, slander).  The arrogance and foolishness of sinners, be they men or angels, have no eternal benefit for the living.  The device of sleep used to establish permanent change through the creation of woman could not be used to establish the changes required to compensate for the operations of sin.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Law Giver, and all divine order that proceeds from sacred law.  Sin can not be eliminated among mankind without the use of death, rebirth, and resurrection.  Through the exalted authority and power of divinity, the word and work of GOD is not compromised by the errors of the living.  Contrary to those who accuse divinity, GOD has not answered to the living with abuse, indiscriminate condemnation, disrespect, mockery and scorn.  Along with the features required for assigning value (we say, judgment) such as balance, impartiality, integrity and righteousness, there also always have been compassion, forgiveness, gentleness, kindness, longsuffering, mercy, and reconciliation.  The eternal goodness of GOD is not to be understood as only material blessings, favor and pleasure.  By its correct definition, “divinity” becomes the common standard for describing and determining who or what “good” is.  For a fruitful relationship now to exist between the Creator and the created there must be blessing, cursing, and multiple sacred operations that include baptism (i.e., death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth with spirit content from the makeup of divinity), confession, conversion, healing, prayer, and sanctification.  Without sacred knowledge, a shared language for exchange, and a vocabulary of sacred experience, even when GOD directly reveals and shows divinity to created beings and living creatures, there must be divine operations to specify the meaning and value that are to be received.  Christian believers are not commanded to use cruelty, destruction and violence to bring about change.  Change is to come by the process of life appearing as growth, learning, reverence, sharing, unselfish service, and heartfelt worship.


THE BATTLE AXE:  Evil Is Not Sin And Wickedness? (12/09/2014)

Micah 6:  6-9, KJV—Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?  7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?  8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  9 The LORD’s voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name:  hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.

Psalms 33:  18-22, KJV—Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;  19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.  20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD:  he is our help and our shield.  21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.  22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Psalms 33:  4-12, KJV—For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.  5 He loveth righteousness and judgment:  the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.  6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap:  he layeth up the depth in storehouses.  8 Let all the earth fear the LORD:  let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.  9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.  10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought:  he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.  11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.  12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Psalms 31:  18-20, KJV—Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.  19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!  20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man:  thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Psalms 16:  1-11, KJV—Preserve me, O God:  for in thee do I put my trust.  2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord:  my goodness extendeth not to thee;  3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.  4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god:  their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.  5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup:  thou maintainest my lot.  6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.  7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel:  my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.  8 I have set the LORD always before me:  because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.  9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth:  my flesh also shall rest in hope.  10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.  11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life:  in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalms 107:  8-21, KJV—Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!  9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.  10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;  11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:  12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.  13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.  14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.  15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!  16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.  17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.  18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.  19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.  20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.  21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Isaiah 61:  1-3, KJV—The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;  2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;  3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Jeremiah 18:  2-12, KJV—Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.  3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.  4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter:  so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.  5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,  6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.  7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;  8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.  9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;  10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.  11 Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you:  return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.  12 And they said, There is no hope:  but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.

Psalms 68:  18-20, KJV—Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive:  thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.  19 Blessed be the LORD, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.  20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.

Matthew 19:  13-22, KJV—Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray:  and the disciples rebuked them.  14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me:  for of such is the kingdom of heaven.  15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.  16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God:  but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.  18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,  19 Honour thy father and thy mother:  and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up:  what lack I yet?  21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.  22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful:  for he had great possessions.

3rd John 1:  11, KJV—Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God:  but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Lamentations 3:  22-36, KJV—It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  23 They are new every morning:  great is thy faithfulness.  24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.  27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.  28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.  29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.  30 He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him:  he is filled full with reproach.  31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever:  32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.  33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.  34 To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth.  35 To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,  36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.

Exodus 34:  4-14, KJV—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.  9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.  10 And he said, Behold, I make a covenant:  before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation:  and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD:  for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.  11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day:  behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.  12 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:  13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:  14 For thou shalt worship no other god:  for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Deuteronomy 30:  15-20, KJV—See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;  16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply:  and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.  17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;  18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.  19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:  therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:  20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him:  for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:  that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Proverbs 11:  26-28, KJV—He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him:  but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.  27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour:  but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.  28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Amos 5:  12-15, KJV—For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins:  they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.  13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.  14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live:  and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.  15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate:  it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

Romans 11:  22-32, KJV—Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God:  on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness:  otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.  23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in:  for God is able to graff them in again.  24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree:  how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?  25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.  26 And so all Israel shall be saved:  as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:  27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.  28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes:  but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes.  29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:  31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.  32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Luke 10:  1-12, KJV—After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.  2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few:  pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.  3 Go your ways:  behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.  4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes:  and salute no man by the way.  5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.  6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it:  if not, it shall turn to you again.  7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give:  for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.  8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:  9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.  10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,  11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you:  notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.  12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

Luke 10:  17-24, KJV—And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.  18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.  19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy:  and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.  21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes:  even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.  22 All things are delivered to me of my Father:  and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.  23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:  24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

2nd Thessalonians 1:  2-12, KJV—Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;  4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:  5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:  6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;  7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,  8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;  10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.  11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:  12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1st Thessalonians 5:  14-16, KJV—Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.  15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.  16 Rejoice evermore.

1st Peter 3:  10-12, KJV—For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers:  but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/01/2014) A Dispensation To Benefit

More is shared, today, on divine law, human judgment and the death penalty.  The salvation we speak of is a dispensation to benefit those who are guilty before GOD.  As a divine response to sin, death and mortality address the duration of awareness and self-will that are generated by exchanges and interactions among the spirit content and makeup within created beings and living creatures.  (All those who may come under the influence called sin (we say, sinners) include angels, who are neither mortal nor immortal; and who only endure at the discretion of the Almighty.)  Sin and wickedness characterize attitudes, behavior and conduct that oppose and undermine the expressed will of GOD (we say, law) regulating existence and life.  However, divinity can never operate in created beings and living creatures as self-destruction, and separation from godliness.  Atonement, propitiation and remission as the divine response addresses the record of sin, and does not eliminate sin per se.  Atonement provides continuity and correction for sinners when joined with permanent change of the sinner’s spirit content.  In the same way sleep was employed as a sacred device to permit the living substance of Adam to be altered and completed through the creation of Eve, death and resurrection are employed by divinity in the transformation of living substance within their offspring so that all Creation might become immortal, incorruptible and perfected.  Through the provisions of Jesus Christ, sinners receive new life substance by baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth from a fresh endowment of spirit content manifesting the makeup of divinity).  No change in the righteousness and perfection of sacred law is required.  Believers are equipped to correctly recognize, respond to, and resist sin that would otherwise be invisible and unseen.  Through the operations of sin, many defy the law, are incorrigible, show no remorse, and continue as unrepentant.  With acts of brutality, cruelty, malice, treachery and violence they prey upon society as though no longer human, and no longer created by GOD.  They refuse to acknowledge the needs and rights of others, and pose a constant threat to the life and property of all.  Rightly understood, the judgment of men by human laws is not a political or spiritual process.  Determinations of guilt, innocence and accountability must be made that do not address the divine subtleties of ones fitness for eternal life, ones spirit makeup, and ones final spiritual value.  In human judgment, focus is upon the facts and mechanics of human events.  Spiritual elements (e.g., forbearance, forgiveness, impartiality, mercy, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin) are established and expressed through governing principles, procedures and policies such as attention to detail, due process, compassionate sentencing, trial by jury, and right of appeal.  The prohibition, Thou shalt not kill, does not also say, the Law shalt not kill (i.e., thou shalt not uphold and carry out the penalties and sanctions contained in the law).


THE BATTLE AXE:  The Death Penalty for Sins? (11/30/2014)

Deuteronomy 10:  14, KJV—Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.

Psalms 47:  6-8, KJV—Sing praises to God, sing praises:  sing praises unto our King, sing praises.  7 For God is the King of all the earth:  sing ye praises with understanding.  8 God reigneth over the heathen:  God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

Isaiah 37:  16, KJV—O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth:  thou hast made heaven and earth.

Isaiah 25:  7-9, KJV—And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.  8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth:  for the LORD hath spoken it.  9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us:  this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Job 14:  7-15, KJV—For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.  8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;  9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.  10 But man dieth, and wasteth away:  yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?  11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:  12 So man lieth down, and riseth not:  till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.  13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!  14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.  15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee:  thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

Isaiah 26:  19-21, KJV—Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust:  for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.  20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee:  hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.  21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Job 19:  23-27, KJV—Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!  24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!  25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:  26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:  27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Romans 5:  6-11, KJV—For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  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.  10 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.  11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Luke 3:  1-6, KJV—Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,  2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.  3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;  4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;  6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

2nd Peter 3:  5-9, KJV—For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Acts 10:  34-43, KJV—Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.  36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)  37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;  38 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.  39 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:  40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;  41 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.  42 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.  43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 4:  11-12, KJV—This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.  12 Neither is there salvation in any other:  for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

1st Corinthians 15:  50-58, KJV—Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:  for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Romans 14:  8-12, KJV—For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord:  whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.  9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.  10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

2nd Peter 3:  10-18, KJV—But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;  16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.  17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.  18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/06/2013) Church Mandatory?

      The possible benefit from mandatory church attendance is considered, today. Also, there is more on whether experience is acceptable evidence for spiritual truth. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Looking in With Wonder” (Level 2 with 732 points, a member since March 25, 2013) posted the following:

School is mandatory, surely the church should be too. It would mean a lot more respect. thoughts?

THE BATTLE AXE: Experience Is Not Evidence? (05/05/2013)—(5.) Carnal, material and social experience do not serve as the highest evidence of divine truth (see Psalm 19: 1-14 and Romans 1: 16-32, KJV). GOD is a spirit, and must be known and understood as present through spiritual content, eternal purpose and sacred process. While the revelation of GOD to all created beings and living creatures continues to use human actors, awareness, and human events, the power of the sacred process does not depend upon the sum of ones knowledge, information, intelligence, memory, and reason. Belief is driven by the appearance and interaction of divine substance. Included are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, love, wisdom, and wrath against sin. See Psalm 119: 98-106, Matthew 15: 7-20, John 20: 19-31 and 2nd Corinthians 5: 7, KJV. (6.) GOD does not manipulate human affairs and natural events to supply mankind with “proof” to convince and persuade anyone that He is GOD. GOD is not obligated to argue or debate, and to remove disbelief. The proofs and signs granted to his servants are to acknowledge, affirm and reinforce the divine intent residing within the believer, to further their understanding, and to ignite zeal within believers (see Judges 6: 11-24 and 33-40 and 2nd Kings 13: 14-19, KJV). Spiritual gifts, resources, and tools are shared, however, this is to permit human awareness, recognition, and realization of divine presence as well as sacred operations, and eternal purpose. Spirit content is imparted through the holy writings along with understanding that reveals the divine nature and sacred purpose that frames and underlies all existence.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. (Nehemiah 13: 17-21, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: GOD in Schools? (12/20/2012); Naaman the Leper (12/21/2012); Holiday Displays? (12/07/2012); An Attack Upon Creation? (12/08/2012); Parental Duty? (10/08/2012); The Gender of Angels? (10/09/2012); Mob Rule and Violence (09/27/2012); Suppose I Am Wrong? (09/28/2012); What Is Reality (a.k.a. Truth)? (09/29/2012); The Content Of Prayer (01/29/2012); Teen Believers? (10/07/2010); Foiled Again (10/08/2010)

      Many mature Christian believers would agree that the sacred benefit of church attendance, and participation within assemblies, congregations and communities centered in shared belief can not be provided to all simply by the demands from civil law, or from the “bully” pulpit. Here are some points to consider:

(1.) GOD is a spirit, and must be known and understood through spirit content, eternal process, and sacred operations. Included are atonement, birth, condemnation, death, forgiveness, rebirth, repentance, and salvation. GOD appears to created beings and living creatures by expressions of divine will such as holy law, incarnation, and wrath against sin. (See John 4: 23-24, KJV.)

(2.) The church is a community of elect persons, and is a material and social instrument to present the divine will. Neither all the angels of heaven nor all mankind in the earth are embraced as members of the divine priesthood established by Jesus Christ. Their rule and service as kings goes forward in the form of ministry, works of faith, and continuous worship of GOD.

(3.) As an idea and process within the law, “religious liberty” generally is described as a freedom, as ones choice to be accountable and acknowledge sacred duty as well as a person’s right to maintain and practice in accordance with their own “faith” (usually undefined). Most mature believers understand the church where Jesus Christ is Head is not a democracy or institution built upon human consensus and majority rule. Participation is no longer on the basis of self-will and volition. Membership and support of the church are imperative, and no longer optional once they have surrendered to Christ in baptism (i.e., death and rebirth). Saying this another way: In the same way breathing is what one must do to stay alive, Christ is what one must do to know eternal life.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Social process for respect, sharing and trust often begins in our assuming there is agreement and equality in spite of diversity and individual differences as well as a commitment to ordered change, growth, and learning. For the sacred process of the church, the starting points may be doubts, questions and uncertainty that come under the operation of faith, and the endowments of divine person imparted to believers.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/20/2013) Magical Resurrection?

The importance of resurrection to Christian belief is topic, today, along with further discussion of divine grace. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Howard” (Level 2 with 359 points, a member since March 13, 2013) posted the following:


Can a Christian not believe in the magical resurrection of Mr. Christ and still be a Christian?

Additional Details

"I don't believe in any 'magical' resurrection, and I'm a Christian." The preacher man was dead and decomposing for three days. His stinking corpse was infested with maggots. Then he rose from the dead. That is one heck of a magic trick.

My question: Is this disgusting fantasy a required belief in Christianity?

THE BATTLE AXE: The Benefit of Grace (03/19/2013)—Many confuse grace with forbearance, forgiveness, longsuffering and patience. In the holy writings, grace repeatedly comes into view as we speak of acceptance, approval, and being assigned positive value despite events that display ongoing judgment against sin. (For examples, see Genesis 6: 8 and 19: 19, Exodus 33: 17 and Ezra 9: 7-9, KJV). Men do not obtain grace from GOD on the basis of their obedience, service and good works as though grace is payment or divine reward. This allows us to say, grace is endorsement that comes through perfect dependency upon GOD, and through the elevation of divine will over self-will within created beings and living creatures. Grace does not serve to eliminate or remove challenge, condemnation, pain and suffering. Awareness of grace gives power to face up to and endure opposition. For mankind, grace is revealed and becomes most visible through human confrontations against fixed conditions of being, experience, sacred law (i.e., judgment), and human suffering. While suffering is associated with compassion and pity, suffering is not the sole cause for their appearance. Similarly, suffering has no power to generate, or call forth divine grace. While grace neither causes nor takes suffering away, ones awareness of grace continues discernment of divine presence, and permits continuous focus upon divinity throughout the outworking of divine process.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 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. (Acts 17: 29-31, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Why So Much Murder? (01/12/2013); Understanding Hell (01/09/2013); Put Every Man His Sword By His Side (01/01/2013); The Common Danger (01/02/2013); The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012); Remembering the Holocaust? (12/14/2012); Given the Cloud of Witnesses (11/29/2012); A Golden Ticket? (11/30/2012); After the Rapture? (11/01/2012); Opportunity to Repent (11/02/2012); Magick and Prayer? (10/29/2012); The Fear of GOD (10/30/2012); After We Die? (10/04/2012)

Dear Howard:

your question, and the way you have stated your feelings indicate that what you think you know about Christian belief is distorted, profane, unbiblical and warped. The mocking title (Mr. Christ), tells us you do not know Jesus in a personal way, and you presently are not welcoming a right relationship with GOD through Christ. Even so, consider the following points:

(1) It is logical and reasonable to believe that an almighty, eternal GOD having power to create all that is in the earth, the sea, and the heavens also has power over life and death. On the basis of their content of divine substance, the Creator continually examines and assigns value to the objects within the full sphere of divine presence, and thereby determines the duration of their existence. Such a divine operation could be called “judgment.”

(2) Presently, only GOD, who is spirit, is immortal. There are no created beings and living creatures that are immortal (including angels, devils, and the sacred beasts of heaven). Mankind is mortal, and must complete and fulfill specific criteria that describe human experience. Included are birth, growth, kinship, learning, repentance, and suffering.

(3) Given that self-will in the living may be dominated by sin, death is a divine tool to establish eternal life, and a stage necessary for the transformation of human makeup. Through the use of death and resurrection, mankind may be established as incorruptible and immortal.

(4) By raising Lazarus from the dead, Christ demonstrated on earth the power of GOD in heaven to revive all the dead. Nonetheless, Lazarus later died, as did Jesus. Resurrection is more than merely the reanimation of the dead; it is the entrance into divine presence and realization of ones own eternal person.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the holy writings teach that there must be two resurrections, one for the just, one for the wicked. Just as here on earth, every person must appear in the presence of GOD for their own judgment to personally answer the charges and indictments against themselves. That judgment is only upon the living further reveals the righteousness of GOD, the divine Judge.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/19/2013) The Benefit of Grace

That divine grace is all a believer truly needs is our topic, today, along with more on why Jesus had to appear on behalf of both GOD and mankind as a Jew. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Tolemac” (Level 6 with 13,875 points, a member since May 30, 2010) posted the following:


Why do some Christians think the Apostle Paul needed grace to stay sick…?

Nobody else needs grace to stay sick, it happens automatically.
Could it be that we’ve misunderstood what these scriptures are referring to?
2Corinthians 12:
7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Additional Details

Obviously, Paul is NOT referring to an illness or disability, but to something else…


THE BATTLE AXE: Why Jesus Must Be A Jew (03/18/2013)—Jesus must be a Jew to demonstrate the righteousness of GOD, not the righteousness of Jews. Expressions of human distrust, hostility and ignorance are not the manifesting of faith that comes from GOD being deposited within mankind. The revelation of GOD (how GOD is known to exist, be active and present) must go forward using devices and mechanisms that are recognizable to created beings and living creatures, yet, that are distinctive and marked as unique to divinity. For example, contracts and covenants are common among men: The covenants of GOD stand out as absolutely righteous, continuous, comprehensive, definitive, having the force of divine law and eternal truth, intimate (i.e., providing a framework for close relationship, and realization of divine character, personality and sacred purpose), un-bounded by time, un-finished and un-interrupted by death, and unifying. Those who speak against the Incarnation of GOD as a Jew, often insist that their condemnation is not for Almighty GOD, it is for the Jews. However, they may not dismiss the fact that GOD is sovereign. The exercise of authority, judgment, and divine rule are balanced and completed by divine prerogative, and what men ordinarily call “privilege”. GOD may do, and often must do, according to unseen imperatives, and demands that are hidden from the created. Even where GOD does expose to mankind the detailed panorama of holy intent, men can not rightly embrace, and know GOD without the special provisions that have come by the ministry of Jesus. Thus, despite having had angels appear to explain, Daniel continued in uncertainty (e.g., Daniel chapters 10-12, King James Version). The refusal by the Jews (and others in peril through sin) to acknowledge Jesus does not break-off, hinder or thwart the operations of GOD on behalf of mankind. However, their disbelief, disrespect and rebellion ensure a verdict in divine judgment of condemnation, dis-fellowship with GOD, and the second death.


THE GOLDEN ARROW: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2: 4-10, King James Version)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Yet If I Judge (09/05/2012); By Grace (09/04/2012); Girdle 29: Love Never Fails (12/14/2011); Dispatch 43: Mercy (09/22/2011); Grace and Life (01/07/2011)


Most mature Christian believers understand that the Scriptures you cite (above) record a personal testimony shared by a former Pharisee, (i.e., the Apostle Paul) to clarify and teach the meanings of divine grace. Where Jesus would have used a parable, Paul often provides an account from his own experience that explains how he received the peculiar insight or understanding he then provides. The sufficiency of grace is to be valued as greater than exorcism, healing, miracles or signs as well as long-practiced separation (the cycle of fasting, washings and prayer required by law among the Jews that had to be completed by those who became unclean before they were again accounted as “fit” to worship with the congregation). The grace of GOD ensures that those chosen in Christ have already overcome, will accomplish all whereunto they are sent, and will not return void.

As an aspect of divine person, grace pertains to being and existence of the Holy, and is not an element of social interaction such as affection, fondness and changeable emotions. Grace may be understood as a divine substance inseparable from such other sacred content as faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Grace may be discerned, and recognized by humans as active through various contacts with GOD. Included are confession, contemplation, prayer, reflection, prostration, sanctification, and surrender.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, many speak of our salvation by grace as an act of divine and “unmerited” favor. It should be understood that grace is not simply compassion, pity, or sympathy. GOD is never un-gracious, or without grace. For GOD to say, “You have my grace” compares to saying “you have my word on it” and “you are made new inwardly, ignore every outward contradiction.”) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/08/2012) An Attack Upon Creation?

      The motive to destroy Creation, and more about holiday displays on public property are considered, today. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Diet Cola” (Level 7 with 27,183 points, a member since August 22, 2007) posted the following:


Does the Devil want to destroy Creation?

Does he want to destroy animals and the planet as well as Humans?


THE BATTLE AXE: Holiday Displays? (12/07/2012)—Many who charge that religious displays on public property violate constitutional and other provisions in the law, do so falsely, selfishly, and with malice that derives from disbelief and ignorance. By public-sponsored displays, communities may declare the presence of civic pride, commitment to growth, consensus, shared purpose, solidarity, and strength. Such displays may not be regarded as preferential treatment to a minority, or as imposed worship. Given there is no criminal intent, motive to proselytize, or systematic attack against reasonable constitutional and municipal limitations, a community’s public acknowledgement of practices among faith-based and religious organizations within the boundaries of its jurisdiction should be held as lawful and appropriate. It is a legitimate goal for a prospering community to signal the presence of inclusiveness, pluralism, religious liberty as well as custom and tradition. There are two parts of the single statement known as the “religion clauses” of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Establishment Clause (Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion) appears with the free exercise clause (or prohibiting the free exercise thereof). In a healthy community, for example, simply placing a menorah or any other symbol of a Jewish observance upon public property is not automatically a demand that residents attend synagogue any more than the presence of public schools denies parents a right to enroll their children in charter, parochial and private academies. Where the issue is raised of unfair public funding, the burden to the individual tax-payer often amounts to cents and pennies rather than dollars. When it is correctly a public benefit, goals that everyone safely enjoy the holidays together should always override efforts to destroy, divide and disparage celebration.


THE GOLDEN ARROW: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1st Peter 5: 6-11, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Adversary? (12/05/2012); “Soul” Food (12/06/2012); Sin Unknown? (10/10/2012); Coveting the Throne (03/07/2012); Too Many Interpretations? (03/08/2012); A Partnership (11/05/2012); To See With New Eyes (11/06/2012)


      It is not the primary purpose and work of a believer’s ministry to “explain” the mind and motives of other created beings and living creatures, or to give instruction regarding those in rebellion against divine law (e.g., apostates, atheists, demons, unbelievers). Yet, the full revelation of GOD to mankind requires awareness of judgment, of salvation, and of sin. Consider the following:

      A group of schoolboys all laugh and think it fun when they “get away” by running from the scene after a window is smashed while they are playing baseball. They are immature, thoughtless, and unaware of both their shared accountability and the far-reaching, “unintended” consequences that may result from their deed: Because of the broken window, a person’s health may be ruined through cold air, drafts, or the access to insects. Someone could be permanently blinded by flying glass that suddenly struck them” in the eye directed by an unseen cause, and, as it were “from out of nowhere.” A small child easily could be given a concussion by the baseball traveling like a missile with terrible velocity.

      Similarly, those spirits presently in rebellion against divine authority do so as beings who lack foreknowledge, insight, wisdom, and sacred vision. The measure of knowledge instilled at their creation within angels and other beings of heaven was set as unchanging, and did not include awareness of sin, repentance, and the ability to comprehend or project the full aspect of holy revelation. Fashioned to serve and exercise authority within a peculiar sphere, those having lost their first estate through sin, seek to continue as if still in heaven. However, these must realize the presence and damage of sin by the changes to themselves, and the conditions of their existence. Sin opposes existence for divine law, the holy law-giver, and all that has been put forth by GOD.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, those living in heaven only respond to GOD through faith as must mankind and the living spirits upon the earth. However, through the ministry of Jesus Christ, humans now receive added supplies of faith, and continually grow and improve through experience that nourishes their ability to detect and apply sacred truth. By the example of the church and mankind, the host of heaven is to be cautioned, confirmed in humility, and corrected through righteousness, rather than through mere punishment and scourging.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC