(09/14/2018) Claiming To Know GOD?

Today, reply is on language used by Christian believers declaring that they “know” GOD. As those “born again,” Christians are to speak and proclaim the teachings of Jesus, rather than their own opinions along with divine assurances that have been provided as faith, hope, and love. Many today seem to confuse “knowing about” GOD with knowing GOD. Where there is genuine relationship, accountability, commitment, and adding value (we say, giving love) also should appear. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “Serve The Servants” (Level 7 with 36,411 points, a member since November 20, 2010) posted the following:

Why do people claim that they know God when nobody alive has met him?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19: 25-27, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Meaning of “Faith” (03/28/2018); Confessing Your Own Salvation? (03/02/2018); Certainty, Conviction and Faith (01/05/2018); About Using “Sacred Logic” (11/19/2017); Tools For Knowing Divinity (05/12/2017); Knowing GOD and Sin? (02/03/2017); How To Know GOD? (12/12/2016); Knowing? (05/24/2015)

“Serve The Servants”, GOD is ever-present, however, men are not ever-aware. Where religion and spiritual convictions are concerned, many are not careful as they use language to communicate and express their own feelings and thoughts, and will mistakenly respond to the intentions, messages, and understandings shared by others. Thus, as with your use of “know”, here, ones discussion may generate or result in spiritual confusion, for there can be multiple definitions and meanings that advance many very different statements and beliefs. For example, “to know” is to have data, facts, information, and knowledge. “To know” is to be determined, to be resolute, and to have a “made up mind.” When some say “I know...” they expect the hearer to acknowledge their unspoken words too (e.g., “more than you,” “in part;” or “sometimes/this time”). Also, “to know” is to be sure and to have certainty, rather than to apply unsupported information (i.e., assume), guess, speculate, or merely “think so.” “To know by faith” or on the basis of ones expectation and trust (we say, “to hope”) is not a matter of foretelling events or reading the thoughts of others; rather, it is matter of completing and conforming to a fixed pattern or sequence (e.g., we can predict, after ABCD, XYZ is coming, even where there is some delay like HIJK). Going further, “to know” another person is to regularly communicate, exchange, have direct contact, interact, and share with them (we say, to be in a continuous or perhaps even “intimate” relationship).

Applying sacred knowledge in place of secular knowledge, Christian believers will increasingly operate having a consciousness of divine fullness (we say, the active presence who appears as the person of GOD; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit; the Godhead). The primary goals for sinners who choose to become mature Christians are to have their character, makeup, and spirit substance become permanently changed through operations by the Spirit of GOD. Finite human consciousness, desire, and self-will may be dominated by such carnal elements as appetite, sensation, and emotion along with sin. Sin is no ordinary object or thing created by GOD or mankind, and can not be eliminated by simple acts of destruction, reversal, or violence. Sin opposes the continued existence of sacred law, the Creator is who both the lawgiver and judge, and the platforms of divine order throughout the universe.

Christians only become Christlike as they receive, embody, and display the same spirit that has been manifest on the earth within Jesus Christ. Water baptism to become a new creation through Christ depicts the death, burial, and resurrection from the dead by ones inborn spirit. A sinner becomes a vessel of divine DNA, so to speak, and is “born again.” By receiving fresh endowments of life essence (we also say, breath; spirit; word) the sinner is transformed to “grow up again” as an offspring and heir of divinity with Jesus. Inseparable aspects of the divine makeup are imparted that include faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, GOD reveals divinity through spirit, and becomes knowable, known, accessible, and approachable through shared personhood and sacred truth. A developing believer is built up (edification) through divine process that includes discovery, gradual growth, enduring hardship, fellowship with other believers, praise, prayer, prophecy, regular study of the holy writings, unselfish service, and suffering.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(06/26/2015) The Law is Not Grievous

The function, nature, and righteousness of divine law are topics, today.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Grace” (Level 2 with 389 points, a member since May 19, 2010) posted the following:


How can people claim to be living under grace when they try to keep the laws in the Old Testament?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:  and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments:  and his commandments are not grievous.  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:  and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost:  and these three are one.  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood:  and these three agree in one.  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater:  for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:  he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  (1st John 5:  1-10, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Decalogue A Moral Guide?  (04/15/2015); Grace is Not Against Law (07/23/2014); Cruel and Offensive (07/24/2014); The Benefit of Law? (11/15/2013); Are Holidays Bad? (11/16/2013); The Benefit of Grace (03/19/2013); Magical Resurrection? (03/20/2013); Life and Death (09/26/2012); Mob Rule and Violence (09/27/2012)


“Grace”, thinking and speaking as men and women of GOD, all who acknowledge Jesus Christ as their redeemer and savior enter into covenant with one who, like the law, is an appearance and manifesting of divine grace.  Only where the law is embraced and internalized as a standard does one receive the assurances and benefits deposited through sacred law.  Similarly, only where one engages Christ in a personal relationship do they experience the new life where their own person and being become expressions of divine commandment, and eternal law.  Consider again the following points shared among Christian believers:

(1.)  The law is an embodiment or form (we also may say, incarnation) presenting divinity, and is putting forth divine order, existence, and life.

(2.)  The law is not grievous (we say, oppressive; contrary to the divine nature established within us through rebirth).

(3.)  As an emanation from the makeup of Deity, the law may be understood as consecrated utterance (we say, breath, life essence, spirit, word).  The spirit content and substance of the living are addressed more than their attitudes, behavior and conduct.  Saying this another way:  As a dimension of Creation, the input to the living must determine the output from the living.

(4.)  Given that most presentations of divine law may be recognized as broad guidelines, precepts, and principles to be applied among those within covenant with GOD as a holy people, exchange, interaction, and solidarity should be uppermost when assigning and determining correct value for the many ordinances, rules and statutes that appear.  The meaning and value of the law goes beyond its application to specific acts, events, and works.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually taken into account.  (For example, (5.)  All the legitimate claims and understandings shared from those in Christ proceed from sacred knowledge, insight, operations of the Holy Spirit, and trust to Godward.  The essential and indispensable operation of the law is that it imparts divine order and structure for continuing the presence of divine life essence.  Thus, the righteousness from the law is no less than immortality (timelessness and eternal life) .)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
 Washington, DC

(01/07/2015) Needs Answered in Christ?

Fellowship with Christ, the human need for spirit substance from GOD, and the operations of sin are topics, today.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Sherry” (Level 1 with 1 point, a member since July 19, 2007) posted the following:


What do you think of someone who says they never sinned and has a friend in Jesus ?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.  (1st John 1:  5-10, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Why Prophets Were Sent to Israel (11/23/2014); The Need for Prophecy Then and Now (11/24/2014); My Soul Shall Be Satisfied (10/08/2014); The Point of Knowledge? (07/06/2014); The Point of Experiences in the Spirit? (07/07/2014); Need for A New Holy Spirit? (06/03/2013); Faith for Facing Tragedy? (06/04/2013); Our Need for a Son (03/04/2013); Unless You Repent (03/05/2013)


“Sherry”, here are some points shared among Christian believers that help to maintain balance and clarity within our human relationships:

(1.)  Through the operations of sin, impotence (lack of power) for ones own spiritual substance from the makeup of divinity is a common condition for all created beings and living creatures.  The language we use to speak of the specific needs of angels and mankind for spirit matter from GOD is not exact, and often results in errors and miscommunication.

(2.)  Christians are called (we say, recruited) to serve as prophets (spokespersons) for divinity, and are commanded to speak truths that are not personal, private and specific to a single individual.  Error often arises when believers repeat what GOD has spoken as a description of their new status that results from operations of the imparted Spirit from GOD.

(3.)  Christians are commanded to make positive declarations regarding things that now appear in their experience only as covenant agreements, expectations, hope, divine proclamations, promises, and prophecy.  Believers are to declare neither their own self-judgment, nor boast in self-promotion.  Rather, they must assert by words and deeds that they are “new creations” through Jesus Christ.

There is far more to be considered, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Since the error of Adam, mankind has required external devices and tools from GOD to correctly recognize, respond to, and resist the operations of sin.  In addition to divine law, the living must receive such added gifts as atonement, death, forgiveness, love, rebirth, repentance, resurrection, salvation, and sanctification.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC