(10/07/2019) Taboo To Be "spiritual"?

Today, the reply is on being challenged, isolated, or mocked for displaying attitudes and behavior that are modest, quiet and “spiritual”. It is written: Psalms 131: 1-2, King James Version (KJV): 1 LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. 2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Isabelle” (Level 1 with 91 points, a member since August 13, 2011) posted the following:

Why is it taboo nowadays to be modest or "spiritual"?

I live in a western society if I am modest and decide to not drink I am laugh whether with family, collegues or neighbours. These people tend be middle aged and mock the fact that I am very spiritual and chose to not drink alcohol, strict diet and avoid proscmisicous behaviour.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (2^nd Corinthians 10: 12, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Perfection Of Divinity (09/17/2019); Will You Lose Family? (01/20/2019); Condemned By The Bible? (06/08/2018); Someone Who Is Kidding? (03/24/2017); “Good grief!” and Prophecy? (11/06/2016); How Is Flesh Evil? (10/28/2016); Mockers in the Last Days (11/14/2012); Thoughts Upon A Warrior’s Fall (11/15/2012)

“Isabelle”, guidance among Christian believers includes instructions and warnings that many in modern times will display attitudes reflecting the worst in mankind, rather than the image of GOD that appeared on the earth through Jesus Christ. While we are in The World system of meanings and values, it is common to examine repeatedly how we are alike or different from others (i.e., compare and contrast). Some feel good about themselves only when they can see flaws, infirmity, unsolved problems, and weakness in the lives of others. They rely on finite human tools such as carnal reason, emotion, gossip, intellect, logic, philosophy, politics and science along with academic and secular knowledge, rather than the system of Christian beliefs, sacred knowledge, and endowments of spirit content from divinity. Many Christians understand that the operations of sin oppose the continued existence of divine order and sacred law throughout the universe. Sin has not been created or put forth by GOD, yet, sin may dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures. Christians will continually examine and focus on the life, ministry, and works of Jesus Christ; and will display his divine substance within their own lifestyles and daily routines. Those who turn away from the operations of sin, and commit their lives to goals expressing godly principles often are despised, mocked, isolated, and scorned. Such must have the added strength that comes with a fresh deposit of the same inseparable spirit substance from the makeup of GOD that was imparted in Creation to Adam and Eve. Included are faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible, and a presentation from the music ministry of Steve Amerson:

(1.) Galatians 5: 19-23, King James Version (KJV): 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

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

(3.) 1^st Peter 4: 1-5, KJV: 1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xxl9Wk3idA) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 12:47 PM, October 06, 2019 @ https://i.pinimg.com/736x/45/32/a0/4532a0b1a45c081459a3bad1373f8fe9.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(03/15/2018) Comparing Sacred and Secular

The Sermon of the Beatitudes (La sermon des béatitudes) 1886-1896 by James Tissot depicts Jesus teaching the multitude

Today, reply is on comparing sacred and secular knowledge, and the life tools of intellect and logic against spirit content imparted from the makeup of GOD.  Where a reader claiming to know science can not understand and process what I am presenting in this blog, I would not raise a question about their intelligence, however, I might well ask them to consider whether they have received the fresh endowment of divine spirit available from GOD through Jesus Christ.  Correctly understood, dialogue on Christian substance and belief is never one on self-promotion through “me, myself, and I” in place of focus upon GOD, whose character, nature and substance is exalted, immense, and sovereign.  Just as comparing and contrasting Jesus Christ with the other persons comprising divine fullness (i.e., the GODhead; the Father and the Holy Spirit) is foolish and unproductive, seeking to judge, impose hierarchy, and rank the Son of the Highest against other men because they have shared mortality with him is as useless as attempting to compare the greatness of two athletes in the same sport as different as basketball stars Shaquille O’Neal and Stephen Curry.  Their accomplishments, physical endowments, skills, strategies, and opportunities within a game always will be very different.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “STEVAN” (Level 1 with 59 points, a member since August 10, 2017) posted the following:

Was Jesus as intelligent as Stephen Hawking?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness:  from such withdraw thyself.  But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  (1st Timothy 6:  3-7, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  His Suffering At Gethsemane (03/12/2018); The Coming(s) of Christ (03/11/2018); The Option of Atheism (02/11/2018); We Begin Within GOD (02/06/2018); Standards For Godly Behavior (02/01/2018); Sin No “One-time” Event (01/03/2018); Idolatry -- Exalting Human Devices? (09/21/2017)

“STEVAN”, although Christ and Hawking both have displayed authentic humanity recognizable by their endurance and overcoming of suffering (not by their imperfection); and both have served as teachers sharing views of the origins of mankind, the spheres of life, and the process of the universe, many Christian believers will argue that it is inappropriate to compare sacred knowledge against secular knowledge, the operations for achieving temporal goals against those for accomplishing eternal purposes, and the using of finite tools from mathematics, philosophy and science (e.g., analysis, contrast, logic, measurement, synthesis, discursive thought) against the sacred operations and divine substance required to endow mankind with eternal life (e.g.,  faith, holiness, longsuffering, resurrection from the dead, revelation, and sanctification.)

Practicing the circumspection and restraint that appear as godly wisdom among Christians, mature believers would shrink from the task of comparing (judging?) Hawking against Sir Isaac Newton, who has been lauded as “the most original and influential theorist in the history of science.”  (An entire branch within the field of Physics has been named for Sir Isaac.)  Even so, it is more correct to acknowledge the complementary of their distinct contributions, rather than introduce a vain condition (one that lacks spirit matter from the makeup of divinity) insisting on competition and rivalry.  Within the church of Jesus Christ, developing believers often have erred seeking to compare ministries of the Apostles, particularly, Paul and Peter.  Such focus is a distraction grounded in carnal, material and social earthiness.  It is more correct to acknowledge and affirm the appearance of the Holy Spirit within all the apostles, and their works.  Included should be genuine fellowship, love, and oneness without sameness.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Acts 4:  10-14, King James Version (KJV):  10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.  11 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.  13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.  14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

(2.)  Ephesians 4:  4-8, KJV:  4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 12:  17-27, KJV:  17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?  20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.  21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:  nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:  23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  24 For our comely parts have no need:  but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.  25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.  27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.) 1st Corinthians 3:  2-9, KJV:  2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat:  for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  3 For ye are yet carnal:  for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?  5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?  6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.  7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.  8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one:  and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God:  ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC