(06/10/2018) Why Jonah Willfully Disobeyed

Today, reply speaks to the account of Jonah and the great fish where multiple streams of sacred truth come together.  For there to be accord and agreement between the Creator and the created, the living must be joined to the oneness without sameness that exists within the GODhead.  To many, the primary focus of the account of Jonah is repentance by the city/kingdom of Nineveh, and by a servant of GOD.  (Jonah is a figure of all those who refused to heed the preaching of Noah, and is a figure of the High Priest of the tabernacle and the temple who must make atonement for the sins of the people, and for his own sins.)  To others, the major themes are resurrection and salvation.  Even so, it is written:  Hosea 6:  5-6, King James Version (KJV):  5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth:  and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.  6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shown) posted the following:

Why did Jonah willfully disobey God?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly,  And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.  For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about:  all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.  Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.  The waters compassed me about, even to the soul:  the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.  I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever:  yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.  When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD:  and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.  They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.  But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.  And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.  (Jonah 2:  1-11, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  When Prophecy Opposes Desire (05/31/2018); Divine Law Is Demanding (04/10/2018); Why Does GOD “Repent”? (04/06/2018); “I Am The Resurrection”  (03/25/2018); Mercy to the Merciless? (07/30/2017); Accepting the Divine Will? (12/06/2016); Justice Comes by Love (10/01/2012); A Daily Revelation? (10/02/2012)

“Anonymous”, a man may be dead to the world, yet, alive within the heart and mind of GOD.  Conversely, he may be alive to the world, yet, dead in spirit, defiant, and in rebellion to GOD.  Christian believers are cautioned to understand that, where they do not receive fresh endowments of spirit substance from the makeup of divinity, the operations of sin may dominate awareness and self-will within created beings and living creatures.  The separation that permit’s the living to exist having integrity and soundness of their own personhood must be reinforced by deposits of sacred life essence (we say, breath; spirit; word) from the makeup of the Creator.  Inseparable aspects of GOD are imparted to indwell those on the earth including faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  The human condition displayed by Jonah included ethnic arrogance (Jonah, a Jew was sent to preach to the very Gentiles (the Assyrians) who would later carry the Northern Kingdom (Israel; Somalia) into exile); exaggerated pride; indignation; and self-righteousness (a holier-than-thou attitude).  The belly of a great fish was prepared to serve as a burial site and grave for Jonah.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Proverbs 16:  25, King James Version (KJV):  16 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

(2.)  Romans 10:  2-4, KJV:  2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

(3.)  Romans 6:  2-7, KJV:  2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:  that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Galatians 5:  16-25, KJV:  16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh:  and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  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.  24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/24/2017) Our Fitness To Continue?

Today, the reply addresses conversion, becoming a Christian, and being released from fear.  Correctly understood, conversion is a transforming of ones spirit content.  For GOD, wrath against sin is not merely an emotion or feeling that comes and goes; it is a permanent aspect of the fullness and makeup of Deity.  Christians worship a divinity who is a creator and a god of judgment.  GOD has put forth all that exists and has life; and already has pronounced a sentence of death and condemnation against sin that will persist, and not obey divine will to be gone from within either angels or mankind.  While many correctly shrink away from GOD and from showing proper awe and reverence, others offend by being defiant and rebellious.  Many want to forget about their sins, their own being “bad”, and their own bad experiences, and are not willing to confess their sins to GOD, and rely on his imparted Spirit to give them strength to repent of, reject, and resist sin.  There also are those who turn away from Christ when they discover his disciples must expect to endure opposition, persecution, and suffering without displaying anxiety, cowardice, despair, and vengefulness.  All Christians are not fully mature, and some do communicate and impart their own misgivings, personal opinions in place of authentic doctrine, unresolved inner conflicts, and uncertainty.  Even so, for followers of Jesus Christ, coercion, intimidation, and threats are not part of the divine process whereby sinners become cleansed and renewed to share communion and fellowship with GOD.  The sacred process for salvation to transform sinners into Christian believers is carried out by the Holy Spirit (also called the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth).  Instead of finite tools such as argument, debate, logic and carnal reason, the Spirit employs forgiveness; the Incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; divine law; sacred events (miracles); multiple divine promises; prophecy; and the sharing of oneness without sameness.  The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Solitary Wiccan” (Level 6 with 12,956 points, a member since May 06, 2014) posted the following:

Why do Christians use fear when converting people?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,  And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;  As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:  That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;  To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;  The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,  That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.  (Luke 1:  68-75, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Place of Torment? (08/21/2017); On Law and Sin (06/07/2017); No Fear In Love? (05/17/2017); Conversion is by GOD? (08/23/2016); Fear That Acknowledges GOD? (07/15/2016); Correct Awe and Respect (02/04/2016); Awe? (08/09/2015); About Conversion (09/03/2012); By Grace (09/04/2012)

“Solitary Wiccan” sinners fear the punishment that may come by judgment, the elimination of all sin and sinners who do not accept salvation.  Christian believers are required to share the full truth; and it is the plainly spoken truth that often makes hearers aware of their guiltiness, shame, and need for divine forgiveness.  Baptism, conversion, and new life do not result from bullying, politics, threats, and violence.  By the teachings of Jesus Christ, Christians do not implant or impart sin to those who do not have it.  All who live on the earth will be challenged and must pass through life experiences of change, disappointment, growth, loss, and suffering.  To many of us it is a fearful truth that we also are accountable to our Creator, and now, while we live, are being examined and reviewed by our immortal, invisible Maker for our maturity and readiness to continue existence as companions to divinity.

GOD revealed to Moses that the fullness of deity (we say, Godhead; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) requires obedience to divine law, and also practices judgment.  The inseparable aspects of divinity include balance, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, person, presence, restraint, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Attitudes, behavior, and recurring patterns in ones life make visible the otherwise unseen spirit content residing within them from the makeup of GOD.  The operations of sin oppose the continued existence of divine law, the Law Giver, and the Creation maintained through sacred law.

When we start out on new journeys in life we often feel fear and uncertainty; similarly, those who become “born again” must “grow up again,” and become ripe (mature) for harvest at the return of Jesus.  Love that may be childlike and weak must become mature and strong.  Sinners who turn to Jesus Christ through baptism and rebirth come under a special umbrella of divine protection described in different ways (for example, as atonement and propitiation for sin, “his shed blood and broken body,” “the shield of faith,” and eternal life that begins while the believer is still living on the earth).  In addition to receiving sacred knowledge in place of secular information, developing believers are built-up (edified) to display “holy boldness,” humility, and reverence in judgment that complement and soften divine wrath along with impartiality, mercy, and righteousness.  Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  1st John 4: 15-18, King James Version (KJV):  15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.  16 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.  17 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.  18 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.

(2.)  Hebrews 10:  19-27, KJV:  19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;  21 And having an high priest over the house of God;  22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)  24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:  and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

(3.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and made a part of our own spirit makeup.  (For example, (4.)  Revelation 21:  6-8, KJV:  6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:  which is the second death.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/25/2014) When Is A Law The LAW?

Today, focus is upon the nature and process of divine law.  Also, there is more on genuine repentance.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Aaron Aaron Aaron” (Level 2 with 953 points, a member since April 06, 2013) posted the following:


Is not obeying gods advice/rules, a sin? (protestant christian)?
 
before you think of some sarcastic comment against christians, if you don't have anything intelligent to say, please dont say anything at all. thanks
 
For example, if god says, in the bible...to be wise, is it a sin to not be wise? an example of not being wise as say, swearing infront of other people when trying to promote a positive testamoney.

thank you :)


THE BATTLE AXE:  Genuine Repentance? (03/24/2014)—(4.)  The repentance we speak of as Christian believers pertains to more than courtesy, good, manners, politeness, and social etiquette.  An apology is merely a verbal event wherein one expresses embarrassment, feelings of guilt, and sentiments of regret and remorse.  To repent must be more than an intellectual or mental act wherein one simply changes ones mind.  Repentance is a “return to GOD” by turning ones awareness, spirit content, and self-will away from sin.  Christian repentance is carried out through the Spirit of GOD, and is more than a one-time religious event such as church attendance.  The believer is given a “new heart.”  Repentance is triggered as an awareness that is called “godly sorrow”, and often is first called into view through confession.  Later, repentance is regularly displayed as a continuing pattern in the life of created beings and living creatures that derives from their fresh endowment of Spirit from GOD.  See 1st Samuel 7:  2-4, 2nd Chronicles 30:  8-9, Isaiah 55:  6-8, Jeremiah 24:  6-8, and Ezekiel 18:  20-32, KJV.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?  Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?  Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?  For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.  For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law:   but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.  Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?  And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.  (Romans 2:  21-29, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Benefit of Law? (11/15/2013); Are Holidays Bad? (11/16/2013); Angels, Law and Sin (10/18/2013); Law A Schoolmaster? (10/03/2013); Was Jesus Literate? (10/04/2013); Gentiles and the Law? (09/19/2013); Weed and Godly Wisdom (09/15/2013); The Limit to Believing? (09/16/2013); Law in Christian Belief? (09/03/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013); Why A “Spokesperson”? (01/14/2013); No Contradictions? (01/15/2013)


“Aaron Aaron Aaron” your excellent questions calls for an excellent answer.  For many Christian believers what you ask has to do with how to recognize practices, statements, and utterances that have the force of divine law.  One of the most important accomplishments through the ministry of Jesus Christ has been to clarify the function, process, eternal purpose, and sacred nature of law.  Because many believers are first introduced to divine law as the Ten Commandments (some say, the Decalogue), the idea continues to be mistakenly held that divine law is punitive; centers only on various prohibitions, punishments, and restrictions (thou shalt not); and was intended only for the Jews.  Because the law expresses and reveals divinity there absolutely must be law.

Through the holy writings, followers of Jesus understand there have been many covenant agreements (we say, lawful contracts)  established that further bind mankind to GOD.  Included are covenant agreements with Adam, Noah, the one we know as the “law of Moses,” the covenant of David, and the New Testament in the blood of Jesus Christ.

Christ has taught keeping the law requires more than ceremonies, social customs, rituals, and traditions.  The spirit substance of the law must be maintained in attitudes, behavior, conduct, and relationships.  Thus, only those “without sin” may cast the first stone as the agents of GOD and his sinless law.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, of GOD as the Law Giver and Judge, and of a Creation that continues only through the orderly process of law.

Where believers say that Christ has “fulfilled the law” by his death on the cross, some err thinking this means there are no more restrictions upon self-will.  Many are defiant and reject church attendance and other participation in communities of faith, because they must yield to discipline, policy, and standard procedures that appear no different than law.  Such must acquire discernment (ability to use their own endowment of spirit matter from the makeup of GOD to examine and recognize the spirit content in such things as events, objects, persons, and purposes).

There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, thoroughly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, the power of the law derives from its spirit, and not merely its letter.  Many confronted Jesus who practiced as lawyers and scribes, and regularly argued the specific words and precise application of the law (we say, technicalities).   It’s like our law regarding “drug free zones” around schools.  Most sellers and users are shocked to find there is no two-inch or two-feet exception; and that elementary, middle and high schools are not the only protected locations.  Nursery school, daycare, playgrounds, and after school program areas are also embraced.)  Where you truly want answers from GOD, there is far more on its way.  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.  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.  (Romans 7:  12-13, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC