(05/28/2018) A Parable That Exhorts

Today, the reply highlights an epistle to the Hebrew believers within the early Christian church and a parable shared by Jesus Christ to describe the lawfulness of his authority, his priesthood, and that for the kingdom of GOD.  The greater importance of practical action to language and speech seems to have been in the view of the person posing the question.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum who uses the ID “?” (Level 1 with 85 points, a member since May 27, 2018) posted the following:


Is there a parable about better to do well than to say well?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:   Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.  And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.  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.  (John 7:  14-18, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Did The Prophets Know? (05/23/2018); Obstacles To Developing Believers (07/24/2017); Tools For Knowing Divinity (05/12/2017); The Testimony From Jesus (08/05/2016); Using Parables to Obscure the Gospel? (05/29/2015); Parables About the Kingdom? (05/02/2014);  Loving Someone Unseen? (05/03/2014)


“?” both an epistle to counsel the Jewish believers who had become part of the early church, and a parable spoken by Jesus Christ himself immediately come into my thoughts; and were I to do a thorough study, I would look also among the proverbs (e.g., Ecclesiastes 5:  1-7, KJV).  Even so, consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Matthew 21:  28-32, King James Version (KJV):  28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in my vineyard.  29 He answered and said, I will not:  but afterward he repented, and went.  30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir:  and went not.  31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.  32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not:  but the publicans and the harlots believed him:  and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

(2.)  James 2:  14-19, 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.  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?

(3.)  James 1:  17-27, KJV:  17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.  21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.  26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.  27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Matthew 21:  33-44, KJV:  33 Hear another parable:  There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:  34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.  35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.  36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first:  and they did unto them likewise.  37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.  38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.  39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.  40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?  41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.  42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner:  this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?  43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.  44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken:  but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(06/30/2016) Natural and Spiritual Law?

Today, points are shared on the differences between natural and spiritual law.  Even those in Scripture who were anointed and used by divinity as apostles, judges, prophets and sacred spokespersons rarely attained the level of perfection required to implement the fullness of divine law.  While wrath against sin definitely has been revealed as a response of GOD to disobedience and rebellion within created beings and living creatures, multiple aspects of law from GOD also are in place that continue as expressions of divine love, and restraints upon impulses for annihilation, exaggerated condemnation, and indiscriminate destruction.  In addition to balance and continuity for ongoing process, sacred law contributes forbearance, forgiveness, grace, mercy, opportunities for change, the option of correction, eternal purpose, and righteousness.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Kodiak” (Level 1 with 19 points, a member since June 18, 2016) posted the following:

Why is it very hard for atheists and secularists to understand that gay marriage is wrong and against the natural law?

God hates sin. Period. Homosexuality is a filth and sin just like pedophilia and serial muerders. Those who are suffering from the psychiatric abnormality of homosexuality should be treated in hospitals to support and bring them up to God's standard of heterosexuality and join the mainstream society. If they are not willing to get treated in hospitals, the obnoxious obscenities that they are spreading must be wiped away from the face of the Earth to stop the filth from infesting the rest of America and other countries.

The bible says God can crush the heads of Satan. If so Why is He not just destroying the entire LGBT communities of America yet ???

Oh God, please may another Sodom and Gomorrah happen soon!!

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Do not err, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.  (James 1:  16-25, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Sodom and Gomorrah Again? (05/30/2016); Sin Also Made Incarnate? (04/25/2016); The World and The Cross? (04/19/2016); By Law and Relationships (04/05/2016); Old Testament Laws Today? (08/06/2015); The Judgment Against Sodom? (04/10/2015); Human Law, Divine Favor? (03/23/2015); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013); How To Love GOD? (03/24/2013)

“Kodiak”, for most mature Christian believers, the character, nature, process and substance of “natural” law that governs carnal, material, and social elements are not the same as those for “spiritual” law that governs exchange and interaction among the inseparable aspects of divinity.  The law for spirit content (e.g., faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom, wrath against sin) and spirit process (e.g., atonement, forgiveness, judgment, miracles, redemption, repentance, sanctification) are distinct from that for appetite, sensation, and emotion/mental functions (we say, the flesh).  Also, where law has not been codified, written down using standard expressions, and published using preset definitions and a fixed vocabulary, the law becomes diffuse, and a source of confusion and error that invites unregulated applications and conflicting interpretations.  While sacred law does give expression to the heart, mind, and will of GOD that is visible as “divine order” and as Creation, the law is not the most accurate and complete presentation of divinity.  Thus, the active presence of GOD has also been revealed through Incarnation (appearance in human form as Jesus Christ), Shekhinah glory, and the imparted, indwelling Spirit (we also say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth).  In general, those under various forms of law routinely operate on the basis of  “impressions”, instinct, and intuition in place of formal knowledge or comprehensive training.  Correctly applying the law requires ability to discern and respond to multiple subtleties (i.e., barely visible differences; hidden and unexpected shifts in meaning and value).  As a result, the precious blessing (free gift) of law from GOD may be seen as a “curse” that repeatedly entangles and overwhelms created beings, and living creatures.  Consider how some of this appears stated in the language of the Bible:

(1.)  Proverbs 14:  11-12, King James Version (KJV):  11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown:  but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.  12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

(2.)  Isaiah 24, 1-6, KJV:  1 Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.  2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.  3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled:  for the LORD hath spoken this word.  4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.  5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.  6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate:  therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

(3.)  Malachi 3:  13-18, KJV:  13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?  14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God:  and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?  15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.  16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another:  and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.  18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

There is far more that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  1st Corinthians 2:  12-14, KJV:  12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:  for they are foolishness unto him:  neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(09/03/2014) Faith Comes By Hearing?

Whether believers can gain faith by reading the Bible is the topic, today.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Thomas” (Level 1 with 59 points, a member since January 19, 2014) posted the following:


Will I have more faith in God if I read the bible?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.  (John 1:  1-5, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Point of Knowledge? (07/06/2014); Points on Bible Study (06/28/2014); What Faith Makes Possible (04/25/2014); Bible and Spirit (04/26/2014); Personality? (04/27/2014); The Nature of Scripture (03/27/2014); Divine Sleep (03/28/2014); The Limit to Believing? (09/16/2013); All Things Possible? (09/17/2013); Believing Everything? (11/23/2012); How To Have Conviction (11/24/2012); Reading Only The Red Part (11/19/2012); According to the Eternal Purpose (11/20/2012)


“Thomas”, here are a few points to consider for full Christian understanding:

(1.)  GOD is a spirit who has put forth all created beings and living creatures as well as the spheres of life wherein they exist, and the conditions and terms for their duration.  Faith is a spirit substance within the makeup of GOD that is distinct, yet, inseparable from other divine matter such as holiness, joy, longsuffering, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  The living all contain some measure of divinity (we say, breath of life, imparted spirit, the Holy Spirit, utterance) through operations of GOD at Creation.

(2.)  Through the ministry of Jesus Christ, believers receive a fresh endowment of spirit content through their active acceptance and acknowledgement of his function and identity as the Word.  The Word is an aspect of full divine person (we say, the GODhead), and is an agency (some say, incarnation) whereby full divinity appears and is revealed.

(3.)  When the disciples asked Jesus to give them more faith (he had chided them saying, O ye of little faith), Jesus challenged them to understand that the issue is not about measurable amount or quantity.  Because faith is an aspect of all that GOD is, even where we have faith as little as a grain of mustard seed, believers may move mountains in agreement with divine order and eternal purpose.  Faith must be directed and expressed through actions as well as words.  Thus, hearers also are to be doers of the word.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  When Jesus appeared in the earth, many already had sacred knowledge from the holy writings, however, they were unable to correctly recognize prophecy, or to realize that the ministry of Jesus continued earlier workings of GOD through promise and proclamation.  On more than one occasion Jesus reprimanded hearers (e.g., the chosen disciples; those attending the synagogue; the priests and Levites in the Temple at Jerusalem) for their lack of faith, yet, not for lack of knowledge from the scriptures, or concerning religious customs, rituals, and traditions.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC