(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

(04/26/2016) The Forms of Prophecy?

The forms and process of prophecy, divine revelation, and the cross are in view, today.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “A-Theist” (Level 7 with 32,417 points, a member since August 01, 2012) posted the following:

Christians what's the point of following prophecy for believers?

Didn't the book of John clearly stipulate that prophecy is for non-believers?

Update:  @Queen: John 20:31.

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even Jerusalem:  And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about.  Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city:  and set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to the house of Israel.  Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it:  according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity.  For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days:  so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.  And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days:  I have appointed thee each day for a year.  Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it.  (Ezekiel 4:  1-7, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Revelation and The Cross (03/27/2016); The Last Prophet? (09/27/2015); Manifest Only Unto Us? (05/01/2015); The Spirit of Truth? (02/11/2015); Why Prophets Were Sent to Israel (11/23/2014); The Need for Prophecy Then and Now (11/24/2014); Prophetic Demonstrations (09/06/2013); Why GOD Prayed to GOD (09/07/2013)

“A-Theist”, followers of Christ are to trust that, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood, correction, and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now.  The death of Jesus Christ upon the cross is a “prophetic demonstration” (i.e., a sacred event performed by a spokesperson from GOD that indicates and portrays divine intent, eternal purpose, and continuing process from divinity).  Prophecy is an aspect of full revelation whereby GOD, who is completely spirit, is made knowable and known to created beings and living creatures.  Prophecy is provided from GOD throughout the holy writings, however, does not always appear in the form of audible utterances (we say, messages, proclamations, and verbal statements) from the Holy Spirit (also called, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth).  Given presence of the Spirit is also made visible and manifest through sacred gifts that include healing, miracles, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues, there are counsels to the early church declaring the potential of prophecy to confuse and misdirect those not part of the congregation, who have not been prepared to receive spirit content, and who are strangers to the body.  Consider how this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Ezekiel 4:  9-15, King James Version (KJV):  9 Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof.  10 And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day:  from time to time shalt thou eat it.  11 Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin:  from time to time shalt thou drink.  12 And thou shalt eat it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in their sight.  13 And the LORD said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them.  14 Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted:  for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.  15 Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow’s dung for man’s dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith.

(2.)  1st Corinthians 14:  1-5, KJV:  1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God:  for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.  5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied:  for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

(3.)  Romans 8:  26-27, KJV:  26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

(4.)  1st Corinthians 14:  22-24, KJV:  22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:  but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.  23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?  24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually taken in.  (For example, (5.)  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.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/07/2015) Pointing Out Error?

That Christians benefit and serve one another by exposing error, faults and sin are considered, today.  Comfort and encouragement are provided by the Gospel through assurances that correction and divine forgiveness are available along with change (e.g., growth, learning, rebirth), newness of life, right relationship with divinity, spiritual power, and sacred wisdom.  Awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures may become dominated by sin.  Because sin does not immediately appear as contrary to ones own character and makeup, many do not detect the operations of sin as destructive, foreign and out of place.  Sin works as though concealed, invisible and hidden.  As spokespersons for Christ, believers are to prophesy sharing what is called exhortation.  To avoid, resist and escape the snares of sin, there must be awareness of error, commitment characterized by humility and meekness as well as determined repentance.  Consider again the following council from Scripture, and the points shared below:  Hebrews 3:  12-13, King James Version (KJV):  12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “X” (Level 3 with 1,021 points, a member since February 21, 2013) posted the following:


Christians: what does the Bible say about pointing out other people's bad deeds?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:  Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.  But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.  For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail:  for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.  Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:  As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.  (1st Thessalonians 2:  3-13, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  We Judge Each Other? (10/04/2015); Making Sin Appear as Sinful? (06/07/2015); Judge Thy Neighbor? (02/15/2015); Living In The Light? (01/08/2015); Cruel and Offensive (07/24/2014)


“X”, our present day culture is quick to deny that there is any such thing as accountability or sin; and many are insulted and take offense when others offer to share correction.  Yet, just as divine law has been given to make sin visible that otherwise would be hidden and unknown to created beings and living creatures, fellowship and personal bonds with those having spirit content from divinity to expose sin also have been provided through the ministry of Jesus Christ.  Therefore, the process for acknowledgement, forgiveness, and restoration of trust is intimate and personal.  Believers are not to see the law as a rigid, unfeeling tool that only destroys or imposes condemnation, despair, gloom, and misery.  Similarly, the sacred practices of confession, penitence, and repentance are not to be rejected as though malicious interference, intrusion, and oppression.  As with the admonitions, cautions, criticisms, and warnings from our parents as we are growing in the home, the counsels and rebukes of clergy, fellow laborers in the Gospel, and those who are our companions in new life through Jesus Christ are to be understood as intended for our benefit, and necessary expressions of love from our Savior.  Believers are to serve one another speaking the truth in humility about their own and each other’s errors, faults, and shortcomings as well as about our sins committed in ignorance.  Consider again the following:

(1.)  James 5:  16, King James Version (KJV):  16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

(2.)  James 5:  19-20, KJV:  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;  20 Let him know, that he which converted the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

(3.)  2nd Corinthians 1:  3-7, KJV:  3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.  6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.  7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Hebrews 12:  3-8, KJV:  3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.  5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(09/27/2015) The Last Prophet?

Points and Scriptures are shared, today, on prophecy and spiritual gifts bestowed upon the church of Jesus Christ.  While Jesus fulfilled prophecy by his actions and words, defined divine love and peace for all who would follow him, performed as a spokesperson sent from GOD (we say, prophet), and was the agent of heaven to govern as king and Messiah, his official title among those at the Temple in Jerusalem was merely that of rabbi.  At his first coming, the holy writings once spoken of as “the law and the prophets” were being interpreted to be “the law without the prophets.”  Given the politics of the times, and increasingly to please the Romans, the Pharisees and Sadducees both were pressured to eliminate the notion that prophecy would be filled on the basis of conditions (blessing and cursing).  This implied the covenant of Moses was provided on condition (i.e., strictly upon the basis of obedience); and that the nation’s law was provided only as a loose system for guidance made up of instruction, principles and recommendations that could be applied in commerce and exchange.  Jewish “law” and rule could not be seen on the level of one-world government, with codes and systems for legislation imposed upon them by Rome.  Law was to be an instrument for assimilation and control, where prophecy was an instrument for faith, relationship, trust, and worship.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Ahsan” (Level 2 with 520 points, a member since January 23, 2015) posted the following:


When Jesus isn't the last prophet?

When Jesus isn't the last prophet then what Christianity says about who will be the last prophet? How many prophets are alive, and where they are?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.  (Ephesians 2:  14-22, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Jesus Given A Divine Ministry? (08/18/2015); Christ Brought A New Nature? (07/15/2015); Fulfilling Divine Law? (07/14/2015); The Decalogue A Moral Guide? (04/15/2015); The Spirit of Truth? (02/11/2015)


“Ahsan”, far from being the last prophet, Jesus Christ may be spoken of as a “father of prophets,” and the one who restored the “school of the prophets” described in the Old Testament.  The revelation given to Christ by the Father is to be received, understood and passed on by every member of the church to others.  Here are a few points and Bible verses to consider that may be useful as you continue your study:

(1.)  Prophecy is a process and spiritual gift being used by divinity for communication, instilling hope (i.e., sacred expectations), responding to consciousness of GOD within the living (we say, adding certainty), and revealing the character and nature of Deity.  While both secular and sacred events (we also say, miracles) may be described and made known (e.g., that a virgin would be with child), the function of prophecy is not predicting human history and detailing the future before it occurs.  Prophecy declares the will and intent of GOD, and, therefore simultaneously embraces the past along with the future and the present.  1st Corinthians 14:  1-4, King James Version (KJV):  1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God:  for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

(2.)  Prophecy as a sacred gift was first bestowed upon Adam and continued to appear among those serving as priests and Patriarchs.  The prayer that all the people in covenant with GOD might have the same gift of prophecy is recorded as coming from Moses at what may be taken as the founding of the Sanhedrin court.  Numbers 11:  24-29, KJV:  24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle.  25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders:  and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.  26 But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad:  and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle:  and they prophesied in the camp.  27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.  28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.  29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!

(3.)  The gifts from GOD to mankind through the new testament in his blood founded by Jesus Christ upon the earth are described being in hierarchy and rank that suggests differences in authority for various offices within the body (e.g., bishops, deacons, disciples).  However, within the church status is determined on the basis of humility, meekness (readiness to be directed and learn through the Holy Spirit), and willingness to serve the collective.  (2)  1st Corinthians 12:  27-29, KJV:  27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

(4.)  All the spiritual gifts that are bestowed at no cost to the receivers within the church have been purchased through the suffering, death, obedience, and service of the resurrected Christ as a high priest in the temple of heaven.  1st Corinthians 12:  1-3, KJV:  1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.  2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.  3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed:  and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

(5.)  The gifts of GOD through Christ and the Holy Ghost are not to divide and separate believers on the basis of sacred knowledge, sacred practices (we say, ceremonies, rites, rituals, sacraments), or church organization and policy.  Prophecy is to establish unity in the same way as shared praise and prayer, divine proclamation, and sacred promise.  1st Corinthians 12:  7-11, KJV:  7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:  11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

(6.)  There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, The gifts for the church are not provided for the pleasure and satisfaction of the clergy, particular individuals, or of a peculiar class of believer.  Prophecy is an evidence of things unseen, and accomplishes multiple works that pertain to creation, judgment, and salvation as well as the transformation of mankind to exist as immortal and incorruptible at the coming of Christ to  harvesting his church from the earth.  Ephesians 4:  10-14, KJV:  10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)  11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/22/2015) Is Sin a Matter of Temptation?

Today, points are shared on the meaning of “temptation” and the origin of sin.  The single word, temptation, is used to describe (1) testing that establishes endurance and permanence as well as (2) pressure to commit sin that comes against ones character, discipline, personality and righteousness.  Thus, the workings of admonition, challenge, and exhortation are in line with divinity, revelation, and salvation (temptation 1), while covetousness, envy, and lust are associated with the devil, sin and spiritual confusion (temptation 2).  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Ryan” (Level 1 with 23 points, a member since May 20, 2013) posted the following:


Where does the temptation to sin come from?

Satan was the first one who tempted Adam and Eve to sin. Also, Satan tempted Jesus for 40 days. Furthermore, Satan is called the tempter in the Bible. Does this mean all temptation to sin comes from Satan? Or, does it come from ourselves because we've fallen ever since the original sin?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:  for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:  for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:  and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  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.  (James 1:  12-17, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Power Against Sin? (04/12/2015); The Testing of Job? (10/06/2014); Knowing the Spirit is Inside? (10/07/2014); Continuously Tested (12/31/2013); Chosen To Serve As Prophets (01/01/2014); On Testing GOD (06/20/2013); GOD Grants License? (06/21/2013)


“Ryan”, some of the clearest, most useful points shared among Christian believers include the following:

(1.)  Sin is not a living organism, and has not been created by divinity.  Sin does not contain spirit matter that resides in the person of Deity as do created beings and living creatures upon the earth, and within the celestial presence (we say, heaven).  While sin is no material or tangible thing having measurable dimensions such as height, shape, length or weight, sin has direction, effect, and presence.

(2.)  Sin appears to be an artifact or by-product of created organisms being separated from divinity to exist as independent life forms.  Sin may dominate awareness and self-will within the living; however, the will of GOD does not become subject to sin.  Both for carnal beings (we say, mortals, those in flesh) and spirit beings (those neither mortal nor immortal such as angels and the sacred beasts of heaven) sin is a foreign influence experienced as a natural and normal expression of life essence (we say, spirit). 

(3.)  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Law Giver, and all order generated or maintained through sacred law.  Sin does not operate as having benefit, consciousness, preference, or purpose.  Thus, sin appears as abstract, impersonal, mechanical, and self-destructive.  Because our language centers in describing human vulnerability and accountability, we speak of sin using terms that suggest sin has, or is power to draw, engage, entice, fascinate, and seduce. 

(4.)  Mechanisms within the living that respond to sin include appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual craving), sensation (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching) and emotional/mental functions (e.g., anger, desire, fear, imagination, recall).

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (5.)  Perhaps sin is most clearly visible as attacks upon truth (we say, lies), arrogance, defiance of authority, false claims of power, rebellion, pride, usurpation, and violence.  Through baptism (death and burial of ones inborn spirit, and rebirth having divine DNA, so to speak), born-again believers can operate with a fresh endowment of spirit content from the makeup of GOD.  However, they must gradually grow and mature meeting the same life challenges upon the earth as all others.  Sin can not be correctly detected, eliminated, or resisted using only finite tools such as intellect, logic, mathematics, philosophy and science.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  May your prayers ever be answered according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC