(05/13/2016) The Cross and Mankind

The expressions of being that appear through Jesus Christ and mankind are the focus, today.  Correctly understood, mankind is only a single appearance, or one discernable and visible form among the many created beings and living creatures in Creation.  Included are angels, animals, fish, insects, sacred beasts, and “unclean spirits” (we say, demons and devils).  More than this, mankind displays mortality and other unique aspects of living process (e.g., aging, attitudes, commitment, conscience, dominion (i.e., authority, ownership, rank), integrity, learning, recall, self-will, spiritual confusion).  Salvation for mankind would require that flesh and Spirit be reconciled using Incarnation, and that sin be embodied and destroyed.  However, the reconciliation of divinity to mankind is not merely resolving the conflict introduced by the operations of sin.  The separation of human awareness and self-will from that of the GODhead as well as the multiple differences that continue between finite and infinite duration are addressed using death, rebirth, and resurrection.  Additionally, the oneness of prophecy and truth are confirmed.  One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information provided) posted the following:

 

Why do Christians say Jesus the Christ is both God and man? How is that possible?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  And he is the head of the body, the church:  who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled  In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:  (Colossians 1:  12-22, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  In The Image of Man (05/04/2016); Sign of Divine Love? (04/14/2016); To Express the Fullness of GOD? (07/09/2015); Human Life to Manifest Divine Life? (05/14/2015); GOD Known By Action Not Form? (03/18/2015); Made in the Image of GOD? (10/09/2014); All Who Read Convert? (10/10/2014); The Image of GOD? (10/10/2013); Embodied Afterlife? (10/11/2013)

 

“Anonymous”, the answer given to his church from the cross by Jesus Christ to rebuke presumption and sin among created beings and living creatures does not promote acknowledging a “human nature” separate from the spirit (we say, breath, life essence, word) provided by the Creator.  Man was made in the “image” of GOD that is not a “similitude” or visible form.  Awareness and self-will, that may be dominated by sin, often give the illusion that the spirit substance within man is somehow different in makeup and quality from that breathed into mankind by the Maker.  Mature Christian believers focus upon imparted sacred substance, and the peculiar operations of divine spirit (e.g., Incarnation, perfection, rebirth, repentance, sanctification), therefore, three expressions of being come into view—animal, human and divine.  It is the divine nature that may be defiled, and become profaned.  What we see in one another today, then, are confusions of expression in attitude, authority, behavior, godliness, gratitude, eternal purpose, reverence, etc.  The “human nature” some describe would have had to be eternal, preexisting within the GODhead before the creation of mankind.  Christ now appears within the Eternal One continuing to display human form.  Even so, the earth was the creation of GOD, while “the world” is the creation of mankind.  The appearance of what many call “humankind” is more correctly understood as divine will, existence and life (not the same) made visible through form and unfolding process.  Consider how this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Genesis 1:  26-28, King James Version (KJV);  26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:  and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:  and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

(2.)  Psalms 115:  15-17, KJV:  15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.  16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s:  but the earth hath he given to the children of men.  17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

(3.)  John 1:  1-3, KJV:  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2 The same was in the beginning with God.  3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually taken in.  (For example, (4.)  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

 

(04/30/2015) Many Forms of Christianity?

Points are shared, today, on why there are multiple denominations and organized expressions of Christian belief.  Rather than a set of ceremonies, customs, commandments, rituals and traditions, Christianity is a compilation of precepts, premises, principles, promises and prophecies.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using ID “Random” (Level 1 with 64 points, a member since April 13, 2015) posted the following:


Why are there different forms of Christianity?

I'm not going to name all of them (obviously) but I was just wondering why there are so many?

As a nonbeliever of God I always thought that Judaism would be (don't take this the wrong way) right because Jesus was Jewish was he not?

I'm starting a fight and i'm pretty sure I will get someone that says it isn't my place to be nosy if I don't believe in the first place, but I can't help it.

also what are the differences between them? Like Catholics and Jews etc.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.  (Romans 6:  16-18, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Core Concepts? (04/06/2015); Catholics, Protestants and the Trinity? (10/12/2014); The Gift of Life Despised? (10/13/2014); Choosing a Church? (05/31/2014); Before Getting Baptized? (11/28/2013); The Rich in Divine Relationship? (11/29/2013); Why Not One Bible? (11/02/2013); Why Jesus Used Parables (11/03/2013); Denying Baptism to Others (11/04/2013); Jesus and the Pharisees (07/14/2013); How Could Angels Fall? (07/15/2013) 


“Random”, here are some points that clarify the diversity and richness of Christian belief:

(1.)  Many of the devices, doctrines and mechanisms provided by divinity to mankind through Jesus Christ are to serve like guides and outlines that encourage growth, rather than blueprints and technical plans that must be actualized and carried out in precise detail. 

(2.)  GOD is a spirit.  Christian believers are entered into a new relationship with Deity wherein the full character of divinity (we say, the GODhead) is being made known and visible.  The One who has put forth all Creation must be engaged through exchange, interaction, and life experiences that are the expression of eternal process and purpose.  Thus, the revelation of divinity that comes by the holy writings shares a divine perspective, and is a record of the active presence of divinity as it has been recognized within thousands of lives over the course of thousands of years.

(3.)  GOD is immutable and unchanging.  Yet, created beings and living creatures all are subject to change. In addition to fixed patterns for movement through phases and stages of emotional, intellectual, physical and psychological growth, humans must respond to learning, social pressures, and the operations of corruption and sin.  Godly change in ones spirit content and spiritual growth occur only by operations of divinity.  Those born-again through baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak), also must “grow up again” facing the same life challenges as all others upon the earth.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Every believer must respond to the Gospel and to the new covenant and testament by the blood of Jesus as a personal experience of discovery, insight, and transformation.  While there is only one faith, one Lord, one baptism, believers continue upon different levels of maturity and readiness for harvest.  The process of salvation is intimate, natural, organic and present, rather than abstract, mechanical, and remote.  Through the unity of flesh and spirit, there must be a “new creation” (without a “big bang”) that can establish the living as immortal and incorruptible.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC