Fraud and giving among, and by members in communities of faith are the topic, today. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “James” (Level 5 with 6,700 points, a member since August 18, 2012) posted the following:
Religion is legalized fraud?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3: 7-14, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A $1,000 Dollar Seed? (11/02/2015); More On Sacrificial Giving (11/03/2015); Respect to Our Religious Beliefs? (04/21/2015); Conflict Because of Religious Belief? (01/30/2015); When People Covet (12/22/2013); On Judging Preachers as “Fake” (12/23/2013); Jesus Arose Bodily (12/24/2013)
“James”, for those who are members of organized faith communities, acknowledging sacred duties and taking up responsibilities to express their love and respect for divinity are in agreement with their personal goals and understandings. Enslavement, oppression and robbery do not come into view. For Christian believers, this also means that the tasks they perform as followers of the Lord are not contrary to the new nature they receive from the makeup of Deity (we say, rebirth; the Holy Spirit). For those who think like thieves, condemning others, covetousness, deceit, envy, fear, and possessiveness are more in line with their character than the dutifulness, respect and unselfishness disciples of Christ are to display. While there is a formal contract among believers to be in mutual support, all they give and share is directed to GOD. Consider again these points from the holy writings:
(1.) Titus 1: 15-16, King James Version (KJV): 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
(2.) Psalms 116: 12-14, KJV: 12 What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits toward me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. 14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
(3.) Proverbs 3: 9-10, KJV: 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
(4.) 1st Peter 5: 2-4, KJV: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) Malachi 3: 8-11, KJV: 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if he will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Identifying frauds who promote themselves as preachers, judging others, and the believer’s work in judgment are topics, today, along with more on what happens when people covet. A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Christine” (Level 1 with 13 points, a member since July 04, 2012) posted the following:
Is calling a preacher fake blasphemy against the holy spirit?
Me and my friend are arguing over it....
THE BATTLE AXE: When People Covet (12/22/2013)—(5.) While the excuse is often offered that violating the law (we say, transgression, sin) was justified and necessary for survival, every crime of fraud and theft begins with covetousness. This is also true for deceptions and practices by angelic beings against mankind to deprive humanity of sacred dominion and divine inheritance. Thus, Christ has declared: I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10: 9-11, KJV). (6.) Covetousness pertains to the exalting of money and property as a false god, and relates to the worship of idols. The person who covets becomes enmeshed within the flesh and the world as belief systems. More than this, covetousness fosters disruptive competition and emulation among men as well as presumption, rebellion, and usurpation against GOD (see Galatians 5: 19-21 and 25-26, 1st Corinthians 4: 6-7, 2nd Corinthians 10: 12, Isaiah 42: 8 and Isaiah 48: 11, KJV). Just as Christian believers come to understand they cannot exercise authority and expect or demand any good thing from the wicked, neither can believers covet, and expect or demand any thing from other believers. All believers should seek to arrive at a point where they joyfully can say: “No man on earth has any goods or property more valuable to me than my salvation. No man has any object or thing I would kill him to get, or even lie to make it mine. That specially means his wife, his car, his house, his dog, his family.” (See Romans 13: 7-9 and 1st Timothy 6: 7-9, KJV.) Once we are correctly aware of our value to GOD, we may say as the Apostle Paul: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4: 11-13, KJV).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel. (2nd Kings 19: 22, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Kindness to Mary? (04/21/2013); When GOD Controls? (04/22/2013); Separated and Sealed? (03/29/2013); Acknowledging Divinity? (03/30/2013); Confusion 2013 (01/13/2013); Why A “Spokesperson”? (01/14/2013); When Does Gossip Become Sin? (01/08/2013); Understanding Hell (01/09/2013); Beer In My Milk? (09/07/2012); Begotten not Made (09/08/2012)
“Christine”, for Christian believers there are a number of divine warnings recorded in the holy writings that should be remembered and applied when speaking against those who are set apart as “full-time” servants to GOD. Included are some of the following points:
(1.) Who art thou that judgest another’s servant? (Romans 14: 4, KJV) Authority to judge those in the clergy may exist through the hierarchy that governs an assembly or community of faith by virtue of voluntary oaths and pledges. However, the church is not a “democracy” where every man has a voice by vote. Strict lines of accountability and oversight are likely to be in place that are not immediately visible to, and do not directly include members of the congregation.
(2.) The work of GOD is to believe whom he has sent (John 6: 29, KJV). The acceptance of the message is the first priority, rather than acceptance of the messenger. The message is to be carefully examined using divine discernment (i.e., comparing spiritual things to other spiritual things to determine their authenticity; their fit with acknowledged truth; their prophetic nature as comfort, edification or exhortation; their likely eternal effects; their sacred intent; their source; and their spirit content).
(3.) Judge nothing before the time (1st Corinthians 4: 5, KJV). Before the time that we ourselves are perfected, before the time we are thoroughly instructed, prepared and appointed to judge, believers must exercise caution. There are many subtleties (barely visible points of difference; hidden, unseen elements) that must be taken into account to correctly manifest the divine love that is judgment. Where Creation and Salvation display the sovereign majesty and power of Almighty GOD, Judgment must display eternal righteousness.
(4.) Whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12: 32, KJV). When one does not correctly discern and recognize the Holy Spirit, and the divine gifts that are present through the ministry of Jesus Christ, that person is at risk of losing intended blessings and indispensable sacred provisions. To condemn or oppose a leader in the church, a prophet, or spiritual teacher is also to condemn the Spirit that operates through and within him. Spiritual blindness, darkness, denial, and lack of discernment are aligned with blasphemy of the Holy Spirit who is the specific person within the GODhead that carries out and establishes new birth, repentance, and sanctification.
There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood. (For example, (5.) We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14: 10, KJV). Many who take up judgment do so as presumption (i.e., taking authority unto oneself without permission; stealing). It is a peculiar form of defiance, rebellion and usurpation (i.e., overthrowing existing government). In the coming judgment there will be no one who operates as an accuser or attacker. Each one who appears must answer the record of their own living deeds documented within the divine books of life.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.
And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? (Proverbs 19: 21-22, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
