(12/17/2020) Casting Pearls Before Swine?

 

Jesus Christ has cautioned his disciples and those who serve to spread the Gospel that efforts to transform sinners into Christian believers best bear fruit where there also are operations of the Holy Spirit. There is to be a sacred evangelism that will convey divine gifts, endowments of sacred substance, and godly guidance, rather than mere displays anchored in social activism and popular culture. Workers for the Lord are to be vigilant and alert, because they will be in the open and vulnerable to attacks by the children of disobedience, skeptics, and those committed to rebellion against divinity. The wheat we plant and the tares planted by the enemy will be allowed to grow together; even so, there is to be a thoughtful distribution of sacred resources that correctly addresses accessibility, opportunities, needs, preparation, and possibilities. It is written: Isaiah 30: 1, King James Version (KJV): 1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shown) posted the following:

Hey fellow believers, what does "cast not your pearls before the swine" mean Is there too much "casting"  being done on answers by believers?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. (Matthew 7: 6, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Appeals Directed to Spirit (11/08/2020); Why So Many Churches? (10/17/2020); Counsels On Shunning Sinners (05/03/2019); Be Not Unequally Yoked (04/16/2018); Not All Are Welcome (11/28/2017); Without Preaching The Cross? (02/21/2016); How To Treat Unbelievers? (01/13/2016);

“Anonymous”, those who take up the work of spreading the Gospel are admonished and cautioned by Jesus Christ that evangelism is a work to transform sinners while they are yet entangled by elements of the material and social world. The figure of dogs is used to describe assemblies and groups that continue and promote back-biting, competition, criticizing and judging one another, disrespect, gossip, slander, and quarreling. Unclean animals are unfit to serve as sacrifices and will defile a holy altar, and hogs are extremely dangerous because they have barely visible tusks (horns on the side of their snout) that they use as cutting weapons. An itinerant preaching ministry requires content, doctrine, and multiple operations from divinity that must be acknowledged as expressing sacred law, divine prerogative, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD. Those anointed, ordained, and sent by Christ are to resemble, reflect and reveal the Savior’s character and likeness. None are to despair when they encounter exaggerated pride, selfishness, stubbornness, and suffering among those who are ungodly and unteachable. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Galatians 5: 14-16, King James Version (KJV): 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

(2.) 2^nd Timothy 3: 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

(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 that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) 2^nd Timothy 2: 3-4, KJV: 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 12:55 PM, December 17, 2020 @ https://i.pinimg.com/originals/2b/92/21/2b92214c78559d6ce43f321ad52d1446.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(03/17/2020) "Because You Are Believers"

Today, reply is on the church of Jesus Christ being the successor to Israel as the “chosen nation” of GOD that appears within divine prophecy and revelation. While the holy writings describe the rise and fall of material nations on the earth such that specific cultures and states are identifiable to students of secular history, politics, and world events, for Christian believers, the focus is properly that of participating within a spiritual body whose members will exist on the earth throughout eternity. It is written: Romans 8: 5-9, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) [NWT]: 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh,+ but those who live according to the spirit, on the things of the spirit.+ 6 For setting the mind on the flesh means death,+ but setting the mind on the spirit means life and peace;+ 7 because setting the mind on the flesh means enmity with God,+ for it is not in subjection to the law of God, nor, in fact, can it be. 8 So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot please God. 9 However, you are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit,+ if God’s spirit truly dwells in you. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this person does not belong to him. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who used the ID “TeeM” (Level 7 with 9,141 points) posted the following:

Who is the nation that replaced the nation of Israel as God's chosen people?

(Matthew 21:43) “43 This is why I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits. . .”

(1 Peter 2:7-10) “7 It is to you, therefore, that he is precious, because you are believers; but to those not believing, “the stone that the builders rejected, this has become the chief cornerstone” 8 and “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They are stumbling because they are disobedient to the word. To this very end they were appointed. 9 But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies” of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 For you were once not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not been shown mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

THE GOLDEN ARROW: But I say, Keep walking by spirit+ and you will carry out no fleshly desire at all.+ For the flesh is against the spirit in its desire, and the spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do the very things you want to do.+ Furthermore, if you are being led by spirit, you are not under law. Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality,*+ uncleanness, brazen conduct,*+ idolatry, spiritism,*+ hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, envy, drunkenness,+ wild parties,* and things like these.+ I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.+ On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,* kindness, goodness,+ faith, mildness, self-control.+ Against such things there is no law. Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed to the stake the flesh together with its passions and desires.+ If we are living by spirit, let us also go on walking orderly by spirit.+ (Galatians 5: 16-25, NWT)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Acknowledging Christ as Son (03/08/2020); TWO Kinds of People? (02/21/2020); Disciples and “Little Christs” (11/05/2019); How GOD Speaks Today (12/10/2018); The First “Chosen” People (05/03/2018); Cultural, Political, Spiritual Growth? (07/10/2016); Divine Inheritance and Resurrection? (07/06/2016); Thoughts On The Kingdom? (11/18/2015)

“TeeM”, many mature Christian believers acknowledge the “holy nation” spoken of in the Scriptures is not a kingdom or sovereign state identified by geopolitical boundaries and land measurements, rather it is the church, the new creation of the Son of GOD. Through Jesus Christ, the present day operations of divinity among mankind may be understood as in a season of grace and reconciliation that is spirit in process and substance. Mankind is not being challenged with mysteries and questions that require years of academic instruction and secular research. Rather, humanity has been granted a revelation whereby otherwise invisible and unknown aspects of divinity are made accessible, alive, approachable, and indwelling. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, mankind now may receive a fresh endowment of the same life essence (breath; spirit; word) that was imparted to Adam at Creation from the makeup of GOD. Inseparable aspects of divine fullness are imparted that include balance, commitment, faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. As vessels of divine DNA (so to speak), believers are to exist and mature on the earth as the children and heirs of GOD until the appearing of Jesus Christ to harvest the earth. Consider again the following that uses language from the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) [NWT]:

(1.) John 18: 33-37, NWT: 33 So Pilate entered the governor’s residence again and called Jesus and said to him: “Are you the King of the Jews?”+ 34 Jesus answered: “Are you asking this of your own originality, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied: “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What did you do?” 36 Jesus answered:+ “My Kingdom is no part of this world.+ If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews.+ But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.” 37 So Pilate said to him: “Well, then, are you a king?” Jesus answered: “You yourself are saying that I am a king.+ For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.+ Everyone who is on the side of the truth listens to my voice.”+

(2.) Romans 10: 1-4, NWT: 10 Brothers, the goodwill of my heart and my supplication to God for them are indeed for their salvation.+ 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God,+ but not according to accurate knowledge. 3 For because of not knowing the righteousness of God+ but seeking to establish their own,+ they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.+ 4 For Christ is the end of the Law,+ so that everyone exercising faith may have righteousness.+

(3.) Ephesians 2: 18-22, NWT: 18 because through him we, both peoples, have free access to the Father by one spirit. 19 So you are no longer strangers and foreigners,+ but you are fellow citizens+ of the holy ones and are members of the household of God,+ 20 and you have been built up on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,+ while Christ Jesus himself is the foundation cornerstone.+ 21 In union with him the whole building, being harmoniously joined together,+ is growing into a holy temple for Jehovah.* + 22 In union with him you too are being built up together into a place for God to inhabit by spirit.+

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) John 18: 33-37, KJV: 33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Citations from the NWT Translation of the Bible were downloaded 11:56 AM to 1:15 PM, March 16, 2020 from the Watchtower Online Library site @ https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwtsty/40/21#study=discover&v=40:21:43. New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition). Copyright © 2020 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(09/02/2019) Those Who Prefer Evil

Today, reply is on those who prefer evil and wickedness, and holy writings that teach on such sinners among those who are to be in accord and covenant relationship with divinity. Developing and mature Christian believers eventually acknowledge that evil, sin, and wickedness are not fruits produced through the imparted Spirit of GOD. None may lay hold on salvation relying on the operations of carnal desire, self-will, and finite human willpower. It is written: Romans 8: 5-9, King James Version (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. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:

What if I prefer evil over good?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. (Deuteronomy 30: 15-20, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Heathen and Pagan Ways (09/01/2019); Works Without Divine Faith? (05/06/2019); The Penalty of Death? (04/26/2019); Known By Spiritual Fruit (03/06/2019); Doing The Devil's Work? (02/21/2019); Recognizing Holy and Unholy (01/31/2019); Sinners Must Become Convicted (11/27/2018)

“Anonymous”, there are many who feel that (1) GOD does not exist; (2) there is no reason to be afraid of bad consequences or punishment for your attitudes and behavior; (3) mankind only has to answer the laws of nature; and (4) I am free from the laws and restrictions made by other people. When those who are entered into accord and covenant relationship with divinity repeatedly choose to violate divine law, and continue as unrepentant sinners, they come under the curses of the law, rather than the blessings. As those in defiance and rebels against the sovereign will of GOD, they are labeled as “workers of iniquity” and “transgressors”. More than this, they are those who reject forgiveness and despise divine mercy. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. Deuteronomy 29: 16-21, King James Version (KJV): 16 (For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by; 17 And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:) 18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; 19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: 20 The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven. 21 And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:

2. Leviticus 26: 13-21, KJV: 13 I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright. 14 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; 15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: 16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. 18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. 19 And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: 20 And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits. 21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.

3. Psalms 7: 11-16, KJV: 11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. 13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. 14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. 16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. Ezekiel 18: 23-28, KJV: 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? 24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. 25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? 26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded @ 9:51 AM, September 01, 2019 @ https://i.pinimg.com/736x/90/d4/d5/90d4d5e9442b1f67022d62fa8755aa26.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(12/07/2013) Fruits From a Barren Tree?

Today, there is more on the account of Jesus cursing a barren fruit tree.


THE BATTLE AXE:  The Barren Tree? (12/06/2013)—Examining the earthly ministry of Jesus, the incident of the fig tree may be seen as no different from that of his first miracle performed during the wedding at Cana of Galilee (see John 2:  1-11, KJV), the Savior stilling the tempest as he crossed the Sea of Galilee with his disciples (Mark 4:  36-41, KJV), or the exorcism for a young boy at the request of his father following the Savior’s transfiguration (Mark 9:  14-30, KJV).  Jesus exercised divine authority to alter elemental substance and material reality.  The natural world (we say, nature) that serves as the environment and habitation for mankind continually displays patterns and regularities that emerge through mechanical processes, that appear to created beings and living creatures as a form of divine law (we say, the carnal mind).  Yet, nature is generated and endures through direct operations of sovereign will (we say, the law of GOD).  Thus, it is properly the work of science to declare the chemical makeup and process of mankind by its research upon DNA; however, science must acknowledge that human makeup is more than simply a collection of chemicals.  There are fixed limits to science that do not allow its address to the aspects of humanity we call being, life, person and spirit.  Going further, what mankind calls a “miracle,” is not, in fact, a lawless or random occurrence.  Miracles are sacred events, and therefore, display operations of divine will consistent with such divine utterances as commands, proclamations, promises, and prophecies. While all miracles are by changes and shifts of faith, all faith does not arise by miracles.  Jesus used the incident of cursing the fig tree to further instruct his disciples regarding faith and prayer.  However, the incident also serves as a parable that depicts the wrath of GOD against sin, the swiftness and completeness of final judgment, and the righteousness of GOD in judgment despite the removal of compassion, longsuffering and mercy.  See Romans 8:  5-8, Isaiah 34:  1-5, Luke 8:  25 and Mark 11:  20-26, KJV; also Job 15:  30-34, NIV.


There is far more to be said, reasonably shared, and spiritually understood.  The existence of believers around the world, and a full gospel that is to be proclaimed in the earth are continuing evidence for divine intent that the whole earth be alive, fruitful, filled with divine light, and free of every curse.  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC