(12/21/2020) Recognizing Authentic Christian Believers

 

Both believers and skeptics have been known to approach even those who are long-time Christian believers demanding, “Show me some ID.” Attitudes, social behavior, obeying sacred law, and good works from an individual will change according to events and as expressions of the flesh (e.g., appetite, sensation, emotions/mind). Such measures are unpredictable and unstable, will not be consistent over time, and are not reliable as gauges of sacred content. Displays of spiritual gifts (e.g., healing; prophesying; speaking in tongues) are more to make the divine presence known and visible, and are not intended to point out those who are and ar not believers, or those having favor with GOD against those who do not. Because there must be discernment that comes only by the Spirit of GOD, many who are not themselves Christians find it difficult to correctly recognize and respond to others who are authentic Christian believers. Development, growth, and sacred practices established by the Holy Spirit must appear within the ongoing lifestyle and daily routine of every sinner who turns to Jesus Christ for redemption, lasting change, and salvation. Even so, a sinner who begins as a Christian believer today is to be regarded as a member of the family of GOD, however, they may require twenty or thirty years to become a balanced, consistent, full, and mature disciple and follower of Christ as the one and only Savior, and they will not become immortal and completely perfected until the Second Coming of Jesus. Water baptism is a sacred ceremony shared by mankind to acknowledge that divinity is now performing unseen acts within the body, consciousness, and spirit of a sinner whereby they receive the death, burial, and resurrection of their inborn spirit. A sinner who is reborn is a vessel containing divine DNA, so to speak, and is an offspring of GOD who receives “new life” through continuing operations of the Holy Spirit that impart a fresh endowment of sacred substance from the makeup of GOD. It is written: Romans 6: 3-11, King James Version (KJV): 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Forest Toney” (Level 7 with 80,205 points) posted the following:

I can't find any so called Christian who is obeying all of Jesus' saying , so can you do it?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2^nd Corinthians 13: 4-6, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Casting Pearls Before Swine? (12/17/2020); The Device of Inheritance (12/01/2020); Made Perfect By Divinity (11/10/2020); The Power We Receive (11/19/2020); Do We Follow Paul? (10/01/2020); Spiritual Integrity and Maturity (05/12/2020); The “Perfection” Of Baptism (11/17/2019)

“Forest Toney”, at first, most sinners who embrace Christian belief become misdirected in their search for salvation by focusing on legal codes, finite human institutions, religious traditions, and their own wrong-doing, rather than by being careful to develop a right relationship with divinity through Jesus Christ. Sound knowledge of Christ focuses on his character, his ministry, his practices, his teachings, and the makeup of his Spirit that is to be imparted from the substance of GOD. Inseparable aspects of divine fullness are to be received that include balance, commitment, maturity, restraint, and stability. Faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, wisdom, and wrath against sin must appear. Those who become “born again” also must “grow up again” for what we may receive before the actual Second Coming of Christ is only an earnest or “partial payment” of all those on the earth will eventually receive. Every new believer must become transformed to exist as a life companion to divinity who resembles, reflects, and reveals the likeness of Jesus. This occurs through operations of the Holy Spirit that are embedded within ones life-process and daily routing. Included are such elements as discovery, gradual growth, learning, practice of sacred works (e.g., discernment, praise, prayer, repentance), study of the holy writings, and suffering. Discernment is a use of ones own sacred content to identify and respond to the endowments from divinity that reside within events, sacred messages, other persons, prophecies, the Scriptures, etc.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, using language from the Bible: 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.

Image downloaded 2:05 PM, December 20, 2020 @ https://sd.keepcalms.com/i/saved-by-grace-through-faith-ephesians-28-3.png

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(11/19/2020) The Power We Receive

 The image depicts the appearing of Jesus Christ in glory (we say also say, the harvest, the Rapture, the Second Coming).

Today, reply is on the character, makeup, and nature of the sacred power Christian believers receive through baptism that establishes their new condition as the offspring of GOD having resurrection-life and existence as the new creation of Jesus Christ. The gifts men are to receive from GOD will transform them so they display authentic humanity, rather than behave as bosses, bullies, or supermen supplied with magic, strength, and unnatural abilities. Correctly understood, there must be the death, burial, and resurrection from the dead of ones inborn spirit; and there will be growth and ongoing works by divinity. In addition to divine law the holy writings provide a record of sacred judgments against sin along with divine proclamations, promises, and prophecies. While the focus and process of sacred law in the Scriptures opposes finite human self-will, imposes death and mortality, and concludes that all mankind is to exist under sin, there also are multiple promises and provisions for humanity so that the living have presence from the makeup of GOD as new life. It is written: 1^st John 3: 1-3, King James Version (KJV): 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “God Hates You ATM; Prov 6:16-19” (Level 1 with 21 points) posted the following:

Re: John 1:12 Where is today's Christians' POWER received after Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 1:5;8) to become the sons of GOD?

Updated 8 mins ago:

@SIN

WHY AREN'T YOU OUT THERE THEN?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3: 22-28, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Appeals Directed to Spirit (11/08/2020); The Spirits Are Subject (10/28/2020); GOD Can Forgive Us (09/13/2020); Divine Character Must Appear (08/13/2020); Divine Process and Substance (06/24/2020); Acknowledging And Confessing Sin (06/21/2020); A Habitation of Spirit (04/05/2020)

“God Hates You ATM; Prov 6:16-19”, Christians do not receive power from GOD that may be used independently and self-managed as though one is apart and separated from divinity. Sinners and those continuing to express the inborn spirit that resides within the flesh and mind of mankind often approach divinity only because they covet (i.e., want to possess; make empty and void; use up) the authority, dominion, and power that belongs to GOD as the Creator, origin, and source for all that has existence and life. Such “believers” pursue selfish goals and vain hopes that cannot be realized by those on the earth for they rely on finite self-will; moreover, they lack the willpower required to carry out sacred law, divine prerogative, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD. The character, process and substance of power must be acknowledged as alive, incorruptible, unchanging, and invisible. Spirit continues as life essence (breath; spirit; word) in its form and function. Believers are to be vessels of inseparable aspects of consecrated fullness imparted from the makeup of GOD that include balance, commitment, faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, restraint, wisdom, and wrath against sin. The elements of divine power are not to be thought of as coercion, force, and violence so much as they are to be understood as compassion, discovery, forgiveness, gradual growth, grace, mercy for those found guilty in judgment, reconciliation, and sobriety. Those who become “born again” while existing on the earth must undergo permanent change through operations of the Holy Spirit whereby they “grow up again” to become mature/ripe for harvest by the Lord at his appearing. The transformation to become complete and perfected as life companions to divinity will occur at the Advent (Second Coming) as believers behold the redeemer and savior in glory. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible and a selection from the music ministry of the virtual youth choir at Villa Alegre Bible Baptist Church (Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City (Manila), Philippines):

(1.) John 3: 6-8, King James Version (KJV): 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

(2.) 2^nd Timothy 1: 7, KJV: 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

(3.) Romans 8: 1-10, KJV: 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 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. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Trust His Heart by Babbie Mason and Eddie Carswell @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSd-Wmd9Adc. ) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 11:15 AM, November 19, 2020 @ https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8J26FS9_0hY/maxresdefault.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(07/20/2020) Divine Forgiveness Ministers Grace

Today, forgiveness is described as an expression of divine grace and sacred revelation, rather than human kindness or a celestial response to sinners who seek favor and restoration by their declarations of apology, embarrassment, regret, and remorse. What many call “confession” is little more than boasting and proclaiming their errors and transgressions without also expressing sorrow for sin. Rightly understood, divine forgiveness only pertains to those who are in covenant and intimate relationships with divinity that are maintained through praise, prayer, repentance, unselfish service, suffering, and thanksgiving. Those who receive forgiveness are to grant forgiveness, for those who receive grace are to minister grace. It is written: Colossians 1: 16-22, King James Version (KJV): 16 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: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 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. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 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. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Floyd” (Level 1 with 156 points) posted the following:

Forgiveness ?

Can god forgive someone who lives in guilt and regret about their past? The wrong they have done and the one sin they can't get rid of?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O LORD, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. (Psalms 130: 3-5, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Living Your Best Life? (07/05/2020); The Outcomes Of Judgment (06/28/2020); Acknowledging And Confessing Sin (06/21/2020); Forgiveness A Sacred Practice (05/28/2020); Believers Are To Forgive (05/17/2020); TWO Kinds of People? (02/21/2020); The Character of GOD (06/27/2019)

“Floyd”, when speaking of forgiveness by divinity, the spotlight must be on GOD, not on the sinner, and not on the sin. Forgiveness is not bestowed in response to begging, complaining, crying, displaying misery and wretchedness, importuning, and pleading. There must be confession, contrition, meekness, and resolve. Thus, it is correct to use such words as “gifts” and “grace” to acknowledge GOD as the origin and source of sacred forgiveness. Properly understood, the divine practice of forgiveness that appears among mankind is an expression of the character and makeup of divine fullness (i.e., divinity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit), and is not the outcome or result of lawful tribunal and sacred judgment against sin. Forgiveness is a sacred operation where divine process and substance make visible the inseparable aspects of the divine makeup that include balance, commitment, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Forgiveness does not take on its focus and form on the basis of human attitudes, behavior, emotions, frameworks of time (past, present, etc.), or motives and intent. The active and unseen presence whom we acknowledge as our Creator and Maker are to exist within the awareness and self-will of the living. Intimate fellowship and on-going relationship with GOD are possible where mankind will take on a fresh endowment of the life essence (breath; spirit; utterance; word) imparted from divinity. Sinners are to turn away from such elements as guilt, self-condemnation, self-importance, self-pity, and shame. Through discovery, gradual growth, practice, repentance, study, suffering, and good works all are to display the image of GOD, and as developing believers, they increasingly are to resemble, reflect, and reveal the character and likeness of Jesus Christ. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of Steve Amerson:

(1.) Matthew 6: 9-15, King James Version (KJV): 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(2.) Psalms 25: 5-11, KJV: 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD. 8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

(3.) Ephesians 4: 29-32, KJV: 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8dZTWwvmU.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 12:00 PM, July 20, 2020 @ https://i.pinimg.com/736x/72/23/ce/7223ce3c13a394523230800ed5565d20.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(07/19/2020) The Sons Of GOD?

Today, reply is on Jesus Christ as the “only begotten” son of GOD, and the operations of GOD that transform the offspring of Adam to appear as sons and daughters of GOD in the earth. Intimate relationship with divinity is only by judgment, by the continuing presence of divine substance, by the unfolding of prophecy, and by undergoing transformation through divine operations that are lawful yet unseen. Sinners who become born again are to receive a fresh endowment of spirit substance imparted from the divine fullness (i.e., divinity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). Inseparable aspects of divinity are provided such as balance, commitment, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. The living are joined to GOD the Father and to the Holy Spirit through the baptism, crucifixion, and resurrection life of Jesus Christ. It is written: Hosea 1: 5-11, King James Version (KJV): 5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel, in the valley of Jezreel. 6 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away. 7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen. 8 Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son. 9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. 10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. 11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data shared) posted the following:

Why does God only have ONE Son? Why does God need a Son? Why does NT say God gave His only Son? Are they two gods? ?

All of us are God's children?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. (John 11: 47-52, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Godliness Characterizes Authentic Humanity (02/06/2020); The Persons Within Godhead (12/20/2019); Sin Depicted Using Flesh (11/22/2019); Pharisees and The Father (02/01/2019); We Are His Children (10/16/2017); No Less GOD’s Creation (12/01/2016); The Relationships With GOD? (11/30/2016); A Different Spirit Content? (11/29/2016)

“Anonymous”, you have posted five different questions here, and to avoid confusion in your answer you must be careful to use the language and order that comes by sacred knowledge, rather than the language of academic studies, politics, science, and secular knowledge. Mankind may only engage divinity through covenants and ongoing relationships that acknowledge sacred law and divine order. The earth was populated through Adam who used mechanical and natural elements we call sexual reproduction. Jesus Christ appears among mankind on the earth through a single, one-time immutable divine operation (we say, Incarnation) that provides a manifestation of divinity having authentic humanity, and using multiple primary life processes for created beings and living creatures (e.g., birth, aging, discovery, gradual growth, learning, death) that also would respond to mechanical patterns and natural law within the earth as a material sphere. Acknowledging the Incarnation, we say, Jesus is the “only begotten” son of GOD who is set apart (sanctified to be used by GOD) through his divine makeup and substance received (1) during his conception within a virgin that occurred by workings of the Holy Spirit, (2) through his anointing in her blood that occurred by his breaking her hymen at his birth, and (3) by his fulfillment of multiple divine proclamations, promises, and prophecies. To become the offspring of GOD, and to exist as lawful heirs to a divine inheritance with Jesus Christ, those alive on the earth through Adamic reproduction must be transformed to exist as the sons and daughters of GOD through death of their inborn spirit, rebirth having inseparable spirit substance imparted from the makeup of GOD, and operations of the Holy Spirit. (We say, you must be born again, grow up again, and become mature/ripe for harvest from the earth when Jesus comes again.) Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and He Must Be Love, a selection from the music ministry of Steve Amerson:

(1.) Romans 8: 13-19, King James Version (KJV): 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

(2.) 1^st John 3: 1-10, KJV: 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

(3.) Galatians 4: 4-7, KJV: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVM8eD-4pag.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 10:08 AM, July 19, 2020 @ http://thumbs.imagekind.com/5902720_650/John-_art.jpg?v=1464180700

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(04/23/2020) Sacred Law Promotes Relationships

Today, reply is on whether a child who undergoes parental neglect or other abuse must still honor their father and mother in response to the Ten Commandments. Sacred law promotes fruitful relationships with divinity; and laws that are righteous promote industry, security, and stability. Just as Christians are neither justified by their own sins nor by their own good works, in divine judgment the behavior and conduct of children are not justified by their own sins, nor by the sins of their parents. Grace, reconciliation, redemption and salvation are aspects of being in correct relationship with divinity through Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit. While divine law establishes a knowledge of sin and transgressions that otherwise would not exist, the law also provides a framework and structure that allow the living to acknowledge sanctification, resurrection life, and relationship with GOD as the new creation. It is written: Deuteronomy 7: 1-10, King James Version (KJV): 1 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; 2 And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: 3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. 4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. 5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. 6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; 10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile was shown) posted the following:

Since I hate my Dad and he has wronged me terribly through emotional neglect do I have to still honor him like the 10 commandments read?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. (Deuteronomy 4: 3-10, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Grace Abounds Much More (04/02/2020); While We Are Growing (03/09/2020); Mankind A Divine Instrument (02/16/2020); GOD Also Uses Children (12/19/2019); More Required Than Crucifixion? (12/10/2019); Anger Against Our Parents? (01/10/2019); What Young People Need? (06/26/2017); Who Deserves Divine Love? (06/23/2017)

“Anonymous”, more than establishing and maintaining a correct relationship with your own parents, the law from GOD is provided to ensure your correct relationship with divinity. The Creator does not call children to act as judge, jury, and executioners against their own parents; and few offspring become connected to their caretakers as though their parents are equals, peers or playmates. Even so, for a child to become a complete person, a full adult, and someone who is emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually healthy before GOD, both their connection to mankind on the earth, and their connection to divinity must be sound. Things that have no meaning, and that seem only to be negative and wicked while we are minor children must become part of what we grasp in our maturity in order to experience the full release that comes through forbearance, forgiveness, and understanding of our shared human predicament.

The sacred law spoken to mankind as the Ten Commandments can be thought of as a divine tool used to transform the 12 tribes of Jacob and the mixed multitude of Gentiles and heathens that left Egypt along with Moses to serve as a new nation under GOD. In Egypt, the Pharaohs had dominion and ownership of the livestock, the land, and the Egyptian people; and only the Pharaohs could bestow or receive any inheritance. The law proclaimed to Israel was an infrastructure to guide Jacob as they would exchange, interact, and respond to one another through their lifestyles and daily routines; and was to serve as a framework for their ongoing relationship with divinity. Israel was to exist as an heir and a son to GOD who would carry out divine judgment against the seven tribes that occupied Canaan as the first covenant partners to GOD. More than this, Israel was to fulfill divine promises and prophecies that were not to be broken or forgotten that had been shared with the Patriarchs Adam, Noah, and Abraham.

Sinners who turn to GOD acknowledging Jesus Christ as their redeemer and savior are to receive a fresh endowment of the same life essence (breath; spirit; utterance; word) that was in Christ. Those who become “born again” and will exist as developing believers are to “grow up again,” become mature/ripe while living on the earth, and be harvested by the Lord at his appearing (Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming). The inborn spirit must undergo death, burial, and resurrection (rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak). This occurs through operations among the inseparable aspects of spirit substance imparted from the makeup of GOD. Included are balance, faith, forbearance, gratitude, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

Believers undergo permanent change within their own spirit through discovery, gradual growth, sacred practice (e.g., discernment, forgiveness, praise, prayer), study of the holy writings, unselfish service, and suffering. In addition to acknowledging accountability, maintaining godly commitments and performing ones duty, mature Christian behavior will display the image of GOD, and will resemble, reflect, and reveal the character and likeness of Jesus Christ. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of John Michael Talbot:

(1.) Ezekiel 18: 19-24, King James Version (KJV): 19 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 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.

(2.) Colossians 3: 2-13, KJV: 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

(3.) Titus 3: 1-7, KJV: 1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7j10za_3gQ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 10:16 PM, April 22, 2020 @ https://darrellcreswell.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/titus-3-7-justified-covered-by-grace.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(04/21/2020) Testing That Nourishes Growth

Today, reply is on the process and substance of testing, temptation, and trials that mankind undergoes from divinity.   From Wuhan, China to New York City, America covid-19 death tolls are being published, without totals for those who have recovered. There have been multiple cases of recuperation from covid-19, yet, not a single successful treatment regimen appears to have been properly documented! In the same way discussion of testing for covid-19 continues in the United States to be a distraction to publishing the details for successful treatment of the disease, many confuse challenges that regularly accompany life experience on the earth with punitive interventions by the Creator to declare divine dominion over mankind. Among mature Christian believers, testing by GOD is understood as providing correction rather than punishment, and pertains to GOD completing sacred operations that establish immortality, eternal life, sanctification, and the expression of immutable permanence. Discourse properly centers on the outcomes of Creation, judgment, prophecy, redemption, sacred law, salvation, solemn promise, resurrection life, and the second death. It is written: Revelation 3: 10-13, King James Version (KJV): 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shown) posted the following:

If millions of people catching a terrible disease is another test from our loving and benevolent God then is dying from it a pass or a fail?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2^nd Peter 2: 9, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Challenge of Covid-19 (03/22/2020); Jacob Wrestled With GOD? (09/26/2018); Testing and Divine Process (06/12/2017); Temptations, Tests and Trials? (05/12/2015); Is Sin a Matter of Temptation? (04/22/2015); 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)

“Anonymous”, the Creator has continuing contact and exchange with mankind on the earth by appearing as spirit process and substance within human awareness and self-will (willpower). The testing that Christians undergo are stages in their cleansing, development and spiritual growth along with levels and phases in their becoming mature/ripe for harvest by the Lord at his coming. Divine testing is not opposition to entice, manipulate, or seduce someone to do evil. Your idea seems to be that GOD is administering challenges, temptations, tests and trials to the living as though they are students in a classroom where their knowledge and skills must be assessed and rated, and their achievement of grade-level standards must be determined and acknowledged. More correctly, sinners must undergo permanent change within covenant relationship through operations of divinity that include acquiring sacred knowledge rather than academic or secular knowledge; receiving fresh endowments of life essence (breath; spirit; utterance; word) imparted from the makeup of GOD; and becoming altered by multiple interactions among the inseparable aspects of divine fullness such as balance, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Rather than a focus on material objects and social behaviors, testing and transformation by GOD are through discovery, gradual growth, practice, and study of things sacred as well as by passing through divinely generated events and operations that call forth, display, and extend ones own spirit content. Thus, developing believers are to embody accountability, commitment, discernment, forbearance, forgiveness, gratitude, praise, prophecy (comfort, edification, exhortation), purpose, reconciliation, unselfish service, and suffering. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of Wintley Phipps:

(1.) Zechariah 13: 7-9, King James Version (KJV): 7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. 8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

(2.) 1^st Corinthians 3: 11-15, KJV: 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

(3.) James 1: 13-15, KJV: 13 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: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GznYI1aFolM.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 3:40 PM, April 20, 2020 @ https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BRdx6Mx79Ak/maxresdefault.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(11/23/2016) The Work of Forgiving

The practice of forgiveness among believers and clergy within the body of Christ are the topic, today.  Sinners must be assisted in connecting to Jesus Christ so they may obtain the forgiveness granted by the Father through the Son.  As agents, priests, kings, and spokespersons for the kingdom of GOD upon the earth, believers all are to comfort and encourage sinners and their fellow believers by making visible the operations of divine forgiveness that those who transgress the law may receive from GOD.  Thus, their forgiving others is neither an act of self-promotion, nor an act to be seen as presumption, rebellion, and usurpation.  Forgiving those who murder does not make murder less repugnant to the law; even so, the law as a sacred instrument to give life is acknowledged, confirmed, and made complete.  In addition to the authority, ownership and sovereign will of Deity, godly forbearance, lovingkindness, longsuffering, mercy, and reconciliation appear.  Similarly, to commit or submit to abortion is no less an offense against sacred law; and by forgiveness divinity is to become increasingly approachable, and divine grace is to become more visible.  A fighter at “Yahoo! 7 Answers (Australia)” using the ID “David” (June 25, 2016) posted the following:


Why did Pope extend to priests, the power to forgive abortions?  Does that mean abortion is a less serious sin now?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:   That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (Romans 8:  1-4, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Practice of Forgiveness (07/03/2016); Sacred Operations To Give Life? (06/29/2016); Sin Must Be Personal (04/29/2016); To Forgive is Divine? (04/06/2016); Babies Given A Second Life? (01/25/2015); About “The Just” (10/29/2014);  Antidotes to the Poisons (10/30/2014)


“David”, for mature Christian believers forgiveness appears as a work of faith that removes various obstacles to spiritual growth and renewal that include fear of abandonment, fear of condemnation, fear of repeated failure, and the fear that divine love will be withdrawn and withheld.  The spiritual work of forgiving sin is immutable and unchanging, for it proceeds from eternal purposes and timeless operations to actualize and fulfill the unalterable will of GOD.  Forgiveness has not been abolished or reduced by the growth in understanding and broadening of practice now being expressed among Catholic believers.  The ministry Jesus Christ began upon the earth centered on revealing divinity through atonement, forgiveness, prophecy, reconciliation, and salvation.  The church he created then to prepare those in covenant to receive him as the promised Messiah now continues and makes visible his active presence as Risen Lord, High Priest, and soon-coming Lord of Glory.  Consider again how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Luke 17:  3-6, King James Version (KJV):  3 Take heed to yourselves:  If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.  4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.  5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.  6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

(2.)  Hebrews 2:  14-18, KJV:  14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;  15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.  17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

(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 to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  2nd Corinthians 5:  17-21, KJV:  17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:  we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/09/2015) Growing Up Again?

Today, reply is made to a teen requesting guidance for further growth as a Christian.  Like others, followers of the Lord do not always get to have their own way.  There is no formula, “magic words,” or single catchword for developing believers; and, for many, insight and understanding only will come as they endure regular life challenges and hardships.  The life of a Christian does not center in enjoying oneself and pursuing various pleasures.  Every believer is called (we may say, recruited) to participate in the work of spreading the Gospel, and preparing a harvest for the Lord.  Consider again the following from the Bible and the recommendation that appears below:  Hebrews 5:  7-10, King James Version (KJV):  7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;  8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;  9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;  10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.  Also, 1st John 2:  15-17, KJV:  15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:  but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.  1st John 4:  1-3, KJV:  1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:  because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:  Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:  and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  The young writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “XX” (Level 1 with 90 points, a member since December 08, 2015) posted the following:


How to be more Christlike ( how to be a better man)?

Hello I'm 15 and experienced a calling from the lord yesterday, I found him, I'm sure of it. I can't explain it but I was in tears, of joy. I have been raised as a Christian but up until yesterday I haven't truly found him. Im not sure I worded that properly but that's the only way I can explain in words. I want to follow the teachings of god and desire to become the best man I can. My question now is how can I become a better mam, more Christ like. I know its not that simple but what can I do in my everyday life to become a better person? I also want other advice for a young man that I should hear


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:  for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.  (Matthew 5:  43-48, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Ongoing and Unfinished? (11/22/2015); Temptations, Tests and Trials? (05/12/2015); How To Renew The Mind (11/22/2013); Prayer not Enough? (07/12/2013); A Tree Falls To The South (07/13/2013)


“XX”, every Christian believer must undergo a process of learning and growth to become “ripe”.  Following water baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak), the disciples of Jesus gradually experience changes within their character and substance.  All are being prepared and made ready to be taken from the earth at the return of Jesus Christ (called Advent, the harvest, the Rapture, and the Second Coming).  Born again, believers must “grow up again” and become mature facing the same “growing pains” and life challenges as all others alive upon the earth.  To be mature is to be balanced, complete, focused, and stable.  More than this, believers must become perfected.  Because our efforts to accomplish self-improvement are finite, and only continue our focus upon the flesh and the world (e.g., ambition, prestige, status, success), to be made perfect believers submit to operations of the Holy Spirit that are eternal.  Believers must participate in and submit to operations that are completed by divinity.  Included are confession, communion, praise, repentance, and sanctification.  The believer should engage in such actions as fellowship with more experienced believers, continuing study of the holy writings, service to GOD, and unselfish giving.  We acquire and apply sacred knowledge in our routine activity and daily living that then serves as our own inner preferences, principles and standards.  With this in view, reading the entire Bible is a goal for many believers, and the teachings from the Book of Proverbs have been very useful.  Even so, consider the following points out of the Scriptures:

(1.)  2nd Timothy 3:  16-17, King James Version (KJV):  16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

(2.)  Galatians 6:  8-10, KJV:  8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  9 And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

(3.)  1st Peter 4:  12-14, KJV:  12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you:  on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a part of ones spiritual arsenal.  (For example, (4.)  1st Peter 5:  6-11, KJV:  6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC