(01/30/2017) Sharing The Correct Message

 

Today, reply is on sharing end-time messages, prophecies of Armageddon, and warnings to atheists.  Christian believers are recruited to spread “good news,” the Gospel of forgiveness for sin and eternal life with GOD through Jesus Christ.  While an aspect of what believers share includes information regarding sacred events that will lead up to the Savior’s appearing (called the Advent, the harvest, the Rapture, the Second Coming), the focus is upon sinners submitting to the will of GOD, not upon their gaining foreknowledge, predicting the future, or seeking to flee from the consequences of their own sins committed on the earth.  One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

 

RELIGION, ATHEIST JUST DON'T GET IT BUT THEY WILL PAY DEARLY THERES AN ARMAGEDDON COMING..THEY CANT EVEN SPELL THE WORD LET ALONE UNDERSTAND?

HOW DO WE MAKE THEM KNOW THE TRUTH ?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.  And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:  (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)  By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;  Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s:  for this he did once, when he offered up himself.  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.  (Hebrews 7:  19-28, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Righteousness Through Jesus Christ? (12/15/2016); Here’s The Good News (11/09/2016); On Expecting Quick Results (11/07/2016); World Peace Is Coming? (05/08/2016); Waiting For His Appearing (02/09/2016); Holy Wars? (11/06/2014); Crimes Christ Crucified For? (11/07/2014); Spring-training (04/11/2014); Kill the Blog Writer! (04/12/2014)
 

“Anonymous”, there is a correct message that sinners must hear from GOD.  Thus, the “work” given for Christian believers is more than merely spreading alarms, preaching “the End of the World,” and exciting interest in end-time prophecy.  Those concerns and issues only have place as a very small part of the full revelation of GOD through Jesus Christ.  Correctly understood, believers are to display the active presence of GOD expressed through their daily routines of life as commitment, obedience to divine law, and respect to the imparted, indwelling Spirit.  Christian believers are all called into sacred knowledge that makes the fullness of divinity (we say, the GODhead) knowable, known, and “visible” (i.e., revealed).  Because GOD is a spirit who has put forth and maintains all that exists he remains otherwise invisible and unapproachable.  The device of “Incarnation” has been used to make the character, makeup, and substance of GOD amenable to created beings and living creatures.  The Creator has appeared on the earth as Jesus Christ; and this allows the living to be in ongoing exchange and continuous relationships with immortal, incorruptible, and sovereign Deity.  In the same way focus upon calamity and earthquakes does not yield a spiritual fruit of certainty, salvation, and unselfish service, the results of reporting wars and rumors of wars are more likely to be depression, fear, and spiritual confusion.  Consider the following:

(1.)  Matthew 24:  3-7, King James Version (KJV):  3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?  4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars:  see that ye be not troubled:  for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:  and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

(2.)  1st Corinthians 13:  8-13, KJV:  8 Charity never faileth:  but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:  but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:  now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

(3.)  Philippians 4:  6-8, KJV:  6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  2nd Timothy 2:  11-16, KJV:  11 It is a faithful saying:  For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:  12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:  if we deny him, he also will deny us:  13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful:  he cannot deny himself.  14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.  15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  16 But shun profane and vain babblings:  for they will increase unto more ungodliness.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/12/2014) Kill the Blog Writer!

Today, I continue using spring training, and other ideas from baseball to spark insights on how to behave in the public forum as an educated person who brings value to the conversation on Christian belief.


THE BATTLE AXE:  Spring-training (04/11/2014)—For full Christian belief, there is only one message; and so, the process of acquiring perfected belief is simple, yet, profound (we say, deep; far-reaching in application, consequences, and effect).  Using familiar language, that of baseball, we can make an analogy to the Christian work of salvation, and to generate parables to convey various points.  For example, just as everyone who is fit to own a season ticket, or watch the game from the bleachers is not fit to play shortstop or center field, everyone who reads a book or has an opinion in a public forum is not fit to speak as a person having correct knowledge and a right relationship with GOD, or is a believer having place in the church of Jesus Christ.  There will always be those who neither “know the game,” nor play it, yet, who show no respect to those who can, and do.  Also, making the roster for a Series-bound team will require more than athleticism, physical strength, and stamina; there must be “chemistry”, and a good fit.  While homerun hitters and sluggers are important, those who master the automatic outs—laying down a bunt to advance the men on base, countless foul balls to work a pitcher’s arm before granting him the strike, and willingness to deliver the in-field fly (some say, a pop-up, a sacrifice) that allows a runner to sprint to the next base—are often the true heroes of a game.  To reach ones highest level of value, repetition of the fundamentals such as control of power, stance, and timing can never be regarded as “boring.”  The player who insists upon breaking bats, destroying the dugout, having locker-room hissy fits, throwing the punch that causes a brawl, and going nuke in anger or frustration, is quickly understood to be a distraction from the mission, a candidate for trade or release from contract, a liability to the owner and his teammates.  Just as the box scores, standings, overall stats and win/loss record all must be used together to describe a team’s performance, believers must master using the language, precepts, principles, proclamations, and prophecies contained within the Scriptures for the most correct appreciation of salvation for mankind through the operations of GOD, of Christ, and of the Holy Spirit.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  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.  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?  (John 3:  7-12, KJV)


There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, there are many rules that govern play in baseball, and disputes frequently arise regarding their correct application.  In addition, there are recurring situations that demand input by a neutral, third-party having a privileged and intimate view of all action and exchange on the field (we say, umpires).  Unlike team coaches and managers, the officials tend to remain unknown, having no trading cards, celebrity or popularity among baseball fans.  Despite the continuing malice toward officials (Kill the ump!) with accusations of incompetence and cheating, umpires must fearlessly hold to their commission as guardians for the game, and as the caretakers who further establish its full integrity, and value.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the measure of divine faith that resides in you.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC