Today, reply is on divine
confession, grace, repentance, and revelation. One of the fighters in the
“Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data shared)
posted the following:
Did God do something wrong in Genesis 6:6?
I'm SORRY that I bumped into you. I REGRET
stealing. I REPENT of my sins.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: So the
LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel
seventy thousand men. And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and
as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him
of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine
hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor
of Ornan the Jebusite. And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the
LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn
sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of
Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. (1st
Chronicles 21: 14-16, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER:
Christianity Is A Relationship (04/05/2018); An Act of GOD? (12/20/2017);
Neither “All-knowing” Nor “Omniscient” (11/07/2017); Having Consciousness of
Death (11/03/2017); Making Sense of Preexistence? (10/06/2017); Corruption of
Ones Spirit? (05/14/2017); Divine Knowing, Finite Will?
(09/28/2016)
“Anonymous”, developing Christian believers are
always a bit surprised to find language in the holy writings suggesting that GOD
is not pleased with outcomes and responses to the word he himself has spoken and
sent forth. In effect, the perfect, unchanging Creator seems to confess having
“changed his mind” and made a costly error when making decisions and exercising
his sovereign will. Correctly understood, mature followers grasp that the
fullness of divinity (we say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, the
Holy Spirit) are providing sacred knowledge and further revelation of
the divine makeup and process to benefit mankind following the fall of Adam.
Through judgment and expressions of divine wrath, otherwise unseen grace,
righteousness, and mercy become displayed; and GOD is to be seen saying he
regrets the course that mankind through self-will has chosen to pursue as his
created, for it has continued corruption in the earth, and irreversible
operations of sin.
That divinity is deeply moved and sorrows for
mankind is not simply on the basis of finite human conduct (so to speak, you
expect “babies” to make mistakes in the course of their growing up); and his
suffering is not a matter of divinity being easily hurt, emotional, and
vulnerable. In the same way knowing the pattern ABCDEFG we can say XYZ is
coming without being able to read minds, or tell what an individual’s specific
future actions will be (i.e., destiny; fate; predestination), the consciousness
of GOD apprehends mankind within cosmic patterns that include the conditions of
chaos, flux and instability that were in place before the foundations of heaven
and earth were laid; the impact of events that must follow the operations of
sin; the imperatives (i.e., things that must be done) and limitations of divine
law as well as the true threat presented by sin.
Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law,
the Lawgiver, and all divine order required for existence and life throughout
the universe. Sin may dominate awareness and self-will within created beings
and living creatures. Thus, sin must be annihilated (totally eliminated,
erased, and wiped out). However, sin has never been created by GOD, and may not
be simply removed by a “do over.” Therefore, the multiple operations of GOD
include forbearance, forgiveness, imparting aspects of divine personhood,
Incarnation (divinity using the form of mankind to appear on the earth as Jesus
Christ), rebirth, reconciliation, and men being led to be Christ-like.
Consider again the verse you cite in its context, a
passage that showcases the grace of GOD along with the following that uses
language from the Bible that are the genuine focus of godly faith. The
proclamations of punishment and wrath against sin made by GOD are usually “on
the condition” that there is no change or repentance by mankind:
(1.) Genesis 6: 5-8, King James Version (KJV): 5
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and
that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only
evil continually. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had
made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of
the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the
air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the
eyes of the LORD.
(2.) Numbers 23: 19, KJV: 19 God is not
a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath
he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not
make it good?
(3.) Jonah 3: 3-10, KJV: 3 So Jonah arose, and
went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now
Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey. 4 And Jonah began
to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days,
and Nineveh shall be overthrown. 5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and
proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the
least of them. 6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his
throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth,
and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published
through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither
man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink
water: 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto
God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that
is in their hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and
repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? 10 And God saw
their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil,
that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it
not.
There is far more that should be said, correctly
examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Isaiah 55: 6-13,
KJV: 6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon
him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will
have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your
thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven,
and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and
bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my
word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but
it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth
with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into
singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13
Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall
come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a
name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.) Even so, I
trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your
faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Today, focus is upon errors of young people when becoming sexually active, fornication, holy matrimony, and salvation. Rather than obedience to law, the foundation for right relationship as marriage partners is the same as that for salvation in partnership with divinity: There must be mutual acceptance, love, and sacrifice (i.e., willingness to give, yield, or suffer). On the one hand, nothing (particularly happiness) is guaranteed. On the other hand, one may expect the continuing presence of one who is sharing in the intimate details of life process that are challenge, growth, and coming into perfection. Where men demand humility in women, they often forget that their own humility must set the standard, and they must lead. Grace Blessed with Maria Odey who participate with me in THE BIBLE STUDY GROUP (a Public Group on Facebook presently having 19,139 members), invited discussion by sharing a presentation that included the following at about 12:15pm on August 23, 2015:
WHAT A HUSBAND NEEDS FROM A WIFE IS NEVER SEX. By: B.I.C. Abeiku Okai.
Sex is an important element in marriage and until there is sexual intercourse between a husband and a wife, the marriage is not yet spiritually recognised. This shows how important sex is in marriage.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. (Proverbs 5: 15-23, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: GOD and Adultery? (06/11/2014); A Hardened Spirit? (06/12/2014); The Male, the Female, and GOD (02/09/2014); Destroying the Resurrected Body? (02/10/2014); Traditional Marriage? (12/18/2013); GOD Enjoys Judgment? (12/19/2013); A Life Companion? (11/07/2012); On Asking Why (11/08/2012)
Be encouraged! For marriage to be exalted or lifted from a simple joining of flesh to flesh, the equality in marriage must be understood as established by our shared standing before GOD: All have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD; all must be in humility before the judgment seat of Christ; and all stand in need of the divine covering provided through Christ. Marriage partners are to be life companions who help one another meet the good, the bad and the ugly together—including the trials or sufferings that are endured as salvation. She is always to be seen and treated as the beloved of the Lord, and he is always to be encouraged and respected as a joint-heir with the Savior.
Increasingly, young people are becoming sexually active with the idea that no knowledge or preparation is needed, and that there are no benefits to waiting for marriage. Sexual appetite exists as part of our makeup from birth, and steadily grows as our bodies and minds are aged. In the same way we must learn to curb, delay and selectively answer hunger and thirst, we absolutely must master sex within. Often, in our view as young people, we believe we need no instruction—because it’s normal and “nature”, one may “figure it out,” and intuition can be your guide. However, it remains that, human sexuality has long been a tool of the Adversary, because sexual joining involves many subtleties (i.e., barely visible differences; hidden shifts in meaning and value). A sex act, no matter how simple (e.g., holding hands, caressing (we say, hugging, stroking), kissing (a form of oral sex) ), occurs on multiple levels of life experience and is a carnal, emotional, physical, and spiritual act all at the same time. As a result, there is often confusion, imbalance, and unhappiness.
Fornication is the joining of spirits that occurs through sexual activity. In marriage, the two become one flesh, while GOD is the other. To maintain relationship, the collection of spirits must be in harmony with law, love, and righteous purpose. Where we repeatedly err in modern society is that we join ourselves to unknown and unseen persons through sex with a partner we know. Where we join to someone as their 7th partner, we connect as 8 different spirits that may be in conflict and disharmony, and that will strive for mastery against our own, inborn spirit. Where we, ourselves have had 10 partners (do the math…) 19 different spirits will be within that pair of would be lovers. The inborn spirit of each lover is outnumbered 18 to 1. On the one hand, a person may experience a peculiar sense of increase and strength, at first; and later may become unexplainably depressed, disillusioned, and weakened. Again, as a result, there is often confusion, imbalance, and unhappiness.
There is no such thing as “casual sex,” and there should be no such thing as “casual marriage.” Thus, men are warned, whores do not love; and women are told, you engage a pimp at your own risk. There can be no sacred marriage (we say, holy matrimony) that denies Christ a place of respect in the thoughts, feelings, and shared home. Where a man or a woman has erred in their youth exploiting, or exploring their own sexuality (and that of others), there can be repentance with newness of life through baptism, and rebirth. Then, a man once known as a male prostitute or player, and a woman once known as a sex-worker and a whore should only be called a believer, a saint, and one who is saved.
There is far more that could be said, and that must be correctly understood and spiritually taken into account. (For example, only GOD may break the permanent bonds that are intended by divinity to result through sexual joining. Until released by the ministries of Christ that include exorcism, that rid a person of demons and unclean spirits, the errors in our youth continue to have effect throughout our lives. This can include intimacy through adultery, pre-marital sex, and group sex (some say, gang-rape). As the tool of GOD, sexual activity is always to benefit, cleanse, heal, and promote life.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Offering confession and prayer for error and sin, and excusing without correcting human imperfection are in view, today. Many who claim to be Christians make no genuine contribution to the work of ministry as mature believers, because they continue with a quiet conviction that sin is natural and necessary to humanity. Without realizing it, such believers are seeking their salvation from finite tools of the world such as communication technology, history, intellect, money, philosophy, and science. Doctrine, sacred knowledge, and spiritual practices are thought of as somehow artificial, contrived, or external (the young say, fake), and having no power to eliminate sin. The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “William” (Level 4 with 4,694 points, a member since May 08, 2014) posted the following:
Will God forgive u when u pray to him confessing your sins?
I know people will make mistakes in life. We are all human.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Ephesians 1: 3-12, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Recounting Past Sins? (03/04/2015); Saved by a Prayer? (10/31/2014); Is Prayer an Act of Faith? (11/01/2014); Forgiveness Through GOD? (02/02/2014); Obliged to Disregard? (02/03/2014); Confessing Only to GOD? (04/08/2013); Evidence of the Unseen Spirit? (04/09/2013)
“William”, for Christian believers, atonement, confession, forgiveness, prayer, and repentance come into view as the expression of grace, and special operations provided by divinity to maintain existence, and continue the revelation of Deity (i.e., making GOD correctly known and understood). Mankind has been created with the capacity to display an animal, human, or divine nature. Sin is a non-material, non-spirit influence that opposes the continued existence of divine law, the law giver, and divine order generated by law. Sin first appeared among the angels in heaven, and was later spread to the earth among mankind. Because sin may dominate awareness and self-will within created beings and living creatures without appearing to be contrary, conflicting, or opposite to their inborn/inbred nature, sin continues indefinitely in spite of such finite tools as knowledge, intellect, philosophy, science, and technology. Please consider the following Scripture points:
(1.) Psalm 130: 3-5, King James Version (KJV): 3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O LORD, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
(2.) Numbers 15: 25-26, KJV: 25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance: 26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.
(3.) Daniel 9: 8-10, KJV: 8 O LORD, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9 To the LORD our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; 10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
(4.) 1st Kings 8: 44-49, KJV: 44 If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for thy name: 45 Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. 46 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near; 47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness; 48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: 49 Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,
There is far more that could be said, and that must be correctly understood and spiritually taken into account. (For example (5.) Acts 5: 30-32, KJV: 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
THE BATTLE AXE: Unguarded Chocolates? (11/07/2013)—All humans make mistakes in the course of growing up and maturing that will need forgiveness, forbearance, correction and acceptance, yet, that do not require damnation, punishment, or withholding love. As well as for adults, GOD has set standards for minor children also, and all are to be held accountable. Parents and caretakers are to encourage and guide the young understanding that children learn and internalize life lessons by answering challenge, copying, demonstration, discovery, imitation, play, having to make their own choices, repetition, risk-taking, trial and error, and “hands-on walk through.” See Proverbs 20: 11, Deuteronomy 21: 18-21, Ecclesiastes 11: 9, Psalms 25: 6-9 and 1st Corinthians 13: 1-13, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5: 1-11, KJV)
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. I trust this fragment will be useful. Even so, be it unto you according to your faith. Jesus is coming soon. Grow in grace.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Blasphemy, slander, wordplay and spiritual confusion come into view; and there is more on law, murder and sin, today. A “Yahoo! Answers” Top Contributor using the ID “Devoted to Truth” (Level 3 with 2,028 points, a member since October 7, 2012) posted the following:
The Bible says “God is not a man” & Jesus called himself the “Son of Man”…?
So which man did Jesus mean? Yep, I just proved Jesus isn’t the son of God, you can thank me later Christians.
THE BATTLE AXE: Why So Much Murder? (01/12/2013)—The enormity of divine forgiveness, love, mercy, righteousness, and understanding of the anguish felt by all created only become clear for mankind when viewed against the dark and ugly backdrop of human deeds, death, and punitive judgment. The beauty and blessing of sacred law is “invisible” and understated without there also being graphic display of human error. The law does not “predict the future,” however, by stating the consequences for violations, the law gives a sense of what is likely and probable. The awareness that must be established within mankind must go beyond the aspects of flesh: appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual arousal), sensation (e.g., hearing, seeing, touching), and mental functions (e.g., desire, imagination, recall). Many never realize they have made a mistake until after they have taken action, and they have to be told. Because their error was committed without forethought or malice, we say “it was by accident;” and their knowledge of truth must come by correction or reflection. In pride, once told they have erred, many refuse to acknowledge they are wrong! (Knowing it would be a mistake, action should not be taken; the mistake should not exist, and should never be made.) Had those offending known in advance the outcome of their choice, they could have avoided unpleasantness. Cautions and warnings ignored, or not taken seriously always result in damage, injury, loss and pain. Murder usually may be classed as iniquity (i.e., imbalance in covenant; deliberate and premeditated pursuit on a path of error and sin). Murder derives from aspects of animal nature such as fear, self-centeredness, self-promotion, and self-will, and may never be described as obedience to sacred law, or a correct expression of the divine will. An executioner is a legitimate officer of the court; and carries out the sentence of judgment in accordance with lawful processes grounded in truth. The assassin may be an agent of a state, operating in accordance with priorities for its national security. Similarly, a warlord or leader of battles (some say king), operates under the “will of the people, ” and this allows for no personal or private agendas to kill. The holy writings document the absolute need for judgment among created beings and living creatures; and the absolute need for judgment makes it that there is an absolute need for a righteous judge. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is taken as an assurance that he has been appointed as the most qualified to preside over all judgment (Acts 17: 30-31, KJV).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16: 21-27, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Firstborn, Higher than Kings? (12/18/2012); The Ascension of Christ? (12/19/2012); The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012); Remembering the Holocaust? (12/14/2012); Son of Man (11/28/2012); Given the Cloud of Witnesses (11/29/2012); How Was GOD Known Before Jesus? (10/06/2012); Jesus, King of Earth? (10/07/2012); Binder 6: The Plan Of This Work (10/03/2011); Q and A? (10/09/2010)
Most educated Christian believers now understand the divinity and humanity of Jesus without spiritual confusion, because the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD bestows ability to receive the language of the Scriptures in accordance with divine purpose. The phrase you have taken out of context, butchered and sought to use for mockery, “God is not a man,” speaks to divine substance and integrity that cannot be known among created beings and living creatures except through the operation of GOD.
Your error regarding the Incarnation—the ability of GOD to appear in human flesh (or any other form)—fails to embrace the simple ideas shared among children in the true church: the sovereign being and substance of GOD is spirit, and we must worship him in spirit and in truth. GOD is known (recognized) as active and present through aspects of sacred content and sanctified process. Included are authority, faith, holiness, humility, judgment, life, love, redemption, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the phrase you chose to portray as false declares that GOD is NOT a liar. Your blasphemy saddens mature believers, for they see you in a terrible predicament, that is likely to become worse. You and all you love are in jeopardy. You may have to give greater thought to what you are saying, and reexamine your need for repentance that comes only by the operation of GOD in us.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
