The
duty of believers to serve and share salvation through Jesus Christ
with unbelievers is topic, today. Christians are to operate as those
who also are part of a man-made world system for communication and
survival, yet, not become separated from divinity as an instrument or
product of the world’s influence. For there to be cleansing, healing,
or sacred events (we say, miracles), faith must be present that
acknowledges the authority and power of divinity that produces change.
Believers serve as a point of access and entry into the divine kingdom.
Thus, the followers of Jesus are to encourage spiritual change,
development, and maturity in others by such methods as acknowledgment of
the righteousness the other person may display or express (we say,
praise), providing correction, expressing hope in place of despair,
inspiring prayer and right relationship with Deity, maintaining godly
standards, demonstrating divine love, and continually applying sacred knowledge.
Forbearance, forgiveness, guidance, humility, and thanksgiving are
primary. Believers avoid combativeness, condemnation, hostility and
indifference as well as boasting, complaining, negative criticism, being
“lukewarm,” and behaving as if unfeeling. Showing courtesy,
friendliness, good manners, and respect pertain more to cultural and
social processes than to the sacred work of imparting Spirit content
from GOD. Those who stop their ears, refuse to listen, and push away
the gospel often do so because their need for a divine response is
urgent. Their resistance is intended to call forth greater efforts by
those seeking to share. Even so, ministry to such unbelievers may be
more effective through “long distance” (i.e., from ones private prayer
chamber) as intercession where the needs of the unbeliever may
be confessed, and brought before the Father upon a higher level).
Having been in similar circumstances and situations, born again
disciples of Jesus humbly ask for help on behalf of others whose
attitude and behavior make them difficult, distant, remote, and
unaware. The saved offer prayer from a child of GOD that answers as
obedience while also being intimate and personal. Consider again the
following Scriptures, and the discussion below:
Hosea 6: 6, King James Version (KJV): 6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Mark 16: 14, KJV:
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and
upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they
believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
2nd Corinthians 6: 14-18, KJV:
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what
agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of
the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore
come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch
not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
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.
The
writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Luke” (Level 6 with 10,540
points, a member since February 06, 2014) posted the following:
What does the Bible say about how to treat unbelievers?
Update: Please provide some quotes from Bible verses.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are
of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath
given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 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. 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. 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. (2nd Corinthians 5: 17-21, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: Respect to Our Religious Beliefs? (04/21/2015); Some
People Are Just Bad? (08/24/2014); Sermons About Good Sex? (08/25/2014);
Focus of Believers? (06/17/2014); Discernment (06/18/2014); If You Are
Sent…? (06/08/2013); Those Who Never Heard? (06/07/2013); Foolish For
Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature?
(03/23/2013)
“Luke”, the
followers of Jesus are cautioned to respond to the different forms of
unbelief that may appear among those within the church as well as among
those who are not members of the community of faith. On the one hand,
believers are to show mercy and share the very benefits they themselves
have received from GOD. On the other hand, believers must discern
(recognize) when the operations of sin will not permit the works of
divine ministry. Believers are counseled to be “wise as serpents,
gentle as doves.” Consider the following Bible verses:
(1.) Matthew 5:
43-45, King James Version (KJV): 43 Ye have heard that it hath been
said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 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; 45 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.
(2.) 2nd Timothy
3: 1-5, KJV: 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times
shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors,
heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such
turn away.
(3.) 2nd Timothy
2: 22-26, KJV: 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness,
faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure
heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they
do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but
be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give
them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
There are many
other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood,
and made a part of ones spiritual arsenal. (For example, (4.) Matthew
7: 6, KJV: 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye
your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and
turn again and rend you.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.
Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Human effort and the divine process for salvation are in view, today. Also, there is more on our recurring errors and the signs of His coming. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “fred” (Level 2 with 907 points, a member since December 06, 2013) posted the following originally asked on Yahoo Answers UK & Ireland:
Why doesn't God try harder to win over non-believers?
1. Christians are already on board, so no need to spend too much energy on them.
2. Non-believers (of the Christian God) represent at least 2/3rds of the world's population: that's 4.4 billion people; 2/3rd of God's creation going straight to hell for not believing in Jesus? The figure is probably more as not all Christians believe Jesus is God.
3. And as God has the ability to become flesh - why not demonstrate that ability to all in one straight swoop, today? Everyone's a winner, even God, as he achieves more saved souls in heaven and less going to hell.
4. Non of that actually happens, because God doesn't actually exist, perhaps? Despite this, apologists offer fabricated excuse after fabricated excuse, of why he fails to do things, time after time after time.
Additional Details
@HELTER SKELTER..."God has chosen his people before creation"
God had chosen his people before the fall of Adam?
@Serene E..."9 out of 10 people in the world believe in God, dude. GET OVER IT."
So, as long as I believe in Zeus, I'll get to heaven, right?
THE BATTLE AXE: Cleansing the Temple, and the Body (03/15/2014)—Among other recurring errors are the following: (13.) Believers are not supposed to know when Christ will come. That his Advent will come as a “thief in the night” is all we need to know; and we are not to seriously consider or examine the prophecies and signs that are already recorded in the Scriptures. (14.) Christian believers are not to trust the Bible. The Scriptures only apply to the ancient days, to Israel, to the Jewish people, and to the Promised Land in the Middle East; and should not be applied to modern-day disciples of Christ all around the globe. (15.) The Bible can not be understood by anyone who is not a clergyman, or a priest. (16.) The end of the world, and what will happen to people for being good or bad was decided before they were born. Mankind has no choice (called determinism and fatalism) about going to heaven or hell. (17.) There are no people alive today who have received the imparted, indwelling Spirit that was in Jesus Christ. Therefore, there are no prophets, or sons and daughters of GOD. (18.) Ability to discern and recognize spirit matter in events, objects, or persons is acquired through operations of intellect, logic, reason, science and technology. Since unbelievers do not have spiritual discernment, discernment must not exist. Since they have no part in the kingdom of GOD, the kingdom must not exist. Since unbelievers have what they chose for themselves, and others may not bestow the inheritance of the people of GOD (who are joint heirs with Christ upon nonbelievers also), the inheritance as priest and kings must not exist. (19.) There are many human conditions and situations where the Spirit of GOD may not operate having authority and power. (20.) There are promises spoken by GOD that he has forgotten, and will not complete and fulfill. (21.) We should never trust in any person we cannot see and touch (except when on our Smartphone?).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29: 11-13, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Forgiveness Through GOD? (02/02/2014); Obliged to Disregard? (02/03/2014); Covenants and Relationships (01/29/2014); Salvation is Conditional? (01/30/2014); Lower-case or Capital? (01/31/2014); What Salvation Is (01/25/2014); Bible Justice? (01/26/2014); Life Choices (12/14/2013); That Mortal Children Die? (12/15/2013); So We Could Have Life? (12/09/2013); (12/09/2013) (12/10/2013); Reveal Himself To All? (12/03/2013); Is Science the Right Tool? (12/04/2013)
“fred”, the process of GOD for the salvation of created beings and living creatures is complete and perfect in Jesus Christ such that, GOD need not “try harder” to reach carnal beings (persons having flesh and blood) like me and you, we have to try harder to reach GOD. (Thus, for example, where you have wisdom, you will recognize the process of GOD in how your question is being answered with divine love, longsuffering, patience, and respect.) Trust that the following additional points have power from GOD to further clarify his will and his way:
(1.) As an aspect of divine makeup, truth is inseparable from the full assembly of divine substances. So to speak, where you find one, you find them all. Thus, with faith, there is always other divine content such as holiness, joy, righteousness, and wrath against sin; and this pattern is fixed, immutable, and unchanging.
(2.) Divine truth does not change. However, as finite beings, our abilities are to intended to change in cycles, phases, and stages. We are to discover, learn, and grow. Our ability to correctly apply, comprehend, and share the things from GOD are also to change in accordance with laws for both material and spirit matter.
(3.) You and I must accept that finite beings would be easily “in over their heads,” overwhelmed, and stupefied by the full cosmic appearance of eternal divinity. We must first be prepared for a transformation that establishes immortality and incorruption. Thus, the appearance of GOD incarnate (i.e., in flesh, and material form) comes forth as more than genius, or a stratagem from intellect. It is the acknowledgment and valuation that we are “in the image of GOD.”
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example (4.) What men learn as disbelief and skepticism locks them into the surface aspects of their existence. The aspects of GOD that we speak of as “spirit” are already contained and internalized. However, in the same way human conscience, intellect, logic, philosophy, reason, science, and self-will are not enough to eliminate sin, these alone do not accomplish the eternal goals of divinity. Men and angels must yield to the operations of GOD.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (Colossians 3: 12-13, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
The basis for deliverance, judgment, and salvation along with what happens to those who lack knowledge about GOD and Christ are topics, today. Also, there is more on judgment as an aspect of divine revelation. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Lost Thyme” (Level 5 with 6,365 points, a member since April 11, 2010) posted the following:
What if you live in a place where you’ve never heard of God / Jesus? Will you go to hell?
THE BATTLE AXE: Teachings on Judgment (06/06/2013)— (6) In divine judgment, the inner spirit of created beings and living creatures are identified as depicted through life records that detail their behavior and conduct (we say, “deeds” and “works”). So to speak, all are rated and ranked according to aspects of conformity and likeness to the spiritual image of Christ; and focus is more upon what you are than what you do. Simply that one attends church, makes donations to charities, or spends hours in prayer is not sufficient for eternal life. Behavioral dimensions are examined such as authority, consistency, creativity, diligence, dutifulness, faithfulness, honesty, kindness, obedience, selflessness, sincerity, strength, and sweetness. However, those selected to have permanent existence within the sphere of divine person must also display an acceptable measure of inseparable divine substance. Thus, in addition to faith, holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, righteousness, truth and wrath against sin, one of the most important features will be “charity” (also called “love”). See Matthew 7: 21-23, KJV. (7) Like Creation, Judgment is accepted by believers as a defining aspect of what makes GOD a unique Divine Person. Peace and restoration of order are the products of Judgment, not wars of conquest and expansion. Judgment is always a benefit and blessing to Creation, for Judgment is the resolution of conflict, and the settlement of disputes through law. Because law enforcement and rule through law may impose harsh penalties and severe punishment upon those who persist as rebels, many complain against Judgment and defy the law as being arbitrary, cruel, enslaving, excessive, unrighteous, and violent. With law (the expressed will of GOD), Creation and Judgment will continue long after the destruction of those who oppose the existence of GODhead, and who promote continuing sin as freedom and personal liberty. See Psalm 37: 1-40, Romans 8: 1-10, 1st Corinthians 13: 1-14, Galatians 5: 13-25, and Nahum 1: 7-9, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place. (Genesis 18: 20-33, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A GOD of Love? (05/07/2013); Commanding the Storm? (05/08/2013); Repentance Must Come Before Resurrection (04/27/2013); Destroyed in Noah’s Flood (04/28/2013); Acknowledging Divinity? (03/30/2013); A Spirit Church? (04/04/2013); My Brother’s Keeper (04/05/2013); Understanding Hell (01/09/2013); The Golden Age? (01/10/2013); All Know Gospel? (03/20/2011); Not Accepted? (01/03/2011); Doing Nothing? (01/04/2011)
Dear Lost Thyme, here are some points of consideration often missed even by those who have embraced Christian belief for decades:
(1) Deliverance, judgment, and salvation by GOD through Jesus Christ are sacred events that appear as divine self-expression (we say, grace), and are not caused by a person’s beliefs, their knowledge of doctrine, scriptures, and teachings, their intelligence, their opinions, or any aspect of their mental functioning , including their imagination, logic, memory, and reason. Even so, those elements are vital for participation in families, sacred assemblies, congregations to serve the Lord, and worship communities. Harmony is fostered and further made possible only by collective experience, shared information, and common practice.
(2) In the judgment of GOD, behavior and conduct are examined and focused upon only as material indicators for the absence or presence of spirit content from the make-up of GOD, who is a spirit. While a person’s spirit content may be amplified or nourished by reading the Bible and completing religious studies, divine spirit cannot be acquired by any secular learning process. The Holy Spirit must be imparted (sent forth from GOD); and may only be acquired through baptism (we may say, death of ones sinful nature, followed by rebirth from divine DNA). More than simply a ceremony or ritual practiced only among believers within groups known as “churches,” baptism must be understood as a spiritual operation of GOD that may go out to all, everywhere, no matter what their belief system, economic status, language, or national origin.
(3) As those who acknowledge Jesus as the Son of GOD, Christian believers enter into a covenant agreement that establishes an intimate and personal relationship with GOD; and believers do not continue to exist as abstract objects manufactured by a remote Creator. Confidence, personal integrity, self-will, and volition (we say, choice) are aspects of continuing in right relationship. However, because GOD is immortal, immutable, incorruptible, and unchanging, all believers are challenged to embrace godly disciplines, non-negotiable laws, limits, sacred duties, spiritual operations, and eternal purposes.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4) At their Creation, all created beings and living creatures were endowed with spirit matter that was emanated and put forth from the person of GOD. Through sin (we say, corruption and error) the will of the living is defiled and weakened. GOD is not subject to sin, and sin is no material or spirit thing created by GOD. Yet, sin has dominated self-will in created beings and living creatures. Now, through Jesus Christ, added measures of divinity may be received that further enable mankind to detect, avoid and resist sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
