Today, government, politics, and the kingdom of GOD are topics. Benefits within the kingdom of GOD are distributed on the basis of divine prerogative, freely-given gifts, grace, need, and outcomes of lawful judgment. Government officials and politicians conform to standards that project two very different systems for response to the same people who are in covenant as a “commonwealth”. The conflicts and disagreements between the two systems center on such features as accountability, authority, balance, benignity, compassion, duty, integrity, justice, law, trust, and truth. While politicians often claim to monitor and exercise a healthy oversight of government to ensure the completion of good works, the elimination of waste, or the observance of ethical measures, without careful review and detailed scrutiny, the public instead will see only interference, meddling, and presumption. One of the fighters at “Yahoo! 7 Answers (Australia)” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:
What does Jesus think about covfefe?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. (Psalms 145: 10-12, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: First Seeking the Kingdom (03/03/2017); A Gift of Franchise? (09/06/2016); Jesus As America’s President? (05/20/2015); Faith not Politics? (12/02/2014); Ye Are Not In The Flesh (12/03/2014); A Kingdom Now and One To Come? (09/05/2014); Comfort? (09/06/2014)
“Anonymous”, within the World system, “government” may be understood as a man-made institution or organization to discharge and express “the will of the people” (we say, their commitment, desire, determination) to participate in and maintain a shared covenant (i.e., law) that establishes a permanent association for pursuing common goals that include acquiring and exchanging goods, exercising ownership and property rights as well as achieving personal goals, security, and survival. The kingdom of GOD is the divine government that exists through covenant relationship, eternal purpose, oneness without sameness, and the multiple sacred operations performed by the persons of the GODhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). The divine kingdom is made visible among the living upon the earth in accordance with sacred law that embodies the person, presence and sovereign will of divinity. Those who belong to the kingdom all receive rebirth and must mature as the offspring of GOD, who exist having endowments of Spirit from the makeup of Deity such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. As a primary service provided by government, the distribution of resources (e.g., appropriations in budgets, funding, jobs, surpluses) comes into view as the target of politics. Through appeals, competition, private means, and even illegal procedures, politics appear alongside of lawful government as an independent system to alter and modify the covenant, exercise influence, impose control, determine advantage, and manipulate “the will of the people.” Where government must acknowledge duties and obligations expressing law, priorities of need and truth, politics acknowledge otherwise marginal features such as consumerism, envy, popular culture, social media, fake news, and “covfefe”. Consider again the following from the Bible:
(1.) Romans 13: 1-4, King James Version (KJV): 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
(2.) Colossians 1: 12-18, KJV: 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 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.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) Romans 8: 3-9, KJV: 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.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Adam and Eve, arranged marriages, and the world system are topics, today. Also, there is more on being good stewards. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Anon” (Level 5 with 6,115 points, a member since March 7, 2013) posted the following:
Why don't Christians practice traditional marriage as God intended?
Traditional marriage = arranged marriage. Did God give Adam a choice between Eve and other women? No, he did not.
Additional Details
And he certainly did not require Adam to get down on one knee and ask for Eve's permission.
THE BATTLE AXE: On Being Good Stewards (12/17/2013)—(6.) Stewardship pertains to all the resources for life from GOD, and not merely to money and finances. Our abilities, intellect, skills, and talents come to us as investments from GOD, and should provide a return to GOD in such aspects as honor, glory, obedience, reverence, thanksgiving, and worship. Believers in Jesus are to provide leadership as stewards in the home, the community, and the workplace. (7.) The work of a sacred steward is the ministry of a prophet and spokesperson from GOD, for the steward is an agent and mediator specially appointed to regulate and distribute from the divine supply. Because believers receive from godly abundance, and are commanded to serve all who are needy, we are often shocked and shaken (as were the apostles of Jesus) to find that we ourselves do not have enough for all. On the one hand, we know whatever we give, or spend in our work as stewards, is to be understood as “on loan” to GOD, and the Almighty will repay. On the other hand, renewing our supply may not be done immediately, and according to any human payment schedule. Thus, in addition to giving over material goods and resources to the needy, the steward must continuously practice and provide to GOD acknowledgment, attention to detail, dutifulness, faithfulness, gratitude, humility, longsuffering, patience, praise, truthfulness, and worship. Believers are correct to challenge themselves, push themselves, and so far as possible answer every request. Yet, believers are to avoid “beating themselves up,” and “charging GOD foolishly.” Where we find ourselves with only five loaves and two fishes, and are unable to multiply and share with a multitude of thousands, our readiness to serve and act with faith is not to be reduced or weakened. The miracles of feeding five and then seven thousand began with an act of creation to establish divine order (seating everyone in groups of fifty). Just as when we began, our focus is to continue uninterrupted upon the spiritual gifts, and upon the eternal and unseen things. We must not forget that, in the process of GOD, by giving to just one, a blessing may come upon all (see 2nd Corinthians 5: 14-17 and Romans 5: 12-17, KJV). Also, see Proverbs 19: 17, James 1: 27, James 2: 15-18, Matthew 16: 9-11, Luke 6: 1-15 and 25-41, 1st John 3: 16-18, 2nd Corinthians 4: 15-18, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. (Matthew 19: 3-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Bible and Genealogy (09/10/2013); Why GOD Does Not Tell All (09/11/2013); Desire for Love? (07/05/2013); Errors of King Solomon? (06/13/2013); Salvation for Atheists (06/14/2013); The Church as a Bride? (05/15/2013); How Do I Repent? (05/16/2013); Family and Romance (10/13/2012); Why Courage? (10/14/2012)
“Anon”, here are a few points that have been useful for understanding of marriage among many Christian believers:
(1.) Marriage as a social institution is defined and structured by the “world,” and is distinct from marriage and holy matrimony that conform to divine law, and sacred presence in relationship. Mankind has created and developed the world as a system of interconnected beliefs and practices that make contact and exchange easier, permit communication, and promote survival.
(2.) GOD, who is spirit, has created and put forth mankind as well as the material sphere for human existence (i.e., the earth), while mankind, not GOD, generates and puts forth the world. Although many of the patterns, rules and standards that make up the world speak of GOD and spirit, they do so using the frameworks of time, space and finite awareness.
(3.) What the world calls the “marriage” of the male, Adam, to the female, Adam (as she was called by GOD), can not be properly understood using only the tools of the world—and the same may be said for family, incest, love, parenting and populating the earth. Thinking after the world, many fail to realize that both marriage and divorce are emblems of divine authority (what GOD has joined together, etc.). The world defines good/bad, real/unreal, right/wrong, true/false and many other aspects of its own existence centering only upon flesh (i.e., appetite such as hunger, thirst, sexual craving; sense such as hearing, tasting, touching; and mental activity such as desire, imagination, reasoning, recall).
There is far more to be said, correctly shared, and spiritually understood. ( For example, (4.) Eve—the name given by the male to the female—means “mother of all living.” While Eve gave birth to her own kind, and first accomplished human reproduction in the earth, Eve was to be a “caretaker” of all, not the one to give birth to every species and kind upon the earth. In fulfillment of divine purpose, Eve was to be a “life companion” to Adam, that would not separate Adam from GOD.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
