Christ Jesus came so we could have life, why?
THE BATTLE AXE: GOD Angry With Us? (12/08/2013)—Mortals everywhere should account it good news that the love of GOD was not broken off or extinguished when Jesus appeared upon the cross in all the filthiness and vileness of human sin from the time of Adam’s transgression as well as the future sins that would be committed by other people like you and me. Jesus was forced by his suffering to cry out, Why hast thou forsaken me! Even so, the Son of the Highest was not destroyed for all eternity by the unquenchable fire of the Father’s contempt, scorn and wrath against sin. In a supreme demonstration of divine love to all created beings and living creatures, Jesus endured death as any mortal man, and was buried. Far from despised by GOD or men, the Savior was then embraced as one forgiven, and restored to those prepared to receive a man from the dead. These served as witnesses to the glory and love of the Father who raised him from the dead, to the beauty and wonder of his ascension, and to the outpouring of gifts from the Holy Spirit. (See Acts 1: 1-14, 1st Corinthians 15: 1-8 and Ephesians 2: 1-8, KJV.) Believers are to understand that the things of Christ dying upon the cross pertain to making known the reality that GOD is pure divinity, and contains and emanates consciousness, life, and person. Divine love, that otherwise would be totally unknown and unseen in the earth as a material and social realm, is revealed through sacred operations that include acceptance of condemnation and death by one who is guiltless; petitions for and proclamations of forgiveness on behalf of the guilty; provisions for atonement, rebirth, resurrection, and sanctification of the guilty; and the transformation of death into a tool for the recovery of mankind from sin. As shown in the account of Abraham and Isaac at Mount Moriah, there are depictions of surpassing love in the Son as well as in the Father: uninterrupted affection, covenant, faith, obedience, purpose, respect, and trust. For GOD there is no being “tired out,” worn out, or quitting in frustration because finite created beings and living creatures are unable to fulfill their own needs for salvation, or to overcome sin and weakness without divine assistance. (See Genesis 22: 1-19, Romans 5: 6-11, John 14: 6, 1st John 4: 7-15 and Revelation 1: 4-6, KJV.)
THE GOLDEN ARROW: When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6: 24-40, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Illusion? (04/25/2013); Not of Legal Age? (04/26/2013)
Relying upon carnal, material and social tools, the Gospel of divine love and salvation in Jesus Christ is always very challenging and difficult to fully understand. Here are a few points you and your readers may consider, and find helpful:
(1.) Where human consciousness would center entirely upon ones own features (e.g., appetite, imagination, intellect, sense experience, thoughts), ones own body parts, and ones own internal process (we say, introspection), mankind would be cut-off from, isolated, and vulnerable to his living context and environment. Failing to rightly “see”, man would be repeatedly surprised and suddenly overwhelmed by other living creatures and forces that are also aspects of full existence.
(2.) Were human life to center entirely upon interaction with its material context and physical environment (that includes other living species), the biosphere would dominate awareness along with all development and experience through such factors as climate; availability of food, light, shelter and water; and by the presence of destroyers, parasites, predators, vermin, and wasters.
(3.) Because mankind is capable of operating without awareness of its full capacity and denying the spirit dimensions for human existence, the quality of life for mankind has continued to lessen and weaken since Creation. For there to be more than animal existence that centers in conflict, indulgence, self, and mechanical processes of body and mind, mankind must accept the embrace of GOD, our Creator.
There is far more to be said, reasonably shared, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) The process and relationship of GOD with all created beings and living creatures is to be understood as love, for the operations and presence of GOD generates benefit, comfort, correction, guidance, healing, meaningful purpose, and support of life. The nonliving, nonmaterial, persistent influence of sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, of eternal person, and all Creation. Sin is self-destructive, yet, may dominate awareness and self-will; and is the greatest threat to continued being for mankind. Through the ministry of Jesus Christ, mankind is released and shielded from sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith. Jesus will return.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
