(02/11/2016) A Self-Less Creation?

Today, points are shared on describing Christian believers as a “new creation” that is “self-less”.  Every believer must undergo profound changes within their individual makeup and substance as well as their sacred knowledge, practice, service and worship.  Those chosen and elect through operations of divinity all are dependent, and must be drawn into spiritual relationship to acquire aspects of Deity they otherwise could never experience.  Included are contentment, righteous desires, feelings, fellowship, intent, inner peace, piety, and understanding.  Consider again the following from Scripture, and the presentation below:

2nd Corinthians 5:  17, King James Version (KJV):  17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Philippians 3:  8-14, KJV:  8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:  for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:  but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:  but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Acts 4:  32-35, KJV:  32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:  neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.  33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus:  and great grace was upon them all.  34 Neither was there any among them that lacked:  for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,  35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet:  and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 

The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “X” (Level 3 with 1,057 points, a member since February 21, 2013) posted the following:

Christians: would you say aiming for salvation and eternal life is selfish, even though it involves serving and helping others?

since the final goal is for oneself i mean

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:  of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance:  against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  (Galatians 5:  19-25, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Not Through Human Will? (01/29/2016); Offspring of GOD? (12/23/2015); Put On Charity? (11/16/2015); Few Are Chosen (07/06/2015); The Gift of Meekness (11/25/2014); Concerning Meekness (11/26/2014); How To Love GOD? (03/24/2013); A Second Adam? (03/25/2013)

“X”, mature Christians are free to say, Christ liveth in me, and account themselves as “selfless”.  This is because, among the many points difficult for some to understand are those that describe Christian believers as a “new creation” before GOD by their continual application of attitudes, behavior and conduct that are from the person of Jesus Christ through his imparted Spirit.  Family, friends, and co-workers more likely will attribute what they see to the believer’s own changing and developing character, and personality; yet, these are the indications that Deity is active and present.  Following the sacred operations of baptism (i.e., death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak) the disciple and follower of Christ more consistently desires and hungers for the things that come forth from GOD.  As those “born again”, believers gradually “grow up” to mature again acknowledging and embracing things preordained for created beings and living creatures; and enduring the same challenges and “growing pains” as all others upon the earth.  Their appetite, curiosity, emotions, self-will, and thoughts become increasingly focused upon the spirit content and origin for such features as events, lessons, relationships, and other persons.  All they say and do come under the influence of endowments from divinity that include awe, covenant, duty, law, divine process, sacred privilege, and eternal purpose.  Consider how this is stated in the language of the Bible:

(1.)  Galatians 2:  20, King James Version (KJV):  20 I am crucified with Christ:  nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

(2.)  Romans 8:  9, KJV:  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.

(3.)  Philippians 2:  5-8, KJV:  5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a part of ones spiritual treasure.  (For example, (4.) Isaiah 58:  13-14, KJV:  13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:  14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father:  for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX Washington, DC

(05/04/2015) Correct in Only Your Mind?

Today, points are shared on self-awareness, self-justification, and obtaining right knowledge of divinity.  The issue that ones personal integrity and legitimacy are challenged by divine law and sacred process first came into view within heaven, and was voiced among the holy angels.  We see it repeated upon the earth to this day.  For many, separation from Deity by the endowment of independent self-will has resulted in defiance, presumption, and rebellion.  Change and new demands for order and structure to allow communion with GOD are now in place, and appear through fixed and unchanging divine operations such as confession, correction, judgment, obedience, and punishment.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Avi” (Level 2 with 540 points, a member since October 12, 2013) posted the following:


How can I be sent to suffer in Hell if in my mind, I am correct?

Just woken up and needed an answer to this so excuse any flawed logic behind this.

Question for anyone who believes in a heaven/hell after death.

As we grow up, we apply certain values to things we come across, i.e some religious believers may value their holy scriptures and some atheists/agnostics may value empirical evidence. These "values" would be really, really difficult to manipulate as a person gets older or as a person begins to rely on them.

For this reason, why is it, that I can/would be sent to suffer (agnostic-atheist) for not believing/practicing a God/His religion when in my mind, I believe I've every right to be correct?

I feel like it'd be explained somewhere in the Bible or the Qu'ran, or perhaps somewhere else, but I've been really wondering how it can be justified.

o and good afternoon


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:  And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them:  wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?  And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:  And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him:  even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.  This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;  And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow:  and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy:  ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.  And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:  Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?  And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee:  and seek ye the priesthood also?  (Numbers 16:  2-10, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Sin of Pride? (08/13/2014); Judged For Acts and Thoughts? (08/14/2014); Humility Needed for Salvation? (08/15/2014); Those Who Have Never Heard? (06/07/2013); If You Are Sent…? (06/08/2013); Why Would GOD Worry About Us? (04/16/2013); How To Accept Bible Truth? (04/17/2013); How To Love GOD? (03/24/2013); A Second Adam? (03/25/2013)


“Avi”, those who truly come to Christ (and are not “deceiving themselves” and lying to others) are attracted and drawn by love and operations of a divine spirit, not driven and pushed by intellect, logic, or a mind filled with anxiety.  Here are a few points to consider that have been helpful to many Christian believers, who understand it is ones spirit that must be correct:

(1.)  In the same way a person’s parents do not have to justify the fact they existed before their children, and do not need their child’s permission to exercise authority within their shared home, created beings and living creatures exist within various spheres of life (e.g., earth, heaven, the sea, the universe) and are subject to boundaries, forms and process that identify the active presence of divinity.

(2.)  GOD is a spirit who has made divinity known and visible through specific exchanges, interactions, and sacred operations.  Included are atonement, baptism, birth, covenant, Creation, death, divine law, forgiveness, judgment, love, rebirth, resurrection, sacrifice, salvation, sanctification, and suffering.

(3.)  Conditions for the eternal existence of fullness for Deity (we say, the GODhead) generates non-negotiable conditions for life experience upon the earth.  In addition to survival by acknowledging material, physical and social challenges, the living must become perfected (we say, grow, learn, mature) engaging divinity through such features as accountability, balance, commitment, expectation (we say, hope), obedience, respect, and stability.

(4.)  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Law Giver, and all divine order established and upheld through law.  Awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures may become dominated by sin.  Sin fosters chaos, the dissolution of Creation, and non-existence as do arrogance, lack of sacred knowledge (we say, ignorance), irreverence, exaggerated pride, self-justification, self-promotion, and wickedness.

(5.)  Were we to exist alone, the only standard for what is correct could well be our own thinking.  However, life experience shows that our inner thoughts are often in conflict with the desires, goals, intent, and purposes others seek to express.  The gang of three (me, myself and I) with its finite and limited resources is error prone.  The removal of discord and resolution of disputes require various processes for communication, development of consensus, and maintenance of continuous agreement.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (6.)  No one begins life with a complete and full knowledge of divinity.  Those who know GOD through intimate, organic, and personal life experiences can not hold that GOD is an abstraction, a logical construct, or an object for scientific study.  Beginning with ones inborn spirit content that exists as aspects of truth, so to speak, each person must come to know GOD for himself by accepting what divinity freely gives, and voluntarily reveals.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/16/2013) Why Would GOD Worry About Us?

      Divine concern for human nature, and the worship of false gods and idols are topics along with more on the reproduction of spirit in the earth, and the offspring of Jesus. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Terry” (Level 1 with 245 points, a member since April 2, 2013) posted the following:


Why would god wory about us worshiping other gods?


THE BATTLE AXE: The Obedience of Jesus? (04/15/2013)—The example given by Jesus to his disciples whereby the kingdom of GOD is replenished and continuously populated concentrates upon spiritual births, rather than reproduction of the flesh. Seed for eternal lives is to be sown; and relationships appear that center upon fellowship with GOD (Romans 8: 8-11, KJV). Those addressed by Jesus as “my little children” were usually adults, who despite having participated in the practices and traditions at the Temple in Jerusalem for many years, were nonetheless beginners and new learners seeking greater experience and knowledge in the things from GOD. Many had been “reborn” in the baptism of John; while others had come into new life baptized by the disciples of Jesus. (See Matthew 18: 3, John 13: 33, Galatians 4: 19-20, 1st John 2: 1-3, and 1st John 3: 18-19 and 1st John 4: 1-6, KJV.) The concept that sons, daughters and family are bestowed by GOD through covenant and by the bond of spirit appears for many of the Old Testament prophets, particularly Moses, Elisha and Daniel. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul stands out declaring his love for many as his offspring through the Gospel. Included are Onesimus, Timothy and Titus. (See Isaiah 56: 1-7, Daniel 1: 1-21, Matthew 19: 11-15, 1st Corinthians 4: 14-15, Titus 1: 4 and 2nd Timothy 1: 1-2, KJV.)


THE GOLDEN ARROW: Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day. Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance: But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land. Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee. For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. (Deuteronomy 4: 15-24, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Godly Take on Guns (01/18/2013); No Contradictions? (01/15/2013); The Faith of Ones Parents? (11/18/2012); What is Reality (a.k.a., Truth)? (09/29/2012); Divine Self-Sacrifice? (09/30/2012); The Spirit by Measure (09/22/2012); A Man in Heaven? (09/23/2012); A House of gods? (08/31/2012); Heaven for Muhammad? (09/01/2012); Idols of Flesh (03/12/2012); The Work of Jesus (03/13/2012)


      Terry, the things of divine intent and operation usually do not become clear for most Christian believers until after they have shown respect to GOD in prayer, and “agreed” to allow their thoughts to be led, linked and reconfigured. Here are some points that should be helpful, particularly following prayer:

(1.) GOD’s concern for created beings and living creatures can only be understood where one has an in depth and mature realization of the existing patterns that describe the nature, possibilities and shortcomings of the living. Thus, for example, humans can not possibly become angels, just as cats do not become dogs; and the divine tool of death does not create new beings of any kind. By nature mankind affirms and endorses Self above all that is, and thereby fails to apprehend the truths regarding divinity.

(2.) GOD is a spirit and must be known through spirit content, and divine operations performed by GOD. Aspects of finite being exist that invite and support “forgetting GOD” (i.e., shut down of awareness; termination of communion and contact with GOD). The aspects of animation and movement important as life also generate frequent shifts in attention, concentration and focus within human beings. There are recurring events within the permanent aspects of flesh (i.e., appetite such as hunger, thirst, sexual craving; sense such as hearing, seeing, tasting; and mental functions such as desire, forgetting, imagination, memory) that dominate behavior, conduct and thought; and that also generate flawed beliefs about and unacceptable practices to acknowledge the true person of GOD. 
 
(3.) In addition to becoming incorrectly subject to features within their own person, created beings and living creatures may become subject to sin. Sin is no “thing” that exists; and is not created by GOD. Sin is without dimension and sacred substance; yet, sin does have direction, effect, and presence. Sin may dominate self-will in created beings and living creatures; however, sin cannot influence divine will. Sin cannot be detected and resisted without such tools as those provided by GOD including divine law, the holy writings, and the imparted, indwelling Spirit. Only GOD can accomplish the total elimination of sin. Many ongoing sacred operations are involved. For example, there must be death, judgment, rebirth, resurrection, and the second death.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) False gods and idols generate warped notions of ones own inner power, and a believer’s true control upon objects and things made. Given that unseen elements are active (including demons and devils), the damage and influence generated by a single sinner continues to increase even long after the particular offender has been destroyed and removed. Thus, the sins of the fathers challenge their offspring for as much as four generations, 160 years.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/24/2013) How To Love GOD?

Developing spiritual love, and more on the value of law and science are topics, today. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Wimean” (Level 2 with 798 points, a member since January 18, 2013) posted the following:

How can I love god..?

THE BATTLE AXE: Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013)—The value of natural laws and science are called into question by many Christian believers, because those who lack faith mistakenly attribute greater authority to these products of mankind than to GOD, our Creator. As a result, natural law and science may be seen as idols, and man-made devices that promote defiance, ignorance, irreverence, false worship and unbelief. As was found with the covenant of Moses, where knowledge (science) or law is taken to be the ultimate good and an end in itself, these tools are not rightly applied as a means to higher purpose and correct sacred relationship. Conflicts, limitations and shortcomings of the law may become an obstacle to full realization of truth. The righteousness intended by the law may be lost through a focus upon its letter, rather than its spirit. The covenant of Moses was not “bad” or wrong, yet, a better covenant had to be supplied (see Hebrews 8: 1-13 and Hebrews 12: 18-29, KJV). Similarly, natural law and science are not “bad” or wrong within their limited sphere of application; and a better system of experience and knowing are demanded to explain the origins of life and the fullness of such sacred process as death, rebirth, resurrection, sanctification, and eternal life.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (1st John 4: 12-21, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: My Sheep Hear My Voice (03/08/2013); Wanting To Have Our Way (03/09/2013); Our Need for a Son (03/04/2013); The Love of GOD (03/03/2013); Love in Christ (10/23/2012); Escape from Racism (10/24/2012); Wrong To Love? (08/17/2012); The Young Less Religious? (08/18/2012); Unconditional Love (03/28/2012); On Properly Setting Our Sights (03/29/2012)

Wimean, here are some thoughts you and your readers may find helpful:

Where men and women (boys and girls) fail to develop their human potential to embrace others as a dimension of the Self, they continue to exist and operate only through their animal nature. Combativeness, defensiveness, self-awareness and self-promotion dominate human consciousness through the peculiar mechanisms of the flesh. Included are appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, craving for sexual climax), sense experience (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching) and mental functions (e.g., fantasy, fear, imagination, recall, projection). Along with other temporal elements that frequently and quickly come and go (such as affection, anger and other emotions, lust and passion), the flesh breaks-off awareness of divinity that is generated from within ones inner spirit provided through Creation.

Love for GOD, who is a spirit, can only be accomplished as an operation of the spirit from GOD that has been deposited into created beings and living creatures. Love is never merely a product of the body and the mind. (Even what we call “making love” is not just a physical or mental act; at the same time, there are emotional, psychological and spiritual events taking place.) Because love is an expression of the whole person, the commitment of body and mind are also important to any full and sincere expression of love.

Showing love for GOD may be thought of as beginning when a person expands their spiritual awareness, and prepares for direct encounter with GOD by first learning about GOD through accounts and experiences of others. Here, the Bible is invaluable along with the personal testimonies of living believers in the church. Obedience and persistence in practicing and performing those things that are recorded as commanded by, and pleasing to GOD, are recognized by most believers as expressions of love toward GOD. Included here are charitable giving, praise, prayer, prophesying, truth-speaking, and unselfish service.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, when love is properly understood as the goal of benefiting another without seeking payment or reward for oneself, obedience is clearly seen as one of the highest aspects of love, for to obey is to put aside ones own will to carry out the will of another. Similarly, sacrifice, sharing and suffering pertain to love; and in Jesus Christ we see the multiple demonstrations of perfected love.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC