(03/06/2019) Known By Spiritual Fruit

Today, reply is on how to correctly discern, recognize, and respond to sinners who become developing Christian believers. Within the Scriptures, a Christian “bearing fruit,” refers to their lives displaying sacred consequences, effects, outcomes, and products. In the final judgment of GOD, distinctions will be made on the basis of such features as the sacred fruit a believer has produced; their cooperation to accomplish eternal purpose; and their full display of inseparable divine substance. In addition to acts of kindness, godly doctrine, prophetic demonstration, obedience and observance of divine law, and continual practice of sacraments, believers will be acknowledged and discerned by having served as vessels for imparted Spirit. It is written: Galatians 5: 19-23, King James Version (KJV): 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 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. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Princess” (Level 3 with 1,487 points, a member since November 06, 2018) posted the following:

Christians often quote "By their fruit you shall know them" but also state "Everyone is a sinner". If everyone is a sinner, and we know them?

...by their fruits, are there NO Christians?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: 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: 8-11, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Recognizing Holy and Unholy (01/31/2019); Divine Fruit From Suffering? (12/19/2018); Known By His Fruit (11/04/2018); I Am The Vine (03/20/2018); Ye Are The Branches (03/21/2018); Achieving Feats of Righteousness? (05/05/2017); A Rebellious Fig Tree? (12/21/2016); Fruits From a Barren Tree? (12/07/2013); The Barren Tree? (12/06/2013)

“Princess”, as those who are Christ-like, Christians are to display the image of GOD through behavior and conduct that are godly, that addresses eternal purpose, and that acknowledges the sovereign will of GOD. To exist as a Christian believer is to live in a condition of continuous change, discovery, gradual spiritual growth, and transition. Sinners who return to divinity by accepting accountability for their attitudes, behavior and conduct, and who seek to build or renew a personal relationship with divinity, are given a fresh endowment of life essence (we say, divine DNA; breath; spirit; word) from the makeup of GOD. Through operations of the Holy Spirit, a sinner’s inborn spirit must die and be buried. They must be “born-again” and “grow up” again to become mature/ripe for harvest by the Lord at this his appearing (we also say, the Advent; the Rapture; the Second Coming).

The character, makeup, and nature of invisible, unseen divinity (we also say, divine fullness; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) must be recognized and responded to as active presence. The full range of spirit qualities and values that exist as divinity are inseparable, and where one appears, all are present. Included are faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Developing believers increasingly will practice discernment where ones own spirit content is used as a standard to identify the spirit content within events, messages, practices, other persons, the holy writings, etc.

Guidance, instruction, and warnings are shared among Christians that are to further their learning and growth. Their perfection and transformation will be complete as they are lifted to meet Jesus Christ in the air. While yet alive and on the earth, Christians are to remain alert, prayerful and vigilant, for they will encounter many deceivers, false prophets, and disguised inducements to sin and error. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. 1^st John 1: 5-10, King James Version (KJV): 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2. 1^st John 2: 1-6, KJV: 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 3. Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 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

(07/06/2017) Called To Serve Unselfishly

Today, focus is on why life expressing Christian belief is described as ministry, unselfish service, and suffering.  Christians should be thought of as “sinners in transition,” and not as those who are already flawless and perfect.  Believers are to develop obedience, sacred knowledge, and full understanding by meeting life challenges and engaging in sacred experiences while on the earth.  They then emerge as a new creation through divine operations of faith, expectation (we say, hope), promise, and prophecy.  More important than individual achievement, self-promotion, and the things from our material world, are the shared and vicarious experiences of oneness without sameness, and of the spirit content from GOD deposited within the body of believers.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “….” (Level 6 with 17,824 points, a member since December 28, 2007) posted the following:


Why do Christians have all the answers for everyone else but none for themselves when trouble comes?

They suffer as much as anyone else and die like anyone else. If God does nothing for us in this life while we have faith in Him to do so how can we know in the next life if he will or not like in this life?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  For we are saved by hope:  but hope that is seen is not hope:  for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  (Romans 8:  22-25, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Transformation Not Obedience Alone (07/02/2017); Christianity Is Not Mindless (05/02/2017); Proclaiming A New Kingdom? (04/13/2017); The Gift of Humility (02/19/2017); Servants To The Body? (01/17/2017); The Transfiguration of Christ (11/14/2016); Instruments in His Ministry? (10/07/2016)


“….”, for mature Christian believers, the relationship of Creator and created now is on the basis of faith, promise, and things that are to come.  The process that appears as Christian belief is intended to manifest (make known and visible) the active presence who is GOD, and further reveals the fullness of divinity (we say, the GODhead—the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit).  The transformation of sinners to become immortal, incorruptible companions to Deity is not a sudden, one-time event; what is called “salvation” is accomplished through multiple sacred operations.  Included are atonement, death, forgiveness, judgment, priesthood, prophecy, rebirth, regeneration, resurrection, and sanctification.  Followers of Jesus Christ all must become “born again,” “grow up again” and mature as offspring of GOD who contain divine DNA, so to speak.  Inseparable aspects of the spirit makeup of GOD must be received such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, person, wisdom and wrath against sin.  While believers may now be spoken of as adopted through the Holy Spirit, sons and daughters of GOD, and joint-heirs with Christ, there has not yet been the full endowment of spirit gifts and substance crucial for eternal life.  Believers have been given an earnest or “good-faith payment” by demonstrations of the Spirit within congregations and communities of faith.  While all might not be able to display or perform in specific ways, or show themselves equally capable and mature, the gifts and enabling by GOD often may be clearly seen in the lifestyles, living routines, and service of clergy, ordinary believers, men, women, and children.  Like our Savior, all Christians are to be seen as ministers, servants and agents carrying out the will of the Father.  Consider again the following:

(1.)  2nd Peter 1:  2-4, King James Version (KJV):  2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,  3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:  that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

(2.)  Mark 10:  45, KJV:  45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

(3.)  2nd Corinthians 5:  4-10, KJV:  4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened:  not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.  5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.  6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.  9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.  10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

(4.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  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.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Romans 8:  14-17, KJV:  14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/18/2016) Benefiting From Your Childhood?

 

Today, focus is on making the transition to adult Christian belief through study of the Bible.  Agreeing with the Scripture from Solomon (Ecclesiastes 11:  9-10, King James Version (KJV):  9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes:  but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.  10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh:  for childhood and youth are vanity.), many condemn childhood as a period that does not bear spiritual fruit, and is vain (i.e., lacks spirit substance from GOD).  Rather than deny and despise the life lessons from childhood, born again believers are encouraged to receive added benefit from their own past by “seeing with new eyes.”  The foundation from childhood should include some sacred knowledge, however, more than this there also will have been charity (unselfish love), gentleness, gratitude, faith, humility, patience, resilience, respect, and trust.  Christ who presents the image of immortal, immutable, unchanging divinity has been given as the model for created beings and living creatures to be in personal relationship with the Father.  Diversity, inconsistency, and the many differences among their levels of achievement and growth make it that believers apart from Christ are not sufficient as standards for one another.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “JohnnyBravo” (Level 2 with 600 points, a member since November 17, 2010) posted the following:

 

How do I avoid letting the childhood indoctrination creep on back as I attempt to read the bible cover to cover?

I'm trying to end this chapter of my life. I need to read the bible through from beginning to end to give myself closure.

Update: I notice as I read Genesis that I'm slipping back into old Christian ways of reading the bible. I start to make excuses for why God does what he does, etc. It happens automatically.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  Every man’s work shall be made manifest:  for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss:  but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  (1st Corinthians 3:  11-15, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Choice, Duty, and Obligation? (11/17/2016); Birth, Self-will and Sin? (11/13/2016); Unguarded Chocolates? (11/07/2013); Jesus Rose? (11/08/2013); How Children Learn (11/09/2013); Issues for Children’s Church (04/06/2013); Outgrowing Childhood Prayers? (04/07/2013); Confessing Only to GOD? (04/08/2013)

 

“JohnnyBravo”, in Christ there is only one truth for both young and old, child and elder, that may be presented in multiple ways to fit their level of growth and maturity.  When Moses assembled the people at Sinai to hear GOD proclaim his law for covenant, even babes in arms and the sucking child were called.  Adult Christian believers ought not abandon their earliest lessons; they are to build upon them, and continue to grow acknowledging their foundation from GOD.  The key to having a fresh experience of the ancient truths recorded for us in the holy writings is to acquire during our own times a fresh endowment of spirit content from the makeup of GOD.  Finite tools of carnal reason, intellect, logic, and science may not be relied on.  Sinners who become “born again” will receive deposits of divine Spirit through baptism as well as by gathering in fellowship with other, more mature believers (church attendance); praise, prayer, and sacred practice (we say, observing sacraments); private study of the Scriptures; and unselfish service to benefit others.  Even as born-again believers, members of the church must “grow up again” and encounter the “growing pains” of life experience before they can be fully mature.  All believers are to gradually become ripe for harvest at the coming of Jesus, and display the same inseparable aspects of divinity that appeared within Jesus Christ upon the earth.  Included are faith, gratitude, holiness, joy, longsuffering, meekness, eternal purpose, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Consider again how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Romans 8:  5-9, King James Version (KJV):  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.

(2.)  Romans 12:  1-3, KJV:  1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  2 And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

(3.)  1st Peter 3:  4, KJV:  4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

(4.)  1st Corinthians 13:  8-13, KJV:  8 Charity never faileth:   but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:  but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:  now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Romans 8:  25-28, KJV:  25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX Washington, DC