(09/20/2020) Jews In Perpetual Covenant?

Excerpt from Our High Calling where the Sabbath of Creation identified is in perpetual covenant by the 7th Day Adventist Prophetess Ellen G. White.

Today, reply is on whether the Jews continue to exist as the “chosen people” of GOD. Many Messianic and Christian believers hold that the character, process and substance of GOD are manifest as divine law, and are immutable and unchanging because divine prerogative, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD are being expressed. Through Jesus Christ, Gentiles and repenting sinners who once were denied as the people of GOD and were called “the Uncircumcion” now experience rebirth and exist as divinity’s new creation. It is written: Deuteronomy 7: 6-11, King James Version (KJV): 6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; 10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. 11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

Are Jews gods chosen people?

I have heard many Christian preachers say that jews are all gods people.Galatians 3:28 doesn’t says different.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1^st Peter 2: 1-10, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Jesus and the Moneylenders (05/10/2020); The Meat That Perishes (01/13/2020); The Tools Of Divinity (12/09/2019); A Divine Covenant Partner (06/11/2019); Sabbath Now and Then? (08/15/2018); Lost For 40 Years? (09/17/2018); Continuing A Perpetual Covenant (08/03/2017); The Holy Week Continues (04/14/2017)

“Anonymous”, that Jews through their culture and shared social values still continue to observe aspects of their ancient covenants with divinity is evidenced in the fact that we have just begun the Jewish New Year 5781 following Rosh Hashanah (in Hebrew literally, “head of the year”). Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holidays or Yamim Noraim (“Days of Awe”), celebrated ten days before Yom Kippur (in Hebrew, “Day of Atonement”). Mature Messianic Jews and Christian believers hold that the earlier observances to acknowledge the judgment and mercies of GOD have been elevated through the Incarnation and sacrifice of divinity as Jesus Christ who is to be acknowledged as having died in the crucifixion and was resurrected from the dead for the remission of sin on the earth. As in the Bible and other holy writings, all of human history and the entire range of contact and relationship between GOD as Creator and mankind as the created comes into view. The Sabbath for divine rest that is shared with mankind was established among the Jews as an emblem and token of their sanctification (i.e., being set apart to serve divinity). Sabbath-keeping has its value through divine promise and sovereign grace. Many argue that properly understood, the Sabbath appears according to provisions of natural law (the rising and setting of the sun; from sundown to sundown) rather than man-made law, and the Sabbath may not be legislated by churches, governments, and other human institutions. Moses and the mixed multitude of Gentiles who left Egypt and crossed the Red sea on dry land together would witness the manna that fell for 40 years, the pillar of cloud over their camp by day, and the pillar of fire over their camp by night along with the blessing or the curse that would appear for their observance of the Sabbath. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and Great Is Thy Faithfulness, a selection from the music ministry of Wintley Phipps:

(1.) Exodus 31: 12-17, King James Version (KJV): 12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. 14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

(2.) Jeremiah 31: 31-37, KJV: 31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. 35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: 36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. 37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

(3.) Hebrews 10: 14-23, KJV: 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

(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.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvwyLnHtXZ8.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 11:15 AM, September 20, 2020 @ https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=NZwAgpME&id=213EDEEA2F0A71CB55675E88C0435CC2A59ABD80&thid=OIP.NZwAgpMEDXt2Ytind7ZFOgHaFj&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fimage.slidesharecdn.com%2f08resteng-090524122738-phpapp02%2f95%2f08-rest-eng-16-728.jpg%3fcb%3d1243168326&exph=546&expw=728&q=perpetual+

covenant&simid=608037386455548546&ck=8BEC8E58744958E9AB480E10FB0C2FF0&selectedIndex=23&FORM=IRPRST&ajaxhist=0

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

Atonement, Covenants, Feasts and Festivals, Grace, Jews, Judgment, Promises, Prophets, Sabbath, Sanctification, blood, chosen, culture, faithfulness, fasting, gifts, miracles, new creation, the crucifixion, values

Excerpt from Our High Calling where the Sabbath of Creation identified is in perpetual covenant by the 7th Day Adventist Prophetess Ellen G. White.

(01/26/2020) Priests Keeping Their Jobs?

The fullness and perfection of GOD’s kingdom does not yet exist on the earth.

Today, reply is on priesthood, sexual abuse, and the process of sacred law within the kingdom of GOD. Since the fall of Adam, sexuality is an aspect of authentic humanity governed more by mechanical process and natural law than by the indwelling spirit imparted from the makeup of GOD as life essence. The justice of GOD as seen provided to the first pair is directed to preserving life, renewing creation, and making the universe secure. Those outside the church are cautioned to understand that the extraordinary goal and process for the body of Christ—to draw sinners into a saving relationship with divinity—requires sacred administration, authority, autonomy, continuity, creativity, discipline, and discretion. More than this, extremes of sacrifice, fulfillment of promise and prophecy, sharing, and unselfishness also must appear. For both heaven and earth, the operations of sin may dominate awareness and self-will (willpower) within created beings and living creatures. The mindset and mission of the church is to make divinity knowable, known, approachable, and accessible through the lifestyles and daily routines of its members. Anointed and ordained workers are provided to display and make visible inseparable aspects of divine fullness. Included are commitment, faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. The operations of the church may not be compared or contrasted with those of the world as a belief system providing survival made up from secular organizations, governments, and codes of civil law. The church is to be acknowledged as a kingdom set apart, and the new creation of GOD. The church does not function without law, sacred principles, focused doctrine, and tested practices. The church has even appeared having its own courts, inquisitors, prisons, and punishments. It is written: Ezekiel 18: 20-23, King James Version (KJV): 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

Why have there been so many instances of Catholic priests being moved to other places (keeping their jobs) after sexually abusing children?

Do people in the Catholic church not believe that sexual abuse should be stopped or at least reported to the authorities?

Are Christian values more important to them than secular values?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (Ephesians 3: 8-11, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Comfort Through New Life (08/22/2019); Responses To Clergy Scandals (03/28/2019); Challenges To The Church? (03/01/2019); Appetite and Human Sexuality? (10/19/2018); Thoughts on Sexual Relationships (03/07/2017); The Cross Condemns Fornication (05/20/2016); Scandal and Sin Among Believers? (06/05/2015)

“Anonymous”, for those not belonging to the church and the kingdom of GOD (misfits; outsiders), the issues of administration and government for others who are anointed and ordained as priests embrace many secular elements that foster and continue spiritual confusion. For many the church is a form of family that encourages and permits the same flexibility, intimacy, and respect as ones home. Invisible elements of guilt, purpose, and wrong-doing are not easily separated from those of the commitment by divinity to those vulnerable to sin, the provision of divine mercy for those found guilty in judgment, the continuous divine display of unconditional love, and the certain truth that divine righteousness will prevail. There are such unseen features as cause, consequence, effect, hope, and origin.

Priesthood is not an industry that provides its workers with a “job”, professional employment, or a guaranteed career. Through the priesthood things that are immaterial, invisible, yet, active and present are brought into clear focus. Priesthood is a form of servitude distinguished through such features as commitment; conformity to the image of GOD, and the life and ministry of Jesus Christ; humility; longsuffering; oneness without sameness; and personhood. Priests and all who follow Christ are to resemble, reflect, and reveal the character and likeness of their Redeemer and Savior. Even so, none on the earth are as yet perfected; and all must be understood as in a process of transformation that will be complete only at the appearing of the Lord to harvest those who are his from the earth (we say, the Advent; the Rapture; the Second Coming).

Men lose jobs everyday without also losing their homes, their spouse, their offspring, their ability to function and apply their needed skill in new settings and situations. Similarly, Christian believers err, fall short of divine standards, and transgress sacred law on a daily basis. Even so, the kingdom of GOD is not overturned and threatened, nor is the word of GOD made vain and bereft of power. There are provisions from GOD for cleansing, continuing grace, healing, recovery, and renewal. The process and substance of divinity has priority for those in priesthood, and makes it that the “letter” of the law must be applied and read with an awareness of the spirit conveyed by the law along with divine prerogatives, sacred precedents, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD.

Sexuality is a permanent aspect of human makeup attendant to the flesh in the same way hunger and thirst exist from birth to death. The expression and meaning of sexuality changes for us as we advance through stages of growth and maturity. The priesthood is an appearance of divinity using human flesh as in the Incarnation; and it would not be correct to deny priests freedom to express their authentic humanity on the basis of their connection to divinity. Attacks against the priesthood and those who serve Christ as apostles, clergy, prophets, and spokespersons also are to be dealt with among believers as attacks against the person of Christ. Often, such disguised attacks appear against the priesthood, against the grace of GOD, and against salvation for mankind. The element of sexuality alone is not enough when seeking to compose a “jury of our peers.” While fasting (feeding on the word of GOD) may be accomplished for as much as 40 days and 40 nights, appetite is not eliminated by imagination, reason and thought; it is suppressed and answered by operations of spirit substance imparted from the makeup of GOD. Within the church as a body, many priests receive chrism that replaces the sexual appetite; however, others must also endure the same challenges, conflicts, stresses, and tensions experienced among those to whom they minister (e.g., bankruptcy, divorce, drought, poverty). King David, King Solomon, and the Apostle Paul are acknowledged as important examples and instruments regarding divine instruction on human sexuality. Also, consider the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of John Michael Talbot:

(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.) Romans 8: 33-35, KJV: 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

(3.) Psalms 34: 22, KJV: 22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozsJSXJ3gWQ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 5:55 PM, January 01/25/2020 @ https://phreshmanna.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/thy-kingdom-come.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(10/17/2018) Watching The Science Channel?

Education, a stained glass window by Louis Comfort Tiffany, depicts Science (personified by Devotion, Labor, Truth, Research, and Intuition) and Religion (personified by Purity, Faith, Hope, Reverence, and Inspiration) in harmony, presided over by Love. (see reference below)

Today, reply is on science, sin, and spiritual confusion. Given that broadcast television uses many of the same materials, standards, and production values for educational programs that also are used for features emphasizing amusement, entertainment, hilarity, and levity, Christian believers are to be discerning, thoughtful, and vigilant as TV viewers, also. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality public forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

Is it a sin for a Christian to watch the science channel?

Science seems cool. Maybe I should major in a science major or Heath care

THE GOLDEN ARROW: 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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 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. (Romans 8: 5-9, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Gift Of GOD (10/15/2018); Comparing Sacred and Secular (03/15/2018); The Option of Atheism (02/11/2018); Mythology Opposes Christian Belief (01/08/2018); Wisdom In A Mystery (11/22/2017); Idolatry -- Exalting Human Devices? (09/21/2017); Growth Is Through Edification (06/20/2017); Double Standard? (10/12/2012); Family and Romance (10/13/2012)

“Anonymous”, here are some points that may be helpful:

1. Where education and inquiry are balanced, complete, and properly structured they do not transgress divine law, or become a source of spiritual confusion.

2. Mankind is not condemned by examining, measuring, or reordering aspects of their own sphere of life. Even so, errors that deny the divine foundation and sacred origins of mankind favor nonexistence and a return to the conditions of chaos and flux that were in place as preexistence.

3. Sin is not rational, is self-destructive, and opposes the continued existence of sacred law, the Lawgiver, and the Creation that has been put forth as an expression of divine order.

4. Developing Christian believers are to exist as the new creation from Jesus Christ, and are to continually display spirit substance from the makeup of divinity. Included should be faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, integrity, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

5. The mechanical, natural, and spiritual life processes for created beings and living creatures on the earth all include directing ones awareness and self-will (we say, willpower) for discovery, evaluating and using information, gradual growth, learning, focused practice, and achieving stability.

6. Many are quick to accept as truth in place of sacred knowledge untested assumptions, conclusions from carnal reasoning that are intended as assurances, secular knowledge, opinions, and speculation.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, consider the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) 1^st John 3: 4, King James Version (KJV): 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

(2.) Proverbs 24: 9, KJV: 9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

(3.) Romans 14: 23, KJV: 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

(4.) Colossians 2: 6-9, KJV: 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

The image, Education, by Louis Comfort Tiffany, was downloaded from the article by Rachel E. Gross, Do Science and Religion Conflict? 11: 20 AM, 10/17/2018 from the Slate Internet Site http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2015/10/highly_religious_people_see_little_conflict_with_science.html

(02/01/2018) Standards For Godly Behavior

The photo is shared to depict the man who stands on godly principle and refuses to conform to dictates of the world.



Today, reply is on the imparted Spirit from GOD as the mechanism that generates and sets the standards for godly behavior among Christian believers.  Where we think of ones inner standards as aspects of their physical makeup, it makes sense to say that behavior emerges primarily from the elements of appetite, emotion, mind, and the stimulation of ones sense receptors.  However, neither the mechanics and operations of the flesh, nor the pressure from peers and the surrounding social environment completely account for behavior that expresses godly principles, eternal purposes, and the sacred revelation of divinity using mankind.  Only by operations of the Holy Spirit (we also say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) do aspects of divine fullness appear among the living such as holy boldness, commitment, faith, longsuffering, sacred personhood, repentance, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “maulporphy” (Level 5 with 8,608 points, a member since March 24, 2016) posted the following:


Is your behavior influenced by religious standards, or simple human decency?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  (Psalms 119:  9, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  There Must Be Rebirth (01/21/2018); Law of the Spirit (12/27/2017); Without the Divine Image? (10/15/2017); Conforming to Divine Standards (06/18/2017); Made in the Image of GOD? (10/09/2014); All Who Read Convert? (10/10/2014); His Burden is Light? (12/10/2012); Knowing Who Your Real Friends Are (12/11/2012)


“maulporphy”, Christian believers endorse the words of Jesus Christ, You must be born again.  The inborn spirit within created beings and living creatures is now predisposed to respond to the operations of sin that are contrary to their own makeup, that foster self-destruction, and that promote nonexistence.  The living must receive a fresh endowment of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD.  Sinners who become born again experience death, burial, and rebirth of the inheritance from their parents that was conveyed to them  from the first pair (Adam).  The character and nature of ones life essence (we also say, breath, spirit, Word) is to establish as continuous the active presence who is recognized as the Creator.

Because the standards and values that proceed by the flesh center on appetite, sensations, emotions, and feelings that are constantly changing, yet, last only for a brief period (we say, are temporal), human experience and the quality of life often appear to lack continuity and stability; may seem cyclic, mechanical, pointless, and repetitive; and are dismissed by many as being no more than a series of disconnected episodes.  Relying on finite human standards and tools such as intellect, logic, secular knowledge, philosophy, politics, or science has not been able to eliminate sin from their lives either; and we find there are many who hold doctoral degrees, and are called “scientist” that are no less sinners despite their academic and social achievements—we say, they are “educated fools.”

Godliness is the fruit (product) of divine spirit.  Those who are born-again receive inseparable spirit content from GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, wisdom, wrath against sin).  Even so, they must “grow up again” and mature while facing “growing pains” and life challenges on the earth that also include bereavement, disappointment, and suffering.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Proverbs 14:  12, King James Version (KJV):  12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

(2.)  Jeremiah 17:  9-10, KJV:  9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:  who can know it?  10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

(3.)  1st John 2:  15-16, 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.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, this word of prophecy, (4.)  Isaiah 28:  10-20, KJV:  10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:  11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.  12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing:  yet they would not hear.  13 But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.  14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.  15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us:  for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:  16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:  he that believeth shall not make haste.  17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet:  and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.  18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.  19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you:  for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night:  and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.  20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it:  and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(08/19/2016) Boasting In The Lord

Today, points are shared on Christian believers expressing attitudes of aggressiveness, self-confidence, and toughness.  Without knowing all the peculiar details of another believer’s experiences, all mature Christians are careful to show respect and support to others, because everyone within the body continues to be vulnerable to challenge, unwanted change, and heartbreak.  Spiritual strength achieved through suffering has a very different look and feel than that from combativeness, defensiveness, enmity, and hardening of one’s heart.  Those who come to Christ include many who have had to be fighters and survivors within homes, schools, workplace and other settings that were marked by abuse, conflict, cruelty, deceit, destructiveness, divisiveness, hate, exaggerated pride, selfishness, stupidity, and violence.  Among Christian believers, what may appear as bragging, conceit, self-promotion, showing off, and vainglory, often are carefully prepared preaching, proclamation, and prophetic demonstration.  Born-again believers should continually display balance, holy boldness (courage), composure, dependability, firmness, meekness, perseverance, poise, resilience, sobriety, and stability.  Properly understood, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a form and presentation of sacred truth that can not be transmitted by finite carnal, material and social operations such as argument, logic, persuasion, and reason.  The Gospel may be imparted only as a holy seed having the fullness of GOD, and as an unfolding presence of divinity.  One of the many annoying fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “Anonymous” (required profile information not shared) posted the following:

Religion- As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine" (2 Cor 11:10)??

^^As the good book says itself^^

I once served time in Leicester Prison on a vigilante rap, the same nick where Mad Frank Frazer and the Great Train Robbers was held before me, so that gives me braggin rights fer life..:)?

Who said christians weren't hard as nails? We got more about us than yer average atheist, not as gutless as them, amirite !!! ?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.  That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.  Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.  For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.  For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.  I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.  (2nd Corinthians 11:  16-21, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Use Spirit From GOD? (08/15/2016); The Testimony From Jesus (08/05/2016); What True Believers Do (07/14/2016); Knowing GOD For Yourself (07/13/2016); Humility and The Cross? (03/15/2016); Did Jesus Want Popularity? (06/11/2015); Humility Needed for Salvation? (08/15/2014); False Angels of Light? (08/16/2014)

“Anonymous”, what the apostle calls “boasting” in fact are exhortation, praise, proclamation, personal testimony, and thanksgiving shared to reveal the operations of divinity in the life of a sinner.  The sacred operations of GOD for extending and maintaining Creation also require the awakening of conscience, the proclamation of divine law, the imparting of sacred knowledge, and the nourishment of trust.  To properly “receive” this, a hearer or viewer must have discernment (divinely-given ability to use one’s own spirit content to correctly recognize and respond to sacred essence from the makeup of GOD within doctrines, life events, oneself, other persons, prophecy, Scriptures, etc.).  Through Jesus Christ sinners are to receive permanent change in the character, nature and substance of their own measure of divine spirit.  Thus, sinners become “born again” in  water baptism (death of one’s inborn spirit, rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak); and must “grow up again” maturing and meeting life challenges upon the earth.  Many of the carnal, material, and social skills and strengths once employed for success and survival gradually will be replaced by those for spreading the Gospel, or finally become weakened from disuse.  For example, hustling, lying, persuasion, scamming, stealth, and violence become obsolete; while decisiveness, insightfulness, leadership, quick-thinking, and resourcefulness continue to have great value.  As Christian believers endure affliction, hardship, suffering and testing, they also are being supplied for their transformation at the coming of Jesus to exist as immortal, incorruptible companions to GOD.  Consider how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)   Romans 6:  16-18, King James Version (KJV):  16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

(2.)  Ephesians 2:  1-6, KJV:  1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

(3.)  Romans 6:  20-23, KJV:  20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.  21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.  22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  1st Corinthians 2:  12-14, KJV:  12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:  for they are foolishness unto him:  neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(08/18/2016) Abstractions, Atheism and I.Q.

Today, focus is upon atheism as an approach through formal studies to acquire and exchange secular knowledge in contrast to being in relationship through Jesus Christ to receive sacred knowledge by multiple operations of divinity.  The finite human tools of analysis, intellect, logic, and mental discipline alone have not been enough to release even the most brilliant thinkers among us from sin.  The achievement and fulfillment Christian believers speak of can not be obtained through arrogance, competition, ignorance, self-promotion, or superstition.  Spirit matter and divine process must come into consideration for they are the true sine qua non of wisdom.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Ette” (Level 1 with 2 points, a member since May 11, 2014) posted the following:

Does atheism elevate the IQ?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:  When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.  Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.  So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.  For some, when they had heard, did provoke:  howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?  (Hebrews 3:  8-17, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Rise in Atheism? (07/07/2016); The Cross and Critical Thinking? (04/13/2016); More About the Trinity? (03/30/2015); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013); How To Love GOD? (03/24/2013); The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012); Remembering the Holocaust? (12/14/2012)

“Ette”, standard scores for a person’s intelligence reported as their IQ might well be increased through atheism, for atheism is a disciplined approach or framework for philosophical exchange that relies heavily upon carnal, mental, and social process.  Narrowing one’s focus to the material and natural order, atheism denies the metaphysical and suppresses focus upon divinity.  Even so, you can not separate the wet from the water.  Atheism must be regarded as useless as a tool to increase a person’s spiritual awareness; their ability to apply one’s own spirit to discern and respond to divine spirit within events, oneself, other persons, prophecy, etc.; their self-will (we say, will power); or their divine spirit content that should include inseparable elements such as faith, holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, love, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Finite tools such as academic discourse, debate, investigation, mathematics, science and technology require focusing upon abstract, immaterial and invisible features, yet, do not permit operational definition of sin, its, elimination, and its removal.  (Thus, we have sinners who also have Ph. D. degrees.)  To develop an ongoing personal relationship with GOD who is a spirit requires a higher level of consciousness that must be imparted as life essence (we say, breath, spirit, word) from the makeup of the Creator.  The indwelling Spirit then generates the necessary system of meanings, standards (we say, divine law), and values.  Consider how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Jeremiah 9:  23-24, King James Version (KJV):  23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:  24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth:  for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

(2.)  2nd Corinthians 10:  17-18, KJV:  17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.  18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

(3.)  Romans 1:  18-22, KJV:  18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Titus 1:  15-16, KJV:  15 Unto the pure all things are pure:  but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.  16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/31/2016) Divine Meanings and Values?

Today, focus is upon divine law, language, and mechanisms used by GOD to release mankind from sin.  Included are atonement; the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; Incarnation; inheritance; rebirth; and redemption.  Correctly understood, Jesus Christ did not simply die for the sins of others.  The Savior was born, circumcised, baptized, anointed, was tempted, served, suffered, died, was raised, endured judgment, and is now exalted and sanctified on our behalf.  The principle (we say, unwritten rule) that one may bear the sin of many comes into view as basic to the process of priesthood within the Temple of heaven that was demonstrated upon the earth through covenant relationship and the Tabernacle pitched by Moses, then carried out through the ministry of Jesus Christ.  The High Priest was appointed to enter the divine presence within the Sanctuary bearing the sin of the people upon his heart and shoulders depicted through emblems that were part of his garments and regalia.  For any devoted thing to escape being destroyed when placed upon the altar, it had to be redeemed by offering an acceptable substitute, or a payment in money.  A redeemed animal or thing would continue to belong to GOD, and would be used by the priests and Levites in the Holy Place.   A redeemed person would be in perpetual service to GOD as a living sacrifice.  Consider again the following Scriptures, and the presentation below:

Numbers 3:  11-13, King James Version (KJV):  11 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,  12 And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel:  therefore the Levites shall be mine;  13 Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast:  mine shall they be:  I am the LORD.

Numbers 3:  45, KJV:  45 Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine:  I am the LORD.

Numbers 18:  21-23, KJV:  21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.  22 Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.  23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity:  it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.

Hebrews 9:  24-28, KJV:  24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:  25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;  26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world:  but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (required profile information not shared) posted the following:

 

In Deuteronomy 24:16 God says none shall die for the sin of another. How then did Jesus die for my sin?

Deuteronomy 24:16
The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.  And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.  And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD:  and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.  (Exodus 28:  28-30, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Priesthood and The Cross (03/20/2016); Believing In The Cross? (03/04/2016); Cursed By The Cross? (03/02/2016); Atonement and The Cross? (02/29/2016); More Than Death Needed (12/07/2015); The Lamb of GOD (08/19/2015); Mercy Not Sacrifice? (08/10/2015)

 

“Anonymous”, trust that, despite time and space, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now.  To correctly acknowledge divinity, Christian believers all must use concepts and ideas that come from an eternal GOD, and that describe sacred processes used by Deity, rather than meanings and values having their origin in mankind.  Just as “collective identity” comes to us through relationship with GOD, wherein two or more persons are accounted a single being (e.g., the male and female pair are Adam; Ephraim and Manasseh are Joseph; 12 tribes are Israel), dynasty and inheritance permit fulfillment of divine promise and prophecy because there is continuity of divine relationship with a single person through their offspring (e.g., Abraham, David, Jesus Christ).  Redemption, salvation, and substitution are provisions within divine law whereby atonement, confession, expiation, offerings of blood, and remission of sin are to be understood as exchanges and interactions of spirit substances that are emanated from and must return to GOD, and are not temporal things that are carnal, material, and social.   The death of Jesus on the cross pertains more to divine revelation, eternal life, and the unity of multiple divine persons (we say, Godhead) more than to sin.  Consider how this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Leviticus 27:  9-12, King James Version (KJV):  9 And if it be a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the LORD, all that any man giveth of such unto the LORD shall be holy.  10 He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good:  and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then it and the exchange thereof shall be holy.  11 And if it be any unclean beast, of which they do not offer a sacrifice unto the LORD, then he shall present the beast before the priest:  12 And the priest shall value it, whether it be good or bad:  as thou valuest it, who art the priest, so shall it be.

(2.)  Leviticus 27:  28-29, KJV:  28 Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed:  every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD.  29 None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death.

(3.)  Exodus 13:  12-13, KJV:  12 That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’s.  13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck:  and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Romans 12:  1-3, KJV:  12 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.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/28/2016) Love That Is Spirit?

Topics, today, include emotions, language, law, love and the makeup of Deity.  Mature Christian believers do not speak of “love” as merely an intricate mix of human affection, emotion, feelings, and thoughts.  While some hold that love is a principle establishing and maintaining relationship with Deity, love is also understood as an eternal purpose that establishes the quality and value for actions, attitudes, and continued existence.  Readers are invited to consider the following Bible verses, and the presentation below:

Deuteronomy 7:  9-10, King James Version (KJV):  9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;  10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them:  he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

1st John 4:  15-19, KJV:  15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.  16 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.  17 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.  18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:  because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not perfect in love.  19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Mark 12:  29-31, KJV:  29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:  30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:  this is the first commandment.  31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Romans 13:  8-10, KJV:  8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another:  for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour:  therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” who regularly uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shown) posted the following:


Is God anything more than just an emotion inside your body? Christians keep comparing God to the emotion called love…?

Which is an odd thing to do if God is more than an emotion.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned:  but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.  (John 3:  12-21, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Punishment To Show Love? (11/29/2015); Divine Jealousy? (09/11/2015); Awe? (08/09/2015); Divine Love Seen As Hate? (01/29/2015); Love in Knowledge and Judgment? (09/30/2014); Loving Someone Unseen? (05/03/2014); Lot and the Angels (05/04/2014)


“Anonymous”, once a person genuinely endorses their own awareness that GOD is a “life essence” or spirit (we also say, breath, word) divine operations, eternal purposes, and sacred processes must all be understood on the basis of exchange and interaction among multiple spirit substances that together appear (i.e., are made known, are revealed) as Deity.  Included are inseparable aspects of divinity such as faith, holiness, innocence, purity, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  When addressing things from GOD (e.g., divine Creation, judgment, repentance, resurrection, and salvation), the believer should no longer depend upon, or employ the system of definitions and understandings appropriate for responses to express our shared carnal, material, and social being.  Saying this another way, You must be born again.  We must suspend using language ordinarily used to complete and describe human experience or objects that are abstract, immaterial, and unseen (e.g., conscience, ego, justice, intellect, psyche, mind, soul, will).  The preeminent and sovereign Spirit must continually be acknowledged as the center and core for focus, meaning, and value.  With this in view, divine love is not an emotion, a feeling, or a static object.  Love is an “outcome” of immutable and unchanging processes that we may speak of as being and emanation.  Divine law then, is an appearance of GOD (we also say, device and mechanism) that serves as a fixed, knowable and “visible” object (target) for the expression of love by the living.  Thus, “love” describes the permanent relationship between the Creator and all created beings and living creatures by going beyond affection to include awe (we also say, fear of the Lord, reverence), commitment, dedication, exclusivity, inclusion, incorruption, sacrifice, selflessness, trust, and unity.  GOD himself is existence and the origin of all that exists as well as the single source of life for all.  We speak of GOD as a “person”, however, divinity is more correctly known as an organic, “active and directed presence.”  To have affinity with GOD, one must contain divine spirit.  Consider again the Scriptures:

(1.)  John 4:  23-24, King James Version (KJV):  23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  24 God is a Spirit:  and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

(2.)  1st John 5:  2-4, KJV:  2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments:  and his commandments are not grievous.  4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:  and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

(3.)  1st John 3:  22-24, KJV:  22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.  24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

There are many other points that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  1st John 4:  7-9, KJV:  7 Beloved, let us love one another:  for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.  9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC