(10/25/2018) Transgression of Sacred Law?

Today, reply shares Christian beliefs regarding adultery, fornication, the betrayal of divinity, and the seventh commandment of the Decalogue. Husbands and wives are not merely to show respect to one another; they are to reverence (acknowledge) the sacred presence, eternal purpose, and divine qualities residing within one another. The fighter using the ID “GenuineGuy” (Level 1 with 1 point, a member since August 30, 2011) posted the following in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality public forum:

What is adultery?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5: 22-33, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Two Become One Flesh (01/07/2018); Faithless Israel, Unfaithful Judah? (08/18/2017); On Law and Sin (06/07/2017); The GOD Named “Jealous” (09/15/2016); Iniquity Forgiven? (02/16/2016); We Call Him Jealous? (10/25/2015); GOD and Adultery? (06/11/2014); A Hardened Spirit? (06/12/2014)

“GenuineGuy”, many of the understandings among mature Christian believers at first appear harsh and imposing. Adultery is more than simply an issue of joint ownership of material property, forswearing oneself (we say, breaking your promise; not keeping the marriage vows), and sharing sexual behavior or pursuing romantic relationships outside of ones marriage. Adultery is conduct that opposes the continued existence of divine law (we say, iniquity; sin; transgression; wickedness). Adultery annuls, overturns, and undermines the integrity and soundness of personal accountability; duty; covenant relationships; proclamations of divine will; prophecy; sacred promises as well as the immutability and weight of final utterance (we say, breath; speech; spirit; truth) that establish lasting bonds. Adultery usually entails fornication (i.e., the defilement of ones own spirit makeup and that of their spouse through sexual joining with unknown and unseen partners who earlier had sexual contact with the adultery-partner that are not physically present and visible).

Throughout the holy writings, the dominion and sovereign rule of divinity over Creation is described and expressed using language and names that indicate GOD is not a mere abstraction or product from the human mind; and divinity operates through continuous relationship such as seen with marriage and parenting. While GOD, whose name also is Jealous, will remain immortal and invisible, Deity is to be known as accessible and approachable like ones own father, or their own spouse. Thus, the figures and types that created beings and living creatures are to use when speaking of GOD include, betrayal, divorce, fidelity, forgiveness, holy matrimony, inheritance, joining, permanence, playing the whore, and reconciliation. Consider again the following from the Bible:

(1.) Isaiah 54: 4-9, King James Version (KJV): 4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. 5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. 6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. 7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. 9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

(2.) Titus 2: 1-8, KJV: 1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

(3.) Ezekiel 23: 36-39, KJV: 36 The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations; 37 That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them. 38 Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths. 39 For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.

(4.) Galatians 5: 19-23, 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.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) Revelation 21: 1-3, KJV:  1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(11/04/2014) Remembering Lot’s Wife?

Deliverance, salvation and self-will are topics, today.  Also, there is more on the meaning of sin and the Great Flood.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers Canada” using the ID “Anonymous” (no information shared on Level or dates for membership) posted the following:


In Sodom and Gomorrah, why would God kill Lot's wife, Sarah, by turning her into a pillar of salt for simply looking in the wrong direction?

*Warning of impending sarcasm.* God is a merciful God, right?


THE BATTLE AXE:  Sin and the Great Flood (11/03/2014)—(5.)  The account of the Flood is more to be understood as a revelation of divinity appearing in the earth as the spirit substance of grace.  Through the ministry of Adam, mankind was instructed to continue obedience of revealed law and the sacred practices that were to be known by the living as visible indicators for the active presence who is GOD.  The Almighty was to be acknowledged as Creator of the material world, who continues having sovereignty over all the earth as a sphere of life.  The Great Flood was more than a calamity or disaster resulting from natural cycles and routine mechanical processes for the earth.  GOD had endured the agonies of love as sin and ungodliness began to overspread the earth until divine forbearance and longsuffering no longer could restrain divinity from  taking decisive action.  The Flood was a sacred event made to occur and controlled by GOD, where known elements and forces were combined with never before seen natural events (e.g., earthquakes, underground geysers, rain, whirlwinds), to further establish the divine identity as Judge over the weather with all else that exists.  The operations of sin became so common and widespread that preserving the earth required a cataclysmic divine intervention.  Despite multiple messages of admonition and a warning period of more than a century while Noah and others were building the ark, corruption and defilement continued to the point that divine intent could no longer be accomplished through the forms of life upon the earth.  Obstacles to the fulfillment of the divine will would have to be permanently destroyed in order for there to be a future having divine opportunities and possibilities for divinity to be glorified through Creation.  As would later occur with Sodom, Gomorrah, and the cities of the plain, most of the living persons  upon the earth became unrecognizable as created by GOD (we say, inhuman); and were to be eradicated and replaced.  Consider again Genesis 6:  4-13, Ephesians 2:  1-10 and Isaiah 43:  16-21, KJV.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth:  and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:  but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.  And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;  For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:  And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land:  therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.  And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD:  for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.  If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.  And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.  And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.  Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.  And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.  (Joshua 24:  14-24, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Lot and the Angels (05/04/2014); Expulsion from Eden (05/05/2014); What Salvation Is (01/25/2014); Bible Justice? (01/26/2014); GOD Intervenes? (07/01/2013); Jericho Justified? (07/02/2013); Those Who Never Heard? (06/07/2013); If You Are Sent…? (06/08/2013)


“Anonymous”, sin may dominate awareness and self-will within created beings and living creatures.  Here are a few points shared by clear-minded Christians who correctly see the glass half-full, rather than half-empty:

(1.)  Christ has instructed those in new testament covenant to remember the mercy in judgment, the grace in salvation, and the freely-given deliverance extended to Lot’s wife.  The joy and rejoicing in Christ do not come by focus upon death, ignorance, and human tragedy.  When she and her family could not correctly comprehend their immediate danger despite direct warnings from GOD, and lingered under the threat of total destruction, the angelic messengers literally took her and the others by the hand, as one would take a small child crossing the street, and “forced” her to flee to safety.  In effect, GOD has done the same for us today by granting us awareness of Christ upon the cross.

(2.)  Apparently, the faith within Lot’s wife began to fade as she followed after her husband and children.  For her it must have been affliction, hardship or struggle, for she did not set her heart and mind upon the peace and security offered by GOD, and hardened herself against letting go the things of her former life.  Like the Apostle Peter—who was able to step out and walk upon the water after hearing the command of Jesus to come, yet, began drowning when he no longer saw a visible presentation of divinity—Lot’s wife lacked faith, and was granted a dispensation that required trust, focus and continuous gaze upon a revelation of GOD before her, rather than looking away, or turning back.

(3.)  All the time that Lot and his wife were members in the household of Abraham and his wife Sarah, the pair experienced participation in covenant as well as worship that was approved by GOD.  Once the influence of Abraham became distant and remote, the two increasingly were influenced by men, women and children around them, who endorsed defiance of divine law, doubt, lust, passion, self-promotion, and unbelief.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  While Lot and his wife demonstrated hospitality and unselfishness that were commendable and godly, neither were mature (we say, perfected) in their understanding of divine intercession for mankind’s benefit.  Like many today, both lacked awareness of their own accountability within sacred processes such as deliverance, healing, judgment, and sanctification.  Thus, her choice to look back, was a choice to leave the path set by GOD for her continued existence.  Similarly, when told he would be relocated to a mountainous region for safety, Lot insisted to be taken instead to a small town that was nearby.  In exalting his own choice (we say, voicing a preference), Lot also left the path set by GOD.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/15/2013) The Church as a Bride?

      Focus, today, is upon the church as the “bride of Christ” and whether that title applies to the practice of homosexuality as an aspect of Christian belief. Also, there is more on TV portrayals of GOD that raise questions about divine immortality. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “flutter” (Level 6 with 12,680 points, a member since June 6, 2006) posted the following:


If the church is supposed to be considered the bride of Christ does that mean?

that christian men are gay


THE BATTLE AXE: Can GOD Die? (05/14/2013)—(6.) Television programs that offer ghost stories, horror tales, and supernatural thrillers cannot be trusted as sources for divine truth, sacred doctrine, and genuine spiritual insight. While many Christians regard TV fare as harmless and useful for sharpening the mind like brainteasers and crossword puzzles, others realize many dangerous presentations are broadcast that contain corruption, distraction from performing ones duties, encouragement of complaining and violence, half-truth, hidden messages, lies, poison, and open thrusts against sound belief. Their danger to young and developing minds is that they also introduce assumptions and false truths relied upon for emotional, psychological and spiritual strength that can not be removed without severe disruption and damage. New believers and those recently “born again” are encouraged to carefully reexamine their amusements, break some favorite habits for entertainment, or even completely avoid their old pleasures. As with science fiction, viewers must employ the mental device common to most story-telling called “a willing suspension of unbelief.” Such programs present the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the principles for righteousness given by GOD using errors, exaggerations, and unbalanced extremes. The various shared purposes among the actors, film crew, writers and others often center in arousing the sexual appetite of viewers, exploitation of human weaknesses, generating fear as a device to ensure excitement, self-promotion, and dispersing “the leaven of the Pharisees.” See Psalm 1: 1, 1st Peter 2: 1-3, Colossians 2: 18-29, 1st Corinthians 13: 1-13 and Luke 12: 1-5, King James Version. (7.) According to the standards for Christian believers, angels, the divine tool of death, demons and devils actually do exist. However, the fictional accounts that portray death as a man, a heroic figure, or a god are little different from the stories and tales that advance the Devil and other unclean spirits as exercising divine authority, and power. In fantasies, spirit beings may be used to display a mix of animal and human behavior at the same time, and so are repeatedly depicted as monsters. Characters that exhibit only blasphemy, defiance, rebellion and spiritual confusion properly are seen as abnormal, deformed, imperfect, powerless, ungodly, unnatural, and weak. No created being or living creature will ever have sufficient authority, content, knowledge, or power to end divine being and the existence of GOD. See Deuteronomy 32: 39-43, James 2: 19 and 1st John 4: 1-3, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW: Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts. And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. (Malachi 2: 11-15, King James Version)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: When Jesus Comes Back? (04/19/2013); What’s The Way Out? (04/20/2013); Girdle 5: Of Trust (11/20/2011); Binder 43: The Holy City (11/09/2011); Binder 41: Access to GOD (11/07/2011); Written Above? (02/18/2011); GOD’s Favorite? (02/19/2011)


      “flutter”, here are some points acknowledged by many mature Christian believers who are continuing to carefully examine the claims made by GOD upon mankind through Jesus Christ:

(1.) A bride is to be a life companion within a human relationship founded in choice, courtship and dating, divine/mature guidance, respect, shared purpose, and trust. Arbitrary and erratic features of human experience are dampened and removed through commitment, faithfulness, stability, and truth.

(2.) As the bride of Christ, the church serves as a confidant, an intimate partner, and a “sounding board” to sacred goals, divine operations, and eternal truths. The church is a beloved and primary co-worker with Christ in various roles of ministry to the earth. Included are apostle, comforter, family, healer, herald, judge, leader, model (i.e., example), pastor, prophet, spokesperson, and teacher.

(3.) While sexual behavior has great power to determine content, duration, fertility, prosperity, quality of life, and success for many human relationships, the salvation of GOD through Jesus Christ cannot be acquired or maintained on the basis of desires, lusts, and sexual practices. All believers upon the earth are privileged to share in the duties of a divine priesthood from the heavens. For maximum effectiveness, believers hold to strong discipline, giving, focused practice, prayer, study, and watchfulness. Together these remove spiritual confusion generated by the world as well as such obstacles to faith as self-contradiction, error, folly, inconsistency, irreverence, and pride.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Ones bride is also their partner for claiming their own inheritance, for lawfully bringing forth offspring, for endowing and equipping ones offspring to receive, preserve and continue the shared heritage, and for overcoming the challenges and limits of mortality such as corruption, fear, isolation, pain, poverty, and sickness.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/13/2012) A Holy Kiss?

      When I visited a widow to share a birthday gift that would brighten her home, and encourage her gratitude toward GOD, I was embarrassed, surprised and a little shocked that a woman who is not the wife of my choice embraced me, and tried to plant a kiss on my lips. Those of you my regular readers who know my teachings on fornication will understand that I have been a little shaken, and upset since that morning. Today’s presentation, therefore, considers again what it means to share a “holy kiss” (see below); also, there is more on attending church.


THE BATTLE AXE: Attending Church? (11/12/2012)—In the same way community organizers make commitment to a peculiar neighborhood, and anchor themselves in the specific affairs and needs of those around them, mature Christian believers often accept a peculiar assembly or congregation of worshippers as their post. Without fanfare they operate with the understanding that church is where believers go to give and share; and they seek to make it that they themselves are always easily found at their post. Even without office or title as worship leaders such believers demonstrate faithfulness, and are the “life’s blood” for aid, fellowship, gathering, giving, help and pastoral outreach. The principles of oneness seen in those things for the church of Jesus Christ are traced from the beginnings of mankind where the male and female were both known as “Adam”, and later appear in the covenants for the promised land (first shared with the seven peoples, then with the sons of Jacob as the law of Moses) where the transgressions of one had consequences to all. Only GOD is immortal; yet, many aspects of the divine order that has been put forth are permanent and unchanging. Acceptable worship by finite beings and living creatures pertains to acknowledgment, agreement, consent and respect; and their worship expresses gratitude, joy, righteousness and wisdom never abasement, flattery, or self-promotion. For a universe marked by diversity, worship must be regulated so that all things may be done decently, and in order, without conflict and without confusion. Thus, just as there are laws for authority, miracles, prayer and sacrifice, there are laws for obeisance and praise that require strict obedience. Those opposing sacred law, judgment, and worship generally do so having their self-will under a foreign, nonmaterial, barely detectable influence called “sin”. Sin opposes the existence of all divine law, divine creation, and divine person.


THE GOLDEN ARROW: And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. (Luke 7: 37-43, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Binder 47: THE BLACK PHOENIX (11/13/2012); Family and Romance (10/13/2012); Double Standard? (10/12/2012); Wrong To Love? (08/17/2012); The Rules for Sharing Christ (03/15/2012); Birth Control and Sexism? (03/16/2012); Binder 29: Tried With Fire (10/26/2011); Binder 28: Purity (10/25/2011)

    
     I recently visited a widow who had been a neighbor for over twenty-five years. Before leaving this area, she experienced several falls in her home with hospitalization that followed. A breast cancer survivor, she presently is living across town in public housing for seniors; and has a cleaner, healthier home environment than ever before. Her husband deceased many years before I received the post, here, and so I never knew him except through the person of his wife.

      One of the first, most difficult challenges a believer faces is having to accept that you no longer have part and portion with those outside of Jesus Christ. Believers may not harass others, enter their homes uninvited, go through their belongings, and claim the property of others. Having no license from Christ to bully, intrude in anyone’s affairs, tell lies, show-off, or spy upon others, I lived here some fifteen years before learning the widow’s name, and during that time shared only the common courtesies I show to all. I knew she attended church regularly on Sundays, and had frequent visits from a pastor, who was also her friend. As a college-educated, African-American, Christian male who observes Sabbath as do those of the Mosaic covenant, I understood that my sharing with others would have to be with deeds, and not with words. When I began to take up the ministry and work of a Christian writer, this widow was one of the first to support my 1991 copy-righted, small press founding publication, THE INHERITANCE OF FATHERS: A Black Man’s Meditations on the Sacred Meaning of Marriage.
    
     In the past year, my efforts to serve the Lord by encouraging this widow have included using my private vehicle to assist her in grocery shopping and other local travel (wherein she always insists on “paying for the gas”), regular contacts to ensure her wellbeing, filing online unemployment claims, and allowing her to regard me as a friend who is not critical of her in any way (though I occasionally chide about gossip). On the one hand, I have refused being active in any relationships while having duty on the battlefield (see 2nd timothy 2: 3-4, KJV). On the other, I have sought to be the servant of Christ, and submit as an evidence of things unseen.

      Generally, a holy kiss of greeting within the church founded by Jesus acknowledges presence of the Holy Ghost, and is placed upon the forehead, not the lips or cheek. However, the actions of this widow are more akin to those from the woman with the alabaster box, and the woman who touched the hem of his garment. I am challenged to re-consider the first of these, because she continually kissed the Lord’s feet (not his lips), washing them with her tears, and drying them with her hair. Jesus did not ask for, or welcome her attentions, yet, he submitted to them in love. The woman who had an issue of blood that could not be otherwise stanched comes to mind because, when the widow kissed me, I felt a strange sensation, and had to wonder whether virtue had flowed out of me.

      In reviewing the experience, I asked myself, how do you suppose Jesus felt when those uninvited events occurred during his ministry in the earth? On neither occasion did Jesus respond with angry rebuke, condemnation, or denial when these women boldly took questionable risks to demonstrate their faith and trust. Even so, I’m convinced there was disappointment, embarrassment, surprise, and some concern regarding the standards for holiness, humility, and right respect. While Jesus proclaimed a message as an only begotten son of the Most High, and performed peculiar acts of reconciliation that carried out the will of GOD the Father rather than his own self-will, Jesus displayed humility and did not demand obedience, submission and worship for himself.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, carnal and sexual intimacy are to be taken into the experience of all who live in the earth at various points in their continuing as mortal beings. In the service of GOD, this is always and only to build up, edify, and strengthen a couple through sexual joining that is also spiritual. Only where there is unholy desire and selfish motivation does spiritual defilement result from sexual joining.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/07/2012) A Life Companion?

Focus today is upon the role of “life companion,” and there is more on seeing with new eyes, including a drawing to clarify “thinking inside/outside the box.” Also, because I want to share some perspective with my readers upon what we may have accomplished in this writing ministry, I reviewed some of the numbers. Since 2006, I have now shared 827 responses to questions posted at “Yahoo! Answers.” I estimate that at least 800 of these replies have been to issues and queries found in the Religion & Spirituality section.

The “Yahoo! Answers” writer “Dutchess V” (Level 1 with 150 points, a member since June 29, 2007) posted the following:


Bible verse He who finds a wife finds a good thing?

I don’t understand this verse because what’s the point in marriage when there’s so much divorce? Why get married anyway?


THE BATTLE AXE: To See With New Eyes (11/06/2012)—The developing Christian sees with new eyes when first thinking outside the box whose four sides are custom, popular culture, self-will and tradition, and then thinking exclusively within the box whose four sides are facts (Scripture), goals (Spirit), rules (Law), and truth (Gospel).

The Holy Spirit (also called the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, and the Spirit of Prophecy) generates discernment, insight, vision, and understanding. Even without a multitude of words, otherwise invisible connections, conflicting details and subtle differences become apparent, and reasonable. In the same way children acquire language (mama and dada) by repeated exposure, correction, and approval, right knowledge of salvation for mankind (and those in the heaven) comes through continuing proclamation, discovery, trial and error, and conclusive judgment. Thereby, the church of Jesus Christ instructs and transforms all within the kingdom of GOD (see 1st Peter 1: 10-12 and Revelation 1: 1-6, King James Version). The greater challenge to believers is that they grasp new truth when dealing with familiar and old things, and not that they encounter new things or things they’ve never seen before. For angelic beings supplied with a full measure of knowledge and understanding that does not include recognition of forgiveness, repentance and sin, and who can receive no added endowment of truth, there remains a capacity to focus discrete knowledge in new patterns that come forth as voluntary action, choice, obedience, service, submission and worship. The angels may not learn new things, yet, they may continually witness new things.


THE GOLDEN ARROW: Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? (Proverbs 5: 15-20, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Women Ordained to Minister? (10/27/2012); Does Everyone Go To Heaven? (10/28/2012); Birth Control and Sexism? (03/16/2012); Many Forms of GOD? (03/17/2012); Monogamy? (11/29/2010); The Lost? (11/30/2010)


It is the faith of many mature believers who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Redeemer, Savior and Son of GOD that marriage is a sacred institution created by GOD, and is being used to accomplish divine, not human, purposes. Included are judgment, maturation (i.e., completing physical, emotional and psychological growth), perfection (i.e., bringing created beings to spiritual maturity), sanctification (i.e., cleansing and setting apart for divine service), revelation and salvation. When Adam and Eve were barred from the Garden of Eden, the pair carried three institutions with them, marriage, priesthood, and keeping the Sabbath.

Every married woman is not a “wife” just as every married man is not a “husband.” To be a wife a woman must be in the peculiar bond established through the Spirit of GOD that is visible as shared identity and union. Thereby she becomes a “life companion,” and is no longer an independent being. Copulation, intercourse, and other sexual joining only establishes an added spirit-presence within a woman or man that in fornication with multiple partners corrupts and defiles their inborn spirit. 
 
Adam was a single entity before GOD, and the same name was given both the male and female (the male came up with “Eve” and “woman”). In holy matrimony, apart from the relationship to her mate, a wife does not exist alone before GOD, the two are one flesh. Besides marriage only adoption and birth create lifelong spiritual relationships (parents, siblings) that serve as primary social anchors to the living. Given there is so much more involved than simply voluntary commitment, desires and feelings, a man or woman’s place as life companion must be gradually discerned and discovered through spiritual growth.

While holy matrimony and divorce are both emblems of divinity belonging only to GOD (like the badge of authority worn by a police officer), society must regulate marriage through civil law as a social covenant, or contract for ownership of property. The spiritual bond of marriage is only established or dissolved by GOD. The principles of duty (things that must be done, like it, don’t like it, no matter what the cost) and faithfulness that express divine presence within the marriage cannot be annulled by judicial, or legislative acts. Thus, as when a mother loses her child in birth, years of separation alone are rarely enough to heal the wounds from divorce.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the authority, benefit and respect due a wife is as great as that of a mother, and correctly understood, is no less than that of a husband. Equality within marriage is primarily a matter of oneness rather than sameness. Thus, a fifty/fifty arrangement is not automatically a better expression of balance than sixty/forty, seventy/thirty or ninety/ten. Like ones status as a believer begins before ones baptism, and a couple’s intimate relationship is in place before acknowledgment by family and friends, status as life companions begins before wedding ceremonies and other public acknowledgments.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC