(04/10/2018) Divine Law Is Demanding

Today, reply is on how sacred law that is to manifest divine authority, power, and displeasure is not inflexible, oppressive, and rigid, for divine law is mediated and softened through multiple aspects of divinity.  Included are faith, gratitude, humility, mercy, personhood, respect, righteousness, trust, and wisdom.  To address every detail of Creation establishing oneness without sameness the law must be comprehensive, diffuse, and spiritual.  There can be neither justice nor peace without the correction and guidance of godly law.  Where divine law may be thought of as fixed and immutable, the divine fullness yet should be understood as fluid, capable of spontaneity, manifesting faithfulness, and relying on diversity rather than change.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (UK & Ireland)” using the ID “Bruce” (Level 7 with 111,029 points, a member since August 12, 2007) posted the following:


 
Is God a comforting fantasy, or is he a jealous, vindictive bully? Aren't these contradictory accusations?

If God is demanding and willing to send his enemies to hell, he is hardly the wish-fulfilling sugar daddy envisioned by Freudians. Dawkins's diatribe at least recognizes God is someone to be feared, as Jesus taught. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/23651-t...



THE GOLDEN ARROW:  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.  (Psalms 119:  75, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Opposing The Divine Will (03/30/2018); Sacred Law and Practice (02/12/2018); The Option of Atheism (02/11/2018); Jesus Came To Fulfill? (01/16/2018); Thoughts On Divine Personhood (12/07/2017); Jesus Demonstrated Perfected Humanity (10/29/2017); Balance, Forgiveness and Justice (08/08/2017); A GOD of Judgment (12/01/2015)



“Bruce”, among most mature Christian believers divinity is not experienced as a bully, a tormenter, or a tyrant.  The gentleness, goodness, and lovingkindness of GOD is real.  Those who attack GOD as being cruel, harsh, and unfeeling usually do so expressing disbelief, ignorance, or spiritual confusion.  Perhaps, the true target for their complaints should be the divine law, for the law is holy, perfect and unyielding, and is designed to express wrath against sin.  It is the personhood of Deity that puts forth the law, administers, and applies sacred law.  Therefore, divine judgment also includes inseparable aspects of divinity such as forbearance, forgiveness, longsuffering, mercy, and righteousness.

The demands of divine law are correctly discerned and recognized as challenging, exacting, and rigorous.  Because the law is impartial, the law may appear to be indifferent and unresponsive to aspects of the living that make one prone to error and vulnerable.  Included are desire, feelings, ignorance, imagination, lust, and uncertainty.  Sacred law makes known and reveals the sovereign will of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit).  Law imparts sacred knowledge to created beings and living creatures that pertains to the character and nature of the active presence who is GOD, their eternal purposes as well as their continuing operations and process.  The law describes and proclaims patterns and requirements for maintaining balance, completeness, communication, and stability within covenant, familial, and promissory relationships with GOD. 

GOD is not in conflict with divine law, yet, through the operations of sin mankind is.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Lawgiver, and divine order throughout the universe.  Without divine law, and fresh endowments of imparted, indwelling Spirit from divinity, the living fail to correctly grasp that sin is contrary to their own existence and survival.  Sin may not be eliminated or removed by relying on finite tools of intellect, logic, philosophy, carnal reason, science, and self-will (will power).  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Leviticus 19:  1-3, King James Version (KJV):  1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,  2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy:  for I the LORD your God am holy.  3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths:  I am the LORD your God.

(2.)  Leviticus 20:  6-8, KJV:  6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.  7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy:  for I am the LORD your God.  8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them:  I am the LORD which sanctify you.

(3.)  Psalms 101:  1-8, KJV:  1 I will sing of mercy and judgment:  unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.  2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.  3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:  I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.  4 A froward heart shall depart from me:  I will not know a wicked person.  5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off:  him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.  6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me:  he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.  7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house:  he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.  8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  2nd Timothy 3:  16-17, KJV:  16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC 

(04/09/2018) Honoring Our Own Parents

Today, responding to parental demands and dependency are topics.  Those who need us force us to search within to discover and apply hidden strengths and possibilities we otherwise would not call forth.  Even so, as adults, many of us become delinquent in sharing with our parents, and may use the excuses, I wanted to give you something, but I had to give it to my spouse; I had to give it all to my children; I had to give to it to the church (a free-will offering; a gift; Corban).  Even where siblings do not agree, and the responsibility for attending to ones parents seems to fall on a single person, there should be no division, or ill-feeling on the basis of how little or how much one may provide to their parents.  The single giver must be steadfast, and serve as an example to the others.  At some point, both children and parents have to acknowledge that life experience on the earth is filled with challenges and frustrations for everyone, and to have peace within the home and the family, we must avoid using one another for “punching bags” and targets for anger and malice.  The writer in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who used the ID “lovetolovetolove” (Level 1 with no (zero, 0) points shown, a member since May 31, 2008) posted the following:



How can I honor my mom in God’s eyes?

’m 27 and while growing up my mom would lie, call me ugly, put me out as a teen. She really tore me up. Since growing up I’ve tried to be at peace with her but it’s weighing me down. She never admit her wrongs. But every single time she calls me it’s about money. Every time I see her it’s about money. At the end of the day all of that money adds up and it’s the fact that every time I see my mom money comes up. She’s married and her and her husband lives with friends. She hasn’t worked since I was probably 15. I can see her she’ll need gas money, phone bill paid, food to eat, bills paid. Then the next day it’s someth else then so on. She’ll call nonstop and text while I’m working saying it’s an emergency and call her I’d call and she’s asking for money saying their car broke down or needs an tire. She lies about her health to get money, just anything. If I buy anything for my self I have to hide it. I live with my Dad and his wife at the moment but thinking of buying a home in a different state just to get away and catch a breath. She’ll go as far to ask for my change out of my purse. I love my mom but I can’t take care of her as I’m trying to figure life out and take care of myself! Any advice?! I just feel like I need to move away to be happy



THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Children, obey your parents in the Lord:  for this is right.  Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:  but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  (Ephesians 6:  1-4, King James Version, KJV)




THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Adam, Family and Law (07/05/2017); Who Deserves Divine Love? (06/23/2017); Inheritance Must Become Commitment (05/15/2017); The Relationships With GOD? (11/30/2016); Discipline and The Cross (06/16/2016); To Have True Peace? (11/12/2015); Strong Families? (11/10/2015); Family and Beliefs of Children? (08/29/2014); Stories Repeated in the Bible? (08/30/2014)



“lovetolovetolove”, here are some thoughts you may find helpful.  The divine character, meaning, and use of family changes throughout the Bible from the time of Adam to the time of Christ.  The counsels from GOD through the holy writings are difficult to apply given the rules of society and youth cultures today, that emphasize maintaining independence, self-improvement, and self-promotion.  Where the Ten Commandments proclaim a duty for children—particularly the firstborn who is the heir—to “honor” their father and mother, those requirements pertain to establishing a nation to demonstrate the keeping of divine law; creating and maintaining a stable pattern of family inheritance; enduring necessary transfers of land ownership and property rights as well as the resolution of conflicts through the application of law.

The same way parents are expected to endure all the many emotional, financial, psychological, social, and unanticipated challenges associated with childbearing, childrearing, becoming bereaved of ones own offspring, adult children may be required to care for dependent parents, despite that their parents are adult in chronological age.  Minor children may be accounted as a liability and a “burden” because they will live in poverty (i.e., they will have no regular income, no savings, no credit, and no reputation that commends them for employment).

Among Christians, the intimate communication, exchanges, and interaction within the family should be seen as a divine device to draw out, build up, nurture, and reinforce ones developing spirit content imparted from the makeup of divinity.  Included are inseparable aspects of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) such as balance, faith, holiness, hope, longsuffering, lovingkindness, respect, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

Just as their children may be devastated by the breakdown in the personality, the physical independence, or the psychological and spiritual strength of their loved ones, parents may become argumentative, bitter, depressed, combative, frightened, and confused.  Many have undergone abuse and damage during the time their child was growing up that they kept hidden and secret away from their little ones.  There is a broad range of discoveries, healing, new learning, continuing growth, and genuine love that still must come into their view.  The way a parent may treat their child includes a trust to show their own inner darkness they would never show outside of the family.  The parents are not betraying their child so much as they are providing for their further maturity through the life plan of GOD, and pushing their offspring to new levels of apprehension and grasp that otherwise would be missed.

In the same way, try as they might, parents often miss their own mark for seeking to help and protect their sons and daughters, children often miss the mark as caretakers for disabled, elderly, and impoverished parents to such an extent, they all must depend on outside resources such as government aide, professional homemakers, and assistance programs.  Even so, a child continues to honor their parent by operating with godly discipline, firmness, forgiveness, love, mature counsel, respect to the adult independence and personhood of their parents, restraint, and sticking to a budget for their giving as well as their spending.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible; “Corban” is a vow; money promised to the temple treasury that could be used for secular projects:

(1.)  1st Timothy 5:  1-8, King James Version (KJV):  1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;  2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.  3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.  4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents:  for that is good and acceptable before God.  5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.  6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.  7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.  8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

(2.)  Mark 7:  5-13, KJV:  5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?  6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.  7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups:  and many other such like things ye do.  9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.  10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:  11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.  12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;  13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered:  and many such like things do ye.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  1st Peter 2:  19-25, KJV:  19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  21 For even hereunto were ye called:  because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:  by whose stripes ye were healed.  25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(04/08/2018) The Gift(s) From GOD

Today, topics include faith, divine gifts, grace, eternal life, and whether there will be lasting protection from GOD.  Acknowledging GOD as a shield and their portion, many desire the blows and thrusts aimed against themselves should fall upon divinity, or a sacred substitute (we say, champion, chosen one, deliverer).  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Ryan” (Level 6 with 15,530 points, a member since October 02, 2011) posted the following:



Do you believe the gift of God in faith, will always be protection?



THE GOLDEN ARROW:  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth:  that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  (1st Peter 4:  10-11, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Meaning of “Faith” (03/28/2018); Meanings for “These Three”? (01/25/2018); Praying For “More Faith”? (01/12/2018); Certainty, Conviction and Faith (01/05/2018); GOD Protects the Faithful (12/19/2017); From Dust Thou Art (09/07/2017); Reconciliation Provided By Christ (05/30/2017)



“Ryan”, among developing Christians, the gift(s) of GOD are often understood as being some carnal, emotional, material, or social element that pertains to creature comforts and ones quality of life such as employment and marriage opportunities; the birth of children; time (today, the past, tomorrow, the future); personal traits (e.g., good looks, intelligence, skills, talents); or events that signal peace and prosperity (military cease fires, a truce, a treaty to end war).  Mature believers are more likely to speak in terms of spirit content imparted from the makeup of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit).  Sinners should receive inseparable aspects of GOD that establish permanent change within their own character and nature.  Included are faith, gratitude, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, restraint, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Divine operations also are cited as special gifts from Deity (e.g., anointing; deliverance; election; healing; ordination; rebirth; revelation; resurrection from the dead).  Relying on sacred knowledge in place of secular knowledge, many Christians would dismiss those gifts that emphasize the operations of flesh (i.e., appetite—hunger, thirst, cravings for sexual activity; athleticism and physical strength; sensation—hearing, seeing, tasting, etc.; and emotional/mental functions—anger, curiosity, fear, imagination, recall, etc.).  After a certain point, guidance, unselfish sacrifice, and the decisions for fruitful ministry should become uppermost, and ones personal safety then has far less priority.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Ecclesiastes 3:  10-14, King James Version (KJV):  10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.  11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:  also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.  12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.  13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.  14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever:  nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it:  and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

(2.)  Acts 8:  14-21, KJV:  14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them:  only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.  18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,  19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter:  for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

(3.)  Ephesians 2:  4-9, KJV:  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:  7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

(4.)  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, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  James 1:  16-17, KJV:  16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.  17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/06/2018) Why Does GOD "Repent"?

Today, reply is on divine confession, grace, repentance, and revelation.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data shared) posted the following:



Did God do something wrong in Genesis 6:6?

I'm SORRY that I bumped into you. I REGRET stealing. I REPENT of my sins.



THE GOLDEN ARROW:   So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel:  and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.  And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it:  and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.  And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.  (1st Chronicles 21:  14-16, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Christianity Is A Relationship (04/05/2018); An Act of GOD? (12/20/2017); Neither “All-knowing” Nor “Omniscient” (11/07/2017); Having Consciousness of Death (11/03/2017); Making Sense of Preexistence? (10/06/2017); Corruption of Ones Spirit? (05/14/2017); Divine Knowing, Finite Will? (09/28/2016)



“Anonymous”, developing Christian believers are always a bit surprised to find language in the holy writings suggesting that GOD is not pleased with outcomes and responses to the word he himself has spoken and sent forth.  In effect, the perfect, unchanging Creator seems to confess having “changed his mind” and made a costly error when making decisions and exercising his sovereign will.  Correctly understood, mature followers grasp that the fullness of divinity (we say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) are providing sacred knowledge and  further revelation of the divine makeup and process to benefit mankind following the fall of Adam.  Through judgment and expressions of divine wrath, otherwise unseen  grace, righteousness, and mercy become displayed; and GOD is to be seen saying he regrets the course that mankind through self-will has chosen to pursue as his created, for it has continued corruption in the earth, and irreversible operations of sin. 

That divinity is deeply moved and sorrows for mankind is not simply on the basis of finite human conduct (so to speak, you expect “babies” to make mistakes in the course of their growing up); and his suffering is not a matter of divinity being easily hurt, emotional, and vulnerable.  In the same way knowing the pattern ABCDEFG we can say XYZ is coming without being able to read minds, or tell what an individual’s specific future actions will be (i.e., destiny; fate; predestination), the consciousness of GOD apprehends mankind within cosmic  patterns that include the conditions of chaos, flux and instability that were in place before the foundations of heaven and earth were laid; the impact of events that must follow the operations of sin; the imperatives (i.e., things that must be done) and limitations of divine law as well as the true threat presented by sin.

Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Lawgiver, and all divine order required for existence and life throughout the universe.  Sin may dominate awareness and self-will within created beings and living creatures.  Thus, sin must be annihilated (totally eliminated, erased, and wiped out).  However, sin has never been created by GOD, and may not be simply removed by a “do over.”  Therefore, the multiple operations of GOD include forbearance, forgiveness, imparting aspects of divine personhood, Incarnation (divinity using the form of mankind to appear on the earth as Jesus Christ), rebirth, reconciliation, and men being led to be Christ-like. 

Consider again the verse you cite in its context, a passage that showcases the grace of GOD along with the following that uses language from the Bible that are the genuine focus of godly faith.  The proclamations of punishment and wrath against sin made by GOD are usually “on the condition” that there is no change or repentance by mankind:

(1.)  Genesis 6:  5-8, King James Version (KJV):  5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.  7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.  8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

(2.)  Numbers 23:  19, KJV:  19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent:  hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

(3.)  Jonah 3:  3-10, KJV:  3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.  4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.  5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.  6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.  7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing:  let them not feed, nor drink water:  8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God:  yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.  9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?  10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Isaiah 55:  6-13, KJV:  6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:  7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:  and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:  11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:  it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace:  the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.  13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree:  and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(04/05/2018) Christianity Is A Relationship

Today, reply is shared presenting Christianity as an intimate ongoing relationship with divinity, rather than a logical construct, a philosophy, a religion, or a set of ethnic and cultural traditions.  Christian commitment and belief are expressed using covenant promises, inheritance, interpersonal and family process as well as acts of choice, volition and self-will, dominion (authority; rule; self-government), and leadership.  Adam is the first to be called a “son of GOD.”  Abraham was called “the Friend of GOD;” and the figure of Moses demonstrates and exemplifies the possibilities for communication, exchange, and interaction (we say, continuing relationship) with divinity through imparted personhood, joining through shared spirit substance, and shared eternal purpose.  The blessing of oneness without sameness that exists among the aspects of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) was made actual, approachable, and knowable using flesh and blood through the Incarnation (the sacred operations whereby divinity was made visible in authentic humanity as Jesus Christ; included were birth, death, ministry, resurrection, and ascension).  Moses served as more than simply a king, or even a high priest; Moses was anointed as a prophet and spokesperson for GOD and for his covenant people, Israel.  Similarly, Christ appeared as more than another king over Israel; he came as Messiah, Redeemer, Savior, and The Anointed One.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shown) posted the following:



Why do religious people claim that they know GOD on a personal level?

It makes no sense. Welcome to religion. Does not compute.



THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.  And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door:  and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.  And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp:  but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.  And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people:  and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.  Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight:  and consider that this nation is thy people.  And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.  And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.  For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.   And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken:  for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.  And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.  And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.  And he said, Thou canst not see my face:  for there shall no man see me, and live.  (Exodus 33:  9-20, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Meaning of “Faith” (03/28/2018); “I Never Knew You” (03/23/2018); Whoso Keepeth His Word (03/09/2018); Offspring of GOD? (12/23/2015); Face to Face Like Moses? (01/28/2014); Faith not Politics? (12/02/2014); Ye Are Not In The Flesh (12/03/2014); Covenants and Relationships (01/29/2014); Salvation is Conditional? (01/30/2014)



“Anonymous”, Billy Graham shared the truth that Christianity is not a “religion”, it is a “relationship”.  Relationships that supply the things necessary for life and survival (even among family) all require balance, acknowledging accountability, commitment, discovery, enthusiasm, gradual growth, gratitude, uninterrupted respect, and stability.  For mature Christians, the operations of GOD are acknowledged as revelation and information-sharing that establishes the personhood and active presence of divinity.  GOD must be experienced as more than an academic abstraction, a hypothetical construct, and a feature from finite human intelligence and imagination.  The Creator appears (we say, is embodied; incarnate; manifest) within divine law; sacred knowledge; sacramental practices (e.g., baptism, confession, marriage, penance); the living body of believers (we say, the church); and the imparted, indwelling Holy Spirit.  This is possible because GOD is the fullness of divine spirit (we say, breath, life essence, sovereign will, Word).  Disbelievers and sinners are challenged to repent (i.e., willingly turn away) from the operations of sin in their lives, and “get to know GOD” through rebirth, and new life.  Once a person’s inborn spirit dies, is buried, and they are “raised from the dead,” so to speak, they receive a fresh endowment of spirit (divine DNA) from the makeup of GOD that allows them to exist as offspring (sons and daughters), joint heirs, and the new creation through Jesus Christ.  Those “born again” must “grow up again,” and become mature while living on the earth.  In the same way (even with best friends) no one ever knows another person’s every private feeling or thought, yet, they have high levels of affection and trust, specific expectations, and shared goals, so it is for those who follow Jesus Christ.  A sanctifying relationship develops through activity that includes praise, prayer, separation from secular things for dedicated service, sacrifice and unselfish giving.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

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

(2.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

(3.)  Romans 6:  3-7, KJV:  3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:  that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Philippians 3:  7-14, KJV:  7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:  for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:  but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:  but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/04/2018) Jesus Paid It All

Today, reply is on how Jesus dying on the cross has been an atonement and propitiation for the sin of mankind.  While we say Christ “paid” for sin or “purchased” mankind, it should be understood, we are not speaking about buying and selling, responding to credit and debt, or other earthly financial transactions.  Rather, we speak to how Christ has responded on mankind’s behalf to the demands and sanctions contained within the fullness of divine law regarding the obligations and penalties for sin.  Sin is no ordinary physical object, and is not itself an expression of divine spirit; nevertheless, responses to sin require interactions of human makeup and spirit substance.  Carefully chosen language is used that speaks of the “blood of the lamb” and a sacrifice by the Son of GOD, yet, what must come into view is the imparting, reconfiguring, and regenerating of the spirit matter to establish existence and life that has been included within the makeup of mankind from the makeup of divine fullness (we say, the Creator; the Godhead; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  To satisfy the law, mankind must receive a fresh endowment of inseparable spirit such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “2017” (Level 7 with 60,632 points, a member since December 25, 2008) posted the following:


How is Jesus's death on the cross pay for the sins , even for people that will only be born in a thousand years from now?

Update: Please read the question and answer it.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:  yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:  the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth:  he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.  He was taken from prison and from judgment:  and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living:  for the transgression of my people was he stricken.  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief:  when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:  by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death:  and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.  (Isaiah 53:  4-12, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Incurring “The Second Death” (04/02/2018); Yes, Jesus Did Die (04/01/2018); “I Am The Resurrection” (03/25/2018); Not A Financial Transaction (01/28/2018); Jesus Came To Fulfill? (01/16/2018); Sin No “One-time” Event (01/03/2018); All Have Come Short (10/11/2017); Atonement, Repentance and More (06/06/2017)


“2017”, with Christian believers, the process of GOD for salvation is one both to atone for and cover sin within the lives of mankind as well as to restore and perfect mankind to exist having eternal life.  The elimination and removal of sin from the earth can not be completed relying only on the workings of finite human desire, secular knowledge, and will power.  Sin does not exist as a carnal, material, or common object we may touch with our hands, or see with our eyes.  Even so, sin may dominate awareness and self-will within created beings and living creatures.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Lawgiver, and all divine order throughout the universe.

The operations of sin among the living disrupted mankind’s intimate and personal communication, exchange, and interaction (we say, relationships) with divinity that were provided through Creation.  By disobedience and transgression of divine law (i.e., the expressed will of GOD), the first pair (the male and female; Adam) lost their consecration as companions to immortal, incorruptible divinity.  In addition to becoming stripped of exalted benefits and privileges, mankind was made to be mortal (subject to death); and lost the one-of-a-kind access, authority, dominion, and power that had been granted as their divine inheritance.

Man became a living soul by the imparting of life essence (we say, breath; spirit; word) from the makeup of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit); and it is the special condition of man being more than flesh and bone by containing divine substance that requires multiple sacred operations to address sin.  While sin is no “thing” created by GOD, displays no spirit content, and has no measurable dimensions (e.g., height, length, weight), sin has direction, effect, and presence.  GOD exposes and makes sin known through sacred devices that include baptism (the death, burial, and resurrection of ones inborn spirit); divine law; Incarnation (divinity appearing in human form as Jesus Christ); and providing fresh endowments of inseparable spirit content such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Only through Jesus Christ has it become possible to have remission of sin by the application of holy blood.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  1st 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 3:  23-26, KJV:  23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness:  that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

(3.)  Romans 5:  8-11, KJV:  8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

(4.)  Romans 5:  17-21, KJV:  17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)  18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:  21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  1st Corinthians 15:  12-22, KJV:  12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?  13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:  14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.  15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ:  whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.  16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:  17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.  18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.  19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/03/2018) Conversation In The World

A scene depicting the Prodigal son and the “riotous living” of youth.

Today, reply is on how aspects and stages of human development, sin, and repentance influence a person to embrace the operations of divinity that establish rebirth, discovery, growth, and Christian maturity.  Some of the most fruitful and productive Christians have been those “throughly furnished” who have had their “conversation in the world,” yet, were turned to serving GOD.  The benefits of receiving sacred knowledge and practice while we are young pertain to our development of empathy and compassion, our endurance of hardship and suffering, our ability to discern love and other spirit content from GOD as well as our willingness to continue existing and to survive.  Despite that our living substance permits expression of an animal, human, or divine nature, the character, makeup, and possibilities for living expression that we receive as our human endowment from the first pair (Adam) do not truly enable us to correctly recognize, reject and resist the operations of sin.  Even our practices for educating and socializing children often continue and introduce multiple flaws and infirmities that do not permit their true representation of the image of GOD that should appear.  With this in view, it becomes understandable to say, You must be born again from divine seed.  Children often grow up in the church as companions to their own parents, and leave the church before they are able to operate with adult accountability, balance, commitment, and stability.  Outside of the church community—in addition to challenges, disappointments, facing fears, growing pains and risk-taking with trial-and-error along with infractions and violations of divine law—youth will pass through a broad range of life experiences that provide little or no sacred benefit.  All must receive and build up their own endowment of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD whereby they then will exist as the new creation through Jesus Christ.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “X” (Level 3 with 1,647 points, a member since February 21, 2013) posted the following:


Do most Christians first party a lot, have lots of sex and fun, and THEN decide to "become" a Christian when they are older?

Judging from some Bible passeges it seems that the reward is the same for everyone so is there a point in being a Christian when you are young?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:  Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;  And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.  And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die:  so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.  (Deuteronomy 21:  18-21, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  I Am The Vine (03/20/2018); Repentance A Lifestyle Event (02/09/2018); Standards For Godly Behavior (02/01/2018); Choosing to be Reborn (01/29/2018); There Must Be Rebirth (01/21/2018); Porn, Prostitutes and Salvation? (06/08/2017); Why Is Lust Condemned? (07/20/2016); Flesh Against the Spirit? (06/19/2016); Growing Up Again? (12/09/2015)


“X”, it long has been normative and routine for the course of emotional, psychological, sexual, and social development of those who are youth to be very much determined by cultural factors outside their home and nuclear family (i.e., parents, siblings, grandparents, and trusted caretakers).  Similarly, growth and nourishment of their spirit content that first occurs within limited and secure settings such as the household of their father becomes transferred to their church schools and congregations as well as organized communities of faith.  When young people come to an age where they begin to demand independence for exploration and expression of their own self-interests, they often do so through distancing, separation, self-promotion, and immersing themselves in various alternative activities and lifestyles that have been forbidden and prohibited.

Given they have no income from employment, no savings, no self-discipline and reputation for accountability that would encourage others to extend credit, and are dependent upon the resources of others, most young people can be regarded as living in a condition of poverty that makes them vulnerable to consumerism, materialism, and their own growing sexual appetite.  Efforts by children and those who are immature who seek to throw off poverty can become frustrating and self-destructive, just as their efforts lacking guidance from experienced persons to manage gifts, great wealth, and money gained by chance and “windfall” repeatedly are disastrous.

The finite human tools of intellect, logic, philosophy, or science alone are not enough to establish the necessary willpower to always overcome desire, passion, and irrational impulse.  (Thus, there are college graduates, medical professionals, and scientists who also are sinners.)  The operations of sin oppose the continued existence of sacred law, the Lawgiver, and divine order for the entire universe.  While sin does not exist as a physical object you might keep in your pocket, sin may dominate consciousness and self-will in created beings and living creatures, for sin does not appear as contrary to ones own existence and makeup.  Until a sinner is “born again” and receives a fresh endowment of life essence from divinity (we say, breath, spirit, word), they will be comfortable thinking of sin as natural, normal, and an acceptable part of life experience.  The remedies for sin provided by divinity, therefore, include the imparting of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD that permanently changes sinners so they may benefit from sacred knowledge and practice.  Included are faith, forbearance, holiness, humility, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Luke 15:  11-14, King James Version (KJV):  11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:  12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.  13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.  14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

(2.)  Psalms 119:  9-11, KJV:  9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  10 With my whole heart have I sought thee:  O let me not wander from thy commandments.  11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

(3.)  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:

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Ephesians 4:  22-27, KJV:  22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:  for we are members one of another.  26 Be ye angry, and sin not:  let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  27 Neither give place to the devil.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC