(01/25/2021I) The Growth Of Faith

 

Faith is described, today, as a divine substance imparted from divinity to transform the life-process and spirit-maturity of created beings and living creatures. It is written: Hebrews 11: 1-7, King James Version (KJV): 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. One of the writers at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

what exactly is faith in God? what causes faith to mature?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Ephesians 4: 11-16, King James Version (KJV): 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Recognizing Authentic Christian Believers (12/21/2020); The Power We Receive (11/19/2020); Made Perfect By Divinity (11/10/2020); Why Are Sinners “saved?” (10/11/2020); Spiritual Integrity and Maturity (05/12/2020); Divine Protection Against Covid-19? (04/26/2020); Endure Trials Through Faith (03/31/2020); While We Are Growing (03/09/2020)

“Anonymous”, like existence and life, faith is a spirit-substance that exists among the inseparable aspects that are the makeup of GOD (we also say, the divine fullness; the Creator; the Godhead; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Where one appears, all the others appear, though not always in the same measure. Included within the complete array of sacred being are holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Faith as an element within the consciousness and makeup of created beings and living creatures should be understood as imparted or transmitted from divinity, and is spirit that manifests only its own authority, character, operations, and power. Thus, faith is only made up of faith, just as holiness consists only of holiness, righteousness consists only of righteousness. GOD did not create life as a separate element that could later be used to make mankind a “living soul;” life essence (breath; utterance; word) was provided to Adam and later to the female directly from GOD. Only GOD is immortal, and while the living may be consecrated and sanctified to have duration, exist as offspring to GOD, and to serve divinity, the living must become transformed to have eternal life. Faith and life exist as perfected, however, the life process for those on the earth now goes forward by degrees, and is progressive from birth to the completion of mortality. Water baptism depicts the death, burial, and rebirth/resurrection of ones inborn spirit. Those who become born again also must grow-up again (we say, must develop; be edified; gradually grow; become accountable, consistent, stable, etc.). Through the ministry of Jesus Christ, sinners receive a fresh endowment of the same spirit that was provided to Jesus while he served on the earth. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Acts 20: 32, King James Version (KJV): 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

(2.) 2^nd Peter 1: 2-7, KJV: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

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

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, eternal salvation with divinity is not determined by ones behavior, knowledge, service, and suffering so much as by their content of divine substance and their continuance under grace.). Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

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THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(01/22/2021) So Help Me GOD!

 

The United States of America continues as a unified nation through the operations of faith appearing as commitment, integrity, and promise.  The following poem, America Is An Agreement, is shared in remembrance of Reverend, Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., to express gratitude that America’s Constitution and process of government have been elevated and reinforced through checks and balances, and for our reflection on the Inauguration of our 46th President, Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.  Nonviolence is not to be associated with cowardice, ignorance, fear, exaggerated pride, or racial inequality so much as with discipline, duty, godliness, maturity, mercy, respect, and self-control. It is written: 2^nd Corinthians 10: 3-5, King James Version (KJV): 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

THE GOLDEN ARROW: 1st Samuel 17: 44-46, King James Version (KJV): 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: GOD Made The World (12/19/2020); Always Connected By Spirit (08/30/2020); The Visibility of GOD (01/20/2020); The Meaning Of “Persecution” (02/12/2020); Sword Of The Spirit (11/20/2019); Patriotic Songs To Worship? (11/10/2019); Spiritual Combat Against Sin (10/11/2019); Arrayed In Sacred Favor (02/25/2018)

Image downloaded 9:45 PM, January 21, 2021 @ https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/06/02/tennessee-national-guard-troops-lay-down-riot-shields-at-protesters-request/

AMERICA IS AN AGREEMENT

A poem for Citizen King Day, January 17, 2021

America is an agreement among people high and low

To share, to trust, to show respect, to build, to learn, to grow

To live as diverse cities, counties, territories, minds

Free people in a covenant that seals, demands, and binds

True sons of the 3-Branch Nation stand guard in the some-day State

Nonviolent demonstrators who display what makes us great

The Executive Branch the Judicial, the only active voice

The House without the Senate endorsed the People’s choice

The Capitol shrine of freedom had no war force posted there

It’s gates were open welcoming all those who would declare

This land a home of Liberty through Justice and through Law

Protected by democracy, humility, and awe

A winter chill confronts us now beneath the righteous dome

It’s winter in America, yet, this is our one home

We are still to strive for honor giving life to higher vision

Manifesting our integrity expressed in shared decision

No single man or woman rules despising common cause

Or overturns the mandate because they seek applause

For blind-justice will be roused in truth and armed to press the fight

A battleground appearing in the Citadel of Light

Our process must be one to focus what we will become

And not a game of placing blame to scourge the deaf and dumb

The conduct of a President should not incite complaint

Their balance fosters equity, forbearance, and restraint

Our errors need correction, and with every vote we cast

We come near the day where all may say, “USA is free at last, at last

Thank GOD Almighty, we are free at last.

We agree to be free, at last.”

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

©Michael Andrew Williams, 2021. All rights reserved.

REQUIEM

 

Death can not be

the wrath of GOD

to take the sweet and victory

from our sin

to punish pride and arrogance

rebelliousness in men

so much as separation's sorrow

a suffering imposed, fresh wounds

among divinity that must by love

be closed, anointed, an unction

the reborn glory shine

and death is sign of majesty

all sovereignty is thine

not mercy cloaked in mystery

the chaos once that reigned

serenity and respite

a new creation gained

a consecrated blessing

recovering the fall

a tool assigning value

lost by lack of full recall

a holy sleep provided

memorial connection

used for woman shaped from bone

continuing perfection

the grave to call forth

honest tears

and change that could not be

a revelation of true love

none otherwise would see

Copyrighted, Michael Andrew Williams.  All rights reserved.  Washington, DC.  January 2021.

(12/25/2020) Being Equal With GOD?

 

Christmas proclaims a profound gospel from GOD sharing points of truth, surprise, and good news from the Creator. It is the gift of GOD that mankind is neither to be inferior to one another nor to divinity; and Christians will be equal as to what they hunger for, and what will nourish them. Even so, few Christians account themselves the equal of Jesus Christ, and many mature Christian believers will shrink from acknowledging that they themselves are to become peers with divinity through operations of GOD. Christians celebrate the nativity of Jesus Christ as the one sent by GOD to deliver mankind from the operations of sin; however, the divine use of human flesh and life essence that we see in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ is a prelude to all mankind being made to exist as an immortal, incorruptible life-companion with GOD. Apostleship, witness, and revelation of the character and nature of divinity will be continued. There are to be mutual sacred commitments, eternal purpose, and shared vision. Where the restoration of paradise lost through the transgression of divine law once may have been strictly anchored in knowing and obeying sacred law, the present transactions of divinity with mankind focus on the provision of opportunities, possibilities, privileges, promises, and prophecies that are being fulfilled through operations of divine grace. Included are the imparting of deposits and endowments from the makeup and substance of GOD whereby men become known as children and offspring of the Creator. The living become perfected and transformed through sacred gifts, eternal life, everlasting inheritance, and divine rewards for godly service. It is written: Ephesians 2: 18-22, King James Version (KJV): 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality using the ID “David” (Level 1 with 102 points) posted the following:

Philippians 2:5-6 says to think like Jesus. Did he believe he was equal with God while he was in his form? Should we?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9: 6-7, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Both Existence and Life (12/11/2020); Why Are Sinners “saved?” (10/11/2020); Divine Process and Substance (06/24/2020); The Return of Yeshua (05/21/2020); The Place to Start (12/23/2019); The Persons Within Godhead (12/20/2019); Customs of the People (12/06/2019); On Diversity and Equality (05/22/2018)

Merry Christmas, “David”; I hope you find this to be Good News. Equality with GOD is not so much a matter of having the same celestial authority, dominion, glory, and power as it is a matter of having the same duty to manifest truth as well as the same accountability, benefits, opportunities, possibilities, and privileges. In addition to inseparable aspects of divine fullness (we say, the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) such as faith, holiness, immortality, incorruptibility, personhood, divine prerogative, eternal purpose, sovereign will, wisdom, and wrath against sin, divinity has revealed that through the operations of GOD, there may be oneness of substance without the sameness of sacred form and process. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Ephesians 2: 8-9, King James Version (KJV): 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.

(2.) Hebrews 2: 3-5, KJV: 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

(3.) 1^st Peter 4: 9-11, KJV: 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 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.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) John 14: 8-18, KJV: 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 1:05 PM, December 24, 2020 @ https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-fa795283ad477622ec1c6e3c0159d682

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(12/24/2020) Correctly Acknowledging Divine Mercy

 

Law and divine order are to be understood as aspects of the process for creating existence, life, the heaven, and the earth. Grace, judgment, impartiality, mercy, and righteousness are displayed in the process for making known and revealing the character and nature of GOD. Forgiveness, redemption, and salvation are divine responses to the profound human predicament that results by mankind having discrete and separate existence from that of the Creator appearing as integrity through self-will. Sin is not a creation from GOD, and should not be regarded as a finite human problem that involves no more than the confession of wrong-doing and a sinner promising to change. Sin will not be eliminated or removed by sinners expressing emotion, refusing pleasures of the flesh, or altering human responses to sensation. Multiple operations of divinity are required such as atonement; the death, burial, and rebirth of the sinner’s inborn spirit; modeling authentic humanity using of mankind’s form and life-process (we say, Incarnation); and imparting a fresh endowment of sacred content from GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, oneness without sameness, wisdom, wrath against sin). It is written: Romans 7: 7-14, King James Version (KJV): 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “cool” (Level 1 with 6 points) posted the following:

Imagine you make 1 sin you don't repent of, and you go to hell for it? Does that seem like a merciful god? I love god, religion seems harsh?

Updated 23 mins ago:

I'm talking of a sin you know is wrong and you do till you die.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. (Isaiah 28: 13-19, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Why Are Sinners “saved?” (10/11/2020); Divine Character Must Appear (08/13/2020); Chances To Determine Outcomes (06/07/2020); Grace Abounds Much More (04/02/2020); “Sinners” And “The Righteous” (03/19/2020); Aspects Defining Human Life? (03/02/2020); Divinity Commanded the Void (01/28/2020)

“cool”, the profound challenges and consequences generated by sin are harsh, and sin must be made visible to Creation as corruption (we also say, decay, rotting). Sin is not a man-made problem, and can not be eliminated using finite human ability. All sin opposes the continued existence of sacred law, the continued existence of the Lawgiver, and the continued existence for the spheres of life established to support the living (i.e., heaven and earth; what we know as the universe). Sin has not been created or put forth by divinity, yet, the working of sin may dominate consciousness and self-will (willpower) within created beings and living creatures. Sin promotes non-existence and a return to the conditions that were in place before Creation (e.g., chaos, lack of fixed form, and movement without direction). The mercy, righteousness, and wrath of GOD against sin are displayed through both divine judgment that is impartial, and through divine grace that expresses forbearance, forgiveness, love, repentance and sorrow for win within sinners, and reconciliation. Mankind was to be a companion to divinity who is immortal, incorruptible and invisible. Even so, the life essence (breath; spirit; divine utterance; word) that was imparted from the makeup of GOD to mankind has become altered by transgression, and now appears as mortality and death working upon the earth. The mercy of GOD is poured out as the blood and life of Jesus Christ that has provided atonement, opportunities, and possibilities for mankind that otherwise can not exist. Man now may become “the new creation” and may live on the earth eternally once perfected by GOD. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Matthew 22: 29, King James Version (KJV): 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

(2.) Ecclesiastes 9: 18, KJV: 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

(3.) Galatians 5: 19-25, 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. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 8:00 PM, December 23, 2020 @ http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/cms/BST/40306-hope.400w.tn.png

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(12/21/2020) Recognizing Authentic Christian Believers

 

Both believers and skeptics have been known to approach even those who are long-time Christian believers demanding, “Show me some ID.” Attitudes, social behavior, obeying sacred law, and good works from an individual will change according to events and as expressions of the flesh (e.g., appetite, sensation, emotions/mind). Such measures are unpredictable and unstable, will not be consistent over time, and are not reliable as gauges of sacred content. Displays of spiritual gifts (e.g., healing; prophesying; speaking in tongues) are more to make the divine presence known and visible, and are not intended to point out those who are and ar not believers, or those having favor with GOD against those who do not. Because there must be discernment that comes only by the Spirit of GOD, many who are not themselves Christians find it difficult to correctly recognize and respond to others who are authentic Christian believers. Development, growth, and sacred practices established by the Holy Spirit must appear within the ongoing lifestyle and daily routine of every sinner who turns to Jesus Christ for redemption, lasting change, and salvation. Even so, a sinner who begins as a Christian believer today is to be regarded as a member of the family of GOD, however, they may require twenty or thirty years to become a balanced, consistent, full, and mature disciple and follower of Christ as the one and only Savior, and they will not become immortal and completely perfected until the Second Coming of Jesus. Water baptism is a sacred ceremony shared by mankind to acknowledge that divinity is now performing unseen acts within the body, consciousness, and spirit of a sinner whereby they receive the death, burial, and resurrection of their inborn spirit. A sinner who is reborn is a vessel containing divine DNA, so to speak, and is an offspring of GOD who receives “new life” through continuing operations of the Holy Spirit that impart a fresh endowment of sacred substance from the makeup of GOD. It is written: Romans 6: 3-11, King James Version (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. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Forest Toney” (Level 7 with 80,205 points) posted the following:

I can't find any so called Christian who is obeying all of Jesus' saying , so can you do it?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2^nd Corinthians 13: 4-6, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Casting Pearls Before Swine? (12/17/2020); The Device of Inheritance (12/01/2020); Made Perfect By Divinity (11/10/2020); The Power We Receive (11/19/2020); Do We Follow Paul? (10/01/2020); Spiritual Integrity and Maturity (05/12/2020); The “Perfection” Of Baptism (11/17/2019)

“Forest Toney”, at first, most sinners who embrace Christian belief become misdirected in their search for salvation by focusing on legal codes, finite human institutions, religious traditions, and their own wrong-doing, rather than by being careful to develop a right relationship with divinity through Jesus Christ. Sound knowledge of Christ focuses on his character, his ministry, his practices, his teachings, and the makeup of his Spirit that is to be imparted from the substance of GOD. Inseparable aspects of divine fullness are to be received that include balance, commitment, maturity, restraint, and stability. Faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, wisdom, and wrath against sin must appear. Those who become “born again” also must “grow up again” for what we may receive before the actual Second Coming of Christ is only an earnest or “partial payment” of all those on the earth will eventually receive. Every new believer must become transformed to exist as a life companion to divinity who resembles, reflects, and reveals the likeness of Jesus. This occurs through operations of the Holy Spirit that are embedded within ones life-process and daily routing. Included are such elements as discovery, gradual growth, learning, practice of sacred works (e.g., discernment, praise, prayer, repentance), study of the holy writings, and suffering. Discernment is a use of ones own sacred content to identify and respond to the endowments from divinity that reside within events, sacred messages, other persons, prophecies, the Scriptures, etc.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, using language from the Bible: Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 2:05 PM, December 20, 2020 @ https://sd.keepcalms.com/i/saved-by-grace-through-faith-ephesians-28-3.png

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(12/19/2020) GOD Made The World

Confusion and error may result by using language as a name or title for GOD that identifies divinity as associated with specific ethnic groups, individuals, and geographic locations. When reading the holy writings, the preposition “of” can appear indicating a specific origin or source (e.g., the epistle of Paul = “from” Paul), or “of” will indicate an owner (gods of the nations = “from” belonging to). Such phrases as “the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob” and “the God of our fathers” suggest that divinity is a material property concieved, owned, possesed, and shared among mankind as ones inheritance. Today, Israel is used as the name of a modern democracy among the nations in the Middle East, the name of a foremost patriarch and heir from Abraham among the Hebrews as well as the name that was used for the Northern Kingdom (also called Samaria) that was established by the ten tribes who became a separate state when they rejected Rehoboam, son of Solomon, and refused further rule by the House of David. It is written: Revelation 14: 6-7, King James Version (KJV): 6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Owner Of All Cosmos&Universes” (Level 1 with 1 point) posted the following:

The God of Israel is the God of Israel. Why would you worship the God of Israel if you are a Canadian, American, etc.?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. (Genesis 2: 1-3, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Both Existence and Life (12/11/2020); The Power We Receive (11/19/2020); “What if” and “Maybe” (10/20/2020); Why So Many Churches? (10/17/2020); Jews In Perpetual Covenant? (09/20/2020); The Sons Of GOD? (07/19/2020); Why Is Passover Important? (03/01/2020)

“Owner Of All Cosmos&Universes”, for many mature Christian believers the divine fullness we speak of as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit has created the heaven and earth as well as all that have existence and life. Existing as spirit in form and substance, GOD can not be defined using the same finite human measures used to describe insitutions that emerge through social exchange and interaction, such material objects on the earth as governments, kingdoms, nations, or the things within time and space (e.g., ages, eras, events, locations, periods). Consider again the following that presents Christian belief using language found in the Bible:

(1.) Acts 17: 24-31, King James Version (KJV): 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

(2.) Ephesians 4: 4-6, KJV: 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

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THE BLACK PHOENIX

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