The Good Of The Father (The One True Church) #1981

 For even as the body is one and has many members, yet all the members of the one body, being many, are one body, thus also is the Christ.  For in one spirit also we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether salves or free, and all are made to imbibe one spirit.  For the body is not one member, but many 

Paul to the Corinthians (1) 12: 12-14, Concordant New Testament 

It's been no secret, I've been pretty critical of the mainstream church.  The other day, in a conversation with a friend, I was asked the question if I really felt that negatively against the people in the church.  No, I do not.  Let me be clear, the church which I criticize is the institutional mainstream church system, not the body of Christ which is the one true church {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 12:27}.  The church which has drawn my criticism is the church system.  The church system of hierarchies, rules and traditions.  I believe that this is why Jesus called out the Pharisees of His day {Matthews Account 23:13-39}.  For it was these Pharisees who burdened the people with their traditions and rules, all in the supposed name of God.  I also believe that there are quite a few modern day pastors who continue in this tradition.  The church of Jesus, the one true church of which we are all members of the body of Christ.  For it is not the local pastor who is the head of this church, but Jesus {Paul to the Colossians 1:18}.  The theology of the mainstream church has long centered on the false narrative that it is the sin of man which separates him from God.  Question, how can our sin separate us from Jesus if we are indeed all members of His body?  The answer, of course, is obvious if one truly desires to believe it.  That Christ died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  That Jesus was the innocent sacrifice for the sin of man {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Make no mistake, we are the ones who needed to die, not Jesus.  Jesus gave Himself that His church would be free of the slavery of sin {Paul to the Galatians 5:1}.  So it is that when I speak in terms of the mainstream church, I am not speaking of the church of Jesus, but that of the church of man created religion.  The separation theology of the institutional church cannot lead to freedom.  Freedom is found in Christ, the head of His church.  

And He is the head of the body, the ecclesia, Who is sovereign, Firstborn from among the dead, that in all He may be becoming first

Paul to the Colossians 1: 18, Concordant New Testament 

A good friend made the comment the other day that there comes a point where friendships become "Thin."  That at some point we might not be able to recall the names of some of those whom we once called friends.  My Gym Rat community currently is comprised of somewhere around 54 people who I have become acquainted with in my time going to the gym.  There is simply no way that I can walk into this place without someone recognizing me.  A lot of this has to do with my reaching out to others in conversation over time.  If I were still slaving in the mainstream church, one might refer to this as my community.  And it is just that.  But this isn't my community, this is the community of Christ which he has brought together.  This is His ecclesia, the one true church in practice.  While we all might not be aware of our life in Christ Jesus, that does not take away from the fact that we are all members of His body, each one of us.  I have a feeling that my friend might be right, and that at some point I may forget a name or two.  But I seem to have that unique ability to recall someone's name simply from recognizing them in person.  My mom had this ability as well.  It is Jesus who speaks through me into those in His ecclesia church each and every day.  And that's better than any boring mainstream church sermon.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Proactive Prayer) #1980

 

And this I am praying, that your love may be superabounding still more and more in realization and all sensibility, for you to be testing what things are of consequence, that you may be sincere and no stumbling block for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that is through Jesus Christ for the glory and laud of God

Paul to the Philippians 1: 9-11, Concordant New Testament 

This past week I was intrigued by a post by Wayne Jacobsen which he titled "Finding romance on the God journey."  This coincided with his weekly The God Journey podcast.  I've seen Wayne touch on more than a few topics which I honestly have not seen as religious in nature, but this one got to me.  The fact remains that somewhere around 51% of Americans proclaim themselves to be single, including myself.  What Wayne Jacobsen may have just done is tap into something which many Americans wish for themselves.  That being the love and companionship that comes with a marriage relationship.  In the past, growing up in the church, I was told that I should make my requests for marriage known to the Lord.  Well, that's all fine and good, but what about the faith and well-being of my future mate?  The other day I asked of a good friend of mine, one who has enjoyed over fifty years of marriage, about what he prays over his wife for.  His response?  He prays for the Fathers peace over her among other things.  I get it.  See, women are designed differently than men for a unique reason, created by the Father to be that compliment to her mate {Genesis 2:18}.  After my friend responded with his answer to my question, I realized that what is needed is not the general "Name it and claim it" prayers of the mainstream church, but a more proactive prayer for my future mate.  My prayers should be for her health, her knowledge of her life in the Father and for Gods peace surrounding her.  The truth is, as God prepares me for a new chapter in my life, he is also preparing her for that moment as well.  The traditional way of prayer which is taught within the mainstream church all too often speaks to the literal definition found in the scriptures.  How many grew up being taught that if we're to ask of God that He will provide us what we are seeking?  One look into the scriptures will reveal more than a few verses which speak to this {Johns Account 15:7, Johns Account 14:13, Marks Account 11:24}.  I see this as reactionary prayer.  That is, we realize there is a need and we seek the Lord to provide that need for us.  This despite the fact that Jesus Himself has spoken that the Father already knows what we need {Matthews Account 6:8}.  Why not, then, be proactive in our prayers? 

Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall be garrisoning your hearts and apprehensions in Christ Jesus

Paul to the Philippians 4: 6-7, Concordant New Testament 

I believe that the apostle Paul was onto something when he spoke to prayer in the book of Philippians.  Paul speaks to not being anxious about anything, but in everything let our requests be made known to God {Paul to the Philippians 4:6-7}.  I admit that for much of my life, I was a reactionary praying man.  When the need arose, I lifted my prayers unto the Lord.  Many times these prayers were spoken as I was filled with anxiety and other emotions of the moment.  Now, there's nothing wrong with this, as the scriptures are filled with those of old who cried out to God in the moments of their distress.  I believe that what Paul was attempting to get across with his iconic scripture was to rest in the love and grace of the Father as we pray.  Obviously, in the heat of the moment this might not be the easiest thing to do.  But the prayers offered for a future mate are not simply prayers in the heat of the moment.  These are proactive prayers for the person which the Father chosen for us.  Obviously, if His spirit has placed it upon our hearts the desire for that relationship with another, then we can certainly pray over that person He has chosen.  That they know their life is in the Father.  That His peace will surround them.  These are proactive prayers for the relationship we seek.  Of course, our proactive prayers can most definitely be spoken for any area of our life or that of those around us.  That they would come to know the truth of the Father.  That their eyes would be opened to the truth of Jesus in them.  One thing that we can be certain of is that He hears our prayers. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (No Shame In His Game) #1979

 

For not ashamed am I of the evangel, for it is God's power for salvation to everyone who is believing- -to the Jew first, and to the Greek as well

Paul to the Romans 1: 16, Concordant New Testament 

The other day a good friend reminded me of the power of my own personal testimonies in my writing.  Somehow, when we read of the experiences others have endured, we can relate to those experiences ourselves.  I've mentioned before the evangel of the apostle Paul and how important it is to our own understanding of a life lived in Jesus.  Paul understood this truth all too well.  It is Paul who reminds us in Galatians of the truth of Christ Jesus in us {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Paul understood that it was no longer about him, but about Christ who now lived in him.  I would suggest that the evangel of Paul is made all the more powerful thanks to the apostle relating his own life experiences into his writings.  We know that he was far from being ashamed of speaking his evangel of Jesus to others around him {Paul to the Romans 1:16}.  Of course, we know that speaking these words often landed Paul in trouble with the powers that be of those days.  For he was mistreated and imprisoned simply for speaking his evangel of the Lord Christ Jesus.  Most would have backed away in the face of such mistreatment, but not Paul.  In fact, Paul speaks to rejoicing in our tribulations and difficulties {Paul to the Colossians 1:24}.  I can honestly say that I have retreated from speaking the gospel of Jesus unto others in difficult situations.  There are times that I worry about how my words will be taken.  If I am really speaking the words the Father intends me to.  We can be assured that Paul himself struggled with these same fears as well.  It was during one of these times, as Paul remained in Corinth, that the Lord spoke to him through a vision and encouraged Paul not to be silent in speaking his evangel {Acts of the Apostles 18:9-10}.  As he had done before, Paul persevered.  I've often prayed that my own words spoken of the evangel of the Lord could be as effective and convincing as those of Paul.  However, I can take comfort in knowing that he endured the same trials as I have. 

For me to be living is Christ, and to be dying, gain 

Paul to the Philippians 1: 21, Concordant New Testament 

In my own life, I have noticed more than a few similarities I share with Paul.  I grew up in the mainstream church, learning all about the separation theology of the church.  For his part, Paul spent a good deal of his life studying in the synagogues of the Jewish faith.  It wasn't until that day on the road to Damascus that Paul heeded the call of Jesus Whom he had spent so many years persecuting {Acts of the Apostles 9:1-6}.  By his own admission, Paul came to his realization of his life in Jesus "When it delights God" {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}.  Here, God had taken a Jewish zealot and shaped him into one of the strongest voices of the gospel of Christ the world will ever know.  What better testimony for Jesus is there?  In my own life, my own realization of my life in Jesus followed a similar path.  For it was over forty years until it pleased God that He would reveal His Son in me as well.  Yes, there are times that I wish that He had called me unto Him sooner, but who am I to dispute God?  God has transformed this man once akin to frequenting local strip clubs and porn websites into one who speaks the evangel of Christ unto others.  I'd say that's another similarity I share with the apostle.  I also know that I'm not alone in my journey to knowing my life in Christ.  For when it delights God, others will come to know Him as well.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Proselyte) #1978

 

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  for you are going about the sea and the dry land to make one proselyte, and whenever he may be becoming one, you are making him more than double a son of Gehenna than you are" 

Matthews Account 23: 15, Concordant New Testament 

By definition, a proselyte is a person who has converted from one opinion, religion or party to another.  Donald Trump can be described as a proselyte, for he once sided with the Democrat party back when the Democrats were actually relevant.  In His "Woes to the Pharisees," Jesus publicly condemns the Jewish authorities for their conversions of proselytes.  Jesus suggests that these Pharisees do not create a righteous convert, but one who is "More than double a son of Gehenna than you are" {Matthews Account 23:15}.  Now, for clarification, Jesus used the reference of Gehenna in a bad way.  For in Jewish lore, Gehenna was that place of punishment after death.  Think of it as a form of hell.  Through their teachings and traditions, the Pharisees held the people under their yoke of authority, and Jesus called them out for this.  Why do I bring this up?  The other day I was in a conversation with a Gym Rat friend who often claims to be a believer, but also believes in some pretty outlandish stuff.  Is he truly a proselyte?  I'm not sure.  What I do know is that I've had to research more than a few claims which he has made in order to convince myself that he is mistaken.  But something interesting happened that changed my outlook on my situation with my friend.  Another good friend suggested to me that it is only Jesus can change my Gym Rat friends delusion.  I can speak Jesus into him, but it is only the Father who will open his eyes to the truth of his life in Him.  I use the example of the apostle Paul, who indeed became a proselyte for Jesus on that road to Damascus.  Remember, as he traveled to Damascus, the man Saul was doing so that he would persecute the followers of Jesus in that city.  Well, God had other plans for Saul that day.  Many believers will agree that Paul is one of the greatest speakers of Jesus of all time.  This coming from a proselyte.  

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God, for many false prophets have come out into the world 

First Epistle of John 4: 1, Concordant New Testament 

By his own admission, Paul's conversion came at a point not of his own choosing, but "When it delights God" {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}.  Why is this important?  Because I do not set the timeline of when the Father will open ones eyes of another to the truth of their life in Him.  My Gym friend will not become a proselyte on my time schedule, but on Gods.  In my own experience, it has taken me over forty years for my own eyes to be opened to the truth of my life in Christ.  I have experienced Sunday sermons, conversations with other Christians as well as time alone in prayer, yet it was only when it delighted the Father that my eyes would be opened to my life in Him.  I can speak Jesus into the life of my friend, but it is only according to the will of the Father that he will come to know Him.  Make no mistake, those who know the truth of their lives in Christ will undoubtedly be a positive factor in the lives of those around them.  I believe that this is why Jesus spoke to the truth of "Letting your light shine in front of men" in His sermon on the mount {Matthews Account 5:16}.  We are indeed the light of the world {Matthews Account 5:14}.  That light is the light of Christ within us {Johns Account 1:4-5}.  We can speak the truth of Christ Jesus into the world, but it is the Father who will open their eyes to the truth of His Son in them. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Jesus As He Is) #1977

 

Now from the sixth hour darkness came over the entire land until the ninth hour.  Now about the ninth hour Jesus exclaims with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi! Eloi! Lema Sabachthani?"  This is, "My God! My God! why didst Thou forsake Me?" 

Matthews Account 27: 45-46, Concordant New Testament 

The other day I came across a podcast by Joe Rogan in which he unpacked a bombshell directed at those who proclaim that Jesus was indeed fully man and fully God.  Now, on the advice of a good friend, I have yet to find any reference in the scriptures that Jesus was indeed fully God as well as being fully human.  I would suggest that the Father Himself has declared that there cannot be any other God before him {Isaiah 45:5}.  God is alone in His deity and prominence.  Now, I don't know where the false narrative that Jesus is fully God came along, but there is definitely scriptural evidence to refute it.  We're told that Jesus has been from the beginning.  That all things have been created for Him and through Him {Johns Account 1:1-3}.  The Trinitarians, those who believe in the existence of the doctrine of the trinity in the Father, Son and the holy spirit, often fall short when attempting to explain How Jesus could be fully God.  One question which they won't answer is that which was uttered by Jesus Himself as He died on the cross.  "Eloi! Eloi! Lema Sabachthani!"  As He died on the cross, Jesus cried out "My God! My God! Why didst Thou forsake Me? {Matthews Account 27:45-46}.  Clearly, Jesus is recognizing the Father for who He is.  MY God.  Clearly, Jesus understood just what it was that He was saying.  He was not God in any way, fashion or form.  The truth is, Jesus is and always has been in union with God.  He speaks to our union life in the Father in the book of John {Johns Account 14:20}.  In this passage, Jesus clearly proclaims that "I am in My Father."  Does being in the Father somehow make Jesus God?  No!  I take this passage for what it is, that Jesus in in the Father and we are in Him.  If Jesus were indeed God, He could have lifted Himself off of that cross when the going Got tough.  Jesus Himself spoke to "Entreating the Father" to place beside Him legions of messengers (angels) to protect Him if He so desired {Matthews Account 26:52-53}.  If Jesus is fully God, why would he need to petition God for help?  

In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you

Johns Account 14: 20, Concordant New Testament 

The fact remains that we need to accept the Lord Jesus for who He is.  That is, who HE HIMSELF proclaims to be.  He has proclaimed that "I and the Father, we are one" {Johns Account 10:30}.  Does this make Jesus God?  No!  What it does do is confirm His words which we find in the book of John, that He is indeed IN the Father.  Jesus can be in the Father and yet not BE the Father.  I live my life in union with Christ, but I am not God.  Now, here is a question which I will attempt to answer in a future page.  If I live in Christ Jesus, am I indeed Jesus?  That's a question for another day.  However, it does dovetail into the discussion of whether or not Jesus is fully God.  We have plenty of scriptures where Jesus Himself speaks to His being in union with the Father.  However, we have no supporting scriptures that He is fully God as well as fully man.  Jesus was born in the likeness of man {Paul to the Philippians 2:7}.  He became flesh and has dwelt among us as an only-begotten from the Father {Johns Account 1:14}.  This is the truth which we have in Christ Jesus.  That we live our life in Him.  That He is indeed in the Father.  One with Him, yet not as Him.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of the Father (The Many Travels Of Jesus) # 1976

 Who say also, "Men! Galileans!  Why do you stand, looking into heaven?  This Jesus Who is being taken up from you into heaven shall come thus, in the manner in which you gaze at Him going into heaven

Acts of the Apostles 1: 11, Concordant New Testament 

How many times have you heard believers and those within the church proclaim, 'When Jesus comes again?"  Indeed, there are those who base their entire life living for that moment.  I have a Gym Rat buddy who is always speaking to the joy the world will experience once Jesus returns.  I get it.  For their part, those in the mainstream church have stoked this belief over the years.  We're told in the book of Acts that Christ Jesus will come in the same way that we have seen Him depart {Acts of the Apostles 1:11}.  Of course, this was just after Jesus was "Lifted up, and a cloud took Him up from their eyes" {Acts of the Apostles 1:9}.  Taken literally, we can assume that Jesus will return again in the same fashion.  At least this is what the church theology will tell us.  But wait, what if they got it wrong?  What if Jesus has already returned?  What if Jesus never left in the first place?  Is Jesus limited to where He can go?  I would assume that if the grave could not contain Him that Jesus can definitely go anywhere.  Too many of our contemporary praise and worship hymns give the invitation "Come, Lord Jesus!"  Even in our prayer life, we often invite Jesus into our presence believing that He will add power to our prayer requests {Johns Account 14:13-14, Johns Account 16:24}.  Yet Jesus Himself has assured us that wherever two or more are gathered in His name, He is there among them {Matthews Account 18:20}.  So, do we really need to invite Jesus into our presence?  I would say no, and here's why.  One of the core beliefs in Christianity is that we have been created by God in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  How is it that something created can be separated from its creator?  We're also told through the scriptures that all came into being through Christ Jesus {Johns Account 1:3}.  Christ has always been the source of who it is that we are.  Knowing this, it's an error to believe that we need to invite Him into our life.  Growing up in the church I heard the same mantra, invite Jesus into your life and you will be saved!  Well, the truth is, He's always been here among us.  

To whom God wills to make known what are the glorious riches of this secret among the nations, which is: Christ among you, the expectation of glory

Paul to the Colossians 1: 27, Concordant New Testament 

The apostle Paul himself speaks to the presence of Christ Jesus among us in his Pros Kolossaeis "To the Colossians" letter {Paul to the Colossians 1:27}.  It is here that Paul proclaims that this "Secret among the nations" will be revealed to whom God will to make known.  That secret?  Christ among you, the expectation of glory.  I can honestly say that this has never been an easy concept for me to grasp onto, perhaps this is why Paul deemed it the secret among the nations.  It's definitely something which I never heard preached within the mainstream church.  Back then we never rejoiced in His presence, but prayed that He would come once again.  It's worth mentioning here that Jesus Himself has proclaimed that we live our life in union with He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Knowing this, do we really need to invite Jesus anywhere we might be?  He's already here!  He's been here.  It's just that this truth of our life in the Father does not fit into the narrative of the separation theology of the mainstream church.  In this false teaching, it is our own sin which has separated us from Gods presence.  Through his evangel, Paul lays waste to this line of incorrect thinking.  Paul speaks to Jesus dying to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  As He died on the cross, Jesus proclaimed "It is accomplished!" {Johns Account 19:28}.  For Jesus, it is a one and done, which includes our sin past, present and future.  Again, this does not fit the theology of the church.  For instead of inviting Jesus into our presence, we should be glorying IN His presence. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The False Image) #1975

 

There is no independent, self-operating self in the universe, except the One who calls Himself the I AM {Exodus 3:14} and says "I am the Lord and there is none else, there is no God beside Me {Isaiah 45:5}

Norman Grubb ~ No Independent Self 

I've noticed over the past few years the impact of the false narrative preached by the mainstream church for thousands of years.  That being, that it is our own sin which has separated us from Gods presence.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, I would say that sin is simply the by product of our accepting the lie spoken by the church.  The truth is, we have never been separated from God.  For we are created in His very likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  He has breathed into His creation the breath of life, creating a living soul {Genesis 2:7}.  The origin of this false image is the lie spoken by the deceiver in the garden.  The serpent enticed Eve with his words that if she were to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that which the Lord had commanded her never to take from, that she and Adam would then "Be like God, knowing good and evil" {Genesis 3:1-6}.  Of course, having been created by the Father in His likeness, Adam and Eve were ALREADY like God.  Yet Eve was enticed by the words of Satan, and she took of the forbidden fruit and ate of it and offered it to Adam as well.  The damage was done.  The church refers to this as "The fall," where mankind sank into sin.  I suggest that it wasn't the taking of the forbidden fruit which constituted the fall of man into sin, but the belief in the false image spoken by the deceiver.  That man could somehow be separate from God Who created him.  This is the same lie which Satan himself believed when he proclaimed that he would "Exalt my throne above the stars of God" {Isaiah 14:12-13}.  Satan not only desired to be greater than God, but he convinced Gods creation that they could be as well.  Even today, the belief is that we are our own individual self, with God in heaven and His human creation living separate from Him here on earth.  Our understanding of God has been permeated by this lie.  Our prayers invite God to "Draw near to us."  Our worship music all too often proclaims "Come, Lord Jesus."  This is the result of our belief in the lie spoken by the accuser in the garden.  Sin is the result of that belief.  Make no mistake, it is the church which even today perpetuates the lie through its own false teachings.  

In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you 

Johns Account 14: 20, Concordant New Testament 

This lie of the deceiver is often directly related to our own view of ourselves as well.  For we accept that which we others speak of who we are instead of knowing who we are in the Father.  I have a friend who has taken to accepting the false belief that he is indeed one of the worst, vile people you'd ever want to meet.  This lie has been spoken unto him so often that he now accepts it as the truth.  That's the thing about a lie, if you speak it often enough people eventually accept it as the truth.  To his credit, my friend has began to realize that he is not who other people claim that he is.  He is, in fact, a child of God {First Epistle of John 3:1}.  The words of Jesus we find in the book of John speak to the truth of our life in the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  We are not separated from Him, but live our life IN Him.  Unfortunately, the eyes of far too many believers have yet to be opened to this truth of our life in God.  The best example we're given of this transformation comes from the words of the apostle Paul.  Saul was raised in the synagogues of the Jewish faith, having been raised knowing the lie which spoke of God being far removed from man in heaven.  But all of that changed that day on the road to Damascus.  It's here where Saul had his infamous "Come to Jesus" moment.  From that point on, Paul began to gain in the knowledge of his life in the Father.  He realized that the his old man was dead and gone {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  What remained, is Christ.  Paul did not come to this realization right away.  In his own words, he speaks to "When it delights God" that He revealed His Son in him {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}.  My own realization of my life in the Father has taken over forty years.  The evangel spoken by Paul speaks to our union life in Christ.  That it is not sin which separates us from God {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  We do well to accept this truth of our life in the Father. 

~Scott~