The Good Of The Father (Defenders Of The Faith) # 2122

 

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 

I added a new word in my lexicon this week.  That word is dogmatic.  People have used the world dogmatic to describe a sector of those Christian believers who hold fast to the beliefs and traditions of their faith.  Google defines dogmatic as "Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true."  Those who are dogmatic tend to speak their belief as the one truth while ignoring the input of others.  They hold tight to the scriptures they know will support their argument, of which they involve themselves in many.  I would be inclined to describe Christianity as we know it as a religion prone to dogmatic practices.  Those within the church all too often preach the practices which their defenders of the faith adhere to.  Recently I have had the opportunity of experiencing the dogmatic defenders of the faith first hand.  I have a gym friend who clings to his scripture and church taught beliefs as if they were chained to his feet.  There is no discussion about a differing view of scripture or Christian author.  There is no room for the grace and mercy of the Father when it comes to wrong behaviors.  In his eyes, the wicked shall be punished with an  eternity in hell.  He will back up his belief with carefully screened passages from the bible to make his case.  Those who have not accepted Christ into their hearts will also be among those banished to the hell created for Satan and his followers.  Seeing as Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life, He is our access to the Father {Johns Account 14:6}.  Think you're a child of God as the scriptures tell us?  Not so fast!  In the eyes of the dogmatic believer, only those who have accepted Jesus are worthy of being children of God.  As you can see, there is little room for the love and mercy of God in the minds of the dogmatic believer.  For them everything is cut and dry and laid out in front of them.  The good will be rewarded and the guilty punished, end of story.  

In one of my one sided discussions with my friend the other day I asked him a simple question which he has yet to answer, what is it like for you to live in the freedom of Christ?  I believe that he cannot answer this because he has yet to experience the joy we have in living in the freedom of Christ Jesus.  This is the freedom I did not began to experience until I was away from the church for some time.  The Jesus which I now know is not the Jesus which was spoken to me while I was active in the church.  For the church has made a habit of not speaking to a closer relationship with Christ.  Sure, they may mention and gloss over it, but they never speak to that joy of truly living in the presence of God.  Jesus speaks to our own life lived in the Father in the book of John {Johns Account 14:20}.  To the dogmatic believer, the mere mention of scripture such as this and we're accused of cherry picking the scriptures to suit our blasphemous narrative.  The pot calling the kettle black.  Some of the most dogmatic people in history were the Pharisees and scribes of Jesus' day.  They burdened the people with the traditions and requirements of their religion.  This is why Jesus stood before them on that day and proclaimed His "Woes to the Pharisees" {Matthews Account 23:1-33}.  I've often wondered, if Jesus were to confront the pastors of today, would we see His "Woe to you pastors?"  Something tells me that more than a few dogmatic believers would be critical of Him for doing just that. 

For the era will be when they will not tolerate sound teaching, but, their hearing being tickled, will heap up for themselves teachers in accord with their own desires 

Paul to Timmothy (2) 4: 3, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (One Saved All) # 2121

 

For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified 

Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15: 22, Concordant New Testament 

I have a gym friend who, despite having been told that I am a believer, has taken it upon himself to try to convert me to Christianity.  There are times that I feel that I am wearing a shirt with the words "I'm a sinner, please convert me" written upon it.  I get it.  Back in my church days, I would take each and every opportunity not to proclaim the good news of Jesus, but the requirements one needed to do in order to get into heaven.  This is what I have been hearing for some time now.  Perhaps the Lord is gently reminding me of what I used to sound like to others?  Whatever the case, it seems that I am in need of being converted all over again into the Christian religion.  One of the requirements of going to heaven is that we realize that our life is filled with sin and that we need Gods continual forgiveness.  The truth is that this is what our identity once was back in the day.  However, is it through the death of Christ Jesus on the cross as the propitiation for our sin that we are no longer suffering the burdens of sin {First Epistle of John 2:2}.  That's right, our sin debt has been paid in full.  My gym friend will get all twisted into knots whenever I mention the desire of the Lord that all be saved {Paul to Timothy (1) 2:4}.  In his view, all continue to be guilty of that sin which Christ Jesus bled and died to forgive.  I believe that those who continue in this church driven belief are ignoring the reason for His death.  Not simply that we would be forgiven that which was against us, but that sin itself would be defeated {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  The truth we have in the sacrifice of Christ is that ALL shall be made alive {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15:22}.  Most refer to this truth as universal salvation, and the mainstream church pretty much considers it to be blasphemy when spoken of.

One of the precedents of Christian belief is that we have been created in the Fathers likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  That we are indeed His children {First Epistle of John 3:2}.  Therefore, is it beyond the Father to desire that all of His children be saved?  Is it even possible that all have been saved and it just has not been revealed to them?  Yes!  One thing I know is that all things are possible with God {Mathews Account 19:26}.  Man may consider something to be impossible, yet the Father deems it possible.  Is it therefore possible that man considers the need that others be judged for their sin, but that God assures them that their sins have been forgiven?  Is it even possible that the entire church driven narrative that hell is the eternal punishment for sin is not what the Father has in store for us?  Remember, with God all things are possible.  Is it even our domain to condemn anyone to hell?  Or, is this the domain of the Father Who created us?  Jesus has spoken that we "Do not judge, lest you may be judged" {Matthews Account 7:1-5}.  Yet many in the church continue to proclaim the Lords children guilty of that which Christ Jesus has already given His life for {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  The same church which celebrates the forgiveness of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus is the same church which condemns others to hell for the sin Jesus has already forgiven us.  This is one of the main reasons I believe in the truth which others refer to as universal salvation.  Because with God, all things are possible.  

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and losing one of them, is not leaving the ninety-nine in the wilderness and is going after the lost one, till he may be finding it?  And finding it, he is placing it on his shoulders, rejoicing." 

Lukes Account 15: 4-5, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Choice) # 2120

 

No one can come to Me if ever the Father Who sends Me should not be drawing him, and I shall be raising him in the last day 

Johns Account 6: 44, Concordant New Testament 

If you have spent much time adhering to the teachings of the Christian religion, then you know that there is the process by which we are saved.  That being that we accept Christ Jesus into our hearts.  This is "The choice" which a believer makes to ensure that they are indeed saved.  I made that choice relatively early in life.  Most of my childhood years were spent going to church on Sundays and listening to one pulpit pounder or another give their rendition of what the scriptures said.  But one thing was for certain, I needed to accept Jesus for myself in order to guarantee my spot in the Lords salvation.  Or did I?  In recent years, outside of the influence of the mainstream church, I have grown in my understanding not only of my own life in the Father, but that the choice which drew me unto Jesus had been made well before I was born.  For not only is Jesus the Way the Truth and the Life, but He is THE way to God {Johns Account 14:6}.  But was it I who came to Jesus, or did the Father Himself draw me unto Him?  Jesus has spoken that no one can come to Him "If ever the Father Who sends me should not be drawing him" {Johns Account 6:44}.  These are the very words of Jesus telling us that it is not we who come to Him, but the Father Who draws us unto Him.  This kind of puts a new meaning to that all too familiar come to Jesus moment many of us have thought we have experienced.  Did Saul have a come to Jesus moment on the road to Damascus?  Or, as he later describes his own revelation of Christ in him, was it only "When it delights God" that Jesus was revealed unto him? {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}.  Consider the circumstances of Sauls mission that day, he was on his way to Jerusalem in order to persecute the followers of Jesus, with the full blessing of the leaders of the Jewish church.  So, his intention that day was not to come to Jesus, but to persecute Him.  So, it's safe to say that for Saul this was never a come to Jesus moment.  This was a draw Saul unto Jesus moment initiated by the Father.

For some time, I referred to Sauls encounter on the road to Damascus as his come to Jesus moment, I was in error on that account.  For it is God Who drew him to the very one he had been persecuting.  What followed is Sauls own revelation of Christ in him which he speaks of in Galatians {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  In my thinking, this throws into question the entire church narrative that we are the ones who "come to Jesus" in order to achieve that free gift of salvation given unto us by the Father.  That we are the ones who take that personal initiative to accept Christ into our hearts.  This also denotes the fact that we indeed have that free will to make that choice, but that's a topic for another page.   The truth is that we ourselves are not the ones who choose Jesus, for that decision has been made by the Father long before we were ever born.  It is God Himself Who draws us unto Christ.  It is God Who drew Paul unto his revelation of his life in Christ.  I feel that at the base of this belief that we are the ones who choose and accept Jesus into our life is the error of the belief that we are indeed separated from God via sin.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Jesus bled and died that we would no longer be slaves to sin {Paul to the Romans 6:6-11}.  This in no way means that there is no longer sin in this world, only that we have died to that which once defined us {Paul to the Romans 6:1-2}.  It is through Christ that our life is not apart from God, but through Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  Knowing this, we can see that it is not we who come to Jesus, but the Father Who draws us to Him.  Which is more a decision than a choice. 

Jesus is saying to him, "I am the Way the Truth and the Life.  No one is coming to the Father except through Me 

Johns Account 14: 6, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Conditional Salvation) # 2119

 For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is Gods approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting

Paul to the Ephesians 2: 8-9, Concordant New Testament 

If you've spent any time in the confines of any Christian church you've indeed heard the qualifications which are required of us in order to punch that ticket into heaven.  In my time spent in the church, I was told that I needed to accept Christ Jesus and believe in order to get into heaven.  But then they raised that bar of expectations on me, telling me that it was my still existent sin which could still prevent me from seeing Gods heaven.  So, what is the standard?  A life void of sin?  Accepting the Lord Jesus?  Someone please tell me so that I can be assured that I'm on the right path.  I have a gym friend who is constantly reminding me of the qualifications required for those believers desiring to get into heaven.  That qualification is that one accepts Jesus into their hearts.  I get it.  The apostle Paul attests to this in his letter to the Romans {Paul to the Romans 10:9}.  But what about those who for one reason or another have never heard or been made aware of Jesus?  I'll get to that scenario in a bit.  But first allow me to address the mainstream church free gift of conditional salvation.  That's right, although the Father has graced us with His free gift of salvation, those within the church continue to confess that we must "Accomplish something" in order to make our salvation possible.  That something is our acceptance of Christ Jesus.  Now, in this the church goes strictly by scripture.  For Paul himself has spoken that we must believe.  However, Paul also speaks to the truth that it is by the grace of the Father by which we have been saved {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}.  So, which is it?  Do we accept Jesus and by doing so stake our claim to the Lords salvation?  Or, do we trust in the grace and truth of the Father and accept that through Christ Jesus it has already been provided for?  I choose to trust in the Lord.  

In the film Come Sunday, the reverend Carlton Pearson causes quite a stir within his congregation by proclaiming that there is no hell.  That the free gift given unto us by the Father has negated the need for eternal punishment.  As a result of his radical teachings, the reverend Pearson was removed from his position in the church.  It seems that the church leadership couldn't stomach the blasphemy of trusting in the free gift of God.  Carlton Pearson was driven to his own revelation of the Father from watching a commercial on television which depicted starving people in a far away impoverished land.  Would God really condemn to hell these of His children whom may have never even heard of Christ Jesus?  Would God condemn any of His children to hell?  Is there even a hell?  Far from being a theological question, this is more along the lines of believing what the Father has already revealed to us through the scriptures.  That His salvation is not something that we earn, but something He Himself has given unto us.  Of course, it is through Christ Jesus that we will come to the Father, for He is the "Way and the Truth and the Life" {Johns Account 14:6}.  Nobody shall ever come to the Father except through Jesus.  That being said, we must also understand that it is the Father Who has graced us with the gift of His salvation.  The church has not done this, it could never have achieved it.  What we have is forgiveness given unto us by the grace of God through Christ Jesus.  Through Christ Jesus, we have access to the Father {Johns Account 6:44}.  Contrary to the teachings of those within the church, there is NOTHING which we can do that will ever guarantee us entrance into the Lords presence.  However, when He reveals the truth of our life in Him, we will understand that we already have a place there {Johns Account 14:20}.  

No one can come to Me if ever the Father Who sends Me should not be drawing him.  And I shall be raising him in the last day

Johns Account 6: 44, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Jesus In Context) # 2118

 

Knowing this first, that no prophesy of scripture at all is becoming its own explanation.  For not by the will of man was prophesy carried on at any time, but, being carried on by holy spirit, holy men of God speak

Peter to the Dispersion (2) 1: 20=21, Concordant New Testament 

Has anyone ever been involved in a conversation that they cannot seem to win?  I know that I have.  Recently one of my gym friends has taken to describing any notion of scripture that is different from his own as someone taking the scripture out of context.  Now, this is an easy defense for someone who chooses not to accept someone's opinion of how the scripture is to be translated.  This is why I rarely engage in discussions of scripture with someone who seems to have an agenda outside of the Father.  Come to think of it, this is a defense which I once used to defend my own interpretation of the scriptures back in my church days.  The apostle Peter speaks to the truth that "No prophesy of scripture at all is becoming it's own explanation."  The New King James version makes this more clear, that "No prophesy of scripture comes from someone's own interpretation" {Peter to the Dispersion (2) 1:20-21}.  My same friend who accuses me of taking the scriptures out of context cringes at the thought that someone might have a different interpretation than he does.  In his eyes, he has the final say in what the scriptures are telling us.  I believe that this is the very reason by which the apostle John speaks to the truth that one must "Test the spirits to see if they are of God" {First Epistle of John 4:1}.  Yes, we may come across different interpretations of the word, but we also must do our diligence when contemplating these passages.  What makes our task that much more difficult is the countless versions and interpretations of the scriptures that we have out there.  Every so often, I'll see one more version pop up which claims to be the "Closest interpretation" to the original texts.  While this might be true, it is still the Fathers spirit within us that speaks to us as we read these words. 

I recall back in my church days that there was produced a Hawaiian native version of the New Testament which drew the interest of more than a few people.  This "Pidgeon bible" spoke the word in the native dialect of the Hawaiian islands.  In my posts, I often reference the Concordant interpretation because I have found that it closely resembles the original Greek language of the time.  Others choose to use another interpretation.  But I have done my diligence, I have tested the spirits when it comes to this version of the scriptures.  I can refer to the passages which I have given to memory in my discussions with others.  But at the end of the day, it's not about my interpretation of the scriptures, but on what the Father within me is speaking to me through the word He has given us.  In my opinion, the voice of the Father within us can never be taken out of context.  This is something I have mentioned to my friend, without much success.  There is a reason that so many people stay out of discussions which involve religion.  In these discussions, nobody comes out a winner.  When we keep man created religion out of the conversation and focus our attention on Christ Jesus, nothing can be taken out of context.  For it is the scriptures which tell the story of Jesus.  

And therefore we are also thanking God unintermittingly that, in accepting the word heard from us, from God you receive, not the word of men, but, according as it truly is, the word of God, which is operating also in you who are believing 

Paul to the Thessalonians (1) 2: 13, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Church Jesus Is Building) # 2117

 

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 

There are many in the Christian religion community who have referred to Jesus in the past tense.  As is Jesus, having been raised from among the dead, has now been declared dead after all.  Look what Jesus HAS done.  Consider what it is which Jesus HAS accomplished.  One thing I have learned is that words matter, and these words of so called believers give a false impression of Jesus.  For Jesus is not dead, but very much alive in our lives today.  The apostle Paul speaks to this in his admission that it is Christ Jesus who lives in him {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Jesus Himself has spoken to the truth of our life now lived within the love of the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  I mention this to illustrate that it is Jesus Who is the One who is active in the building of His church.  Some might refer to the traditional brick and mortar buildings and cathedrals built by man as the church, but these are not the church which Jesus is building.  The church which Jesus actively continues to build is that of the body of Christ, the followers of Jesus.  It is Jesus Who is the head of this body, His ecclesia {Paul to the Colossians 1:18}.  Everywhere we look we can see examples of this church which Jesus is building.  My own group of Gym friends I have developed over the past few years is a good example of the ecclesia of God.  There are no sermons or tithes given, but Jesus definitely has gathered this group together for His purpose.  And His church has grown!  At last count, I've counted near seventy people who are a part of this gathering.  Not all of us are believers, but there is no doubt that Jesus is definitely leading us.  Some might cringe at the thought of unbelievers being a part of the ecclesia of Christ, but we do well to remember that Jesus Himself was accused by the Pharisees of His day of gathering with sinners and tax collectors {Matthews Account 9:11}.  How did Jesus respond to their accusations?  "No need have the strong of a physician, but those having an illness" {Matthews Account 9:12}.  

Jesus is building His church one person at a time.  One struggling believer at a time.  One person doubting that there is a God at a time.  Jesus has proclaimed that He has not come to simply call the righteous among us, but to reconcile sinners and unbelievers unto the Father {Lukes Account 5:32}.  For this He was condemned by the religious authorities of His day.  There also continue to be those within the church who believe falsely that the ecclesia of the Lord is made up simply of those who believe in Christ.  To this I say, aren't we all part of that family?  Have we all not been created in the Fathers likeness?{Genesis 1:27}  To believe that only believers are a part of the ecclesia of Jesus is to deny that the rest of us have absolutely no connection to God.  That God has never been interested in reconciling His own unto Himself.  Paul speaks to the Father reconciling all unto Himself through Christ Jesus {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5: 18-19}.  I see the church being built by Jesus as the Father reconciling His own once again to Himself.  This includes believers and non-believers alike.  In this church, all are welcome. 

Yet all is of God, Who conciliates us to Himself through Christ, and is giving the us the dispensation of the conciliation, how that God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing us in the word of the conciliation 

Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5: 18-19, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Good Of The Father (Quick To Listen) # 2116

 We all talk a different language, talking in defense

The Living Years ~ Mike and the Mechanics (1988) 

I've come to realize over the years that there are those of us who are so very good at talking and listening to others.  In my time I've known more than a few.  I was reminded of this the other day while in a discussion with a gym friend.  The discussion was in danger of becoming more of a disagreement when I realized that what my friend needed was someone to listen and not to speak.  Realizing this, I introduced him to another friend whom I know has a heart for listening to people.  To my knowledge, their conversation soon flourished as a friend who needed that someone to listen found just that.  Now, I could have simply turned on my listening ears myself, but my friend was in a better place at that moment to listen to another.   I mention this situation because all too often we might find ourselves in the company of someone who doesn't need a speech, but simply someone to listen.  I perceived that in my friend the other day.  So, instead of escalating a conversation, I chose to connect him with someone I know would be more than glad to listen to him.  I have a dear friend whom I have known for some time, a retired pastor, who has been one of the most patient listeners I have ever known.  I know that no matter what I am dealing with, that I can talk with him and that he will guide me to what the Father is showing me in that situation.  I suggest that this is a unique gift, that gift of listening.  My mother had it.  She could walk into a room and within minutes she would be talking to a stranger like she had known them for years.  The art of listening.  The scripture tells us that we should be "Swift to hear, tardy to speak, tardy to anger" {James to the Twelve Tribes 1:19}.  If I would have continued in that conversation with my friend, I would not have been following the advice of James.  In my mind, he needed to hear what I had to tell him.  In reality, what he needed was that ear to hear what he had to say.  

I submit that many of the heated discussions which we engage in are a direct result of not having that ear to listen in the moment.  I admit that I've been guilty of that a time or two.  Sometimes I think I know better, sometimes I think that the Father needs to tell the other person something through me.  But what if I were to simply listen?  What would God reveal to me through this?  Many times, God places us in the presence of others not to convert or evangelize them, but that we would hear what God has for us to hear.  There is much to be said of seeking wise council in others.  In those who have the ear to listen.  The real reason that I introduced my friend to someone who I knew would listen to him is because in that moment I wasn't thinking about listening, but of trying to convince him that I was right and he was wrong.  That's not what he needed to hear.  I am thankful that I heeded the voice of the Father within me before that conversation got out of hand.  There are no winners in an argument.  Some might scoff at my speaking to knowing that voice of the Father in me, but this is the truth of my life in Him.  Unlike many well meaning Christians, God is always swift to listen to us.  We need only that ear to listen to what He is speaking to unto our hearts.  The truth is that God has always been an intimate part of us.  He created us in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  Jesus speaks to the truth that our life is lived through Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  When we speak to Him, He listens.  We can learn a valuable lesson from that.  

Now you are aware, my beloved brethren!  Yet let every man be swift to hear, tardy to speak, tardy to anger

James to the Twelve Tribes 1: 19, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father {Baggage Claim) # 2115

 

Knowing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, that the body of sin may be nullified, for us by no means to be still slaving for sin, for one who dies has been justified from sin.  Now if we died together with Christ, we believe that we shall be living together with Him also, having perceived that Christ, having been roused from among the dead, is no longer dying.  Death is lording it over Him no longer, for in that He died, He died to sin once for all time, yet in that He is living, He is living to God.  Thus you also, be reckoning yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus our Lord

Paul to the Romans 6: 6-11, Concordant New Testament 

Have you ever hung onto something which you knew was no good but still gave it credence?  I believe that this is the very cycle many face with addictions.  They know what they're doing is harmful, yet they continue in the destructive cycle.  I've seen this repeated far too many times.  In fact, I myself have been involved in this cycle as well.  For many years, I was stuck in a cycle of food addiction as well as pornography.  I knew that these things were bad for me, but I continued to engage in the cycle of destruction.  Why do I mention this?  Because I believe that there are far too many well meaning believers out there who have been deceived into clinging onto something which Jesus has already done away with.  I'm talking about the idea of sin.  Yes, I know that I spend a lot of time writing about the S word, but it is my hope that by doing so that the children of God will come to the realization of the truth which we have in Christ.  In his evangel, the apostle Paul speaks to the truth that Jesus has indeed died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  In fact, one of the core beliefs of this so called Christian religion is that Jesus indeed gave Himself to take away the sin of the world.  The truth we have in Christ is that we have died to what once defined us.  Many in the church will continue to proclaim that we're still sinners.  They will back up this claim with the very words of Paul which we find in Romans, that all have sinned {Paul to the Romans 3:23}.  Yet they leave out the important part which we find in the following passage.  That "Being justified gratuitously in His grace" that it is Jesus Who has delivered us from sin {Paul to the Romans 3:24}.  

How many of Gods children continue to hold onto that false belief that they remain sinners?  I personally feel that there are quite a few that do.  This false belief continues to be spoken by those within the mainstream church.  That sin continues to be an issue in the lives of all believers.  So it is that the hordes continue to follow this teaching.  This despite claiming to believe that Jesus has indeed died for the forgiveness of their sin.  Did Jesus somehow miss a few sins while hanging on that cross?  I find that highly unlikely.  Moments before His death, Jesus proclaimed "It is accomplished!" {Johns Account 19:30}.  He had accomplished what He had come to do.  Why is this important?  Because to trust in the words of the Lord is to believe that we are no longer defined by that which we once held onto so tightly.  We're no longer sinners in the eyes of God.  That debt has been paid.  That's not to say that sin in this world does not still remain, only that we who have died to sin are no longer defined by it.  Paul proclaims "We, who died to sin, how shall we still be living in it?" {Paul to the Romans 6:2}.  Why do we continue to cling to that old baggage?  Because someone in the church says we do?  Again, the evangel spoken by Paul makes it clear.  That "If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation" {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:17}.  I'm no longer that guy I once was!  Through Christ Jesus, I am a sinner no longer.  Knowing this, I no longer hold onto that former identity.  

May it not be coming to that!  We, who died to sin, how shall we still be living in it? 

Paul to the Romans 6: 2, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Jesus Life) # 2114

 

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

Paul to the Philippians 1: 21, Concordant New Testament 

There are plenty of people who talk a good game when it comes to following Jesus.  I have come to know a few of them.  Back in my church days, to follow Jesus was as close to Him that I could ever hope to be.  As a sinner, I was taught that Jesus could never be in the presence of sin.  Never mind the fact that He was scolded by the Pharisees and teachers of His day for dining with sinners and tax collectors {Matthews Account 9:10-12).  Despite that, I had been taught by those within the church that to "Be like Jesus" was the closest that I could ever hope to be to my Savior.  This kept me at a distance from truly knowing Him.  It wasn't until I had been away from the church for awhile that I realized that what I had been taught was a but another lie spoken by the institutional church.  I realized that Jesus has been with me all along despite the man the church told me that I was.  The words of the apostle Paul speak to his knowing of his own life in Christ.  For Paul "To be living is Christ, and to be dying, gain" {Paul to the Philippians 1:21}.  Paul recognized that which he once knew was no more.  His life was no more, for he had been crucified on that cross with Jesus {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  What remained is his life within Christ Jesus.  I often wonder what Paul would say to one of the pulpit pounders of today who speak to our life apart from Jesus.  The evangel of Paul speaks to us not of a life separated from Christ, but our life AS Christ.  Jesus Himself was criticized for speaking that "I and the Father, we are one" {Johns Account 10:30}.  The Pharisees of His day must have been pulling their hair out at this blasphemous statement.  Yet this is the truth we have in Christ.  Jesus has assured us of a life lived within the love of the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  But, for their part, the church continues to speak to Jesus and Gods children being separated by sin.  

It's not too difficult to see that this world which we live in is one of wickedness.  Those within the church will proclaim that we are bound to this wicked world.  That our only hope lies with living a righteous life and punching our ticket to heaven.  Yet Jesus has assured us that He Himself has overcome the world {Johns Account 16:33}.  This doesn't mean that we will not have trying circumstances, but that we do not live within the confines of this world.  Our home is not in flesh and blood, but within the love and grace of the Father.  This might seem difficult to fathom when we are faced with the every day challenges of life, but I believe that this is exactly why Jesus reminds us that He has overcome the world and all associated with it.  In the words of Paul, our life is IN Christ Jesus.  What fear, then, is there of death if we already know our future?  Again, Paul reminds us that to be dying, is gain {Paul to the Philippians 1:21}.  Death is not the end, but a beginning.  Knowing what I know of my own life in Christ, I would say that death is merely a continuation of what we're now living in the Father.  Walk into any funeral service and you'll likely encounter a pretty somber atmosphere.  There's more than likely a feeling of finality.  That this is the final act of a ones existence.  I experienced this with the death of my mother.  Even our so called "Celebrations of life" often leave out the truth of the union life we live in the Father.  The message is clear, death is final!  Not according to Paul.  In the words of his evangel, death is our ultimate gain.  Welcome to the Jesus life. 

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 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Fluffy Stuff) # 2113

 

Be rejoicing in the Lord always!  Again, I will declare, be rejoicing! 

Paul to the Philippians 4: 4, Concordant New Testament 

I have a friend who declared to me last week that to only proclaim the good news of the gospel of the Lord Jesus was not a good thing.  For to only feed these people "The fluff" of the scripture was to ignore the consequences of our sin that remains.  Not only that, but that people needed to know that there are indeed consequences for their actions here on earth.  So, are the words spoken by Jesus simply fluffy, feel good encouragement or is there something more going on here?  I believe that the apostle Paul spoke perfectly when, in his letter to those in Philippi, that they should be "Rejoicing in the Lord always!" {Paul to the Philippians 4:4}.  Paul didn't see the gospel of the Lord Jesus as simply something to make people feel good, but as the truth which we have through Him.  Tell me, why is it that we need to be continually reminded of sin when Jesus Himself has given His life that we would be set free from that which we were once slaves to?  In his evangel, Paul speaks to the truth of the happiness which we have through Christ Jesus.  Not only that He has provided for the forgiveness of sins, but that He has provided for our life lived within Him {Paul to the Galatians 2:20, Paul to the Romans 6:8}.  Paul understood that his former identity perished on that cross next to Jesus.  This is why he can say with confidence "Yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ" {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Thes aren't simply fluffy, feel good feelings, but the truth of Christ Jesus which we find throughout the evangel spoken by Paul.  Not only that, Jesus Himself has assured us of our life lived within the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Therefore, we no longer live a life plagued by sin, but a life lived within the joy and happiness of God.  

I understand why someone such as my friend could boldly declare the good news of the gospel of Jesus as being simply fluff.  As simply window dressing.  I have known for quite some time that the theology spoken by those within the mainstream church speaks to a false identity which many continue to live by.  This is the lie which has been spoken by the church for thousands of years.  The lie which proclaims that we have been separated from God through our sin {Isaiah 59:2}.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  For the reason by which Jesus suffered and died on the cross was not only for the forgiveness of sin, but so that sin itself would be put to death {Paul to the Romans 6:6-11}.  It is ridiculous to assume, as those within the church continue to proclaim, that Jesus simply died for the forgiveness of a few important sins.  That somehow despite the sacrifice of the innocent blood of Jesus, that sin somehow remains within us {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Again, Paul speaks to the truth that our former "Body of sin may be nullified" {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  Are we to see these words spoken by Paul as truth or simply for our encouragement?  Well, Paul obviously believed his words to be true or he would not have spoken them to us.  I do not see the evangel spoken by Paul as simply encouragement, but as the living truth we have through Christ Jesus.  It has never been the desire of God that we simply be encouraged.  No, it is God Who desires us to live in the truth which we have through Him.  That our life is not our own, but that we are an intimate part of Him {Genesis 1:27}.  If you know this truth and it makes you feel good, so much the better. 

With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ.  Now that which I am now living in the flesh, I am living in the faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me, and gives Himself up for me

Paul to the Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Come And See) # 2112

 

Now Jesus, being turned and gazing at them following, is saying to them, "What are you seeking?'  Yet they said to Him, "Rabbi (Which, being construed, is termed "Teacher"), "Where art Thou remaining?"  He is saying to them, "Come and see,"  They came, then, and perceived where His is remaining, and they remain with Him that day, it was about the tenth hour

Johns Account 1: 39-41, Concordant New Testament 

I have been involved in more than a few ministries in my time.  From Promise Keepers conventions to classes of Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God series.  Both of these were seen as crucial ministries during my time in the church.  Yet, the funny thing is that neither has ever brought me closer to knowing the truth of Christ Jesus within me than the revelation of the Father in me.  I think back to the days when the apostle Paul received that same revelation within him in the days following his Damascus road experience.  That it was when it pleased the Lord that He revealed in Paul the living spirit of Christ {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}.  I can say that my experience definitely mirrors that of Paul.  It is Jesus who invited those following Him by simply inviting them to "Come and see" {Johns Account 1:39-41}.  He never once invited them to a conference gathering (If they had those back then).  He never encouraged them to join in the study of a book in order to see Himself revealed unto them.  What Jesus DID do was to invite those who were curious to come and see for themselves His daily life.  To witness His presence and His ministry of the gospel.  I have not seen many Christian based ministries at all which tout the love and welcoming which Jesus offered to these early followers of His.  What I have seen in my own time in the church is far too many theology based programs disguised as ministry.  Of course, there have been a few exceptions.  A good friend of mine once engaged in a sports ministry which brought the message of the gospel to more than a few countries around the world.  He used his love for sports and Jesus to spread His message to others.  What strikes me about my friends endeavor is that his message was not church based, but speaking to others about the love and forgiveness of Christ.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how it is that this revelation I have received from God could be spoken to others.  The fact is, there are millions of people in this world who hunger to know Jesus on a more personal level.  Imagine a world where everyone knew and understood the truth of our life within  Christ Jesus {Johns Account 14:20}.  I truly feel that this is where the Father is leading His children.  But how?  Simple, the invitation to come and see.  Come and see the love and acceptance of Jesus.  Come and experience His love without the condemnation so often found within the confines of the mainstream church.  I have a Christian friend who seems to minister to others by means of reminding them of their own future in hell if they refuse to follow Jesus.  I feel that he doesn't attract too many followers with that rhetoric.  A simple Google search of the passage which we find in John 1:39-41 reveals Jesus' invitation to others to "Personally encounter Him."  Wouldn't you love to personally encounter Jesus?  Well, come and see.  James makes it clear that if we draw ourselves closer to the Lord, that He will in turn draw near to us {James to the twelve Tribes 4:8}.  I feel that this is a big reason why Jesus invites us to come and see Him for ourselves.  But how is it that those desiring to see Him will have that opportunity?  Well, it certainly won't come from those within the church speaking to us as condemned sinners.  That message doesn't sell when it comes to intimately knowing Christ within us.  How the world WILL come to know Jesus more intimately is through those who already know Him in that way.  While I don't see it as an official church endorsed ministry, I have my own group of gym goers which I speak of Jesus with on a regular basis.  Not of condemnation, but of the love and acceptance of Christ.  All are welcome, come and see.  

Yet hallow the Lord Christ in your hearts, ever ready with a defense for everyone who is demanding from you an account concerning the expectation in you, but with meekness and fear 

Peter to the Dispersion (1) 3: 15, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (A Letter To Rome) # 2111

 

What, then, shall we declare?  That we may be persisting in sin that grace should be increasing?  May it not be coming to that!  We, who died to sin, how shall we still be living in it? 

Paul to the Romans 6: 1-2, Concordant New Testament 

Long before the conception of the holy Roman Catholic church, Rome was the epicenter of one of the most powerful civilizations ever known.  The Roman empire stretched from English Isles in the West to the nations of the middle East.  Whoever coined the phrase "All roads lead to Rome" certainly knew what they were talking about.  Against this backdrop of world domination, within this Roman territory a movement was growing.  A movement based on the teachings of a man from Nazareth in the nation of Israel.  Indeed, word of the teachings of the man Jesus had reached beyond the borders of the nation of Israel to the nations beyond its borders.  One of the loudest of these voices came from one who spent the early part of his life persecuting the followers of Jesus.  The man Saul had made a career out of doing the bidding of the leaders of the Jewish religion.  On the day his life would change forever, he was on a mission to deliver any followers of Jesus unto the chief priests in Jerusalem.  Yet God had different plans for Saul.  For on that day, the persecutor Saul became the apostle Paul, one of the staunchest defenders of the gospel of Christ Jesus we will ever know.  But these words of Paul written in his evangel do not have many fans withing the church itself.  For Paul writes to the truth of the Lord Jesus, and that truth often contradicts the message given by those within the church.  Where the church speaks to the lie that sin has separated us from God, Paul points out that Jesus Himself "Died to sin once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  Paul writes, correctly, that Jesus has given Himself for the forgiveness of sin.  He also provides a defense for those within the church who will continue to keep the sin issue alive.  To these he speaks to the truth of "We, who died to sin, how shall we continue living in it?" {Paul to the Romans 6:1-2}.  I have a friend who will bristle at the very idea that sin has been dealt with.  What about our bad behaviors and decisions?  Are they not the very essence of sin?  As Paul proclaims, why do we continue living in what Jesus has already dealt with?

I consider Paul's letter to the church in Rome to be one of the best rebukes of sin which we will find in the scriptures.  Not only that, it is Paul who introduces us to our one true identity in Christ Jesus.  Our identity in Jesus?  Yes!  For it is Paul who speaks to the truth of Christ living within him {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Tell me, if Christ lives within us, how is it that sin can flourish?  This is, of course, the nature of the truth of sin spoken of by Paul.  Whenever someone speaks to me about the separation theology preached by the church, I remind them of this letter written by Paul to those in Rome.  I can imagine that those in Rome reading this letter of Paul also were taken by surprise by his words.  For those within Roman society were more akin to the gods of altars and statues than the truth of the Lord Jesus.  However, there was at this time a burgeoning church of the followers of Jesus in Rome itself.  It is to these that Paul writes his famous letter.  He reminds them of the truth of the words of Christ Jesus.  He also reminds them of the truth of who they were IN Him.  The truth that sin no longer has a dwelling place in their lives.  That through the innocent sacrifice of Jesus, that the sin debt has now been paid in full {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  But these words of Paul are not just a letter to the church in Rome, but to all believers in Christ Jesus.  A reminder of the truth which we find in Him.  A contrast to the false words coming from the church.  Paul contrasts the condemnation spoken by those in the church with the freedom which we have in Christ.  

Knowing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, that the body of sin may be nullified, for us by no means to be still slaving for sin, for one who dies has been justified from sin.  Now if we died together with Christ, we believe that we shall be living together with Him also, having perceived that Christ, having been roused from among the dead, is no longer dying.  Death is lording it over Him no longer, for in that He died, He died to sin once for all time, yet in that He is living, he is living to God.  Thus you also, be reckoning yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus, our Lord 

Paul to the Romans 6: 6-11, Concordant New Testament

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Bondage Of Sin) # 2110

 

Knowing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, that the body of sin may be nullified, for us by no means to be still slaving for sin, for the one who dies has been justified from sin.  Now if we died together with Christ, we believe that we shall be living together with Him also, having perceived that Christ, having been roused from among the dead, is no longer dying.  Death is lording it over Him no longer, for in that He died, He died to sin once for all time, yet in that He is living, He is living to God.  Thus you also, reckon yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus, our Lord 

Paul to the Romans 6: 6-11, Concordant New Testament 

Growing up I was a huge fan of the sci fi series Battlestar Galactica.  I recall one episode titled The Long Patrol where the warrior Starbuck has crashed on a planet inhabited by a penal colony.  The residents of this penal colony have been forced to pay for the sins of their ancestors by being housed in cells while being forced to brew the same adult beverage their ancestors did, with the profits going to their captors.  Near the end of the episode, Starbuck discovers that there the cells which house the prisoners are unlocked.  The only thing which keeps them imprisoned, it seems, is tradition.  I was thinking of this old TV show the other night as I was in a text conversation with a Gym Rat friend.  This man is an old school, church theology based believer.  Being such, he cannot or will not accept the scriptures proclaimed by Paul in his evangel which assure us that Jesus Himself has freed us from the bondages of sin.  It seems that he is stuck in that old building without locks on the doors.  He is able to walk free at any given time, yet he continues to wallow in his captivity.  For all intents and purposes, he remains a slave to the sin which once defined him.  Paul is clear in his letter to the Romans, we are to "Reckon yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin" {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  Sadly, far too many believers are just like my Gym friend, they follow the teachings of the mainstream church which continues to proclaim that our sin remains a vital issue in our lives.  Not only that, but that sin has actually separated us from the God Who created us.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  

When we live within the bondage of sin, we believe that despite Jesus having given Himself for our sakes to take away the sin of the world, that we must seek forgiveness continually for the sin we still continue to commit each and every day.  Like residents of that fictional penal colony, we accept the same punishments which our ancestors adhered to.  This cycle has been repeating itself over and over again for thousands of years.  Have we forgotten that Christ Jesus willingly gave Himself to take that punishment we continue to believe is ours?  That He Who knew no sin died for us {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  For its part, the church has been doing its best for centuries to hold believers in the bondages of sin.  This has NEVER been the Fathers intention for us.  The very reason by which Jesus has been dispatched to take away the sin of the world is testament to this truth {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  Those within the church know and celebrate the death of Jesus on the cross, but they refuse to practice what they preach.  To listen to them is to believe that Jesus has left sin remaining after His death.  I know this because of my conversations with more than a few church going believers.  It seems that there are far too many who continue to choose to live within the bondage of that which Jesus has already put to death {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  If they were to accept the truth of the freedom which has been given them, they would then be able to escape that bondage and walk out of the unlocked prison they live in.  For Jesus has died that the chains which once bound us would be broken.  THAT is living free in Christ.  

Yet God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes

Paul to the Romans 5: 8, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~

The Good Of The Father (Under New Management} # 2109

 

Now at their being affrighted and inclining their faces to the earth, they say to them, "Why are you seeking the living among the dead?"  He is not here, but was roused.  Be reminded how he speaks to you, while still being in Galilee

Lukes Account 24: 5-6, Concordant New Testament 

I've seen a few signs around town lately which proclaim "Under new management."  When I see signs lie these I immediately think of one thing, that the old is gone and that someone new has taken over.  I think that it's safe to say during this Easter season that we, too, are under new management.  This has been assured us through the work of Christ Jesus on the cross.  One of my favorite passages of scripture comes as the women arrive at the empty tomb of Jesus early that morning.  There they encounter the angels, who inquire "Why are you seeking the living among the dead?" {Lukes Account 24:5}.  For these women, who only a few days before had more than likely witnessed the death of Jesus on the cross, this had to be a confusing question.  Jesus is alive?  Not only is Jesus alive and well, but our life is now lived within Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  For all intents and purposes, we're now under new management.  That which was, is no more.  I was reminded of this the other day when a good friend forwarded me a video from the self-proclaimed "Worlds most outspoken bible scholar" Martin Zender.  In this video, Zender goes over the uselessness of the so called sinners prayer.  Why is this important?  Because this goes to the core of why Jesus Himself, being innocent, was made the sacrifice for what we had done {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  So, if Jesus has died to take away the sin of the world, why do we still need that prayer of the sinner?  Are we still to be seen as sinners in the eyes of God?  After all, those within the church will repeatedly quote the words of the apostle Paul and proclaim that ALL have indeed sinned {Paul to the Romans 3:23}.  But this is where their knowing of the scriptures often ends.  For they ignore the words Paul in the following passage which proclaims that we are no longer sinners, but "Justified gratuitously" through the grace of Christ Jesus {Paul to the Romans 3:24}.  We're under new management. 

As far as the new management sign goes, I would omit that entirely.  Those within the church will have us believe that our sin needs to be managed.  That it has somehow separated us from God.  Both of these statements are lies spoken by the church.  For how can we manage something which Jesus has already died to {Paul to the Romans 6:10}?  Will Jesus tell us that we need to manage our sin?  Where in the scriptures is it written that Jesus requires this of us?  It isn't, because Jesus has already done away with it!  We no longer live in what was, but that which is.  What remains is the forgiveness and grace of the Father.  Those within the church would have us believe that Jesus intentionally missed a few sins before dying on that cross.  That despite His sacrifice, sin still remains.  Martin Zender comments that Jesus should very well have recited the sinners prayer as He hung on that cross.  That way, there would have not been any sin left which to forgive, right?  It doesn't work that way.  For Jesus Himself is that propitiation for that which once convicted us {First Epistle of John 2:2}.  As He hung on the cross, He proclaimed "It is accomplished!" {Johns Account 19:30}.  Jesus knew and understood that His purpose here on earth had been fulfilled.  There was nothing more for Him to do.  Sin has been put to death through the sacrifice of the innocent {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  We no longer need that sin management because there is no longer any sin to manage.  What remains is to live within the forgiveness and love of the Father. 

And He is the propitiatory shelter concerned with our sins, yet not concerned with our only, but concerned with the whole world also 

First Epistle of John 2: 2, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Jesus Scam) # 2108

 

Knowing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, that the body of sin may be nullified, for us by no means to be still slaving for sin, for one who dies has been justified from sin.  Now if we died together with Christ, we believe that we shall be living together with Him also, having perceive that Christ, being roused from among the dead, is no longer dying.  Death is lording it over Him no longer, for in that He died, He died to sin once for all time, yet in that He is living, He is living to God.  Thus you also, be reckoning yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus our Lord

Paul to the Romans 6: 6-11, Concordant New Testament 

It's usually hard for someone to understand just why it is that I left the mainstream church.  They just don't seem to understand what I've come to see.  That the theology of the church speaks to the forgiveness freely given by Jesus as though it were a scam.  There was one Easter Sunday morning where I was sitting in the church I had been a part of for more than a few years.  The pastor had just finished the traditional Easter message, that Jesus was crucified on the cross to take away the sin of the world.  Not only that, but He was risen three days later, very much alive.  Yet at the conclusion of his message, the pastor asked the congregation that if anyone had unresolved sin issues, to come forward for prayer.  That was the last time I ever stepped foot in a church.  The Jesus scam was alive and well.  But what is this Jesus scam you ask?  Well, think back to the early days of the mainstream church, where the church leaders decided that the forgiveness of the Lord could be used for church profit.  Wait, the freely given forgiveness of God used for the profit of the church?  Yes, and it's already been done for generations.  The early church leaders decided that they could institute the practice of indulgences into the church.  What are indulgences?  Indulgences are fees paid to the church for the forgiveness of sin.  If you felt that your bad behaviors or bad decisions were amounting to sin, then you could pay a fee to the church with the assurance that this sin would be wiped away.  The Jesus scam in full effect.  For its part, the church would preach, and continues to preach today, that it is sin which has separated us from God.  Of course, back in the day all one would need to do is pay a simple indulgence fee and they would be right once again with God.  

I debated quite a bit on the title for this page.  I finally decided on the Jesus scam because this is exactly what the church is practicing.  While they proclaim that Jesus died for the sin of the world, they do not practice what they preach.  Instead, they speak to the lie that sin continues to be the issue in the lives of believers.  That their sin has indeed separated them from God.  To illustrate this point, they point to the words of the prophet Isaiah who has proclaimed that "Your iniquities have separated you from your God" {Isaiah 59:2}.  Of course, this was years before the death of Christ Jesus on the cross.  Years before He shed His blood for the forgiveness of that sin condition.  But the forgiveness of God has never built a handsome church building.  The forgiveness of God has never stuffed the church coffers with money.  For this the church needed a way to a steady revenue stream.  They found it with the institution of the indulgences created for mans forgiveness of the sin of mankind.  This is what the Jesus scam is in a nutshell, mans forgiveness of sin.  Man stepping into the realm of the Father and declaring that he has the power to forgive sin, and that forgiveness comes at a price.  But the forgiveness offered us by the Father comes free of charge.  For Christ Jesus has paid that price with His blood {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  But free forgiveness never built a church.  

For the One not knowing sin, He makes to be a sin offering for our sakes that we may becoming Gods righteousness in Him 

Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5: 21, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (He Who Knew No Sin) # 2107

 

For the One not knowing sin, He makes to be a sin offering for our sakes that we may becoming Gods righteousness in Him

Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5: 21, Concordant New Testament 

When we understand the sin of man, we understand that someone needed to die.  Somehow, there needed to be a death, a sacrifice in order to cover that which we had done in the eyes of the Lord.  Anyone familiar with the writings of the old testament knows that the priests of Israel would offer up sacrifices for the misdeeds of the people.  We know that Abraham also offered up his sacrifice upon the deliverance of his son Ishbak (Isaac).  For His part, Jesus made no friends among the leaders of the Jews when He drove out the moneychangers from the temple, who were there to exchange money for the animals the people needed for their sacrifices of atonement {Matthews Account 21:12-13}.  So it is that mankind needed a sacrifice to atone for our sin.  Not just any sacrifice would do, this sacrifice needed to be guiltless, sin free.  The death of the innocent needed to cover the sin of the many.  This was accomplished through Gods dispatching of His Son Jesus {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  For it is through the willing sacrifice of Christ that the sin of the many has been blotted out forever {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  In the eyes of the Father, that which once convicted us has been washed away by the shed blood of His Son.  Interestingly enough, this is celebrated as one of the truths of Christian theology.  That Jesus came, suffered for many and gave His life to the death of sin {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  We also believe that Jesus died but once to accomplish this.  Jesus Himself, on that cross, declares that what He has been sent to accomplish has been done as the Father willed {Johns Account 19:30}.  This is the truth which those within the Christian religion accept and celebrate at this time each year.  Indeed, we celebrate this truth, but we do not practice it. 

It is no secret that those within the mainstream church continue to proclaim that it is our sin which has separated us from God.  I have written on this practice many times.  My question has always been, if we celebrate the death of Jesus as one of our core principals of the Christian faith, why do we continue to falsely believe that sin continues to be an issue in our lives?  Did Jesus somehow miss a few sins as He hung on that cross?  I find that difficult to believe.  So do those in the church, which is why they continue to preach that He died for the forgiveness of sin.  They proclaim it, yet they don't practice what they preach.  The apostle Paul speaks in his evangel that Jesus gave Himself to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  The apostle also reminds us that we're to consider ourselves "Dead, indeed, to sin" {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  Indeed, He Who knew no sin has accomplished what He has been sent to do.  So, either we believe what the scriptures have declared or we don't.  There is no room for lukewarm belief on this matter.  Do you believe that Jesus has died for your iniquities?  That He is the propitiation of that which once held you captive?  Or, do you trust in the lie of the deceiver who will proclaim that sin remains?  This brings another interesting aspect into this conversation, what is sin?  If Jesus has died to take away the sin of the world, what is it that the mainstream church continues to wring its hands over?  Bad judgement?  Bad behavior?  Wicked thoughts?  These ARE NOT SIN.  These are simply man following the lead of his flesh.  When we trust in the knowing of our life lived within the Fathers love, we can be confident in proclaiming that sin is not the issue {Johns Account 14:20}.  For Jesus has given Himself for the death of sin.  He Who knew no sin became the death of many. 

Seeing that Christ also, for our sakes, once died concerning sins, the just for the sake of the unjust, that He may be leading us to God; being put to death, indeed, in the flesh, yet vivified in the spirit

Peter to the Dispersion (1) 3: 18, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Living Separate) # 2106

 With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ.  Now that which I am now living in the flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me, and gives Himself up for me

Paul to the Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

Paul got it.  Paul wasn't like so many of our so called luke warm believers of today.  He knew in his heart that he wasn't alone in this life, that the spirit of the Lord Jesus is the epicenter of all who he is.  In essence, Paul WAS Jesus.  He speaks to this is his foundational passage we find in Galatians.  That I am no longer, that it is Christ Jesus who now occupies this vessel of mine {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Paul definitely wasn't living separately from Christ.  Jesus was right there in the thick of it with him.  We could learn a lot from the life of Paul.  First and foremost is living knowing that we are not alone in this life.  Knowing that each and every decision and event is not simply ours alone.  For to know that we do not live separate opens up a whole new understanding not only of who we are, but how we now live.  I hear a lot of once united couples declaring that they now live separated.  Not divorced necessarily, just separated.  I see this as a life lived in limbo.  The same can be said of far too many believers today who live in the delusion that they are separate from God.  This is the lie spoken by the deceiver.  The lie spoken to Eve that if she were to take of the forbidden fruit that her eyes would be opened and that she would "Be like God, knowing good and evil" {Genesis 3:5}.  The trouble is, the eyes of too many believers have not been opened.  They continue to live within the lie that they are separate from God.  One of the verses those within the church spit out in order to prove this point comes from the words of the prophet Isaiah, that "your iniquities have separated you from your God" {Isaiah 59:2}.  When someone reminds me of this passage, I ask them one important question, what about Jesus?  Isn't Jesus the One who came to erase the sin of the world?  Isn't it Jesus Who took our iniquities upon Himself at the cross {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}?  

In all my time in the church, I was never introduced to a life lived within the love of the Father.  However, I was in fact reminded at every opportunity of my sinful life lived outside of Him.  Again, those within the church will point to scripture to emphasize their teachings.  They recite the words of Paul which we find in Romans, that ALL have sinned and are wanting of the glory of God {Paul to the Romans 3:23}.  This is that hill they die on!  However, they cringe at the context of the following passage, that we are now justified "Through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus" {Paul to the Romans 3:24}.  Yes, we all were once sinners, but we're now redeemed through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus.  While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us {Paul to the Romans 5:8}.  So, apparently in spite of our sin condition, God loved us enough to dispatch His Son as the propitiation of our sins.  Not only that, but it is Christ Jesus Who has spoken to the truth of our life lived within the Father {Johns Account 14:20, Johns Account 17:21}.  It is Jesus Who speaks to the truth that we do not live separate from God.  It is those within the church who continue to preach the lie that we do.  Who are you going to trust, God or misguided men?  Has God ever lied to you?  Has He ever revealed to you something which wasn't true?  As far as I'm concerned, if the Father has spoken it, I believe in it.  Therefore, I believe in my heart that I now live within the love of the Father, not within the lie of the deceiver.  

That they may all be one, according as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us, that the world should be believing that Thou dost commission Me 

Johns Account 17: 21, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Gods Army) # 2105

 

Yet hallow the Lord Christ in your hearts, ever ready with a defense for everyone who is demanding from you an account concerning the expectation in you, but with meekness and fear 

Peter to the Dispersion 3: 15, Concordant New Testament 

I know a guy, a gym friend who has made it his habit to attempt to argue certain things about Christianity knowing that it will trigger a reaction from some people, myself included.  I recall back in my church days how I felt that it was my duty as a follower of the Lord to defend Him against any who would disparage His word.  However, the only thing this ever accomplished were arguments and hurt feelings.  Indeed, I have even known friends who have stopped talking to me due to their own views of the scriptures not aligning with what I believed.  While I regret that these brothers and sisters in the Lord have chosen that path, I also stand firm in the truth of the Father spoken in the gospels and the evangel of the apostle Paul.  The apostle Peter sums it up best in his attempt to illustrate how it is that we're to engage in discussions of this nature.  Peter speaks to our being "Ever ready with a defense for everyone" concerning our expectation, yet with meekness and fear {Peter to the Dispersion 3:15}.  Notice that the apostle never mentions that we engage in heated arguments.  Notice also that he never mentions that we're to disregard those who do not agree with our viewpoint, only that we conduct ourselves with meekness and fear in our discussions.  Obviously I could have learned this lesson earlier in life.  I certainly would have avoided more than a few tense arguments along the way.  To the best of my knowledge, Jesus never angrily confronted anyone in order to speak to them the truth we have in the Father.  What he DID do is approach those who needed to hear His words with meekness and kindness towards those around Him.  Instead of arguing His point, Jesus invited those who were curious to "Come and see" {Johns Account 1:39}.  

A few years ago I came across the question I wish I would have asked earlier.  Dos God really need us to defend Him?  Does the creator of all which we see truly need our help in defending His words and actions?  My own knowing of the truth of my life in the Father has not come from winning some argument, but from the revelation of the Lord.  I would dare say that no religious argument has ever resulted in the conversion of another into knowing the truth of the Father.  Paul has spoken that his own knowing of Christ Jesus in him came "When it delighted God" {Paul to the Galatians 1:16}.  I believe that it is not up to us to somehow convince someone to realize the truth of the Lord in us.  However, I believe that He will definitely speak through us to bring about that result.  At the end of the day, it is not we who are doing the converting, but the Father Who is speaking and working through us.  Knowing this, is it God who is arguing His case, or have we simply forgotten who we are in Him?  I would choose the latter.  The truth is that we can listen or read the words of the gospels, but it is only by the revelation of the Father that we will come to know the truth of our life in Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  Those whom the Father draws unto His Son will be raised up in that day {Johns Account 6:44}.  

No one can come to Me if ever the Father Who sends Me should not be drawing him, and I shall be raising him in the last day 

Johns Account 6: 44, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (His Eternal Love) # 2104

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor messengers, nor sovereignties, not the present, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord

Paul to the Romans 8: 38-39, Concordant New Testament 

I recently shared a conversation with a gym friend who had suffered the loss of a child through suicide.  What struck me about this conversation is just how much it led me into a deeper understanding of the love of the Lord.  As I offered to pray for my brother for Gods help in his grief, he shared with me what so many well meaning believers have been led to believe.  That suicide is considered a sin, and that those who commit the act are akin to being a murderer.  Are we not destroying what the Lord God has lovingly created?  At this moment, I was reminded of the words of the apostle Paul as he laid out all which will never separate us from God {Paul to the Romans 8:38-39}.  In fact, I ask the question, what can ever separate us from Gods love?  We're told that he who does not love does not know God, because He is love {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  I consider this passage to be one of the key verses to truly knowing God.  That His love transcends everything.  Paul was correct in his letter to the church in Rome that there is absolutely nothing which will ever separate us from the love of the Father, including that most desperate of acts of suicide.  As I assured my friend in that moment, God has not abandoned his son, and that he can look forward to that day when they will be reunited once again.  But let's continue this topic of the love of God.  As Paul has proclaimed, there is nothing which will ever separate us from the love of God.  If we are to agree with this, then we are to agree that not even sin will separate us from the love of the Father.  What?  You mean I haven't been separated from God by my sin, which the church continues to tell us?  No, not ever!  As Paul has said, there is NOTHING which will ever separate us from the love of the Father.  

I grew up in a church theology which spoke to the fact that I lived here in a sinful world and that God dwelled in heaven.  This was the separation between myself and God.  This, of course, is the separation theology which continues to be preached by those within the church.  Of course, this belief not only ignores the truth spoken by Paul in his evangel, but the truth that Christ Jesus gave Himself for the forgiveness of our sins, to take away the sin of the world {Johns Account 1:29}.  That Jesus is that propitiation of that which we were once guilty {First Epistle of John 2:22}.  How can we be found guilty for that which Jesus has died to {Paul to the Romans 6:10}?  So, what is it that will ever distance us from the love of God?  It is for this reason that I see the separation theology spoken by the church to be an outright lie.  Believe me, I have faced much push back for speaking this belief.  But I am speaking the truth of the love we find in the Father.  The world may condemn us, but God never will.  He has found us to be innocent through the blood shed by His Son on the cross.  That ship has sailed.  What remains is we who have been redeemed and reconciled unto the Father {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:18}.  This is exactly why Paul has proclaimed that we consider ourselves "Dead, indeed, to sin" {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  In our times of heartbreak, we can be assured that the love of the Father covers all. 

He who is not loving knew not God, for God is love

First Epistle of John 4: 8, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (No Relation) # 2103

 

Nothing, consequently, is now condemnation to those in Christ Jesus,  Not according to flesh are they walking, but according to spirit

Paul to the Romans 8: 1, Concordant New Testament 

A good friend sent me an article the other day which asked the question, why is it that men dislike being in groups?  Well, let's first address the elephant in the room in that women are more relational than men.  Therefore, I'm not shocked when I hear that men are not inclined to participate in church small groups, it's not in our DNA.  I can speak to this from the experience of having been involved in more than a few small groups in my day.  Does this mean that men are not relational?  Not at all, we're just not designed to be as relational as our female counterparts.  Think of a group of guys gathered around a TV watching a football game.  Think of a group of friends gathered together at a bar shooting the bull.  It's not that we're non relational, we just often prefer to be that lone wolf.  But how does this play out in the church setting?  Well, I can recall being involved in more than a few accountability groups where I came away feeling much unlike a good person and more like that condemned sinner.  Has anyone ever felt that way?  I would say that accountability groups are designed not for accountability, but for accusations.  Sure, we can sugar coat it and say that we're in it for the accountability, but what happens when someone eventually opens up in true accountability and is immediately accused of being weak in their faith or commitment to the Lord?  Yes, this has happened to me in a few of these groups.  I came away feeling not like a valued friend, but as someone who had been condemned by others.  By definition, being accountable consists of taking responsibility for our own actions.  If I mess up, I fess up.  I have no issue with this part of being accountable to others.  What I DO take issue with is the practice many well meaning Christians take in response to someone admitting their faults.  It seems that pointing the finger of accusation is the most common response to someone who admits their faults.  Tell me, is this how God has approached our own failures?  

The apostle Paul has spoken to the practice of condemning others in his letter to the church in Rome.  That "Nothing, consequently, is condemnation for those in Christ Jesus" {Paul to the Romans 8:1}.  Paul also asks, who is it that condemns us?  Is it Jesus?  He Who is also "Pleading for our sakes" {Paul to the Romans 8:34}.  Therefore, if Christ does not condemn us, who is left?  Nobody except those in the flesh who surround us.  One thing I've learned is that when others accuse us of something, they feel convicted of it themselves.  The true meaning of a group centered on accountability should be to uplift and never to tear down.  For this is the desire of the Father.  As Jesus has proclaimed, we are to love one another {Johns Account 13:34-35}.  The apostle John takes this a step further when he claims that those who do not love have not known God, for God is love {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  The Father has graced mankind with His one true love nature by dispatching His Son to be that sacrifice for us {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  What has man done but to condemn others?  Again, who is it that condemns?  Is it God?  No!  I would say that accountability is not accountability without the forgiveness and grace granted us by the Father.  The forgiveness which we are free to give unto others if we choose to.  Accountability grows the individual in the Lord, it never condemns. 

Who is the condemner?  Christ Jesus, the One dying, yet rather being roused, Who is also at God's right hand, Who is also pleading for our sakes? 

Paul to the Romans 8: 34, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~