The Good Of The Father (Here In Heaven) # 2100

 

But, according as it is written, that which the eye did not perceive, and the ear did not hear, and to which the heart of man did not ascend - whatever God makes ready for those who are loving Him

Paul to the Corinthians (1) 2: 9, Concordant New Testament 

Part of the heresy which many feel that I have delved into is the question of when and where we will partake of the experiences of heaven.  According to the church religious leaders, those who have accepted Christ Jesus and have lived righteously are believed to be in heaven as we speak.  This would include the saints and martyrs of old.  But here lies the problem for many believers, we're told that accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is paramount to our ascending into heaven.  But to live righteously?  This coming from those who make it a point each and every day to remind us that we are but sinners in need of a Savior.  Not only that, in the face of the reality that the Father has dispatched His Son that He would be that propitiation for our sins, they continue to preach that it is sin which keeps us from a close relationship with the Father.  How does that work?  Did God intend that sin would continue to thrive despite the willing sacrifice of His Son?  I would say no to that nonsense.  It is for beliefs such as this that I am criticized for speaking blasphemy.  But how is it that I can be accused of blasphemy if all I am doing is relating what is spoken in the scriptures?  A judgmental Christian friend of mine is quick to point out that I simply cherry pick verses to fit my own narrative.  Well, if this is true then many believers are guilty of the very same thing I am being accused of.  So, on that topic of heaven, who is it that will, or are, granted that status of being within the presence of the Lord?  One of the main promises we have of being in heaven is that we will be in the continual presence of the Father.  This is supposedly the reward of those who accept Christ Jesus and live a righteous life.  Well, I have trusted and lived my life for Jesus but, according to those in the church, I cannot "Punch my ticket" to heaven unless I live righteously.  This raises an interesting question, who is it that can be saved? 

I have realized that it is not God Who has placed such rigorous requirements upon His children in order to be rewarded with their eternity in heaven.  The apostle Paul has spoken to the truth that it is only through the grace and love of the Father by which we are saved {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}.  That's it, by God's grace and that's all.  There is NOTHING which we can do in order to earn our way into heaven.  Nowhere is this point driven home than the day in which Christ Jesus declared to the two thieves crucified next to Him "Verily, to you I am saying today, with Me shall you be in paradise" {Lukes Account 23:43}.  Had these two thieves lived a righteous life?  Yet here is Jesus declaring one favored to enter into the Lords kingdom with Him.  For his part this man asked of Jesus "Be reminded of me, Lord, whenever Thou mayest be coming in Thy kingdom {Lukes Account 23:42}.  So can we say, then, that those who have believed in Christ Jesus now reside in heaven?  Or, as I have been ridiculed for believing, are we experiencing the Lords kingdom as we speak?  Do we live in the presence of God?  Jesus Himself has declared that we now live our lives within the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  There have been a few descriptions given which give us a clue as to what heaven looks like.  However, Paul makes it clear that man has not perceived what God has prepared for those who love Him {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 2:9}.  Whatever it looks like, it is clear that God has created the heavens AND the earth {Genesis 1:1}.  It is my belief that there is not much of a fine line between the two.  Rather, I believe that heaven is but another dimension to which our eyes have not yet been opened.  Does that mean that we could be experiencing the Lords kingdom without knowing it?  Absolutely!  One thing I do know, is that I do not need to compete to get there.  

"In My Fathers house are many abodes; yet if not I would have told you, for I am going to make ready a place for you"

Johns Account 14: 2, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Church Of Jesus) # 2099

 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 

The question was offered up the other day, what will the church Jesus is building look like?  I believe that the apostle Paul lays this out in a few places in his evangel.  First, he speaks to the truth that Jesus is the head of the body, the ecclesia.  This Greek word, mentioned in the scripture to describe the church of Jesus, is meant to describe a gathering or assembly of believers.  Therefore, I believe that the church of Christ Jesus is, and will be, the gathering together of those who know Him.  I do not believe that this ecclesia will be like any church any of us have ever attended here in this worldly realm.  Gone will be the boring Sunday sermons, the tithes to the church corporation and the modern praise and worship music concerts.  Instead, the believers in Jesus will be assembled with one desire, to honor and praise the Lord Jesus.  After all, He is the head of this body, this ecclesia {Paul to the Colossians 1:18}.  It is Jesus Who has brought all who dwell within this ecclesia together.  Since Jesus continues to draw many into His assembly, into His church, what will it look like?  Paul speaks to the truth that all who are members of the ecclesia of Christ "Are the body of Christ, and members of a part" {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 12:27}.  Indeed, this assembly of the believers in Jesus are His body, with Christ Jesus as the head of that body.  As members of the church of Jesus, we are all connected and serve Him in spreading His gospel message as well as serving one another in the love born of the Father.  In the second book of the Acts of the apostles, we are given a glimpse into what life in the ecclesia of Jesus is like {Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47}.

I have always thought of the words we find in Acts 2 as the example of what church should be.  Free to bestow the love of the Father not only on other members of the assembly of Christ Jesus, but on those surrounding them as well {Acts of the Apostles 2:47}.  How many man created churches can claim to emulate that which we see in the ecclesia of the followers of Jesus we find in the scriptures of Acts?  I would venture to say that there has never been such a brick and mortar church with such qualities.  If there has, I've never heard of it.  But I believe that this is why the ecclesia of Christ Jesus is different from anything we've seen before.  Because when we mention the word church, we all too often think of the practices and traditions of the man-made brick and mortar churches we've become so accustomed to.  The true church of Jesus is nothing like this at all.  With each member a member of Jesus Who sits at the head of it, there is little room for the struggles of prominence and position which we often see in the churches we are so used to seeing.  No one member is more important than the those around them.  This might sound strange to many who have grown up in the man-made church.  How can a church even survive without budgets, leadership groups or structure?  Well, I believe that Jesus has done away with such things on purpose.  That is, that His ecclesia would be focused on the Father and not upon the requirements of man.  After all, He is the One Who sits at the head of His church. 

Now all those who believe also were in the same place and had all things in common.  And they disposed of the acquisitions and the properties, and divided them to all, forasmuch as some would have need.  Besides persevering day by day with one accord in the sanctuary, besides breaking bread from home to home, they partook of nourishment with exultation and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor for the whole people.  Now the Lord added those being saved day by day in the same place

Acts of the apostles 2: 44-47, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Seeing God) # 2098

 

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 

What would you do if you had no church to go to?  Where would you turn to hear of the Lord?  Obviously, we have the scriptures to guide us to Him, but honestly, how many of you read your bible every day?  I ask these questions because after my previous post a good friend of mine asked me where people would turn once there were no more churches.  I've been thinking of his question for a bit, and I realize that he has a valid point.  Our mainstream churches have been seeing a massive exodus of members in recent years.  How much longer can the religious system be sustained?  With rising costs of building maintenance and staff salaries, it's only a matter of time before many brick and mortar churches become extinct.  Of course, there is the internet option, but again, how many people will find the time to devote themselves to such things?  How will someone come to know the Father?  For myself personally, I didn't come to know a relationship with the Father until after I had stepped away from the theologies of the church for the final time.  It was not until I was removed from the traditions and teachings of the church that the Father revealed Himself to me.  I realize, of course, that this is how things worked out for the man Saul as well.  After years embedded in the Jewish religion, Saul was introduced to the very One that he had been persecuting, Christ Jesus.  Paul himself recounts that it was indeed in the Lords own timing that he came to know Him {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}.  So, how does this fit into the reality of those children of the Lord coming to know Him when there are no churches to guide them?  Well, there are a few options here.  One is that they will hear of the Father through those who know Him already.  In my own circle of gyn rat friends, I have introduced more than a few people to the truth of the Father in us.  We also must recall that the Lords hand is not so short nor limited that He cannot reach those who are in need to know Him.  My own experience is testimony to this.  The absence of a church does not mean we are absent from God. 

To better understand this truth, one needs to understand the truth of the Father in our own lives.  Jesus has proclaimed that we do not live separate from God, as those within the church are so fond of pointing out, but that our life is lived IN Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  This is the truth of our life lived within the love of God.  A life of love and not of sin.  For it is Christ Jesus Who has given Himself for sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  It is my belief that the church has relied on the lie of separation theology because of their own need to keep that sin narrative alive and well.  If people believe that they are sinful, they are then more likely to look for a church to seek Gods forgiveness for such things.  But in the eyes of the church that forgiveness never materializes because sin is the constant in the lives of all men {Paul to the Romans 3:23}.  No matter how hard try, I'm still a sinner, right?  WRONG!  For the teachings of the church often contradict what Jesus has accomplished on the cross.  That through His love for us, He gave Himself for our sakes {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Now, if Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of sin, believe it!  Do not believe the lie spoken by those in the church that despite giving Himself for our sakes, that sin somehow survived to live another day.  This is simply not true.  As I said, once we know the truth of our life within the love of God, we will have no need for the brick and mortar church and its religious traditions.  When the Father reveals Himself in us, we can live a life in His love and not in the condemnation of the church.  

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it was not yet manifested what we shall be.  We are aware that, if He should be manifested, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him according as he is 

First Epistle of John 3: 2, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Our Sunday Best) # 2097

 

"God is spirit, and those who are worshipping Him must be worshipping in spirit and truth"

Johns Account 4: 24, Concordant New Testament 

I recall one Sunday morning back in the day as I was preparing for another church service when I was approached by a good friend of my mothers who attended the same church.  As I recall, she was very worried as she had just come back from a run before church and didn't have time to change clothes before services began.  In her mind, far too many worshippers would be looking down on her "Non church" apparel, which made her pretty self conscious.  I was reminded of this episode the other night when I came across a video from some unknown pastor who was admonishing his congregation for not "Honoring the Lord" with their apparel each and every Sunday.  Apparently this padre had an issue with the partially revealing clothing of some of the youngsters in the pews.  I get it.  However, my first thought upon watching this video was something along the lines of, do we really need something else to drive people away from our churches?  It's really no secret that our churches have been shedding membership over the past few decades.  I have heard many of the reasons people give for leaving the church, from seeing it as too judgmental to having to follow far too many traditions and practices.  Remember, it is Jesus Himself who decried His woes to the Pharisees of His day for those very same reasons {Matthews Account 23:13-33}.  Jesus admonished the leaders of the synagogues of His day for placing too much emphasis on the traditions and practices of their religion while neglecting the needs of the people.  Tell me, how much emphasis would Jesus place on someone wearing jogging clothes to church on a Sunday morning?  Is this what's truly important to a church?  Or, as I believe, should we be focusing our efforts on more important issues, like a closer relationship with the Father?

I'll admit that there came a time when I personally became uninterested with the mainstream church for my own reasons.  I have not walked into a Sunday church service in over 20 years, and yet my faith in the Lord has never been stronger.  In my opinion, those within the church spend far too much time worrying about appearance and not much time concerned about substance.  Sure, a shiny new church building looks impressive, and your services might have award winning Christian music, but is this truly what's important in the eyes of the Father?  Jesus didn't think so.  In fact, Jesus never considered ones appearance to be paramount to a good worshipper.  What He DOES say is that those who worship the Father do so "In spirit and truth" {Johns Account 14:24}.  The Father is in spirit, so those who come to Him must be of the spirit as well.  True, authentic worship is the desire of the Father.  If this were not true, Jesus would not have proclaimed it.  Buildings and traditions will fade with time, but the Father will be forever with us.  Ask yourself, where is your heart?  Is your heart centered on the physical appearances of the church, or is it centered on knowing a relationship with God?  The church will tell us that a relationship with God is dependent upon His forgiveness of that sin in our life.  The Father tells us that ship has sailed.  We have already been redeemed through the willing sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  What you will seldom hear spoken from any church pulpit is that the Father has redeemed you, and that He is waiting for you to know Him as He has known and loved you.  THAT is more important to Him than whatever clothes you wear.  

"But, whenever you may be making a reception, invite the poor, the cripples, the lame, the blind, and happy will you be, for they have nothing to repay you, for it will be repaid you in the resurrection for the just"

Lukes Account 14: 13-14, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Tommorow's Troubles) # 2096

 

You should not, then, be worrying about the morrow, for the morrow will be worrying of itself, sufficient for the day is its own evil

Matthews Account 6: 34, Concordant New Testament 

Jesus has spoken that one of the greatest commands which He has given is that we love one another {Johns Account 13:34-35}.  I am not disputing this, as we should love one another as Jesus has loved us.  However, I believe that I He could have given us another command which would come in as a close second to the first.  That being His words that we That being the words of Jesus which tell us not to worry.  So important were these words, that Jesus devoted a good portion of His sermon on the mount explaining not only the consequences but also the rewards of a life free of worry {Matthews Account 6:25-34}.  Now, even though I have read the scriptures which Jesus has spoken about the dangers of worrying, my own life experience is the best teacher that I could ever have on that subject.  So, what are a few of the dangers of a life filled with worry?  How many of you have ever literally worried yourself sick?  I know that I have.  Indeed, the stresses involved in worrying over that which has yet come to fruition can and will wreak havoc on our bodies.  Like I said, I know this from experience.  I was reminded of this this week when the worries of things yet to come once again came knocking at me door.  Instead of following the words of Jesus, I began to worry over things I could not yet see.  Again, Jesus has told me that worrying over such things is a fools errand.  So, in this case I was indeed foolish in my thoughts.  At the base of our times of worry has to be our faith and trust in the Father.  As I read over some encouraging scriptures the other day I was amazed at just how many verses mentioned the idea of trusting in the Lord {Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 55:22, Paul to the Philippians 4:13}.  I believe that these words were not spoken in vain.  That in our times of worry and dread, that we can rest in confidence that the Father will never leave us nor forsake us {To the Hebrews 13:5}.  

One of the my favorite passages on faith comes from the book of Hebrews.  That faith is our conviction of that which we have not yet seen {To the Hebrews 11:1}.  Also, that the elders of the scriptures were testified of due to their faith {To the Hebrews 11:2}.  The concordant translation of the  New Testament goes so far as to describe faith as "An assumption of what is being expected."  Tell me, what room is there for worry with faith such as this?  Jesus spoke to His disciples upon witnessing the faith of the Roman centurion "With no one in Israel so much faith did I find" {Matthews Account 8:10}.  The Chosen series has Jesus speaking to the faith of this Roman as "Bold confidence."  Indeed, who has ever worried themselves sick for having that bold confidence in what the Father can do?  I know I haven't.  I believe that this is the very reason that Jesus spoke to the dangers of worry, as He knew what it could do to us.  I only wish that I would take His advice to heart more often than I do.  Because when that rubber meets the road, my first inclination always seems to be to assume the worst that could happen.  In reality, my thoughts should be on what the Father has in store for me.  Where is He leading me?  We know that the one true nature of the Father is that of love {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  So, the Father is not leading us into any situation out of spite, revenge or condemnation.  Our discipline is not His primary objective.  He is seeking to love and to guide us into His desire for us.  I see nothing to worry about in that. 

Tossing your entire worry on him, for He is caring concerning you 

Peter to the Dispersion (1) 5: 7, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Broken Chains) # 2095

 

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, 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 

There is a popular Chrisitan hymn performed by Micheal W Smith titled Amazing Grace, My chains are gone.  The words of this popular rendition of an old classic could very well describe what the apostle Paul has written of our former sin condition in his evangel to the Romans.  My chains are gone, I've been set free, my God and savior has ransomed me.  It is Paul who has spoken of our former sin condition, "For us by no means to be still slaving for sin" {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  Indeed, those chains which once held me in the bondage of sin have been broken open through the work of Christ Jesus on the cross.  Why would Paul refer to our former sin condition as slavery?  Because far too many times, this is the truth of what sin was in our lives.  That these indeed were those chains which held our former humanity captive.  You will notice that I am referring to our sin as our FORMER condition.  Indeed, this is how Paul speaks to it as well.  That our former humanity, that old man which once defined us, has been crucified together with Christ Jesus.  That Jesus has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  Yet there are many within the mainstream church who continue poke that accusatory finger of guilt in my direction.  That my false belief in the truth of the words of the evangel spoken by Paul are akin to some sort of blasphemy.  If this is true, why is Paul not seen as a blasphemer?  I'll tell you why, because even those in the church who disagree with his words would never think of messing with the written word they claim to follow.  That ALL scripture is to be seen as useful {Paul to Timothy (2) 3:16-17}.  

I have used the words spoken by Paul many times when discussing the fate of sin which he speaks of in Romans.  I referred to them many times in the years following my stepping away from the church.  Like many within the church, I was once of the belief that my sin was alive and well and something which I needed to seek the Lords forgiveness for each and every day.  I struggled with it.  I beat myself up continually for being too weak in my faith to overcome it.  It took a good deal of deprogramming before I began to realize that Christ has already taken care of that sin through His love and grace.  The funny thing about the theology of the church is that they agree that Jesus has given Himself for the forgiveness of sin, yet they continue to speak to the lie that it is our sin which has separated us from a personal relationship with the Father.  This is a lie spoken by those within the church.  Coincidentally, it is also the same lie which the deceiver spoke to Eve in the garden.  That if she were to take of that which the Lord had commanded her not to, that she would "Be like God, knowing good and evil" {Genesis 3:5}.  Eve accepted the words of Satan over the word of God.  Contrary to what many within the church have spoken over the years, Eves disobedience did not alienate her from God, that was only what she believed.  She and Adam believed in the lie spoken by the deceiver.  This is the lie which Satan continues to speak to the children of the Lord each and every day.  The truth, as spoken by Paul, is that through Christ Jesus, the chains of bondage have been broken.  

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 by 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 (Soldiers Of Allah) # 2094

 In whom the God of this eon blinds the apprehensions of the unbelieving so that the illumination of the evangel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of the invisible God, does not irradiate them 

Paul to the Corinthians (2) 4: 4, Concordant New Testament 

My first introduction to the soldiers of Allah came on Sunday, November 4th, 1979.  On that day, a mob of student protestors in Tehran, Iran climbed over the walls of the United States embassy in Tehran, taking 66 American hostages in the process.  The students, led by the muslim cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, had been protesting the exhiled former leader of Iran, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.  The Shah had been toppled in a revolution led by the student protests and backed by Khomeini, who had been exiled from Iran years earlier.  For 444 days, the Americans were held hostage by these soldiers of Allah, and were not freed until the last hours of the administration of disgraced president James Earl Carter, who had been defeated by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 elections.  For 444 days, the world watched as the radical students holding American citizens hostage followed the dictates of their spiritual leader Khomeini.  To me, it seemed that these radicalized students had been blinded to everything except the instructions of Iran's new supreme leader of the muslim faith.  It wasn't until years later that I would come to see this same blind devotion in those of the Christian faith as well.  When I speak of the soldiers of Allah, I am referring to those who follow the instructions of their religious leaders blindly, no matter the costs.  However, I could also be referring to those Christian soldiers who have taken to adhering to the theology of the mainstream church as well.  In recent years, I have experienced more than a few believers who adhere to their old covenant beliefs while at the same time ignoring the saving grace of Christ Jesus.  In the words of the apostle Paul, their eyes have been blinded by God from witnessing the truth which is in Christ Jesus {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 4:4}.  I believe that although they follow a different religion, that the soldiers of Allah have also had their senses blinded to the truth which is in Christ Jesus.  The truth that Jesus has given Himself to the death of the sins of man "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  

The practice of apologetics in the Christian faith has gained in popularity over the years.  By definition, apologetics is the "Justification" of the Christian faith.  Authors such as C.S. Lewis made a career out of justifying the Christian faith to others around the world.  Yet when I think about it, does Jesus even need to be justified?  Does Jesus even need our help in anything He does?  Indeed, the words and works of Christ Jesus give testament to Who He is and what He has accomplished.  It is Jesus through whom we have already been justified {Paul to the Romans 3:23-24}.  Yes, all have sinned, but it is through the grace of Christ that we have now been found to be justified.  Yet the die hard Christian soldiers will insist that the sin which Jesus gave Himself to forgive continues to be prominent in the lives of all believers.  So much so, that man has been separated from God because of it.  As Paul has spoken, their eyes have been blinded to the truth which is in Jesus.  So it is that these modern Christian soldiers blindly follow whichever pastor or spiritual leader they deem to speak their version of the truth of the gospel.  I have seen too many fellow believers switch churches routinely until such time as they find one which "Speaks" to their beliefs.  Paul warned young Timothy of these followers, reminding him that they will "Heap up for themselves teachers in accord with their own desires" {Paul to Timothy (2) 4:3}.  This is why I place so much emphasis on the words of the apostle John who proclaims that we are to "Test the spirits to see if they are of God" {First Epistle of John 4:1}.  If His spirit within us spurs us to question a teaching, we should take notice of that.  

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

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

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Dead To That) # 2093

 

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 

I have had far too many conversations with so called Christians who claim to believe in Jesus yet shudder at the mere mention that they are no longer under the yoke of sin.  Paul makes it clear in his evangel that Christ has given Himself for sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  Yet the same Christians who profess to believe that Jesus gave Himself for the forgiveness of sin also continue to profess that it is our sin which has separated us from God.  It's obvious that somewhere along the line that someone got their signals crossed somewhere.  Most believers have failed to understand the scriptures which proclaim the truth of the Lord Jesus, that we ourselves have died to that which we formerly were.  Paul speaks to the truth of our identity in Christ, as we ourselves have died with Him {Paul to the Galatians 2:20, Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  These words of Paul were difficult for me to process at first, as I definitely did not remember ever dying.  I would remember something like that.  Yet when Paul speaks to our death with Christ, he is referring to the death of that which we once were.  The church is big on referring to our very sin nature which continues to distance us from God.  Paul's words assure us that we are no longer held to this identity.  For the death which we have died, we died WITH Him at the cross.  I'm no longer that guy I once was.  Paul refers to this as our "Old self" {Paul to the Ephesians 4:22}.  Whatever you want to call it, sin nature or old self, we're now dead to that forever. 

I believe that the more people understand the death of our old nature, the more people will understand that we are no longer under the influence of sin.  For once the nature to sin has been put to death forever, how is it that it can be resurrected?  I'll tell you how, through the words and beliefs of those who are unaware of the truth.  No more is this evident than in the words and beliefs of those in the church.  It is they who continue to speak the lie of the deceiver to the children of God.  Despite professing that Jesus has come for the forgiveness of sin, they continue to keep the memory of that sin alive and well in the lives of those who will listen to them.  In their eyes, each and every bad thought and wrong choice constitutes sin.  My question is this, why would you want to keep beating yourself up over something which Jesus has already given Himself to take away from you?  The church already speaks to the truth that Jesus has come for the forgiveness of sin, why don't we take Him at His word?  Is He lying?  The truth of the matter is that Jesus has never lied, He is the same yesterday, today and forever {To the Hebrews 13:8}.  Therefore, if Jesus has proclaimed that He has come for the forgiveness of sin, I believe Him!  What I DON'T believe are the words of those within the mainstream church who continue to try to resurrect that which Jesus has put to death.  For if the Father had intended to have His children continue in their struggle against sin, then the sacrifice of Christ would not have included the forgiveness of sins.  Yet that has never been the case.  For through the selfless sacrifice of Christ Jesus, we are no longer in bondage to sin.  

To put off from you, as regards your former behavior, the old humanity which is corrupted in accord with its seductive desires 

Paul to the Ephesians 4: 22, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Fathers Love) # 2092

 

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 

I heard the story of a gym friend of mine not too long ago while we were talking about things  we used to do.  In years past, my friend often found himself in the clutches of an addiction to alchohol.  Although not his proudest moment, eventually found his way free of his vices.  Enter the lady to whom he is currently married and this is where his story takes a wonderful turn which inspired me to think of my own relationship with Christ.  In the early stages of their relationship, my friend confided in her of his past vices, fully expecting her to be critical of his life choices.  But that's not how this story ends.  Knowing of his past choices, this young lady accepted my friend for who he is, and who he used to be.  It's pretty easy to see just how their story might encourage someone to think of all which is wonderful in a love centered relationship.  However, I took it a step further.  The words written by the apostle Paul speak to this same type of relationship we have with the Father.  That despite our former trespasses, He has given His love unto us and dispatched His Son to die for us {Paul to the Romans 5:8}.  This is the love which the Father has for us.  Not as condemned sinners as some in the church might proclaim, but as His loved children {First Epistle of John 3:1}.  God is more than fully aware of who we once were, and yet instead of condemning us for the punishment which we deserved, He dispatched His Son to die in our place {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Make no mistake, we were the ones who deserved to die, not Jesus.  Yet what many within the religious theologies of the mainstream church fail to speak to is that we have died.  That old man we once were has been put to death on that cross with Christ Jesus {Paul to the Romans 6:6, Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  For what, then, shall we now be condemned?  

It's no secret that the institutional church is full of those who continue to proclaim that sin is a major part of our life.  I dare suggest that the church needs sin to still be active and alive.  But this way of thinking ignores the truth that it is through the love of the Father for us that we are no longer cursed with that sin condition.  We are no longer sinners nor sinners saved by the Lords grace as some in the church have taken to referring to us.  The Fathers love has given us a new identity within Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  He loved us enough to save us from ourselves.  Despite this truth, those within the church continue to speak to the lie that it is that which we have already died to which continues to separate us from God.  The evangel of Paul speaks to the truth that we're to consider ourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  The other day I had a conversation about sin with a friend who adheres to the Eastern orthodox theology.  When our conversation turned to our new identity in the Father and the death of sin, my friends expression changed to one of disbelief.  Such is the pull of the theology spoken by the church.  The theology which would rather have the Fathers children cling to the false belief that they remain in sin rather than acknowledge the truth that it is through His love for us that He has put that sin to death.  As through the parlance of the day, I choose love.  

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 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 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Lost In Translation) # 2091

 

All scripture is inspired by God, and is beneficial for teaching, for exposure, for correction, for discipline in righteousness 

Paul to Timothy (2) 3: 16, Concordant New Testament 

I was once again reminded the other day of the close mindedness of some in the church theology.  As I was in discussion with a friend, I was accused of "Cherry picking" the scriptures to fit my narrative.  Coincidentally, one of the verses so often used by those within the church is written by the apostle Paul unto young Timothy.  In his letter, Paul reminds Timothy that ALL scripture is to be used for teaching, exposure, correction and for discipline in righteousness.  Therefore, by using certain scriptures to "Expose" the truth written in Paul's evangel, I am following his example of how the word of the Lord should be used.  Apparently this is not fair according to those in the church.  Especially if it goes against the narrative which they are trying to push.  I only mention this because the theology of the mainstream church for centuries has been the separation of man from the God who created him {Genesis 1:27}.  According to those in the church system, it is our own sin which has brought us to this point.  I hate to cherry pick the scriptures, but it is Christ Jesus who has died for the forgiveness of those sins {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  Not to cherry pick the scriptures, but it is the apostle Paul who has spoken to the truth that it is Jesus who has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  But, apparently that's just me forwarding my agenda.  Of course, continuing to speak of the existence of sin as if continues to be a real thing is the agenda of the church.  

Back in the day, I would routinely quote scriptures to those who I felt were lost or misguided.  My intent was to draw them once again into the teachings of the church.  Of course, that was back before the truth of the Father had been revealed unto me.  Although reading the scriptures did help in my understanding of my life in the Father, it was His revelation of my life in Him which has been paramount to my understanding of who He truly is, and who I am as well.  For Jesus has proclaimed, in scripture, that we are not separated from God, but that we live our life WITHIN Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  However, this might just be more cherry picking of the scriptures.  The apostle Johns speaks to our "Testing the spirits to see if they are of God {First Epistle of John 4:1}.  We are SUPPOSED to question the interpretation of the scripture by others.  Why?  Because the apostle has warned us that "Many false prophets have come out into the world" {First Epistle of John 4:1}.  John never mentions the words cherry picking in his gospel.  However, if you find yourself in a discussion with someone who adheres to the church separation theology, you might just be accused of cherry picking scriptures as I have. 

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 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (A New Covenant) # 2090

 

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 

The people of Israel had a problem.  They needed a way to righteousness.  As the Lords chosen people, they desired to be righteous in the eyes of the Lord.  But the issue they faced was their own sin condition.  God could not be in the presence of sin.  Therefore, God set forth a set of requirements by which His people could achieve His favor.  This was the "law" instituted by the Lord God for Israel.  The Israelites, for their part, perceived it a way to gain the favor of the Lord and, ultimately, righteousness.  But here was their problem, the law God instituted was ultimately designed to fail.  The law was based on the precept that the nation of Israel, and mankind in general, could achieve righteousness through their own efforts, and not through the grace and mercy of the Father.  Therefore, the people of Israel were given a multitude of statutes which they were expected to adhere to if they were to gain the favor of the Lord.  The law relied solely on human performance to make one righteous.  But why would God institute His holy law knowing that it would fail in the end?  Near as I can tell, the law, as given unto Israel, was indeed holy as created.  However, I believe that Gods intention through the law was to demonstrate mans own inability to overcome sin through his own efforts.  As we know, animal sacrifices and other traditions were ineffective in making the Israelites righteous.  What the law DID do was act as a mirror to reveal sin rather than providing the means to overcome it.  For this they would need the sacrificed blood of an innocent savior {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  The Israelites, and mankind in general, have lacked the heart and the desire to obey the law of the Lord.  Therefore, despite the provisions given in the law of the Lord, we have failed in every effort to overcome sin by our own abilities.  Through our inability, however, God pointed the way unto a new covenant not only for Israel, but for all mankind. 

The apostle Paul, for his part, illustrated the effect of man being able to relieve his own sin condition on his own {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}.  Can you imagine a church service on a Sunday morning where half of the congregation had achieved victory over sin of their own accord while others continued to struggle in their efforts?  I can see the pride.  I can see the arrogance.  I can just see the condemnation placed on those who, not for lack of effort, had been unable to overcome their own sin.  THIS is what the law has given us.  But the new covenant, given by the Father through the death of Christ Jesus has accomplished what the requirements of the law never could {Marks Account 14:24}.  It is Jesus who has spoken to this new covenant and the forgiveness of  our sins {Mathews Account 26:28}.  In spite of this new covenant instituted by the Father, there continues to be those who continue to put their faith in the old covenant, that through their adherence to rules and regulations, that their sins will be no more.  This belief, of course, denies the shed blood of Christ as the act by which we have been delivered from sin.  I have known friends who continue in their struggle against sin daily without realizing that they have been set free from its bondage forever {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  They scoff at the words spoken by Paul of how we who have died to sin should live in it no longer {Paul to the Romans 6:1-2}.  They ask me in shocked amazement, 'So I can just go and do whatever I want to do without consequences?'  Simply put, yes.  Yet one first needs a heart change and the revelation of the Father that their life is not lived outside of God, but within Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  Only then can they began to see the truth revealed unto them of the Fathers new covenant for them.  The grace of the Father and the forgiveness we find through Christ Jesus. 

For this is the blood of the new covenant, that is shed for many for the pardon of sins 

Mathews Account 26: 28, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Out With The Old) # 2089

 

Erasing the handwriting of the decrees against us, which was hostile to us, and has taken it away out of the midst, nailing it to the cross 

Paul to the Colossians 2: 14, Concordant New Testament 

I have a few Christian friends who seem to be stuck in the past.  They adhere to the same rules and regulations which have been espoused by the mainstream church for thousands of years.  They continue to offer daily prayers for the forgiveness of sin.  They adhere to the church theology that claims that sin has separated them from God.  They continue to offer up tithes to support the church organization. When I've had discussions with them as to why it is that they continue in this behavior, they immediately point to scriptures in the old covenant, the old testament, which speak to the practices they continue to engage in.  The trouble with this line of thinking is that they are living in the past.  For the apostle Paul has spoken in his evangel that Christ Jesus has given Himself to free us of the restrictions of that old covenant {Paul to the Colossians 2:14}.  Not only that, but Jesus Himself has spoken of the new covenant given to us through His blood shed on the cross {Lukes Account 22:20}.  Gone are the days when believers in the Lord were required to adhere to those traditions placed upon the Israelites in the law given by the Lord God at Mount Sinai, better known as the ten commandments of the law.  The difference between the old and the new covenant we now live under is that the law of the Lord is written upon our hearts, not on tablets of stone {To the Hebrews 8:10}.  True to form, the institutional church has not followed along in recognizing the truth of the new covenant instituted by Christ Jesus at the cross.  It is Jesus who spoke to His disciples of this covenant which He gave to them, and us {Marks Account 14:24}.  Yet despite the evidence of the new covenant given to us through Christ Jesus, many believers continue to adhere to the ages old traditions which they themselves were raised in.  They don't know any better.  My own realization of this truth has come from the reading of the word as well as the revelation of the Father.  I believe that this is how others will be introduced to the new covenant of the forgiveness of sin through the blood of Christ will come to know the truth as well.

As with many of my Christian beliefs, I was heavily influenced by the teachings of the church in my younger years.  While those within the church would speak of the forgiveness of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus, they seldom mentioned the new covenant which He has given us through His death.  Therefore, for much of my life I continued to live within the confines of that old covenant of the law given unto those Israelites of old.  I recall that iconic scene in the film The Ten Commandments where Charlton Heston stood on that mountain holding high the written decree of the Lord.  It was this decree that I believed that I was expected to follow to the letter.  However, my outlook began to change when I began to see myself not as separated from God, but as WITHIN God Himself.  Jesus Himself has spoken to this union between the Lord and His children {Johns Account 14:20}.  After all, we have been created by God in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  He has breathed into us the breath of life, that moment we became a living soul {Genesis 2:7}.  Is it any wonder, then, that our one true identity is our life in Him?  Unburdened by the requirements of old.  Alive in Christ through the new covenant given to us through the shedding of His blood on the cross.  This is the new covenant we have in Him. 

For this is the blood of the new covenant, that is shed for many for the pardon of sins 

Matthews Account 26: 28, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (When God Hurts) # 2088

Trillions and trillions of prayers every day asking and begging and pleading for favors.  'Do this' "Gimme that' 'I want a new car' 'I want a better job.'  And most of this praying takes place on Sunday.  And I say fine, pray for anything you want.  Pray for anything.  But...what about the divine plan?  Remember that?  The divine plan.  Long time ago God made a divine plan.  Gave it a lot of thought.  Decided it was a good plan.  Put it into practice.  And for billions and billions of years the divine plan has been doing just fine.  Now you come along and pray for something.  Well, suppose the thing you want isn't in Gods divine plan.  What do you want Him to do?  Change His plan?  Just for you?  Doesn't it seem a little arrogant?  It's a divine plan.  What's the use of being God if every run-down schmuck with a two-dollar prayer book can come along and fuck up your plan? 

~George Carlin~ 

There are many Christians who are able to recite a few verses which speak to the Lord granting our prayer requests.  Jesus has spoken on the validity of asking for that which we need.  That if we have the faith of a mustard seed that we will be able to move mountains {Mathews Account 17:20}.  But think of this, what if God does not intend for that mountain to be moved at this point in time?  Is He denying your prayer, or simply saying 'Not yet?'  Too many people, myself included, seem to forget that our ways are not His ways {Isaiah 55:8-9}.  I was again reminded of this truth this week as I was in prayer for a certain situation in my life.  In the end, what I perceived in that God did not honor my prayer, and that hurts a bit.  But I failed to see the big picture in this situation.  Sure, this was deeply personal to me, which is why I emptied my heart in prayer to Him.  Yet one thing I can be assured of is that God has not forsaken me.  I might not see the end game of what He has chosen to accomplish in this situation, but I know that He will reveal it to me in His timing.  Like many believers, I was taught in the church to approach God with my requests, assured that He would hear me and honor those requests.  Well, they got it half right, God does indeed listen to our requests.  Yet I feel that we do Him a great disservice when we began to treat our prayers to Him like a common lottery ticket we've just won.  After all, at its base, prayer is more about our communing with the Father than having our individual needs met.  This in no way means that He is not concerned about our needs.  On the contrary, the Father already knows what our heart desires even before we ask Him {Matthews Account 6:32}.  

We do well to take our minds off of the microwave speed of this world in our matters concerning prayer.  God does not work at our pace.  What He does do is keep our best interests in each and every one of His actions.  This exemplifies His true nature, which is love {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  We are His creation created in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  He has given us the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  We are His every thought.  So it is that we should never take a perceived delayed answer to prayer all that personally.  We're not seeing the larger picture.  Whose life will be affected?  Are we growing in our knowing of Him?  All of this is in play as we seek His provision.  Like I said, we should never view our prayers from the church perspective of constantly receiving something from God.  Jesus, in His time in prayer with the Father, used it for intimate conversation, not His personal needs.  The exception to this came when He asked that He be removed from the fate which awaited Him {Lukes Account 22:42}.  Yet, Jesus was quick to point out, 'Not My will, but Thine, be done!'  Jesus wasn't looking for a way out at this point, but the revealing of the Fathers will for Him.  We do well to follow His example.  Does it hurt when our requests are not answered right away, of course.  But the Father knows and feels our pain as well as each and every tear that falls.  We can be comforted by this as I was this week. 

The Lord is not tardy as to His promise, as some are deeming tardiness, but is patient because of you, not intending any to perish, but all to make room for repentance. 

Peter to the Dispersion 3: 9, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~