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~