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~ 

The Good Of The Father (Management Issues) # 2087

 

What, then, shall we declare?  That we may be perishing in sin that grace may 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 

I've shared on this page the struggles which I've had when attempting to explain my own view of sin to those who continue to follow the teachings of the church.  The teaching that it is indeed sin which has separated us from God.  The same loving God who has created us in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  The same loving and merciful God who loved us enough to dispatch His one and only Son that He would be the propitiation for the sin which the church continues to condemn us for {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  Does this sound to you anything like the love of God on display?  That He would, upon forgiving us our trespasses, continue instead to condemn us for that which He has already forgiven?  Likewise, would a loving God choose to allow us to live a life of condemnation?  It is for this very reason which I have claimed that the separation theology of the church is a lie.  On the one hand, it does nothing to display the one true nature of the Father, which is love {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  But, this is what I would expect from a church system not centered on the truth of the Father, but on the teachings of man.  At the heart of the issue of sin separating us from God is the belief that Jesus has died for "Some" of the sin which we were once guilty.  The author J Preston Eby has written, correctly I believe, that our sin debt has been paid in full by the willing sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  We have now been found justified for that which we were once found guilty {Paul to the Romans 6:7}.  In the eyes of those within the church, there continues to be sin which we need to be seeking the Lords forgiveness for each and every day.  From lying to cheating to lust, the ghost of sins past still continue to haunt us, so we've been told.  For His part, God cannot be in the presence of that sin, so He has separated Himself from that which He has created out of His love for us {Isaiah 59:2}.  Such is the dilemma we face when we attempt to "Manage" what we see as sin.

A dear friend commented to me this morning the question, do we sin or do we see Jesus?  Unfortunately, far too many believers continue to fall in step with the teachings of the church and see sin instead of Christ.  We also have the mistaken belief that we ourselves (If there were an independent self) can do our best to manage the sin we continue to commit.  This requires both prayer and the determination to abstain from what we see as sin.  Yet, as the apostle Paul so correctly speaks to in his evangel, how shall we who have died to sin still be living in it?{Paul to the Romans 6:1-2}.  For Paul has proclaimed the truth which states that Christ Jesus has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  I take this to mean ALL sin past, present and future included.  For if there were sin remaining, wouldn't you think that the Father would have provided a way to forgive us of this also?  But the truth is that He has.  For it is through Christ that we have been found justified from ALL sin.  That debt has been paid in full!  The issue with sin management is that we continue to see the acts of our flesh as sin.  We do not look upon ourselves as redeemed through our life within the Father, but as guilty sinners.  Obviously, those within the church have done us zero favors when it comes to proclaiming our life in the Father.  For Jesus Himself has spoken to just that in the scriptures {Johns Account 14:20}.  Not only has He given Himself that we would be free of the condemnation of sin, He has done away with it entirely, nailing it to the cross {Paul to the Colossians 2:14}.  Without sin, there remains nothing to be managed.  

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 

~Scott~ 

Good Of The Father (The Jesus Problem) # 2086

 

Perceive what manner of love the Father has given us, that we may be called children of God! And we are!  Therefore the world does not know us, for it did not know Him 

First Epistle of John 3: 1, Concordant New Testament 

I seem to have a Jesus issue.  More than that, I seem to have an issue communicating Jesus to those who do not know Him as I do.  I'll admit that my views of the Lord Jesus might sound a bit off the rails to those who have been accustomed to the traditional teachings of the mainstream church.  I recently had the nerve to share with one of my gym friends a few pages written by the author J Preston Eby.  His reaction to this was, shall we say, predictable.  Predictable from the standpoint that I've seen this reaction before when I share what it is that I have come to believe about Jesus.  For now, my association with the author Eby has made me misguided in the eyes of my gym friend.  I get it.  For I was once in his shoes, absorbing all which the church pastors fed me.  In fact, I recall reacting in just the way he has whenever someone would introduce a teaching which went against what the church somehow "Authorized" as the acceptable gospel.  There have been plenty of times where I have turned what should have been a simple discussion about the Lord into a full fledged argument.  Therefore, I'm not at all surprised when someone attacks me due to my view of the truth of Christ which has been revealed unto me through the love of the Father.  While I continue to adhere to a few of the core principals held dear by the church, that is where my affiliation with their theology ends.  I'm referring to the false separation theology which continues to be spoken by those within the church.  The idea that it is our sin which has separated us from God.  I have referred to this teaching as one of the lies spoken by the church.  As you might guess, I have been labeled as misguided for holding to this belief as well.  But this is not simply some idea I've come up with on my own.  The apostle Paul speaks to the truth of Christ living in him {Paul to the Galatians 2:20, Paul to the Romans 6:8}.  Jesus Himself has spoken to the truth of our life within He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  These are passages of scripture which are either ignored or misrepresented entirely by the church.

To be clear, I have an issue with a teaching which speaks to the truth that Christ Jesus bled and died on the cross for the forgiveness of sin, but that continues to teach that the sin which Jesus died for continues to be an issue in our lives.  I'll never be on board with that belief.  In fact, it is this misguided teaching of the church which caused me to initially question the message I was hearing.  It is also this teaching which eventually caused me to leave the church.  In my mind, I had been lied to by those whom I had trusted to teach me about the Lord.  So it is that I am not at all surprised when I see this teaching continued to be spoken by those who continue to fill the pews of the church and absorb its teachings.  I was once there myself.  My revelation of the truth of the Father came from conversations I've had with a trusted and dear friend.  He spoke to the fact that we do not have a God of condemnation, but of love {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  It is through His love for us by which He has dispatched His Son to be the propitiation of our sin {First Epistle of John 4:10}.  The very definition of propitiation is the "Gaining or regaining" of favor or goodwill of someone.  It is through Christ Jesus by which we have been redeemed in the eyes of God.  Paul speaks to the truth that Christ has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  My gym friend usually bristles at this so called blasphemy.  But what about our sin which we do every day?  Yes, Paul speaks to that as well.  He speaks to the truth of "How shall we who have died to sin live any longer within it?" {Paul to the Romans 6:2}.  This is the Jesus issue which those within the church continue to have.  The issue that despite giving Himself for the forgiveness of sin, that His sacrifice was in vain because sin remains the issue in the lives of the Lords children. 

In this is love, not that we love God, but that He loves us, and dispatches His Son, a propitiatory shelter concerned with our sins 

First Epistle of John 4: 10, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (AI Jesus) # 2085

 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 have known a few people that when I encourage them to read a bit of the authors I have encountered (J Preston Eby, Norman Grubb, Frank Viola) their immediate reaction is to type the name into their Google search and base their opinion off of what some chatbot says.  If you ask me, this is not doing your diligence as far as getting to know the work of these authors.  But in the microwave society in which we live, people seek the most information in the least amount of time.  I get it.  On a whim the other day, I Googled the phrase "Can I trust J Preston Eby."  Not surprisingly, the answer came with more than a few warnings of why one should not trust the writings of one Mr. Eby.  In my opinion, we must always be of the mind of the apostle John, seeking to test the spirits of that which we encounter to determine if it is indeed from God.  Now, I have read and studied enough of J Preston Eby to know that he speaks to a pretty solid background which he supports with scripture.  I will say the same for Norman Grubb and Frank Viola.  At the same time, I have tested the spirits of the author/pod castor Wayne Jacobsen and have come away with more than a few questions of what he believes.  For the most part, I test the spirits in order to see if what I am reading lines up with my own beliefs.  But we can also utilize this in all that we do.  When we test the spirits, we are allowing the Father to reveal to us what He desires for us to know.  Can God speak through the untrusted format of Google?  Absolutely.  When we realize that God is all in all, our eyes are opened to His knowing in all that we do.  Yet there is the church based separation theology out there which stakes the claim that our sin has separated us from God.  I tested the spirits some time ago and it is the Father who revealed unto me that this simply is not true.  First off, I am created in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  He has breathed into me the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  On top of that, Jesus Himself has proclaimed that I now live in union with He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  

I will always say that the best way to tests the spirits on something is to read and/or experience it for yourself.  Some things are no brainers, such as touching a hot stove or going against what the scripture has declared as wrong.  Somewhere along the line, someone else has tested the spirits and discovered that such things will never be good for us.  If I encounter a Google search warning me of something wrong with a religious author or speaker, my first inclination is to see for myself what the issue is that the chatbot is speaking to.  Test the spirits.  I will not trust Google with such nonsense.  My own knowledge of my life in the Father did not come from some Sunday sermon or pulpit pounder, but from intimate conversations with a dear and trusted friend who also at one time tested the spirits of what he was encountering.  After spending years in church leadership, he began to question the theology of the church he had served for so long.  He tested the spirits of more than a few authors others within the church frowned upon.  I am certainly glad that he did, for from the Fathers revelation unto him I also came to know Christ Jesus in me {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  I am reminded of the experience of the man Saul, whom God revealed Himself to on that road to Damascus {Acts of the Apostles 9:1-19}.  Saul spent years in the halls of the Jewish synagogues, thinking that he had it all figured out as far as the Lord was concerned.  God had other plans for Him.  What I have learned about the Father from conversations with my friend and from my own research is not something I ever heard in my years in the church.  As with Paul, the Father chose that moment where He would reveal Himself in me.  

For the flesh is lusting against the spirit, yet the spirit against the flesh.  Now these are opposing one another, lest you should be doing whatever you may want 

Paul to the Galatians 9: 17, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~