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~ 

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~