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

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

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

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

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

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

First Epistle of John 4: 8, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (No Relation) # 2103

 

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

Paul to the Romans 8: 1, Concordant New Testament 

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

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

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

Paul to the Romans 8: 34, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Works Of God) # 2102

 

You are the light of the world.  A city located upon a mountain can not be hid.  Neither are they burning a lamp and placing it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it is shining to all those in the house.  Thus let your light shine in front of men, so that they may perceive your ideal acts and should glorify your Father who is in the heavens

Matthews Account 5: 14-16, Concordant New Testament 

The question was raised the other day of what it looks like watching the Father work through His creation.  Although definitely exciting to witness, we must also be aware of the truth of our life in Him in order to realize that He is indeed working through us.  Now, this might seem like a foreign concept, especially for those who adhere to the separation theology spoken within the mainstream church.  Yet Jesus has proclaimed that we do not live apart from God, but that we live our life within Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  Without this knowing, one might not grasp the concept of the Father working through us.  Granted, Gods reach is not so short that He cannot work His will through His creation, but in order to be witnesses to His works, it helps to have the revelation that our life is lived in Him.  In fact, it has been said that the world will know the Lord through the works and lives of those who already know Him.  I believe that is true.  I also believe that this is what Jesus was referring to when He proclaimed "Let your light shine before men" {Matthews Account 5:16}.  Yes, let His light in you shine before men, that they may perceive your ideal acts and should glorify your Father Who is in the heavens.  We see this referenced in Johns account as well, that the "Light" is the light of men {Johns Account 1:4}.  Through my years in the church, I heard many stories of those who marveled at the works of the Lord in their lives.  Yet they always stopped short of that realization of God working His will through them personally.  Yes, I was among that crowd once as well.  For it wasn't until I had stepped away from the teachings of the church that my life in Him was revealed to me.  That my sin had not separated me from Him, but that through Jesus' death on the cross God has reconciled me once again to Himself. 

Jesus has proclaimed that those around us will "Perceive your ideal acts and should glorify your Father Who is in the heavens" {Matthews Account 5:16}.  That those around us will see the works of the Lord done through us.  In my time, I have been witness to many moments where I have seen the Father working not only through myself, but through others as well.  Granted, I have been more in tuned to seeing His works in others since my own revelation of my life in Him.  That is why I say that others may not perceive the works of the Lord in those around them until they have their own realization of their life lived in the Father.  I say this from my own personal experience.  While I was still in the church, I looked for the works of the Lord apart from myself.  I had been taught that my life and that of the Father were forever separate due to my ever present sin in my life.  I now consider this to be one of the lies spoken by the church.  The truth of the Father tells us that Jesus has been dispatched to die on the cross for the forgiveness of sin {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  The apostle Paul speaks in his evangel that Jesus has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  That we should reckon ourselves to be "Dead, indeed, to sin" {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  The truth of the scriptures reveal to us that sin is no longer the issue, but you probably will never hear that proclaimed within the church.  I know I didn't.  Not only has the Father taken care of the sin issue which once held us in bondage, but has reconciled us to Himself once again.  I see this and I glorify the Father Who is in heaven. 

"I am the grapevine.  You are the branches.  He who is remaining in Me, and I in him, this one is bringing forth much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing 

Johns Account 15: 5, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Mind Games) # 2101

 

We are of God.  He who knows God is hearing us.  He who is not of God is not hearing us.  By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deception

First Epistle of John 4: 6, Concordant New Testament 

Perhaps you've heard the old phrase, just because something appears to be true doesn't mean that it is.  Well, this could be said of Christianity as well.  There are those who claim that we have been separated from God by our own sin.  However, there are also those who have accepted the truth of Christ Jesus which leads into forgiveness for said sin.  Beneath this false belief is the lie of Satan the deceiver.  This is the same lie which he spoke unto Eve in the garden, when he falsely claimed that she could "Be like God, knowing good and evil" {Genesis 3:5}.  Not knowing any better, Eve accepted the lie of the deceiver as fact.  Unfortunately, it is this very lie which has overtaken many followers of Jesus over the centuries.  The false belief is that we are our own selves, totally independent from God.  Tell me, can that which has been created ever be separated from He who created it?  We know that we have been created in the likeness of the Father {Genesis 1:27}.  We also know that it is God Who has breathed into us His breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  I see this as God imparting Himself into His creation.  So, again, how is it that we could ever be separated from God Who has created us?  By the lies spoken by the deceiver, that's how.  The apostle John speaks to this deception when he proclaims that those who are not hearing the truth have chosen instead to follow the "Spirit of deception" {First Epistle of John 4:6}.  Indeed, I have run across many so called believers who have made that choice to follow the lies of the deceiver instead of the truth which has been spoken by the Father.  One of their biggest stumbling blocks is sin.  Now, the apostle Paul in his evangel is very pointed in his description of the current state of sin.  It is Paul who has spoken that Christ Jesus has given Himself to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  Not only that, but that we who have placed our trust in Jesus should "Be reckoning yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  Yet rather that accepting the liberating truth we find written in Paul's evangel, they choose to accept the lie.  For his part, Satan is more than happy when they do.  

It's been said that the very definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting a totally different result.  One could also apply this message to those who follow the lies of the deceiver as well.  You seek relief from what you continue to see as sin?  You're told that this relief comes in the form of continually seeking the Lords forgiveness for that which He has already forgiven you for?  It is this which you have accepted as truth.  You've accepted the lie of Satan as fact.  The truth is that the deceiver cannot change that which has already been accomplished.  He can never change that which the Father has already accomplished through the death of His Son on that cross.  However, what he CAN do is to convince Gods children that He has abandoned them.  That even though He has provided for their  complete forgiveness, that He has in fact turned His back on His own creation.  Is it, then, any wonder why he is referred to as the deceiver?  For he has succeeded in his deception of the followers of Jesus.  He has succeeded in convincing many that the sin which has been put to death by Christ Jesus is still alive and well in the lives of every believer.  For it's part, the mainstream church facilitates the lies of the deceiver by continuing to speak to their validity.  Instead of speaking to the truth of sin which we find in Paul's evangel, those in church pulpits continue to speak the lie.  The apostle refers to this as the spirit of deception, and I have seen many be deceived.  

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 (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~