The Good Of The Father (No Way To Live) # 2127

 And we know and believe the love which God has in us.  God is love, and he who is remaining in love is remaining in God, and God is remaining in him 

First Epistle of John 4: 16, Concordant New Testament 

I have a friend who seldom has a conversation of the positive part of his life.  If you were to listen to him, you would think that his life was every bit as negative as he made it out to be.  Which is interesting considering that my friend confesses to be a Christian believer.  Now, there is no doubt that Jesus has proclaimed that in this life we are to have turmoil {Johns Account 16:33}.  However, Jesus also points out the truth of the fact that He Himself has overcome the world.  So, if Jesus has overcome this world, have not we who remain in Him done so as well?  What is it that the troubles of this world can do to we who are in Christ?  I have tried to impart the truth of Jesus to my friend that when he is in Christ, nothing about this world matters in who he is.  The apostle Paul speaks to the truth of our life in Jesus, that "To be living is Christ, and to be dying, gain" {Paul to the Philippians 1:21}.  Paul understood the truth of what it is to live life within the presence of God.  To be confident in knowing that we live AS Him.  Now, many in the church will point out that sinners cannot live within the presence of God, that our sin is a barrier to enjoying a life lived within Him.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  For Jesus has not given Himself as the "One not knowing sin" only that we should continue to suffer in this life {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  The truth of our life in Christ Jesus is that He has given Himself to that death of sin within us "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  That which once condemned us is no more {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  This truth should give us the confidence we have of a life lived in Jesus, IF we know that truth within our hearts.  

I don't blame my friend for not grasping the truth of Christ in us as I have, for this is something which the church refuses to speak to.  In my time in the church, I never heard a pastor speak to the truth of Christ Jesus in me as I know today.  No, for I was a sinner deserving of condemnation.  This is the mindset by which my friend now lives his life.  He has been condemned, and he must live each day of his life as such, continually seeking Gods forgiveness.  Let me tell you, that's NO way to live!  A life lived in negativity will always come through in your interactions and relationships with others.  There is no way that you can express your joy of a life in Christ when you feel condemned by Him.  THAT, in my mind, is the key to the happiness of a life lived within Jesus.  This is why I can speak to my friend of the joy I have in Christ, because I live in the confidence of knowing that I am no longer condemned by Him.  That Jesus does not look upon me as a sinner deserving of punishment.  That debt has been paid in full.  What remains is my life lived within God {Johns Account 14:20}.  This is the reason for my happiness, I have overcome the world.  Whatever it is that I face in this life, I encounter it as Christ Jesus in Whom I now live.  How is knowing this truth not a joyful feeling?  I believe that the Father never intended us to live in the pain and sorrows of this world, but in the knowing of our life in Him.  This is true freedom in Christ Jesus.  Not concerned over whether or not there is some unforgiven sin which God continues to hold against us.  That's no way to live. 

For to me to be living is Christ, and to be dying, gain 

Paul to the Philippians 1: 21, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (A Thinking Problem) # 2126

 Yes I admit, I've got a thinking problem

She's always on my mind

Her memory goes round and round

I've tried to quit a thousand times

~Thinking Problem by David Ball (1994)~ 

This week I was once again reminded of the impact of that which I thought I had once left behind me.  A good friend confided in us that he was once again struggling with the evils of pornography.  He's not alone by any means.  I was once among those who struggled daily with the images of the female form for my own gratification.  According to the latest statistics, 11% of men and 3% of women in America have confessed to being addicted to pornography in some form.  But what of those who dabble in it and don't feel that they're addicted?  What about those numbers?  See, when I was struggling with porn there was a time when I felt that I didn't have an addiction at all.  I was merely doing "What guys do."  The funny thing about pornography as compared to other, more destructive addictions, is that it often takes a back seat to diseases like drug addiction and alcoholism.  It's like porn is the ugly cousin of these other hurtful problems so many face.  Yet I'm here to tell you from my own experience that the porn struggle is all too real for many people.  I've been there.  I might never have partaken of drugs, but I was addicted nonetheless.  I chose to fill my time with images which satisfied me if only temporarily.  Isn't that what drug addicts and alcoholics do, seek that temporary pleasure?  In some ways, pornography has been seen as simply a issue with the mind.  If I don't think about those images, I'll be fine.  Well, I'm here to tell you that the issue goes deeper than that.  I dare to say that it goes to the issue of who we truly are.  Or, in other words, who God sees when He looks upon us.

When it comes to recovery programs, typical drug addictions have more options than those of pornography.  There are systems in place to help those addicted to kick the chemical addiction.  What does pornography have?  I've known more than a few men who have gone through one church endorsed porn addiction seminar or another and come out on the other end still addicted to the flesh.  So, how is it, then, that I managed to stop the cycle of the thinking problem?  Well, part of it was Gods intervention while the other part has been my own realization of who I am in His eyes.  It all began one night as I once again waited to walk through the doors of another Portland strip club.  In that moment, I felt what I can only describe as a tugging at my spirit which told me "This is not who you are."  Whatever it was, it was enough for me to walk away that night.  It also began the journey which led me to discover who I truly was in Christ.  If I'm not "That" guy, then who am I?  Well, If I adhere to the words of the apostle Paul, I am the image of Christ Jesus Who lives in me {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  That old guy I once was, who the church told me that I am, is dead.  He was crucified on that cross alongside Jesus.  That guy was a sinner, and I'm not that guy anymore!  While the pornography addiction can be described an issue with the mind, knowing who we truly are in Christ is that renewing of our minds {Paul to the Romans 12:2}.  My journey to knowing my identity in Christ has not been easy, but it has been life changing for me.  Knowing that the Father does not look upon me as a sinner, but as His loved child {First Epistle of John 3:1}.  When we renew our minds, we stop seeing ourselves not as condemned sinners, but as living our life IN Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  For those who find themselves addicted to images of the flesh, I can assure you that this is not who you are. 

And not to be configured to this eon, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for you to be testing what is the will of God, good and well pleasing and perfect. 

Paul to the Romans 12: 2, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Jesus Indoctrination) # 2125

 

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, according as the custom of some is, but entreating, and so much rather as you are observing the day drawing near

To the Hebrews 10: 25, Concordant New Testament 

I have a few friends who engaged in a conversation this week of the decline of the mainstream church.  More specifically, the decline of the so called mega churches which seemed to once dominate the Christian faith.  I remember back in the day hearing of the services of Rick Warrens Saddleback church in Lake Forrest, California.  This church was held up as a prime example of a large, burgeoning congregation mega church.  However, recently some of the luster has vanished from that rose.  As with other large churches, Saddleback church has seen a dramatic decrease in the size of their once large congregation.  Why is that?  Well, I'll try to answer that by giving some of my own perspective on why I left the church I had attended for more than a few years.  This church was once healthy and vibrant, or so I thought.  I chose this church on the recommendation of a few friend that this was indeed a vibrant, God centered church.  I felt that at that point in my life that this is what I was needing.  Don't get me wrong, during my time in the church I developed more than a few friendships which I continue to enjoy today.  In fact, my two friends who entered into this conversation this week have been a part of my life ever since we met back in my church days.  So, why is it that I left the church?  Well, after a number of years spent gathering together every week, I noticed that more and more people who once were avid attendees were now choosing to leave this church for the greener pastures of other churches, while others were simply leaving because they no longer felt fulfilled in this congregation.  I was among the latter category.  I heard the sermons, but I didn't feel any closer to God than when I first walked in the doors of that building years before.  The final straw came one Easter morning when, after sitting through another sermon on how Jesus had died for my sins, the pastor proceeded to invite anyone who felt that they had sin to confess to step forward for prayer.  Like so many before me, I was done with the entire idea of church.

Anyone who has read these posts of mine for very long has noticed that I am more than a bit critical of the teachings and theology of the church.  I do this for good reason.  For I believe that it is the church which has misled countless believers astray from the truth we find not only in the scriptures, but in the evangel spoken by the apostle Paul as well.  Those within the church will insist and teach that sin has led to our separation from the Father Who created us.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  For the scripture speaks to the truth that we have not only been created in the very likeness of the Father {Genesis 1:27}, but that our life is IN Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  Paul speaks to the truth about sin in our life in that it is Christ Jesus Who has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  I cannot recall ever hearing a pastor preaching on the truth that Jesus gave Himself for the sin we once carried, and that we are no longer burdened by that sin {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  That it has never been sin which has separated us from God, but that He has always been an intimate part of who it is that we are.  This is why I consider this to be one of the lies spoken by the church.  For they speak of the separation between God and His children.  Again, the words of Paul give us an invitation into the truth of the Lord Jesus when he proclaims "We, who died to sin, how shall we still be living in it?" {Paul to the Romans 6:1-2}.  How indeed.  Do we negate the work of Jesus on the cross just to fit the narrative of man?  I'd say no to that one.  This is why when I hear of the decline in attendance in the church, I already know what the issue is, I've been there.  I'm encouraged in knowing that so many believers are venturing out to seek that relationship with God which they could never achieve in the halls of the church.  My prayer is that God will open their eyes and reveal the truth of a life lived in Him as He has with me.  

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

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (I'm Not That Guy) # 2124

 

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 lives me, and gives Himself up for me

Paul to the Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

I had someone tell me the other day that I was living a lie in my belief in the truth of Christ Jesus in me.  That in reality Jesus ascended into heaven and shall remain there until such time as He returns for His chosen people who have known Him.  I reminded him of the words spoken by the apostle Paul in his evangel, but this did little to sway his church influenced decision.  I do not put the blame for his view squarely on him, but also on those who have taught him the beliefs which he adheres to.  It's been said that there are no bad students, only bad teachers.  In this case that has proven to be true.  I was once like this man was, sitting through many a Sunday sermon where I was taught that God was a far off entity whose only concern was to watch over my life to see if I lived it the way in which He desired.  This has been among the teachings of the mainstream church for thousands of years.  One thing that I did tell my friend was that I'm not that guy anymore.  I'm not that guy whom the Lord still deems worthy of condemnation and punishment.  Through the word of Christ Jesus on the cross, the sin debt has been paid.  When the Father looks upon me, He no longer sees a sinner, but His loved child {First Epistle of Johns 3:1}.  It has never been the Fathers desire that He would be separated from His creation.  This is but one false teaching of the mainstream church.  Every time I have a discussion of the truth of Christ Jesus in me I see just how deep that the false teachings of the church have reached in the understanding of too many believers.  For they hold to the teachings of the church and not the truth we find in the scriptures.  I get it, I've been where they are.  But I'm not that guy anymore.

For whatever reason the Lord has chosen, the truth of His Son in me was not revealed to me until I had been out of the church for some time.  Until that point, I was well versed in the teachings and theology of the church.  I held fast to what I had been taught.  I did not question the words spoken by the pastors.  I recall the words of Paul, who himself was well versed in the teachings of the Jewish faith.  By his own admission, Paul was once a persecutor of the followers of Jesus and a strict follower of his faith {Acts of the Apostles 22:3-4}.  Then came the day where Saul was introduced to the One which he had been persecuting for so long.  It was only "When it delights God" that Paul was introduced to the truth of who he truly was {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}.  He wasn't that guy anymore.  What Paul discovered about himself and of his identity in Christ Jesus is documented within his evangel.  It is these words of Paul which also convinced me of my own identity in Christ.  I was not separated from God as a result of my own sin, for Jesus has already paid that debt in full.  What remains is Christ.  But was it Jesus Who restored my identity in the Lord?  Or, as I now believe, has He always been within me?  This begs the question, how is it that God could ever be separated from that which He has created?  Many Christians agree that we live in a fallen world, that the world itself is entrenched in sin.  Yet they also believe the truth that God created all that we see and that He continues to be a part of His creation.  The same is true for us.  It is not sin which has separated us from the Father, for He has always been a part of us.  

In Whom there is no Jew nor yet Greek, there is no slave nor yet free, there is no male and female, for you all are one in Christ Jesus

Paul to the Galatians 3: 28, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (First Love) # 2123

 

We are loving God, for He first loves us 

First Epistle of John 4: 19, Concordant New Testament 

A good friend of mine has been speaking to the truth of the concept of "Just Love" in recent conversations.  I am not too familiar with these talks as I have not been involved, but what I do know is that to love is something which Jesus Himself has called upon us to do {Johns Account 13:34}.  Jesus placed so much emphasis upon this concept of love that He described it as a "New Precept," other translations describe this as a new covenant.  Google describes a precept as "A general rule intended to regulate behavior."  So, it is Jesus Who has given unto us this new command, that we love one another.  Yes, this IS  the command given unto us by Christ Jesus.  However, it also may be one of the most difficult commands to follow.  How much love do we show to that person who has wronged us?  How much love do we show unto those we disagree with?  I'll echo the question my friend posed recently, is just love even possible?  Can we live in a world where love is rampant?  Is such a world even possible?  When I think of the truth given to us by Jesus to love one another I think of our first love.    I'm not talking of that first love of the opposing sex, but of He Who loved us first {First Epistle of John 4:19}.  It is God Who has demonstrated His own love for us that while we were yet sinners to dispatch His Son to die for us {Paul to the Romans 5:8}.  We were not the ones who first loved, that was the Father all the way.  Were it not for the love of the Father, where would we be?  Does God find it as difficult to love as we do?  Not at all.  After all, the one true nature of the Father IS love {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  If we heed the words of the apostle John, if we fail to love, we "Knew not God."  Some might scoff at this, but I believe that it is indeed true.  For to love is from God.  

I can personally attest to the fact that to love is no easy task.  There have been many times that I have been wronged, cheated and mistreated.  Do you think that my first response to these instances was to "Just Love?"  But I will also be the first to admit that in these instances that I was not seeing my situation through the Fathers eyes.  I was not looking upon the other person as God looks upon them.  How is it that I can see Gods loved child in someone who mistreats me?  Yet this is how God sees each and every one of us {Paul to the Romans 8:16}.  Some will make the false claim that only those who have accepted Christ Jesus have the right to be called children of God, but I believe that this is in error.  For we have been created in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  It is God Who also loved us enough to give unto us the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  It is God Who, through His love, created all who we are.  We are indeed His offspring {Acts of the Apostles 17:28}.  So it is that we are His beloved children.  Knowing this, can we look upon others as God sees them?  Can we just love, as God has?  Some might say that this is more easier said than done.  Those within the church might ask, what about those sinners among us?  Well, what did God do with we who were once sinners?  Simple, while we were yet sinners, God dispatched His Son to die in our place.  God chose to love.  This is the same choice that we as His children are faced with.  Do we choose to just love?  

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 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Defenders Of The Faith) # 2122

 

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 added a new word in my lexicon this week.  That word is dogmatic.  People have used the world dogmatic to describe a sector of those Christian believers who hold fast to the beliefs and traditions of their faith.  Google defines dogmatic as "Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true."  Those who are dogmatic tend to speak their belief as the one truth while ignoring the input of others.  They hold tight to the scriptures they know will support their argument, of which they involve themselves in many.  I would be inclined to describe Christianity as we know it as a religion prone to dogmatic practices.  Those within the church all too often preach the practices which their defenders of the faith adhere to.  Recently I have had the opportunity of experiencing the dogmatic defenders of the faith first hand.  I have a gym friend who clings to his scripture and church taught beliefs as if they were chained to his feet.  There is no discussion about a differing view of scripture or Christian author.  There is no room for the grace and mercy of the Father when it comes to wrong behaviors.  In his eyes, the wicked shall be punished with an  eternity in hell.  He will back up his belief with carefully screened passages from the bible to make his case.  Those who have not accepted Christ into their hearts will also be among those banished to the hell created for Satan and his followers.  Seeing as Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life, He is our access to the Father {Johns Account 14:6}.  Think you're a child of God as the scriptures tell us?  Not so fast!  In the eyes of the dogmatic believer, only those who have accepted Jesus are worthy of being children of God.  As you can see, there is little room for the love and mercy of God in the minds of the dogmatic believer.  For them everything is cut and dry and laid out in front of them.  The good will be rewarded and the guilty punished, end of story.  

In one of my one sided discussions with my friend the other day I asked him a simple question which he has yet to answer, what is it like for you to live in the freedom of Christ?  I believe that he cannot answer this because he has yet to experience the joy we have in living in the freedom of Christ Jesus.  This is the freedom I did not began to experience until I was away from the church for some time.  The Jesus which I now know is not the Jesus which was spoken to me while I was active in the church.  For the church has made a habit of not speaking to a closer relationship with Christ.  Sure, they may mention and gloss over it, but they never speak to that joy of truly living in the presence of God.  Jesus speaks to our own life lived in the Father in the book of John {Johns Account 14:20}.  To the dogmatic believer, the mere mention of scripture such as this and we're accused of cherry picking the scriptures to suit our blasphemous narrative.  The pot calling the kettle black.  Some of the most dogmatic people in history were the Pharisees and scribes of Jesus' day.  They burdened the people with the traditions and requirements of their religion.  This is why Jesus stood before them on that day and proclaimed His "Woes to the Pharisees" {Matthews Account 23:1-33}.  I've often wondered, if Jesus were to confront the pastors of today, would we see His "Woe to you pastors?"  Something tells me that more than a few dogmatic believers would be critical of Him for doing just that. 

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

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

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (One Saved All) # 2121

 

For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified 

Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15: 22, Concordant New Testament 

I have a gym friend who, despite having been told that I am a believer, has taken it upon himself to try to convert me to Christianity.  There are times that I feel that I am wearing a shirt with the words "I'm a sinner, please convert me" written upon it.  I get it.  Back in my church days, I would take each and every opportunity not to proclaim the good news of Jesus, but the requirements one needed to do in order to get into heaven.  This is what I have been hearing for some time now.  Perhaps the Lord is gently reminding me of what I used to sound like to others?  Whatever the case, it seems that I am in need of being converted all over again into the Christian religion.  One of the requirements of going to heaven is that we realize that our life is filled with sin and that we need Gods continual forgiveness.  The truth is that this is what our identity once was back in the day.  However, is it through the death of Christ Jesus on the cross as the propitiation for our sin that we are no longer suffering the burdens of sin {First Epistle of John 2:2}.  That's right, our sin debt has been paid in full.  My gym friend will get all twisted into knots whenever I mention the desire of the Lord that all be saved {Paul to Timothy (1) 2:4}.  In his view, all continue to be guilty of that sin which Christ Jesus bled and died to forgive.  I believe that those who continue in this church driven belief are ignoring the reason for His death.  Not simply that we would be forgiven that which was against us, but that sin itself would be defeated {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  The truth we have in the sacrifice of Christ is that ALL shall be made alive {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15:22}.  Most refer to this truth as universal salvation, and the mainstream church pretty much considers it to be blasphemy when spoken of.

One of the precedents of Christian belief is that we have been created in the Fathers likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  That we are indeed His children {First Epistle of John 3:2}.  Therefore, is it beyond the Father to desire that all of His children be saved?  Is it even possible that all have been saved and it just has not been revealed to them?  Yes!  One thing I know is that all things are possible with God {Mathews Account 19:26}.  Man may consider something to be impossible, yet the Father deems it possible.  Is it therefore possible that man considers the need that others be judged for their sin, but that God assures them that their sins have been forgiven?  Is it even possible that the entire church driven narrative that hell is the eternal punishment for sin is not what the Father has in store for us?  Remember, with God all things are possible.  Is it even our domain to condemn anyone to hell?  Or, is this the domain of the Father Who created us?  Jesus has spoken that we "Do not judge, lest you may be judged" {Matthews Account 7:1-5}.  Yet many in the church continue to proclaim the Lords children guilty of that which Christ Jesus has already given His life for {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  The same church which celebrates the forgiveness of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus is the same church which condemns others to hell for the sin Jesus has already forgiven us.  This is one of the main reasons I believe in the truth which others refer to as universal salvation.  Because with God, all things are possible.  

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and losing one of them, is not leaving the ninety-nine in the wilderness and is going after the lost one, till he may be finding it?  And finding it, he is placing it on his shoulders, rejoicing." 

Lukes Account 15: 4-5, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~