Finding Ourselves

 

Yet you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that God's spirit is making its home in you.  Now if anyone has not Christ's spirit, this one is not His. 

Paul to the Romans 8: 9, Concordant New Testament 

There has been a big push in recent years for people to find out who they are.  Someone might identify as one of the opposite sex while another might identify as someone of a different race entirely.  There have even been those who have found their identity in different animals.  Well, let me present a little bit of truth into this conversation shall we.  Wishing something were true DOES NOT mean that it is.  Just because you now see yourself as someone of a different sex, you're physical attributes betray who you think you are.  For those who are in the know, the Lord created mankind in His own image {Genesis 1:27}.  But He didn't stop there, God also formed our flesh body from the dust of the ground and breathed into man the breath of life and the flesh became a living soul {Genesis 2:7}.  However, I understand that not everyone sees things from the way they were originally meant to be.  I understand that there are those whose eyes have been blinded by the lies of the accuser.  I get it.  For it is Satan himself who spoke the lie unto Eve in the garden.  Adam and Eve knew that eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was forbidden, yet Satan managed to convince them otherwise.  The accuser claimed that were they to eat of the forbidden tree that they "Will not surely die" as the Lord had promised {Genesis 3:4}.  On the contrary, Satan claimed that were they to eat of the tree, that "Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" {Genesis 3:5-6}.  The rest, as they say, is history.  Satan has successfully introduced the lie into Gods children that we can be independent of the Lord.  This is, of course, ridiculous thinking.  But the mainstream church has taken to speaking this separation lie for thousands of years.  Being like God.  Getting closer to Jesus.  It's all the same lie spoken by the accuser.  But here is my question, how is it that one who has ALWAYS had the Father in them suddenly be without Him?  It is a well known fact that God never changes {Malachi 3:6}.  God is where He has always been, in us.  We are the ones who have chosen to identify as someone different.  

There is no independent, self-operating self in the universe, except for the One who calls Himself the I AM {Exodus 3:14} and says, "I am the Lord and there is none else, there is no God beside Me" {Isaiah 45:5}.  

Norman Grubb ~ No Independent Self 

So, who is it that you choose to identify as?  Are you a biological man choosing to identify as a woman?  Are you an African American choosing now to identify as a different race?  Well tell me, how's that working out for you?  It is painfully obvious that simply being a man dressing as a woman DOES NOT make you female.  Also, believing that you are your own individual does not make it true.  You have been created in the Lords image, and that image is not the image which we look upon in the mirror each day.  You were created in the Fathers spirit image, that is who you truly are.  No woke liberal thinking will ever change that.  Remember, God does not change.  It might be difficult for many people to accept, but you have been living a lie.  Until I came to know the truth of Christ Jesus in me, I lived that very same lie.  I saw God as being far away from where I was.  I grew up a believer believing the lie which had been taught to me.  That is, that as a sinner I could never be close to God.  Yet what I failed to comprehend was that through Christ Jesus on the cross my sins was no more.  It is Jesus who Himself became sin that it would be nullified {Paul to the Corinthians(2) 5:21}.  Jesus took upon Himself the sin of the entire world and put it to death {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  No matter how much we want to believe in the lie of Satan, we cannot escape the truth of who we are.  

For the One not knowing sin, He makes to be a sin offering for our sakes that we may be becoming God's righteousness in Him. 

Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5: 21, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Works Of Jesus

 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 

The works of Jesus during His ministry are often referred to as miracles, and for good reason.  For these were the divine works of the Father through Him {Johns Account 5:19}.  The sick were healed, the hungry were fed and the dead rose from the grave.  These are the works of Jesus.  A good friend reminded me the other day that Jesus is a loving person Who loves to give.  But are these works of Jesus simply something of the past?  Not at all.  Of course, in order to understand this one needs to understand the union we share with Christ Jesus and the Father.  We know that the Father is in the Son, but the Son is also in us as well.  The apostle Paul referred to this truth in his letter to the Galatians {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  If we understand that Jesus is indeed a loving person (Present tense), it is not that far of a stretch to assume that Jesus, being in us, can accomplish His works through us.  Of course, many in the mainstream church might think this impossible, they do not understand the union we share with the Father and the Son.  Indeed, it is not beyond the Fathers reach to work His desires through His children Whom He has always been an intimate part of.  God is not just an overseer sitting on His golden throne in heaven with Jesus by His side.  From the beginning, He has been a part of us.  It is the Lord who created us in His own image {Genesis 1:27}.  It is the Father who then breathed into His creation the breath of life, giving life to our flesh formed from the dust of the earth {Genesis 2:7}.  God has been in union with us from the beginning.  Knowing this, it is easy to see that the Father will indeed work His desire through us.  And not only we who believe, but also in someone we might never think would follow the Lord.  

"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 

The sticking point which many people run into is the fact that God can indeed work even in those who outwardly give no indication that they even know the Lord.  My friend was spot on, Jesus IS a loving person Who loves to give.  The reason we fail to see Christ in others is because we judge others by an outward appearance.  Your neighbor might not act like he knows the Lord, but does that disqualify him from being used by the Father?  Of course not!  We believers do not hold a monopoly on being Gods chosen, we're simply a few of the countless children of the Lord.  When I mentioned that God has been in union with us from the beginning, I was referring to all of humanity.  God did not create two types of humans, believers and non believers.  We are all created in the Fathers image.  I am reminded of the story of an American aviator taken prisoner after being shot down over North Vietnam.  This man eventually would come to be in the presence of one of the most brutal Vietnamese army commanders of the war.  Many prisoners lost their lives to his tactics.  Yet when the young aviator came to be in this brutal commanders camp something changed.  Whether out of mutual respect or a sense of morality, the young aviator was not mistreated by his Vietnamese hosts.  Indeed, he survived to return home once again.  Years later, the mans family came across a letter his wife had written during his time in Vietnam.  She prayed for her husbands safe return.  Now, I have no doubt that the Father is capable of working through what we see as the worst of humanity in order to accomplish His works.  By seeing the Father in us it is easier to see the works of the Father.  

~Scott~ 

The Gospel Of Prosperity

 

"Now no one can be slaving for two lords, for either he will be hating one and loving the other, or he will be upholding one and despising the other.  You cannot be slaving for God and mammon" 

Matthews Account 6: 24, Concordant New Testament 

I noticed the other night on a feed I was watching a montage of different mainstream church pastors glorifying the fact that they were rich.  Not only that, but they proclaimed that if their congregations increased their tithing, that they would prosper as well.  There was Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar (Yes, that's his name) all glorifying the glory of the almighty dollar.  Welcome to the prosperity gospel.  This is the home of the ornate mega church and the upper income church leadership.  The first I had ever heard of this type of belief was in a former church of mine when they began to speak of the "Name it and claim it" idea.  Simply put, pulling passages from the scriptures that the Lord will provide, they insist that His children can indeed ask for anything, even wealth.  Now, I never personally prayed that the Lord would supply wealth unto me, but I do admit to praying for various needs.  In my opinion, this is just one more way in which man has corrupted the mainstream church for his own gain.  Many believers are unfamiliar with the practice of the tithe.  The tithe, as those of the days of old knew it, was meant to support the Levite temple priests whose sole occupation was that of functionaries of the temple.  These Levites were responsible for the upkeep of the temple and the teaching of the nation of Israel.  They were far from rich.  This was the original intent of the tithe.  However, these days that intent has been hijacked to include everything from new church buildings to ministry events.  All of this, of course, on top of the pastors salary.  Growing up, it was common knowledge that the pastoral ministry was not a profession which people chose to get rich.  On the contrary, it was a calling.  Those who entered the pastoral field were often "Led" to do so by the spirit.  Financial gain was not the motivation.  Serving the Lord was something many were led to do.  

Will a human defraud Elohim?  For you are defrauding Me.  Yet you say, in what way do we defraud you?  In the tithe and the heave offering!  With a curse you curse Me, and Me you are defrauding - the nation, all of it.  Bring the entire tithe to the treasure house, and viands shall come to be in My house.  And test Me, indeed in this, says Yahweh of hosts, if I will not open for you crevices in the heavens and I empty for you a blessing until there is insufficient storage. 

Malachi 3: 8-10, Concordant Old Testament 

In recent history, the institutional church has done an excellent job of using the scriptures found in Malachi to bestow guilt and shame unto their congregations when the tithing totals are not where they think they should be.  I can recall more than a few Sunday mornings where the senior pastor would lay down a "Tithing challenge" to those in the congregation in an effort to get them to give more.  This challenge even included the "Guarantee" that if they increased their giving and the Lord did not bless them financially that the church would reimburse them for what they gave in extra tithing.  I can recall more than a few lower income families who scrimped and saved extra money to tithe in the hopes of Gods financial blessings.  I was never on board for this.  It didn't take long for me to see these tithing challenges for what they really were, the churches attempt for financial gain.  Now, if the pastor would have simply put the word out that the church needed funds for building maintenance I probably would have reacted with less skepticism, but this was a shakedown.  I have heard stories of a few families who were struggling financially and ended up asking the pastor for their refund on their tithe and the pastor doing his part to convince them to "Give God more time."  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see through this smoke screen.  The prosperity gospel has never been about the prosperity of the church of Christ Jesus, but the financial gains of a few.  

~Scott~ 

Is This Really Me?

So Elohim created humanity in His image; in the image of Elohim He created it: male and female He created them 

Genesis 1: 27, Concordant Old Testament 

What is the real you?  Do we know?  Too many times I've heard someone proclaim that they "Weren't acting like themselves."  How would they even know?  We humans are possessed with many differing moods for different occasions.  At times our emotions run high and those around us wonder if this is who we really are inside.  As usual, I'll be looking into this from the spiritual perspective of my belief in Christ Jesus.  Our group has often discussed that God is in us no matter what, and on this I agree.  But, is God a part of our positive and negative emotions as well?  I would say yes, and here's why.  From the beginning, the Lord has been a permanent part of who we are.  He created us in His very image {Genesis 1:27}.  Of course, this image in which we were created is not the one I grew up believing.  For we were created in the spirit image of God, that is who we truly are {Paul to the Romans 8:9}.  Just as God is in the spirit, so is our one true identity in Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  Most Christians have never known of the second creation.  This is something which I have known for some time from scripture, yet never considered it a second part of our creation until now.  This second creation occurred when God formed from the dust of the ground the flesh image which we often perceive as who we are {Genesis 2:7}.  So it is that our spirit image is encased in the flesh, yet still a part of the Lords creation.  Many Christian pastors rail against the wickedness of the flesh for its part in our wrong behaviors.  But I would point out that each and every wrong behavior we have ever participated in began in the mind.  Before the wicked action even took place, the thought to do so registered within us.  But where is God in all of this?  Right where He has always been, in union with us.  Remember, God DOES NOT change {Malachi 3:6, To the Hebrews 13:8}.  God began in us, and that is where He has remained.  

That which is begotten by the flesh is flesh, and that which is begotten by the spirit is spirit. 

Johns Account 3: 6, Concordant New Testament 

Knowing this, what can be said of our true identity?  Who is it that we really are?  Are we simply just a mix of flesh and cells which will turn once again to dust when our days are complete?  If this were indeed true the Lord would have told us so.  But that is not our true identity.  That is not who we really are.  Paul spoke to this truth of the indwelling Christ in Galatians {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Paul understood that he no longer lived, but that he was living in Christ Jesus.  Yes, his flesh resembled the man Paul, but his one true identity was in Christ Jesus.  But wait, where was God when Paul was persecuting the early church?  The same place He always had been, in Paul.  This is the issue which prevents too many believers from seeing themselves to be in union with the Lord, the works of the flesh.  How could God be in the presence of such deviant behavior?  I have a better question for you, how could we forget who we really are?  Of course, to forget who we truly are we first need to understand who it is we truly are.  Sadly, many believers are not aware of this truth.  Instead, we follow mainstream church backed teachings which tell us that God cannot be in the presence of sin.  We mistakenly believe that we are still sinners, and that we are separated from God because of this.  Remember, God never changes.  If He was with us from the beginning, He is with us now.  It is we who have forgotten not only our true identity, but our union with the Father.  

~Scott~ 

Mirror Images

 

So Elohim created humanity in His image; in the image of Elohim He created it: male and female He created them. 

Genesis 1: 27, Concordant Old Testament 

When I watch the news these days, it's never to see what's been happening.  No, I watch the news occasionally to see how far we've gone over the edge.  The other night was no different.  While watching a national news broadcast I saw a story on a group of college protestors demanding that the world saw them for who they were.  That is, seeing them for their appropriate gender and/or identity.  Apparently the reporter had made the mistake of referring to a female agitator as "Ma'am."  Of course, this elicited the typical outraged reaction we've seen from those who feel different than they really are.  Now, for those who have read this page before, my aim is to see things from my perspective of being a believer in Christ Jesus.  Therefore, when I hear that someone has somehow come to see themselves as totally different than the one which the Lord created, you just know that I'm going to question that belief.  As with most issues with our identity, this one has its roots in the lie which Satan spoke to Adam and Eve in the garden.  It is the deceiver who proclaimed that if Eve took and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that her "Eyes would become unclosed, and you will become like Elohim, knowing good and evil {Genesis 3:5-6, Concordant Old Testament}.  That is, they would be like God.  Who wouldn't take that deal?  But, what Adam and Eve failed to account for is that they ALREADY were like God.  Indeed, the first couple had the spirit of the Lord already in them.  It is God who breathed into Adam the breath of life and his spirit became living flesh {Genesis 2:7}.  It is God who took from Adam to create Eve {Genesis 2:21-22}.  Make no mistake, we are Gods creation.  He has always been an intimate part of each of us from the beginning.  Yet somehow, Adam and Eve were deceived into believing that they were separated from the Lord.  This thinking on their part is part of a larger conversation.  So it is that this creation has come to believe that we are indeed our own separate individuals.  Of course, believing that something is true does not exactly make it that way.  

There is no independent, self-operating self in the universe, except for the One who calls Himself the I AM {Exodus 3:14} and says, "I am the Lord and there is none else, there is no God beside Me" {Isaiah 45:5}

No Independent Self, Norman Grubb

The words of the writer Norman Grubb are pretty difficult to argue with, for they are based on the truth of the scripture.  There is NO independent, self-operating self in the universe, but for God.  Of course, this fly's directly in the face of each and every wanna be he/she/what or them out there.  In the eyes of the Lord, this is a false identity.  Of course, I see far too few Christian leaders speaking out on the existence of these false identities and trendy pronouns.  For to do so would bring forth the wrath of the modern cult culture.  But my loyalties do not lie with appeasing the masses or filling pews on Sundays.  I call it for what it is...the lies of the devil.  I do not believe that you're a woman in a mans body or vice versa.  What you are is confused about your one true identity.  You've bought into the lie of the deceiver hook line and sinker.  When I look in the mirror, I see the One Whom I live in union with, Christ Jesus.  Now, people will throw all sorts of insults and accusations my way, but that's par for the course when we challenge the pop culture beliefs.  My task is not to argue my point of view, but to pray that their eyes would be opened.  In the end, this situation belongs to the Lord.  One can never doubt that the Lord brings those He has chosen to Christ {Johns Account 10:29}.  In the end, it is through Christ that all will be saved {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  

~Scott~ 

Only Jesus

 

In the beginning was the word, and the word was toward God, and God was the word.  This was in the beginning toward God.  All came into being through it, and apart from it not even one thing came into being which has come onto being. In it was life, and the life was the light of men. 

Johns Account 1: 1-4, Concordant New Testament 

There is popular nationalistic catch phrase which supposedly states the values of this nation.  You can hear it spoken every now and then in patriotic circumstances...God, Family and Country!  The only kudos I would give to whoever devised this phrase is that at least they had the knowledge to place God first where He rightfully belongs.  But somehow I don't feel that the desire of the Lord is to be simply first on our list.  No, I believe that the Lord aims to be our ONLY one.  Our only hope.  Our only life and our only Father.  The writer Norman Grubb makes it clear that God comes second place to no one.  In his book, No Independent Self, Grubb speaks to scripture from Isaiah to illustrate this point.  "I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me" {Isaiah 45:5}.  Growing up in the institutional church, I was taught to believe that anything which takes the place of God in our lives is to be considered an idol.  I agree with very few teachings from the mainstream church, but I agree with this particular one.  If God indeed desires to be first and foremost in our life, then He is probably not on board with other things hijacking His importance.  Things like our job, money and even at times our families.  Remember, there is God and NONE other.  We recall that God tested the faith of Abraham by calling upon him to sacrifice his only son Isaac {Genesis 22:10}.  Although it grieved Abraham that the Lord would require of him his only son, his faith in God and fear of the Lord prevailed.  God not only saved Isaac, but blessed Abraham {Genesis 22:22}.  How many of us would do as Abraham has done?  That is, to sacrifice their loved ones for the Lord.  I suggest that I would not find too many people who trusted in the Lord fully enough to do that.  The writer of Proverbs spoke of placing our trust in the Lord in the Old Testament {Proverbs 3:5-6}.  As the proverb proclaims, "In all your ways acknowledge Him."  

Who, being the effulgence of His glory and emblem of His assumption, besides carrying on all by His powerful declaration, making a cleansing of sins, is seated at the right hand of the majesty in the heights. 

To the Hebrews 1: 3, Concordant New Testament 

Over the past few months I have been considering more and more what it is like to live fully in Christ Jesus.  Overlooking that which is going on all around us and focusing on who it is we truly are in Him.  The apostle Paul spoke to this in something I refer to as life according to Paul.  Paul proclaims in Philippians that "To be living is Christ, and to be dying, gain" {Paul to the Philippians 1:21}.  Paul understood that his life did not revolve around the physical world, but in Christ Jesus in Whom he was in union.  Paul had no difficulty knowing what was important in his life.  The reason that I contemplate this knowing in my own life is that I believe that it gives us a better perspective on the world surrounding us.  When hard times come, and they will, we do well to know that we endure them in union with Christ.  Jesus is not simply a Savior sitting in heaven removed from our daily life.  When we know Christ as our life, we understand that we endure WITH HIM.  This is the union which the apostle John spoke of {Johns Account 14:20}.  Jesus in the Father, ourselves in Christ and Christ in us.  This is our life in Him.  

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 

~Scott~ 

The Lords Chosen

 

"And I am giving them life eonian, and they should by no means be perishing for the eon, and no one shall be snatching them out of My hand.  My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to be snatching them out of My Fathers hand."

Johns Account 10: 28-29, Concordant New Testament 

One of my favorite streaming shows is the Chosen series which depicts the life of Jesus and His disciples during His ministry.  It is really profound to see the events depicted in New Testament scripture being brought to life in such a way.  What I also like about this production is that is keeps pretty close to the scriptures as far as events and timelines go.  I definitely recommend it for anyone interested in knowing about the life of Jesus.  The title for this series borrows from the fact that it is Jesus who personally chose the men who would follow Him.  They were His chosen.  But I am reminded of another fact from the scriptures, that we ourselves are Gods chosen.  The apostle John proclaims this is his scripture, that we are indeed given to Christ by the Father {Johns Account 10:29}.  We know that no one comes to the Father except through Christ, but it is the Father who delivers us to Him {Johns Account 14:6}.  There are many in Christianity today who will argue that God does not choose us beforehand, but that we need to somehow "Work" our way into our own salvation.  This, of course, is simply a wrong interpretation of the scriptures.  The apostle Paul assures us of this in Ephesians.  That salvation is the gift of the Lord and not of our own works {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}.  Paul was aware, as I am, that if we were to succeed in claiming our own salvation by our own efforts, that it wouldn't be long before mankind declared with pride that he himself is responsible for his own salvation.  Can you imagine hundreds of pulpit pounders declaring from the pulpits that they themselves bring about Gods salvation?  Soon the importance would shift from the Father to man himself.  I'm sorry, but I like things just the way they are.  That God, Who loved us first, by His love and mercy would dispatch His Son to become sin in our place {Paul to the Corinthians(2) 5:21}.  There is absolutely nothing I have done which warrants my salvation, for I have been chosen.  

According as He chooses us in Him before the disruption of the world, we to be holy and flawless in His sight, in love designating us beforehand for the place of a son for Him through Christ Jesus; in accord with the delight of His will. 

Paul to the Ephesians 1: 4-5, Concordant New Testament 

The reason that I will not hear that I have been chosen by God coming from the mainstream church is that the church itself is based on a incorrect theology where our efforts are necessary to gain favor with God.  To work out ones salvation has been a teaching of the church for many years.  We're told that we need to, "Make ourselves right with God."  This is ridiculous thinking.  It is God who loved us from the beginning and it is God Who has chosen us to be in Him.  The other night I listened to a local Christian radio broadcast and I was surprised at the teaching coming from it.  The pastor encouraged those listening to seek the Lords forgiveness and that those who do not were on a, "Fast track to hell."  Well, first off, what is it that I am needing to seek the Lords forgiveness for?  Has not Christ Jesus defeated sin at the cross {Paul to the Romans 6:10-11}.  And who is it that condemns us?  Is it God Who, having provided for our salvation, now points the finger of blame at those who are in Christ?  No, for as Paul proclaims, there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus {Paul to the Romans 8:1}.  IMHO, there is absolutely no scriptural evidence that God now seeks to condemn us.  However, who DOES seek to condemn those who are in Christ are those in the institutional church.  Why else would they proclaim that if we do not seek forgiveness from God that are going to hell?  I feel that if I were to inquire of the Father for His forgiveness that I would get a simple answer...forgiveness for what?  Indeed, Christ gave Himself that I would be forgiven.  God chose me that I would remain in Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  

~Scott~ 

Fertile Ground

 

Jesus is saying to him, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.  No one is coming to the Father except through me." 

Johns Account 14: 6, Concordant New Testament 

Those in the mainstream church fork out thousands of dollars each year to bring the message of the gospel to the people.  Through sermons, radio and television and live streaming, those seeking to draw others unto the Lord present the gospel unto the Fathers creation.  The old church I once attended would often stress discipleship and ministry outreach in order to pull in new believers.  Conferences large and small were organized to make the plea on a larger scale.  Back then I often wondered, what ever happened to those who DESIRED to know the Lord?  Here we were putting out all of this effort to entice people into the church, but what of those who truly were being led by their own heart to seek out the Lord?  Ultimately, the mission of the mainstream church is not to entice new members, but to proclaim the words of Jesus.  Having the largest congregation means nothing if we're not speaking the gospel of Christ.  For when we preach the truth of the gospel of Jesus, those who are needing to hear it will come.  Jesus invited those who were curious to "Come and see" {Johns Account 1:39-41}.  If I had a rock solid ministry which spoke the gospel of Christ, that would be my invitation unto others, come and see.  Come and see He Who loved us first {First Epistle of John 4:10}.  Come and see He Who put our sin to death {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  Our group of believers currently meets via a podcast on Sunday mornings.  We talk of what it is like to live in Christ, which is the evangel of truth spoken by Paul {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Our invitation to others?  Come and see.  Indeed, we have seen our group added to as well as listeners moving on to other things.  Recently we were excited to learn that our little living as Jesus conversation had reached the 1,000 downloads number.  To put this into perspective, our core group of weekly listeners usually numbers in at around six or seven people.  This means that nearly a thousand listeners have heeded our invitation to come and see.  

In that day Jesus, coming out of the house, sat beside the sea.  And gathered to Him were vast throngs, so that He steps into a ship to be sitting, and the entire throng stood on the beach.  And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Lo! Out came the sower to be sowing.  And , in his sowing, some, indeed, falls beside the road, and the flying creatures came and devoured it.  Yet other falls on rocky places, where it had not much earth, and immediately it shoots up, because it has no depth of earth.  Yet at the rising sun, it is scorched, and, because it has no root, it is withered.  Yet other falls on thorns, and the thorns come up and smother it.  Yet other falls on ideal earth and gives fruit, some, indeed, a hundred, yet some sixty, yet some thirtyfold.  Who has ears to hear, Let him hear!" 

Matthews Account 13: 1-9, Concordant New Testament  

In the gospel of Matthew, we see Jesus speaking to a crowd by the sea {Matthews Account 1-9}.  He speaks the parable of the sower, which He uses to illustrate those who hear the word of the gospel.  When we invite others to come and see, not all who come forth will be prepared to perceive the word of Christ. Jesus describes these as being those seeds which fall on unfertile ground.  They may hear the words of the gospel, but they do not understand.  But what of those who truly desire to know the Father?  I believe that these are the seeds which fall on fertile ground and produce fruit.  The ground and the soil are ideal for the understanding of the word.  Jesus used this illustration that those listening to Him would understand what He was talking about.  Keep in mind that those which He was speaking to were all too familiar with farming and planting of seeds.  In my younger years, I would classify myself as one who lacked the fertile ground for the words of Jesus to take root.  I knew OF Jesus, but I did not yet truly know Him.  That only came with the revelation of the Father.  Jesus proclaims that the Father gives to Him those He will gather unto Himself {Johns Account 10:29}.  These are those who are hearing His voice {Johns Account 10:27}.  He who has ears, let Him hear!  

"My sheep are hearing My voice, and I know them, and they are following Me.  And I am giving them life eonian, and they should by no means be perishing for the eon, and no one shall be snatching them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to be snatching them out of My Fathers hand.  I and the Father, We are one." 

Johns Account 10: 27-30, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~  

Choices

 

All is allowed me, but not all is expedient.  All is allowed me, but not all is edifying. 

Paul To The Corinthians (1) 10: 23, Concordant New Testament 

The question is, what do the words of Paul have to do with recovery from injury?  This is the question I contemplated this week as I recover from a recent knee injury.  Catering to the desires of the flesh, my first inclination was to reward myself with a cheat meal for staying the course in my recovery.  Then it hit me, what good would that do me?  In fact, wouldn't it do harm to what I have been trying to achieve in my overall health?  Then the words of the apostle came to mind as Paul discusses this very subject.  Paul was all too familiar with the rules and regulations of the strict Jewish standards of his day.  In fact, he had spent a good portion of his life in the edicts of the Jewish faith.  There were structures and traditions for eating, drinking and many other aspects of daily life.  Paul would also come to understand the words of Jesus when He referred to the Jewish leaders of His day as "Whitewashed sepulchers" {Matthews Account 23:27}.  The leaders who preached such traditions but were themselves unclean.  Men who focused on outward appearance while ignoring the interior.  Paul would come to understand that all things were allowed him, but not everything is edifying to him {Paul To The Corinthians (1) 10:23}.  Yes, I can indulge in all sorts of things that I desire, but not everything is uplifting for me.  Perhaps this is why the Lord created us with the innate ability to choose?  Whether this is true or not, these words of the apostle can certainly help us in our life.  Back in the day, I certainly knew that visiting strip clubs was allowed.  I did that a lot.  However, I did not yet realize that this indeed was not edifying to me.  The alcoholic might see that drinking is indeed allowed him, yet does not realize that it is not edifying to him, it does him no good whatsoever.  If we desire to live as those whitewashed sepulchers, which are bright and shiny on the outside but not the interior, then we're missing the point.  

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  for you are cleansing the outside of the cup and the plate, yet inside they are brimming with rapacity and incontinence.  Blind Pharisee!  Cleanse first the inside of the cup and the plate, that their outside may be becoming clean!" 

Matthews Account 23: 25-26, Concordant New Testament 

In His famous woes to the Pharisees, Jesus was all too aware of the hearts and intentions of these religious leaders.  It is Jesus who speaks to us of letting our light shine before men {Matthews Account 5:16}.  This light is Christ Jesus Himself {Johns Account 1:4}.  I believe that Jesus was illustrating here the hearts of the Jewish leaders.  They certainly conducted themselves according to the edicts which they preached (Whitewashed sepulchers).  Yet their actions did not portray what was in their hearts.  They demanded of the people what they themselves did not practice.  Indeed, Paul was all too aware of these men and their practices.  He once walked in their shoes.  I'm sure that he ruffled a few Pharisee feathers when he proclaimed that all things were allowed him.  Of course, having his eyes opened by the Lord, he also understood that everything, although allowed, was not profitable for him.  There are things which are not edifying for Christ Jesus in Whom we now live.  Is a visit to the local strip club showing the light of Jesus in me?  While I might recognize Him there, those around me might see me as one of those whitewashed sepulchers.  Yes, all things are allowed me, but not all things are profitable.  

~Scott~ 

Gods Unhealthy Creation

 

There is no independent, self-operating self in the universe, except the One who calls Himself the I AM {Exodus 3:14} and says, "I am the Lord and there is none else, there is no God beside Me {Isaiah 45:5}. 

No Independent Self ~ Norman Grubb 

Once again this morning I opened my email to the latest Wayne Jacobsen "The God Journey" podcast only to be treated to another dose of seeing myself as separated from the Father.  This morning, Wayne and his sidekick tackle the question of negative emotions and how it is that they affect us.  What peaked my interest was when he mentioned the "unhealthy" side of our brains which supposedly produce these emotions.  Sorry, but I'm not buying into that nonsense.  I have spent a good deal of time in my writing relating my beliefs in the truth of Jesus and the indwelling Christ.  Of how the apostle Paul spoke to this truth in Galatians {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  Yes, I live in Christ.  The idea that the Lord who created me in His very image would create something unhealthy in me is not something I care to entertain {Genesis 1:27}.  Of course, this speaks directly to the mantra of the mainstream church that we are indeed separate from God.  Again, this is the lie spoken to Adam and Eve in the garden {Exodus 3:5-6}.  Satan assures Eve that when she eats of the tree which the Lord commended her not to that she would not die, but that her eyes would be opened and that she would "Be like God" {Genesis 3:5}.  How much more could the first creation be like God?  Created in his image AND receiving from Him the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  Indeed, the Father has been with us from the beginning.  To suggest otherwise is simply ignoring the scriptures.  We know that all things were created through Christ {Johns Account 1:3}.  Yes, this includes us.  For Jesus has been from the beginning {Johns Account 1:1}.  There has never been a time where the Father has not been an intimate part of us.  So, how is it, then, that we could have a unhealthy part of this creation in which God resides?  Well, I see Wayne Jacobsen's theory here as simply his way of describing something negative within us.  Whether bad thoughts or bad emotions, there must be a cause, right?  We blame our bad thoughts on the existence of sin.  Now, we blame our bad emotions on something in us that is unhealthy.  No, what is unhealthy is the wrong perception that we are separated from God.  

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 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 

It seems that everything which we see as negative about ourselves we feel that we need to attach a cause to.  We cannot grasp the concept that a holy God could be right smack in the middle of His creation that has so many negative issues to overcome.  So, we attach blame where we see fit.  In sickness, death and tragedy we assume that the One who lovingly created us in His image is now bestowing His anger upon us for some reason.  When those critical of Christianity accuse us of following a vengeful God they're not too far off the mark.  For this is the lie which we have made Him out to be.  All because we cannot see God in our sickness, tragedy and bad emotions.  I admit that I have made this mistake myself in the past.  Instead of seeing the Lord in me I adhered to the teachings of Christianity which spoke a different message.  Of course, this has never taken away from the truth of Gods union with His children {Johns Account 14:20}.  But that wouldn't sell too many tickets in the mainstream church where a holy God is never associated with anything unhealthy.  

~Scott~ 

No Apologetics Necessary

 

Yet hallow the Lord Christ in your hearts, ever ready with a defense for everyone who is demanding from you an account concerning the expectation in you, but with meekness and fear.  

Peter To The Disposition (1) 3: 15, Concordant New Testament 

I have been learning more and more to check into the meaning of different ancient words or phrases as I do my writing.  Sometimes this provides for some interesting revelations for some.  Then there are times where all which that which I had believed needs another look.  Which brings me to this mornings topic, which is the Christian practice of apologetics.  Now, many believers see apologetics as that vehement defense of all which they believe.  Buty I would disagree on this.  The apostle Peter proclaims that we be ever ready with a "Apologia," a defense of the expectation we know to be true {Peter To The Disposition(1) 3: 15}.  The reason that I disagree with the modern Christian practice of apologetics is not for what Peter spoke to, but what we have made of it.  Like everything in Christianity which bears mankind's fingerprints, the original intent has seemingly been lost.  The Greek word Apologia refers to a defense of ones opinions, position or actions.  So far so good.  However, if we take the words of Peter to heart, the idea of a "Vehement" defense of the faith is not spoken to.  What the apostle does tells us is to be ever ready with a defense, yet with meekness and fear.  I do not see this as carte blanche for a knock down, drag out argument with anyone and everyone who disagrees with what we believe.  Yet that was the way I used to see things.  Whenever someone would question the gospel, I was ready with a pro church argument at all costs.  That was what I was taught.  That is what I did.  I can imagine that my actions drove far too many potential believers away.  To me it didn't matter, I was defending the faith.  In my mind, Jesus would be proud of me, or so I thought.  I was a Christian soldier!  Of course, that was not what I was called upon to do.  

For the anger of man is not working the righteousness of God. 

James To The Twelve Tribes 1: 20, Concordant New Testament 

So, my question to the modern believer is this, how does an argument based in anger and vitriol show the love of the Lord?  If our goal is to spread the word of Jesus in a loving way, how are we doing that by arguing our way from one person to another?  Jesus calls upon us to love one another, not to demean them in His name {Johns Account 13:34}.  But consider this, how is it that God needs us to defend Himself?  God, the creator of the universe, is more than capable of defending whatever He does.  How is it that we are showing meekness through arguing?  Again, this is not the intent of Peters defense of the gospel, but the result of mans interpretation of it.  I have a friend of the Eastern Orthodox faith whom I cannot discuss religious issues with as it often leads to a heated conversation.  He is where I was some years ago.  He is a soldier of the faith.  When did Jesus speak of the love of the Father by arguing?  As far as I'm concerned, arguments bring shame and condemnation, and in Christ I am no longer condemned {Paul To The Romans 8:1}.  Nor should we condemn anyone else in the name of Jesus.  Paul speaks to the beauty of the feet of those who bring an evangel of good {Paul To The Romans 10:15}.  This is why when it comes to proclaiming the gospel of the Lord, I say that there are no apologetics necessary. 

~Scott~ 

Someone Like Me

 

When I get home, people 'll ask me, "Hey Hoot, why do ya do it man?  Why?  You some war junkie?  Ya know what I'll say?  I won't say a goddamn word.  Why?  They won't understand.  They won't understand why we do it.  They won't understand that it's about the men next to you, that's it.  That's all it is.

MSG Norm "Hoot" Hooten 

He had it right, in combat the most important thing is the men next to you.  Anyone who has served knows this to be true.  But what about common everyday people?  What about those who have not known the fellowship of a military unit?  Well, relax, there's still hope.  Years ago, I stepped out of the mainstream church for the final time.  I have never gone back.  Yet I have often thought of returning if just for the fellowship of fellow believers.  For me, attending a church service now and then simply to keep in touch with a few friends does not seem as if I am compromising my standards.  In fact, despite my writings critical of the modern church, I would suggest to anyone new to the faith that attending a local church is a good beginning in your search for knowing the Lord.  However, I will caution you that some of what you read in the scriptures you will not hear preached from the pulpits of many churches these days.  But for the case of the topic of fellowship, I feel as if the church is a good place for those seeking to commune with those of the faith.  Do I feel that someone should remain in the church to absorb the teachings?  Absolutely not.  As the late Kenny Rogers once said, "You got to know when to hold'em and know when to fold'em."  Whether in poker or the mainstream church, one must know when it's time to cut and run.  There's no doubt that the institutional church has seen a mass exodus of attendees over the years.  Yet there continue to be those who, seeking to know the Lord, flock to the only logical place to do just that, the church.  I have no issue with someone seeking to know the Lord seeking out a good church to attend.  However, I do have an issue with a church which continues to mislead people on the truth of a loving Father.  As I said, when it comes to the issue of fellowship, I'm all for it.  

Now all those who believe were also 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 had need.  Besides persevering day by day with one accord in the sanctuary, besides breaking bread home by home, they partook of nourishment with exultation and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor for the whole people.  Now the Lord added to those being saved day by day in the same place.  

Acts Of The Apostles 2: 44-47, Concordant New Testament 

One of my favorite passages of scripture is the description of the early church of believers in Jesus we find in Acts 2.  Here, we see a group of like minded believers breaking bread and worshipping together.  A people sharing what they had with those in need.  When I think about it, these used to be some of the core values of a few of the churches I have known.  The last church I attended made use of a ministry which distributed food and clothing to those in need in the community.  Sadly, that was replaced with praise and worship bands and flashy surroundings.  More than a few churches make the mistake of thinking that better looking buildings will fill the pews on Sunday.  Unfortunately for them, this isn't the case at all.  I didn't chose the last church I attended simply because it looked nice.  No, I chose it because of the recommendation of a friend that the Lord was preached.  This was something I had been looking for.  I would say that many who are seeking churches these days are doing so for similar reasons.  To know the Lord and for fellowship with those who are seeking the same thing.  I would definitely refer someone to a local church as a starting point in their journey.  But I would also caution them that they will not find what they're looking for in the modern church.  They will find fellowship, which is something we all need.  

~Scott~

Nishlam!

 

When, then, Jesus took the vinegar, He said, "It is accomplished!"  And reclining his head, He gives up His spirit. 

Johns Account 19: 30, Concordant New Testament 

As Jesus hung on that Roman cross, no doubt weary from the treatment He had received, He uttered the most iconic words in all of our Christian belief.  That being, IT IS ACCOMPLISHED!  In uttering these words, Jesus not only proclaimed the end of His ministry, but the end of sin as an issue as well.  In regards to sin, Christ has proclaimed it finished in the past, present and future.  There would be no need for Jesus to put sin to death a second or third time.  As the apostle Paul proclaims, Jesus died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul To The Romans 6:10}.  Why is this important?  Because in modern Christianity sin continues to be an issue for many believers.  I believe that many Christians know of the death of Jesus on the cross, but are unaware of the significance of His sacrifice.  For Christ did not simply die for the forgiveness of my sins, but that sin as a whole would be nullified {Paul To The Romans 6:6}.  Yet far too many Christian pastors continue to speak of sin as if it were still relevant in our lives.  That we need to be aware of its influence in our lives.  That because of sin, there is now a separation between ourselves and God.  This is, of course, ridiculous thinking based upon the lie of the accuser spoken in the garden {Genesis 3:5-6}.  But despite Jesus declaring the defeat of sin "Accomplished," the mainstream church continues to this day to deny the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  Now, don't get me wrong, for I am fully aware of what I have just staked claim to.  The church denying the sacrifice of Jesus?  Yes, and hear me out.  When the powers that be in the modern institutional church continue to proclaim the existence of sin, they are in fact denying that Jesus gave Himself up for the defeat of sin {Paul To The Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  That's right, Jesus BECAME sin that it would die with Him on the cross.  To continue to speak to the existence of sin is, in fact, denying the sacrifice of Jesus.  Yes, I fully expect a backlash of opposition to such a blasphemous claim, but how else can you describe it?  When Jesus Himself declares It is accomplished, I believe Him!  

Knowing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, that the body of sin may be nullified, for us by no means to be still slaving for sin, for one who dies has been justified from sin.  Now if we died together with Christ, we believe that we shall be living together with Him also, having perceived that Christ, being roused from among the dead, is no longer dying.  Death is lording it over Him no longer, for in that He died, He died to sin once for all time, yet in that He is living, He is living to God.  Thus you also, be reckoning yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 

Paul To The Romans 6: 6-11, Concordant New Testament 

The larger question one might ask is, if someone not trained up in seminary Pharisee school can profess to this truth we find in scripture, then why don't modern Christian pastors do the same?  Even though it is never my intent to point the finger of guilt at the mainstream church on most issues, they make it far too easy to do just that.  Most church leaders will point to the words of Paul in Romans proclaiming that all have sinned {Paul To The Romans 3:23}.  Yet in the very next verse, Paul speaks to the deliverance which we find in Christ.  Yes, all have sinned, but through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross that stain has been washed away.  I am no longer considered a sinner, nor a sinner saved by grace.  For with the sacrifice of Jesus I am a new creation free from the condemnation of sin {Paul To The Corinthians (2) 5:17}.  It was never the Fathers intent to keep His children in a state of bondage, yet that is what many are experiencing today.  For to believe that we continue to live in sin is to be in bondage to sin.  To live free in Christ is the realization that sin was put to death with Him on the cross.  Knowing this, we can confidently say IT IS ACCOMPLISHED! 

So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by.  Lo! there has come new! 

Paul To The Corinthians (2) 5: 17, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Forever In Jesus

 

According as He chooses us in Him before the disruption of the world, we to be holy and flawless in His sight. 

Paul To The Ephesians 1: 4, Concordant New Testament 

I've spent a good deal of time proclaiming the truth of Christ Jesus in me.  Some refer to this as the indwelling Christ.  The apostle Paul spoke to this in his letter to the church in Galatia {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  I know that it is indeed Christ Jesus that I now live in union with.  But the question was raised this week of just when Jesus came to be in me.  In the words of John, Jesus has been with us from the beginning {Johns Account 1:3}.  Not one thing came into being apart from Christ Jesus, even me.  Paul also speaks to the fact that Jesus chose us before the creation of the world {Paul To The Ephesians 1:4}.  Indeed, it was Jesus who chose me, I did not choose Him.  It was Jesus who chose us from the beginning.  Knowing what I know now, why is it that I did not speak to the indwelling Christ long before this?  Well, in all honesty, I did not realize that I indeed lived in Him.  I would say that this is the issue with many well meaning believers today.  They do not realize their own life in Christ.  I know I didn't.  This should come as no surprise as many believers continue to adhere to the traditional teachings and traditions of the mainstream church.  If there is one place where one will not hear of the indwelling Jesus it's in the church.  The one place where this truth should shouted from the rooftops.  Of course, the refusal of the church to embrace the truth of our union with Christ does not by any means make it untrue.  What it means is that, for reasons of it's own, the traditional institutional church has chosen to ignore the truth of the gospel of Christ.  Therefore, I am not at all surprised when people respond with confusion when I proclaim my union with Jesus.  The church has long stood by the edict that God could never be in the presence of sin.  God is holy, and sin is unholy.  The two do not belong together.  But the mainstream church, in all of its wisdom, has chosen to ignore the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  For Jesus became sin in our place on the cross {Paul To The Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Jesus died for our sins, end of story.  So, tell me again how God and sin cannot coexist.  

And He is before all, and all has its cohesion in Him. 

Paul To The Colossians 1: 17, Concordant New Testament 

In all honesty, the biggest barrier to our realization of the indwelling Christ is the mainstream church.  Yet I cannot pass all of the blame on the institution, as people also have the ability, as I did, to inquire and search on their own.  People have the ability to seek out the teachings of others in order to know Him more.  In fact, the apostle John challenges believers to "Test the spirits" of those who are speaking the gospel to see if they are of God {First Epistle of John 4:1}.  Despite the fact that I spent many years in the halls of the mainstream church, it was the words of a good friend which started me on the journey of knowing the truth of His Son in me.  This eventually led to the Fathers revelation of my life in Christ.  Although we are tasked to test the spirits, it is the Father who will give us the revelation of our union life in Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  Paul, one of the greatest teachers of the gospel of Jesus, received his revelation on the road to Damascus {Paul To The Galatians 1: 15-16}.  Yes, Jesus has been with us from the very beginning, as He has all things.  Yet it is by the Fathers revealing that we will know of our life in Him.  This in no way nullifies the words of Paul which speak of the indwelling Christ.  That "Living in me is Christ." 

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 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~ 

A Perfect Union

 For in Him the entire compliment of the Deity is dwelling bodily.  And you are complete in Him, Who is the head of every sovereignty and authority. 

Paul To The Colossians 2: 9-10, Concordant New Testament 

The scriptures tell us that there is none perfect but for the Lord {Paul To The Romans 3:10, 3:23}.  Indeed, each and every one of us may struggle for a lifetime without ever gaining the perfection of the Lord.  Or can we?  Traditional Christian wisdom and teaching tells us that all have sinned and fallen away from the Lord, we're not perfect.  We're told that the closest we can be is to be "close" to Jesus or to "Be like" Him.  Even traditional Christian music calls for Jesus to "Come closer" to us.  The entire paradigm is one of the distance between ourselves and the God.  Between the perfect and the sinners.  The apostle Paul spoke to the truth of Christ Jesus in him in his letter to the Galatians {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  I remember that when I first read this passage that it upset the apple cart of beliefs I had been carrying around for so many years.  Jesus...in me?  Actually, it is myself in Him.  But how is it that a sinner like myself could be in Jesus?  These are the elementary questions which come up whenever the truth of Christ in us is spoken to those who follow the traditional mainstream church teaching.  Understand, that without the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, there would be NO indwelling Christ within us.  For Jesus Himself became sin on the cross that it be put to death {Paul To The Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Paul proclaims that it is Christ Jesus who has defeated sin once for ALL {Paul To The Romans 6:10}.  It is Jesus who declared that all He had set out to accomplish had been completed {Johns Account 28:30}.  The sin issue that far too many believers continue to cling to is no more.  What remains is Christ.  Knowing this, we can say with confidence that we are indeed perfect in Christ Jesus.  Paul proclaims that we are complete in God {Paul To The Colossians 2:9-10}.  We are perfect in Him. 

I in them and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in one, and that the world may know that Thou dost commission Me and dost love them according as Thou dost love Me.  

Johns Account 17: 23, Concordant New Testament 

If I were to walk into any mainstream church and declare that I was indeed perfect I'm sure that I would be scrutinized to the max.  But I would never think of doing that.  What I WOULD proclaim is that I am indeed perfect IN HIM.  For to speak that I am perfect speaks to the false idea that I am my own individual.  Understand, it has nothing to do with my own accomplishments that I am now in union with the Lord {Paul To The Ephesians 2:8-9}.  It is through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus that I remain in Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  Therefore, I am perfect in the Father.  I lack nothing of Him in my life.  I can already see the mainstream church followers scratching their heads as they attempt to contemplate such heresy.  When Jesus proclaimed that He and the Father were one, the Jewish authorities took up stones to hurl against Him {Johns Account 10:31}.  The Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy and for "Making yourself God" {Johns Account 10:33}.  I have no doubt that were I to proclaim that I am perfect in God that I may receive a similar reaction.  But Jesus wasn't wrong.  He and the Father ARE one just as I am one in He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  I have had a few conversations with a good friend who adheres to the Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and he has vehemently argued against this idea despite the truth we find in scripture.  I have never claimed to be perfect.  What I do proclaim is that I am perfect in the Lord. 

~Scott~ 

Missing The Point

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

First Epistle Of John 4: 8, Concordant New Testament 

I read a short blurb written by Wayne Jacobsen on something known as the Four Degrees of Love.  Written by the monk Bernard of Clairvaux, the four degrees of love include (1) Loving ourselves for our own sake, (2) Loving God for our own sake, (3) Loving God for His own sake, and (4) Loving ourselves for God's sake (Assuming we continue to have a independent self?).  Now, I didn't think much of this as ol' Bernard seemed to follow the traditional church mantra that we indeed are independent beings.  However, it did bring me back to a conversation I had with a brother recently about the meaning of the different translations we find in scripture.  We find in scripture, especially in the New Testament, that there may be differing definitions of love depending on the situation.  The Greek word Phileo translates to a emotional love which transcends casual friendships.  The Greek word Agape refers to an unconditional love, which can be compared to the love of the Father for us.  Yet the word Eros is used to portray love in an erotic fashion.  Everyone got this so far?  Far from being different degrees of the same thing, as the monk proclaims, we see different words for different situations.  This is the language of the ancient Greeks.  When we read the scriptures, we tend to see one of the Greek words signifying love and we attach one single meaning to it.  The apostle John writes of the love of the Father {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  Which Greek word best describes this passage?  I see the word Agape as referring to the Fathers love for His children, which is unconditional.  When Jesus inquires of Peter, "Are you loving Me more than these?", He was not looking for the correct translation of the word, but for what was on His apostles heart {Johns Account 21:15}.  While we may regret that our language has no words which refer to a degree of love, we know full well the love we feel in our hearts.  

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 don't think the our friend the monk is the only one who is missing the point here.  If we consider the differing degrees of love we might fall into the idea that we are indeed independent, which is the lie of the deceiver spoken in the garden {Genesis 3: 5-6}.  Has the Father shown us differing degrees of love?  Are there stages of love which we need to graduate into?  No, for as I said, this idea of degrees of love is more about translation than the true meaning of the word.  Our friends the Greeks simply had different words to describe what they were feeling.  The monk latched onto this, took it and ran.  Now, could we ourselves benefit from having words which differentiate the different feelings of love which we feel?  Perhaps, maybe that is why so many peoples intentions get misconstrued by others.  They say one thing but those around them are hearing something else.  Indeed, one of the most oft used and abused phrases in the English language are the words "I love you."  We seem to toss these words around without thinking more often than not.  We have no differing words to describe the different situations of love.  Now, one can say, "I love you like a brother" and be perfectly fine.  But it doesn't always turn out that way.  I believe it's less about the words and more about what's in our hearts.  

~Scott~ 

From The Ashes

 

Now we know that God is working all together for the good of those who are loving God, who are called according to the purpose. 

Paul To The Romans 8: 28, Concordant New Testament 

Thinking of yesterdays post, I was pondering if it is indeed easier to see God in our troubles than to see how it is that He is working good in these situations.  Knowing that God is all in all might be an easier pill to swallow than seeing good in tragedy?  Perhaps, but I'm beginning to understand that they go hand in hand.  To understand that the Father is all in all is to know that His love nature {First Epistle Of John 4:8} prompts Him to bring about good in the lives of those who know Him.  Still, far too many believers and non believers alike continue to wonder out loud how it is that God could allow tragedy in the world.  But what others see as tragedy I see as simply another opportunity for the Lord to work in someone's life.  Through the death of my mother, I have come to know and understand Him better.  I'd say that is God working for the good.  When we look at the tragedies in life, we often only see things from our earthly perspective.  Unless our prayer is for the Fathers revealing of His intentions, we cannot know what is really going on behind the scenes.  Indeed, the scriptures proclaim that the ways of the Lord are not our ways {Isaiah 55:8-9, Paul To The Corinthians (1) 2:15-16}.  Therefore, if indeed we intend to know what the Father is up to, we should indeed make it known to Him through prayer.  A few years ago, while going through a trying time in my life, a dear brother posed to me the question.  What is it that God is doing through all of this?  Amen!  This is a question seldom asked and a prayer not often spoken.  Why wouldn't we want to know what the Lord is doing through us?  If indeed we are in union with He and Jesus, there is no doubt that the Father is working in each and every part of our lives {Johns Account 14:20}.  When I began to see the Father in this way it gave me a better perspective on those trying times in my life.  

Knowing this first, that no prophesy of scripture at all is becoming its own explanation.  For not by the will of man was prophesy carried on at anytime, but, being carried on by the holy spirit, holy men of God speak. 

Peter To The Dispersion (2) 1: 20-21, Concordant New Testament 

Listen to church sermons long enough and you will undoubtedly hear some pulpit pounder speak of the difficult "seasons" of life.  The author of Ecclesiastes spoke that there is indeed a time for every purpose under heaven {Ecclesiastes 1:1}.  So poignant was this message, it seems, that the Byrds turned it into a classic rock tune.  Yes, into every life a little rain must fall.  Yet I would interpret this scripture to mean that there is a time for each and every one of Gods purposes in our life.  What is His purpose for our life in the rough times?  We can know the answer, if we just ask Him.  In His own way, the Lord will open our eyes to what it is He is accomplishing through us.  Knowing this may just help us look upon those difficult times in our lives a bit differently.  Consider the alternative.  Not knowing that the Lord has a purpose for us in these difficult times can and usually does lead to more stress than we care to handle.  At least it did for me.  Knowing that God has a purpose to work all things for the good for those who know Him can indeed be a life changing revelation.  Our prayer should not be why are you doing this, Lord?  Knowing that He is working His purpose, we can be assured that He is working good through us. 

~Scott~ 

Where We Don't See God

 

Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him who subjects all to Him, that God may be all in all.  

Paul To The Corinthians (1) 15: 28, Concordant New Testament 

Most believers can testify to the fact that the universe and all which we see has been created by the spoken word of the Lord.  God said it, and it came to be.  I assume that we can also agree that it is God who created who we are.  First in His image {Genesis 1:27}.  Then by giving life to His image {Genesis 2:7}.  Knowing this, we can assume that God is present in each and every aspect of what He created.  He is indeed all in all {Paul To The Corinthians (1) 15:28}.  Yet, there are times where we certainly do not see the God who is all in all in certain parts of our lives.  It's easy to coast through the good times in life and proclaim that we are indeed blessed.  I wouldn't argue with that, for we are indeed blessed.  But what about those times in our lives when we don't feel so blessed?  I can speak from experience because I have been going through a difficult season as of late.  Is it possible for me to still proclaim that I am blessed?  Absolutely!  The issue for many people is that they refuse to see God in their most difficult circumstances.  If God is all in all, then He is in our pain and sorrow as well.  But we seldom look for Him there.  Instead, we put out our prayers of "Help me, Lord."  I get it.  Because when the chips are down and life gives us lemons, we instinctively turn to God for help.  I don't fault others for doing that, it's what we've been taught to do in tough times.  Believers worldwide form prayer groups and chains with the express purpose of praying for those in need.  Here in Portland, there is a weekly Sunday evening call in prayer request show on a local Christian radio station.  The Hearts of Love broadcast has been sending out prayer and praises to local listeners for many years.  However, I have never heard the hosts mention that God is with us in our pain.  That's an issue.  For when we do not see God in our struggles, we might slide down that slope of seeing ourselves as being separated from Him.  This is the lie spoken to Adam and Eve in the garden by Satan {Genesis 3:5-6}.  In reality, we have never been isolated from the Father.  He has never changed.  He has always been all in all.  

Who will transfigure the body of humiliation, to conform it to the body of His glory, in accord with the operation which enables Him even to subject all to Himself. 

Paul To The Philippians 3: 21, Concordant New Testament 

People are big into claiming that we cause our own pain.  That it is because of our addictions and bad choices that we end up in difficult stages of life.  While this may be true on the surface, where is God through all of this?  Is He not completely involved in this as well?  It might be difficult for the believer to wrap their minds around the truth the God is in our pain and suffering, but that is indeed where He is.  God was in the pain and suffering of Abraham as well as the pain of His servant David.  So He is with us.  The apostle Paul speaks to the truth of Christ Jesus in him in Galatians {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  By this we know that we are in Christ.  This is our union with Christ Jesus and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Christ in the Father, we in Jesus and Christ in us.  Knowing that He created us in His image, how is it that we can then proclaim that God is not an intimate part of our lives?  When we speak of God being all in all, we definitely need to understand that there is no part of His creation that He is not a part of.  This, of course, includes those places where we would not expect Him to be.  How liberating is it to know that even in our darkest times, God is right there with us?  All in all.  

Wherein there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman, but all in all is Christ. 

Paul To The Colossians 3: 11, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Through A Different Lens

 

For the era will be when they will not tolerate sound teaching, but, their hearing being tickled, they will heap up for themselves teachers in accord with their own desires, and, indeed, they will be turning their hearing away from the truth, yet will be turned aside to myths. 

Paul To Timothy 4: 3-4, Concordant New Testament 

The truth is, I have not set foot in a church service for over ten years.  Why?  Well, it seems that I found a chink in the armor of the mainstream church.  That being the preaching that sin is still present in us all.  Indeed, for many well intentioned believers, sin is the elephant in the room.  We confess to know that Christ died for the forgiveness of sin, yet we continue to live as if His sacrifice had no meaning.  For many years I was that guy seated in a church pew on Sunday listening to the pastor tell me that I needed to seek forgiveness for my sins.  That is, until one Sunday when, after proclaiming that Jesus had indeed given Himself for the forgiveness of my sins, the same pastor invited the congregation to come forward to seek forgiveness for whatever sin they felt was holding them back.  At that moment, I was done.  I was done hearing that Jesus had forgiven me only to have some pulpit pounder tell me that wasn't true at all.  So it was over the following years that I developed a different lens than I had in my younger believer days.  The "Lens" I refer to is that which I believe to be true in my heart.  Don't get me wrong, I have not abandoned entirely the mantra of the mainstream church, I still feel that the gathering of believers is a good thing.  But, that's as far as it goes.  The church insisting to ram down my throat the idea that all have sinned and that this sin penalty still remains despite the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus is not something I can get behind {Paul To The Romans 3:23-24}.  What I CAN get behind is the truth of the evangel which proclaims that Christ became sin on our behalf {Paul To the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  What I believe is that through the sacrifice of Jesus, sin has been put to death {Paul To The Romans 6:10}.  The fact that we were once all sinners should no longer concern us.  For through Christ Jesus we are a new creation {Paul To The Corinthians (2) 5:17}.  This is the lens through which I now see myself.  Not as one who has sinned, but as one who is in Christ {Johns Account 14:20}.  

Knowing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, that the body of sin may be nullified, for us by no means to be still slaving for sin, for one who dies has been justified from sin.  Now if wed died together with Christ, we believe that we shall be living together with Him as also, having perceived that Christ, having been roused from among the dead, is no longer dying.  Death is lording it over Him no longer, for in that He died, He died to sin once for all time, yet in that He is living, He is living to God.  Thus you also, reckon yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 

Paul To The Romans 6: 6-11, Concordant New Testament

Turn on any news station and you will certainly get a crash course on the existence of differing opinions.  These are the different lens by which we view the world around us.  So it is with the lens by which we view the gospel.  While many continue to view it from the lens of the mainstream church, still others see the truth which is spoken of by Jesus and His apostles is scripture.  The apostle Paul speaks to our union with Christ {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  The mainstream church?  Not so much.  The church will indeed speak to being "Like" Jesus, but that is a far cry from being in Him.  I've found that listening to local sermon broadcasts has become like watching the tv news.  Within minutes, my lens can immediately notice the church proclaimed message which has been fostered for thousand of years.  I have no doubt that were I to step foot once again into the halls of the mainstream church that I would see the differences between the teaching and what I now know to be true in my heart.  To borrow a phrase from former, and future, president Donald Trump, this church message is indeed fake news.  Now, before I get branded as a heretic once again, keep in mind that I have gone through much meditation and soul searching in order to come to the place I am today.  I do not take the sacrifice of Christ Jesus lightly.  I will not nullify His death by proclaiming that I continue to remain in sin as the church continues to preach.  Who I am is in Christ Jesus. 

~Scott~