The Good Of The Father (So Unlike Jesus) # 2028

 

And Jesus entered into the sanctuary and cast out all those selling and buying in the sanctuary, and the tables of the brokers He overturns, and the seats of those selling doves.  And He is saying to them, "My house a house of prayer shall be called,' yet you are making it a burglars cave."  

Matthews Account 21: 12-13, Concordant New Testament 

One of the reasons that I enjoy The Chosen series is that it gives us a first hand look at what the interaction between Jesus and His chosen disciples must have been like.  I believe that life with Jesus during His ministry was not all prayer and fasting.  There were heart to heart discussions, disagreements and arguments among those chosen to represent Jesus to others.  How could there not be, these men were, after all, human by nature.  Through this series we are privy to what day to day life must have entailed while following in the steps of Jesus.  The frustration Jesus felt as He tried to relate His teachings to these men.  The struggle between Simon and Matthew as each seeks forgiveness from the other.  The pride we see in James and John as they seek to be seated in prominence near Jesus.  This was indeed the every day life of Jesus and His disciples.  Why do I bring this up?  For the simple fact that, as believers, that we may at times act in a way that others might see as so unlike Jesus.  We're sarcastic, we argue and we talk trash to one another.  Is this behavior unlike the Jesus we have come to know through the church theology?  Probably so.  For we're often told by the church that we need to "Be more like Jesus."  That, as sinners, to have a relationship with Him is nearly impossible.  That all we can hope to accomplish is to be "Like" Jesus.  For Jesus was holy, kind and patient.  Or was He?  I can imagine that the patience of Jesus ran thin on more than a few occasions.  He ran out of patience with the policies of the Pharisees of His day.  He also definitely ran out of patience with the money changers in the temple courts.  The church often describes these times as Jesus showing "Righteous anger" in their attempt to whitewash over the fact that Jesus was indeed fully God AND fully man as well {Johns Account 1:14}, Paul to the Philippians 2:7}.  I bring this up because of a conversation I've had with a few friends.  Yes, these men are believers despite what one might ascertain from our human tendencies.  We argue and we disagree just as the followers of Jesus must have done themselves.  Are we unlike Jesus?  

Now, being inherently in the form of God, deems it not pillaging to be equal with God, nevertheless empties Himself, taking the form of a slave, coming to be in the likeness of humanity

Paul to the Philippians 2: 6-7, Concordant New Testament 

I have a gym friend who is pretty bible based in his approach to his life.  He studies the word and, in his words, tries to be the best example of Jesus in this life.  I think to myself every now and then, that must be a boring life.  Keep in mind that, despite being created in the likeness of the Father, that we still hold those attributes of our human flesh {Genesis 1:27}.  Even Jesus is proclaimed to be "Coming in the likeness of humanity" {Paul to the Philippians 2:6-7}.  Fully God, and yet fully man {Paul to the Colossians 2:9}.  Not only that, but Jesus Himself has spoken to the truth that we live our lives WITHIN He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Despite the fact that we all too often display our human flesh side of our creation, that does not erase the truth that we ourselves live within Christ {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  The apostle Paul himself often struggled with that flesh side of his nature as well Paul noticed that it was not the good which he knew was right that he was doing, but "The evil that I am not willing, this I am putting into practice" {Paul to the Romans 7:19}.  Would you call Paul a righteous man?  Indeed he was.  Yet even Paul struggled with his flesh side.  So mush so that he wonders aloud, "A wretched man am I!  Who will rescue me out of this body of death?"  But Paul got it, he understood that it was by grace alone that he would be saved from himself {Paul to the Romans 7:25}.  So it is with us as well.  Those around us may see us as "So unlike Jesus," but through the eyes of the Father grace abounds.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Porn Fix) # 2027

 

And to put off from you, as regards your former behavior, the old humanity which is corrupted in accord with its seductive desires, yet be rejuvenated in the spirit of your mind, and to put on the new humanity which, in accord with God, is being created in righteousness and benignity of the truth

Paul to the Ephesians 4: 22-24, Concordant New Testament 

At times I hate to bang that old war drum, and this is one of those times.  My scars tell the tale of my own addiction.  Of how I was once enslaved to images of the flesh.  I wasn't proud of my condition, but despite my best efforts and those of the mainstream church, I continued down the dark path of pornography addiction.  That's right, despite their best efforts the church could not help me in my affliction the way the Father eventually raised me from the ashes.  For on that night, as I was about to enter once again into satisfying my urge of the flesh, God chose in that moment to remind me who I was in His eyes.  Contrary to what I had continuously heard spoken from the church, I was not a sinner in Gods eyes, not even close.  Who I am in the eyes of God is His loved and cherished child {First Epistle of John 3:1}.  See, God cuts through the red tape of the rhetoric of the church and gets straight to the point.  I'm no longer a sinner deserving of His grace.  For it is by His love and grace that my sin has been defeated by Christ Jesus on the cross {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  It is through His love for me that I am no longer a slave to sin {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  Those within the church will point to the words of Paul in Romans 3:23, that we are ALL sinners in need of saving.  But they seem to always omit the following passage, that we have been "Justified gratuitously in His grace, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus" {Paul to the Romans 3:24}.  Allow me to take this moment to call out those within the church.  If I have been justified from sin through Christ Jesus, what sin am I now found guilty of?  Why is it that you continue to refer to me, a child of God, as a sinner?  I was reminded of this once again this week as I looked at a few Facebook videos of self righteous Christians attempting to persuade those caught in the pit of a porn addiction that the church could help them in their struggle...for a price.  That's right, the mainstream church has placed a price upon helping believers out of their sin.  I would remind those within the church that my own revelation of who I truly am in the eyes of the Father came to me free of charge.  

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 loved me, and gives Himself up for me 

Paul to the Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

Tell me, what price would you place on knowing the truth of who you are before God?  Is there even a price to be paid?  I would say that were there any price to be paid in our own revelation of how it is that God views us, that it has been paid in full by Christ Jesus on that cross.  For it is Jesus Who gave Himself willingly for us {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Jesus is the "One not knowing sin" Who has been made the sin offering on our behalf once for all time.  So, again I ask you, what sin has God found me guilty of?  What sin has Jesus somehow found unworthy of cleansing me from?  For at the heart of any addiction of the flesh is the belief which has been spoken to us for generations, that we are sinners!  In the eyes of the church, this is now our identity.  But what about Jesus?  Have they not taken into account His selfless sacrifice made for us?  I believe that this is the very reason why it has been revealed to me how it is that God sees me.  To nullify the lie spoken by those in the church.  After all, it seemed a bit contradictory to me that the same church who proclaims that Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins continues to preach that we are but sinners.  How does that work?  I'll tell you how, when we trust and live in the truth of the Fathers love, we will no longer be influenced by the lie spoken by those within the church.  Jesus Himself has proclaimed that we now live our life within He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Therefore, we are no longer sinners, but His redeemed children reconciled once again to Him {Paul to the Colossians 1:22}.  All of this is made available free to His creation.  Try getting a deal like that from the church.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Salvation For All) # 2026

 

For this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Savior, God, Who wills that all mankind be saved and come into the realization of the truth 

Paul to Timothy (1) 1:3-4, Concordant New Testament 

Some of the fiercest resistance that I have received from so called believers in my conversations with them revolves around the idea of universal salvation.  The idea that it is Gods desire and ultimate will that all of His children come to know Him.  The apostle Paul spoke this truth to young Timothy {Paul to Timothy (1) 1:3-4}.  Why is it that Christians have such a difficult time in believing that God would desire all of His children to be saved?  Well, I believe that many of these believers, as I once was, have been instilled with the teachings of the mainstream church.  While good in some ways, there are plenty of these teachings which I believe go against the true will of the Lord.  For instance, I was always taught that those who believe in the Lord would be rewarded with an eternity in heaven while the wicked and unbelieving would be punished with their eternity in hell.  This is part of the theology spoken by the church.  But what if they got it all wrong?  What if the desire of God is that all of His creation will be saved?  I can imagine the outcry coming from the mainstream church were this to be proclaimed.  What about the evil people?  Will sin no longer be punished?  In reality, it has never been our duty to decide who is or is not rewarded with an eternity to heaven or punished with eternity in hell.  Yet we have done just that over the years.  Countless pastors have stood at the pulpit and proclaimed the rewards and punishments of those that they deemed deserving of such.  I have experienced this first hand in my time in the church.  Is there any doubt as to why the majority of the world sees us as being judgmental?  I get it.  In fact, I totally understand why it is that people I talk with have such a difficult time accepting the truth of universal salvation.  They have been taught to believe the black and white criteria spoken by the church that goodness will be rewarded and evil punished.  It's not as if there is no scriptures which speak to the Fathers desire that all be saved.  A simple Google search led me to a page full of verses speaking to this truth.  Yet those in the church have continued to cherry pick scripture to fit their false narrative.  

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  

In the film Come Sunday, the reverend Carlton Pearson is removed from his leadership position within his church for speaking the apparent blasphemy of universal salvation.  That idea that God will provide salvation for all of His children.  Pearson is awakened to this idea when he questions whether those who have never heard of Christ Jesus would indeed be sent to hell for their unbelief.  For this he was removed from his position of prominence within the church.  Is it, then, any wonder why we do not hear the truth of universal salvation spoken from the pulpits of the mainstream church?  Who would dare speak to such obvious blasphemy?  Well, Jesus for one.  For it is Jesus who has spoken to the truth of why He has been dispatched by the Father, not to judge, but that all the world may be saved through Him {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  Too many people proclaim the scripture we find in John 3:16 with joy, that God loved the world enough to dispatch His one and only Son.  Yet they seemingly disregard the accompanying passage, which proclaims that Jesus has not been sent to judge the world, but that ALL the world might be saved through Him.  Does this sound like blasphemy to you?  Well, to many in the church it does indeed.  The narrative spoken by the church remains, the good must be rewarded and the wicked punished.  As if we have propped up ourselves as the final judge of who it is that will be rewarded and/or punished.  One of my favorite quotes from the film Come Sunday comes when Carlton Pearson asks the church leaders who are questioning his beliefs, "If you could save your own father from hell, wouldn't you?"  I would ask that very same question to anyone who desires to place themselves above God and proclaim who is to be rewarded and who is to be punished.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Worth Dying For?) # 2025

 

That everyone believing on Him should not be perishing, but may be having life eonian 

Johns Account 3: 15, Concordant New Testament 

I have a question.  What is Jesus worth to you?  The other day I unpacked a statement made by a good friend which simply asked, "Are you perishing?"  Well, John 3: 15 goes on to proclaim that everyone who believes on Christ Jesus "Shall not be perishing" {Johns Account 3:15}.  The apostle uses this phrase in the following passage as well, That "Everyone who is believing in Him should not be perishing, but may be having life eonian" {Johns Account 3:16}.  So, obviously, believing on the Lord Jesus will guarantee us everlasting life?  That seems to be the message spoken by John in these two passages.  So, is that eonian life worth following Jesus to you?  The Greek word ainion, from which we get the word eonian, does not refer to an indefinite period of time, but to a "Age-lasting" or "Age-during" context.  What does this mean?  Well, when put into context, eonian life is referring to a life which exists during a time which lasts for a certain period of time.  Therefore, I do not see the term eonian life as being the same as everlasting life.  Yet the apostle John was on to something when he penned the verses describing those who believe on Jesus as having life eonian.  What was it?  What is that time period we who believe in Christ Jesus will share in?  As actor Kevin Costner once so famously inquired of Shoeless Joe Jackson, "Is this heaven?"  Is there a heaven?  Better yet, is there a hell?  Not so long ago, although not an eon ago, a good friend of mine broached the idea that perhaps we who believe in Christ are living in heaven as we speak.  Indeed, we know that Jesus has spoken to the fact that we now live our lives within He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Is it therefore possible that we are living our heaven lives now in this life?  After all, the mainstream church has made a habit out of proclaiming that when we're rewarded with that ticket to heaven, that we will at last be in the presence of the Father.  Well, if we now life within the Father, is this heaven?  Definitely something to consider.  

And this is the promise which He promises us: the life eonian

First Epistle of John 2: 25, Concordant New Testament 

My friend some time ago took to adhering to the Greek meaning of terms we find in the New Testament as they seem to be the closest to the original context.  Therefore, I believe that the term eonian life is significant in our belief in Jesus.  Jesus Himself uses the term eonian life many times in His ministry.  What is He referring to?  Well, here is my take.  The apostle John describes those who believe in Jesus as having life eonian.  Jesus speaks to those who know He and the Father as having eonian life {Johns Account 17:3}.  If we have known Jesus on a personal level, do we not have that knowing that we are truly in Him?  Now, I'm not speaking to the mainstream church based rhetoric which tells us that knowing Jesus means to know OF  Him.  No, I'm talking about really, truly having a intimate relationship with Him.  For this is the relationship which I now share with Him.  Granted, it is not a relationship which was fostered within the church, but through the revelation from God the Father.  It is through His revelation unto me that I am now aware of my life lived within Him.  Is this my life eonian, or is there something more to come?  I do not believe that God has meant for this to be a confusing concept for us to grasp, so I believe that the answer is there for us if we have eyes to see and the ears to hear.  If we simply follow the words of Jesus, we can be certain that those who believe on Him will indeed not perish.  That this life is not the be all end all for those who truly know Him.  I count myself among that crowd.  So, again I ask that question, what is Jesus worth to you?  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (No Place For Me) # 2024

 

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} 

Norman Grubb ~ No Independent Self 

The other day I was reading through the words which Jesus spoke on humility Lukes Account 14:11, Matthews Account 23:10-12}.  In His words, is Jesus attempting to relay to us the truth of our existence?  The truth that we do not exist as independent creations, but within the life of the Father.  The author Norman Grubb would more than likely agree with that idea.  It is Grubb who, among his works, penned the book "No Independent Self," in which he states the case that the only self-operating self in the universe is God the Father {Exodus 3:14}.  The lie of the deceiver, spoken in the garden, promised Eve that were she to partake of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that "Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."  Unfortunately, unknown to the Lords first creation at the time is that they already were "Like God," having been created in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  This is seen as the beginning of the false belief that man has become separated from God.  The mainstream church perpetuates this belief by proclaiming that it is through our sin by which we have been separated from the Father.  Nothing could be further from the truth of who we are in the Father.  For just as the first creation has been created in the Fathers likeness, so it is with us as well.  I would argue that the true spirit of arrogance is to believe that you are alone in the universe, with no connection to the One who created you in the first place.  That God is simply in heaven watching over all of His creation with no intimate connection to that which He has created.  This is the lie introduced by the deceiver and which continues to be spoken by those within the mainstream church.  But what is it that Jesus proclaims about who it is that we are?  How does He, and the Father for that matter, see us?  Does He see us as a creation, separated by sin, waiting to be judged for their deeds?  I believe that get a glimpse into how it is that the Father looks upon us through the spoken words of Jesus.  It is Jesus Himself who has proclaimed that we do not live apart from the Father, but that we live our lives in Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  Knowing this, there is no place for me as an individual in this world.  

With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ.  Now that which I am now living in flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me, and gives Himself up for me 

Pual to the Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

The other day I messaged a good friend for prayer as I was about to undergo a cut and go medical procedure.  Honestly, I was expecting the traditional "Lord heal my friend" prayer from him.  On the contrary, his prayer for me was that I realize the life which I have in the Lord Jesus.  Wow.  Those were the words I needed to hear most in that moment.  That traditional prayer of healing seems to denote the belief that we remain separated from God.  That God, being outside of our space, would grace us with healing.  But the truth of who we are in Him suggests that we are being healed IN HIM.  As Jesus has proclaimed, it is our life lived in He and the Father.  There is NO need for me as an individual in this relationship.  I do not act independently of my creator, I live through Him.  There is no way that I could ever be separated from He who created me in His image.  To those who insist that this is true, I ask, "What about Jesus?"  Was not Jesus the innocent blood shed willingly for us {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}?  Make no mistake, we're the ones who needed to die, not Him.  Yet it is Jesus, through His death on the cross Who has once again reconciled the Fathers creation unto Him {Paul to the Romans 5:10, Paul to the Colossians 1:20, First Epistle of John 4:10}.  Despite the fact that the mainstream church continues to speak the lie of the deceiver, I live in the revelation given to me that my life is in the Father.  My prayer is that others will come to this realization as well.  That there is no place for "Me." 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Bad Man) # 2023

 

"He - and if there is a God, I am convinced he is a he, because no woman could ever fuck things up this badly" 

~George Carlin~ 

Growing up, I knew that feminism was a thing.  The belief that women are, and should be treated as equal to men.  In a spiritual sense, I would agree with this sentiment.  That is, that all humanity, men as well as women, have been created in the very likeness of the Father {Genesis 1:27}.  Christians cannot doubt this truth of our creation.  But it would seem that this is where our similarities end.  The obvious differences between the sexes are well known.  Men have always appeared to be stronger while a woman's strength often comes from her emotions.  This is simply the way we were created.  Yet popular culture has skewed the narrative enough so that many have come to believe that the differences between men and women have become almost nonexistent.  Barring the obvious physical difference, which even today are being blurred, women it seems are becoming more and more like men.  They are becoming the very thing that they once hated.  It wasn't long ago that the battle cry of the feminist movement was that all men were wicked and evil.  That we were all out to diminish and demean each and every female we came into contact with.  Now, I'm not saying that there have been men who have treated women badly, I use my own father as an example.  For back in my dads day, men were the rulers of the roost, and women were simply there to serve him.  My dad lived that role perfectly, up until the day my parents were divorced.  The funny thing is, I had seen enough of how it was that my dad treated women that I no longer wanted to be a part of it.  Even so, I was still considered by many to be the bad man.  My intentions were evil and I only sought women to serve my own needs.  This has been the popular narrative of the women's rights movement for decades.  For their part, the mainstream church continued to hold to the values of one man and one woman, but even the church on occasion gave in to the narrative of women's liberation.  I recall the backlash the church I was attending received when they opposed Oregon's same sex marriage amendment which eventually became the law of the land in Oregon.  Christians were seen as hateful and chauvinistic.  Upholding the traditions of the bad man. 

Husbands, be loving your wives according as Christ also loves the ecclesia, and gives Himself up for its sake 

Paul to the Ephesians 5: 25, Concordant New Testament 

Even before his untimely death, I began watching the various videos recorded by Charlie Kirk and Turning point USA.  Yes, I agreed with his politics, but there was something else that he was beginning to speak to as well.  That being the bonds of marriage which the Father has originally intended for His children.  A bond not based upon the strength of lording over another, but upon the strength of God in His union between two people.  I only wish that God had chosen to bless my own Father with this revelation earlier in his lifetime.  Instead, I have been blessed in my own life with many examples of a Godly marriage from friends I have known.  Indeed, God has made known to me through the years His desire for a true marriage relationship.  Of course, this does not fly too well with those who continue to view men as wicked and evil, but that does not matter in my opinion.  At the end of the day, what matters is how the Father sees that marriage union between His children.  Are we doing right by Him?  Do we realize that God is the focal point of every relationship we will ever have?  That our spouse has been created, as we ourselves have, in the likeness of the Father.  That we understand the true meaning of the word we so commonly use to identify the opposite sex.  "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, Because she was taken out of man" {Genesis 2:23}.  Indeed, it is God Who has taken from Adam that which He used to create Eve.  Not separate, but one flesh.  There's nothing bad about that.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (What Man Has Wrought) # 2022

 

For I am aware that good is not making its home in me (that is, in the flesh), for to will is lying beside me, yet to be affecting the ideal is not.  For it is not the good that I will I am doing, but the evil that I am not willing, this I am putting into practice.

Paul to the Romans 7: 18-19, Concordant New Testament 

I got to thinking the other night, after perusing a recent podcast by author Wayne Jacobsen.  The title of his post caught my eye right away, "A path out of legalism."  I immediately thought back to my own days  in the legalistic mainstream church system and the journey I have been on since leaving the church.  At the time I left the church I had attended for so long, I had no idea that doing so would eventually lead me into a deeper relationship with the Lord.  It would seem that my own path out of legalism started with leaving the church.  Legalism is partly defined, in a religious sense, as a dependence on moral law rather than a personal religious faith.  I believe that this, in a nutshell, describes the mainstream church perfectly.  For the church is big on placing scriptures and demands upon people all in the name of doing right by God.  I recall pastors speaking to how I could defeat sin in my own life by adhering to the scripture and behaving in a way that was pleasing to God.  The difficulty with this approach is that its easier said than done.  By his own admission, the apostle Paul himself struggled with bad behaviors that he knew were wrong.  Paul admits that "The evil that I am not willing, this I am putting into practice" {Paul to the Romans 7:19}.  I can testify that I have often felt as Paul did.  I think a lot of well-meaning believers have.  Paul has also made the bold statement that the law kills {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 3:6}.  The law does not give us life, it is the spirit which does that.  Therefore, if ever there was a church which was adhering to preaching to abiding in the law, I would seriously question it.  Yet far too many churches these days are doing just that.  Speaking legalistic demands of the old system upon their congregations.  The words which Jesus spoke to the Pharisees of His day could well have been spoken to the pastors of today as well.  Like the Pharisees of old, these men "Are binding loads, heavy and hard to bear, and are placing them on men's shoulders" {Matthews Account 23:4}.  In contrast, my own journey to knowing a relationship with the Father has been free from those imposed burdens.  

Then Jesus speaks to the throngs and to His disciples, saying, "On Moses' seat are seated the scribes and the Pharisees.  All, then, whatever they should be saying to you, do and keep it.  Yet according to their acts do not be doing, for they are saying and not doing.  Now they are binding loads, heavy and hard to bear, and are placing them on men's shoulders, yet they are not willing to stir them with their finger.  Now all their works are they doing to be gazed at by men, for they are broadening their amulets and magnifying the tassels.  Now they are fond of the first reclining space at the dinners, and the front seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the markets, and to be called by men 'Rabbi.'

Matthews Account 23: 1-7, Concordant New Testament 

My own memories of the legalistic church system are still with me.  How the pastors and church "staff" were afforded the best seats, front and center in the sanctuary each Sunday.  Could it be that one of the reasons for the exodus of many believers from the mainstream church is due to practices such as this?  I believe it is.  I also believe that the modern church has not been a place to discover a relationship with the Father, but to adhere to a man created religious system.  This is what men have given us.  There is a reason that I was not able to discover the truth of my own life in the Father while I was still in the church.  For God was not the focal point.  The focus all too often was on the church leadership and religious system they perpetuated.  My own revelation of my life in the Father came without conditions.  I did not need to adhere to any tithing challenges, performance based systems or requirements which were contrary to me {Paul to the Colossians 2:14}.  Could I have discovered the truth of Christ Jesus in me while still in the church?  Absolutely, but it definitely would have gone contrary of the separation theology spoken by the church.  The theology which speaks to our sin separating us from God.  In reality, we have never been separated from our creator.  Yet the man made church system will continue to speak to that which is contrary to God. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Living The Lie) # 2022

 

Religion has actually convinced people that there is a invisible man living in the sky watching everything you do, every minute of every day.  And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he doesn't want you to do.  And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever until the end of time!  But he loves you.  He loves you and he needs money.  He always needs money.  He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing and all-wise, somehow he just can't handle money

~George Carlin~ 

Author Karl Clauson is living the lie.  Clauson believes that sin is destroying your life.  This week, a friend jokingly asked me to debate Mr. Clauson on this topic.  In my opinion, I feel that it would be a waste of my time.  For my own opinion on sin is radically different from his, or anyone else who adheres to the false separation theology preached by those within the mainstream church.  The theology which speaks to the lie that it is our sin which has separated us from God.  Think about that, God has allowed Himself to be separated from you.  So what about all that talk that He would never leave us or forsake us {To the Hebrews 13:5}?  What about the fact that Jesus has promised that He is with us until the end of the eon {Matthews Account 22:20}.  Are we now to consider God to be a liar?  Do His promises now mean nothing?  Well, that is exactly what men like Karl Clauson and those within the church would have you believe.  That salvation is temporary.  That if we don't  perform up to the standards of God that what awaits us is an eternity in the fires of hell, forever separated from God.  And what's the difference, if sin has already separated us from God why does it even matter?  It matters because it's all a lie, and it has been from the beginning.  How is it that that which has been created ever be separated from their creator?  Christians are quick to acknowledge that we have been created in the Fathers likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  That He has breathed into us the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  This is the truth we find in the scriptures.  The popular belief among believers is that we have been lovingly created by a loving God.  So, why would this loving God suddenly cast aside those He loves?  Does He cast us aside, or is He loving and patient with us to allow us the opportunity to turn our hearts unto Him?  The apostle Paul has spoken to the truth about sin in Romans.  The truth that it is Christ Jesus Who has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  That we should "Be reckoning yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus our Lord" {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  So, how is it that sin can separate us from God if sin has been defeated by Christ Jesus on the cross?  Interesting question.   

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"

Norman Grubb ~ No Independent Self 

The author Norman Grubb would disagree, I believe, with the assertion which has been spewed out by the institutional church for generations that man has been separated from God by sin.  For besides speaking to mans separation from God, the church clings to the belief that man is independent from the Father Who created him.  This harkens back to the lie spoken by the deceiver in the garden.  The lie which claims that if Eve were to eat of the fruit of the tree which God had forbidden, that "Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" {Genesis 3:5}.  Christians refer to this moment as "The fall," that moment when God turned His back on that which He had created.  From that point on, according to the church, we have been existing outside of the Lord.  We see this is the theology spoken by the church, that God is in heaven while mankind endures here on earth.  Our prayers plead with the Lord to "Draw near to us."  Like Karl Clauson, we're living the lie.  Believing in the false narrative that our lives exist outside of God in heaven.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  It is Jesus Himself who has spoken to our life IN HIM {Johns Account 14:20}.  The apostle Paul speaks to the truth that he is not separated from Christ, but that his life is IN Christ {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  The truth is, that through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, that we have now been reconciled once again to the Father {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:18-20}.  The lie spoken by the deceiver has been exposed.  We can choose to accept the truth of reconciliation to the Father, or the lie that our sin separates us from Him.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Selling Jesus) # 2021

 

Who Himself carries up our sins in is body on the pole, that, coming away from sins, we should be living for righteousness; by Whose welt you were healed 

Peter to the Dispersion 2: 24, Concordant New Testament 

Every good product needs a good symbol.  I remember the old Marlboro man posters and ads which hailed that real men smoked Marlboro cigarettes.  Not only that, but we will always associate those golden arches with fast food hamburgers.  But what about the Christian religion, what symbols are we championing to the world?  Well, look no further than the cross of Jesus and the virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.  For years, I have been critical of the catholic religion for their almost idol like focus upon the image of Mary.  It is well known that Catholics go so far as to idolize the virgin Mary in their version of Christianity.  Idol worshippers I called them, for good reason.  But what about the religion I followed for so long?  Were we any different than those Catholics?  Walk into any mainstream church and you will likely see the cross of Jesus displayed front and center.  The symbolism is all too apparent, this is where Jesus is!  When I first moved to the Portland, Oregon area back in 1994, I was looking for a Christ centered church that I could call home.  My decision was made easier one day when I saw that building with the large white cross by the side of the freeway.  This MUST be a good church.  So it was that I made that building with the big cross my church home for many years.  I don't regret my decision to attend the church, I only mention it to illustrate how the church draws people into its pews.  I believe that simply having a church building does not let people know that a church is there, they need that cross.  A good friend asked the question this week, do we need to celebrate the death of Jesus or His life?  Well, I believe that the mainstream church has already made up its mind on that issue years ago.  What does the image of the cross mean to you?  To me it symbolizes one thing, the death of Christ on the cross so long ago.  Of course, I'm not disputing His death, for this is what the Father intended to reconcile His children to Him once again.  Which goes to my point, the death of Jesus on that cross was the end, but the beginning.  Yet we continue to celebrate the very image of His death.  The apostle Paul would add that it was not only Jesus who perished on that tree, but we did as well {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Indeed, our old sin nature was put to death by Christ Jesus on that cross {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  But it is the church which has used the image of the cross to its own advantage.

Christ reclaims us from the curse of the law, becoming a curse for our sakes, for it is written, Accursed is everyone hanging on a pole

Paul to the Galatians 3: 13, Concordant New Testament 

So, this is the question we need to be asking ourselves, is the cross a symbol of the life or the death of Jesus?  If we indeed celebrate His life, why do we need to glorify the cross?  Now, many in the church will bristle at my use of the term "Glorify," but I see no other way to describe how the church has symbolized the tree of death which Jesus hung from.  Paul describes anyone hanging on a pole as being accursed {Paul to the Galatians 3:13}.  Indeed, it is Jesus who became that curse for our sake.  But does that symbolize who He is?  I would say no.  Yet I would say that celebrating the image of the tree of death fits right into the separation theology spoken by the mainstream church.  They cannot let go of sin being a prominent part of our lives.  So much so, that they proclaim that it is our sin which has separated us from God.  I suggest that they use the image of the cross to continually remind people of the sin sacrifice of Jesus, of what He suffered for us.  The message is clear, WE did this to Jesus.  Our sin nature prompted God to dispatch His Son as the sin sacrifice for the world {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  Yes, Jesus bled and died for the sins of mankind, but that has never been His legacy if you will.  He is remembered for the selfless act which He took upon Himself for us {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Make no mistake, WE needed to die on that accursed pole, not Jesus.  I would say that the image of the cross is more of a reminder of our old nature than of Jesus Himself.  For that sin nature is the reason for His sacrifice.  What we should be celebrating is the aftermath, which is our life WITHIN Him which we now enjoy.  It is Jesus Himself Who speaks to this union {Johns Account 14:20}.  It is through His death on that tree that we were once again reconciled to the Father.  That is worth celebrating.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Raising The Dead) # 2020

 

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, 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, 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 

A good friend of mine recently sent me an article about the return to the ministry of disgraced pastor Tony Evans.  Evans, who left his ministry in 2024 over a personal "sin" that he has never revealed claims that he has "Successfully this restoration journey" as he once again stood behind the pulpit of Oak Cliff bible fellowship church in Dallas, Texas.  What I found interesting about this article is the way that Tony Evans seemed to be raising the dead from long ago.  What do I mean by that?  Well, let's consider the words of the apostle Paul which we find in Romans.  It is Paul who brilliantly lays out the truth of sin in our lives in this portion of his evangel.  According to Paul, Christ has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  That is, when Jesus gave Himself on that cross, it was for sin past, present and future.  Many believers find this truth difficult to handle.  Sure, we hold to the traditional Christian belief that Jesus was crucified once on that cross for the sins of man, but we seldom take to heart the true meaning of His sacrifice.  On the one hand, we accept his death on the cross as a big part of our Christian faith.  At the same time, we continue to hold fast to the false belief that our sin continues to play a large role in our lives.  I can't say that I blame them, as mainstream church pastors like Tony Evans continue to speak to the existence of sin in our life.  Yes, he even speaks to the existence of sin in his own life.  Of course, this goes against everything the apostle was speaking to in Romans.  That we are "By no means to be still slaving for sin" {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  And yet here we are, still resurrecting that which has been put to death so long ago.  

Who Himself carries up our sins in His body on the pole, that, coming away from sins, we should be living for righteousness; by Whose welt you were healed

Peter to the Dispersion (1) 2: 24, Concordant New Testament 

The apostle Peter speaks to the truth that Christ Jesus "Carries up our sins in His body on the pole" {Peter to the Dispersion (1) 2:24}.  What we have so often failed to realize is that when the apostles spoke of the death of sin, they were speaking the truth of the gospel.  For Jesus has not come to condemn the world, but that all the world would be saved through Him {Johns Account 3:17}.  We therefore now have NO condemnation in Christ Jesus {Paul to the Romans 8:1}.  So, for what sin did Tony Evans recluse himself from his ministry for?  What sin has God proven him guilty in His eyes?  Of course, the answer is NONE!  Yet I believe that now that he has completed his self-imposed restoration that he will once again continue to preach the existence of sin in the lives of his congregation.  This is the mantra of those in the mainstream church.  The mantra which speaks to our sin separating us from God.  Yet the words of Paul once again speak to this lie of the church.  That not only have we been crucified together with Christ Jesus, but that we now live our life in Him {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  We have not been separated from God, but reconciled unto Him {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:18}.  So it is that Tony Evans continues to speak to the lie of the accuser.  However, the truth spoken by the apostles speaks to our life in Christ, free of sin.  I believe that this is a large part of the peace which we have in Christ Jesus.  That we are no longer condemned, but restored.  I trust in the words spoken by Jesus Himself, that my life is now in Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  I live not in fear of judgement, but in the peace of a life in the Father. 

How that God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing us in the word of the conciliation

Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5: 19, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Until We Do Us Part) # 2019

 

Now He, answering, said, "Did you not read that the Maker from the beginning makes them male and female, and He said, "On this account a man shall be leaving father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh?  So that no longer are they two, but one flesh.  What God, then, yokes together, let not man be separating." 

Matthews Account 19: 4-6, Concordant New Testament 

I have very few memories of my own father engaging in what people would refer to as family time.  The memories that I do have are of leaving home to spend time with my dad at his home, not our family home.  See, my parents were divorced when I was young, so the memories I do have of my father are of time spent with him after the divorce.  I was reminded of these memories in my own life this week as I had a conversation with a  friend of mine.  This man, who has been married to his wife for over thirty years, has been toying with the idea of going outside of his marriage to seek companionship.  Yet, when I ask my friend if things are so bad that he needs to look for affection outside of his marriage, why doesn't he simply get a divorce?  His response, "I married her for life."  While I respect his adhering to the biblical idea of marriage, I believe that he himself also suffers from an illness which is far too common.  That being the false impression of the independent self.  The idea that we are individuals who are now separated from our creator.  This false image is one that is spoken all too often from the pulpits of the mainstream church.  That our sin has separated us from God.  Well, nothing could be further from the truth.  The very nature of our being is witness to the truth that we have been created in the very likeness of the Father {Genesis 1:27}.  Not only that, but the apostle Paul speaks to the truth that we have perished and that our lives are no longer our own.  The truth which speaks to our life now being IN Jesus {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Sadly, too many believers, including my friend, adhere to the false belief that they are independent from God.  This is why I refer to this belief as the false image, for it is just that.  

With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ.  Now that which I am now living in flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me, and gives Himself up for me. 

Paul to the Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

I look at these words of Paul, and I know that my life is not my own.  For Paul speaks to that "Which I am now living in the flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God" {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Paul knew, he had unwavering faith that he now lived his life within Christ Jesus.  This truth of the evangel of Paul is contrary to the lie of the false image spoken by those within the mainstream church.  Jesus Himself has spoken to the truth that the marriage relationship is not between two individuals, but that "The two shall be one flesh" {Mathews Account 19:6}.  That what the Father has brought together, "Let man not be separating" {Matthews Account 19:6}.  Now, many in the church would correctly see infidelity as a just cause for the ending of a marriage.  Indeed, this is what doomed my own parents relationship.  Yet I see the actions of my friend and I see a man in the process of separating that which the Father has brought together.  Some may argue that it is only through infidelity that a marriage may be ended, but that is simply not true.  For man has made it known that he will separate the marriage union for whatever reasons he deems necessary.  My own father is a testament to this false belief.  I believe that too many people do not look upon the marriage relationship as one flesh, but as two individuals.  The lie spoken by the church rekindled.  So it is that marriage is all too often till death do us part, but until our own individual needs do us part.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (A Bad Man) # 2018

 

And he said to Jesus, "Be reminded of me, Lord, whenever Thou mayest be coining in Thy kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Verily, to you I am saying today, with Me shall you be in paradise."

Lukes Account 43: 42-43, Concordant New Testament 

Those two men crucified with Jesus were there for a reason.  Two thieves, obviously tried and convicted by whatever courts were used at that time.  Their crime was before them and their punishment was deemed just in accordance with what they had done.  Knowing his fate, one of the two sought mercy from the One hanging on the cross next to him.  The perfect opportunity for Jesus to condemn this man for his sin?  As we see all through the New Testament, Jesus took this opportunity not for condemnation, but for redemption.  Jesus took this opportunity to assure this man of his salvation.  "Verily, to you I am saying today, with Me shall you be in paradise"{Lukes Account 43:43}.  I was thinking of this this week after a discussion with a fellow gym rat friend who has been lamenting his bad decisions in life.  His words troubled me, "How could God love someone like me?"  I remember asking these words myself a time or two.  Growing up in the mainstream church, I was taught that not only was salvation a free gift, but that it was possible for it to be taken away as well.  For how could a holy God be associated with evil and disobedience?  Can God indeed love the bad man?  Obviously, the answer is yes.  But the enemy will continue to throw his attacks our way to convince us that we are beyond the forgiving hands of the Father.  The past is often a difficult thing to forget.  The apostle Paul spoke of his own checkered past in his letter to young Timothy.  That Jesus came into the world to save sinners, "Foremost of whom am I" {Paul to Timothy (1) 1:15}.  Even though Paul was well aware of all which he had done in the past, he was also aware that, through Christ, he had been justified.  That he was no longer worthy of condemnation {Paul to the Romans 8:1}.  My friend had needed to be reminded of this truth the same way I had been.  That Jesus has not come to condemn the world, but that ALL the world through Him will be saved {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  This idea of universal salvation is often a hard pill for many believers to swallow.  The church will teach of the hard defined areas of good and evil.  That the good will be rewarded and the wicked punished in the fires of hell.  But is this Gods ultimate desire for us?  If you're a follower of the church you might just believe that nonsense.  I'm sure that thief being crucified on the cross believed his fate was sealed as well.  But Jesus had other ideas. 

Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all welcome, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, foremost of whom am I

Paul to Timothy (1) 1: 15, Concordant New Testament 

I believe that Christians have been fed a lie from the church for thousands of years.  The lie that sin is ever present in the lives of Gods children.  This is the same lie my friend is convinced of.  That he is a bad man, undeserving of the Lords love and salvation.  I get it, I've been there myself.  My prayers were often directed to the forgiveness of sin from day to day.  Sadly, far too many believers continue with this practice today.  They've been brainwashed into believing the lie spoken by those in the church.  One of the scriptures which caused me to question the teachings of the church was spoken by Paul in Romans.  That Jesus has died to sin, "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 10:6}.  That is, when Christ died on that cross for the forgiveness of sin, He died for ALL sin past, present and future.  Knowing this, what need have we to continually seek the Lords forgiveness for that which has already been forgiven?  Indeed, Paul speaks to our being "Dead, indeed, to sin" {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  That sin which we have been falsely led to believe was ever before us is no more.  But I believe that knowing this truth is but a part of the issue.  The other part is having that revelation of who we truly are in the Fathers eyes.  That we are not separated by sin, but live our lives through Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  When we have the realization that our life is in God, there is no room for feelings of condemnation.  Let me be clear, we can read and understand the words spoken by Paul, but the truth of our life in the Father is a revelation coming from Him.  This is the same revelation given to Paul on that road to Damascus in his "Come to Jesus" moment {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}.  Paul recalled his past as being, in his words, the foremost of sinners.  Yet he also understood the truth of Christ Jesus that he no longer lived that life.  His life, and ours, are now in God.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Rat Life) # 2017

 

Now Jesus, being turned and gazing at them following, is saying to them, "What are you seeking?"  Yet they said to Him, "Rabbi (which, being construed, is termed "teacher"), "Where art Thou remaining?"  He is saying to them, "Come and see."  They came, then, and perceived where He is remaining, and they remain with Him that day, it was about the tenth hour 

Johns Account 1: 38-39, Concordant New Testament 

Jesus was generally interested in the men who were following Him.  He didn't walk away, but turned to greet them.  These men following Jesus were curious as to where He was staying.  He could have simply answered them, but He didn't.  In response, Jesus welcomed them into His life by proclaiming, "Come and see."  This is the same invitation which Jesus gives to all who desire to know about Him.  Come and see.  I was thinking about this the other day after some fellowship with my Gym Rat community.  The words "Come and see" certainly apply to this group of friends.  For over time we have developed a definite fellowship with one another.  My conversations the other day ranged from recent vision tests to a request for prayer for the sale of their parents home.  This is sharing life.  This is the Rat life.  What started out more than a few years ago with interaction with a few people has blossomed into a genuine community centered around Jesus within me interacting with the children of the Father.  This is Jesus speaking and working through me.  Those among us who know not Jesus would probably deny this, but I know the truth of my life in Christ {Johns Account 14:20}.  I believe that this was the intent of those within the mainstream church some years ago when there was a definite push for more faith community based home groups.  I know of more than a few people who increased their friendship circle by being involved in one of these groups.  The message was always the same.  Come and see.  I can't say that I carried the model of these home based groups and applied it to my gym habit, but that is the way it worked out.  Over time, I have developed friendships with over fifty fellow gym goers.  Of course, there are a few core guys with whom I have developed a closer relationship, but I've been blessed with the opportunity to fellowship with this growing community which Christ has gathered together.  This is me following Christs lead and others answering the call to come and see.  

And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured to His disciples, saying, "Wherefore are you eating and drinking with the tribute collectors and sinners?"  And answering, Jesus said to them, "Those who are sound have no need of a physician, but those who have an illness.  I have not come to call the just, but sinners, to repentance" 

Lukes Account 5: 30-32, Concordant New Testament 

In my time that I have been involved in my Gym Rat community, I've also run across some detractors who have questioned my choice of people I fellowship with.  Yes, the Pharisees of Jesus' day used this same trick on Him as well.  They attempted to disparage Jesus over the company which He kept.  After all, wasn't Jesus the Mesiah of the Jewish people?  Hadn't He come to save the nation of Israel?  That is the common misconception of the overall purpose of the life of Jesus.  Yet, when confronted by those Pharisees, Jesus laid out His purpose for all to hear.  "I have not come to call the just, but sinners, to repentance {Lukes Account 5:32}.  Jesus came not only to redeem those who believe, but also those who have never believed in Him {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  There are those who continue to speak to unbelievers burning in a lake of fire for eternity.  This is not what Jesus had in mind.  This is not the ultimate desire of the Father for us.  What the Father has done, through His Son, is to reconnect with His children once again.  When I engage in fellowship with my gym community, Jesus is once again connecting with the children of God through me.  He is not discriminating between the righteous and the sinner.  In the eyes of God, all of His children are in need of Him.  For it is through our interaction with those around us that the world will come to know the truth of our life in Him.  So, to those who question my choice of friends I offer the choice, come and see. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Follow Me) # 2016

 

"My sheep are hearing My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" 

Johns Account 10: 27, Concordant New Testament 

Growing up in the church, I was convinced that I was following Jesus.  Whatever the pastor claimed, and whatever he said, I was following Jesus.  After all, wasn't he the Lords representative here on earth?  Wasn't he chosen to speak the gospel of Christ to the Lords children?  Yeah, that's what I thought too.  After all, I had been taught to listen and learn from the words of the pastor.  The other night, I was listening to a radio sermon where the pastor made the comment after the opening prayer to "Follow me."  I turned off the radio then and there.  For I have learned enough of the truth of the gospel that there is but One I will follow, and that is Jesus.  Yet many in the mainstream church have blurred the lines and have come to accept that to follow religion is to follow Jesus.  Let me be clear, the church is where one goes to hear and to learn of Jesus.  In my opinion, religion and Jesus go together like oil and water.  For Jesus never in His ministry told His followers to adhere to and to follow a man created religion.  What He DID do is to encourage them to "Follow Me" {Johns Account 10:27, Mathews Account 9:9, Marks Account 8:34}.  One does not come to know Jesus intimately through following the traditions and requirements of religion.  This is not how I came to know Him.  I came to know Jesus through the conversations with a good friend, not from a Sunday sermon.  What I discovered was that the Jesus that I was coming to know was radically different from that which I had learned of in the mainstream church.  The Jesus I was discovering was not a savior prone to condemnation.  The Jesus I was discovering was not a savior demanding that I adhere to the ancient traditions of the church.  The Jesus I was coming to know is One Who covers me in His love, not requirements {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  In fact, it is Jesus who invites us to follow Him.  His is an invitation, not a requirement.  It's an invitation which I have accepted.  

Erasing the handwriting of the decrees against us, which was hostile to us, and has taken it away out of the midst, nailing it to the cross

Paul to the Colossians 2: 14, Concordant New Testament 

I've recently been reminded of who I formerly thought Jesus was through a few conversations with church going friends.  I made the comment to another friend that more often than not I have come away from these conversations feeling convicted but not encouraged.  These conversations are more about pointing out what I've been commanded to do in His name.  Of course, they sprinkle cherry picked pieces of scripture in to make themselves seem relevant.  Of course, Jesus often referred to the word as well, but not in the way that modern day Christian soldiers do.  For these followers of religion, it's all about convincing people to follow their religion, not Jesus.  This is not the Jesus that I have come to know in my heart.  The Jesus that I know spoke of the love and forgiveness of the Father.  He proclaimed that the way to the Father was through Him, not following a church or religion {Johns Account 14:6}.  In fact, I believe that if you are following a religion that proclaims that it is the way to the Father, you're being lied to.  For Jesus has spoken that it is only through Him that any will come to God.  Know Jesus, and you will know the Father as well {Johns Account 10:30}.  The mainstream church has tried to convince people of the false theology that we are separated by sin from God.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The apostle Paul speaks to the truth of the sin issue when he proclaims that Christ has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  For it is through the innocent blood shed by Christ that we have been freed from the condemnation and shame so often preached within the church {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  It is not sin which separates us, but Jesus Who accepts us wherever we're at in life.  This is the Jesus I know.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Condemnation Crowd) # 2015

 

Nothing, consequently, is now condemnation to those in Christ Jesus.  Not according to the flesh are they walking, but according to spirit, for the spirits law of life in Christ Jesus frees you from the law of sin and death

Paul to the Romans 8: 1-2, Concordant New Testament 

Recently I've been having a few conversations with a gym friend.  This is nothing unusual.  What is unusual is how I end up feeling after our conversation.  For after we finish our talks, I usually am left feeling somehow condemned in my faith.  Now, I know the truth of my life in Christ, and I know that I will have eternity with Him, of that I am sure.  Yet my friend is big on following, to the letter, certain passages within the scriptures that seem to prove the point which he is trying to make.  Recently, that point is that we all have sinned {Paul to the Romans 3:23} and that we need to be in continual prayer for the Fathers forgiveness.  Yet the apostle Paul is careful to point out that we have been justified gratuitously through the grace of God through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus {Paul to the Romans 3:24}.  So, yes, all have sinned, but through the finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross, we have been justified in the eyes of the Father.  It seems that my friend was not interested in hearing that, however.  My guess is that it did not fit his narrative.  That narrative is one that we see preached within the mainstream church.  The narrative that sharing the gospel means convincing others that they are guilty of sin.  That they are in need of Gods forgiveness.  Well, isn't that what happened at the cross?  I've said for some time that the church is stuck on the hamster wheel of reminding people of their sin guilt.  Yet Paul is quick to remind us that Christ has died to sin once for all time {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  That we are to now consider ourselves "Dead, indeed, to sin" {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  Yet many pastors within the church continue to preach the sin issue as if it is still relevant.  Their congregations are taught to remind the world of this message in order to "Save" them from themselves.  When I was still in the church, I saw first hand the effects of this ministry of condemnation.  I'm not afraid to admit that I also once practiced what the pastors taught me to do.  The funny thing is, now that I know the truth of my life in Christ, I find that people are more willing to listen to the message of the evangel that I speak to.  This is not a message of condemnation, but of the love we find in the Father.  

For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God's approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting 

Paul to the Ephesians 2: 8-9, Concordant New Testament 

One comment which I made recently which I have received a bit of pushback from is the churches need to keep reminding people of the existence of sin.  You could say that the success of the church depends on their keeping the sin issue alive.  Why?  Well, when you remind others that they have sin in their life, far too many people will feel that the church is where they need to be in order to free themselves of their sin.  The truth of the evangel spoken by Paul AND the evangel of Christ Jesus is that sin is no longer an issue for those who are in Christ Jesus {Paul to the Romans 8:1-2}.  Those in the church bristle at the idea that Jesus died on the cross for our sins past, present and future {Paul to the Romans 6:10, Peter to the Dispersion (1) 3:18}.  In order to keep their pews filled , those in the church continue to speak of the sin issue as if it still exists.  In my opinion, they are doing their best to keep their congregations in the bondage of not knowing true freedom in Christ Jesus.  If this wasn't true, you would hear pastors speaking to the evangel of Paul from their pulpits.  Sadly, this isn't the case at all.  These congregations are taught that to minister to others in the community is to continue to remind them of their sin.  Knowing this, I understand where my friend is coming from.  He himself has been taught that his sin is ever with him.  That he needs to be in prayer for whatever sin he might have committed.  He feels condemned, and he brings this condemnation into his conversations of God with others.  I believe that he continues to carry the shackles of bondage.  It is only through knowing the truth of our life in Jesus that these chains are broken. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (What The Hell?) # 2014

 

Religion has actually convinced people that there is a invisible man living in the sky watching everything you do, every minute of every day.  And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he doesn't want you to do.  And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever until the end of time!  But he loves you.  He loves you, and he needs money.  He always needs money.  He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing and all-wise, somehow he just can't handle money

~George Carlin~ 

It's a place which most well meaning Christians have been told that they will end up if they somehow fall short of the Lords expectations.  If their behavior somehow does not meet His holy standards.  Growing up in the institutional church, I lived in constant fear that my salvation which God had promised for me if I accepted His Son would be in danger.  That despite my accepting Jesus, God would choose to ignore all of that if my behaviors were deemed offensive to God.  Indeed, this seems to have  been the consistent message given by the mainstream church for thousands of years.  For His part, Jesus, in His woes to the Jewish Pharisees, mentions the Pharisees becoming "Double of a son of Gehenna than you are" {Matthews Account 23:15}.  What was He speaking to?  Well, it turns out that Jesus, as He so often did, referenced the location of Gehenna to represent a place where the unrighteous will spend eternity.  Some have found this to reference the existence of hell.  But was it?  Well, Jesus knew all too well what the name Gehenna meant to those listening to His words.  See, Gehenna was an actual location on the outskirts of Jerusalem in the valley of Hinnom which was known as a local trash dump.  It was also known to have been a place of child sacrifices to the Canaanite God Molech.  Tell me, who would want to spend their eternity in such a wretched place?  Living in a trash dump?  I can't think of a better illustration which Jesus could give to illustrate the plight of those who refuse to acknowledge the Lord God.  Jesus knew what Gehenna represented to those listening to Him.  Another word which the church has bantered about is that of Sheol.  It's widely agreed within the church that sheol represents hell.  Yet to anyone who knows the scriptures and their history, sheol was known in the Hebrew religion as the realm of the dead.  It is interesting that sheol is seen as that place where the departed go while they await their resurrection, sort of a holding place of the departed.  Whatever you call it, Gehenna, hades or sheol, believers have often been threatened with the existence of these places as their destination if they didn't adhere to Gods standards.  

For thus God loves the world, so that He gives His only-begotten Son, that everyone who is believing in Him should not be perishing, but may be having life eonian.  For God does not dispatch His Son into the world that He should be judging the world, but that the world may be saved through Him

Johns Account 3: 16-17, Concordant New Testament 

I find it interesting that those who so often speak of the torment of eternal hell are also those who refuse to speak to the truth of our life in Christ Jesus {Johns Account 14:20}.  I've always seen the separation theology of the mainstream church as being black and white, good and evil.  I've also noticed that it is those within the church, pastors and congregation alike, who are more than willing to sentence someone to eternal hell.  Of course, that has never been our responsibility at all.  That is the domain of the Father.  And what has been Gods plan for His creation from the beginning?  We find this spoken to by the apostle John in his iconic words we find in the New Testament.  That through His never-ending love, God has loved the world.  Such was the Fathers love, that He dispatched His only Son into the world.  Not to condemn the world, but that ALL the world would be saved through Him {Johns Account 3:17}.  So, as Jesus spoke to the crowds about Gehenna, was He actually condemning anyone to their fate?  No!  This was not why He came to be among us.  Imagine this, that despite the words coming from the synagogues of the day, that God came in the flesh to dwell among His children {Johns Account 1:14}.  This is the depth of the love of God for us.  That while we were lost, that He Himself would come to live among us.  Gods desire has never been that anyone would spend eternity apart from Him.  Yet these are the words spoken by those within the church.  Not only did He come to live among us, but it is Jesus who willingly gave Himself for us.  That He who knew no sin would perish for those who did {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Does this sound like a God who desired any of His children to suffer for an eternity?  The church will tell us that the good will be rewarded and the wicked will suffer.  But we do well to remember that only the Father makes these decisions. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Degrees Of Knowing) # 2013

 

For His invisible attributes are descried from the creation of the world, being apprehended by His achievements, besides His imperceptible power and divinity, for them to be defenseless

Paul to the Romans 1: 20, Concordant New Testament 

The question was raised this week of who would be worse off, someone who has never heard of Christ or one who continues to adhere to the lie of separation theology spoken by those in the mainstream church.  In the film Come Sunday, the reverend Carlton Pearson was removed from his position of prominence within the church due to his speaking of his belief that there is no hell.  Pearson came to this realization while watching a tv newscast of suffering people in some far away land.  He correctly wondered, what if these people who have never even heard of the name Jesus were to die?  Would they immediately go to hell for their unbelief?  What followed was a struggle between one man speaking the truth and the institution of the church and their efforts to silence him.  I've recently been involved in a conversation with a fellow gym rat where I felt a little like the embattled pastor Pearson battling the lie spoken by the church.  The conversation began with my mentioning the truth of the Fathers desire that all be saved {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  Predictably, my church indoctrinated friend could not handle this truth.  In fact, he seemed a bit shocked and even called over another so called Christian brother where they could together show me the error of my ways.  This is the reaction I received for speaking the truth of the Father.  Indeed, the truth of universal salvation is a tough pill to swallow for those in the church.  But when we get down to brass tacks, is it our decision who does or does not get saved?  Is it the church who decides?  Do we ourselves decide the worlds fate?  As with all of creation, it is the Father who will ultimately decide whom He will save.  Yet those within the church have taken it upon themselves to dictate who and who will not receive this blessing.  If salvation is the free gift given unto us by God, what right do we possess to say who receives it {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}?  Yes, I have accepted the truth of Christ Jesus in me and His salvation.  Does that give me the right to determine who else will receive that same gift?  Unfortunately, the church is filled with those who will take it upon themselves to say who is and who has not been saved.  

Religion has actually convinced people that there is a invisible man living in the sky watching everything you do every minute of every day.  And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he doesn't want you to do.  And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever until the end of time!  But he loves you.  He loves you, and he needs money.  He always needs money.  He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing and all-wise, somehow he just can't handle money

~George Carlin~ 

I will go out on a limb and say that the mainstream church needs people to believe in the existence of hell.  What?  Think about this, when people live in fear of being condemned to an eternity in hell, what do they usually do?  They typically find their local church to seek a way out of their predicament.  I mean, who wants to willingly go to hell?  The anguish, torture and eternal fire is enough to instill fear in anyone.  Add to that the claim of some in the church that once in hell, we live forever separated from God.  Yes, I believe that the church desperately needs to continue to speak to this narrative for their very survival.  For the more Gods children believe that they need the church to avoid an eternity in hell, the more pews are filled on Sunday mornings.  See my point?  But this false theology spoken by the church goes against the truth we find in the Father.  For we are created in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  Jesus Himself has proclaimed that our life is in Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  Knowing this truth of God, how is it that we can ever be separated from Him?  How can that which has been created ever be separated from He who created them?  THIS is the truth that debunks the false separation theology spoken within the church.  So, if we have been created in the Fathers likeness and we live our life within Him, is there a hell for us to fear?  Perhaps this is the revelation which was given to Carlton Pearson.  The entire idea of hell is based upon a God who will no longer love His children as He has promised.  That the sacrifice of His Son meant nothing.  For despite the truth spoken by Paul that Christ died to sin "Once for all time," there continues to be those who live in fear of living an eternity separated from God {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  This is what the false theology of the man-made church has left us. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Living The Lie) # 2012

 

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, 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 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 other day I was involved in a conversation with a fellow Gym Rat concerning the "Requirements" one must engage in in order to be saved.  To be honest, I came away from this discussion feeling as it I had just heard one of the common condemnation sermons which are popular among those inside the mainstream church.  I hold no ill feelings towards my brother, for I cannot blame him for that which he has been taught about Jesus from within the church.  I should know, because I've been in his shoes as well.  The very words spoken by the apostle Paul are often used as evidence of the so called requirements needed for one to be saved.  For Paul speaks in Romans that if one is "Avowing with your mouth the declaration that Jesus is Lord" and "Should be believing in your heart that God rouses Him from among the dead, you will be saved" {Paul to the Romans 10:9}.  So, is this indeed our requirement for being among those saved by the willing sacrifice of Christ?  Or, as I have come to believe, that the love of the Father is so strong that He desires all of His children to come to know Him?  Honestly, for Christians to set aside requirements for who will be saved sounds a bit judgmental on our part.  Are we the ones who decide who and who are not saved?  No!  This has always been the territory of the Father.  It is God Who decides whom He will set aside for a future with Him.  Yet too many humans have made a tradition out of proclaiming who it is that will be saved.  The single issue raised by my friend as to who will be saved and who will not is that of sin.  Sin continues to be the elephant in the room as far as believers are concerned.  Many in the church continue to speak to the fact that it is our sin that separates us from God.  They often refer to the words of the prophet Isaiah, who speaks of our sin separating us from God {Isaiah 59:2}.  Notice that these words of the prophet are spoken in the old testament, before the cleansing sacrifice of Christ Jesus.  To those who continue to speak to the church narrative that sin has separated us from God I ask, what about Jesus?  For it is He Who has given Himself that we would be free of the wrath of sin {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  

Religion has actually convinced people that there is a invisible man living in the sky watching everything you do, every minute of every day.  And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he doesn't want you to do.  And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever until the end of time!  But he loves you.  He loves you, and he needs money.  He always needs money.  He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing and all-wise, somehow he just can't handle money

~George Carlin~ 

Those within the church have made a career out of convincing people that we must earn our way into heaven.  Be it through our "Holy" behavior or adhering to the church traditions, people have become conditioned to believe that they must earn their way into Gods good graces.  To this I say, what about Jesus?  For Jesus has spoken that nobody shall come to the Father but through Him {Johns Account 14:6}.  Nowhere in this passage is it spoken by Jesus that we must earn our way into Gods eternity.  In fact, it is Paul who speaks to the truth that it is by the grace of the Father by which we will ultimately be saved {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8}.  Paul does not mention any requirements we must perform in order to achieve our own salvation.  Why?  Because there are none.  Salvation is the work of God, not of man.  It has never been our decision who or who is not saved.  It is by the grace and mercy of the Father that I have been saved, so why would it any different for someone else?  I think that those within the church who speak of the requirements we must take in order to be saved should once again look to the words of Paul in Ephesians.  But Paul doesn't stop there, he continues with what I see as the very reason by which salvation is not about what we do or don't do to earn it.  "Lest anyone should be boasting" {Paul to the Ephesians 2:9}.  Can you imagine the attitude of those who somehow earned their own salvation?  How they would perceive themselves to be that much better than others?  Believe me, this is how far too many Christians come off to others who are listening.  Preachy, elitist and much better than you.  It is for this reason that people enjoy the feel good testimonies of those who have hit rock bottom only to be come to know the Father.  I can say that I've been there.  The truth of my life in the Father I did not come to know in the halls of the church, but by His revelation unto me {Johns Account 14:20}.  

~Scott~