The Good Of The Father (What You Never Knew About Jesus) # 2158

 

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 Translation

The prevailing wisdom among Christians is that Jesus died on the cross that our sins would be forgiven AND that those who believe in Him shall be saved.  Yet somehow, those within the mainstream church have succeeded in hijacking this truth for a counterfeit message spoken from the pulpits for thousands of years.  The message that our salvation is somehow a transaction which must take place.  That in order to be saved one must accept Christ Jesus.  Growing up in the church, I often struggled with if I was indeed saved or not.  Was I behaving well enough?  Was my belief in Jesus sincere enough for Him to allow me to be saved?  This is what the false message spoken by the church has given us.  But what if I was to tell you that your salvation is less about what we do, and all about that which Jesus has already done?  Would you be interested?  Most Christians will hold the line that salvation rests with our decision to accept Christ Jesus into their lives {Paul to the Romans 10:9}.  Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved {Acts of the Apostles 16:31}.  This act of acceptance has become the transaction by which our salvation is purchased.  But how is it that we can conduct a transaction with that which has already been freely given unto us {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}?  As the apostle Paul has spoken in his evangel, salvation is the free gift of the Lord unto us.  Paul knew that were salvation simply a transaction, that those who have been able to achieve it would boast of their own status of being saved.  This is something which I have witnessed first-hand within the church.  This is not how salvation was meant to be.  Yet too many believers are not aware that they have already been saved.  That Jesus has already provided for our eternity within the Fathers presence.  Again, Paul speaks to this relatively unknown truth in his evangel.  The truth which speaks to "As in Adam, all are dying, yet, in Christ, shall all be vivified" {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15:22}.  

What Paul is speaking to is that salvation is less about a transaction and all about the person of Christ Jesus.  Now, I have written about the concept known as universal salvation before, but never with the understanding that our salvation rests not with our acceptance of Jesus, but in the truth that Jesus Himself IS our salvation {Paul to the Romans 5:19}.  Indeed, through the obedience of Christ Jesus shall many be considered saved.  The simple truth is that you have already been saved, you simply are not aware of it.  You're not aware of the truth that salvation has never been about what we do, but all about what Christ has done for us.  Too many Christians have had this truth hidden by the false narrative preached from the pulpits of the church.  Therefore, it does not surprise me in the least that very few have the understanding that their salvation lies within Christ.  My own realization of salvation has only recently been revealed unto me by the Father.  Like most, I've struggled with thoughts of if my salvation was indeed secure.  The truth is, when we see our life for what it really is, this truth becomes more and more apparent.  Jesus has spoken that our life is lived within the love of the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  This is our union life with Him.  This is also our salvation given to us through the obedience of Christ Jesus, that our life AND our salvation now reside with Him {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:15}.  We no longer live to ourselves, as those within the church are so fond of saying, but to Christ.  THIS is the Jesus you never knew. 

And He died for the sake of all that those who are living should by no means be still living to themselves, but to the One dying and being roused for their sakes 

Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5: 15, Concordant New Testament translation 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Case For Salvation) # 2157

 That in the name of Jesus every knee every knee should be bowing, celestial terrestrial and subterranean, and every tongue should be proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God, the Father 

Paul to the Philippians 2: 10-11, Concordant New Testament Translation 

Ask most Christians who it is that will be saved and you'll probably hear of a conditional salvation.  That is, Gods free gift salvation with a condition attached.  That being that one must accept and believe in the Lord Jesus.  I get it.  This has been something which I have struggled with for some time.  Not because I don't believe in Jesus, but because it seems that our salvation is tied to something which we do on our own, of our own free will (more on free will later).  The apostle Paul makes it clear in Ephesians that our salvation IS NOT of our own efforts {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}.  Now, the rub comes from if we constitute our choosing to believe in Jesus as conscious effort on our behalf.  If so, then we're contradicting the very words spoken by Paul that salvation is not of our own doing.  This has been my struggle with the truth of salvation.  But there's another wrinkle to add to this discussion.  Suppose that it was never Gods intent that any of His children would be condemned to hell.  This is the concept of universal salvation, and many Christians bristle at the very mention of it.  In their minds, the good must be rewarded and the wicked punished.  This is what they have been taught through years of church theology.  This is what I was taught growing up in the Christian faith.  If I was good enough, then I would be saved.  But I continued to worry that God would somehow find me unworthy of His salvation.  I blame the church for this, for it is the mainstream church which espouses the teaching that good and wicked are separated.  Not only that, but that sin has separated us all from God.  Many Christians use the words of Paul spoken in Romans that all are deserving of judgement {Paul to the Romans 3:23}.  But they seldom mention that passage which follows this verse, that "Being justified gratuitously in His grace" that through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus that sin no longer defines us {Paul to the Romans 3:24}.  I am no longer condemned.  So, does this guarantee my salvation?  I've believed in Christ, I've fulfilled my part of the deal.  

As I've said, the idea that all will be saved is often considered to be akin to heresy by many Christians.  They've done their part, they believed, now they want their reward.  On top of that, they want those who haven't believed as they have to be condemned to hell (if there is such a thing, but more on that later).  But is that what Gods desire is for us?  Well, if the stellar requirement for achieving salvation is that one believe in and accept Christ Jesus then God has an answer for that, but it's not one which the church theology Christians want to hear.  Paul speaks in Philippians that "In the name of Jesus every knee should be bowing" {Paul to the Philippians 2:10-11}.  So, eventually, EVERYONE will confess and believe in the Lord Jesus.  Will God condemn to hell all who have done their part to achieve His salvation?  Will He deem their belief in Jesus not good enough, or too late for them to be saved?  Christians are fond of telling stories of death bed conversions, of how those who have not believed suddenly change their minds in their final moments of life.  Are they worthy of Gods free gift?  If we say yes, then we must also agree that in that day all will be saved, as in that day everyone will accept Jesus as Lord.  This is the predicament many Christians find themselves in.  To accept the truth that salvation is dependent upon ones belief in Christ is to accept the truth that all will acknowledge Him as Lord and shall be saved.  Bingo, universal salvation!  But what about the wicked being punished?  This is no longer relevant when every knee bows to Jesus.  Of course, this opens up an entirely new list of questions.  Is there even a hell?  What ultimately happens to the wicked?  Does God condone wickedness?  These are the issues which Christians wring their hands over.  All the while ignoring the truth of the free gift of the Lords salvation.  That all will be saved.  

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

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

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Perfect Union) # 2156

 

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 translation

Since it has been my habit from time to time to speak to things you probably more than likely will not hear coming from the pulpits of the mainstream church, I thought I'd add another installment to that list.  So, here's my question, when was the last time that you ever heard a pastor speak to your union with God and/or Christ Jesus?  If I were to guess, not many believers have been introduced to this truth which we have in the Father.  My own knowing of this truth didn't come from some Sunday sermon, but from the revelation of the Lord.  My eyes have been opened, the veil has been lifted.  I'm not speaking from my own personal opinion here, but from the very words spoken by Jesus.  It is Jesus Who has proclaimed that we shall know that He is in the Father, that we are within Christ and that He is in us {Johns Account 14:20}.  Has there ever been a more perfect union than this?  My own realization of my union life within the Father has led me to look at my life very differently than before.  No longer do I see myself as being separated from God, as those within the church have been so very fond of proclaiming.  To put it simply, I go where the Father goes.  I do as the Father does.  I live AS the Father in whose love I dwell.  Is it any wonder why the powers that be within the church would not speak to this truth?  If everyone knew of this wonderful truth of our life lived within God, what need would we have for organized religion?  We would know that He is in us.  We would no longer be searching for Him.  Ironically, my revelation of my union with God didn't arrive while I was still an active church member.  In those days I swallowed whatever the pastors taught me.  It wasn't until after I left the organized church that I began to have these conversations with a good friend of mine.  Conversations of how God was closer to me than I had ever realized.  That sin was no longer the central issue of my life.  THIS is the truth which the church needs to be speaking to.  

My first introduction into what the church might refer to as blasphemy came from the words spoken by the apostle Paul in Galatians.  Paul speaks to the truth of his own death with Christ Jesus {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Having been raised in the church and Christian theology, this was difficult for me to accept at first.  You might say that I needed to deprogram what I had learned about God up until that point.  The church claimed that I was a sinner, Jesus assures me that I no longer carry that scar with me.  The church says that I need to work for my salvation.  The words spoken by Paul assure us that salvation is the free gift of the Lord {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}.  But what about our life?  That day to day struggle we all endure.  Are you separate from God or do you live each day within Him as Jesus has assured us?  I would say that to live thinking that you're separate from God is to live the lie of the deceiver.  For it is Satan who has spoken the lie that we can "Be like God, knowing good and evil" {Genesis 3:5}.  How is it that we could ever be separated from God Who has created us in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}?  Yet this is what you'll more than likely hear spoken from the pulpits of the church.  Not the truth of our perfect union with the Father, but the lie proposed by Satan that we have been separated from Him.  I firmly believe that we were never meant to live life governed by fear {Paul to Timothy (2) 1:7}.  The fear of not being saved.  The fear of never knowing what it's like to be closer to God.  This is not the life He has in store for us.  The words spoken by Jesus assure us that our life is lived within the Father.  The perfect union. 

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 translation 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (All Will Be Saved) # 2155

 

(for for this we are toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the savior of all mankind, especially of believers

Paul to Tomothy (1) 4: 10, Concordant New Testament 

One of the biggest hijackings of the truth man has ever known is not the governments coverup of the existence of UFO's.  No, the biggest coverup of the truth mankind has ever known comes from inside the mainstream church.  For it is those within the church who have not only hijacked the good news of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, but also the best news of all.  That being that all shall be saved through the love, grace and mercy of the Father.  For centuries, the church has spewed the lie that only those who have accepted Christ Jesus in their lives were worthy of the salvation of the Lord.  Indeed, they have not only overlooked the truth, but have hijacked it entirely.  They have filled the minds of millions of believers with a false condition by which the salvation of the Lord is tied to.  I grew up living this lie, believing that my eternity with God (more on that later) was somehow tied to my belief in Jesus.  But here's the kicker which those within the church rarely mention, were those of Old Testament times saved?  Are they deserving of the Lords presence for eternity?  If we answer in the affirmative then we must also agree that these individuals of the faith never once believed nor put their trust in the Lord Jesus.  Seeing as Jesus had not yet been miraculously conceived, how is it that these of the faith could enjoy the benefits of Gods salvation without fulfilling the requirement that one must accept Jesus in order to be saved?  I mean, the church will tell us that accepting Christ Jesus into our life is the basis of our acceptance into heaven.  Our ticket into heaven if you will.  But their words are contradicted by the very scriptures they proclaim speaks to our requirement for the Lords salvation.  The apostle Paul, writing to young Timothy, speaks of their reliance on "The living God, Who is the savior of all mankind, especially believers" {Paul to Timothy (1) 4:10}.  Why didn't Paul speak especially of believers in this passage?  Why doesn't he mention even once the requirement for salvation which the mainstream church speaks of?  Why indeed?  The answer is that there IS NO requirement for that which is freely given to us by God.  

Those within the church have hijacked that which is freely given to us by the Lord and spread the lie which claims that there is a requirement to be met for that gift.  That being the acceptance of the Lord Jesus.  But, if we accept this requirement as truth, doesn't that make our salvation no longer a gift, but a transaction which we must pay for?  Again, Paul disputes this lie spoken by the church when he proclaims "For in grace, through faith, are you saved" {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}.  Paul continues by reminding us of our salvation "It is Gods approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting."  Paul knew that were our salvation dependent on our own abilities, that there would be boat loads of arrogant believers out there proclaiming that they themselves were responsible for their own salvation.  But, isn't this what those within the church have been telling us for generations?  That WE are the ones who are ultimately responsible for our own salvation?  That in order to be saved that we must accept Christ Jesus into our lives?  So, you're telling me that Paul got it wrong?  That salvation is not the free gift of God, but of our own ability to choose and accept Christ?  Do we simply deny the words of Paul written in the scriptures in order to save the churches hijacking of the truth?  Of course, those within the church are more than happy to proclaim the truth of the scriptures when it fits their agenda.  When it fits the hijacking of the truth.  The truth has always been that our salvation is not a transaction we conduct, but the free gift given unto us by the Father.  But, I'm guessing that the truth doesn't fit into the church narrative.

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

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

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Whipper Snappers) # 2154

 

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

To the Hebrews 10; 25, Concordant New Testament 

Back in my church days, it was assumed that your place should be in that church each and every Sunday.  If you were to miss a week of services, people would wonder why.  Most of the people I encountered were good intentioned and honestly wanted to know if you were doing ok.  They would ask if you needed prayer for whatever it was that had kept you from the gathering.  I always appreciated that.  But, on those occasions where someone would miss more than one Sunday, that was often an issue which needed to be dealt with.  For this, the church would often call in the whipper snappers to attempt to bring you back to the flock.  The whipper snappers were usually those who had been in the congregation for some time and were well known and respected.  Sometimes they were retired members who were serving the congregation, while other times members of the pastoral team were assigned to crack that whip.  In those times where I was absent from the gathering for an extended time, I could often expect to get a call from one or more of these whipper snappers whose job it was to bring the lost sheep back into the fold.  After all, wasn't it the duty of the congregation to gather each and every Sunday no matter what?  I would often wonder if the pastoral staff would receive calls from the whipper snappers whenever they would venture off on vacation.  Or, was it just those in the congregation who were seemingly going astray who the whipper snappers would focus on?  One poll revealed that in the last 25 years around 40 million Americans have forsaken the gathering of one church or another.  That's a lot of calls for the whipper snappers to make isn't it?  Of course, it's no secret that church attendance has taken a nose dive in the past few years, myself included.  Funny thing, after a short while being absent from the church I had attended for so many years, I stopped getting calls from the whipper snappers altogether.  Did they consider me one of the lost sheep?  

I must admit that even I was recruited a few times to join the ranks of the whipper snappers.  I would be tasked with contacting one or more members whom I was familiar with in order to see if they were doing ok.  These welfare checks often ended with the other party assuring me that everything was good and that they would soon be back among the ranks of the gathering.  Honestly, it was never my intention to be overbearing or snoopy, I was simply adhering to the suggestions of the whipper snappers to check in on those who may have wandered from the flock.  But, is this one of the contributing reasons why so many people have been leaving the mainstream church?  I would think so.  Those within the church all too often recite that passage found in Hebrews which speaks to "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves {To the Hebrews 10:25}.  Therefore, many are told that the assembling of the congregation is pretty much of a requirement within Christianity.  But the context of this passage tells a different story altogether.  See, back in the time in which it was written, those who followed Jesus were often persecuted by the governing Roman authorities.  There were many who, in order to avoid this persecution, would refrain from being seen gathering among those associated with the Christians of the day.  Therefore, the author of Hebrews encouraged these followers of Jesus not to fear the persecution, but to continue to gather in His name.  Are those who are refraining from gathering today fearing persecution?  Or, are they simply seeking something which they're not finding within the church?  In my case, it was more along the lines of my search to know Jesus more intimately in my life.  The words Jesus spoke to those seeking that same thing continue to resonate with us today, come and see {Johns Account 1:39-41}.  For those seeking a relationship with Jesus, there will be no follow up calls from church whipper snappers, but His invitation to all to come and see.  

He is saying to them, "Come and see."  They came, then, and perceive where He is remaining, and they remain with Him that day.  It was about the tenth hour

Johns Account 1: 39-41, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Like Father Like Son) # 2153

 

Jesus, then, answers and said to them, "Verily, verily, I am saying to you, the Son can not be doing anything of Himself if it is not what He should be observing the Father doing, for whatever He may be doing, this the Son is doing likewise 

Johns Account 5: 19, Concordant New Testament 

Growing up I often wondered what it was that God looked like.  I was taught that I had been created in the likeness of the Father {Genesis 1:27}.  But was I to assume that this human flesh of mine resembled who God is?  Then I realized that God is spirit {Johns Account 4:24}.  So, am I spirit as well?  Because if I had been created in that likeness of God, I must resemble Him in some way.  I am all He is.  If you speak to any run of the mill believer about this subject and you might get that deer in the headlights look in response.  Indeed, even Jesus Himself was criticized for proclaiming that "I and the Father, We are one" {Johns Account 10:30}.  Was He that far off base with this statement?  Why is it so hard for Christians to grasp the truth of the scriptures?  Well, for one, we're fighting thousands of years of church ideology.  Those within the church will brand us a sinners despite the truth spoken by the apostle Paul that Christ Jesus has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  The ideology spoken by the church will accept that Jesus died for the forgiveness of sin, but in the same breath they will proclaim that sin continues to play a major part in the lives of believers.  So much so, they will say, that it is our sin which has separated us from God.  Here lies the question which those within the church will refuse to accept, is God sin?  Most Christians even shudder when they're reminded that God is within sin itself.  Hasn't He created all which we see?  Is He not the creator of the universe?  I say that we cannot declare God the creator of all if we cannot admit that His fingerprints are upon sin as well.  And for that I am deemed as speaking blasphemy.  I get it.  So it is that too many Christians believe in a God of convenience.  It's convenient for them to accept Him when it falls within the narrative spoken by the church.  

If we seek the Father, then we must begin by seeking Jesus.  If we desire to know what the Father is thinking, then seek His Son.  For Jesus has spoken that "The Son can not be doing anything by Himself if it is not what He should be observing the Father doing" {Johns Account 5:19}.  Like Father, like Son.  Look at all which Jesus has done and know that what He was doing was exactly what the Father has done.  There can be no other way.  Thus, if we seek to know the Father, seek thee first Jesus.  So, how does this translate into who I really am?  Well, if I have been created in His likeness, then I am all which he is.  God has poured all that He is into me.  This is who I am.  Not only that, Jesus has spoken to the truth that not only are we created in the likeness of God, but that we live a life within His love {Johns Account 14:20}.  This is who we are, this is who I am.  The church will proclaim that I remain a sinner saved by the blood of Jesus, when in fact it is that blood of Jesus that has freed me from the bondage of sin.  That is who I am.  Like Father, like son {First Epistle of John 3:1}.  The church ideology will preach that God cannot be in the presence of sin, which is the basis for their belief that I cannot be within God Himself.  But, as I said, it is through the shed blood of Jesus by which I have been freed from sin {Johns Account 8:36}.  Sin no longer defines who I am.  What defines me is who I am within the Father.  This is what defines all who have been created in his likeness.  That's a good place to be.  

If ever, then, the Son shall be making you free, you will be really free 

Johns Account 8: 36, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Good Of The Father (Dead Man Walking) # 2152

 

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 

One of the hardest things which I have ever had to wrap my understanding around about my life in Christ Jesus is the truth spoken by the apostle Paul in Galatians that I am no longer living.  All which remains is Christ in me {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  I am, in fact, dead to that which I once was.  I'm not that guy anymore.  Some would say that I am, indeed, a dead man walking.  For I was crucified on that cross with Christ.  So, what does that translate to as far as my life today is concerned?  This is the question which a few good friends of mine broached in a recent "Living as Jesus" podcast.  What is our life like now that we know who we are in Christ?  Are we the same as we thought we were before we knew Him?  I would say no.  Before I knew the truth of my life lived within Christ, I carried the worries and concerns of what it was that I needed to do in order to satisfy Jesus.  I had been taught in the long standing church theology that Jesus and I were separated.  That I toiled away here on earth while Jesus resided a the Fathers side in heaven {Johns Account 1:18}.  According to the separation theology spoken by the church, it is my own sin which has separated me from God.  This is why Paul's message spoken in Galatians is so very important to us.  Yes, we WERE once in sin and fell short of Gods expectations for us {Paul to the Romans 3:23}.  But when Jesus was crucified on that cross to put sin to death, we were there with Him {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  Not only did Jesus die for the forgiveness of sin, He TO sin once for all time {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  Where too many Christians fall short is believing that Jesus only forgave "some" sin, and that they must continue to be concerned with all which might occur in our daily life.  In other words, we're still sinners despite the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  

Whenever I get into a conversation about Jesus and the forgiveness of sin with other believers (which is quite often), I often refer them to the words of Paul which we find in Romans 6:6-11.  It is here where Paul gives us the truth of sin as it pertains to those who have been crucified with Christ Jesus.  The truth that we're no longer "slaving for sin" {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  This is what I see in my life lived within the Father.  That being branded by sin is something which I have died to already.  That having been put to death with Jesus, that I am now no longer condemned as a result of sin {Paul to the Romans 8:1}.  As a result of being crucified with Christ Jesus, I am a new creation in Him {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:17}.  As I told my friend the other day, this is how I see the difference in my life today than from before I had the Fathers revelation of His Son in me.  I no longer need to be concerned with living the perfect life, or of simply "Being like Jesus" as those within the church are so fond of proclaiming.  I am not like Jesus, I live today AS JESUS.  Indeed, if my life is lived within the love of the Father, this is who I am!  Jesus confirms this in His words spoken of our life today, that we live a life in union with He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Of course, this fly's in the face of the separation theology taught by the church, but it is indeed backed up by the scriptures.  I truly believe that it has never been the Fathers intent that we live our lives in fear of His judgement.  This is the very reason by which Jesus has been introduced into this world {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  Not to condemn, but that "The world may be saved through Him."  Others might see a sinner, I see a dead man walking.  

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 Good Of The Father (The Jesus You Don't Know) # 2151

 

Thereupon we, the living who are surviving, shall at the same time be snatched away with them in clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus shall we always be together with the Lord

Paul to the Thessalonians 4: 17, Concordant New Testament 

I've heard a lot of talk lately concerning the end times.  Talk from many Christians concerning the rapture.  That moment when believers will be caught up with the Lord in the clouds.  Too many of these wanna be prophets speak as if they are assured of the exact time and date of when this will occur.  The truth is, only God knows the precise hour and time {Matthews Account 24:36}.  Despite this, many claim that they can read the "Signs of the seasons" in order to predict these events.  If God has a sense of humor, I'm sure that He is quite amused at those who seemingly know when He will act.  But the issue that I have with those who speak of the rapture is that they speak of the impending return of the Lord Jesus.  Here's my question for those who believe this bunk, where has Jesus gone exactly?  THAT is the question which might break this conversation wide open.  For the traditional mainstream church belief is that Jesus is sitting in heaven at the Lords side awaiting that moment when He will once again return amongst us.  Never mind the fact that the scriptures speak of the other appearances of Jesus after His resurrection.  There are many Christians who believe that THIS will be His "Second coming."  It's a good story if you can sell it.  But back to my question, where has Jesus gone?  If we follow the traditional church preachings, we believe that He resides in heaven with the Father.  Yet I hold a different view on that.  I believe that Jesus, resides in us.  That's right, that Jesus is indeed in us.  The apostle Paul speaks to this union in Galatians {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Paul knew and understood that Jesus wasn't dead, but that he himself had indeed died with Christ Jesus on that cross.  What remained, and what remains, is Christ Jesus in us {Paul to the Romans 6:8}.  Therefore, Jesus is not waiting for that moment to come down from the clouds, because He's already here among us.

Needless to say, this truth of Jesus has rarely been preached within the pulpits of the church.  To toss another monkey wrench into the traditional church theology, Jesus Himself has proclaimed that we live our lives in union with the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  We are not separated from Jesus nor God, but we live each and every day within the Fathers love.  Whenever I mention this truth to most believers, I'm accused of cherry picking the scriptures to suit my narrative.  Well, there is a narrative there, but it belongs to the church itself.  It's the same narrative that has been preached for thousands of years.  That man has been separated from God due to his sin nature.  That very sin nature which we ourselves died to with Jesus on the cross {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  Despite the forgiveness of sin being one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith, we're told that sin is still that main issue in our lives.  So, did Jesus give Himself for the forgiveness of sin or not?  Do the scriptures not speak to this truth?  Perhaps I'm simply cherry-picking verse again.  Those within the church will tell us that Jesus will return once again, but He's never left.  They'll tell us that He sits in heaven at the Fathers side, when in reality He resides within us.  I am not arguing that the rapture will indeed happen, but the timing of it is something only the Father knows.  And what about this, suppose that rapture is simply the Lord gathering ALL of His children unto Him once again?  What if His desire is not to sort out the good from the bad, but to bring all into His presence?  Again, probably not something you've ever heard coming from the pulpits of the church. 

In an instant, in the twinkle of an eye, at the last trump.  For He will be trumpeting, and the dead will be roused incorruptible, and we shall be changed 

Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15: 52, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Living Free) # 2150

 

For freedom Christ frees us!  Stand firm, then, and be not again enthralled with the yoke of slavery 

Paul to the Galatians 5: 1, Concordant New Testament 

For the past week I have been watching the preparations that are being undertaken for the celebration of this nations 250th anniversary.  Across the country, people will be celebrating not only the birth of our nation, but the freedom that comes with living here.  Now, there will be those on the left side of the aisle who will try their best to demean and disparage this great experiment in self governance, but anyone who knows our history knows that this nation born out of battle remains that shining example of democracy known all over the world.  We're told that to live in America is to live free.  Indeed, there is a lot to be said for that.  We have the freedom to travel.  The freedom to speak our mind AND the freedom to worship in whatever way we choose without fear of government oppression.  Yet many Americans do not know what it truly means to live free.  The apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians that it is Christ Jesus Who has truly set us free {Paul to the Galatians 5:1}.  The apostle John has proclaimed that if "The Son should be making you free, you will be really free" {Johns Account 8:36}.  We're not talking about constitutional freedom here, but true, life changing freedom.  This is the freedom which man will never take from us.  This is the freedom which Christ Jesus has provided for us.  So what is it to live free in Jesus?  Growing up I would hear this phrase tossed about many times, but I never realized what it meant to live free in Christ until later in life.  It wasn't until I realized who I was in Christ that I came to know the freedom which comes from living within the Fathers love.  THAT is true freedom.  I would say that to know Jesus is to know that you are free in Him.  Free of the condemnation preached by those within the church.  Free of the guilt and shame of the sin debt which was crucified on that cross so long ago.  To live free in Jesus is to know that we ourselves died with Christ that our old man would be put to death for good {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  As Paul proclaims, what remains is Christ. 

As I said, I never knew the meaning of truly living free in Jesus while in the mainstream church.  They talk of living free in Jesus, but rarely put it into practice.  Many Christians have never known what it really means to be free of all of the religious and traditional trappings which the church places upon us.  They know that there are requirements which must be met in order to enjoy eternity in the Lords presence.  That comes with a price, so we're told.  Well, if there were a price to be paid for that freedom, it has already been paid in full by Jesus Himself.  What remains is for Gods children to realize the freedom which we now have in Jesus.  For me, this realization was more of a revelation given unto me by the Father.  The revelation that I was no longer a sinner, which runs contrary to the false teachings of the church.  For those within the church, sin continues to be a major issue for believers.  For those who have known the truth of a life lived within the love of the Father, sin is something we no longer need to fear.  As Paul has spoken, "We, who died to sin, how shall we still be living in it" {Paul to the Romans 6:2}?  Knowing the freedom which we have in Christ Jesus means knowing that not only did Jesus die to sin, but that we have died with Him.  Sin no longer holds us captive {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  Just like those on the Democrat side of the aisle will do their best to demean this great nation, so will those within the church take each and every opportunity to proclaim that we are not free, but still in sins bondage.  But to know the truth of our freedom lived within the Father is to see beyond the lies of the church separation theology.  For to know our live in Jesus is to know the freedom which we have in Him. 

Nothing, consequently, is now condemnation for 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 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (God Unexpected) # 2149

 

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 

Here's a question for all of the believers out there, where is the LAST place that you would ever think of looking for God, or Jesus for that matter?  Growing up, I was taught that God was indeed everywhere and saw everything that man ever did.  God had been keeping score from the beginning.  I've heard many a pastor speak to the pages of events by which mankind would be judged in that day.  Thus, I grew to fear that impending judgement of the Lord.  Where am I headed with this?  The apostle Paul has spoken that God is indeed all in all {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15:28}.  He has created all which we see and is in all which we see.  I can recall facing difficult circumstances in years past where my first prayer was always, "Where are you, God?"  Despite God being all in all, I was raised on that false belief that my sin had separated me from Him.  This separation theology continues to be preached from the pulpits of the mainstream church.  When the difficult times arrive, we're told to seek the Lord in prayer for His help.  But then the doubts arise, will He hear me?  Has my sin upset God enough that He will allow me to suffer?  How long will it take Him to deliver me from my situation?  These are all thoughts I've encountered in the past.  There have been times that I dreaded difficult situations because I wondered if God would even be there for me.  Thankfully I no longer walk that road.  Which brings me back to my question, where is the last place which you would expect to find God?  Well, in the past, I would separate my bad experiences from God.  God was in heaven watching over me while I was here suffering.  The best that I could do was to pray for His deliverance from my trials.  There have been times that I would pray myself into exhaustion hoping that God would act in my favor.  Well, it turns out that He was there the entire time. 

The truth we have in the Father is that we cannot believe that He is all in all and not believe that He is within our difficult circumstances and illness as well.  Yet we have been conditioned by the church narrative to separate our difficult situations from Him.  We pray for His intervention.  We invite those around us to intervene for us.  Almost every church I have been in has had some sort of prayer ministry or another.  Their mission is to offer prayers to God for those who are suffering, as if God were somehow distant from it all.  But instead of being distant from it all, God is all in all.  There is nothing which we will ever go through that we do not go through in His love.  Jesus has spoken that we live a life within the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Knowing this truth of our life within Him will open our eyes to the truth of the words spoken by Paul, that He is indeed all in all.  God is within our triumphs as well as our defeats.  Ask any well intentioned believer and they may just admit that pain or sickness is the last place that they would expect to find God.  But He's always been there, too many of us simply haven't believed that He was, myself included.  How is it that we can say that God sees and knows everything and not realize that He is always an intimate part of all we are?  The fault lies with the lie spoken by Satan the deceiver, who has spoken the lie that we are indeed separated from God.  That our life is lived alone apart from Him.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  God is all in all, which includes every intimate part of our life lived within His love.  Our prayer should not be for God to intervene for us, but for Him to reveal that which He is accomplishing through us.  

For all am I strong in Him who is invigorating me -- Christ! 

Paul to the Philippians 4: 13, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Jesus Narrative) # 2148

 

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 

There has been a narrative spoken within the mainstream church for thousands of years.  This is the narrative that we, as sinners, needed a savior in order to atone for that which we had done.  Enter Christ Jesus.  Enter the Jesus narrative.  It is a consensus among Christian believers that Jesus is that sacrifice for that which we have done.  In fact, it is the foundation of the Christian faith.  But this is but a piece of that narrative.  It is also taken as fact that God treated Jesus like a red headed step child on that cross.  That He turned His back on His beloved Son and poured out His righteous anger upon Him.  How else could one explain the torment which Jesus endured?  After all, we're sinners (Yes, we're still considered such by the church), and we deserve the Lords violent anger as a result of our sin.  But we didn't receive that penalty, Jesus did.  It is believed that Jesus received the full wrath of the Lord which our sin deserved.  This is the narrative which I grew up believing in.  So, I believed that God could not deal with me on a personal level, that I had been separated from Him because of my sin nature.  Again, this is all a part of the Jesus narrative.  The passage which opened my eyes to the truth of the death of Jesus was spoken by the apostle Paul in the book of Galatians.  It is this very passage which shoots the Jesus narrative all to hell (If there even is a hell, but more on that later).  Paul speaks to the truth that Jesus did not receive the full wrath of God on that cross, but that WE died with Him at His side.  That's right, Jesus died TO  sin once for all time {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  This is referred to as Penal substitutionary atonement, the belief that Jesus died absorbing the wrath of God which had been meant for us.  Thus, He became that savior which we so desperately needed.  But is it more believable if Jesus absorbed our sin, or if the sin itself was put to death?  But the early Christians had a different view of what Jesus endured on the cross.  They didn't refer to it as punishment, but of victory.

Very few Christians refer to Jesus' death on the cross as a victory, but that's exactly what it was.  For on the cross, Jesus didn't absorb the wrath of the Father, but marched into enemy territory and defeated the enemy which had held the Lord's children in bondage for so long.  On that cross, Jesus conquered sin {Paul to the Romans 6:6}, death {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15:55-57}, and wickedness {Paul to the Colossians 2:13-15}.  But this truth never has and never will fit into the Jesus narrative created by those within the church.  We're sinners, we're guilty and WE deserved the Lord's punishment.  As our Savior, Jesus took the penalty of that sin, along with the anger and wrath of God, all for the forgiveness of our sins.  It's a good story if you can sell it.  And that's exactly what the mainstream church has been doing for thousands of years, selling that Jesus narrative.  Is it any wonder that Paul asks the question, "O, death, where is your victory" {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15:55}?  For Paul the answer is simple, Jesus defeated death on that cross.  He also knew the answer to the sin issue which surprisingly continues to plague us thousands of years after the death of Jesus.  For anyone who worries they are still condemned by their sin, which those within the church continue to preach, Paul had the answer for that, too.  "We, who died to sin, how shall we still be living in it?" {Paul to the Romans 6:2}.  As Paul spoke in Galatians, we have DIED to sin!  We have been crucified beside Jesus on that cross.  It is that sin which has been defeated by Christ Jesus on the cross {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  Again, this truth spoken by Paul goes against the Jesus narrative preached by the church.  This is why so many believers believe that they continue to live in bondage to sin, because the church says that we do.  There is a reason that the gospels never speak of God punishing Jesus in our place, because the Jesus narrative had yet to be invented.  What the scriptures DO speak of is the victory of Christ Jesus over what once held the Lord's children in bondage.  But I guess that doesn't fill many seats on Sundays.  

Who rouses Him from among the dead, yet also being dead to the offenses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He vivifies us together jointly with Him, dealing graciously with all our offenses, 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, stripping off the sovereignties and authorities, with boldness He makes a show of them, triumphing over them in it 

Paul to the Colossians 2: 13-15, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Mandatory Jesus) # 2147

 

The God that makes the world and all that is in it, the Lord inherent of heaven and earth, is not dwelling in temples made with hands, neither is He attended by human hands, as if requiring anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all.  Besides, He makes out of one every nation of mankind, to be dwelling on all the surface of the earth, specifying the settling of the seasons and bounds of their dwelling, for them to be seeking God, if, consequently, they may surely grope for Him and may be finding Him, though to be sure, not far from each one of us is He inherent, for in Him we are living and moving and are, as some poets of yours have also declared, 'For of that race also are we.' 

Acts of the Apostles 17: 24 - 28, Concordant New Testament 

I ran across an interesting video from outspoken pastor Martin Zender the other night with the catch line being, "God forces us to love Him."  I immediately thought that he had somehow gone off the rails until a friend explained what it was that he was referring to.  See, for a long time I have been hammered with the church teachings that I needed to accept Christ Jesus in order to be saved.  Indeed, there is some scripture basis to back up this claim {Paul to the Romans 10:9-10}.  Jesus has spoken that He is the one true pathway to the Father {Johns Account 14:6}.  But this isn't what Zender was referring to at all.  What he was basing his statement on is something which many in Christian circles wring their hands over.  That the God they supposedly serve, is all in all.  That God is within all which he has created.  And, since all has been created by the Father, He is within every last bit of it.  For there is nothing which has ever escaped His notice.  Now, Christians do a good job of professing that they believe that God is the creator of all which is in the universe and around us, yet they fall short when it comes to putting that belief into practice.  I should know, because I was once walking with that crowd myself.  Back in my church days I believed that I was indeed separated from God because of my sin.  That sin which Jesus gave Himself to die for {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  That not only had Christ Jesus perished on that cross, but that my old nature was crucified with Him {Paul to the Romans 2:20, Paul to the Romans 6:8}.  This is why I can boldly say that I have been freed from that which I once was.  That through the sacrifice of Jesus, I am no longer a sinner.  Yet those within the Christian faith often bristle when I speak of this freedom that I have in Jesus.  "So, you can simply go on sinning?"  No!  To believe this nonsense is to disregard not only the works of Jesus but the very words of Paul as well.  When asked this question, Paul had the answer.  "We, who died to sin, how shall we still be living in it" {Paul to the Romans 6:2}?  

Now, when we understand and believe that God is all in all, this begins to make sense.  That contrary to the false teachings of those within the church, that God has never been separated from that which He has lovingly created.  That He has always been an intimate part of who it is that we are.  So, what does this say of the popular Christian narrative that we must somehow "Choose" to accept Jesus in order to be saved?  Well, if God is indeed all in all, what choice do we actually have to make?  Jesus has spoken that we do not live our life outside of the Father, but within His love {Johns Account 14:20}.  So, if our life is lived within the Father, can we really utilize that which is known as the freedom to choose?  Indeed, if we were separate from God, as those in the church are so fond of pointing out, then perhaps that moment of free choice would seem more plausible, but we're not.  So, is this more of God guiding us into that realization of our life within His Son than of our own freedom to choose?  I would say yes to that.  Hence, this is where I run afoul of many within the Christian religious community.  Those who continue to believe that they themselves have that ability to choose for themselves.  That our salvation is ultimately dependent upon whatever choice we may or may not make.  Do they really believe that God has no say in what we do?  Has the veil of the deceiver so clouded their vision that they accept whatever version of God the pastor comes up with?  Apparently so.  But even through this confusion, it is God Who is within it all.  and THAT is the truth we need to understand.  

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

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

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Posers) # 2146

 

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 

Frequent any gym long enough and you will see them.  The posers.  Posers are those who will spend ample time between exorcises taking photos of themselves in whichever mirror is closest.  They will flex whatever muscles they think that they have gained over the course of the past few minutes, putting themselves on display for all to see.  You can almost hear them saying, "Look at me!"  In most cases, the posers are trying to be someone they're not.  But that does not stop them from trying to convince anyone who will notice them of who they think that they are.  Now, some might ask me, what do posers have to do with religion and Christianity?  Well, far too many believers these days are posers in their own right.  For they put forth that image of someone they are not.  I used to be among these posers, because it was who I was taught that I was.  That the life that I lived was separate from God in heaven.  That it was my own sin which separated me from the Father.  That I was my own independent self.  Well, this has been one of the lies spoken from the pulpits of the mainstream church for thousands of years.  For we ARE NOT, not have we ever been, separated from God.  But if you listen to any run of the mill pastor these days, the message being put out there is that we're living separate from the Father Who created us in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  I recently ran across a video from well-known and disgraced Christian pastor Mark Driscoll who claimed that believers need to "Live their lives in a way which is pleasing to God."  Now, this might sound a bit hypocritical coming from someone with Driscoll's track record, but this has been the predominant message from the pulpits for quite some time.  That we, as believers, live our lives independently from the Lord who created us.  Well, this is utter nonsense, and Mark Driscoll is simply another poser standing in the pulpit.

The author Norman Grubb sheds some light on the truth on the lie spoken by those within the church in his book No Independent Self.  Grubb writes, correctly, that "There is no independent, self-operating self in the universe, except the One who calls Himself the I AM."  But this truth has never fit into the narrative created by the mainstream church.  The narrative that man is sinful, and that a holy God can never be associated with such sin {Paul to the Romans 3:23}.  Thus, God has separated Himself from that which He has lovingly created.  As I've said, this is simply not true, and it follows the lie spoken by the deceiver.  It is Satan who has convinced the Lords creation that we can "Be like God" {Genesis 3:4-5}.  Well, if there is but One independent self in Gods universe, how is it that we can be among that?  If we have been lovingly created from the dust of the ground, how is it that we can be separate from God?  From the moment that God breathed into us the breath of life, He has always been a part of us {Genesis 2:7}.  So, all which we have to prove that we're indeed separate from God are the words of the deceiver, which is utter nonsense.  And yet, a lie spoken often enough eventually becomes seen as the truth.  So it has been with the separation theology spoken by the church.  Jesus Himself has spoken to the truth of our life lived within the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Yet those within the church will mistake the words of Jesus and claim that "In that day" we shall be within the Father, as if this were some future event believers have to look forward to.  Well, that day is NOW!  Contrary to the false teaching of the church, we do not live apart from God, but within His love.  We can stand on the spoken word of Jesus that this is indeed true.  We do not live as posers, but as the Fathers loved children {First Epistle of John 3:1}.  

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 Good Of The Father (All Through Love) # 2145

 

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

First Epistle of John 4: 8, Concordant New Testament 

I hear too many people talking about the negative side of God.  That God is angry enough to afflict His children with illness of bad circumstances.  Back in my church days, I can recall being afraid to mention to my church friends whenever I found myself going through a trial of some sort, because I already knew what their response would be.  That somehow God was either angry with me, testing me or teaching me a lesson.  This is part of the reason that I grew up in the belief that God was an angry, vengeful God.  A good friend of mine recently described his days in the church as dealing with a God who was cranky a times.  This was my image of the Lord growing up.  For their part, the mainstream church has done all that they can to promote this image of an angry God.  A God who lives distant from His children due to their sin nature.  But is this the true image which we should have of the Father?  Is this how God really is?  The true answer to this question is, and has always been, no.  The apostle John has given us an indication of the one true reality of God, and that is love {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  It is through love that we have been created in His own likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  It is through His love for us that the Father dispatched His Son Jesus to be the price paid for our sin debt {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  Not that Jesus would come to condemn the world, but that the world "May be saved through Him."  Through His love, it was never the Lords intent that we would be left to the consequences of our former sin nature.  Through the Fathers love, He who knew not sin "He makes to be a sin offering" for us {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Was it within the power of the Lord to condemn us in the face of our former nature?  Absolutely!  Yet it is the Father Who has chosen Himself to be seen as love in all which He does.

One of the things which I have discovered as I have come to know a more personal relationship with the Father is to see Him for Who He truly is.  Not as an angry, vengeful of cranky God, but as our loving Father.  It is this reality of the Lord that I wish has been revealed unto me sooner.  However, it took me forty years on my journey to discover the One true identity of God.  Of course, knowing the truth of the Father has also opened my eyes to how it is I see Him in my own life as well as that of others.  That God is not hell bent (Pun intended) to condemn and/or punish us for the bad behaviors which we ourselves feel guilty of.  Can we wrap our understanding around the truth that, because of His love for us, that the Father has already cleansed us of that sin?  Can we understand that Jesus has bled and died that our sin debt would be paid in full?  This has all been accomplished through the love nature of the Father.  That it has never been His intention to hold us accountable for that sin nature which we once were in bondage to.  He didn't simply turn a blind eye to that which we had done, but through His love for us He sacrificed His only Son in our place.  It is not we who bore the punishment for our sin, but Christ.  What greater expression of love will we ever find {Johns Account 15:13}?  This is also exhibited in what Jesus commands of us in regards to others as well.  That we are to love one another as He has loved us {Johns Account 15:12}.  In this we see the truth of the Father, that He does all through His love for us.

Greater love than this has no one, that anyone may be laying down his soul for his friends 

Johns Account 15: 13, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Spin Doctors) # 2144

 

Beware that no one shall be despoiling you through philosophy and empty seduction, in accord with human tradition, in accord with the elements of the world, and not in accord with Christ

Paul to the Colossians 2: 8, Concordant New Testament 

Most people think of a spin doctor as someone who pushes the views and narrative of a political candidate.  While this is true, there are also other spin doctors out there who willingly push the narrative of what we're to believe about God.  I'm talking of those within the mainstream church who preach the narrative at every opportunity.  A good friend mentioned this to me the other day in response to my last posting.  Of course, I've known of the church spin doctors for some time.  But to understand these messengers we first need to understand the message itself.  What is the church narrative?  Well, the narrative consists of a few issues which those in the church treat as truth.  The lie that our sin has separated us from God.  The false teaching that we ourselves live separately from the Father Who created us in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  I often refer to the evangel of the apostle Paul when speaking out against this narrative of the church.  For Paul has spoken to the truth which we have in Christ Jesus.  The truth which proclaims that our freedom from sins punishment lies within our life in Christ {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  The truth which Jesus Himself has spoken, that our life is embedded within the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  The narrative spoken by the church spin doctors speaks directly against this truth which we find in the scriptures.  Yet, when I suggest these passages to those who follow the church narrative, I'm accused of "cherry picking" the scriptures in order to support my own narrative.  Well, one of us is cherry picking scripture to support their narrative, but it's not me.  Honestly, why believe in the truth that Christ Jesus has bled and died on the cross for the forgiveness of sin only to turn a blind eye to that truth and proclaim that sin continues to be an issue in the life of every believer?  THIS is part of the narrative which the spin doctors preach!  It is also obvious from the various church congregations out there that there are plenty of those who willingly follow the narrative.

Back in my days in the church, I would never have referred to my pastor as a spin doctor.  I was drinking that kool aid along with everyone else.  In fact, on the rare occasions that someone disagreed with the pastor, I treated them just like those who follow the narrative treat me today.  For me, the words of the pastor were the truthful words from God.  To disagree with the teachings was to believe in blasphemy and false teachings.  That all changed one Easter Sunday as I sat in my usual spot for the morning sermon.  The pastor began by speaking to the truth that Jesus was crucified and died on the cross only to be raised three days later.  However, at the end of his sermon, he invited everyone who had "unresolved sin issues" to come forward and the church staff would pray over them.  Unresolved sin issues?  Wait, you just got done telling me that Jesus died for the forgiveness of my sin.  Now you're telling me that isn't true?  That was the last time I stepped into a church service.  It's funny, but once I removed myself from the church narrative, I began to seek a closer relationship with the Father.  A relationship which wasn't possible while I followed the church narrative.  What I've found is that God is not guided by church traditions.  That Christ Jesus has indeed died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  This is the truth we have in the Father which has been spoken and revealed to us through the scriptures.  The truth was never meant to be contradicted by the narrative of a human created religion.  A religion which speaks to the false narrative that we live separately from God.  Nothing could be further from the truth, and the scriptures speak to our life lived within the Fathers love.  But I'm guessing that doesn't fit the narrative.  

But the most high is not dwelling in what is made by hands, according as the prophet is saying, "Heaven is My throne, yet the earth is a footstool for My feet, what kind of house shall be built for Me?" 

Acts of the Apostles 7: 48-49, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Dog Issues) # 2143

 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God, for many false prophets have come out into the world 

First Epistle of John 4: 1, Concordant New Testament 

Webster has defined the word dogmatic as being "Characterized by or given to the expression of opinions very strongly or positively as if they were facts."  In my time, I have been witness to many in the Christian faith who have displayed such qualities.  Their consider their opinions on the way we worship, pray and tithe to represent the gospel of the Lord.  I believe that this is why the apostle John calls upon us to "Test the spirits" of those who claim to speak the word of the Lord {First Epistle of John 4:1}.  Indeed, there have been many false prophets who have come out into the world.  In my time in the church, I ran into many of these dogmatic types of believers.  Their minds could seldom be swayed to another view opposite of their own.  In their mind, theirs is the just and righteous view of God, no matter what.  For disagreeing with these dogmatic believers, I have been accused of blasphemy, lies and not following the true intent of the Lord.  But what is the true intent of God?  Indeed, we have the scriptures to guide us, but did God really intend for the rules and regulations found in the Old Testament to govern our lives today?  Remember, it is Jesus who has called out the Pharisees of His day for exhibiting this very same dogmatic behavior {Matthews Account 23:13-16}.  Many Christians agree that the Pharisees of Jesus' day were deserving of His rebuke, but they turn a blind eye to those very same behaviors today.  The apostle Paul has spoken to the truth that "No one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit" {Paul to the Colossians 2:8}.  Yet this is exactly what a dogmatic believer does.  Their trust and faith in the scriptures and human traditions can and has led many astray. 

One of the biggest stones which the dogmatic believer will toss around the neck of the believer is that of the unforgiven sin.  For it is sin which keeps us in bondage and separated from God.  This is also one of the lies spoken by the mainstream church and every dogmatic believer.  The truth about sin is that Jesus has already dealt with this issue.  Paul speaks to us that Jesus has indeed died to our sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  But the dogmatic Christian will wring his hands and proclaim, "what about my sin today?"  Really?  First off, would God dispatch His Son to die on the cross for the forgiveness of sin if He intended sin to be an issue for His creation?  The dogmatic believer truly believes that Jesus died on that cross for the forgiveness of sin, but still believes that sin is a big issue in his life.  How does that work?  It works because they buy into the teachings of the church hook, line and sinker.  For without the false teachings of the church, there would not be those who adamantly defend it to the fullest.  I've taken my share of push back for this belief, but I see the dogmatic Christian believer in the same light as those who have been radicalized by the Islamic religion.  Of course, the one common factor in this is religion.  The religion which places tradition over relationship with the Father.  Religion which speaks to the sin bondage of the children of God.  Something which Christ Jesus has already been sacrificed for {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  The dogmatic believer will never admit it as truth, but our sin debt has been paid at the cross.  That relationship which the Father desires with His creation is void of any and all human traditions.  The truth of our life is that we live life WITHIN the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Within the Father, there is no guilt nor condemnation, only the love of God.  It is this love of God which the dogmatic believer steals away from the innocent. 

Beware that no one shall be despoiling you through philosophy and empty seduction, in accord with human tradition, in accord with the elements of the world, and not in accord with Christ 

Paul to the Colossians 2: 8, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Jesus In Real Life) # 2142

 

For we have not a Chief Priest not able to sympathize with our infirmities, but One Who has been tried in all respects like us, apart from sin 

To the Hebrews 4: 15, Concordant New Testament 

I've had more than a few people ask me if Jesus ever faced the situations and trials that we ourselves so often deal with in the midst of our lives.  Was Jesus ever late for work?  Did He ever deal with a over zealous boss?  And what about people, did Jesus ever have to deal with those who mocked and belittled Him?  Well, one look at the scriptures and we can determine the answer to many of these questions.  We know that Jesus was ridiculed and mocked not only by the Romans who crucified Him, but by many who stood by and waited for Him to die on that cross.  One of the main complaints that I've had about scripture is that we rarely see stories of the young boy Jesus as He grew into the man He would become.  However, we can take a look at the culture of the day and determine what the life of this young Hebrew boy would be like.  In the film Young Messiah (2016), we see the life of a young Jesus personified.  While there have been those who criticized the film version of the life of the young Jesus, I felt that it gives us a glimpse into the life of the boy who would one day suffer and die at the hands of those who hated Him.  Jesus indeed played and hung out with other boys He knew.  He certainly had his moments where He frustrated His parents Mary and Joseph.  In many respects, He was like any other child of His day.  But He also must have had questions as well.  What was His life like?  Was He different than others?  Can we imagine a pre-teen child being able to comprehend all which He was, the Father in human form?  While the film Young Messiah answered a few of the questions people may have had, there are many which remain.  We can be assured that there is nothing which we will ever experience which Jesus has not already been through {To the Hebrews 4:15}.  For this reason, it is Jesus Who will sympathize with all we will ever experience in life.  

So, has Jesus gone through everything we have?  Were there cars and computers in His day?  No, but when we realize the truth of just Who He is, and who we are, we can began to see how Jesus can and will share in our experiences.  In his evangel, the apostle Paul speaks to the truth of the life of Christ Jesus within him.  Yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Paul understood that his life was never about himself, but about the spirit of Jesus Who lived within him.  Jesus Himself also speaks to our union with He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  We can honestly say that the life we live is within the Father and not apart from Him in any way.  So, does Jesus know what it's like to be cut off by some inconsiderate driver on the freeway?  Absolutely!  Has Jesus ever experienced the pain and hurt of a broken family relationship?  Definitely.  For if our life is within Him, He is part of every joy and hurt we will ever endure.  We can safely say that Jesus is our life.  Some dogmatic souls within the church might bristle at this reality, for they see mankind as having been forever stained by sin {Paul to the Romans 3:23}.  But it is Jesus Who has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  For Jesus did not die that He would judge those who have been found innocent through His death, but that they would be saved through Him {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  The truth is that there will never be anything which we experience that Jesus has not been through with us.  We endure all through Him.  This is our life lived within the Father. 

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

Paul to the Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Angry Side Of God) # 2141

 

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

First Epistle of John 4: 8, Concordant New Testament 

How many of us grew up in a church where God was someone to be feared and not loved intimately?  That God was a hairs breath away from bringing down His judgement on those who behaved against His will.  The other day I chuckled at a comment given by a friend of mine in his podcast, that God was somehow "Cranky."  Today I do not see Him as such, but during my days in the mainstream church I definitely looked upon God as some cranky, cantankerous being who was waiting for that day where His judgement would be brought upon my sinners arse.  This is the version of God that I was raised on, and it is the version of God which the powers that be within the church continue to chirp to their congregations to this day.  Needless to say, this is a lie, but I'll get into that in a bit.  Imagine growing up living in fear of a loving God who created you in His own likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  Imagine living in fear of a God whose very nature...is to love {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  So, is He a cranky God?  Well, many well meaning Christians would have us believe that.  Since it is almost impossible to have an intimate relationship with One Who is angry or cranky, I never knew that close relationship with the Father until I spent time away from the church and their false teachings.  I know and understand now that God is neither angry nor cranky against us.  How do I know this?  Well, I know the truth of how it is that God looks upon His creation.  Not with anger or animosity, but with love.  It is through His love for us that Jesus was dispatched to bear that sin burden for us {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Do these sound like the actions of a God Who is angry with us?  All of the scriptural evidence, in my opinion, leads us into the understanding that God is not set upon condemnation, but on reconciliation {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:18-19}.  The truth of the matter is, God does not speak of His condemnation for us, but those within the church.  This is the environment which I grew up in. 

One of the most iconic scriptures we know speaks to the truth of Gods love and mercy towards us.  That God loved us so much that He has given us His only Son, that through Him we would NOT be judged, but that all the world would be saved through Him {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  So, Jesus has not come to judge, but to save.  To redeem.  Again, does this sound like the actions of an angry God?  If I knew then what I know today I never would have fallen for the false claims of those speaking the lies of the church.  The apostle speaks that God so LOVED the world, not that He judged the world.  But many Christians will counter with the claim, what about Gods anger in the old testament?  What about it?  Realize that this was before Jesus was dispatched unto this world.  That the entire scripture, from the old testament forward, lays the foundation for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus.  This was not dome out of anger or punishment, but of love.  Anger will never produce reconciliation.  Nor will it ever produce trust and faith.  What anger does produce is hostility and fear.  While I have never felt openly hostile towards God, I definitely was afraid of Him.  Those in the church will counter and tell us, but that's righteous fear, which is somehow allowed in Christianity.  The truth is, fear is fear no matter how you look at it.  We're also told that the Father has not given us that spirit of fear, but of power and love and sanity {Paul to Timothy (2) 1:7}.  So, if we have that fear of the Father, is it from Him?  I would say not to that nonsense.  But those within the church seem to embrace that fear of the Father and what He ultimately will do to us.  The fires of hell burn brightly in the back of our minds whenever we think of how He looks upon us.  But this is not the truth of how God sees His creation.  God has chosen love over anger and fear.  It is those within the Christian religion who continue to stoke the fires of Gods anger among any and all who will listen.  

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 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (In Gods Eyes) # 2140

 

For you died, and your life is hid together with Christ in God.  Whenever Christ, our life, should be manifested, then you also shall be manifested together with Him in glory

Paul to the Colossians 3: 3-4, Concordant New Testament 

I had an interesting conversation with a friend the other day.  The discussion revolved around his habit of turning to pornography in his life.  He shared this with me after I confided in him that I had suffered through the same affliction which he was experiencing.  During our conversation I asked him the question, what would you think of someone who had those thoughts for your daughter?  Well, his answer was that he would have a serious conversation with that individual and remind him of his mistake.  I'm sure that he knew where I was headed by asking such a question, but he gave me the answer I had expected.  Not that many years ago, this was the question a good friend of mine asked me when I was in the midst of my own porn addiction.  This is what made me begin to question my behaviors.  If God looked upon me as His loved child, wouldn't He do the same with those women I had been fantasizing over for so long?  This is what convicted me that I needed to change how I viewed other people.  I didn't hold a monopoly on having the love of God in my life.  But it wasn't until I began to see where my own life truly stood that I began to see how I was seen from His eyes.  Not as a sinner or a wayward believer, but as His loved child {First Epistle of John 3:1}.  It's a well known fact that those within the church have sold us a bill of goods for thousands of years.  That our sin has ultimately separated us from God.  This is a lie!  For He was created us in His own likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  The truth is that the Father has always been a part of who we are.  Yes, that means men AND women are a part of who He is. 

When the apostle Paul speaks to the truth that our lives are "Hid together with Christ in God," he is not simply speaking to men, or women for that matter {Paul to the Colossians 3:3-4}.  No, he is speaking to all of the Fathers children.  I'll be the first one to say that to dabble in pornography is to dehumanize those of the Fathers children whose images we all too often lust after.  I should know, I've been in those shoes.  I've struggled with the shame of having those thoughts for one of the Fathers children.  My friends reaction to the question I posed to him let me know that he would not be comfortable with someone having such thoughts for his own daughter.  Yet, this is exactly what he himself had been doing.  It was what I had done.  Instead of piling guilt and condemnation upon him, as some who follow the church theology might do, I reminded my friend of who he was in the Fathers eyes.  That when God looked at him, He did not see a sinner, but His child.  The child that He loved so much that He would dispatch His own Son to bear that burden of his sin {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Not just for the short term, but that Christ has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  Knowing this, we can began to see through the false teachings of those within the mainstream church.  Those who continue to profess that our sin is still relevant in the eyes of the Father.  That we remain guilty and deserving of His judgement.  The truth of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus is that our sin debt has been paid through His death on the cross.  When we look at ourselves in the mirror, there's a chance that we might see someone different than who God sees.  

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 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~