The Good Of The Father (The Hardest Word) # 2063

 Then, approaching, Peter said to Him, "Lord, how many times shall my brother be sinning against me and I shall be pardoning him?  Till seven times?"  Jesus is saying to him, "I am not saying to you 'Till seven times,' but 'till seventy times and seven.' 

Matthews Account 18: 21-22, Concordant New Testament 

When I'm reminded of that most difficult of words, I think of a few scenes from the Chosen series.  How difficult it must have been for Simon to reconcile with his brother Matthew the former tax collector.  We witness the struggle as the two inch closer to what might be a final confrontation.  Yet, in an effort to better understand his brother, Simon one evening seeks the council of Jesus for his situation.  Although Jesus is well aware of the angst which his disciple carries for his brother, He listens to him nonetheless.  Then, Jesus presents Simon with something even more difficult in his eyes.  When he asks his teacher how many times must he forgive his brother, Jesus answers him, "I am not saying to you till seven times, but till seventy times seven" {Matthews Account 18:21-22}.  To Simon, the answer to his question seemed insurmountable, was Jesus actually asking him to forgive Matthew of all of his trespasses against him?  Their conversation ends with Simon walking away pondering these words of Jesus.  However, later in the series we are witness to that moment of reconciliation between Simon and Matthew.  I was reminded of this the other day in a conversation with one of my gym rat friends.  Not being privy to his situation, I could tell that he was obviously carrying a grudge against someone he knew.  When I broached the topic of the hardest word, he responded that he "Might" be able to forgive the other persons actions, but that he could never trust them again.  I get it.  I get it because I myself have been in that same situation more times than I can count.  In those moments, I too would have found the words of Jesus a hard pill to swallow.  Yet as I listened to the words of my friend, I knew what he needed to do to rectify his situation with his brother.  This is exactly why the word forgiveness is all too often one of the most difficult words we will ever speak to another person. 

I can recall being upset with another Christian brother to the point that I even considered forsaking attending church simply in order that I would not have to face him.  In my mind, my own pride told me that I was right and that my brother needed to recognize that.  But forgiveness isn't about pride at all, but about forsaking pride for the love and mercy which the Father has already given to us freely.  Indeed, while we were yet sinners, it is Christ Jesus who gave Himself for us {Paul to the Romans 5:8}.  Is it any wonder, then, that Jesus would speak to us about the act of forgiveness?  Even in the midst of His suffering, Jesus implored the Father "Father, forgive them, for they are not aware what they are doing" {Lukes Account 23:34}.  What do we do in the midst of our suffering at the hands of another?  Do we follow the lead of Jesus, seeking the Fathers forgiveness for them?  Or, as I have often done, do we allow our pride to take over and make it that more difficult to proclaim that most difficult of words?  How much pride can we see in Simon as he struggles with his forgiveness of Matthew?  He called his anger justified against this former tax collector who had wronged him.  As Jesus calls Matthew to follow Him, Simon pulls him aside and asks angrily, "Do you know what this man has done?"  Of course, Jesus knows all too well what we've done in the past.  He also knows that He Himself has suffered that our sin debt would be paid in full {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Even as He perished on that cross, Jesus uttered that most difficult of words for our sake.  

Yet become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, dealing graciously among yourselves, according as God also, in Christ, deals with you 

Paul to the Ephesians 4: 32, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Looking For Jesus) # 2062

 

Now if Christ is in you, the body, indeed, is dead because of sin, yet the spirit if life because of righteousness 

Paul to the Romans 8: 10, Concordant New Testament 

I listened to an old broadcast from the late Billy Graham the other day in which the old preacher was speaking of "Coming to Christ."  Now, this was nothing new coming from Billy Graham, as he spent the majority of his life encouraging others to come to Jesus.  However, this is also the same message I recall hearing while growing up in the church.  That one needs to "Come to Jesus" in order to be receive the Lords salvation.  This seems logical, for Jesus has spoken that He and He alone is the path to the Father {Johns Account 14:6}.  But, what does it really mean to come to Jesus?  I have come to believe that coming to Jesus is less of a search for Him than a realization of who we are in Him.  Indeed, after years in the mainstream church, I was blessed with the revelation of Christ in me.  I had not "Come to Jesus," but realized the truth of my life in Him.  Almost all the pastors I have known have spoken of the church theology which speaks to our physically coming to know Christ, as if this requires effort on our behalf.  I am reminded of the words of the apostle Paul who speaks that our salvation is based on the love of the Father alone {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}.  Indeed it is by grace that we have been saved, "And this is not out of you."  There is nothing we will ever do physically which will ever ensure our own salvation.  For if we could guarantee our own future in the Lord, imagine the pride and boasting which would ensue!  Paul knew this to be true, which is why he spoke to salvation coming directly from the Father.  When I listen to the reverend Graham speak to coming to Jesus, I immediately think he is inviting us to actively look for Him.  But where would someone even begin to search for Jesus?  Is He in the scriptures?  Is He in the church itself?  Once again the words spoken by Paul can help us here.  For Paul has spoken in Galatians to the truth of Christ Jesus in us.  That "Living in me is Christ" {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Paul understood that as the body is dead because of sin, that the spirit within us is life due to the righteousness of Christ Jesus who remains in us {Paul to the Romans 8:10}.  

If Billy Graham would have spoken to the truth of seeking the Lord who is in you, then I could be on board with his proclamation.  Unfortunately, it is Graham who so often encouraged others to come to repentance and to speak "The prayer" of our acceptance of Christ Jesus into our lives.  Many Christians have come to see this as "Inviting" Jesus into our life.  My question is this, if Christ is in us, why is it that we need to invite Him into our life?  Indeed, He is already here!  My suggestion for anyone who is seeking to adhere to the words of the reverend Graham and come to Jesus is to begin by knowing who they are in Christ.  That, contrary to the false theology spoken by those within the church, we have never been separated from the Father Who created us.  For we have been created in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  Not only that, but Paul has spoken to the truth that "Your life is hidden with Christ in God" {Paul to the Colossians 3:3}.  We do not need to come to Jesus, we need to see Jesus for who He is!  It is Jesus Who is the foundation for our life.  It is in Him that we live {Johns Account 14:20}.  We are all one in Christ Jesus {Paul to the Galatians 3:28}.  There is therefore no coming to Jesus.  There is only knowing that our life is through Him and Him alone.  Unfortunately, I never heard this truth spoken by Billy Graham. 

In this was manifested the love of God among us, that God has dispatched His only-begotten Son into the world that we should be living through Him 

First Epistle of John 4: 9. Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Life We Live) # 2061

 

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 listened to a local radio minister the other night speak to the goal of our lives, which, in his words, was to "Seek the Father and His kingdom."  Instead of turning off the radio, I listened to his theory that this was the most important aspect of any believers life.  To look for God.  I started thinking, what do we do when we find Him?  Will we ever find Him?  Where do we look for Him?  The theology of the church has always been that we should be seeking God.  We go to church as a way of looking to connect with Him.  This mindset speaks to the error in church theology which speaks to the idea that we are somehow separated from the Father who created us.  As I've said so many times, nothing could be further from the truth.  This is the reason that I take issue with any pastor who speaks to the idea that we need to be seeking the Father and His kingdom, as if this is all God will ever be.  To put this in a bit of perspective, if you are interested in knowing someone, do you simply ask where they live and call it good?  Or, as many do, do you seek to know them more intimately?  The same can be said of our search for knowing the Father.  A good friend the other day spoke to how he was taught to know God externally, but never internally.  To seek His kingdom, "The realm of God's rule and the full operation of His laws."  As he and I were taught in the church, to live in the realm of God was good enough.  But, as my friend correctly noticed, we were never taught to know God, and Jesus for that matter, as a person.  Many believers will step back when I mention this truth, God is a person?  God is alive?  Keep in mind that Christ Jesus came as the Father in the flesh {Johns Account 1:14}.  The truth very few congregations ever know is that to know God is to know Him on a personal level.  To know Him as intimately as we would a friend or family member.  

The apostle Paul has spoken to the truth of Christ Jesus in us.  That we are not alive outside of the Father, but that it is Christ Jesus Who lives within us {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  For anyone seeking to know the Father, THIS is where we should begin our search.  In other words, do not seek God in the external, but internally.  Indeed, Jesus has spoken that we now live in union with He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  If we indeed live life in the Father, as I believe that we do, we can also know Him intimately as a person.  This is the truth which my friend was reminding me of.  God is not known personally in the kingdom, nor is He known in the brick and mortar church.  Where we WILL find God is within ourselves, for that is where He resides.  The life which we live is not lived outside of God, but within Him {Johns Account 17:21}.  We know that we have been created in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  That He has breathed into His creation the very breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  He has always been an intimate part of us.  The voices that speak that we have somehow been separated from Him come from within the mainstream church.  That it is our sin which has caused God to turn His back on us.  Again, nothing could be further from the truth.  The lie spoken by the separation theology of the church is proven false through the innocent sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Jesus has died and paid that sin penalty for us.  The debt has been paid!  As Paul has spoken to us, to live is Christ {Paul to the Philippians 1:21}.  

To whom God wills to make known what are the glorious riches of this secret among the nations, which is: Christ among you, the expectation of glory 

Paul to the Colossians 1: 27, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (What Tomorrow Brings) # 2060

 "Now if the grass of the field, which is today, and tomorrow is cast into the stove, God thus is garbing; not much rather you, scant of faith?  You, then, should not be worrying, saying, 'What may we be eating?' or 'What may we be drinking?' or, 'What may we be clothed?'  For all these the nations are seeking.  For aware is your heavenly Father that you need all of these.  Yet seek first the kingdom and it's righteousness, and all these shall be added to you.  You should not, then, be worrying about the morrow, for the morrow will be worrying of itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own evil."  

Matthews Account 6: 30-34, Concordant New Testament 

This is the time of year where so many people stop not only stop to take stock of what has been, but in what will be.  This is the time for those New Years resolutions.  Where we seemingly predict where it is that we will make life changes.  Interestingly enough, our gym rat community has noticed a different take on such resolutions over the years.  It seems that there are those out there who make it a point each year to resolve to go to the gym more often and to live a more healthy life.  This is all fine and admirable, if one intends to stick it out for the long haul.  The trouble is, after the first month or so, all of that New Years resolution crowd seems to fade away.  What happened?  Are the resolutions still good?  Were they truly committed to what they were doing?  In the end, did they believe that they could succeed?  I have found that many of the resolutions which we make this time of year simply get pushed aside as time goes on.  I've even had that happen in my own life.  What sounds good in the moment takes a back seat to other things as time goes by.  I was thinking the other day about how it is that the Father feels about our resolutions.  After all, He is the one we should be taking direction from, especially for matters of the future.  Jesus Himself has spoken to this very subject.  In His sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares that we should not be worrying about material needs, "For aware is your heavenly Father that you need all of these" {Matthews Account 6:32}.  Think about it, what is it that we can ever ask for that God does not know that we already need?  Of course, then we get into that conversation of what is a want and what is it that we might need.  Either way, it is God who intimately knows what we will always need in our life.  

For this year, I have resolved to know more about that which I write upon these pages.  In other words, to know and understand the Father more.  THAT I know that I can work at.  Of course, the Lord knows I need this as well.  But what about the material needs which I might have?  Well, I am also aware that the Father always knows what it is that I will ever need.  What is it that I could ever ask Him for that He already knows that I need?  I would also say that there is nothing in my life which God is not intimately involved in.  My life, is in Him.  Jesus speaks to this truth in the pages of the book of John {Johns Account 14:20, 17:21}.  Contrary to the traditional church doctrine, I have not been separated from God due to my own sin.  The sin which Jesus has given Himself as the sacrifice for us {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  The apostle Paul has gone as far as to proclaim that Jesus has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  I am no longer that guy I was before.  I now live my life in union with Jesus and the Father.  My life is His alone.  Knowing this truth puts the entire New Years resolution thing into perspective.  Are we seeking something which He already knows that we need?  Or, do we seek that which He desires us to?  Believe me, there is a difference between the two.  Jesus tells us, "Seek first the kingdom and its righteousness, and all these shall be added to you" {Matthews Account 6:33}.  Are we looking for what we feel that we need, or are we listening to the Father and what He KNOWS is right for us?  

Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall be garrisoning your hearts and apprehensions in Christ Jesus 

Paul to the Philippians 4: 6-7, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Choice) #2059

 

And Yahweh Elohim instructed the human, saying: from every tree of the garden you may eat, yea eat.  But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you must not eat from it; for on the day you eat from it, to die you shall be dying 

Genesis 2: 16-17, Concordant Old Testament 

The popular story is that Adam and Eve decided on a whim to reject the instruction of the Lord and to take of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  The church will surmise this as the birth of sin in our lives.  They will also surmise that it is this sin which continues to plague our life, separating us from intimacy with the Father.  But rarely is it told that the Lords first creation was presented with the choice, life or death.  Indeed, God created all things, including the two trees which have come to symbolize our attitudes towards the Father.  It is God who created "Every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food" {Genesis 2:8}.  In the midst of the garden of Eden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil {Genesis 2:9}.  It is here that God placed His creation to keep the land He had created {Genesis 2:8}.  Although the trees of this garden are described as pleasant and good for food, only one of them was declared off limits by the Lord.  For God warned man that to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would result in...death {Genesis 2:16-17}.  Now, can we assume that Adam and Eve even knew what "To die" was?  Up until this point. they had never experienced death.  Still, the Fathers warning was clear, eat of the tree and you will surely die.  So. you can't say that Adam and Eve had no advanced warning of what would happen were they to eat from the wrong tree.  The choice was simple, to choose salvation (life) or death.  It would seem that everything would be fine up until the time came for man to choose between the two.  As God had intended, he soon offered them that opportunity.  Through the deceit of the serpent (Satan), Eve had been misled by the words of the deceiver.  The offer was too good to be true, "You shall not surely die" {Genesis 3:4}.  As God intended, Eve saw that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was "Pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise" {Genesis 3:6}.  Therefore, she took of that which God had commanded her not to, and offered it to Adam to partake of it as well.  When offered the choice between salvation or death, man chose death. 

In any normal circumstance, this would have been the end of the story.  God would have erased this episode from His creation and started all over again.  Man, seeking his own way to salvation, had introduced sin into the world.  But God had a plan already in place for this very occasion.  That plan was the work of Christ Jesus on the cross.  For Jesus became the willing sacrifice for the wrong choice man had made in the garden {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Jesus is the innocent blood that is sacrificed for our sin.  But this isn't the end of the story.  As a dear friend reminded me this week, there are those who continue to look at God through the lens of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  That we ourselves can find our own way into salvation.  I've known more than a few believers who have held to this ideology.  Keep in mind, the Father has already offered us the choice to accept HIS salvation of the tree of life.  Jesus has proclaimed "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one is coming to the Father except through Me" {Johns Account 14:6}.  Jesus IS our life!  The choice we face is to choose Christ (life) or continue to see God through the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that we can find our own way to salvation.  Make no mistake, to the wrong choice does not lead to life and the love of Christ Jesus.  But through His love and mercy, God has dispatched His Son not to judge, but that ALL the world would be saved through Him {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  In Christ Jesus, we have life {Johns Account 14:20}.  

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

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

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (All Will Be Saved) # 2058

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

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

I look at one of the key figures of the Lords creation, Adam, and I think that he got a bad rap.  Sure, he followed his wife's lead in the taking of that forbidden fruit, but if he hadn't where would we be now?  Condemned by our sin?  The truth is, by the taking of the fruit which the Lord had declared they should not have, Adam and Eve set in motion that series of events by which all will be saved.  That's right, I said it, ALL will be saved.  Whenever I speak to believers on what has become known as universal salvation, I receive reactions that see me as speaking heresy.  One of the main arguments Christians use in defense of their stand that there is indeed a reward and a punishment upon death is that good will be rewarded and that evil must be punished.  I get it.  The scriptures are full of verses declaring the view of many believers.  We pat ourselves on the back on the assurance that we, as followers of God, have "Punched our ticket" into heaven.  At the same time, we seemingly condemn to hell those who we have judged to be unworthy of the Lords salvation.  Make no mistake about it, WE have judged others to their own eternity in hell.  A gym friend of mine, who is seemingly very well versed in the doctrine of the mainstream church, has no issues with judging others to an eternity in hell based upon their beliefs and/or behaviors.  He bases his judgements on those particular scriptures which condemn the wicked to punishment.  It has been my belief for some time that it is these hardcore Christians who are responsible for many believers being seen as hypocrites.  That we are strict and judgmental.  To this I have one question, has God delegated us to decide who and who will not be saved?  Isn't the issue of salvation one which belongs to the Father alone?  The apostle Paul recognized this when he spoke to the grace of our own salvation.  That salvation is not achieved by what we do, but by the love and grace of the Father through the work of Christ Jesus {Paul to the Ephesians 2:20}.  By this, no one should be boasting {Paul to the Ephesians 2:9}.  Yet, many believers seem to boast in their own salvation status.  These are the same believers who accuse me of speaking lies when I mention the truth that all shall be saved.  

In the film Come Sunday, the reverend Carlton Pearson is removed from his leadership position within his own church because he speaks that there cannot be a hell.  Pearson reasoned, correctly, that a loving God could not punish His children in such a way.  Paul speaks to this concept of universal salvation when he spoke that "All shall be vivified" {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15:22}.  That through the disobedience of one man, Adam, many were seen as sinners.  However, through the obedience of the One, Christ Jesus, the many will be seen as just {Paul to the Romans 5:19}.  Once again, Paul understood that death does not mean the opportunity for eternal punishment.  He also understood that Christ has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  If we have been justified by the obedience of Christ Jesus, we are now considered innocent and just in the eyes of the Father.  And the truth should be made clear to all, that to declare one just or unjust is NOT our domain, but that of the Father whose love and mercy has declared us just.  Of course, this belief is seen as heresy by those within the church.  Jesus Himself has declared that if the Son shall be making you free, "You will be really free" {Johns Account 8:36}.  Through Christ Jesus, we have been made free. 

For even as, through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners, thus also, through the obedience of the One, the many shall be constituted just 

Paul to the Romans 5: 19, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Smell Test) # 2057

 

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

First Epistle of John 4: 1, Concordant New Testament 

I have a gym friend whom I have taken to placing the word judgmental in front of his name whenever I think of him.  For this friend has made it clear where he stands as far as the scriptures are concerned.  I don't find this surprising, as he is a regular attendee of a local mainstream church.  So, I see him as only speaking what he learns in church.  That God is vengeful and hateful God.  Recently, Franklin Graham doubled down on this thinking by proclaiming that God hates and that he is a God of war.  Have we gotten to the point in our belief that we proclaim that God hates those we disagree with?  Indeed, there are some out there who adhere to such a belief.  I first witnessed this in action at a church I used to attend where a small crowd had gathered outside of the church to protest the churches stance that marriage is between a man and a woman.  Instead of speaking the love of God over all, the pastor proclaimed that God indeed hated the behavior of those who were protesting.  We didn't agree with them, so we spoke to the belief that God hated their actions.  This got me to thinking this week, does God truly hate anyone?  Does He hate anything?  I will base my answer in the words of the apostle John who speaks to the one true nature of God, that is love {First Epistle of John 4:1}.  Love is what God has chosen to be known as.  When we think of love, we think of the Father.  At least I do.  But, unfortunately, there are competing messages out there when it comes to the nature and love of God.  Those within the church will speak to a God who not only loves, but is also vengeful and hateful.  They cherry-pick scriptures to suit their narrative.  Franklin Graham cited a scripture where Saul was called upon to destroy Israels enemies.  Does this make the Father a God of war?  I would disagree with the reverend on that one.  In discussions with my gym friend, I notice his hard liner stance between those who commit bad behaviors and those who have chosen to accept Christ Jesus.  In his opinion, only those who have accepted Christ will be saved {Paul to the Romans 10:9-10}.  But is this the Fathers intention?  Again, we must heed the words of the apostle John and "Test the spirits" {First Epistle of John 4:1}.  Does it pass the smell test?

In my discussions with other believers, whenever I mention the concept of universal salvation I usually get a bit of pushback.  My gym friend will immediately counter with a question if God intends to overlook wrong behaviors and people.  The issue is not if God intends to overlook wrong behaviors, but that if we ourselves have gotten it wrong all along.  Has sin separated us from God as the church is so fond of preaching?  I would answer no to that.  This theology doesn't pass the smell test.  For there is scripture to back up the claim that all shall be saved {Johns Account 3:17, Peter to the Dispersion(2) 3:9, James 2:24}.  Jesus has proclaimed that there is only one way to the Father, and that is through Him {Johns Account 14:6}.  So, why is it that we pre-judge those who we feel will and won't go to hell?  Doesn't that decision belong to Christ?  Once again, we see the competing message offered up by those within the church.  I have taken a lot of flack for my belief that the Father decides everything that He does based upon His love for us {Paul to the Romans 5:8}.  Imagine that, that while I was still a sinner, Christ Jesus died for me.  Well, the thing is that those in the church continue to refer to me, and everyone else for that matter, as sinners.  Again, it doesn't pass the smell test.  The apostle Paul has spoken that Christ Jesus died for sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  So, if Jesus has already given Himself for me, why does the church continue to condemn me?  If you think something doesn't seem right there, you're absolutely right!  One thing that does pass the test is that God loved me enough to create me in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  That He loved me enough to call me His own {First Epistle of John 3:1}.  This I believe. 

For such are false apostles, fraudulent workers, being transfigured into apostles of Christ.  And no marvel, for Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light.  It is no great thing, then, if his servants are also being transfigured as dispensers of righteousness, whose consummation shall be according to their acts

Paul to the Corinthians (2) 11: 13-15, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~