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~ 

The Good Of The Father (Not For Me) # 2056

 

Now, unbending, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they?  Does no one condemn you?"  Now she said, "No one, Lord!"  Now Jesus said, "Neither am I condemning you.  Go! From now on by no means any longer be sinning." 

Johns Account 8: 10=11, Concordant New Testament 

It is one of my favorite scenes from the Chosen series.  Mary Magdalene has found her way into what we might call a modern day pub.  Broken and distraught, she asks the proprietor for a drink of what we assume is an alcohol of that time.  Although reluctant to serve her, the keeper offers her the drink she has requested.  Within seconds, we see a mans hand touch her shoulder.  As she looks behind her she stares into the eyes of Jesus!  Far from condemning her for partaking in her drink of choice, Jesus simply tells her "This isn't for you."  This is a profound scene which has taken particular meaning from a time in my own life as well.  See, I once dabbled in things which Jesus would have said were "Not for you."  For more than a few years, I immersed myself in the strip club scene of Portland.  Yes, I knew it was wrong, but the pull of the flesh overrode that part of my own conscience.  It seemed that I had no way out of the life I lived.  But, as He often does, Jesus had other plans for me.  One night, as I was about to enter into another flesh palace, I was reminded that "This isn't who you are."  As He had done with His daughter Mary, the Lord was reminding me that He had so much better for me.  That night, I turned and left even before entering another of idolizing the flesh.  Was it my conscience which finally convinced me that what I was doing was wrong?  Remember, I had ignored my own conscience for so long that I began to accept my behaviors as being normal.  But, in my heart I knew that Jesus had been correct, this wasn't who I was in His eyes.  In the eyes of the Father, I am not a sinner, but His loved child.  It was because of His love for Mary Magdalene that Jesus confronted her in her weakest moment.  It was also because of His love for me that He introduced me to who I truly am in His eyes.  For those who struggle with things they know are wrong, we do well to remember that Jesus does not speak to us to condemn {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  In my years in the mainstream church, I witnessed far too many times how it is that so called Christian pastors use "Intervention" in order to scare believers back to church.  I can only imagine what such an intervention would have looked like that night I heeded the words of Jesus.

A gym friend I know has related to me just how those within the church would deal with a wayward "Sinner saved by grace."  Following the scriptures, he would confront his sinful brother with his misdeeds.  If his brother would not listen, he would then gather a few brothers from within the church and together THEY would confront the sinner.  If their brother continues to go his own way, they are to consider him as a gentile or a tax collector (In other words, reviled){Matthews Account 18:15-17}.  Yet, in the words of the apostle Paul in his evangel, we see a different approach.  Paul speaks to restoring a brother caught in transgression with "A spirit of gentleness" {Paul to the Galatians 6:1}.  Tell me, which approach would you find most effective?  Which approach is it that we see being used by Jesus with Mary and also with myself in my situation?  Remember, Jesus has not come to condemn but to redeem.  In His own words spoken to Mary in that scene from the Chosen, Jesus proclaims that "I have redeemed you...I have called you by name."  In my opinion, many well meaning believers could learn an important lesson from Jesus in this regard.  We should not be looking to "Confront" a brother or sister caught in transgression, but to approach them as Jesus has, with a spirit of gentleness and compassion.  THIS is how Jesus has spoken to us in our own transgressions, why would we treat a brother differently?  Paul has also spoken to the truth that there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus {Paul to the Romans 8:1}.  If a Christian brother is caught in transgression is he deserving of our condemnation?  Or, as Jesus has demonstrated, is he deserving of a reminder of the truth of who he is in the eyes of the Lord?  

Brethren, if a man should be precipitated, also, in some offense, you, who are spiritual, be attuning such a one, in a spirit of meekness, noting yourself, that you, also, may be tried 

Paul to the Galatians 6: 1, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Greatest Gift) # 2055

 

And the Word became flesh and tabernacles among us, and we gaze at His glory, a glory as of an only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth 

Johns Account 1: 14, Concordant New Testament 

This time of year I'm often asked about gifts.  Gifts I've given as well as gifts I've received.  Indeed, we've been conditioned to believe that the Christmas season is the "Season of giving."  But I'll do you one better, and I will suggest that this is the day of the greatest gift we could have ever received.  More precious than material possessions, this is the day in which God the Father chose to come and dwell among His creation Johns Account 1:14}.  I have written a lot about the false separation theology spoken by those within the church, that it is our sin which has separated us from God.  In reality, we have never been apart from the Father who created us.  For we have been created in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  The truth of the birth of Christ Jesus is that, through Him, God has once again been reconciled unto His children {Paul to the Romans 5:10, Paul to the Colossians 1:20}.  The very name given unto Jesus speaks to the truth of His existence, Immanuel (God with us) {Matthews Account 1:23}.  For through the birth of His Son, the Father has once again come to dwell among His creation.  THIS is the greatest gift.  Many churches around the world will hold services this week seeking to proclaim the truth of the birth of Jesus, for the forgiveness of sin.  I say that this is but part of the purpose of the birth of Jesus.  Long before Sunday sermons spoke to our separation from God via our sin, those within the Jewish faith spoke of a coming Messiah who would one day free His chosen people from sin.  But this was never the sole reason by which God dispatched His Son into the world {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  Not that sins would be forgiven, but that He would dwell among us 

Tell me, what good is it that we should gain riches but lose our souls?  Jesus Himself has presented this very question to us {Marks Account 8:36}.  What material gift is there which can match that which the Father has given us through Him?  Still, many retailers will continue to insist that it is the material gifts that mean the most.  If we follow our own advice, that it is indeed better to give than to receive, then we can see that the birth of Christ Jesus is indeed the greatest gift we could have ever received.  We walk now in the truth that the Father is among us.  Not only that, but Jesus has spoken to the truth that our life is now lived in union with the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Of course, this runs contrary to the mainstream church separation theology, but is also verified by the spoken record of the scriptures.  I would suggest that the Father has not given unto us the greatest gift of all, but that HE is that gift.  Indeed, He is our life.  As we gather with friends and family this season, we do so in the Father.  

Now when the full time came, God delegates His Son, come of a woman, come under law

Paul to the Galatians 4: 4, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Pride Of Man) # 2054

 

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

No Independent Self ~ Norman Grubb 

I have been watching with some interest lately a few videos from podcaster and former Fox News celebrity Jedediah Bila.  Her shtick is to encourage men in dating and relationships by instilling in them some form of confidence.  Now, she has definitely turned me on to a few certain behaviors which are displayed by women which I have noticed in play in the gym environment which I often frequent.  But I take issue with her attempts to encourage men to somehow be more confident in their lives.  This might be a popular topic these days as so many men have been beaten down supposedly by the introduction into society of feminism and women's rights.  While I do agree that feminism has caused havoc on the traditional gender roles which many of us grew up with, at the same time I question this entire idea of self confidence.  Tell me, what is it that you have confidence in?  Who is it that you have confidence in?  Because, if you tell me that you have confidence in yourself as a man, you're missing the mark entirely.  When i speak to this idea to others, I often get more than a few blank stares.  I get it.  We've been conditioned to see ourselves as the masters of our own life.  Therefore, we're told that we need to realize that we're in charge of what we do.  To have confidence as a man is to display the knowledge that we're in command of our situation.  But could it be that the very reason that so many people struggle with so called self confidence is because that confidence has been misplaced?  Let me explain, who is it that ultimately controls your life?  Do you live day by day living in the belief that you're in charge of your own destiny?  If you do, prepare for some truth to be presented to you.  Is your life your own?  I would answer no to that question.  However, many within the mainstream church would most likely say that God comes in second fiddle when it comes to how we live our lives.  Yet Jesus has proclaimed that we now live our life in union with He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  This confidence which we all too often place in ourselves should, instead, be placed in the true source of our life, Christ Jesus {Johns Account 1:1-3}.  

Do you believe that you came into being through your own efforts?  That you somehow were there when the decision was made between two people which would ultimately lead to your conception?  The truth is, it is the Father Who has formed and created us in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  So, what good is it, therefore, to have confidence is something which you had no hand in creating?  What good it, oh man, to have confidence in something that is not even yours {Paul to the Corinthians 6:19-20}?  Can you now see that this confidence you seek has been misplaced?  That your life has never been your own to live?  The apostle Paul speaks to this truth in a foundational passage of the truth of Christ Jesus in us {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Paul understood that he, as an individual, was dead.  That all that now remains is Christ Jesus in us.  I would venture to say that Paul did not struggle with the same self confidence issues which so many do, because he ultimately knew where his life was.  His life was not his own, but was lived in union with Christ Jesus.  Indeed, this is exactly how our own confidence has been misplaced by so many people who have zero idea where their life really is.  It is why I can confidently say that I rarely struggle with my own self confidence, because I know in my heart that my life is in the Father.  

Or are you not aware that your body is a temple of the holy spirit in you, which you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you are bought with a price.  By all means glorify God in your body

Paul to the Corinthians (1) 6: 19-20, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Not Allowed) # 2053

 For everything that is in the world, the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the ostentation of living, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world is passing by, and its desire, yet he who is doing the will of God is remaining for the eon 

First Epistle of John 2: 16-17, Concordant New Testament 

A good friend commented to me the other day, in response to my previous post, that "God is not passive."  I have to admit, he was correct in his statement.  For too many believers have taken to using the phrase that God "Allows" things to happen.  That the Father allows circumstances to come to pass in our lives.  Does this sound like a God Who is working for the fulfilling of His will in us?  I'm thinking not.  Yet for the longest time I followed the mainstream church theology which proclaims that we've been separated from God by our sin.  This, of course, is the false teaching of the church.  So it is that I trust in the truth that the Father has never been passive, but active in whatever He does.  God is not sitting in heaven waiting for something to happen, He is actively involved in whatever we do.  To better understand this truth, we need to also understand that our life is not our own as some would say.  Jesus proclaims this truth in His words that we live in union with He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  We might see ourselves as pretty active, but I would suggest that no one is as active as the Father.  Think of all those prayers that are lifted up to Him each and every day.  Can a passive God remain passive in the face of all that is going on?  But I think that it goes deeper than that.  The prophet Jeremiah has proclaimed the word of the Lord and that "I know the plans that I have for you" {Jeremiah 29:11}.  We're told that it is the desire of the Father to bring about His will.  He has created the earth and all which we will ever experience in it {Genesis 1:1}.  Upon the completion of His creation, we're told that God rested from the work He had done {Genesis 2:1-2}.  it is not a passive God Who has created all which we see, and He continues to be active even as our life is within him {Johns Account 17:21}.  

To fully understand the Father, we must understand that He is actively involved in all which we do.  The apostle Paul speaks to the truth that in Christ Jesus all is created {Paul to the Colossians 1:16}.  I'm not entirely certain why I continued to believe that we live within a passive God even though it has been revealed to me that my life is in Him.  I guess those old mainstream church teachings die hard.  Despite the fact that I knew that the Father was active in His creation, it was a habit for me to refer to His presence in my life as being passive at times.  That was in error.  To know God is to know that He is always bringing about His will not only in His children, but in the world around us as well.  To say that God simply "Allows" things to happen is ignoring the truth that it is through the efforts of the Father by which all has been created {Johns Account 1:1-3}.  Was Jesus passive in His time here on earth?  Absolutely not!  Jesus was not only active in His ministry, but those He chose for His disciples were active in their learning from Him as well.  How much effort was it for Jesus as He "Prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became as if clots of blood descending on the earth" Lukes Account 22:44}.  Jesus was not passive in these moments.  He was active in the fulfilling of His Fathers will here on earth.  God did not "Allow" Jesus to do what He did, but was active in all which His Son accomplished.  Jesus has proclaimed that "The Son can not be doing anything of Himself if it is not what He should be observing the Father doing" {Johns Account 5:19}.  We can assume that Jesus has observed the active works of the Father first hand.  God never allows anything, but is active in all He does. 

For in Him is all created, that in the heavens and that on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or sovereignties, or authorities, all is created through Him and for Him

Paul to the Colossians 1: 16, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~