(11/25/2012) A Text for Lives Today?

     The value of the Bible for modern life, and more on having conviction are in view, today. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “The fastest ant” (Level 1 with 189 points, a member since August 20, 2011) posted the following:



How can a text written many years ago help to deal with lives today?



THE BATTLE AXE: How To Have Conviction (11/24/2012)—For most Christian believers, growth in certainty, commitment and confidence is fostered by associating with other believers who are experienced and mature. Avoid those who seem to always have a complaint against GOD, against religion, against their family or spouse, against the Scriptures, against young people, and against the church. Continue to be courteous, helpful and polite, however, distance yourself from those who behave and speak as atheists, politicians, unbelievers, and those caught up in spiritual confusion. Choose your companions understanding that those who display no knowledge of Scripture, those who insist upon non-Bible and secular knowledge, and those who overwhelm others with “chapter and verse” will be poor as sources for insight and support to spiritual growth, and are not reliable as friends to the sons and daughters of GOD.



THE GOLDEN ARROW: For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1: 16-21, King James Version)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Believing Everything? (11/23/2012); How to Have Conviction (11/24/2012); Reading Only The Red Part (11/19/2012); According to the Eternal Purpose (11/20/2012); Repelled by the Bible? (08/13/2012); Marriage and Civil Law (08/14/2012); Bible Boring? (09/29/2010); Swearing? (09/30/2010)



     The holy writings that Christian believers receive as an inheritance from GOD document the operation of divinity upon the earth, and through created beings and living creatures. In addition to a record of priesthood and worship for mankind patterned after practices within the Temple in heaven, the scriptures detail various covenants, sacred law, the operation of agents for divine government (e.g., patriarchs, elders, judges, kings, emperors, messiah), birth records with genealogies that pertain to allocation and fixed patterns of ownership for land, principles for human life and survival as well as proclamations, promises, and prophesies from GOD.

     The Scriptures provide a transcript of oral history and a written historical record for the social development of mankind by GOD from the first marriage, to organization as tribes, and to the founding and stabilizing of a nation through law. While the Scriptures describe the lives and accomplishments of significant figures, and includes many confessions, prayers and personal testimonies, the holy texts are neither autobiographical writings, nor private memoirs. The Bible provides a divine perspective upon human existence, and the relationship between mankind and our Creator. Thus, the reader is granted a divine perspective, and sees thousands of lives over the course of thousands of years.

     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, as divine utterance and the word from GOD, the Bible is timeless, unchanging truth. The Scriptures continue to convey spirit matter that amplifies, restores and supplements that endowment of Spirit breathed into mankind at Creation. Obedient believers in Christ receive spiritual gifts and power through the Holy Spirit (also called the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Prophecy); and the Spirit within believers is nourished and strengthened through the holy writings. More than this, the holy writings authenticate and witness to the actions and messages from the Spirit, while the Spirit clarifies and illuminates the Scriptures.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIXWashington, DC

(11/24/2012) How To Have Conviction

     Conviction and salvation are topics, today, along with more on how much of the Bible to believe. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Florence” (Level 1 with 80 points, a member since November 23, 2012) posted the following:

Christian girl seeking advice – please help?

i want to become a christian again but i just feel confused because i feel that there are so many religions, denominations of christianity out there – how can i have the conviction that my religion (christianity – petencostalism) is correct?

THE BATTLE AXE: Believing Everything? (11/22/2012)—One of the many ways Scripture gives answer to the question is seen in 1st Corinthians 13: 1-13 (KJV). It is necessary to “believe everything” from the Bible only in the sense that the things written in Scripture are all interconnected and woven together as a single presentation of divine truth. For believers in Christ, reaching the point where you easily discern and recognize that this is so may require many years of spiritual development and growth. Obedience and trust are the primary mechanisms that energize the ongoing process of applying, including and integrating broader and deeper levels of sacred truth. Those lacking meekness that comes by the Holy Spirit insist that the Scriptures are a waste of time, cannot be understood, and are outdated and irrelevant. In doing so, they echo those holy angels in rebellion who were given at Creation the full measure of knowledge needed for the duration of their being and service. They do not learn and are distinct from mankind who, while finite and limited, is still fitted to acquire knowledge by experience and reflection. Through Christ, mankind is certain to prosper in their sincere quests for the inexhaustible, unchanging knowledge of GOD.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (John 8: 3-9, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: On Asking Why (11/08/2012); Unto Caesar…? (11/09/2012); Suppose I Am Wrong? (09/28/2012); What Is Reality (a.k.a. Truth)? (09/29/2012); About Conversion (09/03/2012); By Grace (09/04/2012); Yet If I Judge (09/05/2012); The Young Less Religious (08/18/2012); Why Jesus Prayed (09/19/2012)

     In a confidence that Jesus Christ is alive and operating in their lives through an imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD, many mature Christian believers would dare to speak in the name of Jesus, and in obedience to promptings from the Holy Spirit, and would say something like the following:

     Beloved, you do not have to convince and persuade others, or have authority over the beliefs you maintain for yourself, or those held by anyone else. My ministrations that makes the Father visible for mankind is a work to transform human substance, and is primarily carried out now through the Holy Spirit that resides within a person. As a young believer, you do not need to see the Spirit on a day-to-day, moment-by-moment basis, always in you or always in others around you. You need only continue to ask questions as one who is teachable, seek to understand the Gospel more completely and correctly, and respond to the many opportunities for spiritual learning and growth.

     Salvation is more than a process of academic study that focuses upon the holy writings, or social interaction (i.e., church attendance) that centers in family, friends and intimate relationships. Awareness of divine presence, sacred process and godly purposes must be established. Also, an “appetite” (i.e., demand by the organs and tissues of the body) for the things of GOD must be put into place that operates in the same way as hunger, thirst, and cravings for companionship. Church attendance as well as private meditation and reflection should be guided by ones inner spirit, not by emotion, fantasy, imagination, and human reason. Given that salvation goes forward though multiple progressions that are continuous (e.g., fear of the Lord, regeneration, sanctification), only its beginnings are discrete and finite. All else may be spoken of as “eternal life.”

     Certainty, confidence, and trust are received as aspects of faith, where faith is a content of the person of GOD. As the actual substance of divine being, faith is inseparable from such matter as holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, love, righteousness, wisdom and wrath against sin. A believer may be absolutely certain that the elements of doubt, hesitation, shame and uncertainty do not come forth from GOD so much as they are from the flesh, the world, or the adversaries of GOD. Believers discipline their focus to grasp and apply the tools I have given for obedience to the Father, praise, thanksgiving and unselfish service to others.

     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, those who are saved, and born again” must “grow up again”, and face “growing pains.” Becoming a mature believer who is useful to ones community and the household of faith is no less difficult than becoming a mature adult, and establishing ones professional career. Become thoroughly familiar with the special gifts from GOD supplied for those who have a genuine desire to be his sons and daughters through the adoption of the Holy Spirit—his unfailing word shared as praise, proclamation, promise, and prophecy.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX Washington, DC