The testimony of the Apostle Paul and his standing as one who sinned despite great knowledge of the law are the focus, today. Also, there are more thoughts on ethics, government, leadership, and vigilance. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Will” (Level 2 with 305 points; a member since September 21, 2012) posted the following:
The Bible says sinners are of the devil, and Paul was sinning so does this mean he was of the devil?
“He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 John 3:8
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:15
“Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” Romans 7:25
THE BATTLE AXE: Thoughts Upon A Warrior’s Fall (11/15/2012)—Counsel from the holy writings continue as vital in defense of men and nations. Too many of our champions and guardians are now being defeated through cultural arrogance, spiritual ignorance, terrorism (not righteous warfare), and whoredom. Consider again: Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness (Proverbs 30: 20, KJV). The fall of Osama Ben Laden (at home, with family, and surrounded by a civilian population), and now the defeat of General Petraeus (by recklessness as a husband, and disgrace as a government official) were both upon battlefields that pertain to what the Qur’an identifies as jihad-al-akbar (the Greater Jihad). That peculiar teaching of jihad cautions believers that the day-to-day struggle against sin and evil occurring within oneself and their community as they daily pursue seemingly mundane yet lawful activity is more important in the acknowledgment of GOD than necessary armed combat, conflict, and warfare. Could properly “knowing the enemy” have altered the policy and goals of “dead or alive” with “kill rather than capture—U. S. forces appear to have granted their adversary the high honor of Islamic martyrdom. Going further, at a time when the Nation continues facing conflicts generated by the economy, the command structure of the military now appears more vulnerable and weak than ever before because of multiple violations of military codes and discipline, including the pursuit of carnal pleasure that undermines duty, and diminishes content of ones divine spirit. Surely, the comparisons will be made to Samson, the son of Manoah, and his fall through a consort, Delilah (see Judges 16, KJV). The American military may only become a symbol of social and spiritual corruption where the American people surrender their high standards for law, love, obedience, respect and truth. Before GOD, covenant as a community makes it that oneness in pursuit of shared carnal, political and social goals establishes oneness in accomplishment, accountability, dishonor, ignominy, and judgment (see Numbers 15: 30-41, Proverbs 20: KJV). Readers should also consider THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD: (11/19/2011) Girdle 4: The Sin Of Achan; (09/21/2011) Dispatch 42: Unprofitable Servants; (08/20/2011) Dispatch 12: Peace (David); (08/21/2011) Dispatch 13: Peace (The Lord)
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Romans 6: 5-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Partnership? (11/05/2012); Christians Who Ignore GOD’s Laws (10/25/2012); The Spirit Is Willing (10/20/2012); Sin Unknown? (10/10/2012); When Prayer Works (10/11/2012); Bad Luck (02/25/2012); The Prophets (02/24/2012); Dispatch 25: Comparing Spiritual Things (09/04/2012); Why Disobey? (03/18/2011)
Mature believers in Jesus Christ as their own redeemer and savior generally agree that among the various rules for correct understanding from the Holy Scriptures is a strict requirement that a reader always look for harmony and agreement among the many fragments, parts and segments of the full presentation (i.e., from beginning to end). Those who seek contradictions, corruption and errors will remain blind to the divine content conveyed, and unable to receive the sacred substance the Scriptures transmit.
Saul of Tarsus is presented to the church as an “ordinary man” born through no miraculous events (as the Herald and Prophet, John the Baptist or as the promised Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth). Saul (later Paul) was educated and served the covenant of Moses as one whose inheritance was that of a Pharisee, and a Roman citizen. Deputized by leaders of the Temple Community, Paul became a leader in the persecution of the early church. His role as “lord, high executioner” gave him authority to arrest, detain, torture as well as endorse, oversee and act as official witness to public execution by stoning. Through those tormented and condemned, Paul was exposed to the doctrine and teachings of Christ; and became deeply impressed by the spirit content of believers in their conviction, their humility, their joy and acceptance of death. Paul was converted from ceremonial Judaism, and became convinced that GOD truly was working through an incarnation as the man Jesus of Nazareth. Christ appeared to Paul, who was traveling to Damascus to identify Christians there that were in hiding by forcing their families, friends, and fellow-believers to betray, and denounce them.
By the intervention of Christ and himself having received the Holy Ghost, Paul was able to realize that the Gospel was to be understood as the proclamation of eternal truth having application to more than merely historical, material, political and social realities. Such elements as ceremonies, customs, law, rites and traditions all were to be viewed in the light of divinity, spiritual purpose, and sacred process.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, unlike those who lack the imparted, indwelling Spirit, Paul realized that, apart from the provisions of GOD, the intelligence of created beings and living creatures cannot recognize the operation and presence of sin. The various forms of law (e.g., decrees, ordinances, practices, rituals, statutes, testimonies) permit some knowledge of sin, yet, do not eliminate sin. Through Jesus, mankind has now received greater tools for detecting and resisting sin: his human, yet, divine example as well as a divine endowment, the Holy Spirit. Sin, first discovered among the angels, speaks to more than simply naughty behavior, poor conduct and disobedience. Sin opposes divine law, divine being, and the existence of all Creation.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIXWashington, DC
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD 