(12/13/2012) The Price of Humanity?

     Echoes of the often posed question from Scripture (what is man…?), and the value of human life are in view today.  Also, there is more on the condition of one who commits suicide.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “pepito” (Level 2 with 838 points, a member since January 2, 2011) posted the following:

If God is at the core of a person, what does that say about the price of humanity?
Seemingly so tiny, just a speck in all creation, that’s what we are… but isn’t god Himself eternally simple? Does one have to be grandiose and assuming to carry God within his heart? Or does God prefer the humble and sincere? What is the value of human life compared in terms of Christianity versus Atheism that only sees life as chain of material events?
“J’me pelle Rouge” : where you see nothing, I see eve erything.

THE BATTLE AXE:  Suffering for Suicide? (12/12/2012)—Suffering is a temporary condition that exists only among beings that have not completed their mortality.  In the same way suffering in the flesh is ended by death, suffering in judgment is ended by the second death.  Suffering is not “permanent” or “unending”; and there is no eternal suffering that will exist among (or be continually witnessed by) immortal beings.  In divine judgment, the actions, attitudes, behavior and life events for created beings and living creatures serve like letters of the alphabet that are fitted together and pattered to spell out words.  Ones spiritual condition, divine content and sacred substance are “spoken,” heard, and read as a kind of spirit language from their actual deeds, choices, and interpersonal exchanges.  Relationship for, through and with GOD generates living experience that is incorporated within the Word in the same way air from the lungs and vibrations of the vocal cords produce the phonemes and syllables that comprise speech and utterance.  Focus is not upon the noise or sound that is made; focus is on the meaning and value signified.  The time, place and manner of a person’s death have their weight in ones individual judgment only when properly fitted with all the many details of their birth, life, service, suffering, and worship.  More than simply narratives and sequences of carnal, material and social life are produced; an image and its name, like a photograph, that mirrors the spirit-being then emerges (see Revelation 3:  5 and 20:  12, KJV).  Elements we as humans might quickly describe as “suffering” may repeatedly be regarded as merely growth or service; and much of what we take to be reverence and worship, may be shown as void, and having no value at all.  (See Ezekiel 33:  30-33 and Matthew 7:  21-23, KJV.)  Divine forgiveness and the death of Jesus upon the cross do not dismiss sin, justify how a person may die, or give license for wrongdoing.  Rather, they promote the growth of divine spirit, repentance, and taking accountability for ones choices.

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;  God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?  For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.  But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?  Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:  (Hebrews 2:  3-7, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  On Seeing Jesus Serve the Poor (12/03/2012); Hero or Zero? (12/04/2012); Son of Man (11/28/2012); More Than Salvation (11/27/2012); Mankind’s World (11/20/2010); Filthy Rags? (11/19/2010); For Our Sin’s? (11/21/2010)

     With their eyes fixed upon Jesus as their redeemer and savior, the mature Christian believer sees both a duty and a privilege to place high value upon human life.  Almighty GOD is understood to be spirit; and he has appeared in flesh (we say, Incarnation) to further establish godly awareness and intention throughout the aspects of human experience.  The presence of mankind is essential to the full revelation of divine being, sacred process, eternal purpose, and sovereign truth.  How believers esteem, honor, respect and serve one another derives from (1) what GOD has bestowed as our endowment through creation, (2) the added supply of divine substance provided through the earthly and heavenly ministrations by Jesus Christ, and (3) from sacred knowledge of the human predicament, and the documented history of human makeup being transformed following Creation.
     Just as our the experience of the natural world would be incomplete without the many created beings, living creatures, planets, stars and waters, the universe is incomplete and unbalanced without mankind.  Those dwelling in heaven are neither mortal nor immortal.  Included are angels, sacred beasts, and other spirit-beings.  The Eternal GODhead (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is immortal and incorruptible, and continues to appear in varying forms that display spirit-person.  It is the excellence of mankind that humans acquire knowledge by life experience, may be edified, and may grow in accordance with divine law and godly presence.
     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, the “simple” things of GOD are also always profound—that is, they have widespread application, consequences, depth, detail, and divine aspects that cannot be known except as revealed by GOD.  To those lacking insight, the birth, suffering, death, and burial of Jesus will appear as only another obscure and wretched life.  Through operation of the imparted, indwelling spirit (we say, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth), treasures of everlasting glory are properly discerned and recognized.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/12/2012) Suffering for Suicide?

Human sexuality, judgment against suicide, and more on who has access to Christian love are among topics presented, today. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Siobhan” (Level 1 with 92 points, a member since December 7, 2012) posted the following:

If you believe in the afterlife, do you think my cousin is suffering for killing herself?
my 20 year old cousin ended her life a few years ago by stabbing herself in the chest. she did it because she said she wanted to be a boy, and hated being a girl. is she most likely suffering still? most spiritual beliefs seem to say suicide is the worst thing you can do, and an insult to God.

THE BATTLE AXE: Knowing Who Your Real Friends Are (12/11/2012)—Our real friends are only those who also love our father. To the extent love is described only by efforts to unselfishly benefit others, equitable exchange, fruitful interaction, mutual respect and sharing, it is not unreasonable to say that those who do not love GOD, do not love anyone begotten or created of GOD. For example, those who persist as unrepentant whores and whoremongers care, feel, hurt, and suffer, yet they do not love. As women forced to feign their feelings, their likes and dislikes, their pleasure and frustration, whores are often bitter, malicious, resentful, vindictive, and unforgiving. Specifically, “Christian love” will be offered to all, however will be practiced primarily among Christians, and may not be found outside the congregation of believers. Clearly, the work of those in covenant with GOD is to overspread the earth with a love that derives from divine person, and is inseparable from such sacred content as faith, hope, joy, truth, wisdom and wrath against sin. The love of GOD emanates from the divine person as a fact of consecrated being (often called “grace”), and is not caused or made to appear through the appetite, behavior, belief or conscience of created beings and living creatures. All those everywhere who serve GOD by demonstrating the presence of divine love also seek to be generous, impartial, and unbiased in all things. Such believers accept that GOD, the Father of spirits (Hebrews 12: 9, KJV) is also titled the “Father of mercies” (2nd Corinthians 1: 3, KJV) to acknowledge his kindness and righteousness in judgment, and his supremacy as the GOD of love. See John 14: 21-24 and John 15: 10-13, KJV. Wisdom instructs us that joy, love and truth are amplified and continued only as we bestow them upon others.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. (Ezekiel 18: 20-24, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Focus of Judgment (12/09/2012); His Burden is Light? (12/10/2012); The “Lake of Mercy” (11/03/2012); Seeking and Being Sought (11/04/2012); Does Everyone Go To Heaven? (10/28/2012); Magick and Prayer? (10/29/2012); Divine Self-Sacrifice? (09/30/2012); Justice Comes by Love? (10/01/2012); To Be or Not To Be? (08/26/2012); Tests for Origins (08/27/2012); The Old Testament and Parables (08/12/2012); The Divine Tool of Death (08/11/2012); Why Clothing? (10/15/2010); Known by GOD (10/16/2010)

Mature Christian believers accept the various teachings from Scripture regarding the state of the dead: The dead do not suffer in body, mind or spirit. The dead are said to “sleep” because, in the plan of GOD, they will be revived as living to complete their participation in judgment, or to continue their existence as the immortal, incorruptible ones redeemed and saved through Jesus Christ. The dead do not dream, have mental activity, remember, praise GOD, see the future, or visit the living.

On a different note: There are many problems in understanding the judgment of GOD against those who commit suicide. Many subtle (barely visible) details and differences must come into view. Such divine purposes as atonement, Creation, redemption and salvation are not served by suicide (see Ezekiel 18: 32, KJV). The gospel is not delivered, and there is no demonstration of forgiveness, divine love and repentance. To the extent self-murder cannot be performed as obedience, submission, and worship, suicide denies the authority of GOD over “the world” (the set of interdependent, man-made devices for human survival that determines carnal, material and social reality; examples are art, culture, history, language, money, nations, politics, and race).

The divine judgment against sins associated with the issues of full human functioning (e.g., casual sex, fornication, gender differences, pre-marital sex, marriage and divorce, sexual perversion, and sexual preferences), require focus upon how one has applied their spirit substance to discipline their appetite, senses, and mind. In the same way, one uses their intelligence and reason to limit damage from hunger or thirst by carefully selecting what, when and where to eat and drink, one is supplied with spiritual resources to direct and maintain sexual balance, and self-control.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, iniquity is the deliberate, and knowing violation of divine law (we say, “it was not an accident, or an innocent mistake, it was on purpose”). Behavior motivated by anger, fear, guilt or shame can not be justified through Jesus Christ as is behavior motivated by belief in his death, resurrection and promised advent. Thus, complaining, envy, lying, pride, or self promotion are not excused and permitted. Baptism, church attendance, giving, forgiving, prayer, preaching, repentance, service, study of the Scriptures, and worship are examples of what is approved for believers in their judgment.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIXWashington, DC

(09/30/2012) Divine Self-Sacrifice?

     The Incarnation and divine processes to remove sin are topics, today. Also, there is more on reality and truth. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Giovanni” (Level 1 with 133 points, a member since September 16, 2012) posted the following:

Why would Abraham’s God kill himself to save mankind?
Yeshua prayed to himself saying : if you wish Remove this cup from me ?
Huh?
How can Satan tempt The Son if The Son created him? What? Hold on Huh?
Who believes this?
Somebody explain

THE BATTLE AXE: What Is Reality (a.k.a. Truth)? (09/29/2012)—The human predicament is not the absence of reality and truth. Rather, it is the surpassing difficulty encountered before accepting, consistently benefiting by, having proper distance (i.e., near to/far from) for, and maintaining uncluttered awareness, useful insights and recall of reality and truth. Reality and truth are conditions in place as aspects of existence. Human experiences of reality and truth often embrace their own contradictions and opposites. Moreover, the full dimensions of reality and truth extend beyond the ordinary scope of human understanding and vision, and thus may be actual and present, yet remain invisible and unseen. In the same way elements from past experience have status as real and true in the present, there are levels of truth and reality for the content of dreams, goals, expectations, miracles, possibilities and events in sequence that have not yet occurred. The reality and truth of mankind includes becoming mature through continuous growth and learning. Human nature also contains aspects of divinity that may develop, and transform experiences of material reality and truth. All reality and truth may not be characterized as colorful, graphic, memorable and vivid; reality and truth also may be boring, dull, oppressive, and rightly understood, inescapable.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Romans 8: 1-10, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Aliens? (09/24/2012); A Man in Heaven? (09/23/2012); Chances for Change (09/15/2012); What He Died For (09/14/2012); Signs of a Prophet (03/14/2012); The Work of Jesus (03/13/2012); Binder 7: The GODhead (10/04/2011); Melchizedek? (12/22/2010); Meek Abram (10/17/2010)

      Walk with me: GOD is a spirit, not a material being. The awareness of created beings and living creatures is dominated by the flesh–appetite such as hunger, thirst, sexual craving; the world–such social realities as culture, family, peers; and the mind–such aspects as emotion, desire, imagination, lust. GOD makes divine person known to the living using features and mechanisms that respond to the peculiar makeup of their physical and spiritual person. The full spectrum of what we are includes that we are finite (have various limitations), are mortal (are subject to death), and our self-will is vulnerable to influences that do not come from GOD and are not human.
      
     The Incarnation of GOD as a device to permit human beings to be in closer relationship with the unseen and with one another uses how we connect and identify by seeing ourselves in others. In the flesh as Jesus, Almighty GOD further displays our Maker as accessible, compassionate, merciful, righteous, truthful and sovereign. More than this, mankind is shown to be capable of overcoming sin, sinners and unclean spirits; capable of comprehending sacred truth; capable of receiving divine content (e.g., faith, holiness, humility, joy, wisdom, wrath, against sin); capable of surviving as POWs in a spiritual war; and capable of serving as an instrument to fulfill divine proclamation, promise, and prophecy.
      
     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, sin is an influence that can dominate the will of created beings and living creatures, and was first “discovered” among the angels. Sin is not a creation of GOD; is no material or physical thing; has no content of divine substance; and has no power to influence the will of GOD. Sin opposes the existence of GOD, of divine law, and divine Creation. The processes of GOD to remove sin goes beyond understanding of the created while they are separated from GOD, and must be supplied through truth imparted by the Holy Spirit (such as you are receiving, here). Included among the many sacred processes to extend an imparted, indwelling spirit to mankind are covenant, death, forgiveness, Incarnation, judgment, law, marriage, repentance, rebirth, regeneration, resurrection, and sanctification.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC