(06/05/2013) Words Spoken By GOD?

The Bible as “the word of GOD,” is the topic, today.  Also, there is more on conviction and faith in the face of tragedy.  The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Horn of the Unicorn” (Level 1 with 40 points, a member since September 13, 2009) posted the following:


Why is the bible referred to as the word of God?

Surely if God did actually write or dictate the words to a human to write then there would not be so many factual errors?

THE BATTLE AXE:  Faith for Facing Tragedy? (06/04/2013)—(5)  The priesthood of Jesus Christ addresses the transformation of mankind from corruptible, fallible, mortal and sinful to that of eternal, permanent and perpetual companions of GOD.  All created beings and living creatures eventually complete or fulfill their expression as aspects of divine emanation.  Presently, only GOD is immortal.  The holy angels, sacred beasts, and others that serve in heaven are neither immortal nor mortal; and their being  continues only by divine prerogative.  Mortality is a specification for finite existence of the living whereby mankind and those on the earth endure only for brief periods described using the framework of time.  It is the natural and usual process of human life that, just as the living act upon their environment and one another, many of those same things now operate upon the living as mere objects within the sphere of their own distinct being, and so result in completion of human death.  Included are aging, collisions, conflict, diet, epidemic disease, drowning, imbalance, insufficient rest, irregular growth, loss of blood (the material device within the living that distributes the divine element of life to the various parts of the body), and psychological trauma.  Many accuse GOD of injustice and unfairness for not arbitrarily intervening in the processes of life and death to show approval, favor, and reward.  However, divine judgment is the sacred operation for the expression of divine favor and disfavor.  Death and resurrection come into view as controlled and necessary aspects of the divine order that must be acknowledged as making visible the divinity and sanctity of GOD.  Saying this another way, that distinguishes, identifies, and separates GOD as One.  See Ezekiel 33:  1-16, 1st Corinthians 10:  1-13, 1st Timothy 1:  17 and 1st Timothy 6:  3-16, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited:  I am the LORD; and there is none else.  I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth:  I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain:  I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.  Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations:  they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.  Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together:  who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.  Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth:  for I am God, and there is none else.  I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.  (Isaiah 45:  18-23, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Why Jesus Authored No Books (05/01/2013); Recognizing True Prophets (05/02/2013); Scripture at Funerals? (04/30/2013); Quoting Scripture to GOD? (04/24/2013); Illusion? (04/25/2013); A Guide to Salvation? (04/10/2013); A Golden Ticket? (11/30/2012); And This Was Good News (12/01/2012); Spirit Matter (10/21/2012); Bible Benefit? (03/16/2011); Ones Destiny? (03/17/2011)


(1)  The holy writings employ many unique definitions, figures, reports, and understandings that permit human intelligence to grasp the possibilities for existence of divine person.  However, for created beings and living creatures to have more than fantasies, fictions, and a mere abstract consciousness of GOD, Creation must participate in a relationship having sacred depth, power and quality.  There must be a continuous and ongoing process of divine revelation ordered after the terms of divine intent (i.e., holy will, instead of human self-will), the operations of consecrated substance, and the fixed boundaries for accomplishment of eternal purpose.  Included are birth, death, divine law, faith, miracles, resurrection, righteous judgment, and wrath against sin.

(2)  GOD is an immortal and incorruptible spirit that cannot be understood using only the frameworks for mortal being; and who is accessible to mortal beings only by frameworks he himself may generate.  The process of GOD for mankind may be described as discernment, “discovery learning,” “OJT” (on-the-job-training), and “spiritualization” wherein the full awareness of divinity is gradually appreciated, made known, and recognized as visible.  Spirit content that otherwise exists only within the make-up of Divine Person (e.g., holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, truth, wisdom) may operate within created beings and living creatures, and establishes them in the image of GOD.

(3)  As a sacred record, the Bible details a small spectrum of sacred events pertinent to the preparation of mankind for permanent existence within the eternal sphere of divine presence.  The Bible provides a divine perspective—thousands of lives over thousands of years—and documents a broad range of actions by GOD that show the Almighty is more than a collection of mechanical processes.  The Bible permits believers to experience the “person” of GOD through shared feeling, intelligence and purpose.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4)  Although visible to many as no more than a material object and a collection of ancient books, the Bible is itself a peculiar appearance and incarnation of Divine Person.  Divine utterances are put forth to believers that supply ones personal awareness of the divine presence as well as the personal experience of hearing the voice of GOD.  In addition to commands, criteria for purity, parables, praises, prayers, life principles, proclamations, promises and proverbs, there is prophecy (comfort, edification, exhortation) that demonstrates and unveils divine perfection.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(06/04/2013) Faith for Facing Tragedy?

The validity of faith that appears only when challenged by death, sickness or suffering is the topic, today. Also, there is more on whether one may receive a new or “replacement” measure of the Holy Spirit. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “little prince” (Level 1 with 24 points, a member since May 30, 2013) posted the following:

Going to God because of tragedy?

I’ve been an agnostic, if I ever got close to God, I wanted it to be because of conviction rather than because I was pushed by tragedy.

But now that my mom has cancer, I’ve been just desperately seeking him.

Is this type of faith valid? One pushed by tragedy, hopelessness, and need?

THE BATTLE AXE: Need for A New Holy Spirit? (06/03/2013)—(5) While the spiritual death of a believer occurs in an instance, and rebirth from divine DNA is completed in the same moment, receiving the Holy Spirit is not a “one-time” event that is completed in one hour, one day, one decade, or one millennium. Finite and temporal behaviors may be completed such as church attendance, fasting, missionary service, and Scripture studies. However, Christian believers must make a continuing, uninterrupted commitment to accept a lifetime of change, growth, and transformation through operations performed by GOD. For this reason, language associated with marriage often is used to clarify Christian dedication (e.g., duty, faithfulness, intimacy, and trust). Believers become life companions to Christ, and through his Spirit, achieve fellowship, right standing, and unity with the Divine. See Galatians 4: 1-9, 1st John 1: 1-10 and 1st John 3: 1-10, King James Version. (6) Believers should not look for change in their physical appearance and social circumstances as the evidence of their new birth. The truth of rebirth must be accepted through an act of self-will (we say choice) dictated and influenced by faith. Faith appears within awareness as certainty, confidence, conviction, and trust based upon the word of GOD (i.e., divine proclamation, promise, and prophecy); and this is called “knowing by faith, rather than by sight.” A believer’s economic, employment, or marital status may continue to be undesirable for a very long period. Where indicators that are not generated by sacred content are relied upon, new believers may appear completely unaltered, unrepentant, and the same as before their embrace by GOD through Christ. Included are addictions, arbitrary differences (e.g., eye color, gender, height, weight), attitudes, behavior, character, conduct, habits, illnesses, and ones personal style. The changes that GOD will perform as a person’s salvation are to be within the believer, not others, not ones surroundings, not the church, not the world. (7) The behaviors that most indicate spiritual growth for Christian believers include actions and conduct that display increased generosity and giving, humility, impartiality, love, practice and understanding of the sacraments, willingness to forgive, unselfish service, and focus upon the person of Christ in place of introspection, self-examination and self-promotion. Believers learn to see, attend to, and serve Christ revealed within the sufferings of others. The “holy spirit” a person may have gotten “a few years ago” is proven to be alive and well by unselfish ministry to others. See Matthew 25: 31-46, Romans 8: 1-18, Romans 8: 24-31, Philippians 3: 7-14 and 2nd Corinthians 3: 17-18, KJV.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2nd Corinthians 12: 6-10, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Struggles? (05/11/2013); Through Much Tribulation (05/12/2013); Death Has Been Transformed (05/09/2013); Loving the Enemy? (05/10/2013); Experience Is Not Evidence? (05/05/2013); Church Mandatory? (05/06/2013); GOD Knows Tomorrow? (04/12/2013); Expect Healing (02/11/2012); Childhood Cancers? (01/17/2011); Denominations? (01/18/2011)

“little prince,” here are some points I have considered since my mother died of cancer, and that most Christian believers also encounter as they are perfected by GOD:

(1) The faith you begin with should not be the faith you end with. Believers enter into a continuing process of existence that is directed by divine influences, and so there must be change, growth, learning, and sanctification. Saying this another way: A person’s awareness of divinity must increase and include recognition of divine substance that is the make-up of GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, righteousness, wisdom, wrath against sin); the active operation of GOD within the human frameworks of time and space (e.g., covenant, divine law, forgiveness, judgment, salvation); and such aspects of divine focus as authority, fulfillment, intent, and purpose.

(2) Often believers must accept that the comfort and consolation provided by GOD for meeting life challenges and experience within the natural and social worlds of mankind ARE NOT carnal, emotional, material and physical. Intended for something higher, GOD may bestow spirit content and demonstrations of divine presence through expectations (i.e., what we are commanded to hope), miracles, proclamations, promises, prophesies, testimonies in judgment, visitations, and witness. 
 
(3) Where one relies on human faith, rather than the faith that is given through the imparted Spirit of GOD, confusion, disappointment, and a sense of having been betrayed are usually experienced. Such persons fail to grasp that the ministry of Jesus Christ must acknowledge aspects of divine order and obligation that do not permit an instant elimination of death, all disease, sickness and sin. There is an unseen universe of active forces, conditions, and demands that must be maintained in peculiar balance.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4) While GOD did not eliminate death from human experience by appearing in the earth as Jesus Christ, GOD did transform the meaning and understanding of death. Death is revealed as temporal, not eternal; death is shown to not be a god; like aging, death is not always a punishment; and fear that death may operate contrary to GOD has been broken off among believers. As a divine tool death permits resurrection, and it is a further mechanism and tool needed to establish eternal life.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC