(02/16/2016) Iniquity Forgiven?

Scripture points describing the peculiar class of sin called iniquity are shared, today.  Atonement must be made for iniquity just as for sins committed in ignorance.  Iniquity and sin oppose the continued existence of divine law, the continued existence of GOD the Creator and Law Giver as well as the existence of Creation established by divinity through law.  Iniquity contends against truth, and is therefore labeled as “perverse”.  Given sin operates through awareness and self-will within created beings and living creatures, release and restoration from iniquity requires divine operations to replace the inborn spirit, and establish in its place an imparted Spirit from the makeup of Deity.  Consider the following verses from Scripture and the presentation below:

Matthew 24:  11-13, King James Version (KJV):  11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

2nd Thessalonians 2:  7-12, KJV:  7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:  only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.  8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:  9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2nd Timothy 2:  19, KJV:  19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Micah 7:  18-19, KJV:  18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.  19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Jakub” (Level 1 with no points shown, a member since October 18, 2015) posted the following:

 

Does God forgive repeated willful sin?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.  And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD:  for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD:  for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.  Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:  If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.  Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.  (Jeremiah 31:  31-37, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  All Sin Is Willful? (10/20/2015); Penance? (10/09/2015); Repentance, Sin and Willpower (09/08/2015); Guilt and Ignorance? (12/04/2014); Joined To Christ Through Faith (12/05/2014)

 

“Jakub”, mature Christian believers understand “repeated willful sin” to be what is called “iniquity” in the Bible.  As a peculiar appearance of sin, iniquity is no material or spirit thing, and is no living entity.  Addictions (e.g., alcohol, gambling, sexual promiscuity, speeding), various bad habits—even thumb sucking, scratching, and swearing—and incorrigible behavior showing lack of self-discipline and restraint often have been described as appearances of iniquity.  Imbalance, injustice, and lack of equality for commitment and compliance shown by covenant partners are labeled “iniquity”.  Iniquity is also called “cherished sins,” “hidden sins” and “lust”.  Like “premeditated crimes,” iniquitous sin is not the same in judgment as “sins of ignorance.”  Because associated with counterfeit love, deceit, and false professions of belief, iniquity is often confused with betrayal and hypocrisy.  Forgiveness, repentance, and atonement are divine responses to sin that reveal the power of Deity to reconfigure the character and nature of the living.  Iniquity specially opposes and resists divine love, righteousness, and the operations of the Holy Spirit seen as rebirth and regeneration.  Here are some points to consider, made in the language of verses from the Bible:

(1.)  Proverbs 16:  5-7, King James Version (KJV):  5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD:  though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.  6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged:  and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

(2.)  Romans 6:  16-19, KJV:  16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.  19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh:  for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

(3.)  Titus 2:  11-14, KJV:  11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Matthew 7:  21-23, KJV:  21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:  depart from me, ye that work iniquity.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

 

(02/23/2015) Deliverance A Benefit Of Salvation?

Today, points are shared showing that the removal of bad habits, self-destructive behavior and uncleanness also are necessary aspects of salvation.  Many Christian believers continue to be challenged by health problems associated with diet, food, and poverty; and the many divine operations for our salvation along with our transformation to continue with Christ as immortal and incorruptible are not yet completed and fully in place.  The sacred gifts that have been received include those that equip believers to abide and persevere (e.g., forgiveness, joy, longsuffering, patience).  Presently, those who are born again have only an earnest of the Spirit, (we say, a good-faith deposit; a down-payment; an installment; an initial portion) of what we are to receive that establishes eternal life.  Even so, believers are given enough to continue in such ongoing process for permanent change as acquiring spiritual knowledge, fellowship among the elect, practice of sacraments, praise, and prayer.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using “quaz” as their ID (Level 7 with 66,639 points, a member since February 26, 2010) attacked using the following errors:

 

Why do christians have the notion that giving up some harmful activity is the same as salvation?

true they have the experience. but god’s activity of saving has nothing to do with our experience.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For we are saved by hope:  but hope that is seen is not hope:  for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called:  and whom he called, them he also justified:  and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.  (Romans 8:  24-34, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Masturbation and Religion? (02/01/2015); Life Choices (12/14/2013); That Mortal Children Die? (12/15/2013); Salvation is Conditional? (01/30/2014); Lower-case or Capital? (01/31/2014); What Salvation Is (01/25/2014); Bible Justice? (01/26/2014); GOD Intervenes? (07/01/2013); Lot and the Angels (05/04/2014); Expulsion from Eden (05/05/2014); Jericho Justified? (07/02/2013); When Jesus Comes Back? (04/19/2013); What’s The Way Out? (04/20/2013)

 

“quaz”, here are a few points to consider based upon the platforms for stable Christian belief that appear in the holy writings.  All believers are called to perform service and work that require soundness of body, mind and spirit:

(1.)  From Mark 12:  26-27, KJV (26 And as touching the dead, that they rise:  have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?  27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living:  ye therefore do greatly err.)  The many eternal purposes of divinity for created beings and living creatures are understood as agreeing in a putting forth of existence, life, active presence, and unique person.

(2.)  From Mark 12:  29-31, KJV (29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:  30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:  this is the first commandment.  31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.)  Continuing relationship is to appear through covenant, exchange, interaction, and sharing made possible by the living serving as vessels of spirit content from the makeup of Deity.  Included are such aspects of divinity as faith, forgiveness, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

(3.)  From 1st Corinthians 6:  12-13, KJV (12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient:  all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.  13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats:  but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.)  Addictions, extremes of appetite, and unclean habits result from bondage to sin that opposes acknowledgment of divine law, the Law Giver, the processes of health and wholeness for the living, the processes for praise and worship, and the continued existence of a universe maintained through divine order.

(4.)  From 1st Corinthians 6:  18-20, KJV (18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.  19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  20 For ye are bought with a price:  therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.)  Sexual joining is always on multiple levels such as the emotional, the physical, the psychological, and the spiritual.  For this reason, ones inborn spirit may become confounded and defiled through the unseen spirits within a sex partner.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  From 1st Corinthians 3:  16-17, KJV (16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.)  Believers must acknowledge the uninterrupted presence of GOD within.  Granting deliverance and life more abundantly, Christ also is known as “the Chainbreaker” having authority and power to release the spirit within believers from all conflicting and destroying influences.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith and spiritual maturity.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/22/2013) When People Covet

Covetousness and divine law are topics, today.  Also, there is more on resisting sin.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers New Zealand” using the ID “2FollowHim” (Level 7 with 72,848 points, a member since 25 January 2010) posted the following originally asked at Yahoo Answers Canada:

 

Christians, why does God say in the commandments ‘do not covet’?
I believe what God puts forward has good reasons, and we can know
them if we think about it.

What is wrong with ‘coveting’?

What happens when people do covet?

 

THE BATTLE AXE:  Resisting Sin (12/21/2013)— (5.)  That we strive against sin in our individual life does not separate us from divine love.  Rather, the struggle supplies a language and comprehension that serves as a common focus for our communication and sharing with the Almighty.  Our Father in heaven cares, and lives in us and through us, just as parents oversee the development and achievement of artistic or athletic, and other skills in their children, take pride in their accomplishments, and commiserate with them in their disappointments and failures.  In the same way those coming under alcohol addiction deny being overcome and made subordinate, men typically are unaware, and deny operating under the influence of sin.  Many will concede and confess that they want a changed life, and need to do things differently.  There can be no enduring or lasting change until they first acknowledge the their need is to return to GOD.  (6.)  For Christian believers the process of destroying sinful habits begins in prayer, however, not by calling for deliverance and complaining for relief.   The desired change can not be achieved from the operation of ones self-will; escaping, and going outside of ones self is necessary.  Saying this another way, the self must be exposed and seen unadorned.  What is only inside, must continually appear outside as personal, demanding action, and unavoidable until right action is taken.  Thus, a person must use thoughts and words to focus, frame and materialize their own intent.  The intent is then repeated speaking aloud to oneself, repeated in public declaration, and maintained in print (using such devices as promissory notes, pledge cards, goal statements, progress charts, and action check lists).  The intent must be carried into daily and regular action that responds to a specific person or group (e.g., agents of the church, and the Lord), who serve as a “co-laborer” and “fellow-traveler” that will accompany one in their journey.  With prophecy (i.e., comfort, edification, exhortation), carefully selected companions provide correction, encouragement, feedback, perspective and witness that arises from outside of oneself, and from the Spirit of GOD.  The believer must exist within an environment that continually reflects godly intent.  (See Romans 6:  3-5, Ephesians 4:  22-32 and 2nd Corinthians 5:  17, KJV.)

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.  And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness:  for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  (Luke 12:  13-15, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Balaam (10/15/2013); My Brother’s Keeper (04/05/2013); Issues for Children’s Church? (04/06/2013); Prosperity Destroys Fools (09/25/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012)

 

“2FollowHim”, here are a few points useful to Christian believers:

(1.)  To “covet” is to repeatedly direct and fix ones attention (i.e., their feelings and thoughts) upon some carnal, non-spiritual event or material object.  A broad mix of mental and physical activity results that may include various combinations of conflict, envy, fantasy, greed, imagination, lust, passion, self-destruction, and wastefulness.

(2.)  As sin, covetousness opposes the continued existence of divine law, of divine person, and of all that has been created by GOD.  Sin is no carnal, material, or spirit “thing” that exists; yet, sin may dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures.  Sin does not respond to human logic, reason, or science; and can not be eliminated or totally remove without divine operations that overturn the existing universe of GOD.  Those who covet “forget GOD.”

(3.)  Most TV advertising calls covetousness into operations; and seeks to arouse a desire for goods and products even when they are not needed, or useful.  To desire an object you see because another person has it, to want one better than theirs, and to want one “better” than what you possess is often no more than covetousness.  Similarly, continual dissatisfaction with oneself, ones education, ones employment, ones own home, marriage and relationships also can be the expression of covetousness.

There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Apart from sacred law and the many provisions of GOD that now include the imparted, indwelling Spirit, humans are not capable of recognizing sin as contrary and foreign to their inherited nature.  Because sin arises from within, it appears to be an acceptable, authentic and harmless part of ones true self.  One of the basic causes of war is covetousness.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.

There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.  The desire of a man is his kindness:  and a poor man is better than a liar.  (Proverbs 19:  21-22, KJV)

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(09/15/2013) Weed and Godly Wisdom

The effect of alcohol and drugs upon religious belief and experience are topics, today.  Also, there is more on the truth that there is only one GOD.  A “Yahoo! Answers Australia” writer using the ID “Matt” (Level 1 with 82 points, a member since March 28, 2013) posted the following:

 

If I’m a Christian and smoke weed, will I go to Hell?

 

 

THE BATTLE AXE:  (09/14/2013) Only One GOD— (4.)  Using human processes for examining experience and information, mankind may describe and realize many ideas of “god.”  However,  any god so arrived at, and understood to exist is in the nature of a mental construct, a product of meanings and words directed to specific uses in discourse and formal language (we say, rhetoric).  In addition to aspects of their substance at Creation, the otherwise invisible GOD worshiped by Christian believers, uses various divine operations to become known and visible through life experience of created beings and living creatures.  Included are incarnation, healing, exorcism, judgment, rebirth, repentance, revelation, and sanctification.  As GOD employs promise, prophecy, sacred events, divine process, and eternal purpose, created beings and living creatures realize awareness of divinity as active and present.   The oneness of divine spirit may appear through many forms and operations that do not also display sameness.  Examples are abundance, dearth, gentleness, forbearance, forgiveness, longsuffering, patience, and strength.

 

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.  For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him.  And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.  (1st John 3:  18-24, KJV)

 

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Law in Christian Belief? (09/03/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013); A GOD of Love? (05/07/2013); About Preaching the Gospel (04/18/2013); When Jesus Comes Back? (04/19/2013); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); A Holy Kiss? (11/13/2012); Unwelcome Gifts? (09/17/2012)

 

 

Matt, here are a few points shared among many Christian believers who confess their personal truth of having enjoyed experiences with alcohol, hashish and marijuana:

(1.)  It is not wise to do anything you cannot openly share with other believers; that you would be ashamed to do before your parents, your spouse, the leadership of your church congregation; or that you would not want Jesus to find you doing at the time of his Advent.  Those who are addicted are damaged in their conscience, and in their self-will (we say, will power).  While the anguish and problems addicts address appear to be physical, psychological and social in nature, often it is merely that the self-destructiveness of sin (i.e., defiance of divine law with denial of existence to Divine Person and all the Creation of GOD) is operating in their lives.

(2.)  There are groups of believers who use alcohol and drugs as legitimate aspects of their worship.  However, in such cases, believers must strictly observe many disciplines, acknowledge accountability to civil laws and ordinances, and continue in conduct and behavior displaying modesty, circumspection, respect and restraint.  While alcohol and drugs cannot guarantee that a believer will have an experience of seeing GOD, or coming closer to the Holy, there is no reason to believe that alcohol and drugs have any power to stop the revelation of GOD, or to make it impossible for GOD to reveal himself to those of us upon the earth.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  For example, (3.)  GOD is a spirit.  For created beings and living creatures to know GOD, their awareness must be directed to things that are completely spirit in their operation, purpose and substance.  We say, mankind must be “born again;” and there must be a transformation of ones being whereby appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual craving), sense (e.g., hearing, seeing, smelling), mind (e.g., desire, fantasy, imagination, memory), and sin may no longer dominate self-will.  Where alcohol and drugs interfere with ones consciousness of GOD (i.e., they forget GOD), and a person’s ability to deal with the subtle (barely visible) differences and sameness among profane and sacred things, we know, a person may be overwhelmed in spiritual confusion.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC