(01/24/2019) Christians Are Following Jesus

 

Today, reply is on whether those who follow Jesus Christ also are commanded within the Bible to worship him as God. In addition to divine law that is the expressed will of GOD, the followers of Jesus will carry out, conform to, embody and obey divine principles, proclamations, and prophecy; sacred doctrine; the imperatives of faith; and promptings by the imparted, indwelling Spirit. Christ is exalted and shown reverence throughout the Scriptures using various descriptive names and titles (e.g., seed of the woman; Immanuel; Messiah; the son of man; Alpha and Omega). While the full revelation of GOD does center specifically in the incarnation of divine substance as Jesus Christ, the eternal purpose of his ministry on the earth is not to be thought of as self-promotion. Created beings and living creatures are to be aware of, discover, and even experience the divinity of Jesus from the time of his conception and being announced by an angel to the woman through whom he was born to the time of his appearing for the harvest (the Advent; the Rapture; the Second Coming). A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Faez” (Level 1 with 101 points, a member since September 10, 2018) posted the following:

 

Jesus said not to worship Him, in Revelation 22:9, Mark 7:7, Mathew 15:9. Then why are Christians not following Jesus?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW: But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. (Psalms 50: 16-23, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: We Have To Believe? (01/06/2019); Divinity Embodied In Flesh (12/30/2018); By Reading The Bible? (11/18/2018); New Commandments From Christ? (06/05/2018); Avoiding Confusion About Antichrist (11/08/2017); Without the Divine Image? (10/15/2017); Tools For Knowing Divinity (05/12/2017); Martyrdom and Tribulation? (09/30/2015)

 

Faez, what it means “to follow Jesus” goes beyond literal obedience to his spoken commands that are recorded in the Bible. His disciples are to appear as incarnations and members of his body; they are to display the image of GOD, and continually manifest Christ-likeness. Those who are mature members of the church that Jesus Christ has created will fulfill sacred duties and divine possibilities provided through a new relationship wherein created beings and living creatures are to permanently exist as companions to divine fullness (we also say, divinity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). Sinners are to receive rebirth and exist as the new creation by containing fresh endowments of life essence (we say, breath; spirit; word) imparted from the character, makeup and nature of GOD. Included are faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, sacred knowledge, wisdom, and wrath against sin. In the same way no one has to beg for what those who love them willingly want to offer and share, divinity does not have to command, demand, and require praise, reverence or worship from those who willingly follow and serve. Such things appear as expressions of gratitude, joy, respect, and reverence. Consider again the following that uses language from the holy writings:

1. John 7: 16-18, King James Version (KJV): 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

2. 2^nd John 6-7, KJV: 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

3. 2^nd John 9-11, KJV: 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 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. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 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.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(05/01/2015) Manifest Only Unto Us?

Today, points are shared responding to speculations and conspiracy-theory thinking about the followers of Jesus Christ.  Like present-day believers, the apostles and disciples of Jesus were challenged to understand that his ministry from GOD was that of a high priest, prophet and king (like David), not merely a rabbi or teacher of doctrine.  Until John the Baptist, no anointed prophet such as Isaiah, Ezekiel, or Jeremiah had appeared for more than 400 years.  Even those who acknowledged Jesus as prophet, were not skilled enough to quickly recognize when his message simply repeated that of earlier prophets recorded within the holy writings, amplified and commented upon the earlier messages, or resulted because he himself was operating in the role as a sacred spokesperson and prophet with messages that were fresh and never-before proclaimed.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Bluebootz” (Level 5 with 8,944 points, a member since June 29, 2012) posted the following speculations:

 

The disciples were the inner circle. They were graced with truths that were not given to the masses that Jesus taught.?

It is possible that they were privy to information, not only spiritual truths, but also revelations about the drama that was about to take place.

Judas and Jesus were best friends, does it make sense that Judas would betray his friend? Or does it make more sense that Judas would create a diversion?

Peter denies Jesus and Judas sells him out? What? Jesus wouldn’t choose wimps and betrayers as his inner circle would he?

Maybe Jesus and his disciples were all in, on a hidden secret thing. Like Jesus doesn’t get crucified.
He cries in Gethsemane because he dislikes having to set up another.

It could make sense right?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:  and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.  Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words:  and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  (John 14:  21-23, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Resurrection of Jesus Acknowledged? (04/03/2015); How Many Apostles? (04/30/2014); The Ruler Of the Earth? (05/01/2014); Succession (02/05/2014); On Youth Doing Enough (02/06/2014); Hierarchy (11/14/2013); The Benefit of Law? (11/15/2013); Why Jesus Used Parables (11/03/2013); Denying Baptism to Others (11/04/2013); Jesus and the Pharisees (07/14/2013); How Could Angels Fall? (07/15/2013)

 

“Bluebootz”, your understanding is off in a number of peculiar points.  Consider the following that is shared among Christian believers that shields against spiritual confusion:

(1.)  The most necessary focus is upon the divine operations, the sacred processes, and the eternal purposes of Deity.  All the cultural, emotional, material, political, and social activity may be thought of as “noise” to be ignored.  In addition to fulfilling prophecy, Jesus was establishing the further dimensions (we say, a new testament) for the perpetual covenant and the form of priesthood that had been granted to Israel.  As he approached the time of his crucifixion, Jesus had appointed only 12 apostles, yet, was followed daily by hundreds who were committed disciples.

(2.)  When Jesus began to teach more directly the meaning of his incarnation (i.e., the appearance of divinity using flesh and blood), many of the disciples began to feel disheartened and repelled.  There would be a great “falling away” (we say, apostasy).  Jesus would teach that his followers must consume and take himself into themselves completely.  Like Gideon who went into battle with only 300, Jesus would identify those who truly were prepared by using the language of eating his flesh, and drinking his blood, rather than merely by saying, receive the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.  Jesus shocked and tested the acceptance, commitment and understanding of every one who thereafter would approach him.

(3.)  During their last Passover supper, Jesus announced that he would be betrayed that very night by someone who was also sharing at their table.  Immediately, the men began to ask, Is it I, Lord?  Their expressions of embarrassment and self-doubt were not because Jesus was clairvoyant and had read everyone’s mind.  The apostles understood there were limits upon their ministry that would have to be removed.  While they were able to use power from GOD through the name of Jesus, none had received the gifts from the Holy Spirit, or the imparted, indwelling spirit that would abide among them after his return to the Father.  Thus, in many  ways, their primary focus was still upon themselves, their own possibilities for authority and power as ministers within the new kingdom, their continuing competition and rivalry, their inability to accomplish simple tasks (e.g., forgetting to bring along fresh bread), the stinging challenges made by Jesus to the measure of their faith as well as their own nagging uncertainty whether Jesus truly is Messiah.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  GOD is a spirit.  Thinking and speaking as a Christian requires an apprehension of existence that uses concepts and terms appropriate to a cosmic and divine scale.  The need for salvation by direct interventions of divinity on behalf of all created beings and living creatures is correctly received only where the living identify and unite with divinity through such aspects of relationship as forgiveness, humility, praise, prayer, promise, prophecy, and steadfastness.  The Lord’s resurrection first was announced to many who were in hiding, did not know of his crucifixion, and expected Jesus to be released or that their own arrest would soon occur.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC