While pondering the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, I soberly acknowledged that with one stroke, God Almighty can wipe out the whole human race and still be God. The heavens declare His handiwork, and all creation yearns to see the consummation of His plan, but God is still God, apart from man. Hallelujah! That is good news. For what poor gods we do make. Many who make no distinction between Creator and creation may find themselves in the same mind set of those who feel led to hug a tree. While others, by way of revelation, know that they are created to worship THEIR CREATOR! We realize we just described an extremity found in the pro-environmentalist movement, but the mind set of "NO DISTINCTION" between Creator and creation is not limited to this movement.
The phrase, "God in a box," has been the content of many messages and
sermons. Rightfully so, since man in his feeble concepts makes it a
common practice to limit the Most High. Before there was ever such a
phrase as "God in a box," mankind, in a most literal sense, put their "gods"
in a literal box. Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and
the star of your god Rempham, figures which ye made to worship them:
and I will carry you away beyond Babylon
(Acts 7:43). This verse of
scripture speaks of a most literal practice of "God in a box." Yes, in
reality, it was not the true God that was in the box. Nevertheless, the
commentary goes:
"It was customary for the idolaters of all nations to carry images of their gods about them in their journeys, military expeditions, etc.; and these, being very small, were enclosed in little boxes, perhaps some of them in the shape of temples, called tabernacles; or, as we have it, Acts 19:24, shrines. These little gods were the penates and lares among the Romans, and the tselems or talismans among the ancient eastern idolaters. The Hebrew text seems to refer to these when it says, the tabernacle of your Molech, and Chiun, your images, tsalmeycem, your tselems, the types or simulachres of your gods. Many of those small portable images are now in my own collection, all of copper or brass; some of them the identical penates of the ancient Romans, and others the offspring of the Hindoo idolatry; they are from an ounce weight to half a pound. Such images as these I suppose the idolatrous Israelites, in imitation of their neighbours, the Moabites, Ammonites, etc., to have carried about with them; and to such the prophet appears to me unquestionably to allude." -end quote (Clarke's Commentary, vol. 5, p. 732)
While there can be many things said about the church in the wilderness participating in idolatry, as well as the modern day church, be it outward with a carved object, clergy, or buildings, or be it inward with graven images of the mind, doing things God never told us to do, it is quite clear that the phrase, "God in a box," can have many definitions.
I'm reminded by one writer from the not so distant past, that churches (the ecclesia, the out-called) were once named after their location, not after their doctrinal position. The scriptures themselves bear this out as we can see in the reference to the church at Corinth as well as the seven churches mentioned in Revelation, just to name a few. So, it may seem very fitting to use the phrase, "God in a box," for those who have boxed in their understanding by their doctrinal position, which is many times spelled out by the name posted on the door! Maybe one of the most common misconceptions today is the idea that buildings are now called church, as opposed to the scriptural meaning of the church being the body of Christ, and where any two are joined He shall be in their midst!
We will skip these rather obvious popular misconceptions and stay on track with what God has impressed upon our hearts. What we are addressing is the "SUBTLE" concepts that lie
hidden in the confines of pride, for pride itself is the very
crown
of the first man, Adam. As we go on in this study, I think we will find
that Adam has influenced a whole race of people to aspire to the
highest
position possible to win this crown of pride, and the name of the crown
is also the motive that fuels every man and woman dying in Adam! Oh, I
know the serpent was there when Adam fell, but I dare say the serpent
did
not aspire to be the "Most High." He just threw the bait out there for
an unkept soul. Before we go on any further we would like to leave one
more thought on all the man-made boxes in Christendom that are destined
to fall back into the dust that they arose from. We would beg of you to
remember what was said of those who compared themselves to make one
feel
lesser or better than the other: For we dare not make ourselves of
the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but
they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among
themselves, are not wise
(2 Cor. 10:12). And he spake this
parable
unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and
despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a
Pharisee,
and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with
himself,
God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners,
unjust,
adulterers, or even as this publican
(Luke 18:9-11). Oh, dear
friends,
how many times have we often thought of this parable as pertaining to
the
Pharisees of old, dishonest men in the pulpit and the mass of nominal
Christianity,
but we in our hearts have said, "Oh, God I'm glad I'm not like
those
people down the road at that building that still believe those
false
doctrines. I'm glad I see truths that they are too blind to see. I'm
glad
I don't waste my time with them! I have a deeper understanding than
those
people who don't know as much as me!" The proud attitude of the
Pharisee
is not limited to those meeting in a building.
Should we not be humbled like the publican, if we have this so called deep truth, and confess, "Lord, the more I learn, the more I find out that I truly do not know!"
The above mentality ties into the subtle thing we are addressing, but there is much more than the proud heart that often tells on itself. We would like to go beyond that too, and put the knife right to the heart of the ancient mentality that has earned the name, "a little box called me."
"Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him... Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ... Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." (2 Cor. 11:1-4, Col. 2:8 and 1 John 5:21)
The box we are dealing with is the temple of God. We are not under
the assumption that the temple of God is a physical building, unless
you
want to call it a physical building made without hands! Know ye
not
that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in
you
(1 Cor. 3:16)? We beseech you to consider that the buildings in the
Old Testament in which God manifested His glorious presence (Tabernacle
of Moses and Solomon's Temple) were only a shadow of a more glorious
temple
that God is now preparing. Yet, as the carnal nature often demands, man
is more concerned with bringing back the shadows rather than the
reality!
If this were not true there would be no hype or interest in rebuilding
some temple for a people that, to this day, as a nation, reject the
chief
corner stone Himself of God's living temple, the Lord Jesus Christ!
However,
I do take into consideration that there are devout individuals from
that
nation who have been apprehended by God and now know Jesus!
In 1 Corinthians 3:17, Paul goes on to tell us what happens to
those
who defile the Temple of God. Please keep in mind that in the previous
chapter he made comparisons between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of
the world. He makes it clear, by quoting Isaiah 64:4, For since
the
beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear,
neither
hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee...,
that man in his
natural
(soulish) mind cannot comprehend the wisdom of God. He goes on to say,
But God hath revealed them unto us BY HIS SPIRIT
(1
Cor.2:11)!
It may as well also be said that even when the natural mind, apart from
the teaching of the Holy Spirit, tries to become spiritual or wiser it
ultimately results in death, for we know the law is spiritual
(Rom.7:14),
but when man tries to put something on from the outside that is only a
shadow of good things to come and is ignorant of the spiritual meaning
and present truth of whom the law ultimately pointed to, he becomes as
hard as the stones that the law was once written on! Remember, God
works
from the inside out! He writes His nature on our hearts! So, unless we
are taught by the Holy Spirit and we are spiritually discerned, we are
unfit to handle and administer the "LIFE" of the word. All we can do is
give our soulish understanding of a spiritual word!
Now after Paul's comparison of the spiritual and the natural
(translated soulish,
Concordant Literal New Testament) wisdom of man and God's wisdom, he
goes
on later to say: For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with
God.
For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness
(1
Cor. 3:19). In 2 Corinthians 11:3 Paul tells us how the temple is
defiled.
It is done SUBTLY!
We find this connection in the Greek word used for "corrupted" in 2 Cor. 11:3. This same Greek word was first used in 1 Cor. 3:17 and translated as "defile." The word is also used in the same verse as "destroy."
"If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
The feminine part of man's trichotomy is the soul, and often, in the Greek, the soul is synonymous with the mind, as we have shared in previous articles ("Jesus Christ: A Revelation We Have Lost Along The Way" parts Two and Three). In 2 Cor. 11:3, Paul speaks of Eve being deceived, then the potential of the mind to be CORRUPTED, DEFILED from the pure single hearted devotion that is in Christ.
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity of Christ."
The above verse can speak volumes on the stagnant, spiritually destitute condition of, NOT the man still blind to his need for a Saviour, but the blind deception of the believer that has exchanged their birthright for a vain empty philosophy that has been decorated with personalizedterminology, under the guise of revelation knowledge "to be desired to make one wise." (Gen. 3:6). However, not only wise, but wiser than any other. Not only deep, but deeper than any other revelation. Not only high, but higher than any other.
Mankind, down through history, has taken great note of wise men and their philosophies. The word philosophy, broken down in the Greek words that it's made of means "to be fond of wisdom." We, at this point, hope to have established a difference between the wisdom of the world and God's wisdom. The book of Proverbs tell us Wisdom is a Tree of Life! Yet, we dare say the wisdom of man originated from an unregenerated dusty carnal condition that cannot make a single soul wise unto salvation. The wisdom of man may have some spices here and there that seem to taste like divine truth, but this is to be expected-- as the saying goes, "you cannot catch a mouse without any cheese in the trap."
Inside our microcosm, we have a whole realm full of thoughts.
They can
be pure thoughts, thoughts taken in captivity to the obedience of
Christ,
or thoughts that have no business dominating our mind. In a sense, our
mind is like a garden, a garden inclosed
(Song of Sol. 4:12).
We may
let weeds grow, keep it uncultivated or let those small foxes take hold
of the vine. These applications concerning thoughts in our "garden" can
be viewed in many ways, but what is deeply impressed upon our hearts is
the influence of something SUBTLE.
It is a very SUBTLE word that puts God in a little box called 'me'. The "UNKEPT SOUL" is always fair game for a little ride on any old cool breeze that happens to blow through the garden. This present cosmos has kept up with all the various winds that have blown all through time, and the prince of the power of the air gives each a different name for each different generation. We would like to share with you a word of confirmation concerning these winds. I had the passage in 2 Cor. 11:1-4 pressed on my heart in a very intense way for about a week and at the end of that week a dear sister in the Lord who came for some fellowship had this following dream the night before we were to leave for a meeting. Her description goes like this:
"I was in a house with some brethren that I know and I went into another room. In this room the window was open. A strong wind started to come and tried to 'suck' me out of the window. I ran and went to a part of the house (it seemed like the back) but there was a door. The wind was blowing so strong and trying to pull me out with it. I was frantically trying to shut the door. As I looked outside I could see in the distance the evidence of a storm or like when clouds are blowing, but right there upon us there was no visible evidence that this tremendous wind was blowing. As I awoke, on my heart was the scripture Eph. 4:14-15. 'That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into HIM in all things, which is the HEAD, even Christ'!"
Since the transgression in Eden, the serpent has grown wings and he has taken his flight into the heavens on diverse winds, but there is nothing diverse about their purpose. The fuel that empowers his flight is the proud fallen nature of a dead old man! It has one goal in mind and it starts out with a SUBTLE REDUCTION OF JESUS CHRIST. The consummation of this horrific flight of destruction is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:4, seated in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God!
Before we go on, we would like to share a few thoughts on what we mean by the phrase, "the subtle reduction of Jesus Christ." We are speaking of an attitude that fails to see what the whole purpose of the death, burial, resurrection and Lordship of Jesus in relationship to humanity really means. For example, Ghandi once said, "I shall say to the Hindus that our lives will be incomplete unless you reverently study the teachings of Jesus" (Hingorani, 23). Sounds like Jesus has a good standing with Ghandi, but lets see in this next statement the level Jesus is placed. Ghandi also said, "I... do not take as literally true the text that Jesus is the only begotten son of God. God cannot be the exclusive Father and I cannot ascribe exclusive divinity to Jesus. He is as divine as Krishna or Rama or Mohammed or Zoroaster." (Hingorani, 53).
Now the SUBTLE thing is that which seeks to put itself in place of Christ, as if it is "the Christ," rather than the attitude that comes out screaming, "I am against Christ." The original language used in the New Testament itself tells on even the seemingly softest spoken spirit that would mingle the Gospel with an agenda apart from its pure message and have us embrace another Christ, rather than "The Christ." In the Greek scriptures the word "anti" means "instead of" or "in place of." For those who would argue the authority of the Aramaic over the Greek, that only confirms it rather than refutes it because "anti" is translated in The New Testament from the Ancient Eastern Text, as "false." This alludes to somewhat of an imposter or one posing as Christ, like the Greek, rather than an opponent in the most blatant sense!
We are not in the least bit interested in debating with all the concepts of some super human Anti-Christ coming as one single person leading the blind multitudes of literally marked people into a huge edifice built for God. The multitudes are already blind with such sensationalism, and we will be too if we only focus on the outward, while it is the plan of God to do some major house cleaning in His real Temple, which is an internal cleansing! Judgment starts at the house first, not out in the world.
We have for so long been so emphatic about the Church never seeing "Christ in you" and the "Kingdom within you," that we have lost the balance and now only see one side of the coin. We have been combating one extremity with another extremity. Both of these extremities have been weighed in the balances, and are found wanting! (Dan.5:27).
In today's search for more truth, more knowledge, more understanding, more revelation and more new ideas, I have begun to wonder if it has been just a search for one more thrill. It seems that many, when they have come out of a legalistic church background and have seen the light on issues that seem hidden from the majority, with no nobility in their hearing, have begun to swallow anything that sounds untraditional, and never stop to ponder it and chew the cud.
We might add that there is something in man that always has to be "up" at least one notch higher than the rest. Inside the little earthen box, the fondness for knowledge begins to mistake the voice of the soul for the voice of God.
Speaking of being "mistaken," there has been some things shared today on what has been termed as "mistaken identity." It is alluded to, if not boldly announced, that there is no God outside of man. You do not have to go to a Unity bookstore or look into other world views to hear this. It can be found today, as far as some are concerned, as part of the "Kingdom Message." Before we go any further, let me state this: for the most part, the proof being in the pudding, the "Kingdom Message" has been just another message with only portions of truth. Now for those of you that have not thrown this paper away after that comment, let us go on to state that the more accurate term is "THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM," AND IT IS GOD'S KINGDOM, NOT JUST SOME MESSAGE! Now back to the case of mistaken identity. Although it is a popular notion in the present day that man, himself, can find himself within himself and discover his "true self" and conclude that his "true self" is really God, this is actually an ancient concept. In the "Glossary of Terms in Eastern Philosophy," we have found this interesting definition for Brahman: "Hindu notion of the all-pervasive God who is identical to self within us." In the minds of many this may sound liberating and wonderful, but this has nothing to do with the Gospel of the Kingdom. This type of teaching ultimately ties back into "Self." The Gospel of the Kingdom ties back into NOT WHAT WE ARE BECOMING, NOT WHAT WE SHALL BECOME, BUT IT TIES BACK INTO THE ONE WHOSE VERY NAME TOWERS THE CELESTIALS. IT TIES BACK INTO ITS VERY FOUNDATION, "FOR OTHER FOUNDATION CAN NO MAN LAY THAN THAT IS LAID, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST."
We understand that we shall make no progress in our understanding if we only think of who we were in Adam, before we met the Lord. We do indeed mistake our identity when we fail to acknowledge that, in relation to our union with Christ, we are a new creation! I thank God for all who are sharing this vital truth in this hour. I pray not to discourage anyone from that. We may add that we do not accept the false humility of saying, "I'm just a sinner saved by grace." No!
You were a sinner until you met GRACE!
Nevertheless, as we said, we care not to pit extremity against extremity! The other extremity is found in this box we have been dealing with. The subtle arrogance that crawls around in its intellect is just as disqualified as the false humility found elsewhere.
Often the search for truth is quite honest and healthy, yet
without
a sober mind and spiritual discernment, the truths found from other
sources
become just as good as any. "After all," some will say, "God spoke
through
a donkey." Yes, He did, (the Lord opened the mouth of the ass.
Num.22:28)
but under what circumstances did He speak through the donkey? Was it
not
under the circumstance of rebellion? Actually, the angel of the Lord
was
an adversary to this rebellious prophet, not a messenger sent to
commend
the prophet, and give him some wonderful new tid-bit of information!
The
Lord had to correct the prophet! Yes, God speaks through many things as
a means of confirmation, to convict our hearts and to enlighten us.
Does
this conclude that it is edifying to purposely sip the poison of
polytheism
and sift through the dung of human philosophy as a steady diet? Why
should
we make it a common practice to rummage through the swine's husk for a
half eaten kernel of truth when we have not even exhausted the
multi-faceted
truths found in the scriptures? These are not so much questions to ask
the one seeking for the real God, not yet knowing Christ, as they are
for
those who are described in the first chapter of Romans by Paul. Because
that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were
thankful;
but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was
darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools who changed the
truth
of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the
Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen
(verses 21-22 and 25).
Paul also stated that they changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made to corruptible man (verse 23). It is quite interesting that Paul also mentions birds, beasts and creeping things in this same verse, but the first thing he mentions is the corruptible man! It should be self evident that if man glorifies God and remains thankful and humble, he cannot have the capacity to see God as anything less than who God is, rather than glorifying self and/or other creatures.
We may as well add that there can be another side of this so called "mistaken identity." It is the one in the box mistaking himself for the One who created him! If there is any value in teaching "mistaken identity," would it not be the fact that, in Christ, not in ourselves, we are a NEW CREATION, NOT THE CREATOR?
We would like to take a look into the explanations that come out
of the "deified self," that thinks in his mind he has full possession
of
the only true God. These views are no different from what the Apostles
had to confront in their day. We often only consider the threat of the
Jews going in behind Paul and trying to teach others to continue in the
shadows and dead rituals, Which stood only in meats and drinks,
and
divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the
time of reformation
(Heb.9:10). Yet, we do not hear much from the
majority on the other things that sought its way into the body
of
Christ, to try and detour its members from the Way! We also wonder if
the
minority that claims to have a higher truth even know where their
"truths"
come from. What some call New Age today can be traced back to Gnostic
philosophy,
as well as the teachings of Marcion.
Gnosticism and Marcion included Christ in their philosophy, but it was indeed a reduction of Christ that has made its way up to our time. The Gnostic's perspective on Christ and salvation are as follows:
"Gnostics do not look to salvation from sin (original or other), but rather from the ignorance of which sin is a consequence. Ignorance-- whereby is meant ignorance of spiritual realities-- is dispelled only by Gnosis, and the decisive revelation of Gnosis is brought by the Messengers of Light, especially by Christ, the Logos of the true God. It is not by His suffering and death but by His life of teaching and His establishing of mysteries that Christ has performed His work of salvation." end quote
Ah, well did the early Church father Irenaeus speak of the Gnostics, as to have preferred, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil over the tree of life. We acknowledge that His teaching is Life, but if we are saved by His teaching and saved from our ignorance of spiritual reality, what was the Cross of Christ all about? To not know the work of the Cross of Christ is indeed to be in ignorance of one of the greatest mysteries of all time! To know Christ as the Logos, but fail to see the work of salvation and reconciliation on the cross is indeed an ignorance of an awesome spiritual reality! The cross is a stumbling block to the Jews, foolishness to the Greeks, and unnecessary to the New Age philosophy. However, to the believer, it was a turning point that all the powers of death and hell could never turn back. It is, at the current time, a work that takes place within, to save man from selfishness. It shall be at the consummation of the ages what it already is in eternity-- a done deal in every creature! The crucifixion of Christ was the very thing God used to strip death of its power! When we begin to reduce Christ, we also begin to do away with the His death, burial and resurrection! Beloved, the entire plan of God is tied into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ! He was not merely another prophet, but the only begotten Son of God who alone was qualified to take away the sins of the world!
Marcion who lived from 84-160, opposed the Jewish scriptures and
felt
the God of the Hebrews was an evil creator God. He also taught this God
was not the Father of Jesus Christ. He taught that Jesus came to
liberate
us from the evil creator God. He also felt Paul was the only one who
knew
the true teachings of Christ. The only scriptures of any value to him
were
the ten letters of Paul and the Gospel of Luke. He also thought Paul
wrote
the Gospel of Luke. This system of picking and choosing when it comes
to
scripture is very much in accord with many circles of teaching today.
You
see, the logic of man cannot see any full harmony in the whole of the
scriptures
without the illumination of the Holy Spirit. "Why, we cannot fool
heartedly
accept this harmony of divine perfection inspired by the Holy Spirit,
so
there must be contradictions." God spare us of this dreaded thinking
and
cause the light to shine out of darkness and enlighten the eyes of our
understanding! Many today come to the conclusion that it could not have
been God that commanded Israel to go in and kill their enemy, so they
come
up with the idea of two Gods-- one for the Old Testament and one for
the
New Testament. They fail to see the type and shadow and if they do see
the type, they often come to the place where none of it really
happened;
it was all just an allegory. But, the principle that Paul was inspired
to give us is, Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but
that
which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual
(1 Cor.
15:46).
Of course, when you pick and choose what is true in the scriptures or
do
away with them altogether, as some who deem themselves "more advanced"
have done, this principle means absolutely nothing.
When we come to the conclusions that can be found in these darkened minds of self proclaimed "gods," we are hearing things that are deep. They are so deep they have no foundation. Interestingly enough, the first time the Greek word for bottomless pit is used, it is translated as the word deep. It is # 12 in the Strong's Concordance and appears first in Luke 8:31.
"And Jesus asked him, saying, what is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep." (Luke 8:30-31)
We may also add that it is quite interesting that sand is only particles of rock, yet it is not a solid stone. The hunger that feeds on these empty philosophies, that promote self realization, do indeed contain their particles of truth. One may plea that we all only have a part of the truth. Well, to be so bold, that all depends on what you define as truth. You see, although I do not know all things in one sense, this I hold fast to, and that is the declaration of the Son of man, the Son of God who walked in a perfect balance of boldness and humility, and declared, "I AM THE TRUTH." To some of us truth is a person, that person also being the same foundation Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians. Without that true foundation all you have is a bottomless pit. You can take your piece of truth and put your banner up and say, "Let's unite under this banner!," but if you're not on the foundation of Jesus Christ, then God's going to confound your language, brake your images into pieces, shut up your source of power and scatter you, and so goes the pattern. God has a firm foundation, but if it is not exotic enough for some imaginations, men often tend to build on particles of sand.
We would like to share a quote by one that has adopted scripture to support his idea of the true God being self:
"The first commandment, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me,' is an admonition to look to ones source for our good and it indicates that ME or I Am is that source." (Spiritual Interpretation of Scripture by Joel Goldsmith, p. 22)
We would like to add one more thought from the same source:
"Life is self-sustained. The belief in a power apart from God is duality. Since God is the Mind, Soul and Life of the individual, you are immortal and perfect." (p. 51)
This man and many others would like to teach us that it is idolatry to believe in a God apart from man. This is called duality according to those who have attained a "higher understanding" of their "true self." It is quite sad that this "true self" which claims to be really God, who is very emphatic about self realization and no longer being ignorant of its deity, somehow never escapes the bondage of corruption. Listen to such proud boasts of those who are blinded by the dust of such carnal visions. Indeed, what poor gods we do make!
Those who embrace such self realization also have used a
scripture in
James to support the idolatry of what they call duality: A double
minded
man is unstable in all his ways.
We must now consider this
question,
"What was James talking about in this passage of scripture?" Was the
issue
faith or self realization? If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask
of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall
be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he
that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and
tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways
(James 1:5-8). Is
this
duality (double mindedness) an attribute of our ignorance for failing
to
realize we are God, or is this duality an inconsistent disposition of
giving
ourselves whole heartedly to the Lord in faith, trusting in Him for our
every need? Is this not an issue of our source for wisdom and the lack
thereof, which is a need only God can meet? On what grounds is such
wisdom
given? Is it found only within our "deified self," (since we are
supposed
to be God and there is no God outside of us) or is it given
because
Christ, who is the personification of wisdom, has taken up residence in
our hearts? Beloved, does faith and stability not go hand in hand? Has
the world not seen enough verbal declarations of faith, without the
stability
that is found in true faith?
To be so bold, whether we like it or not, SELF REALIZATION IS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING, "JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR NO REASON AND HIS DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION ARE IRRELEVANT."
While the spirit of the age would have us to walk as God, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit would have us walk with God! In the sense of union, in harmony with the will of the Father, just as any mature son would desire to walk. Yet, the spirit of the age offers something seemingly better with a hiss behind it, a new idea, a higher way, a deeper truth and a SUBTLE twist to whatever God has said to entice the UNKEPT SOUL, in hopes of her trading her single hearted devotion to Christ, her Head, for an exploration in the dark rooms of spiritual whoredom.
It is typical for the unregenerate mind, those turned over to a reprobate mind, those seeking to usurp the Lordship of Christ, and those who have lost their first love, to view God's words as opposite of what they really say. If "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" is understood correctly, then any thoughts of a glorified self would be arrested with a Godly conviction.
We would like to share some sobering history from a pro-pantheistic source and to expound a little more on the UNKEPT SOUL that has swallowed the SUBTLE philosophy that motivates the ascension of the man of sin, seeking to usurp the throne of Christ.
"In the early thirteenth century, a number of theologians at Paris were preaching a pantheistic Christianity. David of Dinant taught that God was identical with primary matter: 'It is manifest that there is only one substance, not only of all bodies, but also of all souls, and this substance is nothing else but God himself... It is clear, then, that God and Matter and Mind are one substance.'
Amalric of Bena (also known as Amaury de Bene) held that God was the formal principle of all things, and that every single person was as much God as was Christ.
The works of both men were condemned as heretical and burned. In 1215 Amalric's bones were exhumed and reburied in an unconsecrated field.
After Amalric's death in 1207 a group of fourteen clerics, which included Almalric's secretary, began to profess pantheistic beliefs. They held that 'all things are One, because whatever is, is God.' They believed that, just as the time of the Patriarchs was the age of the Father, and the Christian era to date the age of Son, so now a new age of the Holy Spirit was dawning, and they were its heralds. One of the ringleaders proclaimed that he was God, and therefore he could not to be burned by fire or hurt by torture.
If everything is God, then everything is also good. It follows that there can be no such thing as sin."--end quote
That was from The Brethren of the Free Spirit - Divine Amorality, A History of Pantheism and Scientific Pantheism by Paul Harrison. Now we would like to consider one more quote from this pro-pantheistic source to show the motive and climax of this flight to power, written under the heading, Nothing is Sin.
"If anyone was 'in the Spirit', they said, even if he were to commit fornication or to be fouled by any other filthiness, there would be no sin in him.[Condemnation of the Amalricians.] When a man has truly reached the great and high knowledge, he is no longer bound to observe any law or command, for he has become one with God. God created all things to serve such a person, and all that God ever created is the property of such a person... He shall take from all creatures as much as his nature desires and craves, for all created things are his property... A man whom all heaven serves, all people and all creatures are indeed obliged to serve and obey; and if any disobeys, it alone is guilty.[A Beguine reciting her catechism.]
Nothing is sin except what is thought of as sin.
He who attributes to himself anything that he does, and does not attribute it all to God, is in ignorance, which is hell.
It would be better that the whole world should be destroyed and perish utterly than a 'free man' should refrain from one act to which his nature moves him... The truly free man is king and lord of all creatures. All things belong to him, and he has the right to use whatever pleases him. If anyone tries to prevent him, the free man may kill him and take his goods.[Johann Hartmann]
Whatever the eye sees and covets, let the hand grasp it.[John of Brünn]"--end quote.
The above quotes are contrary to God's nature in an extremely obvious way, but we submit to you that you can take any facet of divine truth, and if you forget the untainted personification of the Truth Himself then you can arrive at such nonsense found in the hearts of those quoted.
It should be quite evident that whatever is taking place in our microcosm, sooner or later, gives fruit outwardly in the form of the way we conduct ourselves by virtue of what we have sought, what we have yielded our members to and what is indeed that which our soul desires. Those who see a distinction between themselves and their Heavenly Father may come to know their soul's ultimate desire is not a "what," but a "who." But, if that one who is nothing more than self, by virtue of the thought that there is no God outside of man, then selfish pleasures are sure to follow in some form or another. These pleasures may offer extreme physical, intellectual, and seemingly spiritual gratification, but they are as temporal as the flesh they feed. Each fleeting moment of earthly passion ends in emptiness and never fills its incurable hunger. Without the personification and the ultimate embodiment of all divine truth, all divine wisdom, all divine love, then the internal world of the human microcosm is nothing but a spiritual death camp, and the human macrocosm itself spells this out.
However, there is a cure for this awful vanity; for the
glorification
of selfhood is exposed, brought into light and destroyed at the
experience
of the Revelation of Jesus Christ! From that moment on, beloved, all
the
fruit that the selfish soul bares is dealt with. Every idea that fails
to bow to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, at some time, shall be put
under
foot! He must reign until all enemies are put under foot! We
beseech
you to consider that we speak not of a destruction of the soul, but a
restoration--pure
and complete, left without a trace of the very nature that says, "I am
God, there is no other..." Let us hear from the inspired prophet:
Therefore
hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest
carelessly,
that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not
sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: But these
two
things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children,
and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the
multitude
of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
For
thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy
wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in
thine heart, I am, and none else beside me
(Is. 47:8-10).
Those verses are not just some prophecies about Babylon. We doubt not the historic reality of the scriptural implications concerning Babylon, and we know these words are prophetic. But, in light of the quotes shared from the so called Christian pantheist, the attitude of this woman (Babylon) is very much in accord with the attitude of the soul that has mated with a concept that demands preeminence, and dear friends, without any apology, THE PLACE OF PREEMINENCE BELONGS TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ALONE, NOT TO THE GREAT MINDS OF THE EAST, OR THE OUT AND OUT ARROGANT PROUD SOUL THAT MUST AND WILL BE HUMBLED. NOT TO THE DECEIVED SOUL DECLARING HIS GODHOOD, BUT TO THE HEAD OF A ONE HEADED MANY MEMBER BODY, NOT A POLYTHEISTIC MANY HEADED BODY, AND HE IS NONE OTHER THAN THE LORD OF LORDS, THE KING OF KINGS, HIGH AND LIFTED, IMMORTAL IN REALTY, NOT BY SOME POSITIVE CONFESSION, BUT BY THE LIFE OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW, EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS TO HIS PREEMINENCE!
We would like to take a look at what we call the "The I AM issue." "I AM" is a popular phrase among many who do not know Jesus Christ as the exclusive way to the Father, but it is also a scriptural term referring to God. It is also used by others as a revelation that some consider more advanced than those who still mention Jesus. We would like to think that this is not something birthed in pride, but in a search for more truth by those who know Jesus in some sense, but never knew Him as "The Truth."
Some feel that Moses found out his true identity in these
verses: And
Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel,
and
shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and
they shall say to me, what is his name? what shall I say unto them? And
God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt
thou
say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you
(Ex. 3:13 and 14).
We know some may at this point think, "How ridiculous for some one to think that the great I AM is concluded to be Moses from these verses." Well, its not so much Moses that is concluded to be the great I AM, for he is an example to use for the man or woman that stands up and declares that they have arrived, and for whatever reasons they ascribe to themselves the name: "I AM."
Brothers and sisters, please hear our heart, with all due respect to serious seekers of truth everywhere, WHEN THE REAL "I AM" STANDS UP IN HIS COMPLETED TEMPLE, NO FLESH SHALL STAND TO MINISTER, BECAUSE NO PROUD BOASTERS WITH GREAT SWELLING WORDS CAN GAINSAY OR WITHSTAND THE MIGHTY SPIRIT OF GOD!
Nevertheless, for now we shall consider the example used in Exodus. It is very interesting that in the very next verse (v. 15), the great "I AM" confirms Himself as the God of Israel's fathers, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. That sounds like the same God found in Genesis. It is the same God, different expressions, different manifestations and different names to describe them, but it is the same God. Today, the Jews have at least 72 different names for God.
But some would say, "What about Moses being made a god to the Pharaoh?" (see Ex. 7:1). That takes us to our next consideration, the "Ye are gods/elohim issue."
Let us consider the Concordant Version of Exodus 7:1, Yahweh
said to Moses: See, I appoint you as Elohim to Pharaoh;
Beloved I
have sat in many a meeting and heard the emphasis placed on "who we
are" and "how great we are." Everyone would begin to
shout,
and everyone was filled with excitement, but in reverence to God who
draws
the lines, maps out each purpose, sets up, takes down and appoints
whosoever
He pleases, I could only sit in silence and see how important it is to
magnify the Lord, for it is a humbling thing to know we are His and not
our own. It kind of reminds me of those in the wilderness who forgot
the
God that delivered them from bondage. I'm not denying any truths shared
about what God is doing in us, but if these truths are used only to
stroke
our egos, then I cannot help but think of a statement made by Andrew
Jukes
concerning misused truth. "Nothing really profits but what sanctifies
and
humbles." Is it not a truly humbling thing to know God? If so, why all
the proud boasting of self? It was Yahweh-The Lord (King
James Version), that gave/appointed Moses as Elohim-a god (KJV)
to Pharaoh. Our point is that it was God who appointed Moses,
not
Moses discovering his "true self" that made him an Elohim to
anyone!
As far as the word Elohim goes it is also used as "spokesman"
in
Exodus 4:16 in reference to Aaron, but like we said this is by God's
appointment.
Elohim is indeed one of the names of God, but according to the original
language it also speaks of rulers, judges and magistrates in a general
sense.
Jesus refers to the law in John 10:34 when he says to the Pharisees, "ye are gods." Jesus was speaking to the religious magistrates of his day. Those that pick up this scripture to use as a foundation for their so called godhood, would do well to consider the Psalm that this verse originally came from.
God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth
among
the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of
the
wicked
(Ps. 82:1-2)? The Jews who were the judges/elohim did
indeed judge unjustly, while the just fulfillment of the law
was
in their midst.
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted
and
needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the
wicked
(v. 3 and 4). This indeed was the Father's business. The
religious
Jews
forsook it, but Jesus came on the scene and opened up shop, like it was
nobody's business! Praise God!
They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in
darkness:
all the foundations of the earth are out of course
(v. 5). The
Jews
were stubborn and blind to righteous judgment. They knew not God's
voice
according to Jesus in John 5:37. They were to be the representatives of
God in the earth, a ministering priesthood, yet they added to the law
and
with their own agenda they made the word of God of none effect! By
their
traditions, not by the inspired writings of what we call the Old
Testament,
they did serious damage to themselves by adding to the law, for if the
foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do? (Ps. 11:2).
I have said, ye are gods; and all of you are children of the
most
High
(v. 6). When Jesus quoted "ye are gods" to the Jews,
He was mindful of the law. Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor
curse
the ruler of thy people
(Ex. 22:28). The marginal rendering for
gods
is judges. Like Christ said, the word of God had come to them,
for
they were to be administering it. Even though they turned out to be a
brood
of vipers, the scriptures could not be broken. In their blindness they
did fulfill what the scriptures said of them, as well as delivering up
the once and for all sacrifice!
But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
Arise,
O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations
(v. 7
and 8). This is one of those commonly half quoted passages ("ye
are
gods"), used by some to declare man alone is God, as if humanity
vanished
there would be no God. Those being "elohim" in general, could
not
stop the death process! The Psalm ends with a cry for "The
Elohim" to come and execute righteous judgment, and such
judgment
was executed through Jesus! He is the One who has triumphed over death!
For those of us who long to see creation set free, we know this
judgment
the Psalmist speaks of is not a negative thing!
We would like to share a Psalm that puts all the other elohims
in their
place. May all the servants of a carving be ashamed, The ones
boasting
in useless idols; Bow down to Him, all you elohim. Zion hears and is
rejoicing,
And the daughters of Judah are exulting On account of Your right
judgments,
O Yahweh. For You, O Yahweh, are Supreme over all the earth; You are
exceedingly
ascendant over all elohim
(Ps. 97:7-9 CV).
Exceedingly ascendant over all elohim.
That has a nice
ring
to it- crystal clear and harmonious in perfection!
In this present age we are now in, we have a vast ocean of uncertain sounds roaring with zeal as its waves of influence seek to leave some imprint on the sands of humanity. Nevertheless, we seek not to discourage anyone to give a fair listen to what anyone has to say, but we would encourage you to listen for the more certain sound.
The spirit of the age still has the same agenda to deceive the very elect if possible. We have mentioned the thrill seeking mentality of new revelation for the sake of higher knowledge, as if it were the ultimate means of attainment to being "elite" to the mass of Christianity. In this mentality, many feel confident that they have indeed come to Mount Zion. Some say they are moving on, or already have come to Mount Hermon, but if the whole walk has turned into a constant hunting for new ideas, we submit to you, they have come to Mars Hill!
In The Abiding Logos- Part 2 (Jesus Christ-A Revelation We Have Lost Along the Way), we went in to detail on the three types of mindsets found in Acts 17. We mentioned that they now typify the attitude that represents two extremities (those in Thessalonica and those in Athens) and those who represented the balance of the two in Berea.
The extremity found in Athens takes us back to the UNKEPT SOUL
in the
temple Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 3. When the absolutes of the very
foundation of our Lord Jesus have been dissolved in some grey area that
the Adamic nature has perpetuated, the soul is at ease to spend its
time
in hearing some new thing (Acts 17:21). The UNKEPT SOUL would rather
make
provisions for each new idea introduced, in her pre-occupation to stay
on the move with the latest revelation, rather than consulting her
Husband
(Christ). You see her Husband has given her a guide, that is the
guide
into all truth
(John 14:26).
What God meant to be His Holy temple can become a pantheon (temple of many gods) when the soul leaves her First Love. What was meant to be a garden enclosed, becomes a harlot exposed. It is very confirming that Paul used a word for DEFILE in 1 Cor.3:17 that indeed describes what happens when the garden of God is left UNKEPT. In Vincent's Word Studies we find that the Greek truly left the impression of something that goes hand in hand with spiritual whoredom and mixture.
"This is the primary and almost universal meaning in classical Greek. In a fragment of Euripides it occurs of dishonoring a female. Sophocles uses it of women pining away in bareness, and Plutarch of mixing pure colors. The phrase seems to be used here according to the Jewish idea that the temple was destroyed or corrupted by the slightest defilement or damage, or by neglect on the part of the guardians." end quote (Vincent's Word Studies Vol. 3 p. 204)
We have been equipped and instructed in 2 Cor. 10:3-7 for
warfare
with the high things that would soar higher in our minds, free to
spread
the seeds of idolatry in the very garden of God! This UNKEPT SOUL
condition
runs its course with the same pattern that Israel ran. For of old
time
I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidest, I will
not
transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou
wanderest,
playing the harlot. Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right
seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange
vine
unto me
(Jer. 2:20 and 21)?
We have already mentioned the multitude of winds blowing the
waters
of humanity to and fro, and in the soul's searching for the exotic
revelation
to put her on the throne, she only finds herself taken captive in
confusion
from the many imitations of the still small voice and each alternate
route
to God given from deceivers within and deceivers without. Thou art
wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the
stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from
these
things that shall come upon thee
(Is. 47:13)
And so it is today, many who are delivered by divine revelation from a legalistic yoke, perhaps in a resentment toward others out of hurt, open their arms to strange hissing and enchanting voices and mistake them for the more excellent way. The sad thing is, in such cases, it is quite possible that the vision of Sonship was never given, they only realized a few truths concerning justification! A generation came out of Egypt justified. Out of that same generation only two men, along with a dead man's bones, possessed a land that was given to all of them! Selah.
"For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." "...thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" (2 Cor.11:2 and Ex. 34:14)
Before we go on with our subject, unlike Marcion of old and many today, we DO NOT have a different God to explain the scriptures in the Old Testament that speaks of a "jealous God" and a different God to explain "God is love" in the New Testament. In the scriptures, we have the record of two covenants and one God. We find this attribute of "jealousy" mentioned in Exodus in accord with what Paul mentions to the Corinthians. The passage in Exodus speaks of a concern of playing the whore after other gods and Paul speaks of the mind being corrupted with another Jesus, another spirit and another gospel. Instead of making other gods to explain God we choose to eat the whole book and feast on the whole Lamb. We will all do well not to water it down with minimizing the harmony of the whole and explaining away types and shadows that pointed to Jesus Christ with other world views and religions! Paul was skilled by the Holy Spirit to see the complete intent of God's plan. Paul had no problem with the Old Testament. It was the ones who wanted to continue in the Old Covenant that caused him problems.
We would like to take a closer look at the word chaste that Paul used in 2 Cor.11:2. This is the Greek word hagnos. It is used eight times in the New Testament. It is interesting that while seven speaks of a completion and perfection, eight speaks of a new beginning. This Greek word is translated in the English as clear (2 Cor. 7:11), chaste (2 Cor. 11:2, 1 Tim. 5:22, Tit. 2:5, and 1 Pet. 3:2) and pure (Phil. 4:8, Jas. 3:17, 1 John 3:3).
This word alone tells the tale of the espoused soul playing the harlot, then being judged, refined and presented ready for union with her Husband to govern the affairs of the Kingdom of God! We do not keep these applications in a microcosm. Remember, as we speak, God's plan is unfolding, and He has the whole world in mind for fellowship with Him! That is why we point out the significance of a new beginning after a completed work of purification.
In 2 Cor. 6:14-18, Paul leaves no grey area concerning the
believer
being the temple of God and the believer being called out from the
idols,
the unclean and the profane. Then in chapter 7 verse 11 we find the
first
occurrence of hagnos is translated as clear. We would
like
to take note of two previous verses, before the first occurrence, that
speak of an attribute of God's love that has been lost in the shuffle
of
the many sloppy and imbalanced teachings of love today. Now I
rejoice,
not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye
were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by
us
in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be
repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death
(2 Cor. 7:9
and 10). Repentance speaks of a change of mind. He works in us a mind
that does not bed down with the carnality that the spirit of the age
feeds
on.
God loves us enough to change our minds and that is good news! To teach God's Love without teaching His power to change us, in which the nature of the new man is manifested, is comfortable for those who love the nature of the old man, and paints a picture of a powerless God! We are glad that God does not leave us the way we were in Adam! Adam would love to be free from the guilt of sin, but he could care less about being free from the desire to sin!
We would like draw two more points out of this word, hagnos.
Who
is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of
a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have
bitter
envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the
truth.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual,
devilish.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil
work.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure...
(Jas.3:13-17).
First of all, note that the word hagnos is used in the context of wisdom, because only the chaste soul shall give birth to the fruit of pure wisdom! May we keep in mind that the UNKEPT SOUL often has heard the twisted serenade that earthly wisdom has offered through the voice of philosophy. She has been courted with another means to God that only brings her further away from her Redeemer. Imagine that! The one who redeems us from bondage is forsaken and denied complete rulership of our microcosm, in order to experience a lie dressed in the form of truth. When she wakes up from her delusion she find herself in confusion and giving birth to the very things she experienced in her time of bondage- envy, strife and every evil work.
We find it quite interesting that James said, the wisdom from
above
is first pure.
It is first pure, not first mixed and
mingled
with Buddhism, Hinduism, Gnosticism, or whatever flavor of "ism"
that one may entertain. After he mentions the wisdom from above being
pure,
then he mentions its quality of peace and all that follows. Ah, all
the world wants peace, but first they must know the Prince of Peace!
All
the world longs to know what is true, but first they must come to know
"THE TRUTH." All the social programs, philosophy, and education may
serve
as some temporal relief, but it cannot change the spiritual condition
of
mankind. Jesus made the exclusive claim that He is the Way. What gives
a believer the right to approve of any other way? Perhaps a mind void
of
judgment!
The last place the word hagnos is used seems to
describe the
exhortation given to those who are now taken captive by the conviction
of the vision of Sonship. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and
it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he
shall
appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And
every
man that hath this hope... shall mistake his soul for the Christ, NO;
And every man that hath this hope keeps telling himself, I Am that I
Am, NO;
And every man that hath this hope tells others that, "I'm immortal and
I'll never die, and I live in the Most Holy Place," NO; And
every
man that hath this hope mistakes common salvation for THE INHERITANCE, NO!
And every man that hath this hope comes into full maturity by the
wisdom
of the eastern mind and whatever measure of truth he can find in other
religions, NO, NO, A THOUSAND TIMES NO! And every man that
hath
this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure
(1 John
3:2
and 3).
Beloved, I know God has things in store that the bulk of Christianity may fail to see, but if living in the Most Holy Place 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is nothing more than a verbal statement and our lives do not reveal He who is the Most Holy, all we have is a philosophy and the dying world around us is looking for reality!
Ray Prinzing once summed up my heart on the claims of Sonship in one simple, but so true statement. "IF I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT I'M A SON OF GOD THAT ONLY PROVES THAT I'M NOT."
If our state of being does not manifest Christ, do not despair. Just hold fast to the hope that God has put into our very being, know that God is patient and longsuffering, and abide in Christ. Commune with He that is indeed pure, but let us not kid ourselves with the thought that Sonship is obtained by what we name and claim and by way of mental perception. The world stands on tip toe to see the reality of Christ revealed in a corporate body, but meanwhile it has been bombarded with enough useless philosophy! I'm reminded of an old commercial on television, a few people are standing around the cashier's counter after buying a hamburger and this elderly woman, keeps coming back and demanding, "where's the beef?" Reality demands something that philosophy and eastern religion cannot deliver, so why should we add to the multitude of empty claims! God put this demand in all mankind, and He shall also meet that demand in the pureness of a people.
The second point is this: when someone has caught the vision of Sonship, or we should say it has caught them, something takes place in their being and creation groans to see the finished product of God's divine plan of purification! We should praise God for His mercy to bring to a halt the cycle of mixture and to present to His creation the completed body of Christ!
And he that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is
pure.
Thank God for His divine plan of purification! This
course
in fire starts at His house! Praise His Holy name.
Many today would argue that all religions have mixture including Christianity, and that they all have some element of truth, so why be exclusive to one? We do know there is a mixture in Christianity as far as the systems of men are involved, but those who hold fast to the exclusive claim of Christ, by virtue of God apprehending them, have taken the first step through THE DOOR, and they know that they know, that they need not look for another.
We would like to share a quote from a very timely message. We would like for you to keep in mind that this quote is from a man born and raised in India, who met Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior while he was dehydrated and on a bed of suicide.
"I was speaking in Santa Barbara, California once, and a Professor of Eastern Religions, who was an American gentleman, came to argue with me. He asked me if I would speak the next night on why I am not a Hindu. I said 'No, I wouldn't do that.' I said, 'When you throw mud at others, not only do you get your hands dirty, but you also lose a lot of ground.' But he said, 'Look, I dare you to do it and I'll bring my whole class in philosophy at the end of your talk to tear you to shreds.' I said, 'That's not a very welcoming thought,... but, let me do this: I will speak on why I am a Christian... and implicit in that is why I am not a Hindu; and you can bring your philosophy class to talk to me,' which he did.
I proposed the fact that Hinduism is loaded, LOADED, with contradictions. I won't go into those details, but at the end of it, he came up to the front and just about wanted to hit me. He said, 'Mr. Zacharias, the reason you portrayed Hinduism the way you did is because you don't understand the Eastern mind.' I couldn't believe it, but I decided to be nice. I said, 'Look, sir. There's no point in us getting into a verbal slug-fest here, but let me suggest something to you. Why don't you and I have lunch together tomorrow and we'll discuss it. You pay, and I'll pray, and we'll talk about it.' So, he brought the professor of Psychology along with him, and let me tell you what he did... He said, 'Ravi, there are two kinds of logic.' Actually, he's wrong. There are more... He said, 'One is the either/or logic. If you make a statement that is true, the opposite of it is false. It is called the law of non-contradiction. The same question, at the same time, meaning the same thing, cannot illicit two opposite answers...' If you look at my wife and say, 'Margie, are you expecting a child?' And, at the same time, if she says 'yes' and I say 'no', what will you say? You'll probably say, 'That's the wrong question', 'They have a weird sense of humor', 'She's not his wife', 'She hasn't talked to him.' You wouldn't walk away saying... 'Thank you. I now understand.' Why not? Because the same question, at the same time, meaning the same thing cannot illicit two opposite answers. That's the either/or logic - the law of non-contradiction. You cannot contradict yourself. He said, 'Ravi, that is Western.' I said, 'Scratch out that line.' He said, 'No, I won't.' I said, 'You are going to have to. You may as well scratch it out now.' He said, 'No, I won't.' I said, 'Then keep going.' He said, 'The other kind of logic is both/and ... not either this or that, both this and that... So if you ask one Hindu if God is personal, and he says yes; you ask another Hindu if God is personal and he says no; you ask a third Hindu which of these is right, and if he says both of them, he is very much in keeping with his way of looking at both/and; both personal and nonpersonal. That is the Eastern way of thinking.' I said, 'Scratch out that line.' He said, 'No, I won't.' I said, 'You're going to have to.' He said, 'I won't.' I said, 'Keep going.'
So, finally he established either/or logic, the law of non-contradiction, is Western. Both/and logic, the law of dialectic, is Eastern. Karl Marx used it. Take the employer and the employee, put them together, you get the classless society. Nobody ever shows you one, but at least in theory they talk about it. So, there it is! Either/or logic is Western. Both/and is Eastern. I said, 'Sir, have you finished?' He said, 'Yes.' I said, 'What you are telling me is this: when I am studying Hinduism, I either use the both/and system or nothing else. Is that right?' ... Do you know what he said? He put his knife and fork down and he said, 'The either/or does seem to emerge, doesn't it?' You see, he was using the either/or with which to prove the both/and, and the more he tried to clobber the law of non-contradiction, the more it clobbered him, till the psychologist looked at him and said, 'I think, John, this discussion is over. Let's go back.' So, what I say to you is this, ladies and gentlemen... Jesus' claim was reasonable. The question is, was he right? Jesus' claim was reasonable - all religions are exclusive.
I looked at that professor and said, 'Sir, I've got some shocking news for you. Even in India you look both ways before you cross the street. It is either the bus or you - not both of you.' I said, 'It's got nothing to do with Eastern or Western. It's what best reflects reality.'" -end quote. (From a taped message entitled "Jesus among other gods," by Ravi Zacharias.)
It is just like the Adamic nature to propose some grey area that in reality does not exist. The systems of men that use the name of Christ to build their empires have also come up with entertainment based programs that seem to gel the Church and the world, but nevertheless, "I'm o.k., you're o.k,." is not God breathed!
Furthermore, when God has truly apprehended you, the study of Eastern culture may feed the old brain bank, but there are people that have never cracked a book on the subject that bear witness to the life of Christ. The enlightenment of the Holy Spirit is not bound to the East, nor is an alternate route to God found in Eastern religion.
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled ... and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of the waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter." (Heb. 12:14-15, Rev. 8:10-11)
The Adamic nature knows that when the UNKEPT SOUL has bought the idea that there are no absolutes, she has taken a major step toward the world of delusion. The fruit of a dead old man will also have fertile ground to grow in when the idea of no absolutes brings on its next conclusion, which is having no standards. The Adamic nature has a whole history of legalism to remind the UNKEPT SOUL of Christianity's flaws, but in blanket statements, stereo types, pride, and bitterness, there is a double standard birthed.
The deceived soul often looks down her nose at those involved in
Orthodox
Christianity and fails to realize that her emphasis on loving all
people,
everywhere does not cover the people who claim Christ. At the same
time,
she minds the fields of other gods which offers things that are as vain
as legalism itself. The double standard is: "Let's look at everyone
complete
in Christ. We need to open our minds to these other religions, but lets
take our liberty at making a past time out of condemning others
involved
in those dreaded traditional churches." This brings to mind a powerful
act of divine love that was manifested through Stephen in the book of
Acts.
While he was being pelted to death with stones by some of the most
legalistic
people of all time, he cried, Lord lay not this sin to their
charge
(ch.7:60).
Today the Church already has an accuser of the brethren. Why do they
need
another one?
Stephen's death was used by God to turn a young Saul's world upside down. Stephen indeed, not just in words, operated in God's love. Would it not be better to take his example, rather than to throw stones back at them? By taking Stephen's example, the results we want may not come over night, but in time the listeners shall learn that it is hard to kick against the pricks. Today, in some circles, the stones are being thrown at traditional Christian orthodoxy, rather than from it!
We acknowledge that legalism is "ugly," but so are the attitudes of those who have went to another extremity as a means to stop it. Those that are found in Christ want balance. Those who know not what spirit they are of could care less. Besides, if legalism could be put to a stop by their railing, it would have happened by now! We do rest assured that the traditional bondage of man made systems will be dissolved with fervent heat!
Our aim through this study has not been to rail on others who do not even know Christ as their Savior, rather it is a testimony to those who know Him and have heard His exclusive claim of being the way to the Father. It is our aim to share the very thing God has raised in our Spirits, which is the reality of the preeminence of Jesus Christ being made manifest in a world that would have us forsake Him. We hope by now the emphasis on His preeminence has explained itself.
God knows that He will have all men restored. In a realm that we cannot even imagine with our finite minds, He has secured something that is indeed "absolute" through the cross of Christ! However, in the realm of time and space, what is complete in the ultimate dimension of timelessness, must play out. To sum it up is to say what one man said concerning the book of Job, "We want the blessing in the beginning and the double portion in the end, but God wants the journey in between."
In this journey, I long to see all people from the many world views and philosophies drawn by the Holy Spirit! I long to see all men and women that are in bondage to sin be set free. I long to see the homosexuals in their confused and hurt state delivered out of gross darkness! Speaking of which, I know that "spiritual homosexuality," in which so called sons only have relationship with so called sons, will never deliver this world from gross darkness! You see, the Son was able to impart something divine to the lowest members of society that caused them to hunger after God. We would like to share accounts of two people that have voiced their philosophy to a generation in hopes of avoiding the exclusive claim of Jesus Christ. In these accounts we will see the obvious need for the experience of a new life in Christ, but more importantly a striking resemblance of the SUBTLE philosophy that the spirit of the age is preaching and what others are preaching as the latest message of the Kingdom.
I knew someone who may as well have been considered a philosopher. He had devised a wisdom that seemed good. He thought he was on pretty neutral ground. He had channeled his energy and determination toward world recognition. He had even managed to draw a small following and found pleasures that could only be enjoyed in the confines of darkness. He knew of God vaguely, but he knew in the back of his mind that there was no commitment, therefore there was no need in following anything but the selfish drive of his darkened heart.
He would find himself living out his childhood fantasy on stage with the distorted drive preferred by the youth in the audience to be their brand of music. During the adrenalin rush he indulged in, he would use his voice as an assault weapon in hopes of obliterating the airwaves with chants of global holocaust, social decay and perverted lyrics that were always seeking new depths in filth, for the obvious shock affect.
This rage went on for about six years or so, then one day a sovereign hand pulled the neutral ground of indifference out from under his feet and brought him to the end of himself. The lyrics he once composed and the life he once led with all its self centered wisdom, only serve as a reminder that after God got through with him, what he once fed on as food, is now vomit!
The odd thing about it all is that I actually thought I had done some good things with my so called wisdom, and I thought my lifestyle was quite alright and harmless. Everything looks the same in the dark. However, at the brightness of the Lords coming this former philosopher was put to death, and quickened afresh in his spirit!
It was not long after God had apprehended me that I was reading a book expounding on redemption and God being All in All! One central figure kept coming up in the writings, which was the same one who pierced my heart with a conviction to follow Him wherever He would go. He is, of course, Jesus! The scriptures themselves only said, "Amen" to the centrality of Jesus Christ emphasized in the book that was loaned to me.
A few years later, after giving a fair listen to different ones who share their position on Sonship and the Gospel of the Kingdom, I have heard many uncertain sounds, which caused me to wait upon the witness of the Spirit. In my time of searching, the hand of my First Love has touched my heart with a distinct check in my spirit for anything that seeks His place.
It was not too long ago that I was reading an article in a Christian magazine that was to be presented as a wake up call to the Church to take heed to the needs of this generation. It was an interview with a vocalist of a very perverted and popular rock group. The thing that caught my attention was some comments he made about salvation. He said, "your only salvation is yourself." The vocalist is influenced by the philosophy of Neiche. Neiche, whose father was a minister, and both of his grandfathers were in the ministry, was an atheist, and although he lived in an earlier time, he left a heavy influence on Hitler. Neiche's idea of God being dead did not take hold over night, but it has now made its imprint on this generation. The article also went on to say that this vocalist sees "the apocalypse and the destruction of Christianity as giving people back to themselves so they can wake up and realize that they have the ability to be their own God and their own devil and accept responsibility for both halves."
I have been on both sides of the fence, and the philosophy I heard voiced in this article (the idea that there is no God outside of man, among other ideas) is not too much different from what some are calling the Kingdom Message. If this self realization is all there is folks, why even have a salvation experience? If the only God there is the one I see in the mirror, then why even pray? Why not talk to myself? I could have remained in the unregenerate mentality I was once in and discovered these so called revelations from my contemporaries.
We have mentioned the grey area that the Adamic nature would like us to keep, and in light of all who cry for unity, your cry is in vain if you cannot discern light and darkness. The word of God divides light and darkness. It refines like a purging fire. The very Life of the Gospel is guarded with flaming swords, not to keep mankind out, but to provide a cleansing fire for humanity upon their entrance!
Without such accurate division, the mind can imitate the voice of the Spirit, but this sword divides asunder soul and spirit! (Heb. 4:12). God is preparing a ministry of flames, a body consumed with His fire, ministering in clarity with a distinct sound that will not leave the listener confused and uncertain of where they stand. Our Heavenly Father has a quiver full of flaming arrows and they are His sons, and their target is all creation!
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was
given
unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the
witness
of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the
beast...
(Rev. 20:4).
Notice it mentions the beheaded souls sitting upon the thrones, not the soulish heads! When our head is nothing more than our soul, we are riding a beast!
When the true unity of the Spirit has come, there shall be a
dominion
taking place that shall expel the darkness of imbalances, the beastly
tendencies
of man and the bondage of all sin! A pure language shall be returned to
God's people and the nations shall flow up to the House of the Lord;
nevertheless,
the fire of God must run its course. I am come to send fire on the
earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? Suppose ye that I am
come to give peace on earth? I will tell you, Nay; but rather division:
(Lu. 12:49 and 51).
We thank God for this restoration and complete victory found in His judgment, for He shall be All in All! To the carnal mind, fire, division and judgment bring fear, but it is just as well, for the flesh cringes at the sound of the trumpet!
"For, Behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." (Mal. 4:1)
The Lord has purposed an end for all the tares of human philosophy, world views, man made traditions and everything the spirit of anti-Christ has tried to swindle the saints of the Most High with. Different sects and different voices have been left in the land to prove the elect, but as the close of this age comes upon us, that which is proven, that which has been shook yet not removed, that which was placed on "The Rock," to testify of the stability found in Christ, in the midst of the whirlwinds of conflict, from within and without, that which only acknowledges the voice of the good Shepherd, while the raging waves of humanity foam at the mouth with confusion, tossing about in the stronghold of uncertainty, offering strange sounds for strange gods, that which is the proven flock shall address those who are mere pretenders to the throne. In this very hour, God is making His words as fire in the mouths of those who make no allowances for the rudiments of this present cosmos. The Adamic nature has sought to dissolve the "absolutes" found in Christ with alternate routes that have been proposed to the Body of Christ and all humanity as well, but they shall melt with fervent heat!
You see, while we may push off the fact that all error will be cleared up in another age, like a tardy half hearted soul kicking dust under the carpet, the dawning of a new day has been steadily on the rise. While tolerance for alternate avenues to find the truth is a given in the hearts of many, the hearts of the elect shall boldly declare He that is "The Truth."
We would like to consider this fact: the Apostles had more than mere Judaism or Christian Judaism to deal with in their time. Everything that was putting itself in place of Christ, everything that would cunningly detach Jesus from The Christ, has made its way to our time.
We know we are to know no man after the flesh, even Jesus (2 Cor. 5:16). We know Him as the immortal Lord of Lords, unlike any one else in the flesh. Those claiming Him to be a fine man that once lived on earth or a mere prophet are speaking of Him after the flesh, and at the same time may miss the significance of His earthly ministry. Beloved, it was the most beautiful ascension to complete salvation- spirit, soul and body. It was also the most humbling and loving act in His descension from the glory He had before the plan of the ages ever began. We view Jesus a bit different from what new age myths would have us embrace.
"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:22)
History tells us of the Gnostic sects that set out to penetrate the body of Christ with their own gospel. Some of the sects incorporated parts of Judaism, while others mixed Greek and Oriental philosophy, and, as we stated, it has made its advent to every generation.
"How I long for you to grow more certain in your knowledge and more sure in your grasp of God Himself. May your spiritual experience become richer as you see more and more fully God's great secret, Christ Himself! For it is in Him, and in Him alone, that men will find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 2:2-3 Phillips)
In Colossians, we find some of the most stern reminders of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His place of preeminence. The opposition Paul addressed had now taken the form of intellectual exclusiveness, rather than the national exclusiveness the Jews were known for.
"Be careful that nobody spoils your faith through intellectualism or high-sounding nonsense. Such stuff is at best founded on men's ideas of the nature of the world, and disregards Christ! Yet it is in Him that God gives a full and complete expression of Himself (within the physical limits that He set Himself in Christ). Moreover, your own completeness is only realized in Him, who is the authority over all authorities, and the supreme power over all powers." (Col. 2:8-10 Phillips)
While others then proclaimed their belief system as the way to spiritual maturity and the source of all knowledge, Paul spoke of them in the same symbolic language that Peter spoke of concerning the very rudiments that shall melt with fervent heat in the climax of God's course in Fire! Praise God! They are the very elements of philosophy that this cosmos contains. Every -ism, every myth, every lie, every vile Adamic substitute for Christ shall be devoured by fire as they are exposed in the outshining of a corporate man that knows only one Head! For all the knowledge they ever needed was found in one source - Jesus Christ! (2 Pet.3:10-12).
We would like to share some words from an early church father on this matter.
"Paul, indeed, observing that there are in Greek philosophy certain things not to be lightly esteemed, which are plausible in the eyes of the many, but which represents falsehood as truth, says with regard to such: 'Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.' And seeing that there was a kind of greatness manifest in the words of the world's wisdom, he said that the words of the philosophers were 'according to the rudiments of the world.'" (from Origen Against Celsus Book 1, Preface)
Those words from Origen are just as applicable for the rudiments of this day as they were in his day. It matters not if this other wisdom is spoken in eloquence, spoken smoothly or spoken in rage. What it constructs, what it breeds, and what it perpetuates shall be dissolved.
Considering this course in fire and the UNKEPT SOUL, we would like to share one more quote from Origen.
"The sacred scripture does, indeed, call our God a consuming fire, (Deut. 4:24) and says that rivers of fire go before his face, (Dan. 7:10) and that he shall come as a refiner's fire and as fuller's soap, and purify the people. (Mal. 3:2)... Rivers of fire are, likewise, said to go forth before the face of God, for the purpose of consuming whatever of evil is admixed in all the soul."
"Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ [does have God], he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught], do not receive him [do not accept him, do not welcome or admit him] into [your] house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement." (2 John 9-10 Amp.)
There is so much more that could be said in this study dealing with other pet doctrines that, as true as they may be, can lead us into error when thinking that a part of the truth shall make us whole! We could have mentioned all the refutation John gave the Gnostics in his first epistle, and how that relates to the spirit of the age in our generation, and so on, but we would like to bring this to a close with some worthy considerations for those called into God's Royal Priesthood.
God shall have a perfected priesthood set in the earth to minister a pure word. This priesthood that will minister deliverance to a groaning creation shall be the first graduates of God's divine course in fire!
We find it quite sad that with all the talk of the Melchisedec priesthood, there is such a great lack of spiritual discernment in the land. We hope you don't view books like Leviticus as dull Jewish history. It is in books like these that the multitudes miss principles of present truth beneath their historical surface. We find the disqualifications for the Levitical priesthood are found in chapter 21. As we come to realize that this speaks to us on a spiritual plane today concerning the Melchisedec order, we will find an entire study on the priesthood in itself, but we only want to draw two things which address the UNKEPT SOUL that we have been so emphatic about.
In Leviticus 21:21, among the many disqualifications, "scurvy" (translated as "eczema" in the Concordant Version) is mentioned. This is #1618 in the Strong's Concordance. It is from an unused root meaning to scratch; scurf (from itching). # 1618 is also used in Duet. 28:27 for "with the scab." This may very well point to those with a specific itch to hear certain sounds to suit them while they shun sound doctrine.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Tim. 4:3)
It is quite obvious that there is a surplus of teachers with modified
gospels that will be glad to scratch the deceived itching ears. It is
also
quite significant that Paul mentions this in a letter many consider to
be his last letter. In the Concordant New Testament (4:7), Paul says, I
have finished my career. I have kept the faith.
Keeping this in
mind, in this same letter he instructs and informs Timothy to give no
allowances
for those who obviously have another agenda found outside the Gospel of
the Kingdom! That is important to make note of in light of the fact
that
others today urge us to not be what they call judgmental. They
will
be sure to only quote Paul when he is saying something they consider nice.
It is as if the revelation of God's unconditional love to them is void
of judgment. Interestingly enough, another definition for reprobate is "void
of judgment." We beg of you to consider the complete scope of God's
love, because it includes correction, but it does not include
negligence!
Is negligence not a quality of carelessness? Does carelessness bring
forth
mature sons? Would this lack of care contradict the unconditional care
found in God's love? If God's love never fails, then does this exclude
His failure to correct? Was Paul under the influence of some wrong
judgmental
spirit when he wrote to Timothy?
In Leviticus 21:18, one of the disqualifications for the priesthood is "He that hath a flat nose." While this may sound odd and maybe unfair, let us get our minds off the physical view point, and consider the sense of smell and its connection with a spiritual sense--discernment! He that is spiritually discerned and ready for the Melchisedec Priesthood, can smell the difference between the holy and the profane. They know better than to call darkness light and endorse other ways to the Father. The same Hebrew word used in Lev. 21:18 for flat nose, is also used in several places as utterly destroyed! Without the sense of discernment, the temple of God is fair game to be defiled and utterly destroyed.
While digging through our small library, we came across a second witness to what God had already put on our hearts, which sums up the whole matter.
"I am often appalled at the vast number of saints I find across the land who treasure the beautiful hope of sonship to God, but who at the same time are ignorantly devouring books published by occult publishing houses, authored by deceivers of the first magnitude who deny the Lord that bought us, rooted in eastern philosophies, laced with damnable pagan heresies like reincarnation, science of the mind, white magic, masters of the far east, extra-sensory perception, psychic phenomena, alpha waves, astral projection, clairvoyance, pyramidology, so-called metaphysical christianity, etc. etc. There are many like that today, flat nosed ones, who cannot DISCERN truth from error! I care not how profuse your knowledge or how abundant your revelations of Kingdom Truth, if you have a flat nose, lacking in keen spiritual discernment, you are disqualified for the high calling of God's Royal Priesthood. You stand in need of a mighty healing!" - end quote. (J. Preston Eby, The Royal Priesthood, part 9, p.5)
We would like to let each and every reader know that we embrace a God that shall heal and restore all of those in darkness. However, we cannot keep silent what God has already voiced in our hearts. We could have shared something else, but that would not have been what God put on our hearts. The still small voice of the Lord is louder than the fear of being misunderstood. The release of the spirit to share this brings a peace that only God can give. We pray God will bless you in your time of study with the reality of His spirit!
These writings concerning the good news of our inheritance in Jesus Christ are shared freely as the Lord provides. BLESSED IS THAT MAN THAT MAKETH THE LORD HIS TRUST... Psalm 40:4.