The foundational perpetuitous beauty of the Kingdom of heaven exist in the three co-equal relational principles of Other-Centered Love, Freedom and Truth with all other active & passive virtues emanating from them.
Undeniable Proof of a God of OTHER-CENTERED LOVE. Undeniable proof of God’s love begins in earth’s first week with His presence & then the incomprehensible varieties, vastness, compatibilities, functional interrelationships & intricacies of Creation along with His undeniable desire to individually know us. Going from being named ELOHIM {All Powerful Creator) for six days in Chapter 1 of Genesis to YHWH immediately in Genesis 2:2 the day following the Creation of mankind {meaning the faithful self-existent One} – a relational name as He initiates the Day of relationship!
As we turned from Him to become gods of our own, He in faithful love chose to give each multiplied individuals a second chance. Promising to destroy our deceiver – and He did that in one to one / mind to mind combat – as a human – the second Adam! Leaving each to decide to accept His forgiveness, open his heart for Christ – His character – to replace our nor defective Adamic one. Inculcating by our permission His, again provided character of selfless-love with which & in which we were created, in place of our races chosen self-love. This self-less love of God is the focus & substance of all the Old Testament – post creational antediluvians, immediate post-diluvians, Israelite, & post Calvary history when viewed with true vision – “These (the entire scriptures) are they that testify of Me” & “God is Love”- selfless love Jn 5:39 & 1Jn 2:8… Manifested again by His unceasing giving while on this earth, and then His, our Creator’s, voluntary death at the hands of the Adversary, Satan, working directly & through cooperating humans paying mine and your earned wages – death. Then His resurrection at the call of the Father since – unlike Adam – no fault was found in Him. Still the most powerful personal proof is how He can, if you ask, change you from a self-centered chaotic destructive bore to a child of other-centered faithful selfless loving service to others. And that proof continues in His phenomenal expressed desire for each to sit on His throne with Him!!! And beyond – to continue His weekly intimate times with us every 7th Day- eternally- a celebration of our birth as we grow in our relation with our Originator and each other throughout eternity!!! Don’t miss or misjudge the beautiful tapestry of His love woven through the entire fabric of human existence, past, present and future.
The Presence and Function of “the Law” in the New Testament
There is an Old Testament message continued in the New Testament that reveals mans attempts to turn humans away from God considering themselves independently capable as started in Genesis Chapter 3’s disregard of God’s advice -“command” Ge 2:17, thus distrust of God. It was then continued in Ex 19:8 “all the Lord says we will do.” Or “New Testament” Christians saying – my GOD on my earth obeyed – so I don’t have too (like my friend obeyed the speed law so I don’t have to), a pitiful attempt to avoid responsibility & accountability. Christ came to save us from – not in our sins Mt1:21. Neither should we rely on self generated behaviors, traditions, possessions or professions – as did the Jew’s, – or even do the right for the primary goal of gain in the present the or future. Reconsideration of the biblical meaning of “fulfill” which is different than the commonly assumed – negate! To fulfill the requirements for a private pilots license does not give me the privilege of turning from that which I learned! As well as realizing that God’s plan does not vary through time but only His tactics change as to best reach us in our rebellious running from Him.
Jesus in the New Testament spoke of sin 15 times, including that He will reprove the world of sin Jn 16:8. Paul {NT} stated I would not have known sin except for the law Ro 7:7 noting that “sin works death” Ro 7:13 (parroting Gen 2:17). “For sin is the transgression of the law” (or is “lawlessness” per Strong’s Dict.) writes John {NT} in 1Jn 3:4. That means if there is no law there is no sin, yet John says “write I unto you that you sin not” 1 Jn 2:1. Walking into a jail will give you a front row seat to observe the chaotic results of lawlessness.
We need to function obediently from deep gratitude & adoration flowing from His acknowledged love revealed through Creation and the Godhood’s gift of One of them to become a human, thereby fulfilling the necessary reality of trusting selfless other centered love on earth – which our predecessor Adam failed to do. These Ten Words / Ten Commandments, worded & illustrated in so many different ways OT & NT are merely various descriptions of selfless love. Try one condensed NT form in Mt 7:12 which Christ himself stated “This is the law” – see Addendum A – kept from the heart, the character – His character welcomed within…. Plus others.
It might be helpful to note that at the time of the Hebrew nation there were 2 laws. God’s law or the Moral law spoken & written twice by God from the top of Mt Sinai and stored in the Ark of God, and the ceremonial & social laws that scripturally appears, along with a human hand copy of God’s law, stored on the outside of God’s Ark . These latter being written by Moses therefore the ones that actually might be called “Moses” law – see Ex 25:16; 40:20; Dt 10:5; 2 Chr 5:10 ; Num 17:10 +). The ceremonial/social laws being no longer in force after the tearing of the temple curtain at the death of the Anointed One on the cross.
Perfect laws exist to provide moral justice & if there are no laws, justice is unenforceable therefore under the thought pattern of no law, God cannot judge & therefore be just!
God’s law or Moral law presents realities necessary in a no harm / respectful / just / relational / perpetual life kingdom – the kingdom of heaven – but it’s where the motivation lay – in self generated acts or a selfless character of love (mind/heart). This reality was well recognized by a Jewish OT ‘theologian” in Luke 10:27 condensing the OT Ten Commandments saying – “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart /mind and soul and thy neighbor as thy self’ {Yes, it was latter given again as “new” to them yet was obviously not new to the world Dt 6:5; Lev 19:18; Hosea 6:6}. Then Christ offers in continuing loving kindness, His own virtues / character traits necessary – having been fulfilled now in a “human” as the Son of Man – along with all wages paid – to any & all humans willing – the second Adam, He could be so called. And we are now given a choice – the heart of the first or the heart of the second Adam! Obedience attempted either by effort or naturally by the character.
In the realm of thinking of living without law one must deal with the direct words of Christ such as: “For truely…until heaven and earth pass away not one iota, not one dot will pass away from the law untilall (the entire salvitic plan Ge 3:15 -> Rev 22:21) is fulfilled” Mt 5:8. Or Mk 13:31 Heaven & earth will pass away… but my words will not pass away.” Think about it, Who spoke & wrote on Mt Sinai? Christ told the two disciples, “These are the which testify of Me”, And as John said in Jn1 He was the Creator. Christ from Ge 1 has been the primary part of the Godhood interacting with mankind – including on Mt Sinai.
True obedience comes from a heart of love as a result of – not as a means to – and by Him, the second Adam – “Christ in us the hope of glory” Col 1:27. “Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord” Zec 4:6. Thus Revelation 22: 14 (literal Greek) “Blessed are those who do His commandments – instructions, prescriptions – so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” And Christ again: “If you love me you will be keeping My commandments {note the Gk tense of the verb} Jn 15:10, & look up 1Cor 7:19 realizing it comes not from duty, nor our promise, nor to gain, but as a result of deep gratitude / appreciation for & acceptance of His gift of Creation & also Re-Creation of our hearts – thus lives – from Adams fall. All via His Atonement and His application of that atonement by placing His character within – by our free individual / invitational choice. All bringing us too deep adoration.
In ways God’s law is the love of Christ veiled & the love of Christ is the law exhibited. That lawful victory was gained as the Son of Man / Son of God maintaining full trust in His Father’s wisdom’ love faithfulness & strength – in an unparalleled & unparallelable victory. Passing along His character to each willing heart.
Jesus came to save his people from their sins Mt 1:21 & if there is no law we know not what is sin so there is no salvation. It might also be helpful note the Jewish NT (1989) translation catalogs 695 NT scripture OT quotations (that’s 12% of NT verses), with other verses with inferences to the OT tops the number out at 2309 according to the translators. Modern theologians often favor Paul (often over Christ) but commonly miss his instructions in 2 Tim 3:16-17 that “all scripture (all meant to him OT & OT scripture only) is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine…for instruction in righteousness.”
Some try to limit the “gospel” to Paul’s explanation in 1 Cor 15;1 – a beautiful description of Christ’s NT contribution to the gospel – though not yet total – see Christ’s promise in Ge 3:15. Truth can be stated in many different ways while not negating varied prior or subsequent statements of it. Examples include: The 4 varied human descriptions of Pilot’s sign on Christ’s cross; Christ’s last words on the cross; Christ’s 10 descriptions of what the kingdom of heaven is like in the book of Matthew; or the 4 variations of alcohol presence at the crucifixion. Take no one by itself as total truth – yet put together they become more valuable as a fuller knowledge of truth. John condensed the good news into one word – Love – in 2 Jn 4:8, and Christ expanded it to the entire OT {& NT in anticipation} in Jn 5:39 by speaking of the Scriptures, “These are they that testify of Me.” He is the Gospel – the good news. The Truth, The Way, The Life, from Ge 1:1 as our Creator to Rev 22:21 coming King! Not different gospels but fuller & fuller explanations / demonstrations of the good news of His love.
Addendum A – Matthew 7:12
And others of Christ’s New Testament recaps of “Moses” Law (“instructions, prescriptions” Strong’s Dictionary) –actually “God’s”both by voice, scribing x2, and authorized signature from the top of Sinai – relayed in various expanded & condensed forms.
– Matthew 7:12.
“ Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you……………..
God: 1: Recognize Me as your Parent Ge 1:26,27; Lk 3:38 as you would like Me to recognize you as my child.
2: Put no thing or no one else in My place as you would not like Me to put another in place of you.
3: Do not bear false witness ie. do not say you are MY child but do not act as My child.
4: Keep our appointed relational/growth & celebration times as you would like Me to keep My appointed times.
Man: 5: Honor your parents as you would like to be honored as parents by your children.
6: Do not kill since you would not like to be killed.
7: Do not choose to commit adultery or fornication with its results to others as you likewise would not elect the inevitable mental, moral, physical, spiritual results for yourself.
8: Don’t take from others since you would not like to be taken from.
9: Do not lie to others as you do not like to be lied to.
10: Do not desire what another possess as you would not like others to desire what you possess.
(“In everything, then do unto others what you would have them do to you.” {Berean})
……..……for this is the Law” Mt 7:12
Other similar NT references that need to be considered:
*Theologians of Christ’s time: Lk 10:27 a Lawyer Mk 12: 32: a Scribe speaking of God’s true desire as revealed in the OT law- to love the Lord….. and your neighbor as yourself.
*Christ: Mt 22:37-40; Mt 5:3-34
*Paul: “The law is holy, and the commandments holy, righteous and good” Ro 7:12, & “keeping God’s commandments is what counts” 1Cor 7:19, & Ro 13:8-9 “..the one who loves has fulfilled” ie: one God honored with co-living humans treated with compassion- (not negating “the law…” “The commandments…You shall not commit adultery..murder…steal..covet and any other commandment , are summed up in this word”
*John: Revelation chapters 13,14 all 10 expressed either in the + or – .
How? For it is Christ working in you ….Php 2:13
OR I’ll outline some others:
Mk 10:17-21:
In Christ’s own words! Note: “A rich young man knelt before a “good”{meaning “moral” Strong’s dict. & no one is good but God – “The Lord who made the heavens he is God…and there is no other Isa 45:18,19} Teacher {an application of Exodus 20instructions 1-4} and asked what must I do {by yourself you can do nothing Jn 5:10 para.} ….“you know the commandments: do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do no steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.” (sounds to me like what HE wrote on Mt Sinai as commandments 5-10) But then Christ knowing that “where your treasure is there will your heart will be also”, encouraged the young man to get to know the poor & to give, & thus to gain love for others – the necessary ingredient too truely keeping the divine instructions whether living in – OT or NT times or in future Heavenly Times.!
One from a different angle:
Paul in Ro 3:3 asks do we nullify the Law by faith? Not at all, rather we uphold (keep elevated, establish, make firm, institute permanently – Webster) the law. Yet as Paul later stated in Ro 8:7 that the sinful mind (which we all have) is hostile to God – in that it does not submit to God – nor can it do so. (note it’s the mind change not the law/instructions/prescriptions that change vs 6). Ro 10:3,4 notes it’s still righteousness (the keeping of God’s moral law – Strong’s, Webster…) but it comes from God into our hearts via His character – thus seen in lives – not from our attempts of “we will do” Ex 19:8; Dt 5:28; Mk 14:29… Yes, the fault of the first covenant with the Israelite nation Heb 8:7,8 – with the people – a promise from their fallen nature! A promise even Joshua had told the people “You are not able to serve the LORD” Josh 24:19 and still of our own selves we can do nothing!
Or again if one is bent to discount the Old Testament’s Psalms 19 & 119 then try the NT’s Eph 6:14 “the breastplate of righteousness in place” NIV. When? – “Finally” Eph 6:1.
What is that “righteousness”?
*Strong’s Dictionary: “the act of doing what is in agreement with God’s standards.
*Merriam Webster: ”acting in accord with divine or moral law.”
*Wikipedia: “the concept is rooted in divine law.”
*Your Dictionary: “Conformity of life to the divine law.”
*Topical Bible “An essential perfection of God’s character.”
*Biblical Hermeneutics Stack exchange: top answer – “Obedience to spiritual (moral) law.”
*Then looking at Strong’s, “God’s standards” : “standard” means, “established law recognized & permanent” MW.
*Or looking at MW/Wikipedia/Your Dictionary’s definition of ”law”: “a statement of an order of relational phenomenon that so far as is known is invariable” MW 6a.
Romans 13:14 reveals that the full armor of Eph 6 is not of us, or of our own doing but is Jesus the Christ – “Christ inus the hope of glory” Col 1:27- with “in” meaning “location, power” (MW) and glory meaning His character – see Ge 32/33.
Again 1 Peter 1:5 “make every effort to add to your faith goodness. ”Goodness” Ex 33:19 means: “actions that are morally right”: Oxford Learners Dictionary.
Or “The quality of being morally upright” Definitions.net.
Or it’s foundation “good,” meaning “true for society at large” MW.
In short it could be said, “the breastplate of righteousness” is the quality of a heart in possession of God’s character, thus in accord with the Divine heart, thus actions. Or again the law is the love of Christ veiled in words & the life of Christ is the law of love exhibited.
God says, “I change not” Mal 3:6. From Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 there is unbroken continuity {the non-acceptance of which is a major failing of much modern theology}. The moral / relational structure and flow of divinity is unchanged throughout the history of evil even as it bends to better aid & invite fallen mankind back to “life & life more abundantly” Jn 10:10 in mankind’s onrushing chaos.
The Hebrew Temple Veils
In considering the veils of Hebrews 6:9-20 & 10:19-20 the missing piece I find in the theologic tomes, is the realities of both the illustrative salvitic world history of the temple services & the behavior of the High Priest for the first 364 days of the yearly progressive illumination of the total plan of salvation. Those multiple temporary and the Once and for All courtyard sacrifices (earthly temple courtyard & earth as courtyard) as the centerpieces. The earthly temple sacrifices were transferred into the first compartment & patiently mounted up through earthly 364 days of time via sacrificial blood being transferred into the first temple compartment, conceptualizing the patient ministry over time of the true High Priest of Hebrews – not wanting anyone to perish 2 Pe 3:9; Rev 6:9-11. During those 364 days the High Priest, though the leader of the priests, functioned as a common priest. Filling in, volunteering, taking shifts to relieve other priests, giving breaks, time off, or compassionate leave, cutting slack for the others. On the 365th day of the yearly cycle uniquely he went through the second veil while those who had chosen to be associated with the God of Genesis 3:15 (here Israelites) went through a judgement – see Lev 23:26-32. It is this 364 days of the fullness of the earthly & heavenly High Priest’s graceful patient comportment that is most commonly overlooked along with the yearly judgement illustration.
The daily atoning sacrifices were taken through the first veil through the 364 illustrative “days” of patient ministration, again not wanting anyone to die. Then on the final “day” of the yearly plans’ portrayal, the completion, illustrating the beginning ministration of the great Atoning Sacrifice’s crowning courtroom judgements, that like there begins with His people, occurred in antitype on the prophetic timing of the prophet Daniel.
The unique or antitypical salvitic atoning sacrifice was taken through both veils. Because of the two veils in the earthly symbolism of the process were the veils of, yet to be the Atoning flesh Heb 10:19-21 – occurring at the time of the full & true Atoning sacrifice. Thus the two compartments became one Mk15:38, and for all, now the way – through Christ – to the Father who Himself loves us Jn 3:16. Yet with continuing patience the process of mounting forgiven sins of His post calvary people, due to God’s patience of not wanting anyone to perish, continued & continues in the now open room. The first veil – His flesh – separating the courtyard from the ta hagion – Holy Place – and the other (second) veil – His flesh – before the hagia hagion – Holy of Holy’s. This is what makes, the literary chiasm in Hebrew’s description. His sacrifice did not change the plan of salvation but opened the way {as conceived before the world began Rev 13:8} to the Father who loves us as does the Son. So the continuation of the full plan of salvation now occurs within one open heavenly temple “room” with the mediatorial & judgement work [see Zec 3], occurring during the beginning of the two part judgement phase exemplified by the Day of Atonement – see Daniel 7 & 8 – so that when He comes He can bring His reward, His gift, “with Him” 1 The 5:16. I believe it would be well for the modern Scribes, Pharisees, Lawyers & Sadducees to pan out and see the larger 364 day picture of the true High Priest’s illustrated ministry in earth’s historic time as well as study again final times represented in the yearly illustrated plan of salvation – some of which are still to be realized.
What happens after life?
Your belief hinges on whom will you believe on this, one of life’s most foundational questions.
One of the strange realities I observe is the willingness of the vast majority of religions in the world of all stripes and types, pagan to Christian, to disbelieve the Creator God’s first instruction, caution, command, statement of reality in Genesis 2:17 literally “in dying you will die” While those who reject any religion, outside of self, such as atheism with it’s evolutionary ‘theory’, believe God’s first caution of the reality – that fallen humans will cease to exist, ie: “in dying you will die” Ge 2:17. Outside of these two, the concept of human immortality is now nearly universal, including and not unexpectedly in devil or satanic worship which states: “there is no dying, there is no death”.
This non-dying entered modern Christianity through Plato’s dualism which he borrowed from existing paganism which had borrowed it from the traveling salesman in the tree of Genesis 3. Thus ignoring / disbelieving the Creator God’s words: “in dying you will die” and trusting those by the deceiver, “you will not surely die.” In doing this Christians also end up disbelieving Christ & His words about His friend Lazarus to His disciples – “he sleeps” Jn 11:11 -14. And Paul’s statement of fact that, “only God possesses immortality” 1Tim 6:16. Then Paul’s expressed hope from prison that whatever happens to him, whether be it continuing life or or that his prison time ends in death that it will advance the gospel & Christ will be exalted (Php 1:12-30). That expressed hope is then twisted by the insertion an unexpressed immediate time frame while ignoring Paul’s expressed time frame in Php 3:10,11,20, 21; 1Cor 15:51 & 1Thes 4:3-15. as well as Christ’s words in Mk 5: 39 & the apostle John’s in 11:21: that immortality is gifted at the resurrection occurring at Christ’s second coming. Thus clandestinely also proposing a skip of judgement & thus also a just God. This is all done by a supposed immediate reconnection of humans to heaven via an undefinable entity zipping to heaven. Literarily done by “extending” {Strong’s dictionary – with synonym “stretching”) of the plain Hebrew and Greek words “wind & breath,” the reality of which God gave to man in Ge 2:7 – breath – the breath of life. Stretched to an undefinable entity given the name of “spirit/soul.” Thus no death, no dying!
Life is not a soul nor a spirit – God breathed into man & man became “living creature” {the actual full literal Hebrew meaning} – body, mind, heart – Biblically the soul is the whole living creature – the person, the creature – “nephish”! The traveling salesman’s {the devil, the serpent, the dragon, the adversary’s} words from the tree in the Garden of Eden are still being trusted above the Creator’s words – thus distrust of their Creator – even by many Christians! Is it time to wake up?
“Taken”: “As it was in the days of Noah” – Biblically reversing a common misreading.
Mathew chapters 24 & 25 are Christ’s descriptions of the last times of earth’s fallen history. Starting with Christ’s disciples asking the question – what it will be like at the end of the age. Answering, Christ gave parallels of Jerusalem’s and Earth’s ends. Our focus here will be primarily on Mt 24:37-41 with it’s parallel in Lk 17:34-36 along with Christ’s stated relationship with Genesis chapter 6 – “as it was in the days of Noah…one will be taken…”
“Taken” in this, His context, indicates to judgement — the antediluvians taken– destroyed – back then by the judgement of water and those at the end of the age taken – destroyed – by “the brightness of His coming” 2 Thes 2:8 & Rev 6:16-17 & later at the judicial judgement of those who have rejected so great a salvation at the 3rd coming – taken – destroyed “by fire Rev 21:14.” Those that remained – “left” were those eight saved in the ark, and at the end of the age those left – are saved to heaven Rev 19, then to the earth made new Rev 21. Thus revealing the clear separation of the unrighteous & righteous – the goats & the sheep.
The enlarged comparison with Noah’s age says they were carrying on with their usual approach to life, marrying and giving in marriage, as explained in the OT in Ge 6 revealing in the original language that “the sons of God” (Seth’s descendants) “seeing the daughters of men” (descendants of Cain) “exercised authority over any of them they chose.” Yes, even those claiming to be God’s children – acting like the sons of wickedness – gaining and using women when & as desired. Debauchery in it fullness. God saw how great man’s wickedness {the causing of harm and distress) was on earth {including the behavior of ‘His’ people – so only 8 could be saved} – had become and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts (thus behaviors) was only evil “continually” Ge 6:1-6. What will it be like at the end of time?…. “as it was in the days of Noah.” The prevailing attitudes and behaviors then are further described in the New Testament as: “the love of many will grow cold… there will be wars and rumors of wars.… God gives them over to the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies…to shameful lusts…perversions…full of evil (harm) greed, gossip, slander, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, disobedient to parents…senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless” – Romans 1:23-31. Lovers of money & of self 2 Tim 3:1-4. Including many of ‘His’ people who called themselves by His name – ie: had taken the Lord’s name in vain – to whom Christ must say: “I never knew you” ie: we never were friends Mt 7:23. Full trust in His word & motivating other-centered love of & from the divine was not in them. They will, as were the antediluvians, be taken.
“As it was in the days of Noah,” it will again be at the end of the age. Both then & now after having been patiently warned of approaching judgement & the joy of full At-one-ment with Him at His second coming, warned of as in the days of Noah, for 120 years or greater! The end – it will come suddenly – “like a thief” – as it seemed to those who ignored the warnings then, and those who so do now. Suddenly as did the persecution of Christians following pagan Rome’s Decian being seated as ruler in September of 249 AD and 4 months later giving a mandate that all must sacrifice to one of the 30 major Roman gods or one of the 50 minor gods before a magistrate thus obtaining a signed paper to carry at all times – or without a paper any one may kill. That mandate given January 250 AD. Or suddenly as in the reign of England’s, Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary) who began severe persecution for Bible pursuing Protestants on Jan 20, 1555 AD, just 40 days after England formally reconciled with the Roman Church on Nov. 30, 1554 AD. As we extend our view beyond the keyhole of one text and open the scriptural door, more realities come with clearer interpretations to view. Still more can be seen if one looks through the following chapter of Matthew ie. chp. 25, and even more if the entire scriptures are combed for that time period. A reality that occurs with any truth. Read widely before narrow interpretations are accepted.
ROLES -Creational, and given
A major blind spot in consideration of creational variety is roles. Roles whether in ecology, reproductive realities of flora or fauna anatomy, physiology, prepared for in creation & then assigned as role functions. Roles for each gender according to their best life abilities & their societies benefit. Roles speak not of value but of environmental, reproductive and social functions, whether in fauna such as the Rocky Mountain Sheep around our place or the Swans on the river in front of our place.
Gender wise in humans, a burst of natural intra-utero testosterone dramatically changes the fetal internal & external body anatomy and even more massive brain changes in neurons, neuron mixture, neuron connections, neurotransmitters, neurotransmitter response & future hormones to accommodate the designed variation for their designated role functions.
After the creation of the first human the lines of communication were demonstrated beginning in Ge 2. Communication lines like in football / basketball, where a side line-coach communicates plays to the quarter back or player coach & he/she to teammates. The line of divine to human primary communication was, like in sports, or again in business was established not by our choice but by the established authority. Primary divine to human communication was demonstrated pre-fall in Genesis 2 with 4 – 0 divine to male communication presupposing later, male to female. Then post fall in chapter 3, #4 divine to male – #1 divine to female post fall. This primary line of couple communication & secondary divine to female was reaffirmed & demonstrated via the patriarchs of Ge 4, through Abraham’s life, the Levitical priesthood, Christ’s chosen twelve, & by Paul in Eph 5:21-29 as husbands are to demonstrate/represent the character of Christ to the wife as Christ has done for the church as well as intra-church communication. Sadly, as with all of God’s ideals, fallen humans polluted and pollute the ideals.
We need not blindly follow fallen society. Roles are totally separate from value, with each role of equal value and absolutely necessary for ideal function in the total scheme of reality. The varied roles in the ecology of the earth of the hippo and hummingbird are of equal value yet we, no more than they, are to bemoan role nor desire a role switch. Be content with such things you are created & given the tools to be by the all wise & kind Creator God.
Testimony
Selfless Lover, Creator, Sustainer, Relator, Forgiver, Enabler, Redeemer & Friend, full of grace & mercy
I scribe this to in no way elevate the writer but to touch upon my appreciation, admiration & yes, adoration of our Creator {Elohim of Genesis 1} and Relator {Yahweh of Genesis 2} of whose infinity, omnipresence, omniscience, operating in selfless love, I know – yet comprehend of far less than one planck length. Yet my capability for knowledge as human is not inferior or lacking as noted that in becoming a physician I had the privilege of ranking in physiology in the top 3% of the world taking the American boards for physicians which also included, in the physiology section, most free world doctoral candidates in human physiology. And then being immediately requested to consider becoming a teacher in the subject for future physicians.
The complexity of the Creation in all areas is so far above human comprehension or explanation it makes the capability of a functional design of travel to the farthest reaches of our known universe but child’s play to solve, even at 46.5 billion light-years. Yes, God’s revealed mastership as a Creator, Relator, Patient Lover, Enabler and Inviter to step back up to a higher plain, as granted humans in Creation. Human experience & Christian scripture, makes even this materialistic know-how but an elementary matter to it’s intricate out & in-workings. I stand, yea, kneel and yes prostate self in humble, joyfully, willingly submissive & thankful reverential awe. Yes, true Christian religion is not focusing on mundane Christian history, geography, critique of the human messengers, our recommended responses & materialistic workings, or any of His protecting and growth enhancing prescriptions but is focusing on Him – His Selfless Relational Loving Divinity {Genesis 2: 2,3,7,8}. His desiring of our friendship shines through all scripture – “These are they that testify of ME” John 5:39. Come! Come! Come! Thus leading to the (my) willing choice of & spontaneous joyful acquiescence to all of His unchanging elevating will, recommended ways to be accomplished through His invited internal presence.
Thoughts on true Love
An unpopular thought, but a trueity is that a common wisdom tradition born from observation in almost all world societies, cultures, tribes, and religions is the admonition against the practice of male or female masturbation. Relational problems observed arising from its self gratification aspect seem a major part of the prohibitions. Christian wise, the Bible speaks against the lust of self focused pleasures – Pr 6:25; Isa 57:5; Nah 3:4; Mt 5:28 while Eph 4:19 ; 2 Pe 2:18 & Col 3:5.
Unrestrained sexuality/sensuality has sunken the life prospectives of many a human, many a partnership, many a society & many a nation – from the ancient antediluvians, to the Sodomites, to the Egyptians, to the Canaanites, to the nation of Israel then to Judah (see Jer 16:1-13 & Ezekiel 16), to the Greek & Roman civilizations then the French civilization plus untold others. And now nearly all current modern world societies are sliding down the often hidden slippery slope of excesses in sensuality. Self-focused pleasures whether involving self, one, two, or more, live or digital partners, are today turning lives inward & via a cocktail of self produced chemicals, burning like a fire out of it’s confinement, leading to relational destructions of that which, if fire contained, is good. To keep the fire encapsulated safely or to re-encapsulate, one must fall on their knees before Christ’s cross asking for His forgiveness and His following power. Yes, His imputed forgiveness & imparted character Gal 5:22; 2 Pe 1; Col 1:27 while making a covenant like Job in his chapter 31: 1 – “I will not look” (nor read – post printing press) “lustfully at a maid/girl” (man).
Human love
Human love can be seen as a combination of at least 6 parts: Admiration, Respect, Choice, Commitment, Appreciation & Passion. If you share 1-2: that’s par: 3-4: thank the Lord: 5 -6: then you are truely blessed!
Christianity as commonly practiced:
1: A groupie club for social acceptance attended by leaders who thrive on affirmation &/or control.
2: A desire for an end of life benefit of eternal existence – saved by their works & or in their sins.
3: While true Christianity is foundationally an individual nurturing, nourishing, other centered loving relationship flowing out of appreciation, respect, admiration, trust, commitment, faithfulness & adoration from, in, and to our One and only Creator – for His wisdom, grace , mercy, loving kindness, granted freedom, trust, Sacrifice, forgiveness, compassion, & granted character power resulting in our natural obedience & growing in His manifested desire for an expanding reciprocal relational love along with His promise of full – yea more than full – restoration.
INTOLERANCE
ie. cancel cultures that go by many different names
There is an attitude sweeping the world like a tsunami. An attitude that has repeatedly reared its ugly head over the millennia. An attitude of & between nations, tribes, languages, races, religions, families, neighborhoods, and chosen behaviors. An attitude of defending my, my, our rights, my feelings, my, my. It’s the attitude of intolerance. An intolerance that can be illustrated as don’t tell, show, be, or introduce me to anything I don’t already know, believe in, or that’s different in any way from me. A tribalism that’s now invading all aspects of life on earth.
Intolerant tribalism is the antithesis and negating of:
Dialogue: -an exchange of information & understanding
Teaching: -the imparting of information
Studying: – the application of the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge
– to read in detail with the intention of learning
Learning: -to gain knowledge thus coming to know
Growing: -to increase in knowledge, wisdom, to develop to maturity
As well as congeniality & deference let alone love.
Knowledge: -familiarity
Compassion: -love in action
Humility: -the power of unpretentiousness
Kindness: -agreeably helpful
Mercy: -compassion shown to an offender
Forgiveness: -ceasing to feel resentment against an offender
Congeniality: -pleasantness
And above all: -other-centered Love:
Intolerance is an attitude focused on self’s current homeostasis. An attitude with only pollyannaish, or no thoughts of the future. An attitude that has brought early death to hundreds of millions, yea, billions over the millennia.
It is the Christian scriptures that attempts to direct humans away from intolerant attitudes and destructive behaviors while instructing us in what is good. Discouraged in such places as Mt. 28: “go ye into all the world teaching….” – imparting information of & about the God of selfless love with yours & their future in sight. Or 2 Tim 2:15: “study” – the application of the mental faculties to the question of knowledge acquisition or to read in detail with the intention of learning – “to show thyself approved…” Or Lk 2:52: “And Jesus grew” (to increase) ” in knowledge & wisdom” (to develop maturity). Or Mt 11:29: ”Take my yoke upon you and learn” (coming to know) “of Me….and lean not unto your own understanding.” To love you neighbor as yourself: Lev 19:18; Mt 22:39; Mk 12:31; Lk 10:27; Jn 13:34. ie: “Do unto others as you would like them to do to you” thus elevating forgiveness, compassion, mercy, kindness, humility – “against such there are no laws.”
In yourself repeatedly discourage and turn from intolerant attitudes because where they are accepted & practiced they lead only to stasis & decay, mental, moral & relational along with early physical & eventually eternal death. An attitude all have dabbled in. Shun it, run from it & when necessary confront it with a thus doeth. Yes, doeth is the most powerful counter-measure as revealed in Mt 25: 31-46. Gentle, compassionate, loving, helpful actions for those in need – friends, enemies, strangers – “If you have done it to the least of these my brothers ye have done it to Me.” And it’s from this ME from whom comes that final gift. The gift of a selfless loving, sharing, growing, compassionate relational forever life.
How?
Atheists, agnostic, single or multi-god pagan religions, and even some Christians along with folk who choose not to think about it, begin by rejecting a – the – loving Creator God. Why? Because it dramatically diminishes the felt status ( though not the value ) of mankind {no we are not on the top of the totem pole) while introducing the undesired realities of responsibility & accountability. He is, & the realities are.
QUESTION:
Are the Ten Instructions, Prescriptions, Commands, Laws of Exodus 20 rules of repression or laws of life? The Harvard Longitudinal Study, now 85 years along, reveals that he most powerful determinants of human longevity are your relationships in life. And the Ten Prescriptions of Ex 20 are the nomological universal laws of relationship. The first 5 encourage nomological individual relationships and the last 5 nomological societal relationships. For life and life more abundantly don’t run from them but to them! “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” Psalms 119:105.
HIDING- “A STATE OF CONCEALMENT”:
Hiding: secrecy can be out of destructive fear or it can be out of privacy which is about autonomy and healthy legitimate boundaries defining you a an individual / family or political or business unit. So secrecy pivots on personal motivation and wisdom as to its destructive forces or mental / social / relational health.
The current universal push for the elimination of all privacy removes individuality and homogenizes humanity first via multiple separate pots of flesh on its way to one pot of flesh. Thus paving the way for tyranny. Yes, the Bible repeats approximately 365 times the concept of “fear not” yet defines and treats humans from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 as autonomous individuals with, and to be treated as, autonomous individuals with mental and physical boundaries. View & treat boundary incursion attempts not with fear but with wisdom.
LIFE EXCOGITATIONS 