Thinking with a Renewing Mind pt12

Due to my meditating on Matthew 25 while considering the Apostle's teachings in the Epistles (especially of 1John), I considered what I believe is the basic practical expression of the Gospel as we read it in the prophecy of Micah 6ff, and Isaiah 58. It would appear quite plain that the sheep of Jesus' explanation of the Judgement were surprised that what they did in terms of doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God allowed them to be acceptable to our Betrothed, the Son of God, the Husband of the Bride of Jesus the Christ.

This is not some Communist plot, Socialist agenda, or the thinking of radical liberals. Such is the plain teaching of our great God and Savior Yahweh, the Lord God who reigns over all Creation since its beginning. May we humble ourselves as we truly must before God and others in order to obey the Commands of our Master, as we are told that if we obey Him then we truly do know Him.

While many do more than proclaim that Creeds of any kind are anathema to true faith in their own estimation, we find many examples in the complete Bible that deny such ignorance in even spiritually and intellectually conceivable for the person who is born of God. This is not to say that any creedal formulation outside of Scripture is equal to or superior to the Word of God to us through the Bible. As that may be, either we can formulate/express our core beliefs to ourselves and to the rest of Humanity through statements that are organized, well-thought-out, confirmed by proclamations of God's people about God and His Revelation, or we can do so mumbling and stuttering frank expressions which are full of personal or corporate bias, prejudice, creations of our own imagination as refined through worldly filters of culture and philosophies. There are many of us, worldwide, who from the beginning did not think the latter is obedient, necessary, or even sufficient for those who live by faith.

We each are born of God, as explained in John chapter one. We together form the Bride of Christ as explained expressly in Paul's Epistles. We stand together by choice and force of will, or we are rebelling against God. As such we individually are revealed as being a functioning member either the perfect wife, as described by Solomon, or we are individually acting like Hosea's adulterous wife. 

I personally think that we should call a shovel a shovel, sometimes. My desire is to be found faithful, rather than a spiritual slut. How about you? Have you examined yourself to see if you remain "in the faith"? Are you doing due diligence or just living like the worldlings around you in the neighborhood, at work, and such? Goats or sheep are the two camps Jesus referred to in his teaching us about Judgement Day. In my opinion, whether Hell is eventually annihilation or unending torment in a literal lake of fire that never goes out, we are not judged on our opinions, dear doctrinal teachings and traditions of prejudgement and ritual practice, et al.

Let me encourage you on your journey of submission and humility to consider the expression of Martin Luther when he stated: Let us live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is returning tomorrow. And while we proceed, let us recall the words of Martin Luther King Jr., who stated "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

Be a friend by building up the faith of another believer. Be a friend by standing for compassion and justice for the poor, the disenfranchised, and aliens in our midst. I plead with you as I wish others did for me, for folks who are supportive in discipling, encouraging, and challenging me in my walk are mainly only those of history and print. Most of them are members of The Church Triumphant, so to speak. But I am engaging in this right now for any believers who may read these lines and any with whom I meet and will allow me.

Beyond being a brother to my fellow siblings of The Father, I seek to be an earnest friend to you as well. May the peace of Christ, which passes all understand, be upon you and guard your being because you pray about everything, all the time, in every conceivable fashion.

Shalom, and Maranatha!

your fellow suffering servant.

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