Into and beyond all heavens Heb 4:14, 12:22

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Experience is not easy to articulate in a concrete and communicable way. It can only be done in a fixed mode of symbolic discourse. For me that is within the patterns of scripture. From scripture comes a form of knowing that is tangible. Scripture layers from letter, to the morality contained within the letter, then opens up to the spiritual meaning within the same writing.

Ie: the body of the bible is the writings, while the soul is the morality contained there for all to see and from that view is seen the fulfillment in the spiritual.

That which is known at a glance in the perception of God’s love kindles a response to His love, that suggests yielding to His desire but results in the realization of His transcendental unknowability. So it goes in every yield to His love that brings more light and so goes with every encounter with Him. Therein is obedience learned also from a true sphere of love.

The bible uses human language to describe God, that we are somehow to articulate within ourselves. For instance we see the Logos using the letter of the biblical text to convey the inner message of his saving action. The believer then moves with the text, thru the senses, to experience the fruit contained in them in the soul’s progression with God. Contact with God, by definition, is achieved in and thru the bible. As our outer nature wastes away our inner nature is renewed day by day, and so understanding can only follow where experience leads.


Peace

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Gracism, like racism, excludes a group of people because one group thinks they are superior to another group based on the colour of their sins.

Gracism trusts in one’s own righteousness but pours contempt on others, “ thank God I’m not like that sinner over there, because I do/have this, this and this.” Luke 18:9

What Jesus does is He finds the sinner where they are at and says “Follow Me” Blessed are those who immediately jump up and follow Him.

Don’t be discouraged if those who claim not to be sinners accuse you of keeping bad company. Friend’s of His have their own unique identification that other’s are blind to.

Most people in fact, still don’t believe that tax collectors and prostitutes were ever asked to follow Him, but they did join Him in His mission. And being human I’m sure that they found someone that they looked down on.

What gracism claims is that some are deserving of grace while others are not. Some deserve the Father while others do not. Reality is that we are all born into unclean vessels. The good news is that we have been given the means to have an unworthy vessel become a vessel worthy of containing God.

Christian group status is only impressed with love. One needs to look deep to discover that. Finding love in the depth of fellowship in Christ is a very precious treasure, one worth rejoicing in.

Luke 18:14
I tell you, this tax collector went home justified rather than the other. For everyone who exults themselves will be humbled, but they who humble themselves will be exalted.​

We’re very quick to recognize pride in others and not see it in ourselves. In fact I don’t think any one of us is deserving of any of it. But fact of the matter is Jesus says “I require mercy and not sacrifice” then adds “Go and figure out what that means” Matthew 9:13

Categorizing people signifies gracism in action. God have mercy on me, a sinner

excepts from ~What made Jesus mad?~ Tim Harlow

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Body soul and spirit of biblical translation can be viewed within the structure of the tabernacle in the wilderness quite simply. Outer court, Holy Place and Holy of Holies comparatively with the historical, moral and mystical of the writings. Circumcision of the flesh, with the protective covering of the moral code, ultimately protecting the spirit of the law and then the ideal with it’s circumcision of the heart which contains within the germ of life.

We are 3-fold in our existence, as the Godhead is:
-sinner in the world
-priest in the Holy Place
-glorification in Eternity (from glory to glory)

As a sinner we offer ourselves a living sacrifice daily, as a priest to worship and intercede, then in glorified resurrected power growing from glory to glory.
Picture the Tabernacle as an Xray of Yourself
In fact a good read of this (not too long) old thread can explain it best
Christ in the Tabernacle

Foundational is the historical sense , while those seeking wisdom must understand the moral content within the words written (Book of Proverbs) recognizing that one must leave behind the vain things (Ecclesiastes) to hasten on to the eternal lasting things of oneness with the Great “I Am’ (Songs of Solomon) clothed in the images of love.

Scripture is made up of the seen and the unseen things. 2 Corinthians 4:18 what can be seen is temporary and what can not be seen is eternal. Scripture consists of the body which is the visible letter, the soul which is the meaning found within it, and a spirit which has something of the heavenly within it. They serve as the copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary. Hebrews 8:5 In seeing this let us not seek out the letter but the soul and in doing so we will ascend to the spirit.
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Body, soul and spirit of the biblical account of the fall of humankind:

The historical (fleshly) aspect of the fall is a condition of cause and effect. Cain is told how to deal with flesh (sin nature) that the fall produced. (Meant for both the male and female aspect of the human creature.) The connection is the serpent that s given dust to eat and the (old) nature obtained from the fall as bottom of satan's food chain. He is as a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour. The only safety is in the new creation.

Looking past that to the moral of the story (using reasoning of the soul) , God has lost the key element (death of the spirit of humans that is connection to God). For that there are consequences to pay.

When relating God to morality we can see that giving birth to new creations has become difficult and painful stemming from the fact that another husband (referred to as old nature) now has dominion over the creature. For God that is the consequences that He has had to absorb into Himself but with the safeguard to Himself that protects against that contacting Himself directly.

Cain points to the spiritual solution but which was unobtainable for him, could never be because it comes from the old earth. Only death to the old nature in the form of a substitute could save him. But the cost becomes obvious when seen what ‘natural’ man (old adam) tend () toward. Death to Abel (the ability to do good?)

Spiritually, morally and factually Jesus Christ came thru the fog of reasoning to present the real substitute to give back to God that which had been usurped from God. His work in the heavenliness is for the new creation's benefit. Like a household that is without the head (kingship) present the Old Testament representatives were faithful stewards. The new testament presents the bride waiting on His return.

Like any household today the mature are perfectly capable of running the household while the Husband is away but when He returns home the weaker gives place to the stronger. The stronger is the spiritual, the soul gives place to the spiritual (which is our reasonable service) so the body is correctly ruled. Jesus wondered Himself if there would be any faithful at His return, whether the church would step down to receive Him.

Therefore, Christ’s rule in one’s heart is the correction of the fall that is represented in His finished work. Morality cannot be found in the flesh, but the spiritual can be found in the morality when placed at Jesus' feet.

Body soul and spirit of the bible

Because of the ongoing thread The book of Hebrews that compares Jesus’ relationship with mankind ( the above post as a glimpse into) it seemed appropriate also to include the names of God in the New Testament to compare Jesus’ relationship with the Father if that be at all apparent, and one that could balance the view from earth to heaven, from heaven to earth, the Lord willing. Post # 29-32 have begun that so we can refer to them.

There are seven beautiful descriptive attributes of God mentioned in the New Testament.
The first was used by Stephen, who called Him "the God of glory" as he gave his defense to the Jewish council just before he was martyred and indeed "saw the glory of God" (Acts of the apostles 7:2,55) himself as he finished his testimony.
The apostle Paul later called Him "the God of patience and consolation," while urging his fellow Christians to be "likeminded one toward another" (Romans 15:5).
In the same chapter, he also called Him "the God of hope" in a benedictory prayer: "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing" (Romans 15:13).
To the Christians at Corinth, Paul wrote about "the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation . . ." (II Corinthians 1:3-4).
Then later he wrote: that "the God of love" would be with them (II Corinthians 13:11).
To both the Philippians and the Thessalonians, he wrote about "the God of peace" (Philippians 4:9).
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly" (I Thessalonians 5:23).
The seventh of these beautiful descriptions was written by the apostle Peter.
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (I Peter 5:10)
Recapitulating, in this logical Bible order, these seven beautiful attributes of God (we could almost call them "titles" of God) are as follows:
He is the God of glory, the God of patience and consolation, the God of hope, the God of all comfort, the God of love, the God of peace, and the God of all grace!​

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Psalms 96:7-9
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name;
Bring an offering and come into His courts.
Worship the LORD in holy attire;
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
Acts of the Apostles 7:55-56
But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Colossians 1:16-17
for in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.​

Everything about us exists because of Christ, making Him the appropriate goal in everything. What we do is affected and enacted by us according to what we believe about Jesus. We follow or don’t because of the worth that we have placed on Him. That worth can only be calculated in accordance to the fact that … all has been created through Him and for Him…. that is the all in all …. with those elected to share.

The two paths of hating Jesus or loving and following Jesus play out in Acts 7.

John 5:18
This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
1 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
​

Those who love Him are willing to accept the change He brings. Those who love Him not are outraged that anything be required of them whatsoever.

Acts of the Apostles 7:53
You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.
1 Peter 2:4-5
Come to Him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

​

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Romans 15:5
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:​

We must take an example of patience from God: that both the weak and the strong, serving God with a mutual consent, may bring one another to God, as Christ also received us to Himself, although we were ever so unworthy.

What does that mean?

Without the walls of double-mindedness, living half in God's truth and half in satan's lies.

Likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus … according to Christ Jesus; according to the doctrine of Christ, which teaches, directs, and engages, as to sameness of judgment and practice, so to mutual love and affection; and according to the new commandment of Christ, which obliges to love one another; and according to the example of Christ, who is the great pattern of patience and forbearance, of meekness and humility, of condescension and goodness, and of equal love and affection to all his members.

Christ is the pattern of walking in oneness of mutual love, spirit and mind.

What God does not condemn, neither should we.

"Behold, how these Christians love one another!" was the amazed but constant testimony of paganism, yea, of Judaism, also, regarding believers in the early days of the Church.
And this Spirit-wrought unity and tender affection is by far the greatest need amongst believers today.

“By this," our Lord said, "shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" John 13:35​

In answer to the earnest, persistent cry of God's people that He would revive His Church, the real saints are being drawn more and more by His Word into the true fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Being of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus, does not have reference to opinions or views of doctrines, but does have reference to gracious dispositions of spirit; for God is not spoken of here as the God of wisdom and knowledge, but as the God of patience and of comfort.

It is God's acting in these blessed graces toward the saints that will enable them to be "of one mind together according to Christ Jesus.” When the Spirit of God is freely operating among a company of believers, the eyes of all of them, first, are toward Christ Jesus.
They are thinking of Him, of His love, of His service, and of what will please Him.
They are conscious of their blessed place in Him.
Then follow, naturally, patient dealing with one another, comforting one another.

Some of the company may know much more truth than others; many may hold varying judgments or opinions concerning particular matters. But this does not at all touch their unity--their conscious- unity, in Christ; and it does not in the slightest degree hinder their being of one mind, and working- together with one accord, and, in the vivid words of Scripture, be with one mind together according to Christ Jesus.

Against doublemindedness:

2 Corinthians 10
5We tear down arguments, and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.​

Those things that we have presumptuously set up against the knowledge of God can be anything that blocks us from seeing the true character of the Father and sets in it’s place a false image that misrepresent His thoughts, actions or ways.

Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel; for the Lord has an indictment against the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or loyalty, and no knowledge of God in the land.
Acts of the Apostles 17:11
These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so.​

Breaking the outer shell of an unworthy vessel to become a worthy vessel that is suitable for use by God generally involves tearing down those strongholds that misrepresent Him. Understanding knowledge is to stand under His teaching; under the pattern set through Christ to come to know Him. To know God is to receive knowledge from Him, and that involves revelation.

So I ask, do we know anything about the Father w/o it being revealed directly to the heart? What are some of the things that set themselves up against the knowledge of Him and then become strongholds that can be impenetrable for true knowledge ( revelation) to come in and change us? Do the strongholds prevent the revelation themselves or just acknowledgement of the truth contained?

For instance … double-mindedness vs the singleness of the dove’s eye … (A)our eyes can see the light (understanding) and (B)our ears we can discern (dividing that which is soulish from that which is spiritual) and (C)with our beings we can touch and taste that He is good or we can tell when something leads away from God. (D)Also the sense of smell that which is fragrant of His Being. Christ is that Light, Word and Bread thru which the soul receives His grace.

Creator and created should never be confused.

Scripture itself places fully knowing God impossible Romans 11:33 outside of the revelation given by Christ John 1:18 so we should never attempt to say more about God than what is written therein. 1 Corinthians 4:6

The old covenant used the term knowledge of God to refer to the process by which God reveals Himself and His benefits to the earth, while secondarily that revealation is the resulting human knowledge about God, prophesy and heavenly things. Strongholds of pride etc, are giving way before His Strong Tower that God has provided for His Children, and we know therein that our heavenly treasures are safeguarded too.

Experience is not easy to articulate in a concrete and communicable way. It can only be done in a fixed mode of symbolic discourse and found within the patterns of scripture. From scripture comes a form of knowing that is tangible. Scripture layers from letter, to the morality contained within the letter, then opens up to the spiritual meaning within the same writing.

The bible uses human language to describe God, that we are somehow to articulate within ourselves. For instance we see the Logos using the letter of the biblical text to convey the inner message of his saving action. The believer then moves with the text, thru the senses, to experience the fruit contained in them in the soul’s progression with God. Contact with God, by definition, is achieved in and thru the bible. As our outer nature wastes away our inner nature is renewed day by day, and so understanding can only follow where experience leads.


Peace