Jun 21
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On “Being Like CHRIST”
So many bible passages extol us to “BE LIKE CHRIST”. So many churches and pastors and do gooders want us to BE LIKE CHRIST. But what does this mean?
The Old Testament was the Word of GOD, given to Moses, who was charged with LIVING OUT THE WORD of GOD, advancing it, making [...] [...more]
Posted: under Prophecy.
Tags: Christ, christian, christlike, Jesus, religion
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On “Being Like CHRIST”
So many bible passages extol us to “BE LIKE CHRIST”. So many churches and pastors and do gooders want us to BE LIKE CHRIST. But what does this mean?
The Old Testament was the Word of GOD, given to Moses, who was charged with LIVING OUT THE WORD of GOD, advancing it, making it ALIVE in the world he lived in by being a leader and teacher. But over time, it became institutionalized, interpreted, and fossilized - until Priests told the common man what it meant. They all paid tithes to feel good.
They created synagogues and other earthly political institutions to govern and otherwise control the affairs of man until there was no more spirit in it.
God our Father chose to heal this DEAD WORLD and DEAD SPIRIT and DEAD PEOPLE condition by becoming/sending CHRIST.
AS Savior, CHRIST had to live a perfect life and then pay the price of sin for all who did not. This is a great gift but it is not the end of the work of His life on earth. There is MORE than salvation to learn and MORE than salvation to consider when it comes to BEING LIKE CHRIST.
This teaching is not milk and is not for babes. I am not here repeating the teaching that causes religion to get stuck in endless repetitions. Save them, save them save them. OK… but let’s move on. As we mature in the faith, we are to put away the things of a child and press onward toward the prize of our holy calling!
So, if providing salvation we only one of CHRIST’s jobs or purposes on earth (certainly foundational but not the whole story), then what was the other? He was a model, a teacher (Rabbi).
CHRIST was charged with LIVING OUT the WORD of GOD, advancing it, making it ALIVE in the world he lived in. But over time, it became institutionalized, interpreted, and fossilized - until Priests and Pastors and Radio Talk Show Hosts told the common man what it meant. They all paid tithes and supported good causes to feel good. They created Churches and Charities, and movements, and stadium events and other earthly political institutions to govern and otherwise control the affairs of man until there was no more spirit in it.
THIS IS THE TRAGEDY OF MODERN CHRISTIANITY
Stop and realize: if CHRIST was also named Emmanual - meaning “GOD WITH US” in Hebrew - and if we are to be LIKE Him then isn’t that the promise of the resurrection and the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT?
We are to become GOD WITH US.
It is now up to US (YOU AND ME AND EVERY BELIEVER) to be LIVING OUT the WORD of GOD, advancing it, making it ALIVE in the world WE live in.
And so, shall we reject the old and profess something entirely new? Well, when new agers talk like this, the Traditional Christian Church starts forgetting about unconditional love and it’s charge to be Christlike.
Verily, verily I say unto you…. Behold all things are made new. You are a new creation. There will a new heaven and a new earth.
This teaching is not meant to deny the gospel but to advance beyond salvation and beyond rote reading of dead ink and beyond becoming slaves to priests and pastors and controlling spirits.
BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: I PRAY YOU EMBRACE YOUR FREEDOM - REFUSE THE CONTROL OF DEAD INSTITUTIONS - EMBRACE YOUR POWER - WALK WHERE OTHERS FEAR TO TREAD - RAISE THE DEAD - GIVE LIFE TO THOSE YOU LOVE - BRING PEACE AND LOVE AND HEALING TO THOSE IN NEED - LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE.
BE THE WAY, TRUTH, and LIGHT through whom others come to know what it means to be saved from sin and guilt and empowered to live the life that God intended for them - according to their bent.
Selah!
May 13
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Hello? This may shake some of you. It may sound like Heresy. Don’t leave in disgust… Let’s talk about it!
If Christianity teaches that we should all want to be Like Christ, or Christlike, then let’s consider:
Christ said, if you have seen ME you have seen the FATHER. Hmm…. What if we said that?
This gets dangeriously [...] [...more]
Posted: under Teaching.
Tags: Christ, christianity, New Age, Spirituality
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Hello? This may shake some of you. It may sound like Heresy. Don’t leave in disgust… Let’s talk about it!
If Christianity teaches that we should all want to be Like Christ, or Christlike, then let’s consider:
Christ said, if you have seen ME you have seen the FATHER. Hmm…. What if we said that?
This gets dangeriously close to the new age position, I AM GOD… But… It’s a fulfillment of the teaching that we should die so Christ may live.
What do you make of this? Dangerous waters? Anybody want to go for a walk?
Jul 26
Fair warning. This one will probably shake you a bit. At least it will shake many who think they know what it means to live their faith.
There is a big difference between knowing ABOUT something and knowing HOW TO DO something. I can know everything ABOUT a sport, but not be able to play the [...] [...more]
Posted: under Teaching.
Tags: Blog, Christ, christian, God, Jesus, Mystery, Power, Teaching
Fair warning. This one will probably shake you a bit. At least it will shake many who think they know what it means to live their faith.
There is a big difference between knowing ABOUT something and knowing HOW TO DO something. I can know everything ABOUT a sport, but not be able to play the sport. Big Difference!
So… I ask before the teaching…. Do you know ABOUT God? Do you know ABOUT Christianity? That’s Too Bad. Christianity is not a spectator sport. Learning ABOUT God and the Christian Life show that you have begun something. But there is so much more power available to you.
The better question is, do you know “HOW TO”… HOW TO BE God ? How to DO God?
What, you ask? That sounds like heresy! A Blasphemy? Maybe a misguided New Age False Prophet Message? Hmmmm……. Not so fast. Let’s dig a little deeper.
Using a little legal language for sake of an example….. Christians are called to be the agents of God in this world. An “agent” can act for the one who sent him - or his “principal”. An agent has the legal rights of the principal, and should both act as the principal (to represent and safeguard reputation) and should be treated as the principal when the principal is not present. The Agent can sign contracts on behalf of the principal - thereby BINDING the principal to PERFORM a contract.
Now… where do we get the commission or charge to be an AGENT of God? First, an example, and then the appointment of Christians to DO God instead of just know about Him.
The Example: Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father”. Jesus often said he and the Father were “ONE”. Being one is more than being an Agent. It is a mystery of the Faith. I propose that the best way we might understand this from earthly experience seems to be the concept of Agency. However, I fully realize that this is more than agency that Jesus speaks about.
The Charge: Before Christ left this earth, he prayed for us - that we would be ONE in Him, just as He is ONE in the FATHER. He also gave us the “Keys to the Kingdom” saying whatever we BIND on earth would be BOUND in heaven, and whatever we LOOSED on earth would be LOOSED in heaven. Do you know the verses for these quotations? Maybe somebody will post a comment with the bible addresses?
THE POINT IS: If Christ asked the Father, and He and the Father are one…. Then the prayer is answered in the affirmative. It’s not so strange, really. It would be like you asking yourself to do something for your child.
SO HERE IS WHERE IT GETS POWERFUL: If we are one in Christ, and Christ is one in the Father, then if you have seen me - you have seen THEM. By the power of the Holy Spirit - we are ONE. What I do here, He ratifies or performs from there. Hmmm…. What I condemn, He condemns. What I forgive, He forgives. What I promise or contract for, He will perform. Can you say “OMG”.
Rather than filling me with Pride or Arrogance, this concept is humbling. I aspire to DO God rather than know ABOUT God. I have reached this pinnacle of the faith on occasion, but being an imperfect vessel, this certainly does not happen as often as I wish. Nor does the experience last as long as I wish. However, I strive as Paul did to press onward, finish the race, attain the prize of my Holy Calling.
BTW: If a prize is worth attaining, it might be ok to enjoy the attainment. It’s OK to enjoy the prize of our calling to BE God instead of just know ABOUT God. So don’t give me a load about False Humility. God is worshipped when I enjoy the attainment of the mystery of DOING His work here on earth.
And so…. I ask again….
Do you know ABOUT God or do you know HOW TO DO God?
What difference does this make in your life? Comments? Examples? Criticisms? Let’s hear!