Sunday, June 17, 2012

Reflecting Pure Love


"The prostitutes and tax collectors were attracted to Jesus because in him they recognized the truth about themselves, they saw the Life of their original design being mirrored in him and made them realize that the life they lived before was a lie!"


"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not." John 1:5.
Note that John says that Light and dark co-exist, but dark has not comprehended/recognised it. When they do, they will see that they are fill of light!! (Eph 5:8...ect)


" Jesus (the light of the world -John 8:12) came to his own (those made in his image and likeness - Gen 1:26), but His own did not recognise Him (John1:11).... because they had become DARKENED IN THEIR THINKING due to ignorance (Eph 4:18). They had become enemies towards God IN THEIR OWN IMAGINATIONS (Col 1:21)


The Gospel declares to mankind the Good News of their True identity. The Gospel is the Mirror that reflects back to man his true image and likeness, the image of Jesus is what he sees.(2 Cor 3:18
In the Gospel mirror He sees Himself -  one who is Fully God and Fully man in perfect inseparable union - Eph 5:31-32, 
He sees one who is Fully God and Fully man, being filled with all of the fullness of God (Col 2:9, Col 1:27, 2Cor 4:7, 1 John 4:13, 1 John 4:17......)


The Mirror (the Gospel) is a constant reminder to us of our true identities - in his perfect image and likeness -  so that we may become mature, and reflect or true identity -the full measure of stature of the fulness of the Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Eph 4:13)
Then we wont be like those who look intently into the mirror and walk away and then immediately forget who they are.(James 1:24)


The Gospel shows us Gods original and unchanged opinion of us, his beloved, and His Love induces a Persuasion and Trust in us to walk with Him, away from our previously blinding and misguided perceptions of Him and to BE what we have been, but neither perceived nor recognized, all along.... The objects of the most insane Love the cosmos has ever know!!



Such Good News!!!
Love

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Lets keep the Good News Good News - part 1

Hey Friends, in May this year I was sent an article that had to do with the finished work of Jesus on the cross. But far from being the Good News that many have grown accustomed to the article, in my opinion,  leans towards an "unfinished work" and has proven to be a source of great confusion to many who are just beginning to see the hugeness of the Love of God a bit more clearly.
The point of this "lets keep the Good New Good News" series is to look at the views and scriptures used in argument against a "finished work" in the hope of clearing the cloud of confusion towards what - I believe - God is revealing across the planet in these days.


Argument against "all of mankind"  being included in Christ at the Cross:

"Salvation for mankind was provided for at the cross, but mankind was not literally or universally included in Christ at the cross and resurrection. That only comes through unification by spiritual baptism into Christ through personal faith in Christ. Once you come into Christ then you are included in him and benefit from what he did. 

It all has to do with "are you in Christ?" If you are not in Christ then you receive none of the benefits of Christ."


The writers view is that one's personal faith in Christ is the means unto unification via "spiritual baptism" into Christ. Outside of ones personal faith there is no inclusion in Him and there is no benefit from what He did.  






First text used:
Gal 3:26-27 "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (NIV)



This is very important to understand so let me start off by saying that many people think that our salvation depends on our own faith in Jesus, how firmly we believe in him; but what Paul actually says is that salvation is accomplished through the faithfulness of Jesus (as show by his willingness to die on the cross): 
  • "our faith in Jesus" - an inaccurate translation of Gal 2:16, 20; 3:22; and Rom 3:22, 26; all of which use the genitive case (indicating possession; meaning "of") in the Greek text, not the preposition "in"
  • "the faith of Jesus" - the trust that Jesus himself had in God, believing that his death on the cross would be vindicated by the resurrection.
  • our faith in Jesus is supposed to be just like the faith/trust of Jesus in his Father, in the particular circumstances of our own lives.
  • the foundation of our salvation is the faith of Jesus (the cross!); our faith in Jesus is a consequence or response to Jesus' action. 

So, the writer has used Galatians 3:26-27 (NIV) to prove that one needs  personal faith in Christ as the means to be baptised  into Christ.
The thing is, if we take a closer look at the context here in Galatians we will see that Paul is not talking at all about their personal faith in God, but rather, he is talking about the Faith OF Jesus Himself that was the means for them to be Baptised* into Himself. (* I will discuss the historic background context of the meaning of Baptizo at a later stage).


Lets back up a few verses. 
Paul writes in Chapter 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 
again in verse 20-21:  I have been crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 


A few things here: The NIV incorrectly translates all these phrases  as "faith INGod ,which gives its readers a completely different direction all together which Paul did not intend for His readers. 
In fact, Paul Clearly says in vs  21 that if we would assume this righteouesness /justification to come from any other source other than Christ's Faith (Like perhaps finding its source in our own Faith), then we would be Frustrating/nullifying/rejecting/making void/turning our back on, Gods grace and denying the value of Jesus' death.


Moving on:
Paul continues in the same theme  calling the Galatians Foolish (idiots!) having been tricked into believing a different "gospel" that depended on their own effort to accomplish and not Christ's from beginning to end. He says that he had clearly portrayed the Faithfulness of Jesus in that He was publicly crucified and raised again because of our Justification. He even quotes Hab 2:4  (3:11) which says: "but the just shall live by his faith."
Again in VS22 He says "But the Scripture locked up all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to the ones believing. 
again: Here NIV has "Faith IN Christ". Paul continues:
23"Before this faith came ( What faith? - The Faith of Jesus), we Jews were perpetual prisoners under the Law, living under restraints and limitations in preparation for the faith which was soon to be revealed.(The context demands that this can only be talking about Christ's Faith) 

24 So that the Law has acted the part of a tutor-slave to lead us to Christ, in order that through faith we may be declared to be free from guilt. 
25 But now that this faith has come ( What faith? - The Faith of Jesus), we are no longer under a tutor-slave.
26 for you are all sons of God through the faith in Christ Jesus, (Is the Origin of this faith that makes us sons of God in us or is it in Jesus Christ? - It's in Jesus Christ)
27 for all of you who have been baptized* into Christ, have clothed yourselves with Christ. 


*I will discuss Baptism in the next part of this "Lets keep the Good News Good News" series.
But for now, if you are seeing this for the first time, I urge you to go and do a quick study on the words and verses I have mentioned here and see for yourself what terrible  jobs some translations do on some verses. 

I hope most of all that you see with clarity the beautiful Gospel Jesus Christ. He is the author and finisher of our Faith, He is the beginning and the end. Our part to play is as Paul puts it: "I am a dependant passive instrument"


Lets not frustrate His grace by falling into a "do it yourself" version of Christianity that deems Christ's death mere vanity.

He loves you deeply
much love
Andrew












Monday, June 11, 2012

Love or Religious lenses


In so many cases we have completely missed the revelation of Gods nature because of a distorted view taught to us by Religion. Religion has portrayed God a s a hypocrite who tells us to act one way whilst He Himself act the complete opposite. These words were spoken by God the Son who said, “if you have seen me you have seen the Father” and I and the Father are one”. In Other words, We can be sure that God acts and believes the same way Jesus did.
But there is a clear contradiction between the current Religious version of Christianity and what God himself said. Lets take a look at the words of our unchanging King who remains the same yesterday, today, and into every future age to come:

Luk 6:27  `But I say to you who are hearing, Love your enemies, do good to those hating you, (This is what God himself does. But, Religion teaches that God hates sinners and will “eternally punish” all “God haters”)

Luk 6:28  bless those cursing you, and pray for those accusing you falsely;  (This is what God does. He causes his rain/blessing to fall on all. When he knows people sin because of a distorted view of Himself he says “Father, FORGIVE them because they are acting in Ignorance”. BUT Religion teaches that God will change and inflict vengeance on all those ignorant of Him).

Luk 6:29  and to him smiting thee upon the cheek, give also the other, and from him taking away from thee the mantle, also the coat thou mayest not keep back. (This is what God himself does because He loves and understands the cause of peoples selfishness and he does not hold it against them. He knows that they do not know any better than to act according to who they think they are. But, Religion teaches that God demands that you "pay back to Him" or else He will curse you.)

Luk 6:30  `And to every one who is asking of thee, be giving; and from him who is taking away thy goods, be not asking again; (This is how God is. He is unconditionally generous He knows our needs before we even ask. But, Religion says that in order to receive from God you have to either build up enough faith, do many good deeds or be sure to give enough money “to God”.)

Luk 6:31  and as ye wish that men may do to you, do ye also to them in like manner; (God himself relates to us in this manner because He is not a hypocrite. But, Religion tells us God will not show grace or love or favor to those who do not act in a certain way or believe certain sets of beliefs.)

Luk 6:32  and--if you love those loving you, what grace have you? for also the sinful love those loving them; (God is very Gracious, God ‘s love is NOT CONDITIONAL on us first loving Him. He fist loved us – even while we were still “God Haters”. But, Religion teaches that Gods anger is burning against people UNTILL they believe in Him – and love him. Only then will God become Gracious towards you).

Luk 6:33  and if ye do good to those doing good to you, what grace have ye? for also the sinful do the same; ((God loves even those who Hate him. But, Religion teaches that God hates and will become unloving and ungracious towards all who don’t love him. Religion teaches that God’s grace is/will become conditional towards all who don’t love or believe in Him.)
  
Luk 6:34  and if ye lend to those of whom ye hope to receive back, what grace have ye? for also the sinful lend to sinners--that they may receive again as much. (God is like this – He doesn’t give to us and expect repayment. But, Religion teaches that if you don’t “Give back to God” his tithe, then He will curse you. Religion teaches that God is “a hard task master who has reaped where he hasn’t sown” and He - just like the “sinner” expects pay back from what He has given you.)

Luk 6:35  `But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and ye shall be sons of the Highest, because He is kind unto the ungracious and evil; (God is like this. He gives, but not in order to receive something back. He gives freely because He loves everyone, even to those who hate Him. He is kind even unto the ungracious and evil. But, religion teaches that “a person would be stupid to give and not to expect to receive something back.” Religion encourages us to sow and “store up” in our heavenly accounts, BUT Regarding provision, Jesus said “Look to the BIRDS OF THE AIR (not the farmer in the field), they DO NOT SOW OR REAP OR STORE UP IN BARNS but your Father looks after them. How much more will He care for you.
God is kind to the ungracious and Evil But Religion teaches that Gods grace is conditional and will torment such “for all eternity”.


Whilst this may be shocking for many and pose a whole host of questions regarding what they have been taught. My encouragement to you is to pursue those answers through the lenses of God's Love for you. He does not change like the doctrines of man do, according to his current need. Our Unchanging Lover is calling us to "change our minds and trust in this Good News"



Acts 4:19 "But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,"


What exciting times we are in
Much love
Andrew




Sunday, June 10, 2012

Reflecting an image


By  Colin Lagerwall

"Our understanding of 'God' reflects off an image in our minds, and by that image we perceive, we determine our own beings for who we are, for we are created in His likeness, and according to that determination of who we are, we live out our lives ....

For example:

Saul killed people by the image of 'God' that he had in his mind...
So did the Crusaders..
Throughout the centuries, many have been stoned and torched because they spoke a language that conflicted with some image of 'God' in their killer's minds...

There is no clearer image of God than that seen in the person of Jesus, who being the express visible Image of the invisible God, whilst experiencing the worst hatred and rejection that anyone could ever experience, responded accordingly to who He is ...

Treated like the trash of the Earth fit only for the rubbish heap, He was stripped of his dignity and nailed naked on a criminal's cross, mocked and jeered at and violently tortured until His body could no longer contain His life .....

He could have retaliated with fiery vengeance and destroyed the whole World and the Universe and every living and inert thing in it, a Universe that He had created with His own hands ....

If that been the Image of God that He had in His mind .....

Moments before Jesus passes, He looks out across the people in front of Him ...

People representing all the peoples of the World that had ever existed ... people blinded by an image of 'God' that they have in their minds, people void of understanding of the true nature of the God whose visible Image they had in their possession hanging on the tree like the damned that they thought He was.....

Had these His perpetrators known that this was their Creator that they had falsely tried and tortured and mocked and jeered and rejected to the point of death, having within their own minds the reflection of the image of the 'God' that had driven them to do this horrific deed against that which they could not comprehend, they would have shrunk back in horror at the retribution that they themselves believed they now deserved; they would have frozen in incomprehensible terror, waiting for that moment as heaven's lightning struck them off the face of existence ...

Yet in that Moment of Moments ....

Jesus looks at the True Image of God in His mind, and seeing the open Face of the One Father of Light and Love and Truth that shines so Gracefully and Beautifully on Mankind, and from that True Image of God in His mind, Jesus responds in the only way that He can, doing what He sees the Father doing  .... Not in vengeful retaliation for rejecting His Son, not in horrific holocaustic destruction of a blind humanity whose distorted image had driven them to act in such a inhumane manner ......
But in the face of the worst rejection that anyone could ever experience, Jesus lifts up His head and unashamedly from within Him, the Voice of Eternal Love Sounds  .........

"Father ..... Forgive them ! ...... they have been blinded by an image of a 'God' that is not You ...... they do not know who You are, for only the Son knows who You are ....only the Son has seen You as You are ...."

"And neither do they know who they are ..... they have only acted in a manner that is congruent with the distorted image of the 'God' in their own minds........"

"Thank you Father that this is not the end for them, but it is the Beginning of the New where they will begin to see You like I see You, for they are in Me and I am in them, and very soon You will raise Me from the dead and they too will see You with New Eyes, they will see an Image that is New to them but it is the Only True Image of God, an Image so beautiful that the whole of Creation basks in it's Smile, and in that Image they will see You and Me, and they will begin to see themselves as they really are, for in that True Image of God is the Likeness in which they were Created .. In Love ...."
"They will Now begin to See with Open Eyes as the Veil that has blinded them to their True Selves is Torn ......"

"Father  .....  It is Done !
Into Your hands I commit My Spirit !"


One of the greatest issues we have in Life is Trust ....trust God...Trust each other, trust you friends, trust your spouse.....

Trust is dependent on one thing, and that is the implicit Trustworthiness of the Person to be trusted, which means that the Integrity of the Person to be trusted must be without question....

Do we ever question why it is that we have to go on courses to increase our faith in God, or even why we choose not to believe in God ?

Why is it that atheists choose to not believe in a God who could have designed the universe and put this whole thing together, and this Person is supposed to love us, yet at the same time He is vengeful and just and must torture Mankind if we do not believe in His Son which He sent...

How dare we reject His Son !!??

Really ? Is this what 'salvation' is about ?

Reject MY Son and I will reject you !??

Is this how we have seen our Father, the God of all Creation and Non-Creation.....

The most accurate depiction of the Nature of God is when our Rejection of God is revealed by the Total acceptance of US by God in the thick of OUR Total rejection of Him ...

Do we trust Him ? Do we dare trust THIS Love, that THIS Love has the capability to Love even when we turn our back on Him ? Really ? Do We ?
Or have we branded Him with our own petty retributions, that if someone does not accept us, we will reject them ?
Is that your God ?
Is That the Image you have in your minds ?
Is THAT the Image you act on ?

Faith works by Love....Infinite Faith works by knowing Infinite Love...a Love that cannot reject, even when Love Himself is rejected !

Look at Jesus, and you will see how Love reacts in the brutal face of rejection ... and when you see His reaction, you see the True Image of God !



"The world needs to realise that we were never rejected orphans after all, but always His precious and accepted beloved sons and daughters, never outcasts having to work our way in, but always in-cluded, and that its ok to take a deep breath, snuggle up and rest in His amazing grace, forever joined, never separted ♥" - Fay Gillbanks Lagerwall

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

VOICES

By PK Langley:


 
"There is a loud voice today that cries, "don't do your own thing, don't go out there and be a renegade".

Yet there is a still, soft voice within that tells us to do the opposite, to trust the Lord and fly with Him in beautiful "Spirit-led" harmony.
The loud voice screams, "but you are forsaking the fellowship, you are not submissive, you are bound to be deceived".

Yet the gentle voice within counters, "you are accepted in the beloved, a member of God's household, I will never leave you or forsake you, I will keep you".

*************************************************

Dear Religion: You are losing, and the sons are awakening everywhere. Awakening to realize that it doesn't take this grandiose group mentality or the system that has tried to tell us it is our father to be Christ in this Earth.

The bundling of the masses has strapped our effectiveness and drained the majority while the minority uses all it's energy to keep the sheep in the corral.

But God is faithful, God never fails and He wants all of His children to understand that whom the son sets free is free indeed.

We are free from the grindstone of meetings and conferences and gatherings and weekly services.

We are free from ever learning and never coming to the knowledge of the Truth, to preach Christ in it's simplistic form without having to give someone the original Greek wording to make a point.

We are free from submission to a man, leadership or ministry that would hide under the guise of parental tutelage, while subtly forming their followers to be led by them. Instead, we have the qualified Holy Spirit, who only asks that we all submit one to another in equality and love.

Free from thinking the five fold are our masters, but exposes the imposter brutish left hand that squeezes the body in some hierarchical tyranny and keeps them under their "protective" covering. The true right hand of the five fold is made up of lovers of Christ, who work selflessly within the Body, empowering and equipping.

The sons are free..free indeed, to go and do and be Christ to a lost and dying World, in whatever capacity they can, without the pressure to do, but the compulsion to love.

THAT, Religion is your apocalypse, your greatest fear...millions of believers free to roam the World.."




What exciting times we are in as we are literally seeing the dismantling or institutionalised Christianity and vast numbers starting to taste the freedom that God always had in mind!!

Many nay-sayer's will look and only focus on the struggles of some that are in the process of having their "religious rug" being pulled out from under them but this MUST happen and is a part of the process of God expressing himself through His Bride. God is well able to comfort these who have lived under the impression that the current religious institution is their life-line to the Father. God will teach them that there is NO SEPARATION between them and Him and there is no need for a man made system. There must be a deconstruction of Religion. God is well able to build up His church.

Many Congregation leaders will/have come up with all sorts of reasoning for the maintaining of religious institutions and using their public influence have stood strongly stood against what the above article speaks of. But never the less, it is only a matter of time before Gods Trustworthy Nature becomes clear to many Congregation leaders and God will be allowed to Build His Church.
The quickest way for this to happen is when people are free to do what God has led them to to without having to obtain institutional permission.
"My sheep hear my voice" - This is a fact to be embraced by single person. Christ lives IN YOU.


Much Love.
Andrew