1 John 2 What Does “Love Not the World” Mean?

Does “love not the world” mean to renounce all worldly pleasures like listening to pop music or watching movies? Or does the “world” refer to the deserving system of the world based on do’s and don’ts, as opposed to God’s system of undeserved favour?

Samuel Mathew wrote an enlightening article on this topic.

1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

The apostle John exhorts us, not to love the world and the things in the world namely the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. For these things are not of the Father, but of the world.

The “world” here refers to the world’s system in general. The whole world runs by the system of knowing right & wrong, good & evil and doing the good or right thing as much as possible. The reward is determined by one’s performance. The driving forces behind this system are called the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. The flesh denotes human strength and ability. The flesh always wants to live life based on one’s strength, will-power and ability. The prospect of living a life based on one’s resources and ability and achieving the end result looks very appealing (lust of the eyes). Pride in one’s ability is also a factor.

Verse 16 says that this system is not of the Father. In the garden of Eden, God told man, not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good & evil. God never wanted man to live by knowing good & evil or right & wrong (Law), but He wanted them to live by eating from the tree of Life (God’s life). God made them in His image and likeness — just like Him. All they had to do was to live by His life and enjoy everything that He had created for them to enjoy freely. He did not give them 10 or 15 rules or principles on how to live a holy, moral, successful and prosperous life. The only command he gave them was to stay away from living by knowing good and evil or living by rules or principles. He warned them that eating that fruit would result in death.

But the tempter came and told Eve that eating this fruit would cause her to be like God. Remember, they were already like God, not by any of their works, but because they were created in His image and likeness. So Satan, put this idea in the mind of Eve, that she could be like God by her own doing and not by how God made her to be. She decided that she wanted to be like God, independent of God, by her own works by knowing good & evil. Gen 3:6 says that the woman saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh) and it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes) and a tree desired to make one wise (pride of life). By eating that fruit, man implemented this system of works or performance for the whole humanity.

Beloved, are you still eating from that forbidden tree by living by knowing good & evil or rules & regulations or are you living by the tree of life (the life of Jesus in you)? Living by rules and commandments may appear very good, may boost your ego by your performance and will satisfy your flesh, but the end result is death. Are you satisfied with how God has made you to be like Him — holy and righteous in Christ Jesus or are you trying to become like God by your holy living and good works? Verse 17 says that the world and its system will pass away, but he who does the will of the Father will abide forever. The will of the Father for you is to believe on the good news of the removal of your sins by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, whereby He has made you perfectly holy and righteous, just like Him, free from any of your works!

I think religious people, especially those in institutional churches, tend to target young people maybe because they are more impressionable and can be easily brainwashed with fundamentalist doctrines. Also they see themselves as "elders", and out of their insecurities, like to feel "respected" by young people, and do not like to see young people having fun and enjoying their life, especially while they think they are the ones serving "god" and working hard to "please the Lord". Miserable people love company, so they prefer the young people to join their misery as well. Deep inside, they are envious of the freedom young people usually have. As you also noticed, religious people don't like it when people in general are enjoying life and freedom - religious people think this is "worldly".

But if the truth be known, "worldly" actually means "conforming to the world system that is performance-oriented, and based on the principle of doing in order to become" (as we have learnt earlier). To be worldly is to be law-minded and sin-conscious. Anyone with common sense and growing to take responsibility for their own actions would rather abide by the universal principle of "all things are permissible but not all things are beneficial", rather than the oft-used religious threat of a mythical hell and God's wrath to try to keep other people and themselves under control.

Has God been Misrepresented by Christianity?

Video commentary:
There is hardly a man, woman or child who has not heard of the “wonderful” Christian God who will torment in eternal flames those who stubbornly refuse Him. How does this caricature affect the moral decisions of those who dare believe it? Martin Zender contends that such a heinous perception of God can only lower the standards of morality wherever it is taught. After all, why should a person behave any better than his or her Deity? Want to save people from moral ruin? Teach the God of Scripture!

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith (“righteousness by faith” teaching), giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron (being perpetually conscious of sins), forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
(1 Timothy 4:1-4, comments in parentheses are mine)

I love what Martin Zender said about the doctrine of eternal torment (as in burning and suffering) in hell being a doctrine of demons (1 Timothy 4:1) because it is born out of sin-consciousness, and as he put it, it appeals to the self-righteous and religious sensibilities in people. This false doctrine needs to be refuted in order for people to experience true freedom in Christ, as well as know and appreciate the loving and gracious heart of our heavenly Father more fully.

Martin Zender considers himself the most outspoken Bible scholar. You can find out more about his ministry here.

Related links:
The Infamous Hall of Christian Terrorist Organizations of the World
Lazarus and the Rich Man

‘Hell’ is a Misunderstood Concept in Christianity

Someone asked in Yahoo Answers this question: “Do you believe in hell?” The following is a very good answer that is based on sound Biblical interpretation and historical research.
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‘Hell’ was a borrowed term from pagan tradition by Roman Catholic Church during the reign of Constantine.

In the Bible, the term ‘hell’ was mistranslated by the translators. So yes, it is an invention of the Church empire for the purpose of controlling of masses.

As for ‘heaven’, the apostle Paul stated it in Ephesians 2:6 that the entire Human race has been raised to heavenly places IN Christ Jesus. As in Adam all die, so in Christ ALL and the entire human race will be made alive as they come to knowledge of Christ. And it is my conviction that hell or heaven is in one’s consciousness. When the apostle John mentioned heaven in Rev 21:1, “a new heaven and a new earth” is not referring to terrestrial or celestial bodies, etc. Rather he was talking about ‘covenantal transition’ – the ending of the Old Covenant Mosaic world of sin and sacrifice and the coming in of the endless New Covenant age of mercy and GRACE – the ages to come, a “world without end” Eph 3:21; Isa 9:7; Isa 54:17.

I encourage everyone (NOT ONLY YOU) to not buy into the popular Church idea that “If you believe in Jesus you will go to heaven, and if you don’t believe in Jesus you will go to hell” — it is the most ridiculous idea that has been sold to us by the man behind the Curtain. The Bible says that when we die, the body returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7). We don’t go to heaven or hell. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life and there is nothing spiritual about it. It is all Pagan. The Christian religion set back history at least by 2000 years. We think the way people in Old Testament time thought because of the lie that we have been told all our lives.

You know what is the negative side of it all? Hell is nothing but ignorance or the absence of the love of God. Jesus said, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of HADES (most translations say ‘hell’) will not overcome it”. So, what is ‘hell’ in this context? Ignorance, living in the absence of love and grace and darkness is ‘hell”, so Jesus was telling Simon, “Son of Jonah, I tell you, you are Peter, son of God, upon this rock (UPON THIS UNDERSTANDING OF WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST) I will build My church.” (petros = a portion of rock from petra = a mass of rock) A chip of the old block! The ekklesia is the expression of the fact that the son of man is the son of God, the fact that man began in God, and His image and likeness is redeemed in human form! So, hell is nothing but “Identity crisis”. In my opinion. Be Free!!=:)

(Adapted from Yahoo Answers)

Related links:
Hell is a Christian hoax
Has God been misrepresented by Christianity?
Bible Translations that Do Not Teach Eternal Torment

Salvation Has Rescued Us From Darkness (Ignorance) To Light (Understanding)

I have been blessed reading about the successful rescue mission of the 33 miners in Chile who were trapped for more than 2 months underground (from August to October 2010). I have been following the news about their plight for the past few weekends when I read about them in the newspapers. I think it’s almost like a real-life parable or illustration of how we all are rescued or translated from darkness to light.

Colossians 1:13-14 says “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

We were once in darkness, a place of ignorance. We were blinded in our minds to the immense love of our Father in heaven. We did not know our true identity. We felt alienated from God, when all the while God has never alienated Himself from us. He wants us to KNOW Him.

I believe then that Jesus has come to save us from our ignorance. He has come to give us an understanding of who God is and who we are in Him.
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Someone may quote Philippians 2:13 and say that we need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (meaning to imply some work on our part to remain “saved”). But I think we need to look at the historical context of this verse as well as consider the audience relevance. Have done a bit of study on Philippians 2:12-16 – I think the Concordant Literal Version of the Bible kinda captures the original Greek thought better:

So that, my beloved, according as you always obey, not as in my presence only, but now much rather in my absence, with fear and trembling, be carrying your own salvation into effect, ¹³ for it is God Who is operating in you to will as well as to work for the sake of His delight. ¹⁴ All be doing without murmurings and reasonings, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and artless, children of God, flawless, in the midst of a generation crooked and perverse among whom you are appearing as luminaries in the world, ¹⁶ having on the word of life, for my glorying in the day of Christ, that I did not run for naught, neither that I toil for naught.”
(Philippians 2:12-16, Concordant Literal Version)

Paul was writing to the first century christians who were living among the “crooked and perverse generation” which refers to the religious people in Israel – I believe the salvation in that context is referring to being saved from the destruction together with the temple in 66-70AD — indeed, none of the christians were reported to perish during the Roman army siege – they had heeded Jesus’ warning to flee to the mountains of Judea. Besides, the salvation they knew then was salvation in all its fullness (wholeness, preservation, protection, etc) – it comes from the Greek word soteria. And yes, salvation is also a Person – Jesus is the Yeshua of the world.
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If we know Jesus as He really is – that His name is Salvation (Yeshua) – we will know that He is the Saviour of the world. Love came to save, love came to serve, love comes to give – Jesus is love personified, and He is salvation personified.

Jesus is the Saviour of ALL men. (See 1 Timothy 4:10)

When we say we are in Jesus, we actually mean we are in Salvation.

The good news is that: Salvation is here – in us, with us, for us. Even for those who do not know Jesus, HE knows them – that is their security. It is WHO knows us that matters, not how much we know Him – we cannot never fully know Him, for that matter. We all may lose sight of Him at times, but He never loses sight of us.
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I have had a misconception about what salvation means. I used to think salvation means being saved from hell (whatever that ‘hell’ meant), but I have learnt that salvation is simply saved from having a wrong mindset about God and about ourselves.

‘Hell’ is a pagan concept that has been used by the Roman Catholic church to control the masses with fear. This website “Hell is a misunderstood concept in Christianity” explains the details.

You may also like to listen to this video ‘Hell as an invention of the church‘.

The lake of fire is not literal but metaphorical. If it were literal, how would it be possible for death (which is non-physical) and hades (grave) be cast into the lake of fire?

We all have (had) a part in the lake of fire, which was not meant to torture us, but to purify. Phillip explained it like this: “The Greek word for fire is pur. Strong’s Concordant of the Bible #4442. This is where we get our English word ‘purify’. The lake of fire is no more than a purification process that every man will endure. (Mark 9:49) So the lake of fire is symbolic and it is not a literal fire.”

Revelations 21:8 speaks of the old Adamic nature and the old identity that experience the second death. It is not referring to people being burnt and tortured forever.

In short, Jesus came not to save people from ‘hell’ (which is a pagan concept). He came to save us from having a wrong mindset about God and about ourselves. He came to show us that God is all the while with us and He has never alienated Himself from us. He came to show us God is love and to restore our sense of identity which is found in Him.
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“And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1:21-22)

Notice that this sense of alienation and being enemies took place in our minds? Hence, God sent His Son to renew our mind (or repent – change our mind or change our thinking) to see ourselves in His image – that we are holy, blameless and above reproach.

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ ALL shall be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

In God’s mind, we are all made alive in Christ. We are new creations. We are the righteousness of God in Him. We are beloved children of God, accepted and highly favoured in the Beloved. We are the apple of God’s eye, and He loves us with an everlasting love.

When we awake to the truth that we are righteous in Him and He is in us, we will experience the abundant life He has given us – full of hope, full of joy, full of peace, full of health, full of finances. That is spiritual awakening at its fullness!

“Awake to righteousness (awake to the truth that you are the righteousness of God in Christ), and do not sin (do not fall short of the understanding that you are one with God and as a result living below the best He wants you to have); for some do not knowledge of God (who is in us and in whose image we are made).” (1 Corinthians 15:34; words in parentheses are mine)

Mary Lou Houllis said, “The Bible is not about the physical realm.” Indeed, the gospel (or good news of Christ) is about our belief system. What we believe will manifest in our lives. Our perception creates our reality. When we align our minds with the mind of God that proclaims we are one with Him, we will experience the truth of the gospel in tangible ways, in manifested blessings.

You may also like to listen to “The Creator You” by Mary Lou Houllis, who heads the New Beginning Oneness Center.

Recommended Readings:
“God’s Salvation Plan – Salvation of All” by Jath van der Westhuizen
“Misunderstandings about the meaning of hell (Part 1)” by Jath van der Westhuizen
“Misunderstandings about the meaning of hell (Part 2)” by Jath van der Westhuizen
“Redemption of Mankind” by Jath van der Westhuizen

[Salvation of All] "The Reconciliation of All Things" by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr

DAILY EMAIL GOODIES
Issue #2554 December 14, 2010

THE RECONCILIATION OF ALL THINGS

“Having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Colossians 1:20).

Even though the Bible is a book specifically about the details of human redemption, Paul’s unequivocal testimony is to the reconciliation of “all things” that have been alienated from God – not just man.

According to Paul, “all things” will be reconciled to God – “all things … in earth” and “all things … in heaven.” We know what is alienated in the earth that needs to be reconciled to God; but what about “in heaven”? What is alienated there that is in need of reconciliation? Why, Satan and the fallen celestial powers, of course!

Satan and the fallen celestial powers are exactly what the backdrop of Colossians 1:20 includes. Listen to Paul, just a few verses earlier –

“… all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers” (:16).

Again, it is clear revelation given to Paul that there will be a reconciliation of “all things” – all things that have been alienated. The context is abundantly clear – the “all things created” ARE the “all things” RECONCILED.

Specifically included here in the “all things” are the exact same adversaries – the “principalities” and “powers” – against which we currently wrestle according to Ephesians 6:11-12. God says that they, too, will be reconciled. God will leave no corner of His vast and wonderful universe outside of His unfailing love.

Therefore, the context of the reconciliation of Colossians chapter one plainly includes Satan and the fallen celestial powers. Oh, the great grace, love and mercy of God that are abundantly demonstrated and magnified in the full extent of their reach – even to the reconciliation of Satan and fallen celestial powers.

Paul repeats these gloriously triumphant truths in Ephesians 1:10:

“That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.”

Again you will notice the context of “heaven” and “earth.” This dual sphere is also repeated in Philippians 2:10-11:

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

This reconciliation is truly universal! No creature will be left out. Nothing will be left alienated or unreconciled to God. There will be an entire, universal “restoration of all things.”

“For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things …” (Romans 11:36).

“And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him Who put all things under Him, that God may be All in all” (I Corinthians 15:21-28).

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr,
© Daily Email Goodies™

Salvation is for the Here and Now, Not One Day after We Die

The gospel of grace and peace proclaims that God has reconciled all things to Himself through Jesus’ finished work at the cross. (Colossians 1:20) Now that we know that all humankind has been reconciled to God, some questions may arise among those who have grown up in traditional or evangelical church teachings, such as:

• Does that mean there is no need for faith in Jesus?
• Is there still a need to preach the gospel?
• What about those who don’t believe the gospel?
• What exactly are we saved from?

The post below seeks to address these questions, and more.
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According to the gospel, Christ has been made unto us from God wisdom, righteousness, holiness and redemption. By one man’s obedience, all has been made righteous. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. We all are included in His redemption. We are redeemed from the curse of sickness, lack, identity crisis, low self-esteem, guilt and shame, etc.

I believe salvation is for the soul (mind, will and emotions), so faith in Jesus is necessary. (Hebrews 10:39; James 1:21) When we believe the good news that we are righteous and accepted by God who has never forsaken us from the beginning, we will experience peace for our conscience and healing for our mind and emotions. We begin to live life with hope and expectancy of good things to come, and enjoy the divine dance with our loving God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The kingdom of God is within us, and Christ in us is the hope of glory.

When someone dies without believing in  Jesus or having heard about Him, s/he will still be with God, for the spirit returns to Him who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7). S/he will not be in a place called “hell” (which is implied as eternal separation from God or eternal damnation or everlasting punishment or torture). Hell or gehenna as mentioned in the gospel accounts refer to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in AD70 (which was described in the book of Revelations concerning the end of the old covenant age and the establishment of the new covenant world “new heavens and new earth”). Hades is simply grave or a place of the unseen (or ignorance of God’s love and of our true identity, which shall not prevail against the church).

When we proclaim this gospel of grace and peace, we are reminding others of their true identity. They will be awakened to who they really are, and start reigning in life through Jesus Christ. “Much more those who receive abundance of grace and gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One Jesus Christ (not one day after they die)“. (Romans 5:17; words in parentheses are mine) Praise the Lord for the good news. That’s why we continue to preach or proclaim the gospel so that more and more people will know the unconditional love and amazing grace of God, and become established in their true identity, and start to reign in life!

Steve McVey said, “the efficacy of the cross is done, whether we believe it or not. But by rejecting it, our experience will not be what our acceptance would facilitate. It’s the same ‘River of Fire’ (Dan 7:10) – God’s Love – that flows from the throne down upon all of us. To those who believe, it will be the joy of heaven.” I agree that those who believe the good news, it will be the joy of heaven.

As for those who don’t believe the gospel, I believe that it doesn't mean they will end up in a place called "hell" after they die. It simply means that they will not get to enjoy the benefits of salvation that believers enjoy while they are alive, which includes peace for the conscience, divine healing, freedom from guilt and condemnation, etc.

In the beginning, Adam and Eve became afraid of God after they disobeyed Him in the garden of Eden, but it wasn’t God’s love that caused them to distance themselves from Him because He draws people to Himself with lovingkindness. Rather, it’s the fallen human mindset that blinds people to see the reality of God’s love, and hence Jesus has come to show us how good and loving God really is. This good news of knowing how much God loves us will help to build our consciousness of God as our loving Father. In fact, our God is a triune God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is in constant fellowship with us because He is a relational being, not a legalistic judge or book-keeper.

In conclusion, salvation is for the here and now, not one day in the future. “Behold, now is the accepted time (of favour); behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Jesus came to save us from the Adamic curse of living a performance-based life marked by stress, guilt and condemnation, that we might live the abundant life freely and lightly, flowing with the unforced rhythm of grace (unmerited favour), where He works miracles among us by the hearing of faith (about our right standing with God).

The Meaning of "Salvation" Depends on Context in which It Appears in the Bible

Someone has asked a question which I’ve also been thinking about lately: “Other than being saved from the destruction of Jerusalem, is there anything that the 1st century believers were saved from?”

Since salvation (‘soteria’ in Greek) means wholeness, health, deliverance, preservation and prosperity (in spirit, soul and body), I think salvation includes healing, provisions, etc.

For example, after Peter healed the lame man in the name of Jesus, he went on to say that there is no other name except Jesus by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12), the context was healing.

Another example: When the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years was healed after touching the hem of Jesus’ garment, Jesus told her “Daughter, be of good comfort, Your faith has saved you.” The Greek word ‘sozo’ (saves) means healing in that context. So yea, salvation includes healing.

Related Post:
“Created for His Pleasure!” by Jath van der Westhuizen

Holy Condescension? No Way!

Jesus healed a blind man. (Luke 18)

While reading some posts in the Internet just now, I was reflecting to myself that I have a pet peeve - I think those who like to describe God as being the Almighty Being who condescends to lower Himself to man's level may run the risk of being condescending themselves since whatever they believe about God, they also become like Him.

I'm thinking why would God be condescending to His own image? God doesn't have an ego problem, so perhaps the word 'condescend' should be removed from the theological vocabulary about God. We don't find Jesus being condescending to anyone, not even a child. Instead, He lifted up those who are lowly, and embraced children who came to Him.

Maybe my mindset has changed too - in the past, I wouldn't think much about people describing God as the Holy One who condescends, but after having been meditating on how God and us are one and how we share the same divine nature with Him, I am learning to see God as divine Love without any trace of pride or ego or condescending spirit in Him. After all, Jesus described Himself as meek and lowly (not meek and mild, as J. B. Phillips pointed out in his book "Your God Is Too Small").

I'm renewing my mind even as I am sharing this and articulating my thoughts, as I also need to continue to behold His glory and grace, since I too need to be transformed in my thinking, and be transformed into His same image, since I have been religious in the past as well. There's a certain feeling of freedom and lightness of being in being conscious of our oneness with God and with one another in the universe - we are all on equal level, sharing the same humanity and divinity - no one is greater or lesser than one another. I believe this is the oneness that Jesus taught.

The Prayer To Our Father

The Prayer To Our Father
(in the original Aramaic)

Abwûn
"Oh Thou, from whom the breath of life comes,

d'bwaschmâja
who fills all realms of sound, light and vibration.
Nethkâdasch schmach
May Your light be experienced in my utmost holiest.

Têtê malkuthach.
Your Heavenly Domain approaches.

Nehwê tzevjânach aikâna d'bwaschmâja af b'arha.
Let Your will come true - in the universe (all that vibrates)
just as on earth (that is material and dense).

Hawvlân lachma d'sûnkanân jaomâna.
Give us wisdom (understanding, assistance) for our daily need,

Waschboklân chaubên wachtahên aikâna
daf chnân schwoken l'chaijabên.
detach the fetters of faults that bind us, (karma)
like we let go the guilt of others.

Wela tachlân l'nesjuna
Let us not be lost in superficial things (materialism, common temptations),

ela patzân min bischa.
but let us be freed from that what keeps us off from our true purpose.

Metol dilachie malkutha wahaila wateschbuchta l'ahlâm almîn.
From You comes the all-working will, the lively strength to act,
the song that beautifies all and renews itself from age to age.

Amên.
Sealed in trust, faith and truth.
(I confirm with my entire being.)

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I find Jesus' prayer to our Father in heaven who is the source of breath of life in the original Aramaic beautiful. It may sound new age to some, but hey, Jesus is our original new age teacher who tells us about our oneness with Him and with one another. We and Him are the light of the world, bearing His image of love, overcoming the darkness of ignorance with the knowledge of God's unconditional love and our true identity.

When we discover Jesus’ identity, we discover our own identity

We all may have some sort of identity crisis at some points in our life – we may either have a poor, beaten down image of ourselves, or an elevated view of ourselves. We would ponder over questions like “where do we come from?”, and “what is our purpose in life?” But once we realise who Jesus Christ is, we will actually discover our true identity – that we are made in His image. Jesus has come to be our perfect representative, and all His divine attributes of power, love and sound mind become ours.

The only accurate picture of ourselves we can have is to see ourselves in Jesus’ image. The following is an awesome revelation shared by Francois du Toit.

“In Matthew 16 Jesus asks the most important question in the Bible, “Who do men say that I the son of man am?” By revelation, Simon asserts in response that Jesus is not the son of Joseph, but the Messiah. He is the promise of man’s redemption, the image and likeness of God fully displayed in human form; the son of the living God.

Notice how Jesus responds to him: “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood have not revealed this to you but my Father. If I am the son of God, then so are you. I have come to reveal that man began in God, and not in father’s seed or in his mother’s womb! Jer.1:5. Your surname is no longer derived from your father in the flesh but from the Rock that begot you. (“You have forgotten the rock that begot you and the God who gave birth to you…” Deuteronomy 32:18. “Look to the Rock from which you were hewn…” Isaiah 51:1) Upon this Rock, I will build My church (Greek, ekklésia).”
- Francois du Toit

“Hades is a compound word like most Greek words, ha, negative, or not + ideis, to see. Thus the blindfold that traps mankind in ignorance about their true identity will not prevail”
- Francois du Toit

The gate of hades in Caesarea Philippi, Israel, where Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. It is a rocky place, where the main cave was traditionally known as the 'gate of hades'. Jesus took the opportunity to give Peter the revelation of his true identity in Christ, and said the gates of ignorance shall not prevail against the church upon this revelation of their identity in Christ.

Hades is a place of ignorance, where there is an absence of knowledge of God nor the true identity of humankind. Praise the Lord for the revelation, for when people’s eyes are opened to see who Jesus is, and realise He is their true identity, the gates of ignorance shall not prevail against the church. Instead, the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth, as more and more people shall see their true identity in Christ, through the preaching of the gospel. And they and we all shall continue to be transformed from glory to glory into His same image, as we behold His glory and see ourselves in Him as in a mirror reflection: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” and “as He is, so are we in this world”.

It’s all about relationship. God created us to have fellowship with Him. Because of Adam’s disobedience, man lost his original identity. But by Jesus’ obedience at the cross, man was restored to fellowship with God.

We now realise the significance of Jesus giving Simon bar Jonah (son of Jonah) a new name Peter, which means “rock”. It’s wonderful how Francois drew out the revelation from the old testament to explain the new testament concerning Jesus as our new identity. Jesus is the Rock of Ages, and He has hidden us in that Rock - “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (who is our Rock)” (Colossians 3:3)

According to the Good News, What is the “Second Death” that the Bible is Referring to?

[The following post is adapted from an interesting discussion in Yahoo Answers which presents some liberating truths.]

The book of life is the book of Grace. Those who have been trying to live by self-efforts instead of God’s grace would have been cast into the lake of fire to be tormented (basanizo – tested, purified) in their consciousness, until they experienced the SECOND DEATH (coming to the end of themselves) and saw their need for Jesus (“Who shall deliver me from this body of DEATH?“~ Paul wrote in Romans 7.) For further information, please click here.

Do you know that the lake of fire is something that has continued right after new heavens and new earth? Do you also know that we will ALL have a part in it?
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Yes, we ALL have a part in the lake of fire, as Jesus said, “For EVERYONE will be seasoned (tested or purified) with fire“. (Mark 9:49)

The lake of fire is something that has continued right after the new heaven and new earth, in which we are living today. The second death happens when a person who depends on self-efforts to get right with God comes to the end of himself/herself and finds freedom and perfect peace in Christ Jesus. The lake of fire is meant to cleanse us from self-righteousness or religiosity, so that we die to our old performance-based mentality, and live according to our new identity in Christ based on grace and truth.

There are two kinds of death in the Bible. The first death is spiritual death or condemnation. Remember the ministry of death is also called the ministry of condemnation. (2 Corinthians 3) Those who are under law will experience condemnation in their conscience.

The second death is the end of condemnation. (Romans 8:1) It spells freedom for a person because when he/she experienced grace or undeserved favour, he/she will be set free from guilt and condemnation and enjoy righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit – which is the kingdom of God within each of us. 
—–
The book of Revelations was written by the apostle John before the destruction of the temple in AD70. The destruction of the temple in Jerusalem signified the end of the old covenant age or world, that is, the end of the Jewish religious law system.

Ever since AD70, we are living in the new covenant age or world, which is the new heavens and new earth.

We know God is not some sadistic, mean and vengeful God who burns people for eternity in hell. It is time for people to reexamine the context of Revelations 20-22, and study the Greek meanings for “torment”, “lake of fire”, “hades” and “forever and ever” (aion meaning for an Age). If the lake of fire is a physical place like some people said, how can death (which is non-physical) be cast into it? The lake of fire is a metaphor.

Last but not least, Revelations 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral sorcerers, idolators, and all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire, which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” simply means the doing away of the old identity.

Because God has become all in all ever since the end of the old covenant age in AD70, we are now new creations living in the new covenant age. Therefore, we no longer see ourselves in the worldly or fleshly perspective, but we see one another in our new identity – we are all new creations, and sons and daughters of the Most High God.

“Behold, I make all things new.” May we all see one another in our new identity – we are ONE in Christ. 

Related Posts:
“Tested in the Lake of Fire” by Gary Amirault
“Misunderstandings about the meaning of hell (Part 2) – Lake of Fire versus Gehenna” by Jath van der Westhuizen

John 14 What did Jesus mean when He said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life?

What did Jesus mean when He said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him? (John 14:6) For too long, the evangelical church has been using the verse to say that Jesus is the only way to go to heaven. It is about time we question this interpretation. I believe everyone will be with God after they die because our spirit will return to Him who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7) The good news is actually about knowing that God is our loving Father.

I remember Peter Youngren taught that “Jesus is God, and comes from God, to show us what God is like.” I tend to agree with that, but at the same time, I also recognise that every society and culture at different eras of history may have their own understanding of God/gods, and I do think these beliefs have their place too.

Someone wrote: “I believe that there is one God, and He and His messages are just interpreted in different ways.”

So, my take on this subject is that when Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life, He was speaking to His disciples – the Jews back then had a different idea of what God is like because they only saw a glimpse of His true nature in the old testament/Jewish scriptures. So Jesus told them He is the revelation of God as the Father who loves them. (Not just Elohim/Creator or Yahweh/Covenant-keeping Lord or El Shaddai/All-Providing One) Jesus said, “He who has seen me has seen the Father”, and He affirmed to His disciples that they had indeed seen the Father because they had seen Him.

Jesus said to His disciples, “From now on, you know Him and have seen Him” (John 14:7). Amazing – the disciples were still alive when they saw the Father (through seeing Jesus). They had not died yet. So definitely John 14 isn’t talking about Jesus is the only way to go to heaven after people die, unlike what most evangelical preachers would have us believe.

To me, Father (or Abba) is the intimate expression of family love that is also self-sacrificial, unconditional and universal.

When Jesus told His disciples to go into the world to preach the gospel, I believe the great commission was already accomplished. According to some preterist views, all things have been fulfilled by AD70. The apostle Paul wrote “my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ… has been made known to all nations”, which took place before AD70. Since AD70, I believe Christ is in everyone, for the Holy Spirit has been poured out on all flesh in the last days (of the old covenant age). Maybe the good news to share with people today is simply about the mystery that has been made known to the Gentiles: Christ in you, the hope of glory. Yes, the good news is not about going to heaven or being saved from a place called hell.

As for gospel campaigns, I would say maybe it is not really wise or advisable to go to another country where christianity is opposed (and risk offending the people and risk being harmed by the extremists). It is ok if people in a region are open to the gospel, otherwise I think it is best to leave them alone and continue in their own belief system, and go elsewhere to preach. Sometimes, people fare better in terms of living in peace and harmony when they are comfortable with their native religions (whether native american spirituality or buddhism or new age or hinduism).

To me, any belief that promotes peace, love, compassion, harmony and freedom, and doesn’t create any sense of fear, guilt and condemnation, or a sense of separation from God or from one another, is one that is in line with God’s nature and desire for all humankind. Perhaps God himself is so diverse that He cannot be contained in any one religion or belief system, and it is up to each individual to choose which is best for them or most comfortable for them. “All things are permissible but not all things are beneficial” is probably a good guiding principle for me when comes to choosing a particular belief system – I would say that love and freedom (with responsibility) would serve as a good foundation for my choice of an ideal belief system (which happens to align with the teachings of Jesus or the gospel, but I’m open to learning from other religions too). After all, the whole law is summed up in this: “Love your neighbour as yourself”, for love does no harm to a neighbour. Others may have their own reasons for choosing a particular faith, or not to subscribe to any at all, but remain open-minded to people’s belief systems or philosophies, and that is fine with me (and I believe with God too).

(Adapted from Yahoo Answers)

P.S. A friend of mine, Leigh, recently shared with me that he was feeling kind of silly that he used to think he was bought by the church, rather than realising that Jesus had already bought him and ALL the people of the world. I can relate to that because we were all blinded in the past. Thank Abba for opening our eyes to see that Jesus is the Saviour of the world – indeed, He is the Saviour of ALL men. (1 Timothy 4:10)

Related links:
Christians and others, What is your opinion about cultural relativism and Jesus being one among other Gods? (Yahoo Answers)
“Are We Really Hiding Behind Our Religions?” By E. Raymond Rock

Working as to the Lord, and not to men

Someone asked in Yahoo Answers about whether working smart is ethical, moral, godly and good. The following is my take on this topic.
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I think the best way of working is to rest in the Lord because rest is Holy Spirit directed activity. When it comes to work, I believe in working as unto the Lord, not as unto men. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Yes, in a company or organisation, we may be working for a boss or supervisor, but they are ultimately not our boss because God is our source and rewarder – our salaries come FROM Him THROUGH our employers.

Take Jesus for example. When He was ministering on earth to teach, preach and heal the sick, or lift up the poor and outcast, He was all the while working as unto His Father in heaven. “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” (John 5:17)

There were times He worked on the Sabbath days, which were supposed to be rest days, according to Jewish customs. That’s breaking the law. Was Jesus overworking? No, He was simply flowing with the heartbeat and rhythm of love. “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him… and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth” (Isaiah 11:1-4)

On the other hand, there were times He slept when others were working, such as when He was on the boat sleeping when His disciples were busy rowing the boat during a huge storm. Was Jesus lazy? No, He was living by the Spirit of grace and love – He lived a life of REST, knowing everything in the universe is in His Father’s control. He knows everything’s gonna be alright. Indeed, He later calmed both the storm outside as well as the storm in His beloved disciples’ heart with one word – “SHALOM!” (Peace, be still)

“Be still, and know I am God” (Psalm 46)

Jesus is COOL, SMART and GODLY and GOOD. When we are yoked with Him, knowing His burden is light and His yoke is easy, we will flow with the unforced rhythm of GRACE. (Matthew 11:28-30, Message) At the end of the day, we work not so much to earn income, since our heavenly Father is our source of income, but we work to express the gifts and talents God has given us to bless others.

Last but not least, Jesus wants us to be like Mary – to do the one thing needful – sitting at His feet and listening to His words – and we will, like Mary, end up doing the right thing at the right time in the right spirit, without fear or worry. Mary ended up anointing Jesus for His burial and her story was told as a memorial for generations after that.

Music Album: "Soak" by David Bruce

SOAK is over an hour of quiet, mellow, reflective, mostly spontaneous "soaking" music designed to help you slow down & relax a bit...

credits

released 25 August 2010
All songs written, produced, and performed by David Bruce

Music Album: "Soak II" by David Bruce

Oh God, You're...

Oh God, You're my Father and I belong in Your arms
Oh God, You're my Father and I feel Your arms holding me
And when You hold me, You're my Refuge
You're my Peace
Yes this Peace You're dispensing and Your Presence
Is all that I need

Oh God, You're so patient, You're so loving, You're so kind
Oh God, You are Faithful
And You've shown me Grace I thought wasn't mine
And when You chose me,
You showed me that Your Grace is never earned
It outgrows me, and from the Truth, I'll never be turned
Romans 5:20

Perfect Love casts out all fear
I'm the God who hold you near
I'm speaking things into your ear
That you have never known

While you were still in your sins
Before you ever asked me in
I was already your friend, and you were already mine
Romans 5:6-8 2 Corinthians 5:19

Oh God, You're my Lover, You're my Healer,
You're my Friend
Your Truth is my Teacher
And Your mercy to the world will never end
1 John 2: 1-2 Romans 8:38-39

And You told me that you ransomed not just me,
But everyone 1 Tim 2:3-6 1 Tim 4:9-10
You unfold to me the depths of Your riches
Through Your Son Colossians 1:20-22 Hebrews 10:10

Perfect Love casts out all fear
I'm the God who hold you near
I'm speaking things into your ear
That you have never known

While you were still in your sins
Before you ever asked me in
I was already your friend, and you were already mine
Romans 5:6-8 2 Corinthians 5:19

Oh God, You're my Father and I belong in Your arms
Oh God, You're my Father and I feel Your arms holding me
And when You hold me, You're my Refuge
You're my Peace
Yes this Peace You're dispensing and Your Presence
Is all that I need

~Spontaneous worship~

© 2011 David Bruce Music
www.DavidBruceMusic.com

Longing for You

I'm here on Your streets
I'm here at Your doors
I'm here on Your shores
Longing for You...

I sit at your table
Recline on Your couch
Get high when I'm able
Longing for You...

I come when I'm called
A servant to all
I try not to fall
Longing for You...

At the end of the day I just wanna lay with You
At the end of the day I just wanna be with You

I rest in Your arms as much as l can
Longing for You...

I wake from my bed, so tired in my head
Longing for You...

When l feel alone, no place to call home
I'm longing for You...

In the middle of the day l just wanna stay with You
In the middle of the day l just wanna stay with You

You're my obsession, You are my vice, You are my life
You know that its true
You are the art hanging on all my walls, You're there when I call...
I'm calling to You

You love me so, You won't let me go
Even though I don't stay true

At the start of my day I always wake to You
At the start of my day I just want to wake to You

(From Psalm 139)
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I run that You're not there?
If I say the darkness will hide me, in Your eyes the night will be like day
You created my innermost being, knit me together in my momma's womb
My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place

All the days ordained for me were written in your wonderful book
Before one of them came into being, You already knew...
How precious are Your thoughts to me, how vast the sum of them
Were I to count them, they'd outnumber the grains of the sand.

When I awake, I'm with You. When I awake, I'm with You...

© David Bruce Music 2011
www.DavidBruceMusic.com

I Covet You

I will kiss Your face and I will fall into Your arms
You're my hiding place and in You I find rest
You are the best of me, the "rest" of me
And I covet you

I have found Your face is always smiling back at me
2 Cor 5:19
I did not know that Grace was more than just a word
Your favor is never earned. Yea, I'm stating to learn
Its for everyone. 1 John 2: 1-2 1 Tim 4:9-10

And when I'm told that I'm not good enough
I'll run to You, yea I'll run to You

I will trust in You and all that Grace affords me
I've not earned a thing, it all has been a gift
Rom 3:23-24
You've not forgotten all Your promises
You keep every one 2 Peter 3:9

And when I feel that I've been left alone
I'll trust and know that I am Your own

I will kiss Your face and I will fall into Your arms
You're my hiding place and in You I find rest

© 2011 David Bruce Music
www.DavidBruceMusic.com

Some Reflections on a Trinitarian View of the Cross

The following is a very interesting article by Bill Nieporte, which refutes the penal substitution view of the cross in a positive way. I can relate to this article because like the author, I used to subscribe to the penal substitution view of the cross, and later realised that this view faces several problems. I think he summarised the main problems of that view well, such as the triune God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is not separated from Himself or one another, and the fact that Jesus came as a revelation of God as our loving Father.

After all, in the past few years, I have listened to preachings like this: “Yes, God is love, but God is also just. God hates sin and has to punish sinners, so God punished His Son on our behalf at the cross.” Or “Yes, God is our Father, but God is also a Judge. As a Father, He wept for His Son, but as a Judge, He had to turn His back and forsake His Son at the cross – He was forsaken by the Father so that you and I will be accepted by the Father.” I have accepted this view without much questioning in the past, because the preachers sounded convincing in the way they presented this view of the cross. It was also a popular view, as it seemed to be widely accepted by people among the evangelical christian circles.

I guess the penal substitution view might even sound logical to most people because we tend to equate our human sense of justice with God’s idea of justice. In most (if not all) societies, the law court would impose on an offender some form of punishment, such as fine, jail or death penalty, depending on the severity of the crime. But this punishment is mainly retributive and serves as a deterrent for others – it is neither remedial nor restorative. The judge also gains nothing out of it. God, on the other hand, has a different view of justice – He judges on behalf of the poor, the downcast, the oppressed, and the sinners. God is love, and His justice must be viewed from the perspective that His nature is love — love wants the best for us.

So who did God judge at the cross? Not us. Not His Son. I believe God judged the devil, who is the accuser of the brethren, and he is none other than our guilty conscience, so that today, our conscience can no longer condemn us or make us think God is angry with us or out to punish us. God saves us from wrong thinking (which began in the garden of Eden), by sending His Son to open our eyes to the truth of the gospel – through His finished work at the cross, He has cleansed our conscience so that we can have the boldness and freedom to fellowship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit who is all the while with us and for us. We can boldly and freely enjoy the warm fellowship and love with the triune God in our daily life.

“The reason I am ‘hung up’ on this (as you put it) is that I am passionate about biblical theology. What is advocated by those who hold ‘penal substitution’ view of redemption is a hermeneutic that is imposed on the scripture from the outside. It does not rise up from the text. I once believed otherwise – but as I have more carefully studied the Bible – I am no longer able to accept the schizophrenic view of God that teaches that Father was dumping anger or wrath out on Jesus when he was on the cross. My foundation has been a renewed understanding and appreciation for the biblical doctrine of the Trinity.

The ‘penal substitution’ view is in error in that it divides God into parts differing personalities, rather than a Triune who share the same nature (LOVE). The early church fathers referred to this as perichoresis – a Greek term that means ‘cleaving together.’ It describes the fellowship (Baxter Kruger calls it ‘the Divine dance’) that exists between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as they embrace and infuse each other. This is more than just intimacy and self-sufficiency. It is also the understanding that the Father, Son, and Spirit are one in being. Karl Barth considers the  doctrine of the Trinity so important that it became the lynchpin of this entire theology. In fact, the doctrine of the Trinity (Barth referred to the ‘one in threeness’ and ‘three in oneness’ or God) was the prolegomena of his systematic theology.

Here is where the problem lies. The idea that one part of God could be angry at us and the other loving toward us is contrary to this core biblical doctrine of the Christian faith. The idea that Father could in any way pour out anger or wrath on Jesus in anathema to a good Trinitarian, as it cuts up the Godhead into separate entities, rather than affirming the unity of the Godhead. This is unbiblical.

Compounding this biblical error is that it serves as a basic denial of the doctrine of the Incarnation which teaches us that Jesus was the perfect expression of the Father in human form (see Hebrews 1:3). In Jesus, God is seen not as some wrathful God of vengeance who must be appeased. Rather God is full of compassion and mercy, as witnessed in Jesus.
What Trinitarians advocate is that the place from which to understand scripture and all doctrines of the Christian faith is by looking at the love and kindness of Jesus, who came to reveal what God was really like (as John 14:9 says, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”) Those who work from a ‘penal substitution’ view say that the discussion about the nature and identity of God begins with ‘the law’ and not with Jesus. In fact, ‘penal substitution’ draws the attention so much to ‘the law’ that even God must submit to its dictates. In this view, God is so uptight about sin (disobedience against the law) that God MUST punish lawbreakers. So, then, the two hermeneutical principles that inform my interpretation of scripture are the doctrine of the Trinity and the conviction that the nature (DNA, if you will) of God is LOVE. Both these principles rise up from the scripture, where as the ‘penal’ view does not. So, while you may disagree with me, please don’t see my objection as merely a visceral discomfort with the notion of God’s ‘anger’ or ‘wrath.’ Rather these ideas (as they are understood from a ‘penal substitution’ viewpoint) are simply inconsistent with biblical theology.

So, then, the logical question is this: “If God was NOT pouring out wrath on Jesus as a penal substitution for us, then what exactly was happening at the cross?” The answer is that the cross is a unified expression of LOVE from our Triune God. Texts that affirm this include 2 Corinthians 5:19 and Hebrews 9:14 which together place Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together, on the cross, bringing all humanity the gift of salvation. Beyond all else, salvation is an invitation to participate in ‘the Divine dance’ (perichoresis).

As I said earlier, God is not schizophrenic. He does not suffer from a multiple-personality disorder. There is not a good guy God in a white hat named Jesus, and a mean God in a black hat called the Father. There is one Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) who loves without condition and has not only forgiven us, but has removed sin from us, and has made a way for full participation in the love relationship the Godhead shares. The word Paul uses is ‘adoption.’ God becomes one of us in Jesus. God takes up our cause. God draws us into relationship. (Ephesians 1:4-5)

Now with this picture in mind, how do we see this concept of God’s wrath? God’s wrath is God’s anger at sin because it hinders our ability to have intimacy with God. As a parent, I have often been angry at my children’s behavior. But I have never stopped loving them. I have never disowned them. Jesus makes this exact point in Matthew 7:9-11, when he says, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” The message of the cross under the ‘penal substitution’ view is that God is angry with you and poured out His wrath on Jesus. The message of the cross from a proper Trinitarian understanding of the scripture is that God loves you. That’s why we call it GOSPEL.”

- Bill Nieporte

How the Gospel Affects our Consciousness

I am coming to realise the gospel has much (if not everything) to do with our consciousness — the more we know and are conscious of God’s love, and the more we are established in the knowledge that God is love and He is good and only good, and there is no bad in Him, the more we will experience the reality of His goodness and love and mercy and grace working in our lives.

Psalm 27 seems to bear this truth – when David chose to do the one thing and behold the beauty of the Lord, he ended up living a victorious life.

Psalm 27:4-6
⁴ One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
⁶ Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Similarly, in my Bible reading two days ago, I learnt that long before King Jehoshaphat and his army were surrounded by their enemies, they first heard from a prophet who had a judgment mentality about God, for he had told them that God would deal with them harshly unless they tried their best to please Him – that must have caused them to be sin-conscious and fearful, and this negative consciousness manifested in their reality as the enemies suddenly approached to outnumber them (2 Chronicles 19 and 20). It’s only after Jehoshaphat sought the Lord for help, that they received the revelation that the beauty of holiness is found in praising Him for He is good and His love and mercy endures forever! The moment they started to be conscious that God is love and only love, and not an angry God out to get them, they started to reign supernaturally, and they even defeated their enemies without a fight, and they collected so much spoils in the following three days in the battlefield.

2 Chronicles 20:21
“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
‘Praise the LORD, for His mercy endures forever.’”

Similarly, it’s so important we all feed on the right kind of teachings that present God in the fullness of His love towards us, so that we will always be conscious that He is always with us and for us, and He has never alienated us from the very beginning, and His heart of immense generosity just wants to pour out and LAVISH His blessings on us His beloved children. Let’s keep beholding the BEAUTY and GRACE of our good Lord Jesus and Abba Father.

Video commentary:
Peace reigns in love consciousness. The gospel is about how perfectly God loves and favours us because Jesus is our true identity. This is the power of God to save us from fear, guilt, shame, ignorance and condemnation in the battlefield of our minds.

Book Review: "Raising Hell: Christianity's Most Controversial Doctrine Put Under Fire" by Julie Ferwerda

The introduction of the book looks good - I agree with the author that it is good to have an open, inquiring mind like a little child. On the whole, I find the book fairly balanced and well researched, and I appreciate the in-depth studies done for the writing.

People who are indifferent to the debate on hell may wonder what the big deal is about this subject, but the author explained why we need to question the teaching of hell - it is because "the very name and character of God is at stake!" Given that God is love, will He allow His own offspring to be punished or tortured in "hell" for eternity?

I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand more about the complete redemption or universal reconciliation of the world, and how the concept of hell has been largely misunderstood by people in mainstream christianity.

While one may not agree with every detail in the book about God's salvation plan for everyone, such as the time frame or sequence of how everyone is reconciled to God, I believe one will still be blessed reading about how good and loving our creator God really is, and how the good news of Christ is actually better than one used to think.

(This is a preliminary review based on the complimentary PDF version of the book, which I have read more than halfway. I hope to write a more extensive review of this book in my blog in future when I have more time. Blessed day to you.)

Update on 27 Dec 2011: I have written an in-depth review in my other blog.

Life is about Experiencing God’s Love and Knowing Our True Identity in Christ

The following is an article written by Francois du Toit. Hope you enjoy reading it.

The Bible was never meant to be a manual; its message is all about Emmanuel! God with us! Every definition of distance is cancelled in Christ. Isa 40:4,5

When Scripture is interpreted as a mere instruction manual for moral behavior, its message is veiled! 2 Cor.3:15, “Whenever Moses is read the veil remains.” John 1:17, “Moses represents the law; Jesus reveals grace and truth. It is only in the mirror where the miracle transformation takes place, and the blueprint image of our Maker is again realized in us!” 2 Cor.3:18. Jesus did not come as an example for us, but of us. Beholding Jesus in any other way, sentimentally or religiously will bring no lasting change. Now in Christ we may know ourselves, even as we have always been known; 1 Corinthians 13:12. This is the truth that frees us to live the life of our design. John 8:32. John writes that this is not a new message, it is the word that was from the beginning, and yet it is new, he says,”for that which is true in him, is equally true in us!” 1 John 2:7, 8. “We know that the son of God has come, and he has given us understanding to know him who is true; and this is the understanding, that we are in him who is true!” 1 John 5:20

Paul brands his gospel with the words, grace and peace in order to distinguish the message of the revelation of the finished work of Christ from the law of Moses. It is a matter of, grace vs. reward and peace vs. striving, guilt and condemnation. Grace and peace express the sum total of every beneficial purpose of God towards us realized in Christ.

To discover yourself in the mirror is the key that unlocks the door to divine encounter. Tangible beyond touch the genesis of our being is unveiled. Our most intimate and urgent quest are satisfied here. “And we all, with new understanding, see ourselves in him as in a mirror; thus we are changed from an inferior mindset to the revealed opinion of our true Origin.” 2 Cor. 3:18.

As much as the world of science depends upon the senses to perceive, measure and calculate the facts and then to form reliable conclusion, faith perceives the reality of God and extends the evidence to reason. Faith is to the spirit what your senses are to your body. Faith is not airy-fairy; Jesus Christ is the substance of faith. He is both the author and conclusion of our faith. He is the accurate measure of the blueprint of our design. Eph 4:7 The gift of Christ gives dimension to grace and defines our individual value. (Grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ) Mirror Bible

This is the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations; it is Christ in you! Col.1:27

He is not hiding in history or in outer space, nor in future! He is I am in you!

Anticipate the revelation of Christ within you. There is no greater reason for studying scripture!

Jesus did not point to the sky when he gave the address of the kingdom of God; he said, “The kingdom of God is within you! Luke 17:21. In Mat 13:44 he says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in an agricultural field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” There is infinitely more to the field than what meets the eye! Jesus has come to unveil the real value of the field! Human life can never again be underestimated! The treasure exceeds any agricultural value that any harvest could possibly yield! The treasure defines the field! Paul says, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels!” 2 Cor 4:7, but while in our unbelief we do not agree with God about us, our minds are veiled and we do not realise the image of God unveiled in Christ as in a mirror. 2 Cor 3:18, 4:4. We are not designed to live by bread alone. Bread represents the harvest of our own labour. He challenges us no longer to look for the wrong harvest but to lift up our eyes and see the harvest that is already ripe! The seed in the fruit matches the seed that was sown! The single grain of wheat did not abide alone! John 12: 24, John 4:35, John 2:19-21, Hos 6:2, Eph 2:5.

“From now on, we no longer know any man after the flesh! 2 Cor 5:14,16, Titus 3:2-5″

- Francois du Toit

I like especially this part: “Grace and peace express the sum total of every beneficial purpose of God towards us realized in Christ.” Yes, we can live life as a celebration because life is about experiencing God’s unconditional divine love and knowing our true identity in Christ. We are His most treasured possession for the kingdom of God is within us.

What Does the Climate and Weather Patterns Say about Our Collective Consciousness?

Since emotions are a form of energy, our emotions can effect the environment and weather patterns. Emotions are a form of energy, and perhaps an excessive amount of negative energy, such as anger, hate, fear, guilt, etc, contributes to tornados, hurricanes, flooding, etc.

We control the weather to a certain extent when we send negative energy into the atmosphere. Psalm 82 seems to suggest this idea. I think Joseph Prince mentioned something similar in one of his sermons quite recently, perhaps earlier in the year 2010. He was teaching about the importance of having a “no condemnation” mindset, because when people feel condemned and think negative thoughts about themselves and/or others, they can affect the environment and even cause adverse weather phenomena, like typhoons, around the world. So yea, the gospel is so important because when people align their minds with the good news that God loves them and is not mad at them, they will be at ease and at peace with themselves and with others too, and the environment will also be more peaceful (in terms of being free from natural calamities).

Makes me think that some of the natural disasters like earthquakes in the Old Testament were not caused by God (though they appeared to be) – they were probably caused by negative thoughts or emotions of the children of Israel when they were under the law — they felt condemned and bad things started to happen to them; for example, earthquakes swallowing up some people or the fiery serpents appeared in the desert to bite them (hence God told Moses to put the bronze serpent on a pole for them to look — to see that their guilty conscience (or accuser) has been judged and they should no longer feel condemned or guilty), or the armies of Moab and other nations rising up to attack them. You can read more about how the gospel affects our consciousness here.

Looks like we’re indeed living in a matrix world of sorts. So important then for us all to guard our heart (our mindset or belief system or our thought life) from fear and condemnation because out of it springs forth the issues of life. (Proverbs 4) It’s good for our hearts to be established with grace, as Hebrews 13 also says.

Sin-consciousness, condemnation, guilt… all these negative feelings contribute to our environments.

So, start thinking happy thoughts.

Related Posts:

The Effect of Human Thoughts and Emotions on Weather Patterns

Reflections: How the Gospel Affects our Consciousness