Author: israelx7

The man and the woman, the transgression and the curse(s). And the irreparable, but for God, change there. And “but for God” is every saint’s most exceedingly delightful but.

But, we will not know this apart from our own passing through that garden, that place of experience where it becomes plain to us we are and were, as much “of them” (man) without contradiction nor gainsaying as to estate. Our attitude and disposition to being man must change and does only in Christ, but the reality that that is all and only what we are; without shame, yet without self gratitude, without grasping at, without bristling that we are not God nor vainly seek do for ourselves a thing forbidden, precisely because Christ alone has already accomplished all that ever need be accomplished.

We prove treacherous to Him, and traitors to the faith when we presume something remains of ourselves to be done for ourselves. As Jesus has told us:

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Is it enough? Is it enough for you to be called a devil in Christ’s identity? Will you try to justify yourself in the sight of the religious (as Jesus did not) and also understand that only from the religious can come, even must come, that very appellation? For it was neither Rome nor the Romans, nor the avowed atheist that does so; (for the use of devils to their mind is quaint and superstitious) but can only come from those with some claim of holding enlightenment as to spiritual matters. Crazy or hopeless rebel may come from others…but devil…no.

How plain then Adam makes himself, even must make himself, in his estate of knowing and information. Not unlike Adam, who, though knowing good and evil both exist, cannot distinguish among them. Blind, dead, dark…even in all his “knowing” of information. No less the religious, knowing God and devil are…but in all without any ability to know one from other. No wonder then the Lord severely admonishes:

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

And here is not an unworthy consideration. The devil hates being identified as what he is and for what he is, but the saint cares not at all, or will come to not caring…whether he be called a devil. Heretic. Lost soul. Actually how he is received and identified among men must come to mean less than nothing to him. Lest he be found untrue to the One who has called him. For delightfully, that is their only delightful care; for he has been persuaded:

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Now plainly that is going to sting a bit amongst some, and may God be even pleased it leave a mark. Any or all who may yet seek to be seen as a something amongst God’s people (and who of must not deal with this?) or worse, to the world……well…it is enough to know that true God is neither blind nor stupid. And God knows well our affections even before we do for titles, acceptance, some eminence, some setting apart as “special” and this day warns…that such, if left unattended will result in the reward of seeking for himself to be set apart…for he will taste what it means to set himself apart from the Christ of God. And the merest taste is sufficient to sober the saint.

Simply, if Christ has not yet made you “special enough” to your knowing in His singling out of you from the world, the Father will answer accordingly to such as such is deserving in despising the Lord’s work. The son of His love. If one cannot be made content to be less than the least, one is not, or not yet the Lord’s for discipling. And there is a secret to be learned in being content. For one would be better to never preach nor teach according to any wisdom he believes he has gained of Paul’s enlightenment(s) than to lie about his person…in seeking to elevate their own. And of course, this as much and more pertains to all and anything of Jesus the Christ. Who:

made Himself of no reputation.

And God will, in and through Christ, provide abundant opportunity by His power made available, for any believing man to take the lower seat. For He sees who chose it first…and when no other man could, nor would. Do we?

And what yet remains of our affections for appearing as a something before men, by titles, accolades, praises…even this very day, each will be given opportunity to despise. For our perfidious soul delights in these things of recognition and accord of better status. But we are given to see a man who

bared his soul unto death

and all and every implication of that that has both begun and will complete His good work of salvation in us. That we may know, not merely have that information that God alone is good, even He which good is, and He alone accomplishes it. The making known of His goodness, and mercy.

We dare not lie about Him.

Something took a change there. Spoken of in the book of Beginnings. So deep and so drastic as we can only see by consequence (and believed); but only if we do believe the spirit gave to man the truth in facts.. of what took place. Any man may, if found believing that book as true to God’s telling, can see them, these consequences; but no man can know or understand them apart from Christ and His light. We can read to death but never see. But only when Christ is revealed, and only then, can we read to life.

And if it can be said, this drum must beaten quite fervently.

Listen if you can, to a story. About 60 some odd years ago a school room of children had an uncle of one of the students speak to them. This uncle was called a philosopher, and from what I may gather, probably held a teaching seat somewhere to accord him such a title. But to us he was introduced as a philosopher. He proposed something simple but profound to them all, that caught them in wonder of consideration. It was this:

“If everything in the universe suddenly, instantly, doubled in size, no one would know it”

Do you see? Do you see how this can even capture a child’s mind?

Our own metrics for measuring, even as in this example, are of no use to us as to what was once present, but is now former estate…but also and no less as to present estate in regards to former estate.

We would have no inkling that what once was, no longer is.

Especially, and so much the more so, if we consider Adam in his eating and dying. We may infer from what we see of consequences and that expulsion in the account, that occupation of place surely changed. But rarely might we consider that estate, let us call it of mind, that we infer in the reading took place in Adam.

And to be fair, if such fairness may be informed of and by the spirit and is therefore here made presentable, that the Adam to which command came was in such estate apart from any even knowing what “to die” is. Does one see that?

It is not unfair of God to declare what will happen, unless one adds the codicil that it is unfair to pronounce a consequence to someone unable to give informed consent or assent to its reality. But then we would have to conclude God is either unfair or unjust, or just ignorant to Adam’s estate as in “But God, the fellow has no idea what dying means. And certainly unfair to use it as any dissuasion or “threat or peril of” to keep him from doing it. Why God, it would be like me telling a man if he eats chocolate ice cream he will frugundabunda”

“Unless somehow in your intention…you had something else in mind with this as prep, that would vindicate your doings” Yes, a man might say that. Perhaps with some wisdom. God knows.

The first thing we infer as consequence is Adam hid. We are never told before he had done this or that God had to go asking for or seeking after him. And (God forbid!) we foolishly assume (as some wonderful atheists have proposed) that God in His saying of “Where are you?” means we hold a God of unseeing of all, and ignorance of all. No, God knows. But did Adam now know “where he was”?

We might also infer, if allowed, that there is something in Adam’s not giving of simple answer as in “Oh, here I am behind that third tree from you” Rather we see, not that, but an explanation by him of, and for, his doing. Now Adam is inferring in his estate that nakedness justifies hiding from God, or is a justified thing to do. Oh, the folly. But the folly of man can only be appreciated by the man in Christ, for he is brought to recognize himself. And no less, in that, in Christ, be completely dissuaded from any notion that God is either not able, nor already…seeing all. And Adam did not even know he had died. He couldn’t. Nor had he any “reference” for his former estate (as in the philosopher’s example) for estates…even as so totally different, also leaves one with no metric for knowing one as against the other.

Unless there is an unchanging and unchangeable standard against all can, and must be…measured.

But Adam is now hiding from that. Afraid to see that, now. Or be seen of that.

But we have to be careful about inferences, speculations and assumptions, lest we be found presumptuous. And there may be no greater presumption among us, persistent still to whatever extent remains, that because we read the story as about “a” them (with a sort of observer’s view, thinking we now observe objectively, as God) that it is a them, and not me, or us. Only the believer knows he has passed from death to life, and there is no other way of entry but by resurrection.

But we may not yet know it is, in all, generally applicable to all who have proceeded from Adam, and in his, even that estate, and no less. We are not at all at first reading objectively, we are those in that story. Especially if yet thinking we are reading of someone else. Or other sorts of man.

We have information, but no knowing of significance nor meaning of it. Nor of how it once was so (if we be in Christ) so very true of us. And so very true of all not yet in or of Christ and in their right mind. We cannot but also act nor think but according to that Adamic nature, no matter our claim. Paul told those in subjection yet to a “party spirit” they were acting as mere men. Carnally.

God’s language is made obscure to us, obscure to us in any true meaning of it. Even of Paul’s writing mentioned above. But only, again, the man in Christ will know this. He will know short of having God in all presence he can understand nothing of Him. And he will know that even the prophets, and all who came before Christ had, at best, only the inferences of their own as to what matters meant fully. And we will (if so convinced) therefore have no bucking up against nor bristling at Christ’s saying:

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

Likewise it must be made clear that Jesus the Christ is not adding to the law, nor changing or amending it in any way, here:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

No, it is not Jesus even expanding upon the law. It is Jesus making clear (especially to any who may have taken any stance upon keeping their zippers closed as being righteous) that “you never got it“. “You thought it mean a this, when truly it has always and only meant this that.” And all men have been made subject to that form of death that causes them to think they know.

Or does one yet wonder if Jesus knows of what He speaks?

For such a one “all His words” have not yet been shown spirit and life. All His word(s). Therefore if you think you have any standing by staying out of your neighbor’s bed with his wife, but still delight in watching her hang the laundry, or walk down the street in a tight skirt…you are in no position to either boast, much less be a “teacher of the law”. Nor caution “others” against it. Or at least till you admit you are in no position to; for the law has caught you also…with your pants down. Too coarse? Too nitty gritty? Then you don’t know how God may speak at all. Read again if need be (or if never read) Ezekiel 23 around verses near 17.

The only legitimate place of occupation is the extolling of God’s sovereignly ministered grace in Christ to such a people, but one cannot know this until he sees it first toward himself, and not with “others” more in need. He cannot pass from death to life apart from knowing he was once among those dead. When dead he will not know he is, but when made alive he will begin to learn what life is…and even, as need be what death truly is. And he will learn this by participation in the Lord’s death, the Lord who truly knows what death…is.

It’s kinda fun to think of oneself as necessary to others as a form of self gratification. Even some crazily insane form of Godliness.

But God sees all the places we are hiding before we even know of it.

And where we stroke ourselves.

To say that in Christ we are set to face certain seemingly (or at least once seemingly) contradictions, paradoxes, and to the extreme…most impossible of situation and circumstance would be the essence of understatement itself. Yes, not merely set to, but even called and chosen to face them, and face them quite head on. The disciples were not being fey in their astonishment in response to the Lord’s instructions with:

“Who then can be saved?”

And we who are believing, perhaps even one like myself, are discovering how very sure and right is the Lord’s response to that:

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Yet it is not our surety or coming to it that supports anything, and certainly not the word of the Lord. It is always found to be quite the other way round in all, it is only the surety of the Lord’s word that supports us. We are simply those called to discover how very sure that is. Yet this coming to understanding is fraught with all manner of traps and snares, for there remains to our dealing a one who will abet, and even make seem reasonable our old ways of reasoning(s) to catch us in remaining presumption.

An adversary who, though he is completely darkened in his understanding of any “why” (yet in all presumptuous of knowing) is made terrified, and reacts furiously both to the light made to be in us, and any progress of liberty. I do not know if there is, or he is the least free (and most completely bound) of all of God’s creation or if such gradation exists, but I am convinced what bondage of being he experiences (and I am persuaded he does experience) he shares, and is driven to, with man.

By example such sharing is as a man who sneezes and shares his virus with all about, infecting. No, not “sharing” in any sense of kindly doling out of beneficence. His being, such as it is, gives “off” his nature. Really, just as everything in creation must and is purposed to. By expression. From atoms to nebulae, all pulses in its being to its assigned expression. And we now, and no less, are so assigned also. Where once we all and only “gave off” proof of our viral infection, we either have been, or are to be, changed. Even from death to life.

And yes, such is impossible with man.

My analogy/example may be poor to the extreme, even proving the depths of necessity to better understanding, but I cannot help myself. Desire of itself is never enough to even understand, for it of itself, accomplishes nothing. All that ultimately matters is who gives it. And we must be told. Be receivers of even what to desire. We are in all and every way, dependent.

Practice and practices, even those seemingly outward matters that may be observed of ourselves and/or by others mean nothing in the land of mimicry, for only what is true in heaven receives true endorsement…even here in the earth. Even in “our” earth, our tent, our very temporary housing. A man may self endorse (of which we are, or once were, very highly skilled) but only what comes down, even has come down to us of Christ, is eternal. For:

A man can receive nothing except it be given him from above.

And to whatever extent there yet remains any irksomeness or bristling at being no more than a created thing, or any pride owing to some standing of an excellency claimed to ourselves in any natural estate of betterness, or superiority: may we remember the Lord’s word to such. To such who are subject to boasting inwardly (yet seen of the Lord) of “who they are”.

And John the Baptist was not too timid to say:

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

And God sees when we admire ourselves. And no less what despite is being heaped to His Christ in so doing. Or does one not believe…God sees? Is blind? Stupid? Dumb?

Idols are.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, is not.

O! But yes! We have entered to face the impossible for man! The best man “can do” is hide when hearing the voice of the Lord, bequeathed us in and through Adam, to everyone of his sons and daughters. That is all and only occupation of man, and can be, even must be; unless or until He who “bared His soul to death” comes to us and is made plain to us.

He sought no hiding though He entered the garden in much trembling and soul sickness. And yes, He even allows us to see all His weakness there (made so for us in His being found in fashion like a man…dare any despise it?) by a man’s expression of preference.

O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

May you be assured, if not yet. And no matter how very much a man may be conformed to the Lord, desire it to be so, or even think himself so to any measure, or hold to himself some like experience that God may give (now that’s true sharing!) to assure a right and true identity and identifying…no “other man” is that man, and none progressing will ever confuse themselves with being that man.

Paul, one of “your” (and my) apostles if once you were of the gentiles, with all his revelation(s), all his progress from being a law dog to his understanding of son-ship granted by grace, all his sufferings, resistances, tribulations, witnessing of the miraculous, diligence in labors and work on behalf of the church, sacrifices, and stripes, remained utterly unconfused, no matter his progress. No matter his granted seeing to right identity and identification.

I am 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.

Yet not I.

How very much hangs and was hung there.

And no man who sees that (even He who hung there) can be made to feel sorry by, nor for, those who do not. Even if he may, he does not have to, for he is under no law.

It is enough he remind them of their need of sight.

It is enough to just speak to the dead in religion and tell them to wake up.

And if, or when, they do…they will most likely wake up swinging.

“In the day you eat of it you shall surely die”

Is not our premise but God’s declaration. There is no place of going around this. And also that any once in, or of Adam, are all to which this likewise pertains. And as death was made true estate there, no less, only those who once dead, are made eligible for the life of salvation. One cannot anymore know they are among the saved than they cannot know they were the once counted among the dead. And though it is without contradiction that God raises whom He wills as Christ gives life to whom He wills; only the one made alive is made to know things the dead either do not yet, nor never will, know. And Christ knows what death is:

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

And were we to say “If all truly died…” we would be showing ourselves false to the faith, that we can presume there was an “if” to be placed that could nullify God’s “surely”. But we may, if able, see that if that “if” is used to the better end of “since”, we might discuss what is of significance, or what is of meaning of that, but truly, only if we are now among the alive. We are allowed the grace to consider God’s words and doings for significance and meaning according to the light we have that He alone gives. And such light “in spirit” must, and is, (pre)destined to penetrate our mind. For we are told we shall….know. Even before we know.

Yet though our knowings and understandings may vary according to God’s gift or revelation through Christ, we dare not let go of that understanding…we are the called, to know. Has it yet been made true to you that “the dead know nothing”? And, moreover, that those who have come out from there are called to know much…even of that Lord who has raised them? We are all in learning. Disciples being discipled [sic]. Where, or how we appear to one another along this seeming continuum is of no consequence for any comparisons, for our looking into the wonder(s) of God is set to us into all eternity in His infinitude.

And I am quite convinced that even in Paul’s declaration that he will know even as he is known, is not a quenching of that wonder by then knowing all and everything with nothing and no one “left” to consider nor relate to, or in; but that all and any seeming irksomeness that so often accompanies testimony of lack of knowing in “need to know” is quenched.

But this is obviously my understanding. For to me, Heaven (such as it is, to me) is populated with those who are knowing God, (who is the all and that all to be known)…yet it is not there full of all “know it alls“. And so also, even now, is to be so among our fellowship in light.

I do not know whether our being of the created (creatures) will ever cease from us, but I am heartily convinced any and all seeming creaturely [sic] irksomeness that may attend that (and so easily taken advantage of to that very irksomeness by an adversary) is ceased through Christ. And has even begun already, in us. Jesus the Christ is not, was not ashamed to appear as a made one, a man. “Born of a woman, born under the law…”. And yet we no less know the Christ is from everlasting to everlasting in God. Yes, there is much we are given to consider. Wonderfully.

And as to this death pronounced as coming in the day of eating, there is no less, much to be considered. For how one speaks (even as God speaks) or better, how such is heard by those of differing estates, is vast. And all of what we might call dead understanding(s) are to go in renewal of mind. For what a dead man interprets is not, nor cannot be at all, what a live man sees. How even, a live man is.

In truth it is easily said that only the live man can know both death and life to any recognition. For the dead do not, nor cannot even know they are so…much less have any apprehension of what life is. And so even in that estate were they to “hear” the voice of God and there assume/presume to themselves they must be the alive…well…the scriptures are rife with examples otherwise, and surely not excluding the Lord’s own words and the apostle’s revelations.

Yes, God spoke to Cain before his murderous escapade into further darkness, and yes Cain spoke to God after, and with God even, yet speaking to Cain. As He no less did with Adam…after his eating. Therefore any notion that that death precludes God from communicating with man and vice versa (as I have often heard attributed as that for meaning of “death”) is not true.

If only (I speak as a man) such men could have understood at all the significance, the meaning, the import, the great wonder of all wonders beyond their capacity to contain…that God was speaking to them! Even in any acknowledgement that this was so, that they had heard from God…the veil remained…as only can be removed by Christ. The most sincere, the most seeming upright, the most holding greatest testimony…still captured in that death; pronounced over all till the deliverer come.

We can now understand this saying of Jesus the Christ…even in his testimony of John the Baptist.

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

Such a division! A vast gulf pronounced. And we must be careful in our hearing, and hear. No matter who may be summoned in memory or testimony as to their greatness (And Jesus here is not dishonoring John at all) from Moses, Abraham, Samuel, Elijah, et al…we know, at least, none is greater than John the Baptist. None had…till that very time, of women born ever been greater…at least as prophet. (Does God esteem His prophets?) But there was/is a man who, born of woman, was in the Kingdom of God. To that point we might even say “only” one man.

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Whatever this death was or is to man as pronounced of God to him in the day of his eating (and if one can receive that this gulf is result and testimony of that) was of such magnitude in its profoundness that all and any comparison(s) between what is life and what is death…is insurmountable to man alone.

Even such that, further in the speaking of Jesus, and speaking of gulfs, when one pleaded for one to return from the dead to warn his brothers, Abraham understood (in what knowing was his) that if in their having Moses and the prophets they did not believe, neither would they believe should one return from the dead. It must sober all and any who may rest upon “if I only see a true miracle then I will believe”. But, it will not, despite my own insertion of “must”. Yet, it may sober a silly or novice believer as to his estate if there remain anything such of that thinking as “I need to see more miracles to believe better” That one may believe is already greatest testimony to the miraculous. For no man can move himself from unbelief to believing.

Or from death to life.

And a mind may be sobered…up.

But first it must receive as one alive from the dead how much latent hostility may remain to be rooted out, exposed, have light shining into all its dark places of that once enmity to the truth of God.

Oh, yes there is a fight. The only good one there is. The fight of faith to see redeemed that place of once all death where man was under all the influence of that death, even consigned him, and possessed only a mind hostile to God. The spirit of Christ, that life giving spirit, so far superior to Adam as living soul, must inform…and has license to deal with His house. Individually, and to all He builds corporately to His glory, the church.

It is both irrefutable and inescapable.

His having of a bride without spot or wrinkle or blemish.

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

In that name of inheritance is His inheritance. And one is either in or out. Yet dead or made alive.And since the dead are so easily deluded into believing themselves alive…who alone knows?

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

We are in departure from the death in iniquity. And told to be so. We of all are to know what it is to depart from, but this can only come by revelation alone. No, we do not innately know…good from evil.

No light means…no light.

Or have you not yet apprehended the Devil considers himself…a nice guy? He has no light to even know himself as evil. No light means…no light…and there be left alone to only one’s surmising. And:

All of a man’s ways are right in his own eyes.

Rejoice then, even if you believe it is the Lord that calls you evil, and that you are made able to hear! For if the Lord is speaking to you, don’t let the wonder of it be lost upon you. Or its significance. Awaken!

Only the alive can receive rebuke. Are are even prepared for, and made able to bear it. Rejoice in hearing that voice which could never come to you of yourself! If He wound, and one is made able to receive His wounds as acceptable, He will also show Himself the great Healer.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Too much?

God knows.

As many as I love I rebuke and chasten…

We might admit we do not like our theology tinkered with. Yet just as much admit we need our theology tinkered with. And if by theology we mean both a study (or diligent attention) that informs our understanding of God, and the means by which we all live in that understanding, we may understand those first two sentences. For what may be revealed of further need for, and to us of revision, always must bring some unsettling. But unsettling is not at all a bad thing of itself when ministered of God.

For us, and if we believe, the matter of having everything shaken that can be shaken (by God) is not to some end of His mere toying (or toying with us) but to the end of a firm establishment and rather that “only that which is unshakable remain”. And of all, it would surely appear reasonable if any believer desire truth, and to be established only in and by truth, that this shaking be neither foreign in experience nor be denied the testimony that it is a good thing for us.

Having all in Christ, as none would deny is our inheritance made clear the moment we believed yet requires enlargement; for both right handling and no less, for appreciation. And God our Father is much about seeing to it that His Christ rightly be accorded the right gratitude He merits. To the end of even being truly believed in all matters. For a true man deserves nothing less. And such gratitude for His Christ is always “passed along” in, to, and by, a righteousness undeniable in our Father. For in their being one with no separation what one accords the Christ, he likewise accords the Father.

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

As Christ therefore cannot be over honored, any short changing of what might seem “one” is also a denial of honor to the “other” in their unity. Any denial of the Son is denial of the Father. And God is to be honored for all His goodness. God in all.

But (or better) And we are to grow as believers. Even toward such as is described here:

But solid food is for the mature, the ones by constant use having trained the senses for distinguishing both good and evil.

That right there disabuses us of any notion that such distinguishing is either immediately made known to us (though it be a goal), or even innate to us. No, only the believer has such made available to him in and through Christ and His working(s), and this even by many revisions and renewing of mind. In spirit are all things, and all things made to and for us of God’s Christ, yet the mind must be renewed…even to that particular (and O! so strenuously resisted) frank, but true confession… a man does not know right from wrong, good from evil (himself surely included) until Christ enlightens.

And how much we have built (as all men are absolutely so inclined) that remains of any and all of our presumption that we already know or have always known “good from evil” must be unsettled. We dare not take our notions of “good” and there ascribe them to God (for they would surely inhibit if they were able) but rather receive of God what He means by “good” (and no less evil) through the work of His Christ in us to provide light. And here, is it not every believer’s testimony that has walked more than a few steps with Christ, that much or what was once thought good…even to personal advantage, are to be considered…dung? Shown not as bright shining as once they appeared when now seen in the light of Christ.

And though this has been said many times and in many places, it bears repeating knowing good and evil exist is not at all, neither does it confer upon any automatically a right discerning between or among them. And certainly not any implication that, even in that knowing, there is any power granted to choose rightly between…or among them.

I can have, or be presented with two doors behind which I am told one lay life and behind the other lay death, and even to such surety that I believe it. I may have even watched many in their choosing of either right or left door with none ever succeeding. Sometimes death comes from right…sometimes from left. None have ever “made it”. I know for sure that death is there…which also informs to some extent that “The Presenter” is at very least true about death being there.

But I know nothing of life, nor even by previous watching, and may even wonder if “The Presenter” has deviously set death behind both and only told me life can be real and known. And nothing has informed me, even in all my watching if it may be of others, which is there…for me. This is quite experientially [sic] itself, the experience of death…for me. I desire a one…but do not know what or which to choose, and have no power to look through those ultimate of doors. But now I am sure without doubt…death is a real thing.

A foolish analogy, surely. But perhaps not wasted. What if someone, may He even be called “The Presenter” already knows of all our inability to either choose or discern rightly in any measure what life looks like…precisely because we are already…dead? Also and no less to good and evil? Yes we may have some convincing both exist…yet, we do not already know we are dead? Even in all of evil?

How to disabuse us of that illusion we so treasure? Even and what is so often called “free will”. Alive enough to make choices, good enough to have or hold some right recognition that would propel us to in our thinking we have choice and are at all able to make a “right” one? And how, or when…did such happen to “our self”? How did we enter, or have thrust upon us delusions and illusions? O! how foolish we are, and even perhaps have been in our readings and considerations.

Something happened. And it happened there in the Book of Beginnings. And you and I have heard, surely, have perhaps considered (not so surely) many of the explanations, many of the expositions of “its” meaning, many of the reasonings attaching themselves to that “it”, nevertheless this “it” stands plainly and without obscuring to its being plain…except to the deluded…”in the day you eat of it, you shall surely die”.

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Do you doubt? Do you doubt the emphatic in surely? How it is not nor could ever even be inferred as “kinda like” or be “some sort of”? Does God know of what He speaks? If one says yes, then the next and obvious question might be “But do we?”

Does one see how revisit…even to some revision is absolutely necessary?

Even if one might say in all contradiction of Christ’s word(s), the apostle’s revelation(s) or try to confine it in some way to: “But this only happened to a “them” (Adam and Eve) historically” How foolish one shows one’s self. Know you not that all who came from Adam even as all “in” Adam, are of Adam in all his estate…that what is pronounced over Adam, declared to Adam, is no less “yours”? And your estate? There cannot be no knowing of this. It is irrefutable. Yet, how so?

For to deny Adam in any way, to deny for sake of claim of better standing before God of any natural form (and God knows what is being held on to “of the natural” and carnal, especially in mind) is to no less, and also deny (by denying that pronouncement of death) the also giving of promise. There is no way around this. Even if one claims Christ and any salvation made known to him of Christ…he must face he has come through Adam in all his deadness…in order to also that in coming through Adam to any seeing or acknowledgement of all that was also promised…as even to the crushing of the deceiving serpent’s head.

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Our deliverer, the Christ of God, Lord Jesus.

And if we are not speaking the truth before God, and likewise against what remain of carnal thinking and reasonings to our “once estate” as being held to ourselves as in some way we are, or once were superior to Adam either in “our” affections, actions, dispositions…and even choices, God will show just how dead is dead…in such thinking.

Some will rejoice as appointed. No doubt some will growl.

It was given through an apostle to write:

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Any notion, even by the titling of these few sections, that there is an attempt to establish a book from the Bible (any book for that matter) and in particular Genesis as the foundation, or foundation of faith (God forbid), would be wrong. Though it is foundational, and in particular to what we might call our theology, it surely holds great influence; but always and ultimately Jesus is the foundation that God has laid to us of all matters. And there is not contradiction in this, for as Jesus has said, the scriptures all testify of Him. He is sole foundation…even that which supports all scripture(s), and can be discovered in all when His testimony is embraced.

And were we again to speak of house or houses and the place(s) in which, and from which, we live; it should not be a stretch to understand this as pertaining to our theology. We live from there, speak from there, act from there, think from there in such measure as our understanding of God is formed and informed and (hopefully) of Him, we know from there. For we know that stuff can “go up” of wood, hay, and stubble; in all subject to God’s testing by fire to show whether we are living (and building) in truth, or just fancy. The man with no marks of fire upon his theology has not yet even begun to build.

God’s end is His house, that habitation in which He dwells fully and unobstructed in spirit, even the Church as all little houses are joined seamlessly in submissive agreement to form that greater house, God’s house. Where Christ is glorified in His glorifying of the Father, and we together fitly joined in, and to Him, know this as all truth. O! but it is no small work God undertakes and has undertaken in choosing what was once of both all disagreement and hostility to Him (and therefore also one another) and fitly compact so that no seam be seen! A singularity, so to speak, so dense and weighty as all creation yields to this new creation.

And to whatever extent we learn, we have learned God is neither reluctant nor shy through Christ to tear down what is not of Him (in our theology and theologies) that this building can only grow in one way, and that upon that firm foundation that is Christ. He not long tolerates (though His patience is unfathomable) what may of corruption and therefore corruptibility be placed upon, or laid to, His Christ. And the fire tests every man’s work. Do we not know this…even in ourselves? We shall not make much progress, otherwise. God is faithful to do as He says.

For if not knowing this there is a day appointed in which the Christ of God says “Depart from me, I never knew you”. The whole of it, and surely foundation was never laid to that them; so that all, from a foundation of fancy to a steeple of once glamour will be torn down. “I never knew you” is quite emphatic overall in “never”. So, even if not yet made glad of God’s wondrous work of bringing fire to test, we, at least, dare not deny it. Lest we think as that them. Not merely bad theology, but knowing of God, at all. Even to constructing their own foundation and that not received of God as in His Christ.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Even the word exclusive pales to this matter and manner of work, for it is all of God’s sole doing. Man may be given a wonderful allowance to do (try doing nothing and find the end of that) but it, this joyous and gracious allowance to do, is always and only ministered relative to, and by our relationship with that, that foundation. And the Christ of God is not in suspense. I hope you see, or can see, that. He is both under and over all even as Alpha and Omega, all support in beginning, all and only support to end. All begins and ends in Him for us, no matter how we may be yet given to thinking, or reasoning, linearly. And God will handle that.

If then, as it was previously claimed above, Christ is for discovery the scriptures even as He maintained all testify of Him, we must be able to see Him in all. But only if we are made able. Not by first our looking only at the scripture, but contrary wise now, in the sense of only looking at the scripture through Him. We do not see until. We may have sense, there may be an inkling, even a great desire to seek and find (even as Jesus spoke to those who diligently searched them, the scriptures) but until a man is brought to Christ his best estate remains as described by an apostle

But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

Only Christ does, and can, remove the vail. Or veil. We must read always with those new eyes, of a new creation in Christ. And having a mind renewable. Otherwise our theology and the place we may live and speak from is not in congruence (and will be shown so, undeniably) as not consistent in and with the Christ. That foundation.

And how much of our theology finds well spring in Genesis? A creation, a fall, and all corrupted in result, a faithful One (who does as He says), a deceitful one, a deceivable one, curses ministered, rebukes made of actions, consequences to be so clearly seen of messing with authority leading to all direness of estate…bringing about a knowing of total and undeniable dependency and as being all under that Hand…and also promise. And this just in a first few chapters.

Does one not see (if they be in Christ) how all points to the Christ? And not only so, but in such way that the man in Christ be made able to recognize himself, also? For if we think this is all and only about a “them”, Adam and Eve…how wrong we may be shown! Even how wrong we have been.

But the same who ministers fire to our building, also ministers promise of all comfort and relief.

And, God willing, we may continue.

Perhaps having worn out to a great extent the matters of house and houses as in some sort of analogous estate, especially in reference to our own building and/or where and what we live in and from, we continue. For it is often in only wearing out a thing and there finding its eventual inutility [sic] to us, that we seek anew. Seeking after either new or better replacement for our use (or in this case, understanding) that will advance us in some work, or the things we have been given to do. And, so again, we continue.

Have we to do? Do we have work? Is there something to be done, or remaining to be done, among us in particular who may make claim of Christ’s knowing? Both knowing Him and being known of Him? Is there…work? Even such as might be called a worthy direction, or instruction toward it, as in:

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief

or

work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (?)

And if such is given us to do, and even thankfully so to some end of benefit, can this ever square with our relief from the vain attempts at acheiving through works of the law, that which is and are, unobtainable to them?

Yes.

But only if we proceed from this:

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

And further in regards to a “to do” might this now appear less of a stretch for application in regards of a doing, or any doing?

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Admittedly, many other translations opt for the notion of giving account to that One to whom we are solely responsible to for response (as He is of all responsibility), but the implication is nevertheless clear.

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

For in the presence of a one (even that God!) who is all seeing, all knowing of everything to utter transparency to Himself, nothing can be hidden…even of all we have to do. No motive hidden, no intent obscure, no inner working of which He is unaware that we might form a thing to present to Him, as coming from a place unknown to Him.

How much more the wonder then, when this is received as truth revealed to us as in “I got nuthin’ Lord to come up with to surprise, delight, please…or even disappoint you” which may at first seem an unappealing estate to discover; but then we find in our hearing “No worries, I brought my own stuff!”

For it is God’s delight to work in us to surprise and delight us with the mercy and grace…and truth, found in His Christ alone. How contrary this is to our working toward or for Him to “get” something from Him as, or for, entrance. Our work, such as it may be of seeking, asking, knocking is all also and no less originated in and by Him and only response to His word of “that” to do. He has made us believers, to believe it. And no man engaged, no man persuaded, no man convinced to its undertaking (read: believe) would but laugh at any notion he is, has or could ever…do anything “for God” by works or any works to place Him in estate of owing. The work is His, the tools are His, the calling is His; all authority is…His.

All other labors we may have known are as burden or a thing to be compensated for, traded upon, or a quid pro quo engendering a debt…but here we find our delightful indebtedness, in all unable to be repaid, and such delight itself is the reward. Agreeing to self inability in:

“I got nuthin”

is either seen as some form of despairing utterance, or to the contrary, in this case…as entrance into all joy and relief. God is making His estate known in regard to a man…as supplier, and sole supplier of all…even to some admission that may have once seemed humiliating to him…of having nothing to present to God for gain of Him. Even as in “Hey Lord, I got nuthin’, but may I see what you have?”

And we find His Christ ready for display, in manifestation to us, as in us and for us, which is His (God’s) ever delight and joy. Where we despair of ourselves is so often the prelude of a manifestation of a great work of God in us.

Even to such as that which Jesus said, not in any despair but great joy, we find revises us:

“Of myself, I can do nothing”

…and He was not at all sad at all to know and confess “it is the Father within me that doeth the works”.

“Let’s not get confused here fellas as to what man is, and can do of himself”.

And Jesus Himself marveled at the faith of the Centurion for his seeing and understanding, for faith always brings sight and understanding, even holding those matters within itself for revelation’s sake.
He saw that the essence of Jesus’ power and ability to “do” was in all attributable to His being a man under an authority of power, and acting in obedient submission to it.

Where others may have needed disabusing of seeing Jesus solely as a “miracle man” able to do as He pleased, and when He pleased of Himself, the Centurion understood. He saw a man submitted to His God and Father. And from that is/was where His power had all source. Yes, Jesus marveled and commended him for that faith. In not unlike manner as He once declared of Peter’s seeing “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you…” No man of himself can recognize the Christ of God.

Listen if you can. Even if we were to read this with a certain sensing only of our self as some form of contradiction to this matter, we may read again.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.

At first, or if incomplete in reading, it could seem Jesus almost boasting of a power He is holding of Himself to do there as He pleased. And there is no contradiction in, or of, Jesus making this plain. And, of course, nor is it boast…just plain stating of truth. Yet even in this, where Jesus is saying He is free of all others (read: man) in any obligation of response to what they may seek to do to Him, or against Him (even by seeking to take His life) He makes plain:

This command have I received of my Father.

Only the Father can give a man any authority and liberty in this matter, even in all things pertaining to his life.

This matter may be spoken of many times, as it has been, in all wonder. All and any manner of attaching to Jesus any manner of necessity by man is strictly forbidden. One enters the non-existent if there is any presumption of going there. It simply is not, nor can be a real place. Just as God can never be placed to any position of obligation or necessity by man or toward man.

May this not be too awkward for handling or obscure to understanding. God alone can hold Himself to Himself, but man cannot there leverage anything from God, even in any claim of “God has to honor His word”. Does God honor His word? Truly. But all and any form of presumption that such honoring (made only plain by God alone to begin with) now gives, in any way, shape, or form (and do not think this is as unusual as it sounds) place to leverage Him.

Such a place does not exist where any man can ascend to bring God under any pressure to either perform, or give, or exercise according to any man’s will. And if we think such is so rare, or so uncommonly absurd to even consider a man, even any man might do so…it simply, and starkly reveals how little a man knows of man, and particularly, himself.

For man, if known or seen to any right degree will understand. Man (yes, you and I) is so steeped in a thing, even quite skilled at it as to not even recognize its working; being something of “second nature” to him, in all. Oh, yes, man is clever. Clever in his dealings with one another that cannot resist being applied to all, and even attempted toward God Himself till it be crushed irremediably.

So simply, it is this. Man seeks out identifying what is of necessity to, or in others. And once found, if such necessity he is skilled enough at handling (read: clever), he can both easily manipulate, direct, control, and also make himself of necessity then to any other. As said, it is so “second nature to us” so inculcated this looking, this searching out, this clever way of seeking and finding in another where their eye falls for necessary esteem, or more basic matters of biological necessity, and to there then interpose our selves for control. We are expert at it. The more clever use flattery, subterfuge, ruses and false identity for gain. And the even more skilled at amassing power have resort to far less subtle, but often more crushingly effective means.

Find another’s necessity, and if clever enough take advantage of that (and so we hone our skills)…and one now quite “owns” the man.

Whether one can keep him is another matter, for all men are clever in this and always exercising it upon one another…and always honing their skills.

But, God is not fooled. Ever.

These people do honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Yet, their is a deliverer.

Eventually, a house is only known by its foundation. After all things a house is made subject to, time, winds and whatever manners of weather and weathering, or happenstance like fire, there is no telling a house was ever there unless something of foundation remains. And not only so, but in laying foundation is found a hard connection to matters of its durability. So much of what may occur in consequence is not only dependent upon how securely the house is fit to foundation, but, and no less, how well and fashioned that foundation is first laid to support that house fit to it.

And we know houses are spoken of frequently under our eye, particularly in reference to their foundation, that foundation’s placement and of what sort of matter that foundation is composed. And we are instructed to wise building. Whether we do or not, only God knows. And God also knows all His ways of testing construction…whether such is built upon sand or rock, and of what matter constructed that may withstand weather, fire, or shaking. Till these things come we build as we do, really not knowing. We may think we do know, but only the testing will reveal our work. And whether or not such is fitly resting upon a sure foundation.

Obviously, analogies abound. For if living in the land of types and shadows that is all one really has…references to others things. Things representing other matters, which, even were we to call such other matters the true things from which all analogy is made for, and as their representation, we are yet consigned to always and only dealing in derivatives. House may exist to all in some manner of true concept, but only in the building by which we do, do we then show what it means to us. So, in one sense we are given to do, to make plain what we have in our conceptions. And house is particularly useful to this in all, for house is where we live. Even where we live from.

And all we may call anything in a land of types and shadows, where we make words to show ideas or thoughts of what we hold in consciousness, and even to every other thing we may know in this land, are always representational. And each shows what he holds as to what he believes is the truth of matters like house…or life, peace, love, success, and even all other and perhaps less ethereal matters as a designer may say “I believe (in my inner seeing) a car should look like this!”. “A dress should look like this” Always aiming at something.

Even a thing we may believe as a true thing in concept, but yet is only brought forth as that representation, or even our representation of how that true thing appears to us. And so here we are bound to our limits, and the limits of, our consciousness. In all and every sense. We may even seek to be absurd…to somehow stretch or break such constraining or constricting boundary…yet such will always accord with our own understanding or vision of absurdity. And there display that we are such reaching for that.

We may try to be random…but even so that is always in some directed order and orderliness owed to an origin. In that sense we are impenetrably locked up. Owing all to our own consciousness and whatever we can see in it, and of it, then made plain by us in our representing. Throw in affections/aversions and their peculiarly obscure nature and origins in and to ourselves of moving us toward and/or away from; and one may begin to see how actually bound in all matters one is. Living from a quite locked up…house. (There’s house again)

I stand at the door and knock.

We come to some places that are of not merely less popular consideration, but often opposed. This should neither be strange to us, nor unfamiliar. We have been told.

We may even understand our own once opposition had to be overcome that we also, if we are so led to sharing, be patient with any hearers (as God has been patient with us) that in due time, if such indeed be true as we may speak, only God can bring about any conviction of truth.

The so many testimonies in scripture of God’s absolute Authority and Sovereignty over all and every matter, when once frankly seen, may lead to some conclusion…of even His necessary rebuke of us for once holding illusions and being deluded to both His estate, and those matters with which we have to do. Delusions, as idols, die hard.

Among these are that mindset/view general sensing (in delusion) that what opposes God (particularly the Devil himself) is of any equality to Him.

Now, and admittedly, I am persuaded no believer would embrace this to a frank confession of such, but that there yet remains some filmy or gauzy state of mind wherein that particular entity holds some independent or self sustaining power of himself to both oppose and work mischief. Even though we know and confess the God and Father of the Lord Jesus is the God of all power, ministering all else solely as He wills…there is some irksomeness in acknowledging that such also includes all or any of what power may be attributed to that Devil.

On the one hand we may “like” to consider that God (if He be our God) of all power, but the notion that He also ministers whatever power He cares to to the Devil…well…almost obscene.

And again, though on the one hand we may “like to think” of contests and triumphs (ourselves sensing ourselves as being so much “in one” and that we hope or trust “for the winning”) when we see that against God the Devil has no chance; for in his estate of all dependency and reliance upon “his” opponent…or is merely a pawn against an all powerful King, the seeming contest becomes not merely lopsided…but almost “unfair”. Almost absurd as to engender a “why” of such matters, then?

Is God about absurdity?

And so our mind may easily “want” to revert to some form of equal contest, or at least more equal, where such is held to some question “who will win”?

For to enter that place of frank appraisal, even such place that all is, and is only taking place according solely to God’s will, really…leaves us in all, with no one to blame. Unless we care to blame God Himself.

Which actually, is not so rare an estate, nor foolish as sounding as it may seem to some in their hold of it, for when approaching that God responsible for all and everything (and who in Christ has demonstrated not only His position as that, but willingly demonstrating in mercy that it is no other way) we either draw back, or are ministered boldness to continue.

For here we face another frank truth. And that by His uncovering all the insults to our own sense of rightness and fairness, our own sense of injury and injuries (which we sometimes treasure and embrace for self comforts) and all those matters we have labelled as “bad”…even as we have our origin in him, so have these matters…to us.

“But that is like saying God is the author of evil!” Well yes, actually it is. At least to whatever extent we have not yet surrendered any and all sense of what to our selves we identify as good and evil, right and wrong, good and bad. And there will be, cannot be any progress along this matter till such is done, and that only by God’s grace.

This stripping away of these senses as to what we esteem as “ought to be” ought not to be” or “ought not to have been” that are so very very precious to us (for they establish our “rightness” to ourselves in any matter…even such right as “to be”) are, and must be made subject to the cross.

And even though, yes, even though by the testimony of scripture that that man Adam (and therefore all “in” or of him) have God’s testimony of now knowing “good and evil” it may not be as first seems in such declaration. For to know good and evil do exist…in no way implies the right recognition of each or “which is which” to any benefit.

It hearkens to that most likely reference (if one would take their stand upon believing in one God) answered so:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

There is the knowing of God’s existence, and there is the knowing “of God”. The knowing of Him…that may only come by His disclosure, and that only such has, or is, of benefit. To His joy, and our salvation. And the devils do not “know Him” (though they surely do know and recognize Him even in Jesus) as that God of joy.

No less we find this applicable in our passing through such surrender of our notions of good and evil, so wrongly skewed:

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The necessity of discerning…not merely that good and evil exist but as to “which is which” comes only through the many trials and disabusings [sic} at God’s hands (in chastenings/scourgings/discipline) upon those matters we once so easily presumed to know. Even embrace as “good”.

We “try” our hand at playing for the good…or trying to avoid the evil (according to our own knowing as novices) and the many rebukes of such are real to any who have walked this way. Not unlike Peter (but rather exactly as Peter) we were once quick to advise the Lord in matters according to our own sense of what was right or good…and what is for the avoiding…only to find what we thought was “being kind” or according some “right esteem…”Far be it from you Lord!” is answered not with “I am glad you think so much of me to not have this happen”…but rather “Get thee behind me Satan”

And I could almost laugh at how our heads spin…in thinking of all those times (and what may remain of necessity to me) of having my own head spun. Satan? Really? My attitude or expression(s) have so often been taken advantage of…by Satan? Oh, but “I am a christian, I have the mind of Christ!” So were the Corinthians no less, nor some of those seven churches, no less, for Christ never denied them being “His” (in truth rebuke came precisely because they were His!)…but how little is this form of engaging with the truth of matters engaged? God knows.

We think ourselves (and surely our congregations or to whatever form we may belong) as “better” than those “poor souls” as Corinth so misguided…or those in Galatia needing strong rebuke against returning to confidence in the law for perfecting…or some of “those” seven churches.

And “kill with death” as the Lord speaks to some of Jezebel’s teachings…well…thanks be to God we “now know” Jesus better than that! Or Ananias and Saphira…who simply told a lie about being “sold out” for Christ…when in truth…not so much.

Ahh, but I am with you in this boat. And thanks be to God for it! For to deny any…then exempts me from our common salvation…even if any “to me” seem blinded…it may only be me who is confusing sight and blindness! God knows. I know blindness and sight exist…yes…but as to their discerning…who knows who needs the greater tutelage? God knows.

God has taken responsibility. Because He is the only responsible One. Yes, He even took there the responsibility of dealing with sin. He alone could. Any inclination that remains in our own discerning of right and wrong, good and evil, that would dissuade form acknowledging His total sovereignty over all His creation in which and for which He alone is responsible is folly. Better to abandon those than find the end of that road is an impotent god, and late. He own’t help you. And God cares not much for having His authority and sovereignty insulted…even with pleas of “but I thought you were too good to do that…or be that” But, even so…to His own He corrects.

See the Devil tries (oh so vainly tries) to and hamstring God (especially through his people) with all manner of thought “God wouldn’t do that” “God couldn’t do that” or God would never do that” and by taking advantage of our own skewed sense of goodness and there by seeking to apply it to the God who is all good (and only able to correct our right sense of good) bring us to that place…where even if unsaid…we really do blame God. Rather than submit to the truth of our own being in delusion(s).

And the naive may think this is rare.

For God knows our thoughts and all hidden intents and motives of hearts…just as he knows Ananias and Saphira.

Oh, but looking “good” before men is so easy, for man is so easily deceived by the creation. And others in and of it.

But the One to whom God looks to see a good man, well, He’d have to show any in order for them to believe it. And it ain’t you or me. Thanks be to God!

At times I have heard this question asked: “Is it better to be loved or feared?”

I believe God says “yes”.

It is salvation to them.

How far Jesus may take any of us in our consciousness is really up to Him, but knowing that He shall take all His own, even has taken already all His own with Him to where He is before we yet made any confession of Him…is true. Confession is result or consequence, not cause.

When He ascended…He took with Him all His own.

But He also promises to “show” as in “I will show you whom you should fear…”

Yes, fear Him.

For when our fear is singularized, so is our attention…and God then shares His joy of producing right attention…and fear is there, and only there and in that, relieved.

” ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved…”

For those who desire to twist that (fear of God) to only meaning “right reverence”…trust that grace will never relieve a heart of right reverence. It is all and only that which sobers it. So, either stop singing the song or be twisted enough in your own twisting to believe grace also then relieves “right reverence”…in “and grace my fears relieved”. Yes, there is a terror that indeed leads to right reverence, as only it does.

Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. One wrote.

If you believe God raised Christ from the dead is not of any man’s willing it to be so nor of any man’s placing such faith there in the heart for it to be so.

What should not be let go of is “all things are of God”…and of God alone is anyone in Christ…but what may be let go of, what power we may learn of, that can strip from us our own sense of good and evil, right and wrong…just and right as well as our own sense of fairness…we may come to know as the real power over all.

One might even say it is a great part of how we learn who is the all powerful. Because He can do away with me…and yet I live. Yet, not I.

And no less in doing in and for a man all the things he could never, nor would ever do for himself, through His Christ…alone.

And, I suppose this to be true, none of us likes to have our sense of right or righteousness insulted. In order it be re-vised.

But may we never mistake with one another what is so easily mistaken of God. That because one has a greater ability to bear (one might even say “tolerate”) certain things must therefore equate to him “liking” them more.

Consider the patience of God as salvation.

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Do you smell…smoke?

O! To be saved from hell and that place from which our own works entitle us, is indeed a too marvelous thing. And any so saved will surely never cease to consider Him Savior.

But the place to be entered, where what could have been cannot enter, remains to be entered.
It is the all of God’s work delivering us into His very presence and fullness through Christ. In Christ. With Christ. Even for Christ. For He is worthy of all His inheritance.

And there, where we must learn that what could have been must in every way be let go in God’s being and doing. There is no “this might have happened” with God, no but what if, likewise…for God is, and has eternally been, and in such being always doing His will and purpose…no matter what we may construct of “but what if” other. He has never sat precariously on the edge of His seat…wondering what may or could happen. We may at times…even for what appear to us as long times, but God…? “What if” is as foreign to Him as “But what if” may be common to us.

And may God help us to not be silly enough to say “I have found a thing God cannot do…be ignorant or unseeing!” For that again only betrays our own ignorance. For just as God does not lie…He is well able (and has told us so) to send a spirit of strong delusion…even as such that is in service to His being the all true God. And so any delight in our calculations, computations, arguments (and God sees such matters have a great shininess to us) must also be turned to all dullness and dung-ness, in our sight. Yet if they seem not, even so, God’s truth is served for His right judgment against the pride they so often engender.

And if one doubts he may ask a man with many stripes if this is so. But the problem is here, that if one does not themselves already know this…they could never recognize even who to ask in such estate, anyway. Yes, God locks us in to Himself for any and all…light. Just as Jesus said “all who are taught of the Father shall come to me” even so, it remains that only those can recognize one another. They are marked to each other in a kinship also secured to them. They see who has laid His hand upon them.

No, this is not some exclusive club based upon some exclusion. It is an inclusive family made of God…yet quite peculiarly exclusive. None may enter but by one way, one door. And that door Himself suffered many stripes, though not for Himself nor His own doing…but for the sake of those called to enter. And none would deny His markings for their sake, received in service to His Father. Yet, and likewise, none would even in such recognition…even in such recognition of their necessity ordained of God His father, dare consider their own markings in any way equal to, or consequent to, the perfect obedience He displayed in their receipt. He alone remains the Christ of God, never necessity of being disabused of delusion…but us? Not so much.

Yet he treasures also these markings upon us…for He knows they have come in same ordaining and from the Ordainer of all…and of His devotion and love of that Father He will not be separated. His hand upon us in many chastenings that no less mark us…is just as precious to that Son as those which were received in His obedience…for it, and they, have been ordained of that very same Hand. The very Hand that delivers to Him, His Christ, all of His inheritance…even marked for Him.

And I do consider myself somewhat of an authority, as even an expert…in pride and presumption and its consequences. Even something of an expert in matters pertaining to shame as consequence to many doings. Yet, I speak. Prompted even. For such claim of authority and expertness holds of itself some measure, or possible occasion of pride to it…of being the the pinnacle of a something…or approaching it. Who would suffer one to go on so? God? (Do you say…”God forbid”?) But I have heard Paul (have you?) lay hold to being the very chiefest of all to himself, and I am not afraid of his company. Are you?

A wonderful part of my testimony, as God is witness to me in its wonder, is that Christ has never beaten me to death. On the contrary “but what if He did not withhold His hand?” must be surrendered to the light of “thanks be to God He does not withhold His hand!”. O, but yes…Christ’s patience with me is something I dare not despise nor enter hope of ending…and God knows to what extent I have tried it. And to the measure I may declare it inexhaustible is no less to the same measure I do not recommend going about to try it…but rather seek its inexhaust-ability, for there we will find more than enough of which His patient hand is more than willing to disabuse in any and all misapprehension(s). Yes, He is (I pray you find) far more patient than what we of ourselves would consider “very patient”…and of which we must be disabused for such delusion(s). By a hand.

And I have so easily thought (in all presumption) that the reaching the end of my patience…was no less the same, and right in experience and justification (to myself) as signal He has reached the end of His. Ha! What God may bear I have so often and presumptuously thought linked to all experience of my own…imputing my own patience to Him, rather than receiving the light of His. But wisely He has chosen (I also declare) to make the consequences of such awkward and erroneous calculations and suppositions hit a place they are not easily forgotten…a place where I live. And live only because…Christ has never beaten me to death. Thanks be to God!

So often gratitude is in response, or directly related by some proportionality to, or against such things we so hoped against happening. We are often grateful to some measure for the thing that appears to us as could happen…but didn’t. The roof could have collapsed, the car accident could have been fatal.

Or as in my recent writing…the black dog could have not been one foot from my bumper while cruising in the dark at 50mph. And God knows there is nothing wrong here…some measuring of gratitude for what did not, but could have happened. Even with experience of some cringe of sorrow at what could have been real (yet in that instant it really was quite real in that cringing). And against such…I began to consider my own “reaction” of gratefulness.

But something must be surrendered. Yes, the salvation from the hell that all my (and every man’s) own works deserve and merit is greatly to be marveled at. And grateful for without contradiction. And we might never stop in such “reaction” were it not again of some necessity of hand laid upon us…even as it was upon me in those after moments.

For where we are headed by this faith is prepared of uncreated making, not that place made “in reaction” to another, and where true gratitude (as true patience) is not at all dependent upon the measures of our own experience which is always to some, and any limit of my own consciousness.
It is not merely beyond comparison, but all that will not suffer comparison.

And so, I learn…how little I know of true gratitude that often comes only as consequence to me for the things I may see measured to me…and must learn…even if today be first start…of Him who is immeasurable.

How patient is He! Deserving of all gratitude…even if He beat me to death.

I can be shown hypocrite and liar, and would be liar if not declaring He has shown this of me.

But of His Christ?

See what He shows of Him!