Just as we Christians do, the Scriptures refer to the world
rather loosely to mean the universe (God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth
— Acts 17:24 (KJV)), but most often as something we don’t want to be a part of. When speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus said, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world
(John 8:23). And of His disciples He said, They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world
(John 17:16).
God Is One
All of orthodox Christianity is based on the belief that Jesus was a blood sacrifice offered by God to appease His wrath against our sin and enable Him to forgive and accept us into heaven when we die —if we say the right prayer which proves that we have accepted that sacrifice on our behalf.
Listening to the Holy Spirit
When Jesus was teaching, He would often say, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear
(Matthew 11:15).
In the letters to the seven churches recorded in the book of Revelation, the ascended Christ would end each letter with, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
(Chapters 2-3).
Who or What Is Christ?
On at least two occasions, Peter identified Jesus as Christ, the Son of the living God
(Matthew 16:13; John 6:69). And Jesus Himself prayed that we would know the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent
(v 3).
Why Jesus Came
In the beginning, God
(Genesis 1:1). Whatever God became conscious of came into visibility. That is what we call creation.
And it was very good
(Genesis 1:31). God became conscious of a universe unlike Himself inhabited by creatures unlike Himself, although begotten out of Himself. Then He became conscious of a being like Himself (in His image and likeness) which came into visibility and was also very good; and to that image (man) God gave dominion over all the rest of creation (Genesis 1:26).
Mental Knowledge vs Spiritual Revelation
We all want to know God, for
John 17:3 . . . this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Purpose of the Cross
I must make the attempt to say that which cannot be conveyed in words, but only through revelation by the Spirit of God. But words are necessary (Jesus used them) to bring light into a world which needs words to confirm what is being revealed.
Recently I heard a sermon on the cross. The speaker was very gifted in dramatic presentation, and many were profoundly moved by his sermon —and with good reason.
Word Made Flesh
We know that the Word was in the beginning with God and that the Word is God. (John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.) Therefore it cannot be a black book filled with letters and words.
Oneness vs Codependency
We know that Jesus prayed (in John 17) that we would all become aware of our oneness with God and with one another. What does that mean?
The Kingdom of Heaven
We cannot even see
it until we are born again
–or passed from death unto life. (John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.)