After writing the contemplation “Living as Heirs of God” yesterday, I had a further revelation of righteousness without the law—which is the core of the Gospel. When Adam entertained the first thought of being separated from his Father, he began to make laws for himself that he believed would help him regain his Father’s love and acceptance. He developed a conscience which constantly accused him for his inability to keeps those laws. He became afraid of His father, fearing His wrath and judgment.
Assuring Our Hearts Before Him
This is the second in a series of studies on the book of 1John. I would like you to read From the Beginning before reading this one.
A Prayer of Surrender
[December 6, 2015] Father, I can do nothing to make anything happen, improve anything, or make mine or anyone else’s life better in any way. I can only stand still and see Your salvation.
The Veil
[June 18, 2015] After sleeping soundly for 6 hours, I was awakened by a vivid dream wherein my sister and I were engaged in a heated argument with my brother attempting to “referee” by timing us so each of us could have our “say.” Upon awakening, I immediately realized that the dream was from the Spirit, letting me know just how petty and unreal everything we were thinking and saying was. I knew that it was “flesh” viewing flesh and reacting to flesh with flesh. It was life “in this world” veiled from the reality of life in the kingdom of God by our belief in two powers. Because I was saying things that I thought I had actually observed and felt, I knew the dream was not one of those nonsensical ones we so often have. I knew that I was to pay attention and listen to the “interpretation” from the Spirit.
Freed from the Conscience
I think very few people really have an accurate understanding of the conscience. We have been taught in orthodox Christianity that it is the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin—telling us what we ought or ought not to be doing. It is that which tells us what we are doing wrong and causes us to feel condemned. It never tells us that we are doing something right; it just makes us feel guilty for the wrong that we do. Yet we have been taught to look upon the conscience as a good thing and to be careful not to “sear” it by violating it.
The New Creature
Because I was an English major in college, immersing myself in British history and literature, I’ve become something of an “Anglophile.” Living in England for two years (a fantasy of mine that came true) only enhanced my fascination with all things British. I’ve recently been re-watching “Downton Abbey,” “binge watching” really. The story began to occupy my thoughts and even my dream life. I awakened during the pre-dawn hours this morning feeling very anxious and unsettled. So I came into the living room and began to quieten myself inside to listen to the Holy Spirit—not exactly an easy skill to master but, arguably, the most valuable one; for inside is where God dwells (see “Where Is God?”) and therefore where we find answers, solutions and direction.
Knowledge or Love
In our spiritual journey, we all continue to increase in our knowledge of God. Many of us have the revelation that there is but one Power (God Omnipotent) and that it is always good, that there are not two powers, one of evil that we must “overcome” while we are in “this world.” We know that the kingdom of God is within each of us and that we can experience that kingdom now, that we don’t have to wait until we die to enter it. We know that every man is God in expression, made in His image and likeness and given dominion over all the rest of creation.
The Strength of Sin Is the Law
1Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
As I was meditating before getting out of bed this morning, listening to the still small voice inside, I was once again made aware of what a major role the law is still playing in my life. I was asking God to show me why it is still so difficult for me to accept the abundant life Jesus came to reveal to us—not a life that we must attain to, but one that is already there for recognition and acceptance, the life that Jesus called the kingdom of heaven that is within everyone.
“In” the World, But Not “Of” It
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.