It has been said, you never really know something or someone… unless you: know the/their name, are familiar with using it and are recognized by that something or someone- well known. As it comes to thoughts of God, we should also be in this same capacity and with this same understanding. His love is not just to be spoken of, learned or acted upon without an affinity for God Himself- this is to say we must embrace those of this Family first. How can one ascertain/discern if one is truly a Family member or not if we do not look into their beliefs privately (not secretly) before being open (and public) in the spirit of love? I might think this could be a problem for some… thinking what you are doing is in secret (to be hidden… occluded) and hints more of being from a deceiver than the open missionary work Jesus did- He did everything openly for mankind as an example of how to do things. There were times He spoke to those closest to Him privately… and this needs to be understood as well. There is a big difference between the desire to be undisturbed or the opening up for personal enlightenment than… remaining in secret, being unsociable (hermitic or hermetic), for reasons of deception or harm. Jesus did this (spoke privately… undisturbed) because they were Family to Him, more than just disciples but those He dined with and lived with as well. Love understands love when it is felt… and must be felt before it can be shared. Beyond just the feelings of love is the reason for love, and when it comes to the love mankind should share of God with one another it is better to know where we stand with the family of God first… for this is the source of God’s love (supplied by God) to an unknowing world. There should be unity in the movement of the Spirit and the efforts directed by the Spirit… pointing the way to Jesus.
Ezekiel 44:23 KJV And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Hebrews 5:14 KJV 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.
Matthew 16:3 KJV And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
The need for sharing God’s love, the Gospel… the good news, is not just a request but a command- for those that say they believe in Jesus Christ. What the world has rejected as being good news involves the name of Jesus… even the expectation of the title of Messiah and all that was thought to come from it. Much worse than snap decisions is building a belief in an expectation over the timing and reality of the conditions we find ourselves in- at any given moment. God’s will must be placed first as the priority over our own expectations and we must come to this realization before we will fit into the will God has for us in this life. Without being in the will of God (the stream of the spirit if you will) we will not see clearly enough to either be a benefit of another or be in a position to be fully understood or acknowledged as coming from and having love worth the time to share- the responsibility and obligation rests on the believer’s shoulders.
“The Bible continually emphasizes the fact that the greater the privilege the greater the responsibility or accountability.”
The above quote was taken from this link, and it speaks clearly about judgement coming first to the Family of God. God’s expectation of us is to share God’s love but not without sharing the consequence of disobedience… or what it means to see unbelief coming from our actions to others that might not believe the same as we do… and should. Growth comes by hearing the truth…
1 Corinthians 2:7 KJV But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
[You can listen to the audio Bible at this link… to all of 1 Cor 2 (KJV)]
The meaning to God’s very Name, in it’s many understandings coming from it, and nature (even the characteristics of God) denote the same attributes we should have and employ as we share the love God holds open for all mankind. We need to seek our own clarity of thought and do God’s will on this Earth… as His servants, as He was the servant King- we find hope… eternal hope coming directly from His suffering for us and on our behalf. This is where many people have been confused by Jesus… missing the importance of His intention while on Earth, His death and the resurrection and the ascension- why you and I must share His truth in love. This cannot be watered down… nor should it be misunderstood by resentment over expectation vs. reality and our perception of what we might believe to be true. The difference here is why Judaism still does not see Jesus as being God, and why (maybe) Moslems do not see Him in this capacity as well. See below…
“In the century before Christ, moreover, both the Psalms of Solomon and the Qumran literature look to the same “Son” or “shoot” of David either as an ideal Hasmonean¹ king or a ruler for the expectant Dead Sea community (Ps. Sol. 17-18;4 Qpatr 1-4). These last references would be of concern to New Testament authors since at least two (most probably opposing) Jewish groups had expectations for the Davidic line that were at odds with the historical Jesus. The former author, who portrays a triumphant and politically successful king, would never be satisfied with Jesus, who neither purged Jerusalem nor placed the Gentiles “under his yoke” (Ps. Sol. 17:30-32), but instead came “to seek and save that which was lost” and “to give his life as a ransom for many” ( Mark 10:45 ).”
The quote above was taken from this link, a link with the many references to the Name and Titles (though not exhaustive) of Jesus Christ.
Can this also be the consideration of grief, having been let down from their belief Jesus was to fulfill their expectation of Kingdom and Kingship (as Messiah), and was found to be the reason for their rejection of Him as: God, man or apostle of God (Messenger of God)? The chasm between expectation and reality can be striking… especially regarding the life of Jesus, where the sheer severity of letdown (of expectation) is but a juxtapositional difference… whereby a coming reality. The expected end was not to be realized before Jesus had made atonement possible for all humanity… and, indeed, provided for the deliverance to avail man to God throughout all nations, people and tongues. The only thing that prevents man from this is three-fold: repenting ( to turn away from practicing things God dislikes), asking for forgiveness (to declare openly and to acknowledge their sins) and to accept Jesus as God almighty (the Messiah and the Christ… as personal Savior for us all).
I suspect this is why the Moslem faith and Judaism rejected Jesus or His truth… He did not (seemingly) follow through and become what was: declared, prophesied and believed the Messiah/Christ would become. This will happen (it was spoken of in the future tense)… just not at the time and place of man’s will but is reliant on God’s timing and will. For those in the Moslem faith, I believe this strengthened the opinion against Jesus being ‘the Messiah’ and I would also hasten to believe the divide between these two religions deepened (historically) at and around this point in time.
1 Corinthians 15:51-57 (KJV)
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
As it comes to the hand of God in your life… do not assume God is not active when you seem to get no response- this is when and where God is working things out for you (as long as you are found to be within His will for you). This is the time to be patient… diligent and steadfast, stay strong in your belief- God does not change. Man needs to change to conform to God’s will… not man needing to conform to man’s view and acting as on God’s behalf. I pray you will ponder this… pebbles of His truth. You will won’t you? (D.V.)
Your Brother in Jesus Christ,
Russ
P.S. More important than sharing God’s love is sharing God’s love and the knowledge we can be known by the living God… and must be to gain entrance of heaven itself.
Psalm 139:19 KJV Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
Matthew 7:23 KJV And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
1… Of or relating to the Jewish dynasty established by the Maccabees.
