When a Jew is Not a Jew

When a Jew is Not a Jew

©copyright 2006 Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.

Scriptures cited herein are paraphrased for clarity and taken from the Authorized King James Version Bible. Please look up those verses in order to allow the Holy Spirit to validate this treatise.

“I know the blasphemy of they who say they are Jews and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan . . . I will make them, who are of the synagogue of Satan and who say they are Jews and are not but do lie, to come and worship at your feet.” (Rev. 2:9; 3:9) God is speaking to His chosen people, the Jews, and is referring to those pagans who embrace salvation offered in Truth. In other words, when they hear God’s Truth, they “come out of” the “great whore and her harlot daughters” to live God’s Truth as the Jews know it. God makes this promise to the Jews because, thousands of years ago, they agreed with Him to suffer greatly in order to bring salvation to heathens.

Many assume the above means a person who claims Jewish birth but they do not have a drop of Hebrew blood in their veins thus obvious liars. To understand God’s meaning, ALL of His relevant Word must be brought together. Know this: Satan’s synagogues are those that, on their beautiful white surfaces, appear to be Christian but teach lies in Christ’s name, together with all false religions, but are full of dead men’s bones: their herds obey man’s precepts and traditions instead of God’s; therefore, they are sentenced twice dead. They claim to be Jews, believers as it were, but are lying.

Romans 2:25-29 reveals more: “Circumcision benefits you, IF God’s Ten Precepts are obeyed; but, to violate His Law makes circumcision count for nothing. Also, the lack of circumcision, which is to remain in one’s natural state, should be counted as circumcision, IF such a man obeys God’s Law. For no one is a Jew just because he was born a Jew, and neither is circumcision of the flesh true circumcision, if the circumcised are disobedient. One is a Jew inwardly when circumcision is of the heart, in a man’s spirit— not in Moses’ ordinance of circumcision— and whose praise is not by men’s commandments and traditions but of God’s Statutes.”

 

It is necessary to understand the difference between Law/Precept/Statutes versus Ordinances. We are directed first to the fact that for everything in heaven— its hierarchy, government, laws, population— there are likenesses here on earth. Look at man’s laws to determine the difference between these two forms of law. Precept/Statutes are permanent laws, such as criminal law in that a crime always will be a crime; while Ordinances are temporary laws put into force for myriad reasons and for a variety of fixed time periods: such as a temporary toll charge to pay for the cost of a road or local taxation added for the cost of, say, building a sports arena.

 

So it is with God’s Law: His Precept/Statutes are deemed “to stand forever” and “perpetual, even in the New Earth,” for sin will always be sin and it always will be abominable to God. Moses’ Ordinances, however, were and are temporary, such as the sacrificial ordinances; which were the “shadow of better to come”: Christ the Lamb. Of these ordinances God had declared, in Ezekiel 20:24-25, “as not good,” in that the blood of an animal cannot cleanse away sin and circumcision of the flesh could not instill love and faith thus obedience. Neither could an annual atonement sabbath cover someone who died before the next year’s ritual.

 

Granted, there also are ordinances of health and caring for the land, which are good and remain standing, as well as war ordinances until there are no more wars. Even these, however, are temporary and will be deleted from God’s Law books when evil is destroyed, followed by earth and the heavens being restored to its original purity.

 

Getting back to our subject: Galatians 2:15-16 has been used to justify a teaching that Christians do not have to obey God’s Ten Commandments, and many other such verses have been used in the same erroneous way; however, when verses 3, 7 and 8 are included, it is discovered that Paul was chastising Peter for requiring heathen converts to be circumcised according to Moses’ sacrificial ordinance of circumcision. This passage in no way refers to God’s Law of Liberty, also known as Statutes of Life, Precepts, Law of Blessings, Law of Righteousness: in short, His Ten Commandments.

 

It was the people, not God, who desired sacrificial ordinances, in order to visually acknowledge God and for a visual atonement for sins; much like Egypt’s pagan rituals, under whose rule they previously had been for 400 years. Deuteronomy 30:6,8 states, ” God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your seed, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. And, by this love you will obey God’s Commandments” (Exodus 20:3-17; Deuteronomy 5:7-14,16-21).

 

Instead of removing a man’s foreskin with a knife, God circumcises a person’s heart with love and thereupon writes His Law— Deuteronomy 5:29; 10:16; 26:16; I Kings 8:61— this consuming love motivates man to obey God’s Law without Moses’ ordinances of circumcision, just as Jesus replaced a sacrificial lamb used for the annual atonement sabbath: this latter of which is not to be confused with God’s Fourth Precept (Exodus 20:8-11). Daniel 9:27 accurately prophesied that Jesus would do away with the ordinances of sacrifice and oblations. Nowhere does the Word say God’s Ten Statutes would ever be deleted. If Jesus had done so, then He would have made God a liar, for God said they are perpetual even in new earth and the heavens.

 

When is a Jew not a Jew? Romans 1:16-18 states, “The gospel of Christ is God’s power of salvation to every one who believes; to Jews first, and also to heathens. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’ For God’s anger comes from heaven against all of men’s ungodliness and unrighteousness, they who refuse to speak the truth because of their unrighteousness.” Living by faith is to obey God’s Law because we believe it is in our best interest, it is just, it is the way of righteousness; but, first and foremost, we obey because we love God.

 

It is now established that a Jew is anyone of whatsoever national origin who has the faith OF Jesus and obeys God’s Commandments (Rev. 12:17; 14:12; 22:14); likewise and regardless of heritage, one is not a Jew if he or she does not accept Christ as God’s Son, thus does not have faith like Christ’s, and does not obey God’s Statutes.

 

Paul tells us in Galatians 3:28-29, “There is neither Jew nor heathen, there is neither servant nor freeman, there is neither male nor female: for both Jew and heathen are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you, who were pagans, belong to Christ, then you are of Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”

 

Paul reiterates and instructs in Colossians 3:10-16, “By belief and obedience, you have put on a new man, which is made after the image of God by His knowledge: where there is neither heathen nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, bond nor free: but Christ is all and in all. As the elect of God, take on mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; patience with one another and forgiving one another.

 

“If any man has a complaint against another, as Christ forgave you, you also forgive. Above all these things put on love, which is the connection to perfection. Let God’s peace rule in your hearts, for you are called to one body; and, be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you passionately in all wisdom; teaching and give warning to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

 

Referencing “the connection to perfection,” we are led to Matthew 22:37-40; “Love God with all your heart and soul and with all your mind; and, love your neighbour as yourself. God’s Precepts hang on, are connected to these two commandments.” According to Webster’s Dictionary, to hang on means “to depend upon;” therefore, obedience to God’s Law of Righteousness depends upon whether our professed love is genuine or insincere. Love softens hearts; otherwise, they remain like stone and behaviour will be unrighteous.

 

Righteousness is perfection, God’s and Christ’s perfection that we, as professed believers, are instructed to “grow into” by daily striving, which is to say working, toward perfect obedience (Luke 13:24; I Corinthians 9:25-27; Ephesians 4:15-19; Philippians 1:27; Hebrews 12:4). This must be accomplished so we can be presented to Christ as a virgin bride when He arrives to take up His small flocks of sheep (II Corinthians 11:2; Colossians 1:27-29).

 

Currently, there are teachers in the world who are saying that all Jews who lived prior to Christ will not be redeemed, because they no longer are God’s people. In part, and part only, this is true; BUT, only because all who were to be redeemed were resurrected and taken up with Christ when He ascended to heaven. This is verified in Ezekiel 37:11-14; Matthew 27:50,52-53; Ephesians 4:8. To be held in the grave is to be held in captivity on a temporary basis.

 

A host— a multitude, great number— of graves were opened the moment Christ died on the cross: these resurrected people, who were God’s ancient prophets and those Jews who obeyed His Law with a pure heart, were seen by many in the cities. To “take captivity captive” when Christ ascended to heaven, means that He took them with Him. Judgment thereafter is confined to all generations following Christ’s ministry; for judgment of the Jews prior to Christ has already been carried out. It remains that we of the last 2000 years, both Jew and Gentile, receive just sentencing based on stated beliefs and behaviour; this latter revealing whether the heart is soft or hardened. Christ brings sentencing with Him: those guilty are left behind dead and those innocent are taken up to meet Christ in the air to be escorted to the “safe haven of heaven.”

 

An important aspect of “Circumcision profits you, IF you obey God’s Ten Statutes”: if a natural Jew is circumcised AND obeys God’s Law yet has not accepted Christ, he still might be accepted into Christ’s kingdom in the end. Unfortunately, many orthodox Jews today do not obey God’s Law in the manner God prescribed, thus still defile it; so, they need Jesus and we should pray for them. After all, Jews have suffered terribly over the centuries in order to bring salvation to we pagans.

 

As heathens, or Gentiles and Greeks if you will, all who have accepted Christ and obey God’s Law have been adopted thus grafted into God’s Tree of Life. Two of the twelve natural Jewish branches were cut out due to having given over wholly to idolatry: it is here that repentant heathens are grafted in (see article “The Twelve Tribes”). If we disobey in the manner of pagans, then we can be cut out of the eternal tree. We are told that God can just as easily graft back in the two Jewish branches previously removed.

 

As adoptees we become Biblical Jews and will inherit the same reward as a natural Jew: we are the elect people of God, because we elected/chose to believe their God is the One True God and we embrace His Son Christ.

 

Jews are God’s chosen people who, against every thing they believed, did all the things God abhors: because He hardened their hearts so we heathens could learn what not to do, if we want to be saved in the end. In order to prevent the Jews from doing what they knew was right, God rendered them blind and deaf so they would carry out His great plan of salvation. We should be on our knees humbly thanking them!

 

Romans 8:15,23; 9:4; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5; Romans 11:16-24; see Hebrews 4:4,7-9,11 for an example of unbelief, which directly relates to Exodus 20:8-11.

 

Do not set examples of unbelief thus causing your own destruction. Be a Jew at heart.

 

~~ end article

 

A Wondrous Book

©copyright 2006 Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.

The Psalm is such a wondrous book;

if we but only take a look.

Therein can be found prophecies

of He who gives eternity;

His prayers written before He spoke,

long before His flesh life awoke.

 

It is one of hope and guidance,

with Proverbs for reliance

when life seems to have no answers

and lewd are men’s pulpit dancers;

for only God knows what to do

when our trials are far from few.

 

The gospels tell of Christ in prayers,

but Psalm’s recites them clear by pairs,

revealing to us His wise heart;

one demonstrating love’s true part

while walking in His Father’s Will,

that we might repent of our bill.

 

Yea, Psalm’s spoke of our easy price,

as Revelation’s declared thrice,

and defined God’s armour for us;

that we put it on without fuss,

shielded from the ways of vile sin:

no more living as we had been.

 

The Psalm is such a wondrous book;

if we but only take a look.

It is one of hope and guidance,

with Proverbs for reliance.

The gospels tell of Christ in prayers,

but Psalm’s recites them clear by pairs.

 

Yea, Psalm’s spoke of our easy price,

as Revelation’s declared thrice;

for we must give up flesh desires,

that God’s Truth can save us from fires.

The Bible is a wondrous book

deserving of a closer look.

 

+   +   +

 

Psalm 1:1-2; 19:7-11; 37:31; 40:7-8; 42:4

Psalm 81:9-10; 89:30-33; 94:12-13,15; 106:3; 111:7-10

Psalm 119:1-10,15-16,18-19,21,29-30,32-37,44-48

Psalm 119:71-72,97-104,115,126-128,134-136,142-144,150-152

Psalm 119:165,172,174

Proverbs 1:7; 2:1-10; 3:1-2; 3:35; 4:1-5; 6:23; 7:1-4; 8:17,32,35

Proverbs 13:13-14; 14:5-6,12; 16:2-3,6; 19:5,9,11,16,22; 24:28-29

Proverbs 25:18,21-22; 28:47,9,16-17; 29:18

Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 22:14

Revelation 21:8

Legacy of The Third Eye ~~ poetic heritage

Legacy Of The Third Eye

©copyright 2004 Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.

 

It all began with great grandmother,

on to mother’s grandmother, but no brothers;

then on to my own mother the legacy passed;

to her a curse, certainly a great task.

And, in some ways, it moved to me and mine:

strange events and portents of a kind.

 

Great grandmother had sixteen little ones;

but, times were rough and plagues often won.

The wall thumped like a heartbeat behind the bed:

they ripped it out, nothing there but dread;

upon the bed, a sickly child cried.

The thumping stopped: she of three died.

 

Another time, a snow white dove landed on the lawn,

and there it stood until dawn;

then under the house, beneath a room it cooed.

In there was a beautiful girl a man might have wooed,

yet unconscious she lay, hardly a breath.

The dove stopped, flew away: sixteen years at death.

 

But the most harrowing of great grandmother’s trials,

was her gorgeous brunette, full of grace and style.

So ill she became, lingering long near death;

then, a day came she seemed to draw not another breath.

They buried her, at just eighteen then;

and great grandmother prayed, enough death had been.

 

So common back then, they had to move her pine box.

A year later, they lifted it from among dirt and rocks.

Something did not seem right, on the side dried blood.

Gently, they prised open the lid: horror came in a flood:

for she had been buried alive… ALIVE, and she’d awakened,

struggled to claw her way out, feeling forsaken.

 

Great grandmother lost no more kids;

so passed to grandmother the legacy bid.

Mother’s father fell ill one day, only thirty-five,

believing grandmother that he would not die.

Grandmother’s bed began to thump like a heartbeat:

a brother tore it apart, but it didn’t skip a beat.

 

Mother wasn’t allowed to visit her Dad;

hospital rules, not because she was bad.

But, on this day, they said she could come;

so, grandmother dressed her like the sun,

bright and cheerful amidst the thumping:

stopping only to answer the phone trumping.

 

It was then the thumping suddenly ceased:

only five, but mother’s brow creased.

She watched her mother’s smile turn grim

as she laid the phone down, neat and trim.

Grandmother turned, “We won’t be going, honey.”

At five years old, death was not funny.

 

Soon, my mother’s turn the legacy to claim:

strange dreams for her, each time the same;

death it would be: of family, far or near.

At twelve, it was her mother’s that caused tears.

Mom often said she didn’t know if it were

gift or curse, the line between such a blur.

 

Finally, it was my time to inherit the fame

of visions and feelings, yet not the same.

The legacy now was purified, to use for the Lord:

trying sometimes, convoluted others, never a bore.

Prophecy and interpretation the Spirit gave to me,

that the world might hear, learn and see.

A Royal Wedding ~~ poetic heritage

©copyright 2004 Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.

 

One of my grandfathers, thrice great or more, 
came from Britain to America’s shore.
British aristocrats, he and his wife, 
quickly gained rich ground without any strife.
They were English, this Questinbury clan,
whose own slaves worked their Quesinberry land. 

Soon there were daughters catching young men’s eyes,
and handsome sons: tall, strong, ready to ride.
The youngest set out to see this nation,
slave driving not to be his vocation.
He rode rugged, wild southwest trails;
weathered hardships and never got frail.

Then one day, he met the girl of his dreams—
and, he must have been made for her, it seems—
for with her father it soon was agreed:
“A royal wedding to be,” was decreed.
She was a princess with long silken hair,
graceful in stride with features fine and fair.

Young Quesinberry started his new life,
wrote that he would bring home his special wife.
Slaves rushed to clean and dust the plantation,
planning many gala celebrations.
That royal bride must see them at their best,
and it’s highly polished family crest.

The long awaited day at last arrived:
two riders rode up the long, tree-lined drive.
Rejoicing turned to dismay and alarm:
there was an Indian on this son’s arm.
They never would receive a Cherokee:
forgot Questinburgs had fled Germany.

Thus, this his youngest son, father disowned;
 him and her sent from family and home.
The name’s spelling again would get a change,
Cherokee blood would subtly rearrange.
There are only a few Quesinberry’s,
and some of those spell it Quisenberry. 

My staunch grandfather asked about my thoughts
concerning this tree his forefathers wrought.
Fearing my boldness, my aunt held her breath;
sure I’d anger him, even cause his death.
“They were a bunch of snobs,” I bluntly said.
His laughter roared as his face turned bright red.

So, I’m a little Cherokee princess,
Then another bit of German empress,
And a wee bonnie lass of Irish cream,
together with some French and Brit, it seems.
Oh, and a Castilian Spanish quarter.
All these should just about set the mortar.

Of course, they did have that big plantation;
so who can say who are my relations?
Who and whatever, I do love them all.
They were a bunch of snobs! That is my call.
Perhaps, she’s why I love nature’s features:
trees and flowers, and all of God’s creatures.

 

 

Love to Give

LOVE TO GIVE

©copyright 2006 Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.

“‘Tis the season to give!” We hear this directive every year when man’s holidays come near, as well as for people’s birthdays and wedding anniversaries; yes, each are man’s traditions— not God’s— and most are designated Christian, despite their pagan origins for false gods: Christmas and its gaudy tree, Valentine’s Day and its throw-away hearts, Easter with its bunnies and eggs, Thanksgiving and its obesity of food, personal birthdays and anniversaries. God deems self-involvement a form of idolatry.

God has a different opinion about giving and, certainly, a strong opinion regarding heathen festivals conducted in His Son’s name, or not; albeit, this latter is not the purpose of this treatise, which latter was addressed in a previous exposition entitled “Christ’s Birth, Death and Resurrection.”

Jesus instructed, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” He went on to say, “Give to him that asks something from you, and do not turn away he who wants to borrow from you, even if it is your enemy; for if you love only those who love you, there is no reward for you: even the wicked love those who love them, yet their reward is destruction.

“Do good and lend, expecting nothing in return; then your reward will be great as children of the Highest, for you will have done as God does, who is kind even to the unthankful and the wicked while they are here.

“Give, and men shall give to you in good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over. By the same measure you give, the same shall be measured out to you again; and the Father in heaven shall give good things to them that ask of Him.” (paraphrased, Acts 20:35; Matthew 6:42-46; 7:11-12; Luke 6:29-35,38). Christ also said to give good to our enemies: give them drink or food or clothing or all things needed, even lend to them.

Obviously, some of the blessings received from giving are that others will give in return, not necessarily like-gifts nor from those to whom we gave, and so shall our Father give in return. Caution: the above scriptures reveal a truth in the following adage, “What goes around comes around.” If we give evil, instead of good, and deny those who have basic needs, it will come around to bite us harder than they suffered. Nevertheless, in giving from the heart there also are blessings on an emotional and spiritual level.

On an emotional level, no one gains good feelings inside when they give from a sense of duty dictated by man’s costly, blasphemous holidays, birthdays and anniversaries, and/or because something is expected in return. One cannot gain good feelings when they give in order to receive in return, or they lend an amount expecting a greater amount in return. Those good feelings create within us a sense of well-being and come when we absolutely give for no reason and expect nothing in return.

Consider Christmas: Merchants begin heavy add campaigns, subtly implying that you must buy this or that or be thought ill of; their purpose being the almighty buck. Obediently, everyone scrambles to purchase just the perfect tree to decorate with expensive babbles, which tree ultimately will end up in the garbage dump; and, they dash around buying gifts for those on their list, making sure they spend the appropriate amount of money, knowing they will receive gifts from them, too. It is expected, and such a waste of money; money that could feed or clothe or house the needy! Giving for no reason, expecting nothing in return, comes from a godly heart of love: giving simply for the sake of giving, lending simply for the sake of lending; in short, LOVING TO GIVE!

Watch the joy on a woman’s face when her husband gives flowers or a gift and it’s not even her birthday or their anniversary or Christmas. Notice a man grin from ear to ear when his wife, dressed to the nines, greets him home with a candle-lit dinner, the kids at grandma’s place: for no reason, except she loves him. Hear the joy in a child’s laughter when he or she is given a gift for absolutely no reason. See an older, lonely neighbor’s face light up when presented with a gift or a meal prepared for no reason. Note the grateful expression on a hungry man’s face when given food and it’s not a designated season of feeding.

Consider how you would feel if you received any gift at all and there was not one single reason for it; except the giver loves you. We are to love even our enemies and love is to love giving: no matter who it is or what time of year it might be. Giving should be about love and no other reason; it is loving mankind and God.

Not only are we to give to one another as each other has need or because we wish to give, we also are to give unto God. What is it we should give to Him? Believe that Jesus is His Son, have faith like that of Christ, AND obey God’s Law: the keys to heaven’s gates (Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 21:10,27; 22:14). On a spiritual level, our Father in return gives ALL knowledge, wisdom, and a good understanding of ALL things; spiritual gifts of power; all that we have need of in the way of food, shelter and clothing; and, He gives us “the mind of Christ.” (see entitled article)

To have the mind of Christ is the greatest gift Father can give to us during our temporary flesh lifetime; for with His mind, it becomes easy to think and act as Christ thought and acted, easy to obey the Father as Jesus obeyed: love and forgiveness given freely and indiscriminately with obedience no longer a seemingly impossible feat. Yes, we will have all these things AND suffer for Christ in adversities, thorns in our flesh, and persecutions: these latter being the greatest sign of who we are and to whom we belong. Thus, even this suffering is a gift!

When it comes to gift giving, it is not what we can buy and/or how much we spend that causes a receiver to feel incredibly loved. Over the years, some givers have found the greatest gifts given were prompted by either financial adversity and/or giving for absolutely no reason: crafts tailored made for an individual, poems written specifically for another, or a letter detailing the importance of each: receivers are reduced to tears while saying, “This is the most wonderful gift I’ve ever received!” The most rewarding money gifts are when the giver’s cash is in short supply AND the receiver has not asked for the help received. Though money is scarce, these givers never lack anything.

The Bible does NOT cite specific times in which to give. God simply says, “GIVE.” Yet, mankind seems to think a set time and/or specific events are needed in order to prompt giving; even then, he gives sparingly and for the purpose of receiving greater. Consider: give to the hungry during man’s designated holidays; give to those affected by a catastrophic event, if it’s great enough; each gift representing a tax right off at year’s end; give only because, only to, and only when. God and Christ do NOT recognize such gifts, for they come by demand and greed established in man’s arrogance: for he does not recognize there is no one greater than God (see article “From Adversities to Blessings”).

Man’s behaviour demonstrates an attitude of being greater than God; his ways determined better than God’s ways. God abhors paganism, yet man decided it was better to incorporate their ways into Christ’s church. God’s Laws are perpetual and not to be changed or deleted, yet man decided he could make them better. God established time, yet man decided he knew a better way to set time. Take great care in whom you choose to follow. When are you giving and how are you justifying both timing and gifts? Will God recognize your time-determined gifts as His way of giving?

Christ is about to arrive; so, it has never been more important, than today, to review where you stand with God, in ALL respects, or risk being left behind quite dead. Man has become so incredibly self-focused. It is time to step outside of self to focus on God, Christ, and others. Possessing a giving heart is an awesome gift. Receive it by giving it.

LOVE TO GIVE! GIVE GOD’S WAY AND TO WHOM GOD SAYS TO GIVE!  

~~ end article 

   

Love to Forgive

Love to Forgive

©copyright 2006 Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.

  

First God, then Jesus, said, “Love God with all your heart and mind and soul and with all your might; and, love your neighbor as your self.” Also, God’s Word teaches, “Forgive, so that you might be forgiven.” From Genesis throughout the Bible, God consistently speaks of forgiveness for others; both His forgiveness and the requirement that we also forgive.

First, it should be obvious we must truly love even our enemies in order to be able to forgive those who sin against us. Jesus did say, “Love thine enemy. If thine enemy thirst, give him water; if he hungers, give him food; if he is naked, give him clothing.” This is not to say we should consort with our enemies; rather, it is to “give good for evil,” and by those good acts a wicked person might be saved: having seen, through our example, God’s unfailing love and mercy.

Where true love does not reside in our hearts, there also is no power to forgive others. Yes, it can be easy to love and forgive those whom we love; but, the test of true, godly love is whether or not we forgive our enemies, those who might have wronged us in unspeakable ways. This is the only kind of love wherein God sees Himself.

However, there is one more thing we must do in order to truly forgive; which is to both understand, accept and admit that we are no better than the worst sinner in this world: the only difference between a true sheep and a lost sheep is the former now bears only scars of sin, having repented and sins no more, while the latter still bleeds profusely from their ongoing sinful wounds. Then and only then can we love to forgive.

There is no doubt Jesus gave us the most beautiful living example of godly love for us all and His enemies, the latter of whom He forgave even while hanging on a cross. Since then, we’ve not seen a love to forgive in such a highly visible way, perhaps only in small ways in each individual’s life: UNTIL the recent slaying of Amish children in their classroom, afterward the shooter taking his own life.

The Amish loving to forgive has broadcast around our planet since that horrific day, stunning the majority of people and still spoken of almost daily. In fact, all who say they cannot forgive certain things done by specific people should have been mightily shamed by the recent Amish example of forgiveness.

The Paradise, Pennsylvania, Amish community not only forgave Charles Carl Roberts IV for killing five (5) of their children and leaving six (6) others in critical condition, they then attended his funeral to grieve with Roberts’ wife and his three kids, who are as innocent as those slain or injured. The Amish even were saddened by Roberts’ suicide; for in their mind, he no longer has opportunity to repent of his sins.  

This latter, of course, is not necessarily true. After all, his own wife characterized Roberts as a wonderful, loving husband and equally wonderful father; she did not recognize the man who killed those children. Therefore, it is conceivable that Mr. Roberts may have looked around himself, became truly sickened by the devastation he had wrought from a mind that had, for some inexplicable reason, snapped, asked the Lord to forgive him, then took his own life.

Be reminded of “if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out; if thy hand offend thee, cut it off.” This may have been exactly what Mr. Roberts did in the end; albeit, we will never know until we reach heaven and God’s books are opened to us: although, we might find Charles Roberts standing right there with us.

Nevertheless, everyone should adopt the Amish example, or we might not be forgiven of our own sins. Accepting who we once were, abominable sinners, or who some might currently be, unrepentant sinners, is the first step to recognizing that not one human is better than another. As God advised, “There is no sin greater than another.”

We all share the same enemy, Satan. By recognition and admission, love can begin; but, only if we possess “The Mind of Christ” (see entitled article). Therefore in recognition, acceptance, admission, repentance, and a growing love, anyone can love to forgive; for in having the mind of Christ, we can and do love forgiving others just as He did.

It is rewarding to forgive, but it is so deadly to hate and/or seek revenge. There is joy and freedom and peace to be found in eagerly forgiving; whereas there is only death in anger and hate and revenge. Why could the Amish so easily forgive? Why can this writer so easily forgive the worst things, as once said of her by a lifelong friend? There are more answers to this question than just loving their fellow humans. They each understand what the first death means: it is not death at all; it is merely the shedding of a tattered garment, then resting blissfully until Christ calls.

The Amish understand that Charles Roberts gave his control over to Satan yet did not even realize he had made such a deadly choice. Think hard on how sad it is to see anyone blindly give their power of dominion over to the Devil, never realizing what they have just done. For pity sake, do YOU not see that they NEED OUR PRAYERS AND FORGIVENESS!

Yes, the Amish miss and grieve the loss of their children’s physical presence, just as this writer misses the physical presence of her two youngest daughters. Neither this writer nor the Amish, however, grieve their deaths; we know they are not dead. What we would grieve terribly, however, is if our children were slated to die a second death; therefore, it is vital to raise up our children in God’s ways and to set like examples for them to follow. If we cannot readily forgive, then neither will our children; and, this is to set upon our selves and our children a second death sentence.

It is so important to understand the first death according to God’s discernment; and it is as equally important to comprehend the second death pursuant to God’s definition. This latter is death in every sense of the word: it is utter destruction of both body and spirit; to never more be remembered; to be reduced to ash upon which Christ’s sheep shall walk.

It concludes that, when we truly love God and man as well as understand God’s two classifications of death, we should find it easy to forgive even the worst sins committed against us. It is to understand this world’s temporary nature, to fully recognize temporary evil currently reigning in our midst. It is to understand some “vessels are made for honor and others to dishonor.” It is to comprehend the “wicked do what they do because they don’t know to do differently.” Recognize that “they don’t know what they do!”

To forgive is to take on the character of God and Christ, therefore loving to forgive as much as God loves to give mercy and forgiveness to His children. “Forgive, lest ye be forgiven.”

Do you want to be forgiven of your sins? Then, forgive even the worst things, knowing that in God’s eyes you are no better than the one you forgave. You were once just as lost as he or she is currently lost; perhaps, in a different way but every bit as lost and separated from God. Love and forgiveness find lost sheep; love and forgiveness and warning can snatch them from a fiery, permanent death.

If you were standing on the precipice of God’s fiery pit of brimstone, reserved for the wicked and filthy, wouldn’t you want someone to forgive you and literally snatch you from that fiery death? Even more so if you didn’t realize where you were standing? When we forgive even the worst offenses, God then can see Him self in us; which assures our redemption. So much the better if our forgiveness and warnings redeem another.

LOVE TO FORGIVE! And, in forgiving, reap the freedom of joy and peace and love that goes beyond man’s comprehension and definition.

~~ end article

Reasoning God’s Word

©copyright 2006 Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.

 

How does one effectively reason God’s Word without ALL of God’s Word, or reason with man’s use of one or two scriptures to support a purported belief; those same one or two scriptures that, ultimately, can bring about one’s own destruction? To use so few of God’s Word, regarding a specific subject, is to reveal one who has been taught in and lives by man’s way, instead of God’s; and it reveals one who seeks to justify self continuing in sin while contrarily claiming Christ’s sacrifice allows of it; and, he or she desires to be always right: as opposed to one who seeks only God’s Truth by the Holy Spirit, understanding that man’s way is wrong. (II Timothy 3:16-17)

The most common statement these will make is, “That isn’t what my church teaches!” The underlying message is, “I believe what my denomination teaches and never bother to look it up or study it for myself and I’m not going to, because I like what they teach.” As God stated, “They who refuse the Truth, love death,” and, in the end they will perish for refusing His Truth when it was presented to them. (II Corinthians 4:3-7; Galatians 1:6-7; II Timothy 2:15; 4:3-4; II Peter 2:1-22)

Those who seek God’s Truth through the Holy Spirit already know, or at the very least, suspect they are “cold”, Revelation 3:15-18, by virtue of having been taught in error by any man who teaches by man’s seminary instruction; because Jesus said, “Beware the pastors and preachers; for they speak not with the mouth of God but teach from the lusts of their hearts.” He clarified that “babes” are those who have not been tutored by man and only they will deliver God’s Truth: these will be the ones no longer “drinking milk,” rather they eat solid food as being “mature” in God’s Word by way of the Holy Spirit; they “perfect praise.” Rarely will Truth Speakers be teaching from any of corporate Christendom’s pulpits.

It is not necessarily a sin to be wrong, if the sin is committed in ignorance; but it is a sin to be wrong and not seek what is right by God’s perfect standard; this is to say, to look up all references provided: for man’s seminary teachings are woefully flawed. To reason is NOT to debate and argue; to reason is to provide ALL of God’s relevant scriptures concerning another person’s specific Bible question or belief error. Then, the one who queried should look up passages provided by request of Holy Spirit guidance and understanding when reading them. Praise the Lord, it is not a Truth Speaker’s task to convince anyone of God’s Word: it is God’s task and His alone, for He “chooses whom He will to follow His Son.”

To read without requesting Holy Spirit guidance is to unwittingly invite Satan to interpret God’s Word, a task in which he takes great delight; for Lucifer’s explanation, in the end, takes down that one with him into a pit of fire and brimstone. The Bible clearly reveals Beelzebub using God’s Word to achieve man’s destruction, as noted when Jesus was tempted by him in the wilderness for 40 days and nights; and, he continues to use God’s Word today in a twisted manner in order to deceive and lead astray, as he delivers it from man’s corporate pulpits in the guise of Christian synagogues.

To say one disagrees with one who effectively reasoned God’s Word, is not to disagree with the speaker but to disagree with the Holy Spirit; which is to put oneself in danger of damnation for the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. If one disagrees after ALL of God’s Word was provided in response, it is wiser to keep it to his or her self; for by remaining silent, perhaps God will allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His truth to the one who disagreed yet avoided debate. Only “a fool who loves death” argues against God’s Word in order to justify living in sin while professing Christ.

Please understand: to violate even one of God’s Ten Commandments is to continue in sin; so, be wise and considered the Fourth Statute in Exodus 20:8-11. The majority of those professing to be Christians are in blatant disobedience of this particular precept, if not one or more of the remaining nine; especially the first three Statutes: consider the observance of pagan holidays in Christ’s name. It is forbidden by God to argue and debate His Word that has been properly and thoroughly reasoned.  

Jehovah’s Truth Speakers are instructed to reason “once or twice.” If the hearer rejects it after the second admonition, Truth speakers are told, “It is because their mind is perverted. Walk away and never return to this person” (Titus 3:10-11). God goes on to say they have condemned themselves by continuing in sin, despite being warned.

There are so many sheep in the world, which are either lost or cold, and God’s knows there are few Truth Speakers to reach them; thus, Truth Speakers don’t have time to argue with those who will never receive it: their rejection of the second admonition is proof they will never accept and repent. Thus, to proceed beyond a second warning is an effort in futility: “God chooses whom He will to follow His Son,” and He certainly will never choose those with a perverted mind.

Romans 9:15,18,21; Galatians 1:10-12; I Timothy 6:3-5; II Timothy 2:20,23-26; 3:1-5

~~ end Article

A Belly-Crawling Snake ~~ poem

©copyright 2005 Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.  

He used a belly-crawling, dust-eating serpent

to bring temptation’s glitter to life.

God said, “Don’t eat of the two trees in Eden’s midst;

for if you do, yours is death and strife.”

Still, that subtle beast said, “You’ll not die but be wise,

be like gods knowing darkness and light.”

 

Did Satan speak the truth when he said they’d not die?

That they could gain all wisdom saintly?

Oh, how clever is that vomit-eating devil!

God never said they’d die instantly.

Adam and Eve lived eons, but not in Eden;

still, they will live in eternity.

 

It’s easy to spread deceit yet utter not one:

speak, write, imply without admission.

Satan’s tricks are truth laced with lies wickedly phrased,

manipulation by omission.

Think about how it’s done, those lies we’ve all followed.

Changing what is God’s is his mission.

 

“Like gods,” Lucifer had said while failing to add,

“but without God’s wisdom to use well;

for ultimately you will die, just not real soon.”

They’d suffer too, he deigned not to tell,

if Eve chose to go against their Father’s commands.

Oh, how bittersweet temptation sells.

 

Our Father took the time to warn what could happen

should we choose to disobey His Law;

but, Satan paints pretty pictures without bound’ries,

knowing full well these cause deadly falls:

save and except we decide to go to Father.

For God’s pure Truth, on Him we should call.

 

Christ said, “The Shepherd’s flock need not be taught by men.”

Yet, when His sheep share Truth, once forsook,

those who hear use men’s words to excuse fancy’s flight;

instead of opening Father’s book

while seeking guidance from just His Holy Spirit.

To bittersweet destruction they look.

 

+  +  +

 

Genesis c.2 and c.3