China Tribunal Final Report on forced organ harvesting in China - released March 1, 2020

https://chinatribunal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ChinaTribunal_JUDGMENT_1stMarch_2020.pdf

"...hospitals telephoned were offering organs for sale. Those organs were from people who were alive at the time of the calls and were available to the callers at short notice." S. 455
"Hospitals in the PRC have had access to a population of donors whose organs could be extracted according to demand for them." S. 456

"Forced organ harvesting has happened in multiple places in the PRC and on multiple occasions for a period of at least 20 years and continues to this day." S. 457

In the West we kill infants in the womb for convenience. In China they also kill prisoners for cash.

Who is worse?

"The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." Gen 6:11-12

"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun." King Solomon, Ecc 1:9

Is indifference to evil evil? Why would the Apostle John teach...

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1Jn 2:15-17

The Apostle John clearly states that "loving the world" and "loving the things of the world" is at odds with the "love of the Father" being in someone. The "things of the world" are clearly associated with the "lust of the flesh," the "lust of the eyes" and the "pride of life."

"Loving the world" is at odds with the "love of God" because it is simply a reflection of the affection of one's heart. An affection for the temporal easily supplants the love of God in the heart, in effect banishing God from the human soul. Is it any wonder that Jesus would teach...

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Jesus of Nazareth, Mat 16:14-26

Deny oneself?

Love not the world neither the things that are in the world?

It is through dying to the lusts of this world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, in a real repentance that we may be raised up into a new life of the Spirit and henceforth EVERYTHING we do is then done through the Spirit, our heart no longer banishes God.

"Love not the world nor the things of the world" doesn't mean one cannot love their family or a beautiful waterfall. Rather it means that love of God is the centerpiece of one's being and one may experience a love of their family or nature through that love of God. In other words, true purpose has been added to life in this world for one's eyes have been opened.

I say let us not be part of the problem of the evil and vanity in this world, rather let us be part of the solution by being living testimonies...

"No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him...Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." Apostle John, 1Jn 4:12,16-17

The Death and Resurrection of Christ - Death to Life - An Illustration of Transformation

The Apostle Paul taught...

1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Why is Christ's death and resurrection important? Is it just myth? Is perhaps true and we have to just trust it happened? What does that do anyhow?

In Matthew we read...

Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

"He shall save His people FROM their sins." What on Earth does that actually mean? Let's take a short journey...

In prophesying of the Messiah, Isaiah stated...

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

So WE (human beings) esteemed Him stricken, punished of God. Well that makes sense to me, here was this fella claiming to be the "Son of God" and yet he was captured, beaten, whipped, mocked and then nailed to a cross next to common criminals. Not the kind of thing for the "Son of God" to have to go through surely, kind of ridiculous you would think. No wonder WE esteemed Him stricken and punished of God.

Isaiah also stated...

Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

So there it says that God was satisfied with the travail of Jesus soul because it would be through the KNOWLEDGE OF HIM that He would justify many in bearing their iniquities.

Bearing iniquities? What on Earth is that all about? How do you bear someone else's iniquities?

Well, the context of "bearing iniquities" is FIGURATIVE in the same sense as the scapegoat described in Leviticus chapter 16...

Lev 16:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
Lev 16:22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

Obviously the the "literal sins" of Israel were not put on the scapegoat because literal sin (as well as literal virtue) is a not transferable property, sin is a moral issue pertaining to thought and action, not some substance you can move about the place.

God is simply presenting us with a PICTURE to illustrate forgiveness. With the scapegoat banished from the camp the people were granted a fresh start with the past not counted against them. In other words, on the Day of Atonement, when the scapegoat was released and the people of Israel had gone through all their rituals they held confidence that they could get on with things having been granted a fresh start by God. That is how it worked.

Of course such rituals could NEVER really clear their conscience as it says in Hebrews 9:9 because it was all just outward rite and ritual (form not substance), nothing to do with the actual heart.

The New Covenant is different to the Old Covenant, it is better because it is of the Spirit (2Cor 3:6) and deals exclusively with the heart (Heb 10:16) which is why all the old rites, rituals rules and regulations of the Old Covenant were abolished. In Hebrews it specifically states that Jesus death ESTABLISHED the New Covenant...

Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

The New Covenant is simply the testament of Jesus sealed with His blood.

So now let's go back to this bearing of sin/iniquities (Isa 53:6,11). The Apostle Peter actually quotes Isaiah (1Pe 2:24)...

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Take careful not in how Peter presents the Cross as an EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW through which being "dead to sin" we should "live unto righteousness." Our sins "dying with Christ" is directly connected to us being "dead to sin." Peter is not talking mere forgiveness here, rather, his words encompass an ESCAPE FROM BONDAGE. Consider...

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

HE THAT IS DEAD! Dead to what? Dead to sin (1Pe 2:24).

Not only do our old sins die with Jesus, our OLD LIFE dies with Jesus also which is why we "should live unto righteousness" and "henceforth not serve sin."

It's all a figurative picture of "dying to the old" that we can be "raised up to the new." Jesus did in fact teach, "whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it" (Mar 8:35). It certainly all makes perfect sense to me.

We turn over a new leaf if you will. A lot of people make New Years resolutions at this time of the year, yet how many actually die to sin?

So in that we die WITH Christ (representing repentance), we are then raised up to newness of life (represented by the resurrection) wherein we find ourselves free from both the bondage and condemnation of sin. We cannot have one without the other.

The Apostle Paul described it like this...

Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

So it is in THIS WAY we are now "returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls."

Now with the "bearing of sin" being in context let's return to Isa 53:11...

Isa 53:11  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: BY HIS KNOWLEDGE shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

What knowledge? Consider...

2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

So the means of "partaking in the divine nature" is wrought through the "knowledge of Him" having "escaped the corruption in the world through lust." Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" relates to being "dead to sin" (Rom 6:6) in that...

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Therefore they that are Christ's are no longer given over to the lusts of the flesh, rather we walk in accordance with the Spirit with our base passions figuratively crucified. It is in this state that our hearts are in a yielded state to God wherein HIS KNOWLEDGE is able to be received into our souls. James described it like this...

Jas 1:21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Being justified "by His knowledge" is simply expressing the concept of entering into the new life of LOVE wherein old things have truly passed away and all things have been made new.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

Jesus sacrifice declared God's righteousness (Rom 3:25-26). What is God's righteousness? Well consider that Jesus taught...

Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Now Jesus laid down His life for His enemies...

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Therefore Jesus sacrifice set forth the greatest example of LOVE ever declared before all the nations (God bare His holy arm - Isa 52:10) and thus declared the righteousness of God as Paul teaches in Romans. This demonstration of God's righteousness is the FOUNDATION STANDARD of the New Covenant, that being one of genuine love, sacrificial love, for God IS love.

1Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

By entering into love we find both remission of our past sins and reconciliation with God.

Heb 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 10:18  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Past sins remitted and the spiritual life established. There is no more offering for sin required because those whom have entered in have been truly washed and regenerated.

It's such a simple and beautiful message laid out before us all. We all know love works, I mean we DO know that. We would rather be around people whom love us and therefore have our well being in mind. Love certainly is beneficial to an orderly society.

If there is a God then He would certainly be a god of what actually works, a god of proper function, not a god of fiction or disfunction. Therefore God would certainly be a God of love, genuine sacrificial love.

Jesus offering Himself up on our behalf without spot makes perfect sense. It is not only testimony of God's love to the world, it is a testimony of God's love itself.

Therefore, by entering into the New Covenant, the covenant established on love, we have given ourselves over wholeheartedly to love, to God's standard of righteousness. It is in this way that God is JUST in justifying those whom believe in Jesus (Rom 3:26), His forgiveness and mercy is never license in such a context, it simply cannot be, for the ROOT issue of wickedness has been dealt with in the heart ONCE AND FOR ALL of the individual whom truly believes in Jesus.

Not "believe" in the sense of just "assenting to a fact or facts." NO! Rather believing in the sense of wholehearted identification with Jesus' example, teaching and spirit. Entering into the life of Christ through a real repentance and faith, a real change of mind which establishes true faithfulness and fidelity to God, a heart given 100% over to God's grace, SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH (Eph 2:8). This is the reason that I put so much emphasis in my material why ALL forms of substitution theology, where people "trust in the cross" wherein they THINK that their sin "was paid for" or some "satisfaction of justice took place" is DEADLY ERROR. That kind of mindset completely destroys the concept of the purging and purifying through which a real deliverance from sin occurs. You don't look at the sacrifice of Jesus and think it is some "magic thing" which somehow cleanses you. NO! You PARTAKE in the Cross wherein you DIE TO SIN that you may ONCE AND FOR ALL be established in the KINGDOM OF LOVE wherein you KNOW God and He KNOWS you. That is how it works!

The death of Jesus Christ established the New Covenant (Heb 9:15-17) FOR THE CAUSE of purging our conscience of dead works (Heb 9:14). Dead works simply being an allusion to ALL works done apart from the Spirit of God because it is the Spirit of God which brings life (2Cor 6:3). This is why Paul would teach...

1Co 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Unless we are truly established in love nothing else matters.

Jesus taught...

Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but IF it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." That is a pretty profound statement. A death before a resurrection.

Jesus taught that we must FOLLOW Him to the Cross if we are to be honoured by the Father. Jesus actually taught that and it makes perfect sense.

There MUST be a death or else one abides all alone, but IF one die (repentance) then the Holy Spirit can come into the cleansed vessel shedding that love of God abroad within (Rom 5:5) whereby much fruit may then be brought forth.

Please consider.


Scott.

The Trinity

The term "trinity" is divisive and causes confusion.

The early believers never used the term and therefore there was no divisiveness regarding such a line of thinking.

The term "trinity" was invented by theologians in an attempt to fit God into their predetermined theological framework, something that is totally unnecessary to do.

Jesus Christ is simply the "Son of God," the "Word made flesh," the agency through which all things were made.

Word = Logos

Logos in the Greek denotes the "spoken word" or "expression." The term denotes "reason" or "thought" and is where the English word "logic" is derived.

Jesus is simply the expression of God to humanity in the form of a human being. The Bible describes God as being both spirit and incomprehensible. God, in sending forth His Son, expressed Himself directly to humanity in the form of a human being (Son of Man) thus setting forth the perfect example of the nature and principle of God, that which is love. A love that is only truly manifested through the Spirit (ie. God Himself).

Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as a separate entity and yet at the same time identified Himself as the Holy Spirit, something which those whom uphold the Trinity completely overlook.

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Joh 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Jesus was the Spirit of Truth whom dwelt with the Apostles and it is the Spirit of Truth whom dwells in God's people, Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Both the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are simply expressions of God the Father. Not a Trinity, simply ONE GOD whom has expressed Himself in time and space that we can comprehend.

If we keep it simple we can avoid the confusion and divisiveness. The early believers never mandated some systematic approach to explaining God lest one be a heretic. They simply taught that Jesus was the Son of God and that it was through Him that all men might be saved, and preached the Cross as the means.

Think about it.


Scott

Psalm 15 and the Right Way

Psa 15:1  A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 

Psa 15:2  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 

Psa 15:3  He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 

Psa 15:4  In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 

Psa 15:5  He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Whom shall abide in God's house?

It is those whom WALK uprightly and WORK righteousness. In others words what we actually DO matters, how we conduct ourselves matters.

In order to WALK uprightly and WORK righteousness we must "speak truth in our heart." A parallel to this thought is the Parable of the Sower as taught by Jesus of Nazareth...

Luk 8:5  A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell...

Luk 8:8  ...on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

...

Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Fruit is brought forth with patience by those whom having "heard the word" then "keep it." These people are those with an "honest and good heart" the same as those whom "speak the truth in their heart."

Who shall abide in the tabernacle? Whom shall dwell in the holy hill? The Apostle Paul wrote that it is those who patiently continue in "well doing"...

Rom 2:7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

...who receive eternal life.

Why would that be? It is simply because they have have been established as "worthy." How may we be established as "worthy"? It is very simple...

Mat 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 

Mat 10:39  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 

The Cross is an instrument of death typifying the death of an "old life" that was "self seeking and disobedient to righteousness"...

Rom 2:8  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

It is in losing our old life (through genuine repentance - 2Cor 7:10-11) that we die to both contentiousness and disobedience to righteousness and truth. Being "dead to sin" we may then be raised up to "WALK in newness of life."

Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

Rom 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 

Rom 6:6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 

Rom 6:7  For he that is dead is freed from sin. 

Now carefully examine the Parable of the Wedding Feast as taught by Jesus of Nazareth...

Mat 22:1  And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 

Mat 22:2  The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 

Mat 22:3  And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 

Mat 22:4  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 

Mat 22:5  But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 

Mat 22:6  And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 

Mat 22:7  But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 

Mat 22:8  Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 

Mat 22:9  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 

Mat 22:10  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 

Mat 22:11  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 

Mat 22:12  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 

Mat 22:13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

The "wedding garment" is very simply an upright walk, working righteousness, in conjunction with speaking truth from the heart as depicted in Psalm 15.

Psa 15:1 A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Psa 15:2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Dear reader, are you worthy?

Do you walk uprightly, work righteousness and speak truth from the heart?

Consider the words of the Apostle Paul once again...

Rom 2:1  Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 

Rom 2:2  But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 

Rom 2:3  And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 

Rom 2:5  But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 

Rom 2:6  Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 

Rom 2:7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 

Rom 2:8  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 

Rom 2:9  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 

Rom 2:10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 

Rom 2:11  For there is no respect of persons with God.

Paul is teaching that what we DO matters. God is not a respecter of persons, He is a respecter of PERSONAL CONDUCT. We are not judged in regards to whether we are intellectual or not, whether we are rich or poor, or whether or not we are esteemed by others.

Our conduct or "fruit" is a manifestation of the true condition of our heart. We either have a heart established in the "love of God" through genuine "repentance and faith" or we don't. There is no middle ground or grey area, we cannot serve two masters (Mat 6:22-24), light and darkness do not mix (2Cor 6:14) and sweet and bitter water cannot be brought forth from the same fountain (Jam 3:11-12).

This is why John the Apostle wrote...

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

You CANNOT love the world and the things in the world and at the same time be established in the "love of God." True righteousness is not "smiley faced niceness" nor is it "tolerance and good feelings." True righteousness is a love of God and His way for God's way is the RIGHT WAY.

This temporal world and all its vanities will pass away in contrast to "the way, the truth, and the life" which NEVER will pass away.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

In order to be "found worthy" we must be ALIGNED with "the way, the truth, and the life." In other words me must spiritually aligned with REALITY.

The reality of God is LOVE hence...

1Jn 4:11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 

1Jn 4:12  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 

1Jn 4:13  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 

1Jn 4:14  And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 

1Jn 4:15  Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 

1Jn 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Not a superficial love as expressed so commonly by mankind, rather "divine love" which is truly sacrificial in seeking the well being of others, as demonstrated by Jesus sacrifice upon the Cross, where he "gave up" His life for the sake of "others" as an EXAMPLE to follow (Joh 12:23-26, 1Pe 2:21-25).

By following and abiding in that EXAMPLE we put on the "righteousness of Christ"

Gal 3:27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

...

Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

...

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

The Apostle Paul both understood and walked the right way.

Gal 2:20  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.

Paul had taken up his Cross following the example of Jesus and had therefore "walked uprightly" and "working righteousness" as he spoke truth in his heart.

I no longer wanted to be a part of the problem of evil in this world and therefore also decided to take up my Cross and die to my old life of worldliness and vanity. Jesus Christ worked wonders for me bringing me true peace and purpose, a peace upon my soul that was simply unimaginable.

Dear reader, how about you? Righteousness does work. The Cross is a wonderful opportunity that we have. I preach Christ Crucified and the Cross because IT WORKS.

1Co 1:23  ...we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 

1Co 1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 

1Co 1:25  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 

1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 

1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 

1Co 1:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 

1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence. 

1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 

1Co 1:31  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

IT WORKS! Not just in the here and now, which to be plain, is really more than enough. It also works in the sense that we'll be able to continue to dwell in the richness of God's kingdom in the world to come.

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Apostle Paul, Romans 8:18

Please consider.

Scott

The Conscience of a Community - Solving Corruption - Where Does It Begin?

Change begins in the heart and it is from a clean heart that one can then be a positive influence upon others.

Let's use some logic and reason.

Jesus was critical of the religious leaders in his day in saying this...

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." Mat 23:27-28

In other words, the Pharisees (religious leaders) put on an outward show of being righteous people but in their hearts they were actually compromised, selfish and evil. The solution to their problem was to...

"Thou blind Pharisee, CLEANSE FIRST that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." Jesus of Nazareth, Mat 23:28

In order to be truly clean/righteous on the outside one must first be clean/righteous on the inside. This is why Jesus preached REPENTANCE, the change of mind associated with turning away from all wickedness. We cannot offer a solution to others if we are not living example of that solution ourselves. Jesus stated it like this...

"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." Mat 7:1-5

Jesus was teaching that if one is to judge another's behaviour as wrong, and yet that one be in wrong behaviour themself, then the one judged will simply measure their accuser by the same standard and thus indicate their hypocrisy. This is something that occurs everyday all through society, people point at the iniquity that is around them and yet never FIRST deal with the iniquity within themselves. The problem with society is iniquity or lawlessness, in other words, people doing what they want lacking in care as to the effect it has on others or upon society as a whole.

Society needs leaders to stand up and not only advocate love and righteousness but to also LIVE love and righteousness. Anything less is simply empty platitudes devoid of any real substance. When the people see their institutions as corrupt then, in their mind, corruption is the norm and thus becomes acceptable.

If there are not leaders that advocate love and righteousness whom also LIVE love and righteousness then it is up to the individuals whom are not in leadership positions to BECOME leaders. Not necessarily leaders in governing institutions, wherein corruption is generally necessary in order to move up the ladder, but rather leaders in COMMUNITY. Advocate righteousness in the street, in the work place, in the home. The real issue with a corrupt society is with ALL the people whom make up the corrupt society. Jesus used the example of SALT...

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Mat 5:13-16

Where is the SALT today? Where are the LIGHTS on a hill today? Let US be responsible and be those lights. Anything less can really be summed up as a lack of love for others.

Please consider.

PARACLÉTOS - Advocate or Aide? (Study Notes)

Study Notes for "PARACLÉTOS - Advocate or Aide?" Youtube Video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cgp5PY6iqg

The Harmony of the Scriptures – Paraklētos – Our Advocate or Aide?

Isa 28:9  Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 

Isa 28:10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 

Isa 28:11  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 

Isa 28:12  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. 

Isa 28:13  But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. 

"Paraklētos" [Strong's 3875]

An intercessor, consoler: - advocate, comforter.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
properly, summoned, called to one's side, especially called to one's aid; hence,

1. "one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant; an advocate.
2. universally, one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor:; so of Christ, in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins.
3. in the widest sense, a helper, succorer, aider, assistant; so of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of gospel truth, and to give them the divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom.

Paracletos is rendered "Comforter" in every other instance in the New Testament...

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

…

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

…

Joh 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 

…

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 

Joh 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

Joh 16:9  Of sin, because they believe not on me; 

Joh 16:10  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 

Joh 16:11  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 

Consider…

Psa 119:1  ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 

Psa 119:2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 

Psa 119:3  They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 

...

Psa 119:150  They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. 

Psa 119:151  Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. 

Psa 119:152  Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. 

Psa 119:153  RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. 

Psa 119:154  Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. 

Psa 119:155  Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. 

Psa 119:156  Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. 

Propitiation

1Jn 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

Propitiation is "hilasmos" (G2434).

atonement, that is, (concretely) an expiator: - propitiation.

The same word appears in...

1Jn 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the PROPITIATION for our sins.

Mercy Seat – Place of Mercy

In Romans 3:25 we read...

Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a PROPITIATION (G2435) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

G2435 is rendered as "Mercy Seat" in...

Heb 9:5  And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the MERCYSEAT; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

hilastērion – G2435 (Strong's)

Neuter of a derivative of G2433; an expiatory (place or thing), that is, (concretely) an atoning victim, or (specifically) the lid of the Ark (in the Temple): - mercyseat, propitiation.

Hilaskomai – G2433 (Strong's)

Middle voice from the same as G2436; to conciliate, that is, (transitively) to atone for (sin), or (intransitively) be propitious: - be merciful, make reconciliation for.

hileōs – G2436 (Strong's)

Perhaps from the alternate form of G138; cheerful (as attractive), that is, propitious; adverbially (by Hebraism) God be gracious!, that is, (in averting some calamity) far be it: - be it far, merciful.

Now with all that in mind compare to the sentiment found here...

Heb 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 

Heb 10:17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 

Heb 10:18  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 

Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 

Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God; 

Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 

Heb 10:27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 

Heb 10:28  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 

Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 

Heb 10:30  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 

Heb 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

Notice these five points...

1. Law written upon the heart and in the mind (Heb 10:16).

2. Where remission of sin has occurred there is no more offering (Heb 10:18),

3. Remission and cleansing is wrought via the blood in approaching God with a true heart (Heb 10:22).

4. Once cleansed we are not to forsake encouraging one another to endure in love and good works (Heb 10:24-25).

5. There is no more offering wilfull sin (ie. return to rebellion), dynamic is designed to put an end to sin once and for all.

6. Therefore mercy is connected to a transformation having occurred; which can be compared to Psalm 32.

Psa 32:1  A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 

Psa 32:2  Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 

…

Psa 32:11  Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. 

Intercession

Isa 53:12  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 

Intercession - pâga‛ - H6293 (Strong's)

A primitive root; to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity: - come (betwixt), cause to entreat, fall (upon), make intercession, intercessor, intreat, lay, light [upon], meet (together), pray, reach, run.

Gen 23:8  And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, 

Gen 23:9  That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you. 

…

Gen 28:11  And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.

...

Gen 32:1  And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 

Huperentugchanō - G2541 (Strong's)

From G5228 and G1793; to intercede in behalf of: - make intercession for.

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 

Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Entugchanō - G1793 (Strong's)

From G1722 and G5177; to chance upon, that is, (by implication) confer with; by extension to entreat (in favor or against): - deal with, make intercession.

Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 

Rom 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 

Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Summing Up

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Heb 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

…

Joh 17:19  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 

Joh 17:20  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 

Joh 17:21  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 

Joh 17:22  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 

Joh 17:23  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

The harmony of scripture is a beautiful thing.

Bible teaches Ransom/Redemption

1.Comforter/Teacher/Aide

2. Sin Not/Freedom from Sin

3. Purged/Purified

Babylon Teaches Substitution

1. Advocate/Lawyer

2. Sin/Repent Cycle

3. Perpetual Cleanup