The Expression Bible

(The Expression Bible: Most study Bibles Commentaries are based in observation of external evidence and information, as it relates to the written word of God from the outside looking in, as the name denotes, commenting about it, which is good as a study aid. However, this requires back and forth reading of the scripture and the notes. This new version attempts to integrate the study into the reading of the scripture, while keeping it separate from the scripture at the same time in its layout to avoid confusion. It is also designed to study from the inside looking out, in that, it does not comment about it, but expresses itself in the first person, as though the author was offering the expression themselves, increasing readability. Then along with that internal expression, I am also integrating at times external evidences and observations, into the text of the Expression, not the actual scripture. The goal here then is to have an easier flow of the scripture text and the study text combined. This is not designed to appeal to theologians or detail oriented readers, who want to know the source of every expression. Rather it is to give the reader the benefit of the resource of theology, in an integrated, easy to read format. In other words, it is for them, who want to take the medicine, not those trying to learn how to decipher the writing on the prescription or be able to write prescriptions. It is written for the patients, not the doctors or even the pharmacists.)

The Apostles’ Ministry

4:1 People
> The image that you have of us needs to be the right one, or we are no more than false idols and man made fantasies. Though we cannot control your thoughts, we can still state what they should be in you. You have the responsibility of right thinking concerning us, just as we also must declare with distinct clarity, that which we are and not which others or we suppose us to be.
should think
> The manner after which you should perceive us and that which you estimate in us to be is this. So far as what your perceptions are, and the realty of what they are, need to be in harmony and coincide with the truth. So this is your mindset that needs to be in you, it should be fixed and absolute on Gods design, so that impressionable people do not sway you, which there will always be among you.
about us
> I must set the record straight of that which we are, regardless of what others imagine it to be, the true account of us is that which must be told. So that you do not suppose in your minds a wrong thing, and then pursue that all for nothing. The most important legacy to me is that I have taught the absolute truth about Christ, the message-of-the-cross and myself in relation to it. The rest that I do in life, I only see as mind clutter that steals away from me, that which would be my eternal rewards in heaven. I want myself and yourselves to be focused on the prize at the end of the race, and not on all the spectators who might be there just to watch us run. The world will tell you to stop and smell the roses along the way, to enjoy your life and not race for the prize. But since they will not be with you in the end in heaven, do not take their advice now on spiritual matters, to which they know nothing about, especially when Christ has taught and lived in the opposite manner before us.
this way
> I want you to know, that in regarding us, we are in a condition that is setup this way for us by Christ. It is not a position of idealist who are imagining vain things and gaining respect from among their worldly peers. It is a position that is delegated by higher authorities to lower authorities, to see that the hard labor is done, which no one wants to do. We are there to take the heat of what must be done to ensure the stable functioning of a governing body. We are the behind the scene foreman’s, whose duties lie in seeing the job done right, and to which we are the ones held accountable to the higher authorities, which is God thru Christ, in that responsibility we have been given.
as servants
> In this state then, we are labors who are below others in statue, as to how they act and perceive themselves in relation to us. What we have is authority without status or glory, we are never invited to societies ball or civil honors on earth, unless it is to wait on the tables, and govern over the proper dispensing of the food for others. Ours is not a place of high society, we are there to be used for a purpose by another, not to use others for our goals or purpose. We have not set the goals, they were set by the Father, thru Christ to be in us, and we are here to carry out the designs of the Father for him.
of Christ
> Referring back to what I have already taught you, we need to examine the relationship between the Father and Jesus, in order to have in us the picture perfect example of what this means to us. Because it is in the same manner they displayed for us, to who we are employed an entrusted with the responsibility of you, in dispensing that which we were given. In that, Jesus stated directly that he was a servant and that his was to do the will of the Father, with the authority to carry that out in the Fathers name. In so doing that, Jesus did not receive notoriety among the public figures, but rather was seen as a notorious individual to be put down. Now the people were drawn to him from the power source he represented, as the words he spoke were not like the human words they were hearing from the other public and religious leaders. Jesus was cutting them to the heart, and not giving them the same useless anecdotes that have plagued man from the beginning. Where their leaders were stating what they themselves needed, and merely communicating that for the people to hear. In disregard to satisfying the souls of the people, or demonstrating with the power the Father, which Jesus came to us with.
and stewards
> So you see we came to you, with the intention of distributing that which we have been given, and not keeping it to ourselves. We do not want to be an impediment, but a growth factor in the message-of-the-cross. We take our pleasure in seeing you as mature Christians, yourselves then dispensing the gospel in the same manner as we do. We are not seeking the adoration of society or the applause of them as mission; instead, we are fully invested in the message-of-the-cross. Being ourselves instilled in it and allowing it to work itself out for Gods glory in the church, which is the only fertile soil for us to grow in.
of the
> Ours is a mission based on another’s plan, not one we designed or that we construed among ourselves, as what we wanted to be done. Rather it is the plan of salvation in the message-of-the-cross, which we have been empowered by God to establish in a global church body, which he created for this very purpose. And it has a purpose in itself, to be the place where he reveals himself to his own people, who want to be openly known by him, as to who they are, who don’t conceal, but reveal and expose who they are to the message-of-the-cross. Because that is the place in us, where our lack of knowledge and insight exist, with our own admission of it, where our acknowledgment reveals it, so as to join in with God in the truth. In that, God knows all our thoughts and methods anyway, so it is for us but to be honest in them before him, that God is then able to add himself then, to our knowing of him, even as we are known by him. As King David spoke with desire, that God would search him and know him, so that he could know himself thru God. As God revealed to David, what David was revealing and not attempting to conceal before God, which might sound confusing. Because what we reveal, is to us a jumbled mess, which we cannot know or understand, but God can and will make sense in us, what we need to know about him and ourselves, so we are in a right relationship with the God of eternity.
mysteries
> So this has always been the practice of God, in all that God kept quite about and did not tell others he was going to do, but let them find out in due time, after the fact. He is know in the same manner, revealing thru his church and before the world, the message-of-the-cross, so that everyone is exposed to the cross and finds either salvation thru repentance, as the Spirit of God is making the cross acceptable in us to know its meaning. Or, condemnation, for having rejected the message-of-the-cross, angering the Father for having shed his sons blood for no reason in them. In that, they wasted the shed blood of his son, as far as it is concerning them. It was without a cause, so that in effect, Jesus died for nothing, and now, they must meet the maker of their souls and pay the price of it themselves, for the disrespect shown to his son.
of God.
> Because he is the infinite power that never ceases and never began, all that is, is because he has authored it and has authority over it. All substance and Spirit exist in him because of him having created it, so everything that there is too know, begins with God letting us in on it. If he does not, the vastness of the universe is far to great for finite man to take in. To even contemplate it, can make you feel like you are falling and have to catch yourself from it. We try to describe it in mathematical and nautical terms, but that is nothing compared to the reality of God and his power over his creation and destiny of it, in its design, purpose and ongoing activity that he is engaging in.

4:2 Now
> Behind all of this, is the fact the messenger must be believable and taken at his word. Not just to those who are receiving it, but in addition, the one who sent the messenger, must hold them to account for how they delivered it in their name. With the recipients having their trust pinned beyond the messenger and in the source or sender, as being faithful to the message, the messenger being as a transparent to the sender, as a faithful representation of it. This means we have a twofold picture here, the perception of the man in this, and the will of God, regardless of the perceptions of man. By that, I do not mean to disregard the perceptions of man, but to make them as the secondary reference here, not the main point. If I am not seeking myself to be legitimate before the church concerning the will of God, then I am without the means to be believed upon. However, the first point of my reference, in order to accomplish the second, must be in my relationship to God, and my conscious knowledge of that fact, in that he is faithful for us both, as being the relevant fact to now.
what is sought
> It is my purpose to seek God in me in this, which is the reason that I am searching out myself for us in this also, which is what makes it a reliable source for me to point out to you. It is to know God in the worship of my desires, to have him represented according to who he is, as that of my worship towards him, which is my meaning here. What I am seeking, is to worship God in the person of the character that I am. This is what motivates me to get it right, that it is not just about me, if it were, it could be questionable, as I am not infallible. However, you see, it is not about me, it is about you seeing past me, and seeing the God behind me, which is that which is infallible, God himself.
in stewards
> As a stated position of that which I am in then, I know that which I am set upon doing, is according to what it means of me to be in that position. I not only know the meaning of it, but endorse it as that which it should be over me, as a form of protection of both you and myself. All that is believable is embodied in the trust that we place in that position. Not only in your belief in me, but a targeted belief in the one that has sent me, in that, he has the power over me to hold me accountable, and will enforce that upon me. With not only you being aware of that, but that you know that I too, am fully cogenent it of that fact in me.
is that
> That is then the purpose within me, of that which I want you to know concerning me in this. That everything I am doing in the church, has a consequence for you and for me, and that I am self-aware of that fact in me. That what is good for you, is good for me, so then, what is bad for you, is then also bad for me. Because in the message-of-the-cross, we are inexplicably and inescapably linked to one another in Christ body, the church. I can not explain or understand the power of God that binds us in his Holy Spirit, but I know its results and affect in me, that I may declare it openly, with confidence in it, despite me. If what we in the church claim ourselves to be in, that is, in the power of God, yet it is not obviously effectual for his purpose. Then we could dismiss it, but that is not the case, for we have all been changed thru the power of Christ, in the church.
one
> It is this individual responsibility that I take in me as a life principle, which I am pointing out to you about me, that I am trying to convey to you, to act in for your own benefit also. This is part of a progression of the church state, which is not just constituted in me, to end with me. Were it just for me, why would I labor for others, if I did not believe it for them to be recipients and imitators of it also? However, here, in this instance, I am the one who is in focus, so it is worthwhile to establish my state of mind in it now, so you will be established later, apart from me.
be found
> That the perception of me in the church is found to be unquestionable in these matters, backed up by my deeds, and believed upon as the word of God in these matters. As this is out of necessity, as that which was institutionalized in you from God, having believed upon the power of God in you. As it was with me also, at the onset of what is our salvation in us, which is what has given credence to what we all do together in his church. That it is an established fact, that it is not in our ability to make it so, but in Gods ability to oversee the matters of the church, with all the powers at his disposal to make it so. And because of that fact, I have my eye on the one who sent me, seeking his approval over that of them that I go to, as he is the purpose in me, to go out to others with the message-of-the-cross, and not their approval rating of me.
faithful.
> So that it is my desire then, to be reliable as a solid source of correct information, that I have an accountability in mind for that which I do, and am taking seriously the needs of others before myself. That their trust in me, is based in their trust in God in the both of us, to do his will as he sees fit.

4:3 So
> As a matter of thought, you need to know that I am not discouraged by the thoughts of others concerning me. As they are not that in which I am found out, as in whom I am. Opinions are on the minds of everyone, and so there will be many concerning me. I am not going to waste time and energy, trying to rectify or redeem myself from them to all those who may have a problem with me.
for me,
> As for my perspective of things, it is not an issue of relevancy, as to how I am perceived, as to my good or evil that others perceive in me, except for the expediency of the gospel and to have that qualified in me. So for our overall sake in this, am I making a statement, which is as much for instruction in you, as it is for anything in reference of importance to me.
it is
> The meaning of perception and its influence that it has internally in me then, is not a point of issue, it is a disregarded fact in me. It is not a point that I choose to dwell on, because it would only remove my focus away from Christ and onto me.
a minor
> The direct proportion of how we see what happens here on earth, and the relevancy of it that we allow to play over in our minds, will show itself in our attitudes towards each other, take mine for instance in this matter. It is not in direct coalition with that which I will be coming into in the eternity with our God, with whom I hope, we are all seeking to find in all our correspondence with each other. I know that whatever is before us, and that which we are focused to a great degree on, obscures that which is beyond it, as being somewhat blurred, as is the nature of our vision, so it is in our minds, leaving it undefined in us. So that is why I practice the principle of disregarding temporal obstacles, which cannot be understood in relation to their exposure to the message-of-the-cross. I am keeping my focus on what is beyond the temporal in us, no matter the issue, which may even be a hard one, I am not looking to live in it, but beyond it, which is a discipline of the mind to do so. Having dept of vision in real life is a part of adulthood, children do not lookout beyond that which they are doing in the innocence of their play, just as a matter of their childhood. However, mature adults learn to expand their field of vision to take in more of the world around them, as part of that understanding that they come into in life. They know and have learned that there are to many dangerous things, which could wound them in many different ways and therefore remain cautious about their outlook. Not just visually, but mentally they are watching out as well, and it is this mindset, which I am applying to this spiritually as well for me, as it should be for you.
matter
> The issue at hand, is easily replaceable with another down the road, and another after that. In that, they are only seen as being superlatives in the imaginations of them who focus on them, but in reality, are masking what is important, replacing the important things, with what at the time appears to be the urgent thing to do. So I do not place any value in how I am dealt with in this, in that I consider myself disposable in my life with Christ on earth. Where others among you, see themselves as indispensable in the life and blood of the church, which is what I am warning you against.
that
> As a result of this, and in light of my comparing it to eternity to come, that which occurs among you or another church, in respect to me. That itself, I have set aside in my thinking, so as not to let it disturb me. So that the intent of what you do, is not an impediment, to that which I do in the Lord, in the church. In addition, that it is a living example for you also, that you leaders do not think that respect of others is paramount, to the task that Christ has bestowed on you in honor. Because that alone should be your fulfillment in life, which Christ gave to you, as a part in what he is doing, as your gift from him. The position you hold is another matter, as far as respect goes, but for yourself, your personal pride should be a disposable item in you.
I am
> The fact that I am the target of others and that I am the one that some other person or group is using as an excuse to do what they are doing. That itself is a poor excuse or reason for what they are doing, and should be a red flag of warning, that something is amiss in their own intentions. For anyone to focus on another human and what they have done, for the purpose of a movement they then incur on and then influence among the people to join them in. Is itself, a contempt upon themselves, and not upon the one they are trying to put the focus on. They claim the intentions of the other as where the error lies instead of claiming what they do right in God, but examination, will show that is they who judge in such manner, will be judged for it by God in the great judgment day to come. For they have not judged themselves in Christ first, as to the intent of their heart, as being solely directed for the message-of-the-cross as their only desire, but it is that other desire in them for self-respect in the church, which is causing the harm in the church.
judged
> So if I am investigated by others, it is of no concern by me, what they discover about me, because Christ in me is my accountability, which I esteem higher in me, than anything that they could presume in me to be at fault. For he knows the secrets of my heart, as that lesson I earlier taught you on, which are hidden from other men, but Christ knows in you and me. So to me, these are but mock trials, without merit or authority to back them up, nothing more than people playing church, instead of living it, as I and Apollos having been subject to do, all these years that you have known us. Think on that, if it is on your minds to have discernment instead of judgment, and maybe you will see the fruit of our labors, is the evidence of Christ’s authority in us.
by you
> What does concern me, is that you have placed yourselves on this pedestal above other humans, as being a people who think they see more clearly from that vantage point than others. Even though Christ came to us in the lowly one of a servant, you have come to us in preeminence over us. So I ask then, where is Christ in that, where is the message-of-the-cross in what it is you are doing, who taught you this, in that, it did not come from either Christ, myself, Apollos or the Apostles? Did it not come from men apart from Christ, who thought themselves to be greater than others around them and are acting it out among you. Your place is a position in the church, that is not there to dictate doctrine or even to form opinions based in the deliberations among yourselves, as what might seem good to do in your region. You joined up willing with a higher cause than yourselves, and now you are trying to take the reins away from them who led you to Christ in the first place. On a ship, this is called mutiny, in the church, it is apostasy and defection from the foundation of truth, which we gave you as Christ being the only motivation in you, which is acceptable and justifiable before God, and redeemable by Christ for reward. So what I am saying is, that the formation of opinions formed by you, outside of the official church council among the Apostles, will not become doctrine or included in the scriptural teaching of the church. You are out from under its authority, and if you remain that way, it is Christ who will remove you from the power of his grace, to be effective at anything that is of him to do.
or by
> Neither do I consider them in the church as something, any more than do I consider those who are outside the church to be something; what is the difference, is my opinion? If they are not about the message-of-the-cross, as their central and sole purpose, than I see no value in them. Whether they are telling me they love God or hate God, if they are acting against church authority, to me they are one group with the same intentions, rebelling and in disobedience to God. One I have to battle with from without, the other from within, because neither has the message-of-the-cross, as the central theme in them, as the dedication of their souls.
any human
> As the human view in this is, they have disregarded God as having first place in their decision making process and say so openly. Where you have acknowledged God, but then have disregarded his ways in you as being sovereign without your consent, which means, you think yourselves to be sovereign over him. So where is the difference, it is only in your mind, but not mine. You say yes to God with your lips, but no to his will in your heart, while they say no to God and his will. The end result of your actions concerning the church, is the same in you and them, because God looks on the heart in his judgment of you both, not on your words, and finds the same thing.
court.
> This opinion of man, which makes up what they think, is ever changing day to day, with no absolute authority behind it. Which is what I am referring to when I draw a relation between you and them, I want you to see them in what you are doing, so that you realize that there is a great gap between them and the church. But you are drawing your thinking from their side and not that of the church and its absolute authority that has been given to the Apostles by Christ, in order to establish doctrine in the church, independently from the opinions and the influences of the world around them.
In fact,
> Consider this, and know that it is true in me, that I have taken into consideration the self-examination of myself in the message-of-the-cross, which is my only point of reference that I accept as judgment in me. Because I do not mind in the least, a reminder that it is the only thing that is of value in me, which is the gospel and my remaining on message with it.
I
> I enjoy that as being my only purpose in me and want nothing more than that in me. So if people are going to focus on my intentions, I am going to use that to focus on Christ intentions to be right within me, and not use it as an excuse to debate my own worthwhile existence in me, in the church. To me, everything is a reason to give God the glory, and for me to have glory in that and not me being found right or wrong. It is not about fixing blame that resolves any issue in life, but being fixated on Christ, which will in the end, prove that his love in us will see us thru it. If that were our course in us all, these things would not arise, because they cannot exist in the message-of-the-cross. Because it is the single event, that destroys the power of the world in us, to which the spiritual powers are fighting over us in.
do not
> With that in mind then, I am not able to find fault in that which I am doing in relation to the message-of-the-cross. In relation to you as a people, you may say what you will, but I will only hear what you say in that relation to the gospel, as having a point of reference in me that I should be concerned about. As I cannot meet the requirements of those who desire the ways of the world to be in me or in the church, as a course change from the direction that I have already laid out in you and me, in the gospel.
even
> To me it is just a waste of time to compare myself to others or the ways of the world, when their approval of me is irrelevant to me. Not that the people are irrelevant, but the opinion of man is without merit, so as to change the word of God in me to do according to his will as my God.
judge myself.
> Having said that, I have nothing to declare to you, of that which I find necessary for me to change in myself towards you, in the message that I gave to you, or in the doctrines that I set in you to do. So, if someone is finding error in me, it is not in the message-of-the-cross, so then it must be in them and their not being in the message-of-the-cross, which is my consideration of me in is matter.

4:4 For
> You see the premise here is to them a matter of who gets respect in the church and who in turn gets disrespect in this. They see it in a way that for them to look good, I must look bad, so that they can have dominance over you. This is a point where I have no plan to challenge them on, as to who I am as one of prominence, because I do not seek to dominate, but to be dominated by Christ and his power in me. What they have is a desire of a worldly nature, a desire that requires prominence and rivalry among man, which has been there since the fall of man. It is just a replay of that same fault, which has held us in bondage all along. So I want us to look away from that standard of men competing with men, and find us each looking to the standard of Christ. Where we will quickly find ourselves each as individuals, out of place in such thinking and of it as having relevance for the church or us.
I am
> As I have said, I have studied my own intentions, and included in that review of them, what I did in my relations with you. I see nothing that I need to do over in a different way, which would have changed the outcome of its effect in you, which is revealing itself in you know. Not being able to be in the mind of others, I contend that it is now up to you, once I have laid Christ as your foundation, as the only foundation. For you to then construct upon it, the will of the Lord in you, as your part in the church. That I myself, am without the power of cause and effect in you, for what has occurred in you in my absence.
not aware
> If I did do something that is wrong, I can’t see it, so I don’t know why I should be getting so much attention from others because of it. There does not seem to me, to be any apparent coalition, between what I did among you and what they are doing among you. That would cause them to bring me into suspect, as to have that reflect itself in the hearts and minds of the church to be against me. It would seem more a necessity for them on their part to move me out of the way, for their benefit alone and not yours.
of anything
> Therefore I have nothing that I can rectify, as all there seems to be is rumors and accusations without merit or substance for me to have something to reconsider in me. The opposition seems to oppose me for no reason that I can see, except for the purpose of creating a division in the church. To which there can be no mind of Christ in them for such behavior.
against myself,
> If I am to find blame in myself, I at least need some evidence revealed of it in me, as I am not going to begin second guessing my relations with you, or just sit and worry that someone has something against me that I am not able to validate as truth. Mind-games are meaningless ventures of delusion, which never have any good outcome to them.
but
> On the other hand, I am not going to whitewash myself either, I know all to well, that I am a sinner in need at all times, of Christ redeeming work to continue in me, in setting me free from that which I am unaware.
I am
> You see, I realize that I am not able to stand in judgment of even my own self, because my judgment is flawed, so I may misjudge myself and acquit myself, while being guilty. I must be judged by one more worthy than myself, for it to be a true judgment in me.
not acquitted
> You see, my innocence is not in my hands, nor is it in my stated opinion to make that call, because it is not in my power to enforce my judgment as the final answer. Nothing I determine will make it so, concerning the intentions of my heart, which must one day be judged.
because
> With that in mind, I intend to relieve myself of this and let in come under the judgment of God, who is worthy to make this call in me. My own conscience is not an absolute, which I would rely on it in such matters to reveal to me, that which others see in me.
of this.
> As I have no self-respect to gain or lose in this, I have no ulterior motives, to prevent me from not allowing God to be my sovereign judge in this. I prefer to be guided by God and not my own thoughts, which are prone to concealing what I do not want to see.
The one
> I have a reference in me, that points to that which is above me in all things, one in whom I have no debate with, because there is no error in him to mislead me in anyway or position. In this though, I have only knowledge of it as a fact, as it is not always the present of mind in me to do so in life according, to that knowledge. It is though, the only truth in me, which I know is a sure end in me, to which I trust.
who
> God is worthy in who he is, so it is to him whom I will defer this decision to, it is his ability to get beyond me and discover me for myself where I rest. In that, there is not a discovery process for God in us, because he created us and knows the essence of our makeup. He does so for the relationship with us, to find us out because he is able to in his sovereignty. He chooses to cultivate us from out of that old creation, into the image he intended for us, after his son’s likeness.
judges me
> His is the true obligation, to hold man to account, as God, he holds the only reigns of power that have eternal control over every created thing, whether physical or spiritual, he is the only judge of them all. Therefore, it is into his hands that I will delight in my judgement, because I know that he is doing so to redeem me now, and not condemn me. All his instruction to me is intended for correction and will not cause me any eternal harm to my basic salvation.
is the Lord.
> It is in providence then, that Jesus is Lord over the church, and only he is able to determine how it is to be cultivated and tended over to produce the fruit that which he desires from us. It is his decision then, which determines our course here, and I will give way to that, as should you, as he judges this matter in us, now and in the future.

4:5 So then,
> Knowing then, that we are disabled in our abilities in having an absolute perspective of things, we should be slow in criticisms and points of view. We deal with only fragments of information, and from them, attempt to construct the whole man. And even in doing that, we tend to leave out the pieces that do not arrive at the preconceived picture or shed light on someone in the way we want to view them.
do not
> We should have a standard policy of going slow when it comes to passing judgment on someone else. So that false accusations, do not have opportunity to inflame passions, without the option of a thorough review of someone of higher standing.
judge anything
> There is among you, an a predominance to criticize as a way of life, something that was part of your culture, which should not be there in your Christian culture. A leftover relic that should be discarded as of now, and replaced with the grace that was shown you by Christ.
before
> Because if we jump to conclusions, without ever having been purged ourselves in the matter at hand, as to having some ulterior motives, we cannot be relied upon for our outcome in us. If our decision making process itself, is flawed, then we will not be able to move forward in a fruitful and predictive way in the message-of-the-cross.
the time.
> There is a season coming for these things to be held in account in us, so we must delay our judgments, until we ourselves are ruled upon. Then we will know what is in us also, so that we are not so prompt to take up the errors of others, having so heavy a weight revealed in us at the same time. It could be the very compassion that we should have had all along here on earth, will finally be accepted by us as a state of mind, as we receive it in us ourselves from Christ.
Wait
> So put off from you now your frustration with others, as that which will resolve it, will not occur for some time to come, so that you can focus on that which is actually here with us now. There is a balance, where you should not be so distant minded of Christ judgment, anymore than you should be too focused on the every event. Where, they are as a preoccupation in you, preventing you from seeing the relevant things, which are the things that we are engaged in right now in the gospel. Let the Lord deal in the future, for that which it will be and lets us stay the course in the gospel, without preoccupation with the present. Therefore, what I am saying is, put off everything that is not directly connected to the message-of-the-cross and its dominance in our lives.
until
> The conjecture that we will use here to determine these things, which has to do with the hearts of others, is out of place here in the church. We lack the ability to make such eternal judgements of either absolution or a charge upheld against man. It takes God who is an eyewitness to every account of man, who has kept an accurate record of each of us, will then there weigh the account of every thought. That is the only time, and only person who is able to judge precisely, without error or assumption on every detail of your life.
the Lord comes.
> When that Day of Judgment comes, we will all have wished that we had not been so quick to criticize others. When we see clearly that we had so many errors along the way ourselves that bound us to be, more like them that we accused, that being different from them as a separate course, we were all what they were as, "peas in a pod".
He
> It is Christ who will show the comparisons in us as they really are and not as we might suppose them to be. He will make the right comparisons of good and evil, without prejudice to what would be our own desires in these same issues.
will bring
> He brings to the table, the head seat at the end of the table, to which we all be set against to see what is true in us. There will be no murmuring of one group against another, trying to find the backing to reach a consensus, which is convenient for their situation only. The allegiances between man will all be broken, and the silence of them who once spoke loud for all to hear, will itself be deafening, in a manner of speaking. As they must answer alone, without the aid of anyone, as to what were the misconstrued motives in the matters of the church.
to light
> The secrets will no longer be secrets and lies will not be allowed to be concealed as a veil of truth, which we attempt to promote them as, to have our way with things. Every intention will be shown for what it was, and no thing will distract from the true heart of the man being revealed.
the hidden things
> All our ulterior motives will be known as just that, your private thoughts, will become public knowledge for all to see. The evidence of guilt will be the testimony of yourselves, incriminating you to your own compliance in the matters of intent of the heart to commit sin. Others will not testify against you, your own thoughts when revealed will fully convict you as single link in you to your sins.
of darkness
> Evil and holiness will be divided from one another, leaving us without the ability of finding a connection or devise between them, allowing us no way to use them in conjunction with each other, as is the case on earth. The most obscure things we think or do, will be front and center before Christ. As he examines us for what good things can be rewarded us, and what evil things will have taken their toll on us in our eternity with him, as a form of loss of estate in eternity.
and reveal
> A discovery process will then take place, an inspection in everyone who belongs to Christ, to find out the absolute truth in them. Every suspect deed of others will be found out with absolute assurance of its truth. No wicked way will be gotten away with, without it having passed into Christ hands for judgment. The shelter darkness, which we hid in to hide our sins, will be uncovered and the forgotten sins of our past, will be remembered by us once more, as Christ, investigates us himself.
the motives
> Every intention, whether good or evil, every purpose will be shown for what it is, and will not be able to color things a different shade then what they are. That, which is obvious about us to God alone right now, will then become obvious to everyone. Your secret thoughts will be common knowledge, and I am not saying that not every thought will turn out to be evil, in that, the Holy Spirit is renewing us. The positives will amplified in us and the negatives will be discarded, along with any reward we might have had in place of that situation that gave rise to sin in us.
of hearts.
> Because there in that most secret place, where your thoughts and feelings were cultivated by you, and then matured in you, as to who and what you became as the exterior of you. The way you became in life is in the end, your own fault, or your own benefit. Situations aside, it is how we respond which is crucial and relevant in us, and not the situation itself, which is deeded in us as the evil or glory. The situation could actually have been a very positive event, in which we merely took the glory for it ourselves, as opposed to a negative event, in which we declared war on another.
Then
> Then at that time, it will be seen as it should be, in the open, so that no one is either unnoticed for the good they did, or the evil that they portrayed in a cloak of deception. Every subject will be determined, to be both truth and promotion, or its consequence will be upon each one alone, for what was in them to do it and a loss.
each
> The good will rise to a good occasion in us before Christ, and each of us will know how we did. No one will be able to take credit away from you, for what you did yourself, and Christ will acknowledge everyone who is rightfully deserving for having acted in faith to him for that which they did.
will receive
> It will be given to us accordingly, nothing will be overlooked and dismissed out of hand, as not being significant to God, if it was done in faith. It will be published, as it was the common knowledge of its time for all eternity. It will become a permanent living record of who you are on earth, as God passes all your deeds into eternity. You will not have as a result of this, the chains of failure hanging on you in heaven after this judgment, but you will be minus in you, the promotion that he would have given you, had you lived in faith alone to him.
recognition
> Every deed will be acknowledged as representing the faithful walk we had in Christ, and it will be said so in public commendations, so that truth is established, which is the intent of God to do. This is in the end, about God being glorified in establishing his truth in us, it is the victory of God over evil that will be the shining monument that we will ourselves also take glory in. God will in this process, show his praise for our doing right and acknowledge our faithful acts in him.
from God
> As I said, it is all in his power to do this, as he is the only sovereign God, and there is no other to contend with for us, which is a perspective in itself for us to consider. That our destiny has but one end for every person which is ever born, and that is God alone, no other created being will have any say in us, but God, who is the creator.

4:6 I
> Not wanting to engage in finger pointing myself with those who among you who this might apply too directly. I have chosen to picture a different group of people, as though they were similar to you, so that you could view what they are doing from the outside looking in, and from that gain perspective about yourselves.
have applied
> I have taken the essence and substance of yourselves, and instituted that condition onto them, so that you could see the negative effect that it would cause on them and the church. I transfigured the story to better fit the situation you are in, to better accommodate you, so that I could draw you in, rather than push you away.
these things
> In a much lesser way, this method I learned from what Christ did for us, taking upon himself our condition, so that we could see more clearly the good and evil that is prevalent among man. Therefore, I am applying that lesson and bringing the issues that you are facing and directly importing them into my life, as though I were in the mix directly with you, as may very well be the case with some of you.
to myself
> I am making myself an example, rather than naming names among you, and creating a division between us. I am basically taking the blame for the situation among you and rebuking the way that I am acting, though merely as a simulation for your benefit.
and Apollos
> I have also included Apollos in this, so that you could see that although we are much alike in our thinking, we are much different in our presentation and personalities. Which are the external things that we do not focus on, rather we focus on the gospel, as that which is necessary among you. I am not greater than Apollos, nor is he greater than I, but we are both in service to the greatness of God being made known thru us, in different applications of our spiritual gifts that God gave us.
because
> Now this we did, not so that we could benefit from it, in that, we already understood together this very message that we are delivering to you. The reason we used ourselves, was to actually discredit us from being considered in anyway, to have an intrinsic or native state in us, which showed itself to be some form of greatness in the eye’s of man. That it is not just some inherent quality that some posses and others do not, but that every man is equivalent to every other man, and only Christ is unique in us that shows himself thru all of us as power.
of you,
> You are main objective in this though, not ourselves, we simply wanted to provide opportunity for you to develop discernment thru us as a model of what not to do, so that you can mature in Christ and not remain in infancy longer than you should.
brothers and sisters,
> We consider you affectionately among the church, as the beginning part of what God is doing for the benefit of every believer who will come after you. They will have a stake in what you are doing now, as the forerunners who established in them, the proper dialogue for resolving the difficult conflicts that arise in the church. Because we are still in a sinful nature on earth, which desires conflict as its nature to be part of us.
so that
> We created an object lesson, formed from our names and personalities, solely for the purpose of training others from our example in this. Our intention is instruction of the church and nothing more, the figures we generated out of ourselves, are fictitious for the most part, though there might be some truth with some people concerning us, they are meant for your own personal application, not for ours.
through us
> We see ourselves merely as conduits of the message-of-the-cross and men whose purpose is to give the church its tutorials on doctrine, in whatever form or method helps them to understand the Christian walk as it should be. In addition, if that means it is convenient to use ourselves as a punching bag, so to speak, we are more that willing to do it for your benefit. We would love nothing more than to see you emulate what you have seen in us in these issues among you, and put the weight of it on us, if that will help you move forward.
you may learn
> That is what we learned from Christ example in us, and it is that which we ourselves are emulating to you. We not only need to build on each others work, but we need to rely on each other for instruction in that work, and that in the proper order of authority, which God has instituted in the church for us. Learning our restraints is as important as is learning how to move forward in the work that Christ commissioned us to do in the message-of-the-cross.
"not to
> That it has the affect of stunting growth, when our limits are based in affections towards one individual or another, causing exclusions to appear among you as normal behavior, when it is abnormal for the church to have known in it, such persuasive things. That you cannot become mature, if you still preserve in you the things that are of the rivalries of youth in nature, but not of God.
go beyond
> You need to set up boundaries against that which is external to the Spirit of God in the church and not trying to single out spirituality in the church as existing in individuals, what ever their makeup might be. We should be exclusive to each other in our fellowship with the Spirit of God in us, so far as how that relates to the world by comparison. But that is where we need to end that distinction of exclusion of people and then promote inclusion within the church, so that the body life of the church is healthy and maturing.
what is written,"
> You need to acknowledge and have respect for that which is established as the scripture for you to live by, as the only basis for the church to be in you thru. You must reject all other philosophies that do not originate from us the Apostles and the laws of God, which came thru the Jews.
so that
> It is the only way to contain the vain imaginations of the flesh, which is its desire to continue in you to be the god of its destiny. The scripture is the restraint that God has given you, so it is what he deems right for you to adhere to. Breaking that bond, does not impress God in the least, and you are not showing him self-fortitude, but rebellion in such thinking. What we have done instead, is provide a demonstration of how things should be, and the temperament that should exist among you for each other.
none of you
> Church life is not the place to show your individuality, it is not how or what God created the church body for. It is the place where you come to be equal in your relationships with each other, not a separate dynasty for you own plans of empire. It is not about being singled out among church peers that is what brings you into companionship with the message-of-the-cross, being single-minded actually opposes the message. It is being lost in that message, which is where you are buried yourself in the glory of God and are then shown to be fruitful by God himself thru you. It is the opposite of the thinking of mankind, that God shows favor to you, not by trying to apply your humanity to God, but supplanting your humanity, with the spiritual life that God has created completely new in you.
will be
> If you listen and adhere to this, the state you will be in, will be as it should, in representing Christ in the church body. You will leave behind the me first mentality and accept your place in the church where God has chosen for you to be, which is exactly where you will desire to be, once it is established in you.
puffed up
> False pride should not be your calling card in life, which is not an established trait in the church by God, but a rejected one by him. So you must not think that it can flourish in the church as a part of a functioning ministry, it will only tear down that which the church is there to build up, which is humility in life towards God and one another.
in favor of
> It is how you subject yourselves to one another, which is the real essence of what God is establishing in you. So if you are acting in an opposite manner to that, in reality, you are not acting as the church, even if you are a Christian, you are a separate entity when you act in that manner. If you feel that one person is not part of you or another is more like you and a part of you. Then you are not a functioning part of the church, no matter how you label what you are doing; you cannot dissect some from the church body, as you see it in your mind to be.
the one
> Having a hierarchy of relevant friends for one group you associate with, and then another category of people who you feel are irrelevant to the church. Is what should be an obvious sign in you that you have misinterpreted the church and its application in your relationship with God. Because you will not have a relationship with God, without having a relationship with his church, which is in proper order of his design of it. He will not allow it, or allow you to pick and choose that which is appropriate to represent him in the church, as the proper order of people, as to who and where they should be. That is in the providence of God to do, and not subject to the thoughts of man on the subject.
against
> Having opposition against other Christians is not why God brought us together in the first place, it would have been rather pointless for God to bring together a people just so that they could have something to squabble over. It was also not so that you would have an audience to hear you prove yourself right and another wrong to.
the other.
> Those you oppose are Gods children, just as much as you claim yourself to be, and he makes no distinction between you and them, so far as that value you claim to have of one over another. Every redeemed child is equal to the value of the blood of Christ, which the Father spent to redeem you with, and nothing more costly could be spent for you, or is able to be added to it, or taken away from Gods estimate of Christ blood. Not to mention that we are not to bear false witness, and that we are not to covet what another has, which both come from the Ten Commandments and apply here as the violated ethics to God.

4:7 For
> Examine with me the reasoning behind this, and you will see the entire premise of how my defense applies to all of us equally in the church. All the different bits and pieces of life will come into play in the church, but not as we would associate them with us or find value in them. But as God does it apart from us even being aware that it was he all along that caused the influence, to obtain the goal.
who
> Look at the root source of this which is going on among you and compare it to God, as are his resources in you, just to get a feel of the vast difference of why things are as they are in your church body. Consider the strength and power of these mere men and what they are able to have cause and effect over. Compare them to Gods sovereignty and his providence over all creation, and choose who is so great among you in such a comparison. If you choose in favor at all with man, your heart is soiled against God in all your thoughts, in thinking God is some how like man in his ways, and that man is in anyway like God. In that, the loftiest man, is but a speck of sand before all the vastness of God, so to even consider man as a relevant cause and effect, is blindness in you to God. With this in mind then, where did this negotiation take place, that left you in a high position, acknowledged not just by others beneath you, but those above you, in this case God.
concedes you
> That being the case, who are these high-minded people themselves then, that they should think themselves to be above another. What poll did they take, which gave them the mind to do this, other then the poll they took of their own mind in them to succeed over others, they did not poll God in this. So as to find it acceptable for you to withdraw physically from the fellowship of others in the church, and to be in and demonstrate partiality in your thinking of others. Delegating, as it were, to their value to God in the church, that it is being established thru your position, where you have set it in motion in them, in both mind and body. Where it is your consideration of them, that is judicial above all others, and that being the critical possession, for them to have obtained it from you. Such high thinking you have of your own opinion, that you should be so confident of them in the church, which you have chosen, to supposedly do Gods will thru them. Even though you have left off from that list the very chosen leaders of God, whom he spent the blood of Christ on to redeem for his glory in the church- not a healthy thing to do.
any superiority?
> The very fact, that you are able in your minds to elevate yourselves to be over the masses in the church. Shows you own irreverence to God and his authority over you and his church, which is his and not yours. You are but an invited guest yourself, you are not hosting the church event, with God as your show and tell guest of honor. Where the focus is on what you have done for God, in providing him a choir to sing to him, and peasants to serve him, thru you of course, not according to Gods bidding. You see this is all taking place in your mind, but it is not real, God has not given you his reigns of power, nor is he sharing his throne with you as part of the church programs you come up with. What occurs in the true church of God, is chaste to Christ in the essence of it, to do his will, and is an absolute in them, in knowing no other authority but his in you and in the church body. It is prosperity in knowing God, as the first and only authority structure that he has established and gave to man, not what we have devised to suit us best in the flesh. Rather, that we then have a true connection in us with the Father, thru Christ redeeming us, in constant fellowship from the Holy Spirit.
What do
> In reemphasizing my point, just look at the source of your troubles and you will not find God, but man attempting to imitate the representation of Gods power over you, but not wanting God to have authority over you without them. These may say they are not equal with God with their lips, but their actions tell a different story of what they believe. There is a definite dividing line that they have made, which affords them the luxury that they desire in the church, at the complete expensive of Gods authority in the church and in them. This does not provide the church with prosperity in God, because the prosperity is only thru them and in their human resource, which is all they have to work with. It is actually poverty with God, in relation to what they provide to you, apart from is Gods will to do in your life.
you have
> It is only God who modifies the church in any way from that of being no more than a gathering of people. It is God who transforms that gathering into his accepted audience, to have the fullness of his glory, at work in them. It is God who brings us in, not us bringing God down that brings this about. That is the point that they miss, they put the emphasis on themselves in the church, and not on us, in God, in church. Which is why you do not have unity, because you assume some sort of responsibility for having caused the event yourself, rather than all the church having come together, apart from themselves, thru the power of God holding them together. You believe that your possession in the church is self-endowed, self-made and held there by your own power to keep it under your control, which is false. You believe it came out of you and came about because of you, denying only Gods power to be the cause and effect of this in the church, by accepting responsibility for it yourselves.
that you
> If we are going to take a closer look at ourselves and focus on us, than we need to begin with what was not of our choosing, as opposed to what was of us. We must first eliminate every possibility that does not apply to us as having been the result of the human connection in the church, and what ever is left as is said, however unimaginable to man, is the truth. The idea being here, that we come to terms with the reality that the human part of life is very limited in its ability to do little more than procreate, which truly improves upon the human condition. No amount of human wealth, knowledge, technology or medicine, innately alters who man was or is becoming. The newborn will enter the world in the same state as all the others before them, with no less instinct to sin, than that which they received from Adam, the first man. But for Gods intervention, this would be every ones state throughout their life, without any chance of innate change in them.
did not
> This did not have its beginning in you, because of a self-motivate action then that you established. You were not deemed by an external entity, to have been found worthy of it in you. There are no merit badges of honor to be worn by those in the church, and that because God found no merit in man to be redeemable by him. This is not a glowing accommodation by God of us, to begin our assessment of us with.
receive?
> So, this had to have come to you externally and be put on you, just as the sick receive care when too incapacitated to care for themselves. Not self-medication in any way, but fully in the care of another, powerless in your own participation of it. You are under its effect, without having any ability over its cause to alter your condition, under your control. In a parallel example, though Christ came of his own will to suffer for man, he received beatings, but was not the cause of them, he accepted them as the will of God to be upon him, but in no way did he cause them to beat him. This may sound like an odd comparison, but what I am teaching is the same method of God, as it was in Christ, it is in us also. The church is not the cause of itself, but it receives what it is from God, but instead of Christ punishment, we receive his gift and blessings. Christ came to give his life freely, but his wounds were not self-inflicted, they came from the Father, thru men, outside of Christ control. Any true church is under the effects of God, and in direct collation to that of an bedridden sick person who is being cared for by others and made well. In this case, God thru the Holy Spirit and his ministering angels is causing the effect of church to happen in us. Church meaning a union of diversity held together by Gods power of influence over them. What should repeal each other in the nature of what they are, are not just being forced together, but drawn in by this influence of God over each individual. To be there where God is in their midst, and discovering then there in that mix thru God, an attraction that is impossible without him. Unexplainable to the world around them, where even the angels are I awe of what God is doing in man. So should we not be so awe-inspired by God and not ourselves?
And
> Here again, let us be clear about who this is pertaining to, because we are not discussing the world in general here. But just those who know Christ as savior and then in that also, Christ in return, acknowledges them with his Holy Spirit living in them, as their seal from God as proof of it. For the true faithful believer, the trail always leads others to know God more, it is a Godly demonstration in you, of how to get it right the first time and every time. Because the trail always ends in God being glorified thru your life actions and you proclaiming of it to be so. Therefore, the combined effort of both proclamation coming out from you and humility coming into you, as it being God that produced your having something to proclaim, leads to Gods glory. That meaning, the proclamation is not of oneself, but that of the resource that they were granted to prove themselves in. In other words, you could not have done it without God, although it was done thru you, as an actual truth also.
if you
> That being established then, that you are partaking of Gods Spirit in you, we know then that you did not take possession of God, but he took possession of you. That he came to you with the peace offering in hand of his only son, so that you could come into his fellowship, thru his son. You did not conduct your own salvation with God, but God produced it all for you, and then offered it to you as a completed work to you. A perfect resolution, to an impossible dilemma that mans was not in on until it was over.
received it,
> Now our responsibility in this is to receive Christ as that offering in place of our own offering, which was insufficient for salvation. So that we accepted that which was already there for us, prepared in advance, of our being aware of it, or even before we having been born for that matter. We merely accepted the conditions as laid out and designed by God for us, as our only hope or means of salvation. Never at any point, did we make or generate from within us, Gods plan of salvation, which we merely agreed to be that which we are trusting in to save us, as it being in Gods hands to do and not ours. So that with that salvation, came the knowledge of God, thru the spiritual gifts, and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to empower us go beyond what is humanly possible to do in relation to God and among mankind. This then, apart from ourselves having this as an inborn human quality, he gave it to us freely as I just described. So that we know that God is at work thru us, we can then rely on him to do even more thru us in the church, having desired to establish the church, as his visible presence on earth. God does not lead us into a miry trap, as does sin, but into victory away from sin, all in due time and at a set course for us to grow to be our most fruitful thru a method of cultivating growth and pruning us back, as needed.
why
> That being the facts as they truly are, we need to ask ourselves how and why you are now taking that gift from God for granted, as though it was your own inborn or intrinsic power of yourself to have it possession of it. Why you think that which was given to you, which you did not have before Christ, is somehow now a personal quality, which makes you better than others in the church. When did it transform itself away that which came to you from God, and became that which was of your own creation, where it is an ability that you have, even though it is without its origin in man, where apart from Christ, it is non-existent.
do you
> What thing made that determining factor occur, that this was about you and that this gift now that is in you, is now the central purpose of your church? Where did you go wrong in your thinking to take credit for that which is not from you, but what God put in you, for his glory to be known in you and thru you? Is there any other reason that man would take credit in himself for what God caused, other than the sin of pride convincing him of such a thing?
boast
> Taking credit publicly for another’s work is more than just pride though, that is just its beginning seed of sin in you. It then outwardly leads to a practice of deception, in order to deceive others into esteeming you above that which they should. And not only that, look at whose work you are taking credit for, it is Gods work alone that empowered you, but you are claiming it as your own personal attribute, independent of God. Otherwise, were it not for false pride, you would not be stepping into the limelight, just to have your days acknowledged before man, and thereby interfering with Gods glory from being acknowledged by you, as the central theme of the church. Not that that will work mind you, no one takes Gods glory from him, it is much more than the mind of man to be hindered in any way.
as though
> In doing this, you are actually discrediting the source of your power as an unnecessary participant in you, God being optional in the way that you portray his position, as being a secondary theme to the church. There can only be one Master in the church, and that is Christ Jesus, the rest must all be identified as his friends and servants, with none claiming to be of a priestly quality, except as witnesses for unbelievers of Christ from you. In that sense of being a witness and in prayer, are we to be intercessors for others, but not in the sense where we are their personal access to Gods wisdom and acceptance of our place in the church body.
you did not?
> It is that place where one exist, where with their lips they proclaim to be Gods ambassador, but then deny the power of him in them, by the outward actions they display of themselves, as being the most relevant thing for everyone to know. This is akin to a foreign diplomat, expressing a view to the country to which he is assigned, that he is the actual final word of authority of his home country. So that his home country will do as he establishes the relationship with them to be. In so doing this, he is making the true head of his country, nothing more than a figurehead for ceremonial sake, the real power lying in him as ambassador. Which makes him then a self-appointed power figure before them, a position which in essence, denies your appoint by a higher authority than yourself, to do the work you are engaged in.

4:8 Already
> How is it that this all came upon you, all the fullness that God has made for us in him, without him as being its central theme in you? It sounds as if you believe that you have obtained glory for yourselves already, independently from everything that God had determined before hand, as to the way for it to be among us. A complete departure from that which was taught, by Christ and the Apostles, as to the way it would be until Christ himself returns.
you are
> Is it something in the water there, that compels you to rise higher than the rest of us, leaving us behind in the dust, so to speak, in your analogies of God and the universe. You seem to have grasped a truth that the rest of us are ignorant too, or is there another thing at work in you that is not the truth, convincing you of a lie?
satisfied!
> With all of this supposed wisdom and understanding at your disposal, what more could you need? Why, if we even brought some other morsel of truth for you to consume, you would be to stuffed already, and turn it down. I suppose we should magnify such completeness in you, and bow to your greatness, if it were true. It would be a feat like no other known and a destiny yet undefined by man to obtain in.
Already
> We are apparently too late to have been a part of this so great ascension in your midst, what a sight it must have been to see your transformation into glory. But how long can I go on with this charade among you, as that is but jest that I say such things in your honor, when my intention is to point out that what you have been is dishonorable to God and the authority he has established in his church.
you are rich!
> What then, is the nature of your increase in wealth that has altered the nature of who you were, how do you account for this, so that we might learn from you what it is? Because to be truthful, I don’t see it, so you will have to spell it out for me. You seem to make claims without the evidence to back it up in the state that you are in, or the proper methods that are definable for others to learn from. Is it possible, that you are all just making this up, believing the lie and hype that is being passed around among you, without the hard evidence of it being true? More like a set of random events, being allowed to continually alter the distinctions of who you are, as you race from one event to another, attaching yourselves to this concept and then another.
You have
> What an achievement this would be among you, to know all the richness, power and glory of the heavenly realm, existing in you now already here on earth. When such was not the case in what Jesus said, he said our experience here on earth of greatness would be that of servitude and persecution by the world, quite the opposite of what you have there with you.
become kings
> You have then proved him wrong, you have glory and honor among the nobles of your society. You have showed them that you human wisdom is acceptable to God and honored by him, in that, he has made you rulers over his people. How admirable you must feel in yourselves to have had such a coup on the established word of God, as we the Apostles had taught you about. You apparently think you have proved us wrong, that you can, as they say, "have your cake, and eat it to". In that, there are no negatives among the world for having buddied up to them, they are happy, you are happy, every bodies happy and content. Except for us poor Apostles though, who apparently are left out in the cold, because we were not to be believed in what we had taught.
without us!
> You obviously do not need us, if what I have said is true, that all of you are getting along just perfectly without the teaching and doctrinal foundation that we had given you to be built upon. Oh, wait, that is the problem isn’t it, you not getting along, I wonder why? So you have setup a separate kingdom of God, that does not include us, even though, God has put us in charge of that function, and showed his power thru us in your midst. Funny how things have a way of changing overtime and how soon we forget, where it is that we learned of something in the first place. How our departure, led to you going astray from the word of God, and yet in your opinion, into a higher consciousness, all contrary to Gods word. Yet, we are unnecessary, as you see it, to have some rule over you, for the purpose of maintaining Gods glory in your midst.
I wish
> You know, it would be great if you had learned something from God, that we Apostles were just too ignorant to understand, then the things that I am expressing in the message-of-the-cross, would not be so hard an experience on me in these persecutions I endure. But then, that would make Jesus a liar for having told us that if they persecuted him, they will persecute you and me also. So, whom do I believe, Christ or you? You see, that kind of reasoning just will not pass the test of truth either, perhaps, we need to reexamine the truth, first, and then see where it leads us in reference to what is occurring among you now. If that contradiction were not the case, in that it would make Christ a liar, I would love to here that all the work was done among you, and that I was no longer needed. Because the gospel had gone out from you to the region and they all came to Christ thru you, as one big happy family.
you had
> Because had the things that you have established in you, were actually able to stand up to the truth that I delivered to you, according to my understanding of the church. Then my labors would be relived and decreased in your abilities, as you supplant not only my work in you, but that which you could for others, with apparent effortless ease.
become kings
> Your rule, would then become complete, you would have what you want, and there would be no difference between us, so far as doctrine is concerned and the message-of-the-cross. If you had done what you propose to have accomplished in your ministries, thru the message-of-the-cross, then I could rejoice in where you are, with my admonition of it in you to others and yourselves.
so that
> I could hang-up my hat, so to speak, and rest in the accolades of your achievements and let you handle the hard labor that I do now, with your effortless rule over the church. If it were truly that way in you, I would gladly resign as the head over you as Apostle to the gentiles, and allow you to have self-rule without my interference.
we could
> Then we could be in league with one another, life would be grand, the flowers would bloom and the birds would all sing along, yes, what a life of relaxation that would be. We would be equals, with you having my full confidence, and you showing me the same respect in return.
reign
> The perfect church, just what we have all been waiting for, just think of what we could do with my connections and your brilliant minds, working together, side by side, what a powerhouse team we would make, you and I. If it were true as you present it to be, Christ would reign highest among you and be providing all this you say that you have. That then, would be a case for me to join in with you and to stand without out objection, because if I did object, I would be the one opposing Christ.
with you!
> Or maybe you would prefer to be just a bit higher than me and even have Christ just a bit lower, where you would call all the shots, and I would carry out your orders. Of course, there would be the issue of the message-of-the-cross that I was entrusted with as my commission to do. But then, rules are made to be broken, you have proven that, right! What are the precepts and principles of God that we should give any credence to them? Just because he designed ordered and carried out our salvation, doesn’t mean that we have to listen to everything he has instructed us to do because of that, I mean, how much gratitude does he really expect from us. After all it’s our church, I mean it is of the people for the people, right? Wrong, it is Gods church, formed by him, for his pleasure, which we are allowed to reside in under his mercy to us, we joined him, and he did not join in with us.

4:9 For,
> As further clarification, let us look at the premise that God has already revealed, in those he chose to establish the base doctrines of the church in throughout all the world. And see how he has done to us accordingly, to see what we might learn as an application of it, for those would be a leader in the church after us.
I think,
> It would seem that we have already been accounted for, so far as what is our reputation before man, and that God has instituted it to be in that state before them. A mere examination of the facts, would show that we are not treated as royalty at any level, when you consider all the mistreatment we have had to endure.
God
> Because we know that God is in control of all the things that occur in and around us, and that he is managing all the events of our lives as part of our apostleship in him. It is not then a shock to us, nor does it leave us disillusioned in the least, that such is occurring concerning our state with man. Because we know that it is not now about us, which was not always the case, or our relative positions among each other that are relevant, but our absolute position to Christ, which will in the end, carry the day for us.
has exhibited
> God has made it clear to us, that this is not our kingdom here on earth, which is what is waiting for us to obtain it, and what is coming, it is not comparable to what is afforded man in his earthly heights or pleasures. Therefore, we Apostles are suitably applied as mere mannequins, consenting to Gods will in us, dressed for every occasion, to represent the providence of God over his church. A ready lesson for those who would come into leadership, so that they could count the cost, as we have, of discipleship and Lordship in Christ. We are but a demonstration to the rest, of how God is in command and not man. No royalty is known in us in the world, or apparently even in the church, for we are found to be in contempt both in the church and out of it.
us apostles
> Though each of us were chosen by Christ himself, no one seems to care that God took us first, to secure through us, yourselves to him in our preaching and doctrine. Without which, you would still be ignorant of the truth, which exist only in the message-of-the-cross.
last of all,
> Then with the full knowledge of that, we get the leftovers, from that which nobody else wanted. We are not even given consideration and respect from our position in the church among you, to whom we came as ambassadors of, and to what you now claim yourselves to be as Christian’s. If there is and end of the line to be found, you can be sure that we are always at it, because everyone has cut in front of us, out of disdain and disrespect to us, even in the church. By that, I do not mean to call every believer into question in their relationship with us, but those who oppose us in their hearts, know who they are, and that we are speaking of them.
as men
> Our mortality, is an ever present realty to us, we know that for us, there is no tomorrow, because each day we barely survive to the next. It is only in Gods glory, that he keeps alive these bodies that have surely died already there normal deaths at the hands of what life has thrown at us, that we still exist today. However, we know that despite that, our very existence is to others a mortal threat to them, which makes us a target of death for them, as their evil is always lurking upon us on every side.
condemned
> We are not being offered a pardon by God, the church, or man for that which is our destiny in us. It is a prescription that we take daily that is lethal every time we stand for Christ, we become marked by the world for death, and by God as examples to the world of his power to keep us alive. No matter their attacks on us, in whatever form they might be, as in verbal assassinations, in or out of the church, or physical attempts on our lives. It is the same to us, and in the control of God for them to do it vain, until Christ has fulfilled all he desires thru us. Remember Daniel and the Lions den, or Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
to die,
> So for us, life is an appointed time to die, not to live life to the fullest and obtain all the power that we can. For what purpose is there to live for gain in this life, when we know that tomorrow we will die again. Only to have it maybe prevented to occur in us one more time by Gods will, to override death with his control over us, to show the world his dominance over them and us.
because
> There is a mindset of disrespect concerning us that pervades not only unbelievers, but believers alike. What does that alignment tell you, when the church and the world collide in such and agreement, in which we Apostles are in the way of both groups?
we have
> What a position that puts us in, when we have to watch our backs, not just from being murdered by the world, but that of character assassination from within the church itself. That old saying applies here, who needs enemies, when we have friends like you in the church.
become
> Because once you get a mindset like that going on in the church and in the world at the same time, but for the grace of God and his power therein, do we live to glorify God in the message-of-the-cross one more day. It establishes us, as that which is acceptable to be put down at all cost, which means that we are effective in the power of God thru us, to have ruffled so many feathers.
a spectacle
> Everyone sees us as the laughing stock to be taken advantage of, a sideshow to steal them away from their retched lives, which they cannot come to terms with, so they take it out on us. An easy out for them, a backdoor of escape from the guilt they all have in opposing Gods will, in attempting to have it their way without him.
to the world,
> All the combined bodies of all that is a part of this work of God, in amongst mankind, is participating in this in some form or another. Without exclusion, we Apostles are the center of attention whenever we proclaim the message-of-the-cross, it is only a matter of time, even if it is received by some, before the trouble starts. When we refuse to compromise that message, in any way, shape or form, to make it more acceptable for them. Every troop of opposition, soon rallies to their perspective side, and the spiritual war over the souls of man begins to take its toll on us, as the cause of it once again.
both to angels
> All of the Spirit realm, which man cannot see, sees us in this pitiful state, regardless of their intent towards us. Whether they be Gods good angels, or demons of the devil, the perception of us, is one of a beaten down and a trodden underfoot group of men, only twelve in number, with an insurmountable task assigned to them by God himself.
and to people.
> Then others, with no conscience in them, as to what they are doing to their own eternal destiny, they slander and curse us to God for what we do. It matters not to them, if we are Gods ambassadors, as they are his enemies regardless, and that just cements their cause against us even more, to pursue, harass and fight against us.

4:10 We are
> Our place is just as we have stated, and it is not imaginary, as it is with you in your place in life. We are not afforded the opportunity to just play church, in that, the first formations of the church, and its true state, has been put on us for that very purpose for us to be alive in.
fools
> It is often the case, that we are treated as inferiors to those around us, as ones with only the base of intelligent life in us, half-wits, as it were. They do not really see in us with the same commonsense that the world lives by, because to be truthful, Christ in the cross, does not make sense, God makes his provision for salvation sensible to us, only truth his spiritual intervention of faith. We can learn its logic thru study, and improve our reliance on God thru the cross, but the reasoning behind it is unacceptable to us, apart from Gods intervention, and this holds true for the believer as well as the unbeliever.
for Christ,
> So it is no surprise to us that when they consider us in relation to Christ, they do so in a derogatory manner. They see Christ thru their own darkness, they see no value in him or any reason to think of him as a superior, because they judge him based in human analogies and not with that which God lends them to perceive with. God lends to everyone, the truth as he has clearly stated it to be for all people equally. However, when you reject Gods truth, you reject the statesmanship of Christ and his honor before man. Therefore they esteem Christ as nothing, and thru that label on him, we are labeled with him as madmen after his kind or making. We exist as Christ did, as it was for him, it is the same for us. We are willingly identified in him in lowly terms before man, so that we can be also identified with him in lofty places in heaven before the Father, which should be the mindset and present reality for every Christian. This really does not have anything to do with us Apostles and how men perceive us. This is about how they are reacting to Christ and his message-of-the-cross, which he causes them to confront for salvation with God on unacceptable terms, which they are rejecting both him and the message of that, which cause them to reject us. So it is Christ that they are assaulting, not us, just as Christ said to me, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Because Jesus sees that these intentions as they truly are, attacks on his charter and claim, as the church body, which is his providence and holiness to have to come under for salvation and justification thru him before the Father. Which is the hard pill for them to swallow, because it causes man to abandoned his own pride in life and to be found wanting before God, for that which is able to sustain him in dignity before God. It is that which they find detestable in their human wisdom, and that, which they cannot live according to, which causes them to assail him in the lives of his followers. It is the knowledge of the truth of Christ himself that they are trying to discredit and avoid all contact with, and you only need to bring him up in conversation, to find out what I mean by this.
but
> On the other hand, there seems to be a different version of Christ’s truth being made aware among you, one that seems acceptable to the world. One that does not carry with it the message-of-the-cross for them to have to come humbly too, and be identified with, in order to know Christ and have their identity thru and in him.
you are
> Yours is a plan of mutual agreement and acknowledgement of the world with you, and them agreeing on mere ceremonial status for Christ in the church. With you then having your place as its real authority figures established, and Christ as a vehicle for you to control the people thru, only in support of your position in the church.
wise
> You have become statesmen of your own making, conceited in your own thinking of yourselves and your value to God, which is in your own estimate of yourselves, not according to Gods standard, but humanity based. Your hospitality to the church people only extends to the extent that you can make servants out of them for your own pleasure in life. You teach that you are doing them a service, by allowing them to be counted among you and be there in your company. A very special collection of people, ones whom God cannot do without, and to whom you should count yourselves fortunate to be numbered among, is the spiel you profess to them, twisted and perverse in every detail of it.
in Christ!
> As I have said, Christ is your mere ceremonial headpiece, an ornament for the purpose of clarifying your priestly importance in the church. How indispensable is Christ in your opinion, so long as he is in his place, which is a place that does not usurp your authority and interfere with your will to be done in the church.
We
> Our ability to have influence over culture or to negotiate anything, is non-existent. Rather, we are dictated too, having judgments brought against us almost non-stop by others, and now you too, are finding us to have no redeeming qualities in the church. Once again, this alarming parallel between you and the world, against us and the message-of-the-cross, which we delivered to you and to them.
are weak,
> Our state is that of beggars, seeking an audience to be heard, so the gospel can use us as a vehicle to come to others thru. This does not afford us status with others, when we seek out the desperate for the kingdom of God, and call everyone to embrace Jesus in the message-of-the-cross. We are able to gather very few nobles to here us, outside of the outcast among them, which is deemed noteworthy or is considered the hallmarks of humanity. If we do convert a few in high places, they are quickly dejected and despised by the ones who gave them their so-called, self-respect in the first place.
but you
> On the other hand, we have yourselves again, reflecting the complete opposite in you, which is being reflected in us, and that as a dichotomy of what we both have, in respect to our leading them who take up with us. Yours is promotion in the eyes of man, and the demotion of Christ in his church to a figurehead mentality among the people, a convenience for them to exist under, as an advantage for them to use for gain in life. While we in the opposite, are portrayals of demotion in the world, as we exist only for the promotion of Christ.
are strong!
> What a fortress you have become unto yourselves, no need of self-denial, so that the gospel is first and foremost in your church, as a necessity for relevance with God. After all, God wants nothing to do with religious nuts like us, when he can have you as his representatives. You will sanitize it all for the world, and wipe away the blood from Christ, so that he is clean and presentable as figure of human atonement and achievement. All according to worldly concepts, not a bloody sacrifice for the sins of man, to be loathed in for what we caused him to take upon himself for us. Yes, Christ must be loathed in the message-of-the-cross, for it to have its saving power in us. We must loathe the cross ourselves, for what it reveals about us, and take glory only in Christ’s victory over the cross in the resurrection. Who became loathsome and detestable to the Father, so that we, who it is meant for, would not have to die its death in us eternally. Where is that in you, how do you find that in the way you are doing church, and examining Christ as who you are, in you? We must never allow the wiping away of the blood stained crucifixion picture of Jesus, to be supplanted with a washed us up version and framed picture, as a plaque for our walls, but not in our heart as the God of sacrifice for us.
You are
> There is this growing gap between you and ourselves, based in the diverging messages that we are establishing ourselves in. For you there is diversity of thought, being allowed to enter into the picture that you present to others of church life, based in human analogies, which are themselves, based in vain imaginations alone. You are making everything palatable, as a means of codling people to your point of view, allowing the weak conscience of man to determine the course in the church, as its base structure for the future, being without merit with God, or sustainable before mankind as salvation with God.
distinguished,
> This in turn, has made you to be of great reputation, as it being afforded you, without any negatives attached to it for being head of the church among your people. You allow others to use association with you, as a means to giving them credence before others in the community. A real, "you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours", mentality that compromises ethics for social structure, or status quo among you, as an acceptable way in life. A promotion of self, at the expense of some underlying theme, as it relates to the original intent, which in this case, is the message-of-the-cross.
we are
> On the other hand, you have us Apostles, who everyone is distancing themselves from and discrediting us as having any relevance, to have no respect in knowing us or associating with us. In fact, it is shameful for them to be counted as part of us in the communities where we live. So that we are the heads of what is considered the least desirable of the community, which gives us nothing of reputation to take pride in before man. With God though, we have relevance and purpose in this association with the neglected in this life. Therefore, our purpose is to not allow ourselves to be defined by human thinking and rationale. Which quickly dismisses what we are doing as going nowhere, without sustainable methods in the thinking and ability of man to do, and I am not in disagreement with that. Because we are not sustainable by man, before man, in the way we proceed with an offensive gospel. Only God in his intervention in the hearts and minds of them who hear us, does the word we preach, have an indefinable substance to it, that cannot be put down by human efforts or their rationale against it.
dishonored!
> Because of that, where it does not make any sense to them in human thinking, it is the promotion of foolishness, by a foolish and minority group, who have no commonsense to begin with. This is why the Apostles have no credentials before the peers of their community, because they had nothing to offer humanity to begin with, and they now have even less to them, having embraced the message-of-the-cross. Therefore, we as their leaders are considered the head of nothing, as we embrace the loathed among them, in the loathsome message-of-the-cross.

4:11 To
> Time for us, is not something that has in it a better day waiting for us to take our leisure in. It is not an opportunity to become better off in this world at the expense of the next world, which is without time. Look at the difference between the worlds we exist in, or at least in what are our differing goals in life, to see what it reveals about how serious we are about the message-of-the-cross.
the present hour
> As a result of that, there is not a lot to look forward to when it comes to getting up in the morning, not when it comes to creature comforts for those in leadership with me. By that, I do not mean just today, but as a way of life for us, we have no stake in this world to call our own or to take refuge in from the elements. So what I am about to describe to you about us is normal for us, it follows us around as a part of who we are.
we are
> The state we exist in, is one we except without envy or regret, because we have in us a mindset, which is not looking to be established ourselves here on earth, as a means to an end. We do want more comfort, just not in this life if it is done at them expense of the gospel not being clearly understood by others thru us, or spends our set amount of time on anything but Christ glorified thru us.
hungry
> We never know where our next meal is coming from and right now we are malnourished, as a result of the persecution threats that we live under and the poverty of them that we make our company with. We also exist in this state, because we insist on the benefit of others at our expense, we do not buy for us, until we have fed those under our care first. This is what a good parent does for their children; a bad parent barters the lives of their children for themselves, as slaves to their own desires and addictions in life. Spending them to make for themselves, the desires of selfishness to be their regular course in life.
and thirsty,
> Our resources are so scarce that we do not even have any drinking water to quench our thirst with. Let alone wine to use as a substitute for the water, as it is for the well to do or even among most common people. It is something that we are not accustom to in our ministry, the things you take for granted, we do not have at all.
poorly clothed,
> We have what we have on our backs to cover us, in what little covering they give us, they are not the clothes that you would find others wanting for themselves or asking where we got them. It would be more like, wanting to see us get rid of them for the rags that they are. Where ever we go, our clothes announce us as nobodies, a people without reputation, without humanity. If what they say is true, that a person with the dirtiest hands is the hardest worker, then we are more proclaimed for our labors in the gospel. As the clothes we wear show the wear and tear that we have put our bodies thru, for the sake of the message-of-the-cross.
brutally treated,
> We are kicked and pushed around in life, as a normal way for us, they not only despise our look, but the message that we convey to them enrages them against us. We are convicts in the minds of the public; those who must be put away from sight for that which we represent to them. Common dignity, is not afforded to us by anyone, but rather we are mistreated in public, just for having shown up there. This does not make us an attractive people to be associated with, so they try instead to get rid of us, even if it means beating us to drive us from their presence. In doing so, they see us as little more than animals, and for all respective purposes, we are little more in their minds.
and without
> We do not have a deed for a home, as is the hope of most to have, we are not even moving in that direction or shopping around. Because we are not looking to set up stakes, as is common for people to do. We see our stakes in the coming presence of God, which is not like this world in any of its attributes, so we do not compare such loses in this world, as having relevance to what we will have gained in the next. Even though that is not that which drives us, because it is the souls in peril of man, that we know as a real and present danger, which is the motivating factor in us. They see it as a strange thing, because we say that for them to have a true benefit from what they have in this world, they need to move into our world, which opposes their world. This is as I have stated before, an unacceptable proposal we make, which is only made acceptable by God intervening in their hearts. Calling them to himself, as he shows them the futility of what they have pursued without satisfaction from it, and they responding to that call from God, as he reveals it to them.
a roof
> Our covering in this life, is not one of physical shelter, but one of true outdoorsmen, but not as a getaway, rather as our normal state. Think of John the Baptist, and you will start to see us in our own environment, as it is for us. We seek spiritual shelter in this life, not physical shelter, we want that which occurs in us to be relevant in eternity in heaven, not here on earth as a temporary portrayal of who we think ourselves to be. We are not seeking an image of ourselves to be reserved on canvas, as a portrait painting of which they who come after us in some fond visual memory are remembering us. Which is not meant to have disrespect for the affections of them that care for us, we just see it more important that are lives be the living words of God. Reproducing the Spirit and image of Christ in you, rather than a one-dimensional historical painting of us on a wall. We would rather have our mark in the lives of people who can make it alive in them, as an expression of the labor we have done. That which will out last the physical, because it has its source in the word of God in the spiritual, which we do have a stake in, as can you.
over
> When we look up, it is only the sky above us that we see, that in a way, keeps us reminded of what little there is to claim for ourselves in this life, which has to it any merit. We are exposed to the elements, but at the same time, not covered in hiding from God by the material things that bind so many people away from their having unrestrained thoughts from his service. In that, nothing prevents us from being here today, and gone tomorrow, should that need be there. Much of what prevents people from doing all in their lives that God would allow them to do in his name, has to do with the possessions they keep, or should I say, keeps them. In much a way, your lives have become a storage box for what the world has to offer and nothing more. Sometimes, burning your plow as Elisha did, and as we have done, is often the only way to be freed from the burden of being bound by the world and its ways in us. So as that which is over us as our primary sense in life, is not the concern of homesteading here on earth, but heaven instead of this life.
our heads.
> We are basically a homeless group of leaders, vagabonds to most in their opinion of us. You see, like our Lord, this world is not our home, and we have no sure place to lay our head, because we do not know if tomorrow, whether or not we will be attacked and driven out from where we are today. Therefore, in that sense we have no security in this world, but that is no loss to us in our minds, because we are not seeking such things in the first place.

4:12 We do
> If you are going to lead, you must have a sense of responsibility; there must be in you the thoughts of others before yourself. The reason being is that in the church we do not lead so that we can merely have followers to do our will, as is in the world to do. Our leadership is not intended for us, but for the people to come to know the real leader of the church, which is God, thru the son. Therefore, we organize not for us, but for another, and then we find our joy and treasure, in the same God that we lead others to.
hard work,
> Life at the base level is exhausting to those who take care of them that they find wanting. Being at the top in the church, is not like being a board executive, who only shows up for the meetings and consents to another’s labor for their finical benefit. It means being the one who pitches in and gets their hands dirty with the rest of them who are able to work.
toiling
> We are not afraid of a little hard work, it keeps us in memory of what it is to have to sustain oneself in life, and not forget the hardships that those who we lead are going thru in life. Earth is not paradise, as I have stated before, it is a prison colony of the condemned, who are living out their lives in a state of judgment, awaiting eternal death for their sinful state. Therefore, God had cursed the labors of man, that they be hard on us, and never bare the true fruit that we are seeking in them. Because of that, we need to look at labor as not a means to an end in itself, but just a means of requirement. That is the reason that we toil then, because it is required of us to do so, and that there is blessing, not from the labor, but from profit that God gives to it for the aid of others, which is not present in the wage alone.
with our
> We use what we have available to us, and do not make excuses for what we do not have. One of the realizations of this life, is that you must make due with what you have, and that it does no good to put off labor due to the lack of having all the very best at your disposal. Learn to be satisfied with that which you can do, and do not allow the lack of substance to be an end to your work, there is always plenty of work to be done.
own hands.
> We do this labor ourselves and do not expect others to do it for us because that is the lesson that we want others to learn from us. We do not want people to get the idea from us that church is a higher mental plane or some ecclesiastical event that occurs that changes the basic realties of life. Creating illusions in the mind that do not match up with what is actually occurring in your life. Church is a relationship with God, which is meant to sustain us thru things as they are on earth, which are requirements for the most part on earth. God wants to change our attitudes and basic character, not our environment so much, though he may do so also, that is not his prime objective.
When
> The unexpected, often happens in life, and it is no different for us. Therefore, when all we try to do is reveal Gods plan of salvation for man, and it in return is met with opposition. We must be prepared in our hearts and minds ahead of time, what our reaction will be, so that is not just some knee-jerk reaction, that we will regret later. As servants, events mainly happen to us as far as our relationship to the world goes, in the church, we may be coordinators, but in the world, we are used of men.
we are
> Ours, is not to distance ourselves from these occurrences in our life, but rather to engage them to show Gods work in us that he has done, which is contrary to their thinking, which they have brought upon us in their actions and attitudes. We want our lives to be a reflection of what is wrong with humanity, but right with God.
verbally abused,
> It is never easy, to take it laying down, when someone wants to belittle you for no reason. At least not for a reason that is externally obvious, what is driving them to take their actions is internal by their very nature. They are responding to compulsions that they do not even understand, but are powerless to prevent them because they are the works of the flesh in them as sin.
we respond
> It helps to have in you the knowledge of a little saying like, "a humble man, cannot be humiliated". This in effect is saying that, the mindset in you determines your thoughts and actions that you have in confronting issues. Have you ever noticed how things that set you off, wash right off of other people as a none event. It is because in their minds, they have put no credence to its outcome, as pertaining to them, as having a definition of who they are. They do not see the opinions of others as having a character advantage over them, if they know that there is no truth in their statements and it is just their own ego or harassment of them at its source. So in other words, they do not take it personal, and become bitter against those giving them a hard time. They let them win, at least as a mindset of confrontation goes they do not seek to inflame an issue, but to douse it with a counter method or nature of what it is.
with a blessing,
> That which is counter then, is to seek their promotion and not their demise, which may or may not at first encounter, be a real emotion in you. This is deep spiritual training of the heart, where all our Christian culture is formed in us, which will define who we are as the meaning of a "Christian". A spiritual response, is part of a spiritual walk, even as a knee-jerk reaction is a worldly reaction, and we do not do this as a prime attribute right from the beginning. It is a trait that we who were not brought up to know humility as a virtue, must come into as we experience it in real life, as a spiritual awakening in us from God. God is training us to be as his son, and although he has created in us a perfect spiritual life, we must come to be aware of it in us and live under its influence, which is something our flesh opposes as foreign and unacceptable. We are not combatants as the world defines it; we are though in the sense that we are on the front lines in a spiritual war, which must be engaged with a spiritual arsenal and not a carnal response. If we do battle on their level, with their weaponry, we are no different then them. On the other hand, they have no spiritual reserves in them at all, so have no way of engaging you in a spiritual warfare. In that sense then, they are defenseless against you and your spiritual response.
when persecuted,
> Then there are times, when it goes beyond words of dispute, and into the area of physical assault on us. But there again, we must look at it from the spiritual aspect of it and not the physical. We are as different to the world, as is the new nature that is in us is to ourselves, we are an animosity to the world and its ways, we are the evidence that there is something wrong with them at the very core of who they are. We are as an instrument that measures them by God, but does not come back with positive results, which are favorable to them. As we are under the influence of God, which they cannot understand or accept in them as the nature of which they are, and that is a thorn that pricks them to anger against us.
we endure,
> The choice in this is quite simple, do we hold to our faith, or do we fold and give into their brutality, as their means to an end. Now to them, for the most part, it is pointless what we do, as most of them will not convert no matter what we do. But it is not all about them, it is though, much to do about us in our response, as life itself and its richness, is not so much as what happens to us in it, as it is how we respond to adversity and trials. It is in the end, mainly about God being glorified for having chosen to encounter mankind and overcoming the impossible redemption of man against all odds. Then after-which, He having sustained us thru these assaults, as this transformation in us is not meant to be paradise here on earth. In that, we are still in a prison colony of mostly death-row inmates, who have forgotten the Garden environment from which they came from, and see earth as normal life. Their rejection of us though, is a blessing that we do not perceive, because if they did not avoid us, we could not sustain a separate culture from them from within this prison colony of earth. So then, that is why we are able to have comfort in us, we rejoice to be counted as one of Christ, we are also separated from the world, which is a blessing we do not always take into account. As it allows us our culture distinct in every way from them. Which returns us to our initial topic, of why then, after all we have suffered to become a separate people in their midst. Are you trying to bring them back into us as a presence, thru alluring traits of the world that they will respond to, but that God has rejected?

4:13 when
> This is why we do not become alarmed, because we are not viewing these events in the context that we must be acceptable to them. After all, we are offering to them an unacceptable condition for them to come to God. Why should we in turn then, consider that we should live lives and have a joint culture with them, which is striving to be acceptable to our thinking, as it pertains to our relation with them. It should also be as unacceptable to us, that which they are offering to us as a lifestyle, in the same way as the message-of-the-cross is unacceptable to them. This is not an excuse for callousness of thought towards them on our part though, for us to go around being high-minded or offensive to them in our personalities. Despite the inevitable division between us, ours is a humble cause of having come into forgiveness, not a boastful or to used as excuse allowances for finger pointing, as a position to exist in us. By all meaningful accounts, we were saved by accident, at least, as we perceive it. Even though it was all orchestrated by God for us to encounter him, which was no accident but his power of grace towards us, and not by any intention that we caused it to be in us.
people lie
> Is it then any surprise then, knowing that we exist in these countercultures, that they would show us any respect and have honesty as a discourse concerning us. You see, beyond the obvious lifestyle difference that we live according too, there is a spiritual environment at work in this. Which is even more powerful than that which is in the physical that we exist mainly in, or maybe I should say at least, as we perceive it to be as our main existence. As the spiritual domain is the real existence for us both, and this physical, though in appearance to us, seems to be the main thing, is actually quite temporal. So they would not choose to do right to us, because in reality, they are our enemies, because they are Gods enemies, due to that spiritual division, of which the flesh or physical has become its victim. They have no honor in them for the sovereign control of God on earth or in heaven, to which we are eternally bound for his glory to exist in us. Do you see then how that dichotomy is at work in them, making it impossible for them to love us in truth, and therefore do us honor? As they do not honor God, whom we are a portrayal of, with whom then, they unjustly have an axe to grind, so to speak.
about us,
> So far as we are concerned then, what they say means nothing to us, as we are not seeking their approval, but Gods transformation in us, to be distinct from them. We are seeking to be as different from them, as they are of us, and their actions tell you why. Then you add to that, the point that we are telling them they are the problem, and then you see us as a real source of irritation that we are to them. We are in essence accusing them of sin, not attempting to make it personal between us and them, but between them and God, even though they of course take it that way. They then begin to accuse us as an act of retribution, for what we caused to be at war in them, as a conscience that burns in them. Even if they do not admit it, God finds them guilty in their own thoughts, as they speak in lies about us. What I am saying then, is this should not surprise us that they respond in the way they do, after all, it is proving what we are saying about mankind being enslaved to their sins and why we so desperately need Christ to save us from ourselves.
we answer
> We see this then as opportunity to glorify God and prove his glory in us, and to be a witness of it to them at the same time. This is not then a roadblock or something that derails us from our appointed rounds, this is our appointed rounds, and that which we seek to make known, as the reason for the need of Jesus as Christ. This is where we define ourselves in the message-of-the-cross, that we are here for the purpose of not disposing of mankind himself from before us after conversion. But repudiating sin as a means to an end, which lives in them without a resolution against them, just as it once did in us, and establishing Christ as the only glory that is a means to an end. That is the nature of the answer that exists in us, an unavoidable confrontation awaits us, yes. But not for proving of ourselves against them, as some simpleminded competition. We are aligning ourselves too and with, our eternal estate with God, and nothing less is at stake in this.
in a
> Our approach though, shows that we are truly a transformed people, ones who do not respond according to the dictates of the flesh, which is all they have at their disposal to act upon. We rely on the Spirit of Christ that is alive in us, empowering us thru the Holy Spirit, to guide us in what is otherwise the maze of sin that mankind is lost in. An unprotected environment exists in humanity, which does not care for the eternal destiny of the soul. But we have gained in us, a resource that is separate from humanity, which does care and is proactive in seeking out them who yield to God the destiny over their souls, and place it into Gods control forever. We have in us, the power of prayer for them, which is what Christ taught us to do, in the inevitable face of resistance that is caused by sin from the world. We know, that the power is in God, not in our power of persuasion, we are but messengers, but God is the provider of its understanding, as to acceptance of the message-of-the-cross in all of us. At the same time, we appeal to them to hear us, not concerning ourselves with whether or not it seems in appearance, to make us out to be weak beggars, as I was with you. Our image, as it exist in their minds of us, is not what defines us, we are defined in Christ image, as the only relevant mirror of us, that effects how we see ourselves.
friendly manner.
> Therefore, we do the unexpected, as far as what the world is use too, instead of shunning them whom mistreat us and lie about us. We offer them a friendly countenance and a portrayal of Christ thru us. We give them something the world cannot, an option other than sin, as that is not an option that the world has as a resource in them to offer. The world must offer sin as a resolution, for sin, they can not offer righteousness, no matter how they label it. Sin responded too, by other sinners, only reproduces sin in another form. Even if we are convicting criminals and sentencing them, we are still establishing environments of sin, as that answer to sin, and we can do no more, no matter the example you come up with, sin always prevails in the counsel of other sinners. Only Christ, who is not part of the cycle of sin, can break that bondage in us, you can be a part of this too, so long as you are not seeking prominence before man, but rather relevancy with God on earth. Then you too have all of Gods heaven as your resource to do this thru in you, just do not expect a parade in your honor, unless it is at your funeral, and even then, maybe not. Our goal then, is not to put them down, but to bring them in, if we can give them both an ear, and a mind of reason to hear God with, than we have shared in Gods glory of victory. For us there is no down side to this, for as we see it, we have been slaughtered many times already, only to live on for Gods use of us. So we are willing to listen, so that we can also be heard, if we give up our pride, we might just gain their soul for Christ.
We are
> So as a consequence of the state that I have just described existing in us, nobody really likes us or wants us around to remind them of their sin. At least, not without them having a spiritual encounter with God to relieve the pressure of sin on them in their conscience. Which is not in our power to create in them, but is Gods providence to do as a separate act for man, because of that, we are without regard to them, absent that intervention by God. Nevertheless, we want to be with God in whatever form we are able to take, even if it means not being publicly approved by the worldly majority, whom reject God. We have been branded and labeled by the communities we exist in, as an unacceptable risk to the people. A sect, who should be rejected, neglected, left alone, separated from and allowed to die off, this as their recourse of response, in them, to us.
the world’s dirt
> Which is exactly the place that we find ourselves in on a daily basis, they literally want to dispose of us as nothing more than trash of society who should be swept away. They see no evidence in us that God is for them, because for them, God is a subservient to them, if he is to have any relevance in their life, and God gives his throne to no man. So what God is to them, represents what we are to them also, we are in their minds, sentenced along with God, as an irrelevant obstacle, to them in their desire of prominence, which is the topic of what we are discussing here. As hard as I find that to write, that they should so dishonor God with such thoughts of disrespect, I rest in the fact, that God is not shaken by mans impure thoughts towards him, in fact, they are a minor disturbance for him, in his power of providence. What these people are doing, are basically using us as an excuse, to continue in their same old practices. By expunging us, they seek to blot out their own inevitable responsibility for what will be the consequence of them before God. By making us expendable, in their minds, they are making themselves relevant, which is a delusion that they live under, and will undermine them in the end. As they can not wipe away their sin, by making us in their minds, more worthless then them, or in other words, make themselves look good, by making us look bad.
and scum,
> They nevertheless, see no value in us whatsoever, and are seeking to have us put down and not be heard. The level of disrespect that they show us is amazing, they are literally trying to sanitize themselves from our influence among them. Now by sanitize, I mean kill us off so that we are non-existent before them. They want to wipe us out of existence and then pretend that we were never there in the first place. They want our history to end as of right now, and be forgotten before mankind, so that they can stick their heads in the sand, so to speak, as to the consequence of their desire to sin, but God will not allow that to happen. They are trying to purge themselves and seek deliverance from sin, by purging themselves of the accusation of sin. In their minds thinking, if no one declares them to be sinful, if they can shut the mouths of them who proclaim Gods holiness over them, then they feel alright, making themselves to exist in a false security, yet without hope.
even now
> This is a present reality, for not just us, but for anyone who is only here to serve the message-of-the-cross. If you put it all on the line, you will have no more relevance to man than that which we have now. It is as Jesus said, "if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also". Because we are his body here on earth, and the assault against him will never end, not until time itself is ended on earth, and eternity is established as the only presence of mind, without sin being present, only then will it end.

Father’s Warning

4:14 I am
> As harsh as it may seem that I have been in standing firm on the truth, and as hard as it can be to hear the truth. That does not mean and should not be interrupted that I am some how your enemy, as nothing could be further from the truth. Anyone, including myself, who is willing to take the heat for speaking up, when others are silent in the face sins infiltration into ones life and church. Is not the harm, they are the medicine of God for you, despite its bitter taste at first. Neither am I trying to belittle you as a comparison of myself to you, when I point out your comfort and the Apostles discomfort, I am in my intentions, wanting a reality check to be alive in you at all times. I am not even trying to get you to focus on me, in that, I see myself only as an instrument for Gods use. What I want, is you as focused on the message-of-the-cross, as I am, and as God would have that in you, as your course in life.
not writing
> What causes me to put this to pen and establish it as scripture and church doctrine, is not for the purpose of tearing people down, but for building people up in a foundation and structure that is a dichotomy of that which is the code of man to do. As much as they are attempting by a method of institution, to rid me of my influence among them, by that, meaning they are attempting give me a public reputation, which is entirely rejected by the people in a uniform manner. I am by institution, attempting to reinforce that which I am doing among you, not for myself, but for the continuing sake of the church. That you have in you a counterproposal, which is always modifying you away from the thinking of mankind and fixed in value like a guide post for surveying yourself with. To use as an absolute trust in your life, without the influence of man as an influx to change its power in you. Where you can look at this writing in retrospect at any time in your life, and measure where you are going both by direction, and how far you have traveled in your walk with Christ. I do not want church to be just a footnote in your life, because what it should be is the main text.
these things
> Unlike the treatment I receive from the world, and their intentions towards me, which is to see me destroyed. My harsh tone is meant for the completely opposite occurrence to have happen in your lives. That the nature of what I am doing is establishing you in a resource, which is not like this worlds methods, in any way, shape or form. This is something that you are going to have to get used too, if you want to have maturity, as your normal state in the church. Maturity does make itself known in you by accident, it requires careful thought of where you are heading, and that you have in you, the vision of mind to desire that growth to get there, the status-quo being unacceptable in you as a life policy.
to shame you,
> Your best chance a maturity in the church, is in your ability to receive instruction, without it insinuating and stirring up pride in you, in which you feel you must rebel against to have your own destiny not taken away from you. The truth is, your personal human destiny, has been taken away already, it is just that your flesh is not accustom to playing second fiddle to the spiritual dominance, being revealed in the obvious power of Christ in you, and it does not like it one bit. We feel threatened, when we think we will not be relevant in life before man, but that is all an external part to us now, so far as it itself being relevant. Because it is not possible in the church to be irrelevant, so long as you are not looking for the response of man to chart your course for you. Everything you are empowered to do, will not come about because of mans influence over you, but Gods influence over them. This is something that man without God as their center, cannot aspire to achieve, because they have no living Spirit in them to make that connection to God with, in fact the thought never even crosses their mind.
but
> This is where I am taking you in my doctrines, not where my influence over you is significant, but that you are aware that Gods influence over me, is the absolute assurance that you have to join me in this way, which is unlike any destiny with man. That as Apostles, you realize that what we are establishing among you, is occurring by Gods direction alone and not by the functioning power of society, which is not something that is enabled in man to do apart from God. That point must be a doctrinal truth that you accept, for the church to be established by us, we must be trusted and believed in our every detail of instruction to you, or not believed at all.
to correct you
> Unlike my counterparts to me, I am seeking your improvement over me, not your destruction beneath me. I want you to outlive me for what I gave you, which is not a resource of man to give, but what was of Gods eternal plan for you with him. It is meant to redefine the core nature of who you are, as to the why’s-and-therefores, which pertain to the reasons in us for our endurance in Christ, despite the manner in which we live in the eye’s and actions of the world around us. I am in essence, giving you a reason to live in this world according to Gods nature of holiness, apart from which there is no purpose in you to achieve it as an estate with God, as having any merit with him, unless it first comes from God. This is my responsibility to do as an Apostle, which is my commission from Jesus to do in this world.
as my
> I do not see you then as my rival, but rather as my continuation and investment for the future of Gods establishment in you. My rival, is someone I am working against, not someone I am mentoring to achieve greater things for than I do. So that is why I am reaching out to you, as opposed to trying push you away or shut you out from me. I want in us a bond and union, which is established in the mutual authority of God working in us all for the same image of Christ in us. Do you see how that is our unity in church, when we believe God as the supreme in us? God is the only one who has providence over all creation, where we then interrupt that to be a personal quality, for and in us, as it comes from him and is meant for our eternal security.
dear children.
> You are not foreigners to me, even though we are from different cultures and heritages, we now all have the same heritage in Christ, which binds us eternally to one another. Because of my position in the church, you have become like my children, which God has given me to raise up in the image of his son. I do so, both with affection, and as a protector of your wellbeing, so that it may outlast me, and leave behind an offspring in you, who are Christ image, without me as having to be present to hold you there.

4:15 For
> What I want you to gain from this, is in the premise that just about everyone out there has some sort of opinion that they want to tell you. Talk is cheap, as they say, and when people give advice, but do not have to live with or accept responsibility for the effects of it, in that, it is meaningless to them what happens to you as a result of it. That fact alone makes it suspect, as to whether or not you should put credence in it, it may or may not be good advice. But their own lack of investment in its outcome, should be an alarm of caution to you to test it with the counsel of them who do have a stake in it with you. Therefore, what I want you be able to do, is rely on the fact, that I personally accept responsibility for you, with God as my judge, as to my heartfelt duty to you. That I am placing you, in both the same security and danger that I take upon myself first, before I put it on you to do also. That security is not in the trust of men though, it is in the trust of God.
though you
> Knowing that you have so many people willing to be your advisors, you need a means of testing them, in order to weed out the well intended, from the self-serving among them. The first means test being, do they have any investment in you to lose if they give bad advice, have they already cosigned a loan for you, before they give you advice to run up more debt and to live it up in life without counting the future cost. My wisdom is, that if they have something to either lose or gain, they will give careful consideration to what advice they give you, knowing it will have an negative or positive effect on them.
may have
> It is a distinct possibility, that you have what is called, information overload, where there are just to many conflicting statements made to you, or just a lot of suggested applications, without anything tying them all together, so that you are unable to piece together the picture from the puzzle of them in your mind. That is not what I have been doing in you at all though, in that, I am so redundant in what I teach you, the human mind has trouble receiving it in so basic a form. In that, our mind is under the influence of human programming to think that their must be more, but the fact is that it is all about the message-of-the-cross, and anything else, is a diversion from that. In that, all that God is doing as a work in us, is there in that message; the love of God, our foundation in him, his substance for humans to perceive who he is in a bodily form. The spiritual connection that reveals the nature of God before man, which gives us new life and a relationship with God, is all there in the message-of-the-cross, past, present and future.
ten thousand
> As I said, talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words. When something is cheap, it is because it is available in great quantity and requires little or no labor to obtain it. Where the precious advice, cost someone a great deal to acquire, and usually all at their expense. How much wiser are those who have the counsel of a few trusted friends, then endless acquaintances, without any depth or meaning to them. Was not Solomon right when he said that, "a man of understanding will attain to wise counsels". The question here that I am raising, is who are you going to receive counsel from, those who have invested themselves and future in you, or those who have no stake in whatever is your outcome in life or death, in that, neither matters to them.
guardians
> I do not want though, to paint to bleak a picture of them giving instruction in Christ, as in the end, there are many dedicated to the gospel and its promotion in the hearts of the church. Question is though, are they just babysitting you, or are they raising up into adult Christian’s to carry on after them? Do you understand the difference between the role of your parents and the babysitter, and what the two have at stake in you? In the end, that is what you have to look at, what stake do they have in you? If in this analogy, they are teachers, which are hired to do what they do, giving out blanket advice, without having any knowledge of the people behind the faces. Their intention may not be to harm you, but your receiving it as leading, may be a leading for someone else and a misleading in you. Taking a dip in the ocean, is bad advice to take, if you cannot swim, but how could they know that about you, which puts that responsibility on you. Life can often be as conditional as that, because even though we are all called and predestined to be in the image of Jesus, in does not mean that we achieve it thru the same circumstances in life. That is why in the analogy of having spiritual leaders, who have no more knowledge or stake in you, than that of a babysitter. In that, they go home and leave you behind without thought or concern of you, is a bad opportunity for you to take on, as an established method in life. It is fine if they impart to you some wisdom from Gods word, but be sure that it is meant to be applied in your life. Examine it to see if it will cause a negative lifestyle change in the ministry of God, to which you will apply your time and energy.
in Christ,
> God has tailor fit, those closest to you in the church, to be there for each other in the church, in the exact form and measure that is best for you. As has been said, "Gods perfect will for your life, is exactly what you would choose, if you knew all the facts", and God has it all down for you in precise detail, in what those facts are and is best for you. To acquire it though, you need to be focused on the source of their teaching, as the power behind their teaching. Because if it is not established first in the message-of-the-cross, then it is without merit in the first place, except in the mind of humanity, and this results in a loss in the rewards in heaven, so choose wisely from among them.
you do not
> On the other hand, you need to consider that which is a personal connection and has feedback to them, as part of the recourse that their advice will have in you. The term, "Rarity", is a method we use to determine, an encounter, or access to something that we have in life, which is a good phrase to be taken into consideration here. Because it is a concept, and this "Rarity" concept causes us to pause and take in, that which is involving us in its find. It is the awareness that this opportunity may never come or afford itself to us again, and therefore, we stop everything that is distracting from it, and experience it for ourselves. Allowing it to imprint itself in our lives as a permanent and personal trait of that which defines who we are as a person. Keep in mind, a "Rarity", can be as negative an influence, as it can be a positive one, if it is not discerned as being an attribute of Gods character alive in you first. Otherwise, it will wound you and become an addiction of the flesh, keeping in mind, that "Rarity" is a window of opportunity, which is then transferred, as an imprint in you, as part of your character.
have many
> The point I am reinforcing here, is the one of the higher intrinsic value, which is inherent in a quality find, which exist in the absence of it in quantity. The fewer the avenues of resource we have available to us, the more precious and guarded should they be to us. Otherwise, if you do not cherish that fact in you, it becomes as wisdom to the fool, or a pearl in nose of a swine, if you will. If you discount the value of what is scarcely available to you and take it for granted, then you have lessened its good in your life and wasted wisdom as a resource to you. So do not discard the quality of the adviser in your live, for the quantity of opinions, in trying to find the one that suits you best. As the least suited it is to the human condition, the more likely it will be suited for the spiritual life with Christ.
fathers,
> Everyone has only one father, they are the ones who have the greatest investment in you, as they do not put a price value on you as a disposable commodity, if they truly love you. Their connection to you, is an emotional one, as that is what drives them to be constructive in your life, as they see themselves as a permanent part of you. I am not saying that they do not have a personal agenda themselves, in how they act with you, but it is not a disconnected one, where there is no consequence to their bad counsel. A father who sees himself in your future, has an agenda for good things to happen to you, as opposed to the bad things which occur from the decay of disregard and neglect of a disconnected father, who abandons his children.
because
> Which is the point that I want to make concerning myself, in my relationship with you. That it is a point of fact, that I am not neglecting you, as this letter testifies too, because by the very nature of its existence and message that I am sending you in it. The very fact, that I am willing to confront you, and them, who are not leading you in the message-of-the-cross. Demonstrates that because of that message being active in me, that is where my future is, that is where your future is with me, but only in the message-of-the-cross.
I became
> One thing that is first apparent in this relationship, is that it is not one of flesh and blood, but rather that of spiritual adoption, where it was the right thing to do, for us to take upon us the parent-child relationship. This was not forced upon us, we are willing participants in this, in that, as opposed to natural parent-child relationships, there are laws that require some level of responsibility, one to another. Where in us, there is no compulsory service to be here, but it is this, in which we recognize it as prudent, and just, to do for each other. Our compulsion, is voluntary by its very nature, and requires us to be vulnerable to one another, despite its danger that the word vulnerable signifies it to be. We have put ourselves in this position, which calls for accountability as a resource in us, not a penalty of restraint. As that is how it is thought of and perceived to be, when we think of it in the flesh, but that is not in us, as our frame of mind, as it is defined in us. We do not define our reliance on one another as a handicap, but rather as a strengthening of us, as it is said, "a three cord rope, properly entwined, is not easily broken", because they share the load together. That is why I am with you in this, as my position is that of an adoptive father over you, with cause in me to be an intentional "Rarity" in your life, that imprints myself and you, in the message-of-the-cross, for future benefit to us both. Yes, I have an agenda, but then, as Christians, it should also be yours as well, as it is the message-of-the-cross.
your father
> I am your spiritual leader, so far as the position I have in the church as Apostle, which is where God has put me. I was drafted into this position by Christ himself, but once he showed me the cause and meaning of what my life meant, in relationship to him, I became a willing participant, as a return on his initial investment in me. Therefore, that, is now my desire, to fulfill the purpose of God, in my life. For me to do that, I must invest myself in you and make you profitable in Gods kingdom, he is a benefit for us both, and reveals Gods glory at work in us.
in Christ Jesus
> All of which is because, we are united by God, thru Christ Jesus, who is the banner that identifies us to one another. Unlike the world, Christ is not makeshift, as something that will fade or be changed away from that, which he is now. As his state, is not temporary in nature, but everlasting and permanent in us. The world shifts with the circumstances it encounters, but Christ is our foundation, that is never altered or gives way to another absolute. That is the nature of absolute, in that, there is only one essence to it, and there can only be one absolute, and that is Christ Jesus.
through the
> Because of that absolute, God has made for us one way, and only one way to be engaged with him, and that method is in what he has provided for us, apart from what is in the mind of man to think about it. In other words, our opinions, do not alter the method of God for us, they are all inert and without effect in our founding an eternal relationship with God in heaven. God, not man defines salvation, which should not be a difficult concept for man to grasp. God is the one who judges, based on his power and authority to do so, it is that sovereign control, which strips mankind of power to resist his will. God is not a democracy in his engagement with man, he is the absolute, and there is no other. Therefore, his method is the observed method, while all others are disregarded and discarded. In this then, he has invited us to join him in this method; not redefine it, modify it or compose it to another method, it is what it is, an unchangeable absolute in God. So that it is a cause and effect, of being in us an influence, which makes us changeable to the glory seen in the image of Christ, as a character trait in us. One which, he is instilling from above, yet is internal in us, by that very method which is designed by the Father, achieved by the Son and produced with authority in us, thru the power of the Holy Spirit.
gospel.
> That method then, is in the very message-of-the-cross, which countermands all other decrees by man or spiritual powers, who wish by their design, to overthrow the will of God. Whether by action or deception, they will all come to fail and only Christ will be left standing, when the war and conflict has come to an end between good and evil.

4:16 I
> As a direct result of that relationship concept, where I am both, your chosen mentor, in that God caused our life together for us, and where I am here voluntarily also, in an overseer position in our relationship to God, as one having authority from God in this. That is the premise that we then must construct our life on together. It is because of that as a fact, that I am engaging you in both commendation and reproof. If you accept both items from me as conditions of our relationship, then I truly am your spiritual leader in Christ. If on the other hand, you accept my commendation, but not my reproof, then you are not my offspring in the message-of-the-cross. You are then a child in my house out of adultery, in that you are of the unfaithful, and not of my seed thru the wedlock of my faith in Christ, but another has planted in you, that which you are. A rebellious one to my home, seeking not my honor in you, but that the other who produced you, attempting to divide the faith that I am establishing my family in.
encourage you,
> So I offer to you, advice as from a father figure in your life, who does not stop thinking of you when he is not with you in person. In that, I am calling upon you, in that very Spirit I already spelled out to you, of us being in a state of having a resource of accountability to each other. Not seen as a detriment to us as reining in our personal freedom, but rather as likeminded people, residing in each other for us to reign in our mutual benefits together as a family. Where we perceive and see our future, irrevocably bound to each other, and therefore, there is only one course of action for us to take.
then,
> That being the reason of this exercise of trust being active in you, you then have motivation as part of your spiritual makeup, to spur you on to newer and higher points of emphasis in life, which previously did not exist in your life. There is a transformation process at work in you, a growing up where you are coming into adulthood, in direct relation to the mind of Christ being a practical application in your life, at least as you see it and interrupt it in your conscience thinking. This by comparison to a child, who does not consider their outcome of their actions prior to them acting on them in impulse, where you do as adults; Christian maturity is then a method practiced in you, in the spirit, not an age.
be imitators
> This transformation, includes the use of mentors, those who have already had encounters in life, that allow them to supplement your own training at their expense. In which they are willing participants with you, desiring to not have their experience go either unnoticed or unused by the generations after them. To them, being a preventive sort of maintenance in you, is an honor bestowed upon them, that some how validates the struggles they went thru, as not being wasted away and discarded by others. This thru which, you are now able to avoid the pitfalls in life, by participating with them, in accepting the counsel of wisdom they bring to the table.
of me.
> In this instance, I am that person, a pioneer who has already gone before you, down that path of change, providing for you the proper markers and guidepost to set you on the right path, to be in the image of Christ, both in mind and deed. In life, we have sayings like, "the Apple does not fall far from the tree", or "like father, like son", these are acceptable catch phrases that I am seeking be said of you, concerning my being the spiritual father figure in your life. I who was the one who gave his seed of faith to you, so that it might grow up after Jesus namesake in life. Which for myself, that would be reflected in my dedication to the message-of-the-cross, as it is replicated in you. I want to be able to set the standard in you, in the sense that I am teaching and leading you to Christ as your standard in life, where I am the one who has gone before you, setting the marks for you to apply in your life. It is not that I completely oppose those outsiders who teach, it is just that they do not have the personal value stake in you, which I do have, that is, in a spiritual sense, I am your flesh and blood, so to speak. They are mere acquaintances, encounters with you, which are without obligation for them to be there in your outcome in life. Not accepting responsibility for their actions with you in life, in essence then, you are a result of their impregnating seed, but they then abandon you, as being fatherless in life.

4:17 For
> Out of concern for maintaining that relationship with you, and being presently engaged in work here in Ephesus. I am instead, making arrangements on your behalf thru another, as would be a benefit to you, from me in my absence.
this reason,
> My cause then, is established, in my willingness to accept responsibility for the outcome of your lives, by infiltrating you, with not just an ambassador of mine, but a brother of yours who is here with me. Who is like you are in my relationship with him, so you can see for yourselves, what my children are like, who honor me by living for Christ.
I have
> That is why I have chosen a very special and dear person to me, to come see you in person. His relationship to me is not just casual in the social sense; we have made that personal connection to one another. We are not just corporate partners, but rather have grown fond of each other in that relationship that I have just spent time explaining to you. From that, you can rest assured that he will not be swayed in his loyalty to me, because of Christ in him, and he will not shrink from establishing my authority among you, as it is of God that he would do so.
sent Timothy
> His name is Timothy, which by definition means, "Honor of, or Valued of God", and I am adding you to his visitations list, to which he is already caring a heavy load. But you see, that is why he is an imitator of me, and of whom I am of Christ, because we are willing to take on the weight of responsibility for the seeds of faith we plant, and then employ our children in the heritage of the work of Christ. Timothy, will be the one who will infiltrate himself among you, and be a catalyst in you, so that with his implanting his character and faith in you hearts, you will swayed to be like him also.
to you,
> This is for your benefit then, to have him visit you in this manner and for you to prepare for him as an event not to be missed out on in your life. In fact, as I described early, he is a "Rarity", so much so, that you should pause your lives, to take in from him, that which is not so much found among you presently, but could be a future representation of you, as your course in life matures as his.
who is
> You see, Timothy is my follower, but not because of me, just after me in the organizational sense. His true nature is that which exist with him in relationship to Christ at his own personal level, of which I am a mentor, but cannot be the cause and effect of, that is for God to do between them, and that which he must engage God in.
my dear
> But as to Timothy himself, I have grown to love him very much, he is much more than a fellow worker to me, he has become part of the soul of who I am. He has become part of the makeup of my personality, in that, we are reflected in each other, in those personal traits and influences of whom we are. I may be his superior, but my love for him makes me more vulnerable to him, than he is to me.
and faithful
> Add this to my fortune then, as I have chosen wisely and made my home near to the alter of God, as has he, so we are a benefit to each other in our relationship to God there in that method of homesteading near to God. Our ability to strengthen each other, rest in the place where we have put our faith with God. He is a result of my ministry, but has become my trusted confidant as a result of his personal character traits, which he received from God, at my hand of instruction to him. Timothy is a solid believer who has counted the cost of discipleship and came under my Christ given authority in the church, thru the proper order of leadership in the church in me.
son
> He is then to me, as my very own child in the relationship we have with each other, which came about thru our personal dedication to the message-of-the-cross. You see that became our bond, in that, we became so likeminded in our personal pursuits for having the image of Christ in us. When we now see each other, it is that image that we see looking back at us, which draws us into each other even further, in our affection for knowing Christ and each other even more. This became our father-son relationship in both the church operations and in the personal realm of our lives as we do life together.
in the Lord.
> All of which as I have just stated, is a result of him, and myself having become faithful in Christ, to the calling that God gave us to be in the image of his son, as a new creation, separate from that which we were before. Which is the cause and effect of position, by that I mean, our estate with God, has enveloped us into one body, with one purpose for us to exist in it. Even though we are distinctively different people, the estate of God has confined us to be after his attributes and like mindedness in attaining to the same higher standard of God in us. We are being united by being independently drawn to the same light of God in us, and this is Gods power in us to achieve the image of Christ in us.
He will
> As a result of that same course of action we are taking in life with God, he is able to do the same things I could for you. Because its ability to be effective in you, is a result of God being active in you, as you rescind to him you self-appointed life, and come into the acknowledgment of Gods glory being your only resource in life. When you then know where the nourishment is, you can feed off it, as God has created in you for it to properly be. Where you are confined in his estate, apart from the wilds of the curse that will exist on mankind till the end of time.
remind you
> There is nothing like having a living legend among you, who is there as a constant reminder of what it means to live a life of uncommon valor and virtue, in a world that is common only to sin and judgment. And that, exist in the life of Timothy, as one who has lived an uncommon life in Christ, dedicated to the message-of-the-cross, no matter the personal cost to him.
of my ways
> As he has experienced all aspects of the Christian walk for himself along with me, and has not shrunk from the hardships and duties that are sometimes there in holding firm to the message-of-the-cross. He has seen me in practice and knows how I conduct myself as a believer and as Apostle in the church.
in Christ,
> Ways that I myself was not accustom to, any more than you would be. The reason being is that they are the ways of Christ, who is of God, which makes them of a nature that we are not familiar with. After the fall, we became alien to God, not only in our actions, but also in what seems to us to be a way of thinking and the mindset we have in life. In that, when we had lost position with God, we also lost his intimate counsel to our every thought. Now that Christ has come to us, and demonstrated by his own actions and showed to us his frame of mind, which was that of his Father’s and that which was always on his mind. That we had some new ground work laid for us to be established in, which was new to us as a position in life, and had to be learned from the inside out. It must be a spiritual revelation to each person individually, thru a personal encounter with Christ, for it to become acceptable, as the mindset to be developed in you also.
as I
> This is what Timothy will testify to you about, my consistency in the message-of-the-cross, of which I do not deviate for personal gain. In fact, as Christ himself told me would be my fate, I have suffered much as an Apostle for his namesake. Not because I am being punished for my own attacks on the church before I was a Christian, but because of the passion that he has buried in me, to become a servant to the message-of-the-cross. I found the truth was in Christ and it now consumes who I am. As I have been altered from that which I was, to that which I am. Moreover, as uncanny as it seemed to me then, to act and think as I do now, I cannot imagine myself in another frame of mind apart from God, as my only purpose in me.
teach them
> That is then the instruction, that Timothy will bring to you, he will show you thru himself, what it is that I teach about, both in action and in concept. In that, I am as consistent in that message away from you, as I am with you. That it has not altered in even the smallest way, from that which it was when I was with you before. In other words, Gods word thru me is reliable and dependable as the bedrock of your faith to consist in, in both doctrine in the church and doing life as an individual, who resides in personal faith to God.
everywhere
> Your, location is irrelevant to me, in relation to my heart for you, because my focus is not of this world or its kingdoms, but of Gods which is not of this world or any of its establishments. So I do not tell you one story, and then turn around and give another story of Christ to a different people. I may use different methods to convey the message, as it relates to their culture, but I do not change the challenge of that message, as it relates to our foundation in Christ. As Christ came to challenge the ways of man and overthrow the thinking of man, as being out-of-touch with God. And though he has caused us to swim upstream against the culture of man, he has given us a greater power to do it thru, than that if we were to just going along with them in the flow of humanity. This would sound easier to do, until you come to the rapids and are caught up in the rushing current and crash into the rocks and destroyed with the world. Because by then you are powerless to avoid them and the destruction, they will heap upon you at that time. Because of that, I stay on message where ever I go, despite the pressure they put on me to conform. In that, I know that what awaits them down river, is far worse than my struggles against the flow of culture, which they wish to prevail in against me now.
in every
> Also the positions that I take, are irrespective of them and who they are, so as far as how they see themselves in their lower, middle or upper class view of themselves or by others. Jesus taught the same message to the rich young ruler who had restraint in the law, which he did to the abased sinner, caught up and separated from God by the sinful desires of this world. That is, if it offends you, uproot it from your life and turn to God. Because it is better to loose things of this world in part, by being permanently separated from them, as they are permanently separating you from God. Then to loose the kingdom of God, in retaining them for yourself here, and not become a Christian thru them as an excuse in life. Which is all they are, not valid points, but excuses, you could supplant them with anything or instance in your life, whether it money or the lust of your eye’s. They could just as easily be gambling, clothing, doubting the inspiration of Gods word, or mean spiritedness towards others. They all have the same essence behind them; an excuse for you to remain separated from God, but only in your mind, not Gods.
church.
> Therefore, the only bedrock of faith in God is first laid in the same manner, in every people, no matter the culture they live in. The institutions that they have built up overtime must all come crumbling down at the receiving of the message-of-the-cross. Nothing stands before Christ, because he has taken rule over creation on earth, away from the devil, and established in its stead, the institution of God. He has regained his rule of mercy over man, as being the dominant end of Gods will for man. This is powered by his grace, which is able to increase in greater supply, than sin is able to increase in itself. Sin has its limitations, in that, it is a result of creation itself, but the grace of God is boundless for them who would abandon this life for the uprooting of it, for the replantation by God, into his estate.

4:18 Some
> My absence from you, has clearly given way to opportunist to become prominent and take advantage of you in my absence. As they seize this opportunity, it is putting pressure on you from your peers to make choices in the church, which should not be in the church. In that, we do not practice divisions or operate out of factions within in the body of Christ. You are either part of his whole body, or you are not part of him at all. God does not practice separatism, and those who try to, are only fooling themselves into believing that they have the blessing of God on them to proceed in that manner in the church, when in fact they are subject to his curse being on them.
have become
> Their action occurring during my absence, only goes to show how weak they are, that they did not try these things while I was there. They saw it as a power vacuum, which they could fill with themselves, but the church is not like any human organization, it has an overseer in God, who will cause them to give an account for their actions. It is obviously a part of their makeup, to deceive others when they perceive weakness and then exploit it for their own use. For if they were in Christ and on message for the purpose of God in them. Had they seen a weakness, they would supplied it with strength at their expense and not used it for their profit. As they would have seen the greater cause of the message-of-the-cross a more dominant theme, than anything in their lives could compare, as having any relevant meaning to it. But that is the mind of Christ, is it not, which I have made known to you, and that which you should be seeking among you, and of which they are not.
puffed up,
> They have chosen to inflate their egos and make themselves of stature among you, as men of knowing the will of God more than other men, yet acting outside of the chosen of God, who established the church in doctrine. They pad their thinking with their own concepts of Christianity and not with that which they were supposed become, in the humble image of Jesus and the message-of-the-cross. They have squandered an opportunity to glorify God, and seen it only as a self-serving condition for themselves. This there again, demonstrate the minds and motives behind their actions, that they are full of thinking about themselves only and not the better half of the church to which they associate themselves.
as if
> They are acting on suppositions and maybes, that I will no longer be there to stop them from what they are doing. Causing you to believe that I am out of the picture now, and that they are superceding my authority. They would put forward the idea that I am not the good father that I am, and that I have abandoned you to yourselves. Which is not the case, in that, as Apostle to the gentiles, I have many children who are being born out of my seed of faith. And though I am not able to be present with you all the time, what I gave you is more than I could ever be in person myself. As I led you to the resource of God, who is able to live in you and supply you beyond any measure that I might have. So they are promoting confusion and doubt among you, which is opposite of the faith that I taught you in. So, ask yourselves if you are better off with these feelings, they are causing in you, which were not a part of my teaching to you, but are in fact a deception that they are administering to you.
I were not
> They even put forward the idea that I refuse to have company with you, supplying your egos with fuel for hatred against me. This is again false, in that, as I did for you in faith to God, I am doing for others, and this is the will of God, that we must both accept in us. My designs for you were that you became self-sufficient as a church, whose dependency was on no man, including myself. They are using this as a device, in their scheme to take control, in order to influence you against me, attempting to make themselves look good, by making me look bad.
coming
> So they promote the idea, that they are all you have, and that you will have no other options but them in life. They are saying that I have a mindset in me, that is not favorable to you to wait for me, so that you are better off with them. However, I say that they are using you, and using the mission that God has given me in the church, to attempt to divide the church.
to
> They try to point out that I am going in one direction in life and that you are going in another. Instead of using practical analogies that relate us all back to God, they try to condition you to think like the world does, and see things only from a selfish human perspective. Regardless of the big picture, which is the work God is doing in all the regions around you, which is for your benefit also, to have Christ established in them also.
you.
> So you need to see yourselves in that big picture and not as an isolated people, forgotten by others, which is not the case. You are a significant people to the church at large, because Christ lives in you, and not because I myself am, present or absent. That is where you need to see yourselves in relation to others, not that you do not have me, but that you do have Christ, who is your eternal destiny now.

4:19 But
> On the other hand, I do not intend to ignore you or them in the future. So if they think or say that because I am not there in person, that I have no right or claim as an authority in the church, they have another thing coming, me.
I will
> It is in the mindset of myself, to come there in person and deal with all these issues at hand, and that is not just small talk on my part, that is the very present of mind in me to do. So put them on notice, that I have the mind and willpower to confront them head on, and will not be shy about it or go easy on them. Due to their boldness in public, I will in that same public, have it out with them and put them to shame if they persist in this, and this for you benefit, not mine.
come to you
> In that, you are an object of my desires to know fully what is occurring in you, so that as your father figure, I can be a mentor to you, in that which is profitable in what God is doing. So that you are fully engaged with God, in what he is doing for us here on earth. That is why, if it is at all possible for me to come, they will have to face me for what they are saying, and secure themselves in the will of God, to stand before me, because that is how I will come to you. As there is no shyness in me, concerning the position or doctrines that I delivered to you or lack of will on my part, to stick to my guns in support of them. I know the war that is waging for the minds and will of the church, as I used to be on the other side, opposing the church.
soon,
> They should begin to look over their shoulders now for my arrival, they should not feel smug or secure in my absence, because it is my intention to reverse that feeling of security in them, with sorrow and unrest in their own abilities. I will come unannounced when I come, so that they will not have time to prepare for me beforehand, I plan to surprise them, but I do have a timeframe in mind, that will keep me here for the time being, at least until Pentecost. So they should not feel safe in my absence and feel that they have free and unchallenged reign over the church because of that. They may have some public support behind them, but it is nothing compared to the support that I have behind me with God.
if the Lord
> But as I am not doing ministry according to what is convenient for me, it is the Lord himself who is most paramount in that decision, as to if I am to come to you. As unlike them, I understand and rely on an authority structure authored by God to determine the best need for me. I do not place man above God, for I know in the end that it is God who is our solution, not us acting independently in the church apart from him. Therefore, if God has another need for me, you will have to deal with this yourselves, seeking God as to having his will over you also.
is willing,
> This matter of my coming then, I leave then in the hands of God, who is seeking the best from all of us in the church and knows what is best for us, so far as our personal involvement’s within the church community. It is not enough that I should desire to come to you and resolve this, as part of my desire and ministry to do so. It may very well be that God does not want me directly in the mix of what is going on there with you. So that you are able to resolve this yourselves and show yourselves capable of even more mature interactions with God in the church.
and I will
> If it occurs that I am able to come to you, as I am hoping it does, we will discover together in my fact finding mission, what is behind them who are opposing church doctrine. I am determined in myself, to not allow this action by them to go unanswered, but to respond face to face. One would think, that knowing my past determinations, to willingly sacrifice myself in an effort to enable in me, that the word of God should go out from me, as my counterpart in life with God. That they would be smart enough to know that I am ready, willing and able, to come deal with them. However, opportunists are rarely aware of their own vices and disabilities, only that of others, which is for them to prey on, as they see it.
find out
> I want to hear for myself, the basis of their arguments, for them being a superior to myself and others of the human race, to find what makes them feel they are more prominent in the church than the Apostles of God. I will make them defend themselves in every detail they speak on and I will not go easy on them, for what confusion they have brought to my children in the Lord. If you haven’t guessed it already, I am really teed off at them, and don’t like what they are doing to you. Anymore than that if a bully were picking on my children, so I suppose you could say, that as a father figure to you, I want a piece of them.
not only
> I am not going to let them get away with talking a good talk, but having no substance to their Christian walk, that enables them to have a valid voice in the matters of the church and its function. Their opinions mean little to me, because I have learned that the opinions of man run counter to the will of God, and therefore have no resource in them, to sustain themselves beyond what limited influence the men themselves have. There must be more to them, then just their opinions to have sustainability in the church; they must have the seal of God on them, as in the mark of the Holy Spirit, as supporting them as it being valid with God. Question is; what is it then, which is invisible to us yet makes it visible and discernible? It is the power of cause and effect, which exist in the absence of man to enforce it on you. In that, God qualifies it; it is in the peace it brings to you, apart from the anxious feelings, which are of the carnal flesh to be in you concerning it. They, who do not rely on God to substantiate them in their position and teaching, would rush you into a decision. Just like a salesman would do, who himself, has no personal assurance in that which he is offering, to survive the pause in time to scrutinize its truth as being valid with God. Where God himself, desires us to find him faithful in the facts and that time is not an issue for you to rush past the truth of a current circumstance, and lose the truth in so doing, God never wants you to leave the truth behind and move on. Expediency is never more important then the truth, even if the truth is that you just do not know what the truth of the matter is, that is better than a false judgment.
the talk
> I will know whether or not they can backup what it is they are saying, because it is one thing to say something, but another to be able to hold your ground to it, no matter the consequence that follows. As for me, I do not seek to qualify myself, as being a relevant person to you, apart from that of our personal relationship together, which we exist in thru our Lord. As an Apostle though, I am required of the Lord to set doctrine and defend it in the church as part of my mission in Christ, and so I shall in need be.
of these
> Because when a segment of people, are allowed to organize under a false belief system, no matter how good it sounds to them when hearing it. It is of little matter, if it does not have the support of Gods will behind it. That is what I will bring to them, is the challenge of Gods word, to their word, to see if as a people they are able to stand before Gods method of doing church or not. They will be put on the defensive to see if they are able to sustain themselves or not before an Apostle of God, I am willing to take the test, and we will see how they do.
arrogant people,
> For I suspect that I will find that these are no more than a people, who think to highly of their own abilities and make plans for what is profitable to them here on earth, and not with concern for the eternal state, which we will one day exist in. That their focus, is on the here and now, with them wanting to be something that they are not. And they being willing to take advantage, and use the church as a platform to accomplish that in.
but also
> In addition to their opinions, I want to know their deeds, because that is what tells the true story of what they are up to. Do you know what I mean? It is somewhat like the saying that the "proof is in the pudding", I want to see if their, "actions speak louder then words". You see, it is not enough to just voice an opinion, and then disregard the lifestyle it creates in others. A bad saying is, "Do as I say, not as I do", which is much like governing bodies, which exempt themselves from their own laws, but put them on their citizens. In this, notice how God led by example of how we should be in life, by becoming one of us in the person of Jesus, as evidence that God says, "do as I do, in that, I do as I say". God does not divide his government from his lifestyle, they are part of each other and inseparable, and God rules according to the way he lives and lives, according to the way, he rules. There is no hypocrisy with God, only in the lack of understanding of who God is in the hearts of man, is there the perception of error, but it is all with man that there is error of duplicity, not with God.
their power.
> That is why I want to know whether or not there is substance to their claims of authority, in that, they are one with God in example of what their lives exemplify about them. It is one thing to say you are of God, it is another for him to say that you are right, and he is your backup to prove it. The dynamics of what validates them, can not consist in what is in their ability alone to portray of themselves, but what is coming to them from God to validate them as his. One thing that you learn with God is, that when it is his words coming thru you, they live on beyond you in a life of their own, and have the power of influence behind them to effect people. However, when it is of man, it only means something when they are there to reinforce the will of it on the people. When it is of God, anyone can repeat it, and have Gods authority of fact behind it, but when it is of man, it carries no weight in the absence of the man. This is why, that though it may be my desire to be there in person, as is the protective nature of a father to do, there is no imperative for me to be there, because it is Gods word which is able to stand the test, not mine.

4:20 For
> What I need you to keep present before you, is in the premise that the church and the world operate in two different realms of influence. Which is outside of and beyond the human connection in the church, it is not of this world or part of its construction or origin of creation from old. The church is new in every facet of its design, for which we are as a people to function in and be identified thru. So there are new methods, motivations and consequences from them, which will be evident in us.
the kingdom
> That which we are involved in, has its basis of existence in an existing authority structure, in fact, it is the only authority left that is valid, since Christ redemption put an end to the devils domain, as ruler of the earth and air. There is now an authority at work which is fully under the control of Jesus, which will remain so until time on earth ends and he returns all authority to the Father. So that God is one in all things once again, as this is a temporary assignment that Jesus is on during the process of bringing in the redeemed, but then, he will cease in having all authority in heaven and earth, once that mission is accomplished.
of God
> This authority then has a source to it, which is that of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who rule in unison and have peace and rest with each other in their relationship as their natural state. They have a companionship in their existence, which is not common for man to know or exist in apart from them, as it is unique to their nature and non-existent apart from them. Even tough this state still exist in the nature of who they are know, they have divided their duties to each other for the sake of redemption as a temporary condition. However, this is divided only in duties, not in the nature of them being one as God, who are at rest in themselves in this.
is demonstrated
> Because of that, Gods presence in something, which is able to make itself as evident in our world, as a light shining in the dark, it should stand out like a sore thumb, so to speak. Because we are not dealing here with human resources, but with the very nature of God and how he operates in his environment, which is a dichotomy to the way that mankind is operating in his. As Gods realm does not have finite limitations on it, and because of that, whatsoever is his spoken word, is what becomes the reality, as we know it, to then exist as our environment. In other words, there is in Gods realm a cause and effect when he speaks, just as he spoke into existence creation itself, that power eternally exist in what he says. This causes effect to happen independently of others action around him, whether angelic or physical.
not in
> Now, this is the great divide we preach of, as evident between finite man and the infinite nature of God. Because with man, there is no authority in the words he speaks after his own design and will, as they of their own nature produce nothing. They, our words, are an object, without a connection to that which is able to make them effective in what they proclaim. As an example, a baseball bat is an object, that yields in its performance great power and blunt force, when it comes in contact with a baseball. But that, not until it is picked up and given the resource of energy, which is transferred to it in the grasp and swing of the baseball player, it is inert and motionless in its own nature, carrying in itself no substance beyond basic existence.
idle talk
> That is what mankind is like in his own existence apart from God. He speaks of things which have no active influence to them with God over his destiny in or with him, apart from themselves proclaiming them to be so, and then deceiving others to buy into that lie as a wholesale course in life. They are as inert as the baseball bat lying motionless on the ground, when it comes to their interaction and influence with God, because they misunderstand the nature of their own object, which they are no matter what they proclaim themselves to be. They set up their stakes and raise their tents, all based in the words of being busy on earth, with no thought for that which will come to them in death and take it all away from them. They see their position in life as being based in what they think and say of themselves. Regardless of their eternal consequences on them, or the truth behind there being no cause and effect of their words. As they are in the end, their words are meaningless and without merit to God, the fact that men will hear them and respond to them means nothing. It is not based in the ability of man to persuade with speech to accomplish things, but with internal influence from God, which is at the core of the church sustaining itself by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which gives life where their was before death.
but
> On the other hand, those who come to God in acknowledging, that they are what they are, as the object that they were created for, (think here of the parable of the potter and the clay) they realize that their function in life, is only active when they are put to use in their intended design by the Father. That their course is bound to Gods and that is where they want to be, and that without him, they are different than all of humanity, in that they have in them the same self-destructive nature.
with power.
> As what occurs then, has to do with the position we are in with the one who yields in their nature, that which is not part of our nature. Once again, thinking of the different nature of the baseball player and the bat, which what we as mankind are in relation to, as to that which God is. God is viable in his existence as an independent living being, which exist outside of all other things that exist. Where we as the inert object, which is like unto a baseball bat, as we can do nothing of its own self, unless we are chosen for use in the hands of God.

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