PERFECT LOVE
Here is an audio clip of Perfect Love. My journey in grace...not yet complete.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Spirit of Prophecy.
Be encouraged when moving in, and receiving prophecy! New Testament prophecy is different then Old Testament prophecy. Part of the purpose of Old Testament prophecy was to call out the sin of man yet to be atoned. The purpose of New Testament prophecy seeks to edify, encourage, and exhort. It speaks of the the atonement of sin by the person and finished work of Jesus.
Revelation 19:10 "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" HE PAID IT ALL!
Our words of prophecy should never call sin out in people lives but rather always revolve around Christ's perfect love. God himself has forgotten their sins under the precious all sufficient blood of Jesus!
Peoples destinies come from their Identity IN Christ not their past.
Revelation 19:10 "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" HE PAID IT ALL!
Our words of prophecy should never call sin out in people lives but rather always revolve around Christ's perfect love. God himself has forgotten their sins under the precious all sufficient blood of Jesus!
Peoples destinies come from their Identity IN Christ not their past.
Monday, September 6, 2010
My Paradigm Shift
Plato’s Cave is an allegory on our paradigms and our paradigm shifts. A paradigm
contains our understanding of the world around us. It functions as a framework of our
beliefs and causes us to believe, think, and act in certain ways. When a paradigm shifts it
means that we have a new understanding or insight about our world. This usually causes our beliefs to change. Paradigms are expressed through how we live our lives. Most often when beliefs change our actions also change.
During thoughtful consideration of my paradigms and my paradigm shifts I have
Concluded the following parallels from Plato’s Cave:
Plato sets the stage by using a cave as the only reality the prisoners have ever known. They are chained and in a sense bound to that reality. The objects and people whose shadows are cast on the wall by an illuminating fire are representative of the many aspects of our lives. The fire is the illumination of those truths. However, the angle in which the prisoners are view their world skews their perception of the truth to a shadow of truth.
My experience with paradigms and shifting paradigms has been both painful and rewarding process. This paper is not an in-depth theological work but I will attempt to share my experience of a paradigm shift of believing God was angry with me to being thoroughly convinced of His unconditional love for me. My cave was religion. My chains were legalism.
The chains that once held me captive to the cave of religion had been placed upon me by well meaning people. These chains were skewed teachings about God’s character. These shackles locked me into a belief system of self-righteousness, self-condemnation, and legalism- chains I in turn placed on other people. I wanted everyone to see the only reality I had ever known; judgment. My reality was that God was angry at humanity and that our sin was so big the only way God could adequately deal with it was through a process of reward and punishment. Since sin was obviously an issue in my life, (I know my shortcomings) and what I knew of God, that he was holy and couldn’t look upon sin, my paradigm was that of a “conditionally” loving God, a God the Christian church some times portrays. These teachings from the church built my reality. I had a very limited knowledge of grace. All I saw was shadows of Gods goodness on a cave wall. I never knew God.
What I have found to be the most intriguing aspect of the Plato’s Cave allegory is the point that the prisoner could not release himself from his chains. He could not rescue himself from the prison. Someone else had to released him. For my paradigm to shift from a God of wrath and judgment to a God of love, I needed someone to release me from my cave of religious legalism. Within my paradigm I believe that coming to an understanding of the person of Jesus and his finished work of the cross is what set me free. These would fall under 2 picture types within Plato’s Cave allegory.
First, The person that actually set me free would be the person of grace, Jesus Christ. I had to experience Him as a person not a set of doctrinal ideas or chains. His grace is what freed me and changed my perspective of God. Second, would be the cave fire as properly interpreted biblical verses illuminating the work of the cross and His sacrifice. Once both of these were seen in their fullness and no longer as mere shadows, all of my previous beliefs that were contradictory with Gods character were harmonized. My world completely changed. Once the teachings and traditions of men and religion were removed from my understanding my paradigm it shifted. God became an unconditional lover of men not someone looking to smite me.
When my perspective of God changed my behaviors changed also. Once I knew His attitude towards me wasn’t dependant on what I could do for Him, but rather what He already did for me, I was free to no longer strive to win His approval. My self-righteousness ceased. I was at peace with God and rested in His love for me. I was then able to extend grace and not judgment to others.
The bible, my fire, speaks these words; “…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (The Gospel of John, ESV Translation)
The prisoners in Plato’s story are my friends. I have gone back to those in the church to share this new grace I have found. It has been met with unbelief and painful hostility. They could not comprehend this new reality for me or for themselves. Sadly they have lived their life to long believing God is angry with them. And their actions and attitudes have followed. I have seen a very ugly side of religion. I see the prisoners wanting to kill the man that would set them free and parallels to the Gospel records of Jesus coming to set men free from their legalistic understanding of God. The Pharisees sought to kill Jesus- The one that would come to shift their paradigms, the one that would give them new life, and the one that would set the captives free.
Plato’s Cave allegory has been one of the most enlightening works for understanding my paradigm shift of religion.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
HELL YEAH, GRACE IS BETTER!
If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed. – Albert Einstein.
I was hesitant to repost this video...but I feel it should be looked at- Not for the message it contains. But for how truth exposes it for what it is...This is not the gospel of Jesus!
My heart is stirred! if I may be so bold..
This video, though it may have been made with good intentions...screams hype of religion and nothing of the gospel.
I actually felt sad for those who would be guilted into sharing Jesus with their friends. I feel this would have several effects on people.
1) guilt them into sharing Jesus.
2) shame them for not sharing enough about Jesus.
3) scare the into loving jesus.
all of which are completely against the character of God.
This is the kind of Christian regurgitated hype we are taught in church that actually turns the world away from a loving God and Father that desires all men to be saved. It makes them think he is a torturous dictator God. (its also not scriptural)
"Serve me or you are going to hell where I will punish you forever! but I am a God of love so don't try to make a claim against it...what I do is just because I am God!"
If we claim to be people of the word and of the Gospel then lets examine the following for the child of God.
This is now therefore NO condemnation for those who are in christ Jesus! Rom. 8:1
This removes any guilt,condemnation and shame we would put on people for not doing "enough" for the kingdom. service to god has nothing to do with righteousness. Christ work on my behalf is all that counts for my righteousness. Praise God he did it all.
for the unbeliever:
Scaring people out of HELL?!
It is the loving kindness of God that leads men to repentance. Rom. 2
You can't scare someone into love.
would you scare your spouse into loving you? no. that would be emotional abuse. Those that believe this have been spiritually abused and guilted...and now are doing it to others.
Perfect love casts out all fear!
God is love.
This video tries to scare people into a relationship with God and to scare people into sharing about him.
That is called behavior modification...not heart transformation.
Objection!, you scream... I know people that were saved by things like this! from church dramas showing the reality of hell.
no. you know people who serve God out of Fear and not love...it could even be you...time will tell when the heart grows cold.
Behavior modification is not the Gospel!
Do we have such a small understanding of the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ that we must scare men into obedience?!
It is the grace of God that teaches men obedience! not fear...not works...not even the ten commandments...(the power of sin is the law I Cor. 15:56)
Titus
2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in(H) the present age,
and again in chapter 3
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
We as christians know there is eternal separation from God for the unbeliever...Jesus spoke of hell. But preaching Hell is not Preaching the Gospel.
What if this video showed all of the lovely characteristics of our loving father...of His sons selfless act of love...the spirits work in our hearts?! that would draw men! that would give the right portrayal of God.
Jesus took all of the wrath of God that His love could be poured out on you! unconditionally! (that really means unconditionally...without conditions!) God judges no one! he has entrusted All judgment to the son! He has not come to condemn the world but to save it!
If you are a christian struggling with guilt and condemnation know this: You are 100% loved by God...not based on your actions but based on his heart and grace towards you!
It is unjust, for a just God, to punish you for what he already punished Jesus for! (your sin)
Jesus sends no one to Hell! we were already destined for it...he simply saves us from it....apart from what we do or do not do. It is his right standing before God that saves me.
but most importantly its not about the after-life...as it is about life right now! Jesus has come to give you life...and to give it to the full!
I don't serve God out of fear. I serve him out of love. The heart forgiven much with be the heart that loves as much! I don't share with friends to convert them- to save them from hell. I share so that they may have his life now! That they could be restored, healed, and set free!
To me, videos like this, and sermons that are preached from sunday morning pulpits are very poor representations of the God of the bible. this kind of message is not going to save men from Hell...
I am sorry If I have offended anyone. my hope is to wake you up to the realization of Gods love towards all of mankind. the saved and the lost.
In love,
Aaron
I was hesitant to repost this video...but I feel it should be looked at- Not for the message it contains. But for how truth exposes it for what it is...This is not the gospel of Jesus!
My heart is stirred! if I may be so bold..
This video, though it may have been made with good intentions...screams hype of religion and nothing of the gospel.
I actually felt sad for those who would be guilted into sharing Jesus with their friends. I feel this would have several effects on people.
1) guilt them into sharing Jesus.
2) shame them for not sharing enough about Jesus.
3) scare the into loving jesus.
all of which are completely against the character of God.
This is the kind of Christian regurgitated hype we are taught in church that actually turns the world away from a loving God and Father that desires all men to be saved. It makes them think he is a torturous dictator God. (its also not scriptural)
"Serve me or you are going to hell where I will punish you forever! but I am a God of love so don't try to make a claim against it...what I do is just because I am God!"
If we claim to be people of the word and of the Gospel then lets examine the following for the child of God.
This is now therefore NO condemnation for those who are in christ Jesus! Rom. 8:1
This removes any guilt,condemnation and shame we would put on people for not doing "enough" for the kingdom. service to god has nothing to do with righteousness. Christ work on my behalf is all that counts for my righteousness. Praise God he did it all.
for the unbeliever:
Scaring people out of HELL?!
It is the loving kindness of God that leads men to repentance. Rom. 2
You can't scare someone into love.
would you scare your spouse into loving you? no. that would be emotional abuse. Those that believe this have been spiritually abused and guilted...and now are doing it to others.
Perfect love casts out all fear!
God is love.
This video tries to scare people into a relationship with God and to scare people into sharing about him.
That is called behavior modification...not heart transformation.
Objection!, you scream... I know people that were saved by things like this! from church dramas showing the reality of hell.
no. you know people who serve God out of Fear and not love...it could even be you...time will tell when the heart grows cold.
Behavior modification is not the Gospel!
Do we have such a small understanding of the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ that we must scare men into obedience?!
It is the grace of God that teaches men obedience! not fear...not works...not even the ten commandments...(the power of sin is the law I Cor. 15:56)
Titus
2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in(H) the present age,
and again in chapter 3
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
We as christians know there is eternal separation from God for the unbeliever...Jesus spoke of hell. But preaching Hell is not Preaching the Gospel.
What if this video showed all of the lovely characteristics of our loving father...of His sons selfless act of love...the spirits work in our hearts?! that would draw men! that would give the right portrayal of God.
Jesus took all of the wrath of God that His love could be poured out on you! unconditionally! (that really means unconditionally...without conditions!) God judges no one! he has entrusted All judgment to the son! He has not come to condemn the world but to save it!
If you are a christian struggling with guilt and condemnation know this: You are 100% loved by God...not based on your actions but based on his heart and grace towards you!
It is unjust, for a just God, to punish you for what he already punished Jesus for! (your sin)
Jesus sends no one to Hell! we were already destined for it...he simply saves us from it....apart from what we do or do not do. It is his right standing before God that saves me.
but most importantly its not about the after-life...as it is about life right now! Jesus has come to give you life...and to give it to the full!
I don't serve God out of fear. I serve him out of love. The heart forgiven much with be the heart that loves as much! I don't share with friends to convert them- to save them from hell. I share so that they may have his life now! That they could be restored, healed, and set free!
To me, videos like this, and sermons that are preached from sunday morning pulpits are very poor representations of the God of the bible. this kind of message is not going to save men from Hell...
I am sorry If I have offended anyone. my hope is to wake you up to the realization of Gods love towards all of mankind. the saved and the lost.
In love,
Aaron
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
God does not call his children sinners and saints.
You are either a sinner or a saint you can never be both.
If you are in Christ, you were once a sinner but not anymore.
If you sin while in christ you are not a sinner. You are still a saint.
You did nothing to make yourself a saint. Jesus made you a saint.
Its actually pride to believe you can undue what His blood has done for you.
Do you really believe that your sin is bigger then His grace?!
If you do... then stop thinking that way and rest in His Grace.
Stop trying to earn what he has already done for you. He has forgiven you completely to the utmost.
Jesus' Sacrifice was more then sufficient to redeem you for all of time, for all you have and will ever do.
AMEN!!!
You are either a sinner or a saint you can never be both.
If you are in Christ, you were once a sinner but not anymore.
If you sin while in christ you are not a sinner. You are still a saint.
You did nothing to make yourself a saint. Jesus made you a saint.
Its actually pride to believe you can undue what His blood has done for you.
Do you really believe that your sin is bigger then His grace?!
If you do... then stop thinking that way and rest in His Grace.
Stop trying to earn what he has already done for you. He has forgiven you completely to the utmost.
Jesus' Sacrifice was more then sufficient to redeem you for all of time, for all you have and will ever do.
AMEN!!!
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