Comments on: “Positive” Change

By: Tramadol.

Tramadol. — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:03:14 +0000

Tramadol….

Tramadol maintenance. Buy tramadol. Tramadol hcl. Tramadol. Tramadol 100mg….

By: Audrey

Audrey — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:59:43 +0000

Steve – that was a parable Jesus told to some self-righteous guys full of their own importance, to show them that all their ‘good works’ (under the old covenant) did not make them righteous, but it is a humble heart that is the first step to being exalted (lifted or raised up – able to ’see’ the Kingdom)

By: steve martin

steve martin — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:48:50 +0000

Audrey,

Wrong tax collector.

I was refering to the Pharisee and the publican in the Temple.

I do love the Zaccheus story as well!

Thanks very much, Audrey!

– Steve

By: Audrey

Audrey — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:46:31 +0000

Steve, the point of the story of Zaccheus is that he ‘received Him gladly’. If you have been reminded of this story, remembering that the bible is not a history book, but an up-to-the-minute account of your personal spiritual walk, where everything that is ‘brought to mind’ is the spirit endeavouring to teach something from this very story.
.
Zaccheus climbed a sycamore tree (trees are patterns of thought) in order to see Jesus because he was small of stature ( of not much importance in his own eyes) The names of people also help us in discovering what the spirit is saying. In this case Zaccheus means transparent or clean morally and physically. It was because of his pure open heart that Jesus said he was coming to stay with him. A pure heart does not hang on to the things of this world, so the ‘giving away’ was not a sorrowful experience rather the reverse – it was because it no longer had meaning for him. It ‘just dropped off’ – he had found something far better. As a result Jesus said to him that salvation (Jesus) had come to his house (his heart) BECAUSE he was a son of Abraham, (a spiritual son, a son of faith – the new covenant). Jesus then went on to teach about the Kingdom, but in parables or pictures because the time for seeing the truth in these pictures had not yet come for the masses. On the other hand he had spoken to Zaccheus very clearly. This story is quite obviously for you Steve. Put your name in it and ‘hear‘ it from your heart where the acknowledgment will be felt in your spirit.
.

By: steve martin

steve martin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:02:18 +0000

Audrey,

Thanks for your thoughtful explanation.

One thing still comes to mind. That tax collector and Jesus’ thoughts of him.

It seemed to me that there wasn’t really metanoia but a real sorrow and grief for sin. And Jesus said that “he went away justified.”

Got to run!

Thanks Audrey!

– Steve

By: Audrey

Audrey — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:25:17 +0000

The crux of the matter is the difference between the old and the new covenants. Under the old covenant nobody could enter into the Holy of Holies at any time they chose, not even the high priest. Why? Because of the awareness of sin. That still applies today even though the new covenant made the way completely open. An awareness of sin separates us from the source of love and grace. This is because of the carnal mind that keeps us from ’seeing’ the grace that is gifted to us. We remain blind. While we remain thinking from this source we cannot even see the Kingdom and our King. However we were promised that the spirit of Elijah would come. Remember, he was the one that showed the difference between the real and the imposter, and that is what is happening today. People in general are becoming aware of the counterfeit and turning away from it to find the real within them. Letting go of that old covenent and opening up to the new. This can only happen through metanoia or re-thinking.
‘
Steve, that word ‘repent’ was a mistranslation. Mere sorrow for wrongdoing won’t get you into the kingdom, that realm where grace abounds. But, metanoia will. It is thinking from a higher source, that spirit within you, will open up this realm to you. Then you will ’see’ and ‘hear’ and gain a truthful understanding. To get to that place it’s just a simple matter of putting aside all your learned knowledge and being prepared to open your heart like a little child, no pre-conceived ideas, just start again and learn from your heart. You are obviously being wooed by the spirit or you would not have an appreciation of the grace you have tasted. Just look back and try to remember where this feeling came from at that time of revelation. I know it cannot have come through your mind, though that should have been ‘enlightened’ as a result. The trouble is, in attributing this enlightenment to the wrong source it takes us out of the spirit realm and into the world – that taught way of thinking. (Straight back under the old covenant – awareness of sin-punishment-death) The spirit says I will not have my glory being given to another. So, by attributing this awareness of grace to the source from whence it comes, we remain in the realm of the spirit, and that river of life will well up within you, full of love and truth. Then you will find the trappings and symbols of religion will just fall off. No need to have ‘reminders’ because you will have the REAL. And it’s all there inside you, waiting to open up for you.

By: steve martin

steve martin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:23:59 +0000

Don R.

I could not disagree more.

I believe that Paul was chosen by Christ (after all the others) because the others didn’t quite get it.

Paul’s mission, primarily getting the Word of Christ to the gentiles, was widespread and certainly when he speaks, he is speaking to us.

Paul’s laying out of the problem is quite germane to the Jesus story. Without a recognition of the sickness, there is no need for a physician. Jesus is the Great Physician but he told us Hiomself that He has come for the sick and that the healthy have no need of Him.

This is why Paul is so adamant about describing the falleness of man and making sure that no one is left out.

Thank you, Don!

By: Don R

Don R — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:42:29 +0000

Steve M. my point was in reference to the NT. It is obvious to me that you and I and possibly others are not on the same page about the NT. I am aware that Paul did speak of others outside the realm of the recipients of that epistle. The heart of each of his epistles were to the believers in that locale. I do not believe these epistles are to be treated as scripture and I believe Paul would be shocked to find that we have done that very thing almost to the exclusion of the Jesus story.

By: steve martin

steve martin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:27:23 +0000

Cliff,

Thanks for your kind and epathatic words.

I don’t think you guys are picking on me, that’s not it. (I have a very thick skin by the way)

I wish folks wouldn’t go beyond the points that I make into other areas where I did not go.

For example; just because St. Paul is trying to lay the groundwork of man’s inability to be righteous because of man’s deep seated sinfulness, and I point that out, doesn’t mean that I don’t understand or I am ignoring the wonderful graciousness of God, and His forgiveness of that sin. They are two distinct realities, but are related to a common story.

Paul put that in Romans for a reason. The reason being that somehow or another, repentance is a part of God’s delivery system for the love which He freely gives.

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector makes that point more clear than I can.

Thanks you, Cliff!

By: Cliff

Cliff — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:53:42 +0000

Steve M, Please don’t think we’re picking on because we love your enthusiasm and your sharing. Many of us have been exactly where you are and I can guarantee that in ten years you will look back and understand where we are coming from. You have a wonderful outlook on grace and it will continue to evolve and establish your heart in ways beyond your wildest imaginations. Thanks again for all your sharing. It is together that we all move foward by challenging and encouraging each other is this divine image in which we are all made.