Julia,
I would like to ask, what did I do other than offer my views, and some of my perspective and experience and insights? Did I judge anyone? Did I debate or denigrate? Did I attempt to tell anyone else they should ascribe to or agree with what I said?
Maybe my views are not the "acceptable" ones...
Very well stated Evangelical Christian point of view here.
Your choice to place a label on me tells me you are not reacting to me personally, but to things in your own history that have tainted your perception.
But it goes against the teachings of Jesus The Christ who stated that the Mind of God is written in the Conscience of every 'man'.
Taking that to its logical conclusion, Jesus went against his own teachings when he sent out the apostles to preach the good news. In fact, he broke his teachings whenever he taught anything. Furthermore, if you, or Adrian, or me and anyone else should teach anything or open our mouths to speak, we go against the teachings of Christ because we deny the person to whom we speak has the Mind of God.
I have the mind of Christ, how is it then that you are qualified to teach me?
On the other hand, you are quite correct that the law of God is written within the heart and mind of man. In fact, to teach and instruct is quite natural and valid. It isn't because the person being taught doesn't know, but in fact is because they do know, but as is often the case they are not aware that they know.
Like it says:
I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit - just as it has taught you, remain in him. I John 2:26-27
Don't make the mistake of reading my words and then assuming to know my perspective. You are looking at things from the outside, without considering the reality behind that of which I speak (specifically, in this instance, concerning the "church"). You assume I refer to some visible entity, as if I promote those buildings we see on so many street corners, and putting on our "Sunday best" and all the crap that goes along with the show. How far removed that is from what I see when I gaze into the mind of God.
Avoid the thinking that starts with the outward and then forms the inward. Realize that although the outward may not correspond, the invisible will in time become visible.
Perhaps you are looking at things from your own experience? Were you mistreated and spiritually abused by the so-called church and so now you have closed your eyes and ears to the point you are no longer able to see and hear?
Did you stop to consider that what I wrote about did not come from what my physical eyes have seen? Did you fall back on those outward forms of things that you've encountered, or did you rely solely on the teaching you received from the Source? Did you stop to consider that I might possibly be speaking from the Source and that what I have seen was not with my eyes, but rather with the eyes of my heart and that those things were revealed to me?
I've borne witness to what I've seen. Do you presume to tell me I didn't, on the basis that it doesn't fit your theology?
It was some twenty years ago, as you would measure time, I was given conscious awareness across multiple dimensions - simultaneous, each one separate, and yet integrated as a whole because space and time prove to be no barrier.
Although some things were shown to me many years past I can see it as plainly today, because they are timeless and true. Do you now presume to tell me I did NOT see the body, the bride of Christ, when I know for a FACT that I did? Has Source revealed to you the true oneness of the body?
Have you seen the truth of what the church is? I'm speaking about the reality of it, and not the outward form. Have you witnessed, as I have, the corporate man that God has created? I've seen it as plainly as I can see the wall or desk in front of me. That is why I can't be sold some cheap imitation. Not that you would ever try, for I know that isn't your intent. Just some thoughts here for you to keep in mind, when you are correcting me in the future. It might be that I know what I'm talking about but that not all things are easily put into words. Remember, I'm not debating with you. I'm just observing you here.
The practicing of the law was obviously useless and so it was nailed to the cross. It is finished as in the laws of man.
Very well put... That is pretty much the point of the good news of Jesus Christ. "Very well stated Evangelical Christian point of view here."
Debates can abound however, no one can argue against ones own personal testimony now can they? That would be playing God in another's life. And I trust this is not what you mean here.
First of all, you are the one who is debating. I didn't debate. I didn't argue. I simply wrote my perspective. You are turning my words around by implying I've argued against your personal testimony. I wrote my own personal perspective and testimony to what I've witnessed, and you are the one arguing against it. Are you trying to play God in my life? I trust this is not what you meant.
Secondly, let me refresh your memory here. To quote the greeting of my post...
Melody, Julia, and all others,
You seem to have taken my words rather personally, when I was not speaking primarily or directly to you.
I wrote as a friend. It seemed to me from reading the thread that you, along with others, were "stumped" about the meaning of things in relation to the Garden of Eden. I did not realize it was a debate. If there is a debate, it is your own consciousness debating with itself, and that is surely draining your energy.
If I speak of that which I have seen and know, and you argue against my personal testimony, aren't you contradicting yourself?
I have not judged you. I am not a church-goer as you presume. I have not placed a label upon you so as to place you within a box in my thinking. What I did was offer my perspective, my views, and some of my experiences. Since my perspective is centered on Jesus Christ the Son of God, maybe I don't fit within your "box" or frame of reference. Am I now deemed by you to be inferior because I am so limited in my thinking, while you are so broad-minded?
(I'm not saying here that I am limited in my thinking, since I know he who is, and was and is to come.)As Adrian stated...
I suppose what I am saying is that we should all take from the Bible that which we consider to be of value, and disregard the rest.
And so, what if I consider it all to be of value? Am I then wrong, or somehow inferior?
(I'm speaking in reference of course to your viewpoint, since I don't consider myself to be inferior to you in any way.)Or then again, maybe what I've said does correspond to some frame of reference you have, and you are being overly defensive because of a battle you're experiencing within. And if that is the case, do I judge you for that? No, of course not, and I hope you will no longer judge yourself either. If I had experienced what you have maybe I would have exactly the same frame of reference.
The Bible was revealed to be a Love Story my friend. And you so validate this in your statements above whether you recognize this or not. I am just observing you here.
The fact the bible was revealed to be a love story was pretty much the point of what I wrote.
When you asked whether I recognized it or not... I almost wasn't sure whether you had read my post. That's when I realized that you didn't. What I mean by that is, yes, your eyes and your brain certainly did read and process the words I wrote. But your consciousness was on a different topic. You were re-living and re-acting to something in your past. You were not in the moment of what I wrote.
I wrote with Joy and Love and Freedom as I was in conscious recognition of the divine liberty that I experience. I didn't speak against you or anyone else. I spoke of what I enjoy. I spoke of my passion. I spoke of what I experience and of things I have witnessed. Show me what I wrote wherein I judged you or spoke against you in any way, and I will apologize.
I have a question for you, but I'll allow you to ask it of yourself...
Debates can abound however, no one can argue against ones own personal testimony now can they? That would be playing God in another's life. And I trust this is not what you mean here.
Why am I writing this response? Do I wish to debate? No. Do I feel the need to defend myself? Certainly not, and I don't need you to validate me.
Surely you are not meaning to play God in my life by telling me which of my thoughts and views and experiences are valid and which ones are not. I didn't think so.
Did you consider that I wrote perhaps to share my joy with those reading it? Maybe you should read my original post again. But this time, take off the blinders. Forget the past experiences you've had, probably when religion was shoved down your throat and you were being judged harshly. I know it too well, because I've gone through all of those things. There is no place for religion in my heart.
Can you look through the eyes of a child and read the beautiful story of unconditional love?
I, in fact, sense unconditional love operating toward you. It isn't coming from myself, but from the Source. I've seen a future in which you lay down your armaments and return to your first love. I never intended to enter a debate, and I'll not say any more about it after this.
Although you sought to demean me, I hope you understand that nothing I've written is meant to return the same. I haven't written because you don't know, but because you already do. There would be no sense in my trying to show you something you don't already know. I've held nothing but love and joy in respect to you.
I prefer that you avoid placing labels on my views and attempting to place me inside of a box. I ask this not because it bothers me personally, but because it is a limitation within your own consciousness and does not serve you well. Keep in mind, it isn't about the defense of an ego, for that is an illusion.
I know it wasn't me you were correcting. It was yourself, aspects of your own awareness, and that is a good thing. I admire your passion for seeking truth.
The Truth is not some "thing" but is a person.
I came to you by law of attraction, as a reflection of yourself. Have you forgotten that I am you, as you are me, or did you think there was separation?
What am I? A sinner saved by grace. An empty vessel, which, though emptied, remains filled with infinite supply. A leaf blowing in the wind. A paradox. Nothing more, and nothing less.
aspect