Christ's Law

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● Phil 3:2c . . Beware of mutilation.

Mutilation in this particular instance isn't criminal mischief, rather; it refers to
voluntary ritual circumcision; viz: initiation into the covenant that Moses' people
agreed upon with God per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. There
were Jews in various cities back in the apostles' era telling Christians that
protection from the sum of all fears depends upon circumcision.

"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said,
Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." (Acts
15:1)

The apostles disagreed.

"Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled
you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep
the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:" (Acts 15:24)

The primary reason the apostles disagreed is simply because Christians don't
associate with God via Moses' covenant, rather; they associate with God via a
covenant whose language is very different, and its conditions far more agreeable.
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● Phil 3:17 . . Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of
those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you
before, and now say, again even with tears: many live as enemies of the cross of
Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their appetites, and their glory is in
their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

* The Greek word translated "brothers" technically pertains to one's male kin or to
one's fellow members of a college fraternity or an outlaw biker club like The
Mongols. However, when Paul wrote to congregations, his use of the word
commonly pertained to both genders sort of like how "man" pertains to both
genders as they are defined in the early chapters of Genesis. (e.g. Gen 5:1-2)

The Greek word translated "appetites" not only refers to one's tummy, but also the
natural urges everyone experiences due to human nature. Natural urges are a force
to be reckoned with. For example: libido is just as strong a motivation for marriage
as it is for adultery. Hunger is just as strong a motivation for nourishment as it is
for gluttony. Ambition is just as strong a motivation for legitimate success as it is
for fraud.

"glory" is somewhat ambiguous. It can indicate illumination and it can also indicate
accolades where accolades are due. For example the universe proclaims the glory of
God, i.e. it speaks of intelligence and abilities without equal. But when a cheap
politician throws scruples to the wind and achieves office by dishonest means, they
have nothing to brag about, i.e. they're disgusting, and sometimes even downright
criminal.
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● Phil 4:4 . . Rejoice in the Lord always. I say again: Rejoice!

Now the thing is: rejoicing in the Lord is not the same as rejoicing in life. In point of
fact, there's really not all that much to be perpetually happy about in life on earth.

● Ecc 1:2-3 . . Utter futility! --said Koheleth-- Utter futility! All is futile! What real
value is there for a man in all the gains he makes beneath the sun?

We can name lots of things in life that bring us happiness and satisfaction, but it's
all fleeting, i.e. it's all temporary, viz: transient. There's very little that brings us
lasting happiness and satisfaction. And then on top of that, there's the specter of
death; viz: it's only a matter of time when our life on earth-- everything we've
accomplished, everything we've accumulated, and everyone we've ever known --is
separated from us like a young military recruit's hair falling to the floor in a Marine
Corps barber shop.

The negativity of life on earth can be greatly moderated by always keeping one's
eye on the future as it's revealed in the teachings of Christianity's lord and master.

● John 15:11 . .These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in
you, and that your own joy might be full.

● John 16:33 . . I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In
this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world.

For example: the current political situation in my country is rapidly approaching
critical mass, so to speak. It's as if The Lord has sent a myriad of evil spirits into
the minds of many of America's movers and shakers similar to what He did with
Saul in the book of 1Samuel. How our situation eventually plays out is anybody's
guess but at least we are assured that no matter how much worse things become,
none of it will indicate that God is out to harm folks unified with His son. No; we are
but collateral damage forced to endure strong winds of change thru no fault of our
own. (Rom 8:35-39)
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● Phil 4:5 . . Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Greek word translated "gentleness" basically means mild.

Webster's defines "mild" as gentle in nature or behavior, moderate in action or
effect; not sharp or bitter, i.e. mellow; which is just the opposite of fierce, harsh,
rough, scathing, mean, abrasive, stormy, intemperate, strict, reactive and/or
severe.

Though a mild/mellow person is affable, they aren't necessarily a wimp; no, they're
just not easy to provoke. The quite opposite would be a thin skinned, defensive
personality that goes to war at the drop of a hat.

Mild people don't threaten, nor come at you with bared teeth and narrowed eyes.
They're reasonable and rational, rather than emotional and frightening. Assertive,
confrontational people have no clue what it is to be mild; and those are the very
ones losing sleep with evil thoughts as they obsessively re-wind and re-play a
conflict with somebody in their heads over, and over, and over again rehearsing
things they should've said, and would've said, had they thought of them.

● Matt 5:5 . . Blessed are the meek.

Moses was meek (Num 12:3) and Christ was meek (Matt 11:29, Matt 21:5).
Personally I wouldn't categorize either of those two men as meek. So then, what
really is meekness?

Primarily, to be meek, in the Biblical sense of the word, is to be temperate; yet firm
when necessary. A temperate person isn't eo ipso a cowering milk toast. Anybody
who's studied the life of Moses and Jesus can easily testify that neither of those
men were timid; no, they walked softly but carried a big stick, so to speak. Never
mistake true meekness for a yellow streak.

Jacob and his dad Isaac were temperate men; but could be very strong when the
situation called for it. Temperate people pick their battles carefully, and never
waste anger and energy on trifles.

There are Christians in this world who're simply implacable. They just cannot live
and let live. Turning the other cheek is to them a worn-out cliché that no one takes
seriously anymore. For them rivalry, conflict, revenge, competition, retaliation,
recriminations, and grudging are a way of life: every disagreement is an act of war
- they're peevish, emotional, bitter, harsh, unloving, cruel, thoughtless, and
reactive; and they thrive on complaining, criticizing, chafing, carping, finding fault,
tattling, bickering, retort upon retort, rejoinder upon rejoinder, sarcasm, endless
debate, dredging up old unresolved conflicts, gainsaying, and getting in people's
faces and giving them a piece of their mind.

It seems like those people are always getting indignant about some petty outrage
or another. Well; those kinds of Christians are definitely not in the "gentle"
category. They're hellish, toxic demons who relish letting their wrath be evident to
all instead of gentleness because when they're upset; they want everybody to know
it.
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● Phil 4:6-7 . . Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.

I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer Nov 2022. At the time, I was devastated;
so much so that I feared a nervous breakdown and seriously considered suicide by
drowning myself in the bathtub.

Well; as it turned out Phil 4:6-7 was my safety net. I obtained freedom from a
severe case of anxiety by telling God in my own words exactly how I felt: straight
from the shoulder, man to man.

Mother Teresa complained in her private letters written to spiritual counselors that
she felt not the slightest glimmer of the Lord's presence during virtually the entire
five decades she was a missionary in India; plus lamented that her prayers
returned to her like sharp knives, cutting her soul. I'm not talking about sporadic
returns; it was always that way with her, and it was very discouraging-- so
discouraging that after a while Teresa began to seriously question whether there's
really a God out there.

Well; I would hazard to guess that as a good Catholic girl, Teresa didn't practice
conversational prayer, instead she practiced rosary prayer; and she likely expected
God to read her thoughts so she wouldn't have to spell them out.

God's IQ is at least equal to that of our loved ones, our associates, our BFF, and the
drivers that deliver pizza. Well; if we don't talk them in rote lest we appear to them
as mental cases, then why in God's name are Christians talking to the supernatural
genius who created the universe-- all of its life, matter, and energy --as if He were
one of those stone heads on Easter Island?
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● Phil 4:8 . . Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy --think about such things.

I think we may take Phil 4:8 to mean that folks unified with Christ should make an
effort to remember the Bible's principles and values, i.e. not let them go in one ear
and out the other; which is somewhat similar to Deut 11:18-20 where Moses'
people were urged to make use of every opportunity to meditate upon God's ways
so as not to forget them and thus neglect their practice.
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● Phil 4:9 . . Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in
me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I think Paul often spoke from experience. In other words; he didn't just believe
what he taught, but he knew what he talking about as someone who tasted the
goods.

Sometimes I think that too many Christians are somehow under the impression
that the new testament's epistles are not all that important in matters related to
faith and practice. They've made the Sermon On The Mount their religion and they
think that's all they need. But if they want the God of peace to journey with them
instead of off in the distance; then they are simply going to have to revise their
estimate. Compliance with the epistles is not optional; no, it's essential.

"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the
things that I write unto you are the commandments of The Lord." (1Cor 14:37)

"We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by The Lord Jesus, that as ye have
received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more
and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by The Lord Jesus."
(1Thess 4:1-2)

"And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey,
you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking
at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see
yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily
into God's perfect law-- the law that sets you free --and if you do what it says and
don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (Jas 1:22-25)
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● Col 2:6-7 . . So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in
him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and
overflowing with gratitude.

Those instructions are restricted to the faith as you were taught by Paul and his
contemporaries. He and they taught only one faith rather than a buffet of faiths to
choose from.

"There is one faith" (Eph 4:4-5)

It's neither wise nor humane to encourage somebody rooted and built up in one of
Christianity's offshoots to continue in those faiths: e.g. Moonies, Christian Science,
Seventh Day Adventism, Herbert W. Armstrong, LDS, and/or the Watchtower
Society, et al.

Paul emphasized receiving Christ Jesus as "lord". The Greek word means supreme
in authority. Curiously there are a number of Christians out there who regard Jesus'
authority no different than they regard the authority of the prophets. But when the
old testament seems to oppose Christ's teachings; Christians have to go with
Christ.

"I am the light of the world; he who follows me shall not walk in the darkness, but
shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

And besides: Christ comes highly recommended.

"Behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and a voice out of the cloud, saying:
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him." (Matt 17:5)
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● Col 2:8 . . See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive
philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world
rather than on Christ.

NOTE: Jehovah's Witnesses weren't out and about in Paul's day but his use of the
word "captive" in concert with "deceptive philosophy" is a close approximation of
the Watchtower Society's methods as they are depicted in William J. Schnell's book
"30 Years A WatchTower Slave".

Anyway: Col 2:8 is likely talking about versions of Christianity adjusted to appease
one's contemporary culture-- viz: compromising --which are insidious because
they're typically a clever product of divine instruction moderated by natural logic,
i.e. sophistry; thus the command to Christianity's leaders:

"Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not.
Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a
time is coming when they will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow
their own desires and seek teachers who will tell them what it is they wish to hear.
They will reject the truth and heed fantasies." (2Tim 4:2 4)

The olde adage to "strike while the iron is hot" certainly applies in this situation, i.e.
Christianity's leaders need to be teaching their people God's ways and means while
they have their ear instead of waiting to chase after them after they've lost their
attention. Calling folks to repentance is always harder because it's easier to
influence folks when they're close to home than when their minds are afar off.
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● Col 2:16-17 . .Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with
regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

Some liturgical versions of Christianity incorporate diets, rituals, rites, holy days of
obligation, and even special dress codes in their practices. According to the
principles stipulated in the 14th chapter of Romans, those things are optional rather
than mandatory. To insist otherwise is to play God and to usurp Christ's sovereign
right to make the rules for his own church.
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● Col 2:18a . . Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial.

Now we're getting into the sphere of asceticism; which describes a life-style
characterized by abstinence from materialism and various sorts of worldly pleasures
(e.g. carnal intimacy, cosmetics, movies, dancing, alcohol, romance novels, soaps,
gambling, and the accumulation of material wealth) often with the aim of pursuing
religious and spiritual goals.

Ascetics think themselves to possess a superior spirituality over and above
conventional Christians; but Paul popped that bubble soundly.

"These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds have made them
conceited. They are not connected to Christ, the head of the body." (Col 2:18c-19)

(chuckle) Paul depicted ascetics as sort of like the headless horseman in the Legend
Of Sleepy Hollow.

NOTE: Webster's defines conceit as an excessive appreciation for one's own worth
or virtue; viz: a superiority complex. Conceited folk typically regard themselves
infallible, smarter than you, and holier too.
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● Col 2:18b . . And don't let anyone say you must worship angels, even though they
say they have had visions about this.

That passage is a good one to keep paired with the one below.

"I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw
them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but
he said to me: You must not do that! I am a co-worker with you and your fellows
the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God". (Rev
22:8, cf. Acts 10:25-26)
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