Inclusive thinking is exclusive to those who share the same inclusive thoughts.
Exclusive thinking is inclusive of those who share the same exclusive thoughts.
Since the inclusion/exclusion paradox is inclusive of⎯and exclusive to⎯everyone, any form of thinking that is exclusively inclusive of these terms should cause no reason for offense.
Friday, 23 January 2015
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
2015/01/20
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
The reciprocal nature of our subjection to one another is not simply dualistic in our day-to-day ordinances, but it is rather continuously communal amongst all the saints to bear the image of Christ.
Marriage is a permanent ordinance where the subjection of wives to husbands is the most intimate portrayal of the impartiality of those who are in Christ. A man's calling to be the head of the wife equates itself with the man's calling to love his wife as Christ loved the church. As Christ gave himself up for her, Christ also bore the suffering of her sin. If there is one thing a man must deny his wife, it is the full responsibility of being a vulnerable member to guard against the enemies of Christ, even if she desires to bear the load. The man must instead cleanse her by the washing of water in the word, that she would be presented holy and blameless. The man provides protection for the sanctity of marriage by building a fortress around the marriage, and the wife fulfills that protection by not escaping the bounds of the fortress.
The slave/master relationship is temporary ordinance where the subjection of the slave to his master is the most heterodox picture of the impartiality of the those who are in Christ, but an accurate picture nonetheless. A proper slave/master relationship involves two parties who have distinctly different economic needs, who are willing to fulfill their duty to one another. A slave who obeys his master as to Christ is doing the will of God. A master is commanded to do the same unto his slave, as unto Christ, whereas, though the master has plenty, he does not threaten the slave, knowing that he shares the same Master who is in heaven. Therefore, beyond the economic requirements, the slave is to be free from the master and the master is to be bound to the slave.
The child/parent relationship is a permanent⎯yet temporary⎯ordinance where the subjection of children to their parents is the most common picture of the impartiality of those who are in Christ. Fathers are instructed not to lead their children into rebellion, but to discipline and admonished them in the Lord. Children are instructed to obey their parents in the Lord. The nature of this obedience will mature as the children mature, whereas the child will eventually leave their father and mother to be joined to their spouse, and perhaps have children of their own. The permanent form of parenthood is intact, while the temporary form is done away with. And perhaps parents may be reduced to the weakness of old age and have to be subjected to their succeeders.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The reciprocal nature of our subjection to one another is not simply dualistic in our day-to-day ordinances, but it is rather continuously communal amongst all the saints to bear the image of Christ.
Marriage is a permanent ordinance where the subjection of wives to husbands is the most intimate portrayal of the impartiality of those who are in Christ. A man's calling to be the head of the wife equates itself with the man's calling to love his wife as Christ loved the church. As Christ gave himself up for her, Christ also bore the suffering of her sin. If there is one thing a man must deny his wife, it is the full responsibility of being a vulnerable member to guard against the enemies of Christ, even if she desires to bear the load. The man must instead cleanse her by the washing of water in the word, that she would be presented holy and blameless. The man provides protection for the sanctity of marriage by building a fortress around the marriage, and the wife fulfills that protection by not escaping the bounds of the fortress.
The slave/master relationship is temporary ordinance where the subjection of the slave to his master is the most heterodox picture of the impartiality of the those who are in Christ, but an accurate picture nonetheless. A proper slave/master relationship involves two parties who have distinctly different economic needs, who are willing to fulfill their duty to one another. A slave who obeys his master as to Christ is doing the will of God. A master is commanded to do the same unto his slave, as unto Christ, whereas, though the master has plenty, he does not threaten the slave, knowing that he shares the same Master who is in heaven. Therefore, beyond the economic requirements, the slave is to be free from the master and the master is to be bound to the slave.
The child/parent relationship is a permanent⎯yet temporary⎯ordinance where the subjection of children to their parents is the most common picture of the impartiality of those who are in Christ. Fathers are instructed not to lead their children into rebellion, but to discipline and admonished them in the Lord. Children are instructed to obey their parents in the Lord. The nature of this obedience will mature as the children mature, whereas the child will eventually leave their father and mother to be joined to their spouse, and perhaps have children of their own. The permanent form of parenthood is intact, while the temporary form is done away with. And perhaps parents may be reduced to the weakness of old age and have to be subjected to their succeeders.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
2015/01/07
Prayer is the highest form of worship. Worship is the highest form of prayer. Discipleship is the means by which worship and prayer find their conformity to Christ, who is exalted above every name.
Prayer is being brought down low so that God can be exalted. Acknowledging our unworthiness and confessing our sin is acknowledging God's worthiness for whom forgives our sin. Prayer is knowing our desperate need for God.
Worship is exalting God on high so that we can be brought low to serve Him. Acknowledging His worthiness and the grace of His salvation is acknowledging our brokenness and our inability to be saved apart from Him. Worship is knowing God for who He is and what He has done.
Discipleship, which includes fellowship and communion, reveals how we are to understand to be brought low before God, and how we are to understand Him being exalted above the heavens. The Bible is the inspired word of God written by human hands, hands that delivered the truth about God and man. Our study of the Bible, with one another, illuminates, corrects, and protects our understanding of His word, by which we rely on more than a single breath. Through fellowship and communion, God's true disciples will be reveals as the bride of Christ, the true saints, being joined to the Bridegroom for all eternity in prayer and worship conformed to His perfect will.
But, for the meantime, we are being perfected in our conformity to Christ, who became low to the point of death on a cross. He was then raised from the dead, ascending into heaven, so that His disciples will be raised to join with Him on the last day.
Prayer is being brought down low so that God can be exalted. Acknowledging our unworthiness and confessing our sin is acknowledging God's worthiness for whom forgives our sin. Prayer is knowing our desperate need for God.
Worship is exalting God on high so that we can be brought low to serve Him. Acknowledging His worthiness and the grace of His salvation is acknowledging our brokenness and our inability to be saved apart from Him. Worship is knowing God for who He is and what He has done.
Discipleship, which includes fellowship and communion, reveals how we are to understand to be brought low before God, and how we are to understand Him being exalted above the heavens. The Bible is the inspired word of God written by human hands, hands that delivered the truth about God and man. Our study of the Bible, with one another, illuminates, corrects, and protects our understanding of His word, by which we rely on more than a single breath. Through fellowship and communion, God's true disciples will be reveals as the bride of Christ, the true saints, being joined to the Bridegroom for all eternity in prayer and worship conformed to His perfect will.
But, for the meantime, we are being perfected in our conformity to Christ, who became low to the point of death on a cross. He was then raised from the dead, ascending into heaven, so that His disciples will be raised to join with Him on the last day.
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