Tag Archives: demonstrative evidence

July 6, 2012 · 12:19 pm

Pictures of Truth

For us that have committed to our spiritual journey of understanding, we are learning to share what we have come to know as spiritual truth. If truth sets the innocent free then we have become advocates and disciples of that truth, and therefore in some ways we can be also called freedom fighters. This post is again encouraging us to use the tool of demonstrative evidence so we can present simulations and models that are useful in helping people apprehend the spiritual truth in operation in the Kingdom of God.

 Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me;

 Jesus was a master during the time he walked in the flesh, at the use of a word picture. It is impossible to physically hand someone a piece of spiritual evidence. This is true because spiritual evidence has no physical substance. However since we know that this physical world is formed by spiritual things, then any object in the material world is a symbol or a piece of evidence for spiritual things.

 As ambassadors and priests of God’s Kingdom we have been given authority to reveal the present reality of His Kingdom to those unable at this moment to spiritually comprehend it. That is why we are called children of light. Like Christ we must become skilled at giving our friends in the material world who are presently asleep a word picture or demonstrative evidence. Any object that is comfortable and frequently used by the individual or the group we are talking too can be used in this manner.

 John 15:7  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

 Revelation 22:2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

 For example the scriptures above are using word pictures to reveal the operation of spiritual truth in our Father’s Kingdom.  We also, for example, can use a piece of fruit and its connection to the vine just like the Master Himself did to convey spiritual truth. Jesus in John 15:7 reveals spiritual operations as we should understand them for today. However a clearer revelation which is also in operation is revealed in the final book of the bible in Revelation 22:2. Unfortunately most Christian religions interpret and teach that this truth will only be available sometime in the future.

Spiritual truth is eternal, but its effects can be subject to time by our finite thinking. Therefore the operations of spiritual truth is not subject to the moment it first dawns in our conscious. Yet its application to our personal lives may be limited in its effectives by our thinking. However the reign of God’s Kingdom is and always will be forever in operation.

For example, the spiritual truth behind the operation of forgiveness did not become available the moment I accepted it or gave it to someone. For God so loves the world, and that is why He is sending us into it today. The Master says as much “as the Father sent me, I also send you.” So when did this thought enter into the Heart of God our Father? Was it the moment Adam sinned, or was it when He decided to create Adam, or was it when our Father created the heavens and earth?

 Back to our example, one piece of fruit while sitting with friends at lunch, in a stocking at Christmas, in a fundraiser box you bought from a member of the local high school band can open the door to heaven. That same piece of fruit you encounter with your child while walking through the grocery store can set your child on the path. How about the fruit you and your spouse share with friends in the form of wine when you are out on the town.

 Fruit is just one object in this material world we are all comfortable with and have common experiences with. There are many objects in this material world that are not limited by social, cultural, gender, political, racial, religious or economic boundaries that can be used a word pictures.

 We have available to us many objects and symbols at our disposal with which to reveal the spiritual Kingdom of God. We all have different personalities and experiences and yet we all share common experiences with objects in this material world. Through Christ, God has placed us in a world where we are surrounded by relative darkness. As we understand our Father’s heart and become skilled with truth, people around us become transformed and begin their  personal journey.

 Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

 Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

 As sent ones we must learn to go with the heart of the one who is sending us. The heart of our Father is that all of mankind be saved into His spiritual Kingdom out from the darkness of the material world. We live in this world but once our spiritual senses are awakened we begin our personal transformation by learning the operations and benefits of our citizenship in the Kingdom of God. We also begin to view the objects and events of this material world with a different point of view. As our relationship to heaven changes so also is our relationship to the people of earth.

 My friends be encouraged and strengthen by the image of Christ. Like Jesus must keep as a motto “Not my will but His will be done” and rely on the Spirit of God inside of us. By doing this we will not resist our transformation into the image of our Father’s Master image.  Jesus Christ is described in scripture (Hebrews chapter 1) as being the brightness of our Father’s glory and the express image of His person.

 So let us remain on our spiritual journey to becoming more conscious that we are truly sons and daughters of our Father in heaven and that we can become like our Brother Jesus, who carried the fullness of our Father’s Spirit within Him. We like Him are the Kingdom at hand.

1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

 Matthew 10:7-8 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

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June 27, 2012 · 2:38 pm

In Light of New Evidence

As we continue our discussion concerning demonstrative evidence I want to use one of my favorite metaphors which is light. There are many references to light in scripture so I feel that I am on solid ground using this as a metaphor. Demonstrative evidence can be simulations, and models that are useful for assisting a finder of fact in establishing context among the facts.

From a material point of view quantum science has revealed the dual nature of a photon and how it relates to our material world as ether a particle or a wave.  Scripture reveals to us that men and women also have a dual nature and can relate physically to this material world as a child of Adam and can relate spiritually to the Kingdom of God as child of God.

 Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light…

 Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 Light gives us 3 important material benefits. It provides illumination, warmth, and energy, but as a spiritual metaphor we are trying to understand the characteristics of revelation, relationship and spiritual power. As children of a Kingdom that is invisible to the material world, we carry within us the key that presents evidence of our Father’s Kingdom to people who cannot yet see it.

 Because light is active it falls into the category of demonstrative evidence. The reason the light is active is because it is the Person or Spirit of God. Our material bodies are vessels that contain this Presence of God. Our transformative journey is all about learning to allow the will of this Presence to live through our body instead of the personal sovereign will of our soul. At our awakening we invite God to live within us and on our transformation journey we are learning to let Him live through us.

 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

This blog is all about encouraging each other to show forth and present the spiritual substance which proves the Kingdom’s existence. But in order to do that we must be aware of the Presence within. If we can be continuously aware then as we are around other people they can begin to draw on that which is within us.  Making a presentation to people who are not ready to receive can cause frustration to us and to our intended recipients (jury of our peers).

 Our goal is to simply live and walk in the reality of the spiritual realm by remaining more mindful of that realm than of this material realm. As we set our affection on the Presence of our Father, our minds are transformed and we prove the existence of the Kingdom. Scripture exhorts us set our minds on the things in the spiritual realm above so that the glory of that realm may appear down here on earth.

 Light is a perfect metaphor because it flows and permeates over the material substance of earth removing darkness. Likewise revelation and spiritual understanding have a similar effect on our minds and all who come in contact with the presence within us. As the light from earth’s sun brings warmth to the objects and inhabitants of earth as we revolve around it, so too is fear, doubt and insecurity removed as our relationship moves from servant, to child and then friend of God. The energy necessary to sustain life on this planet is produced by nothing less than the sun. Plants, volcanos, rain, oxygen an even the ice at polar caps are all products of the sun’s light.

 As we become more transformed we gain greater awareness of Kingdom Presence and we come into greater unity with the plan, will and purposes of our heavenly Father. Children of Light are ambassadors of the Kingdom of God and through them the energy and power of God’s Presence becomes evident to those ready to see and experience it truth. Again I encourage us to embrace the light and love of God’s spirit which cannot be separated from you and me because it is within us.

 Deuteronomy 31:6  Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

 Psalm 139:8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

 Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

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June 11, 2012 · 9:03 am

Parables of Truth

Another very important type of evidence is called demonstrative. Demonstrative evidence can be simulations, and models that are useful for assisting a finder of fact in establishing context among the facts. Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God (KoG) using demonstrative evidence called parables and word pictures. These animated stories simplistically described the hidden truths of the Kingdom, its operations and it relationship to us and the world.

Mark 4:33-34 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Matthew 13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

The reason Jesus used this style of evidence was so that he could explain the multiple concepts of the kingdom using a common language that the average person could understand. The spiritual kingdom is invisible and therefore explaining its principles required material examples that could be understood by the people of that day who were hearing the message. Besides that, His audience had little to no concept of spiritual things.

By following the example of Christ we can reach our audience and jury of peers to establish spiritual facts that cannot be understood with our physical senses. Only after the resurrection of Christ has the spiritual kingdom become available to all of mankind. There is now a spiritual consciousness among mankind that can grasp the concepts of spiritual truth and allow the ones that choose to become free of the bonds in this material world.

Forgiveness, repentance, faith and grace are just a few of the concepts that have been made available to us today. Though we cannot fully understand the all-mighty, all-present and all-knowledge, characteristics of God, we can begin to create and understand, models using our earthly concepts. As we repeat the demonstrative examples that Christ used these stories become common and begin to convey spiritual truth.

Matthew 13:44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

To sell or give away everything in this earth realm for God’s Kingdom should be a reasonable response to any person who finds it. So Jesus uses the 2 parables above to demonstrate this point about the value of His Father’s spiritual Kingdom. Not only does the Kingdom exist but its value is worth more than all a person’s material possessions. To sell everything from this world is a transaction that one should gladly make, speaks of the rare opportunity that must be undertaken when the opportunity presents itself.

This treasure or pearl that is hidden in the earth also speaks to our uniqueness as earthen vessels which have something wonderful on the inside of us. In other words the truly valuable thing about us is invisible from the outside. However the person who is awakened to this hidden value would be willing to sell everything and pay a large price even though outwardly appearances do not reveal the great value hidden within.

Isaiah 11:3 (Speaking of Christ) His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

It is impossible to discern spiritual value with the things of the material world. When Jesus asked His disciples who He was He responded to their answer by saying the “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you”. The things of the material world are incapable of showing forth spiritual truth. But we who are spiritually awake can use the things of the material world to present demonstrative evidence of material truths.

I encourage all of us who are awake to pull this type of evidence out of our locker and help awaken those that remain asleep to the freedom of God and His kingdom. As help enable other to see the Kingdom of God we fulfill our calling. We are the ones sent, with a mission from our Father, to our lost brothers and sisters that are in need of a spiritual awakening in Christ.

 

 

 

 

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