Tag Archives: evidence

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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May 30, 2012 · 4:14 am

Evidence that Surpasses Understanding

At the evidence locker we are encouraging each other to gather and present spiritual evidence of the Kingdom of God. Evidence can be anything that helps establish the fact of the Kingdom. The key is that the spiritual kingdom is within us and therefore our evidence will most likely come from within us.

I am often reminded of a testimony by author C.S. Lewis who tells of a story about his brother who took a cigar can and built a little garden in it. He said when he looked at it was like a magical little world, totally different from the one he lived in. He would sneak and open the lid and peer into this world of wonder. Mr. Lewis recalls how the memory of the garden in the can inspired him and as an author and he tries to describe the feelings of people who have a life changed by spiritual experience but have no material evidence.  In the Chronicles of Narnia the main characters enter the kingdom of Narnia but when they return to the material world they are forever changed because of that experience.

Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard you hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.

We also, who have seen into the Kingdom of God (KoG) have this quiet assurance and confidence of life in this spiritual world. Once you have experienced the kingdom and the presence of God within your being, you begin to live in a peace that does not have its source in this material world. It is this experience that marks the difference between the spiritual realm and the material realm. The feelings that accompany these experiences can be evidence and we must learn to present this evidence of the reality of Gods spiritual Kingdom.

 A lot of believers in Christ read scripture and it is nothing more than a recorded testimony of someone else’s experience. This is quite alright for new believers but this should not be the status of mature. Until the spiritual kingdom becomes real and personal to us the words of Christ remain as hearsay testimony which is inadmissible as evidence. In order for evidence to become real it must be experience by one’s spirit, soul and physical body.

 John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 John 16:33 This things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.

  Like the garden in the tin can in order for that reality to remain we must continually peer in to the spiritual realm to keep the experience fresh and forefront in our minds and heart. If we forget allowing the memories of spiritual experience to fade, we drift back into the material world losing sight of spiritual truth. Even though our understanding may fail to grasp spiritual truth, nevertheless that truth will yet remain.

 Living spiritually is a choice we must consciously make every minute of our life. The material things of this world in and of themselves do not speak of the spiritual realm. If fact, spiritual things are considered foolish by the material world and this is the reason for a spiritual transformation.

 Once you have become spiritually awaken everything in the material realm can reveal truths of processes that are unseen by the natural eye. This awakening comes with a peace that is grounded in the Christ who first awakened us to these truths. After our awakening Christ’s mission then becomes our mission, and the awakening of others to the spiritual truth we now experience become top priority in our lives.

 1 Corinthians 1:25-26 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

 Many believers in Christ proclaim spiritual reality, yet they never truly experience it. Their proclamations are simply statements of their faith. Their faith is reasonable and scripturally based.  They hold beliefs that they are new spiritual creatures and one day they will enter into a place of spiritual eternity in the presence of God. And that is all good.

 But if they could truly experience today the reality of God’s Kingdom they too could embrace the spiritual Kingdom of God. As ambassadors we enter and exit the spiritual realm proclaiming freedom to captives of the material realm. We proclaim that this is now the acceptable year of the Lord and we help reconcile people of the material realm with their spiritual Father the living God. So we are one with God, sent to aid in the same mission as Christ.

 Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” 

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May 14, 2012 · 10:24 pm

Seeing Christ in the Mirror Pt. 2

 So let’s continue our discussion of gathering evidence of God’s Kingdom. In my last posting “Seeing Christ in the Mirror” I introduced you to the mirror as a tool for not only gathering evidence but for detecting the spiritual aspects of the Kingdom of God (KoG). Since we know that the KoG is within each person, then one of the images in the mirror must be looking inward for evidence of Christ.

 

Theology of the Mirror – 4 step process.

  1. How does a mirror work?
  2. What do you see in the mirror?
  3. Are you willing to be a mirror?
  4. Are you willing to be changed by the image you see in the mirror?

 As we continue with step 2 of this process which I have titled the Theology of the Mirror, let us take a closer look at how we are able to see spiritually. To see spiritually simply means we are awake to the existence of the spiritual realm to the point that we can interact with it. Anyone can simply believe in something they cannot see. However, it is only when we change our behavior in relation to the things of the spirit realm that we show true evidence for the existence of the things that are invisible to the material realm.

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 Our ability to see spiritually depends on our ability to see Christ. Jesus is the way between the material world and the spiritual world. To unlock any door or mystery you need a key and Jesus is that key as well as the door. Jesus is the icon of Christian faith but sometimes He is limited only to the role of figure-head for the religious and material kingdoms of this world.

 As we learn to live a more spiritual life we must use the tools found in the spiritual Kingdom of God. As we use them we provide additional evidence establishing the existence of the KoG to the jury of our peers. The more we make contact with Christ that lives on the inside of us the more we remain conscious and connected to God and His Kingdom.

 Philippians 2:4-6 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

 Matthew 14:35-36 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

  The mirror is a metaphor for the Word of God who is also the person of Jesus. As Christians we understand that God, His Spirit and Jesus the Son are one. Therefore since God has place His Spirit in us we are being made one with God as we give up our hold on living out our desires more than the desires of our Father in heaven. The Word of God shows us an image and an example of how our Brother Jesus, who was the first human after the fall of Adam, first live for God will more than His personal interest.

 When we look into the mirror of God’s word we see the image of Christ and an image of ourselves that falls short of Christ Image. With an understanding of God’s love we begin to get a vision of our self as Christ. We take that image and go into the world and try walk in a way we envision Christ would walk today. A good example of this is when Michael Jordan was at the top of his game all the basketball players would try to imitate him. The circumstances in life give us plenty of chances to do what we would imagine Christ to do. By faith we attempt to walk in the truth of the Word of God and we study the image of Christ so we can so we can take our life to the level of Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:11-12 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

At the moment of our new birth “It is no longer the little “I am” that lives, but it is the great “I am of Christ” that has become available to our conscious” At that moment the transformation process begins. 1 Corinthians chapter 13 says we start out as children beholding dimly the images of Christ, our self and others. But as we move to maturity our understanding increases and by faith we begin to see spiritually until we stand face to face with Christ which is our destiny.

 God loves has been revealed as “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” As we walk in forgiveness, repentance and the other strategies of love we become transform and are able to move closer towards the image of Christ and able to partake in the resource of the Kingdom of God.

 Finally as members of the Kingdom our goal is to bring forth spiritual truth as evidence into manifestation in this material realm. We are known for our love because we can see the spiritual Christ in ourselves and in others. We are not looking for material icons like buildings, jewelry or Sunday morning people who are all in their places with bright shiny faces. We behold the Christ that this world knows not of.

Luke 17:21 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’[a] For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

Theology of the Mirror — YouTube Video link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lux0hHEHais

 

 

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