Loving Sacrificially

1/21/2019

Every year the Salina Community of Christ holds a clothing drive for three weeks helping those out in the city that need extra items. This last year they saw over 150 people come through and gave out three turkey's to families in need. One interesting situation took place this year that took those helping by surprise. There was a family in attendance whose house had just burned down. The Pastor took the family through helping them find the sizes they needed. At one point he looked up and everyone else in the room had stopped. They were all looking at the family and apparently knew of their recent situation. Some people stepped back so they had room while others began shouting out the sizes they needed. The attendees of the clothing drive searched table by table and even gave up the items they had already taken for themselves. The people provided service by searching and disregarded their own desires for the sake of others who they felt needed it more than them. This was not pity but a sacrificial love for others.

Sacrificing our own wants and desires for the benefit of something more important or worthy can be powerfully freeing. Sacrifice is an interesting and controversial issue among some groups. Let's look closer at how sacrifice can play a role in our spiritual life, what is sacrificial love, and if we should have limits of what to give.

Drum Major for Justice
Since today we celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr., I think its imperative we take a little time to pull him into this discussion of sacrifice. Martin Luther King believed in equality for all people. It was a cause that meant so much that he was willing to take the risks of harm, jail, and even death in order to ensure those for others. The peaceful, non-violent marches raised awareness of the injustice happening in America. He believed his sacrifices and personal harm was little compared to the worthy cause of equality. There are many ways Martin Luther King lived this out in his life but maybe there was nothing more widespread as his sacrificial love for others in the belief we are "the beloved community". This spoke through his actions in attempting to end racism and give equal rights to all. For more information on Martin Luther King please read the TIME Magazine "What People Still Don't Know About Martin Luther King Jr."

Injustice still happens in our world, even surrounding some of the same issues Martin Luther King Jr. fought for and against. It is our actions as a beloved community which can eliminate injustice and show sacrificial love for others.

Sacrificial Love and Our Spiritual Life
Sacrificial love is about giving up our own selfish desires for those of others. Agape love would be another term used for it. You are making a choice to respect and honor another individual while seeking their overall well being. This type of love is of moral integrity and is at the heart of God. Our spiritual lives can thrive when we choose to love sacrificially in the situations life presents.

Check out this video by the Bible Project describing Agape love and how Jesus modeled this in his life and ministry.

If we allow our love to expand for the well being of others around us people are impacted in creative and life changing ways. Are you currently living out sacrificial love in your work and personal life? How would you be different if you choose to sacrificially love those around you?

When we seek the heart of God by sacrificially loving those around us our spiritual lives deepen. Our own personal desires suddenly become aligned with the will of God for our lives. We listen more attentively, walk more confidently, and open our eyes to the needs of others. I love this song by Jeremy Camp "Empty Me" because it speaks to opening ourselves up to the Spirit of God in our lives.

Limits and Boundaries to Sacrificial Love
Sometimes we will go out of our way to help others. We might think if we just give more and try harder it will happen. However sometimes that is not the case. Giving can be tiresome, and emotionally exhausting, especially if it is always one-sided.

Somewhere along the way we have equated sacrificial love to giving everything for others, even if its not good for us. Sacrificial love is at the heart of God but does God want us to personally suffer from our giving? And if so how does that impact our spiritual life?

I think it comes down to us really knowing who we are and what we want. Sometimes others can take advantage of people knowing they will give if they ask. Other times people might try to shame or guilt us into actions. Sacrificial love always comes from our desire to help but it has to be our desire. If we are doing it from a position of obligation, worry, or attempt to keep a relationship than I would argue it is not sacrificial love. It seems like we need to have healthy boundaries that protect us and lead us into relationships of respect and accountability.

Aaron Ben-Zeev wrote an article on Psychology Today titled "Does Love Involve Sacrifice or Compromise" which discusses sacrifices in relationships which might be helpful for you. Chiara Mazzucco's blog "3 Toxic Signs of Sacrificial Love: Why it Doesn't Work and How to Detach" describes some of the issues of not having healthy boundaries in our life and how they impact our relationships.

Now there are some people who would argue sacrificial love is never wrong. We give and do not expect anything in return. We love without conditions and do not look back no matter what or how others treat us. What do you think?

I think its important to remember Jesus had boundaries and expectations for others especially those in power. Jesus met the needs of others but did not let others walk all over him. He peacefully and confidently handled concerns upholding the worth of others and himself.

As I stated above sacrificial love is a controversial topic however its important we think and talk about it. We each have to decide what it means for our lives and what boundaries we should have.

Questions for Discussion
When have you seen sacrificial love displayed?

When is a time you have given of yourself for another?

What injustices are happening in your community?

Should there be limits or boundaries for ourselves when we love sacrificially with others? If so what should those be?

How do you align values, lifestyle with God's will for your life?

Thank you all for following along and sharing! This week think how you sacrificially love others and what boundaries are helpful for you.

15 Comments

Author

Craig Hidy like the majority of ministers in Community of Christ is a bi-vocational, self sustaining ordained minister. He is a member of the Midlands Mission Center Emporia Team and an ordained Seventy. He and his family, live in Topeka, Kansas.

What is a Seventy?
The Seventy carry out missionary work for the church in close association with other missionary leaders. They represent Christ primarily as ministers of evangelism through witnessing, inviting, and church planting. They especially proclaim and promote Jesus Christ’s invitation to faithful discipleship through vibrant witness, and train individuals and congregations in witness and invitation. They particularly minister with seekers, individually and in groups, to share the gospel in relevant ways and to invite response. They support sacramental ministries by preparing people for baptism and/or confirmation, presiding at sacramental services, and performing most sacraments. They promote community by inviting individuals, households, and families to respond to Christ’s call to discipleship. They promote justice and peacemaking by inviting people to experience all aspects of Christ’s peace through active discipleship. They create ministry partnerships with mission center officers, apostles, elders, and evangelists.

Please Note

The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Community of Christ or Midlands Mission Center. We believe individuals should be allowed to have their own opinions and be at different places in their faith journey.

Emporia Community of Christ

James

1/30/2019 09:21:06 pm

Craig,
May I quote you......

""Sacrificial Love and Our Spiritual Life
Sacrificial love is about giving up our own selfish desires for those of others. Agape love would be another term used for it. You are making a choice to respect and honor another individual while seeking their overall well being. This type of love is of moral integrity and is at the heart of God. Our spiritual lives can thrive when we choose to love sacrificially in the situations life presents.

Check out this video by the Bible Project describing Agape love and how Jesus modeled this in his life and ministry.""

And point out....
Certainly we would not agree in our understanding as you've outlined it in your dissertation Craig. Agape (Ancient Greek ἀγάπη, agapē) is a Greco-Christian term referring to love, "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for man and of man for God".[1] The word is not to be confused with philia, brotherly love, as it embraces a universal, unconditional love that transcends and persists regardless of circumstance.
Which would not be an attainable as a finite human being having a Soul-ful existence. Yet certainly "Philia" does address your presentment with more accuracy.
Moreover, the interpolation that somehow your presentment of "God" should in some manner trump the actuality of the Eternal Father should disturb those that are aware of this as an Hellenistic teaching brought about by Saul... Paul in Greek that he used as a moniker for his brand of Jesus' teachings which have morphed over the last twenty centuries. Yes, indeed, respect and moral integrity is certainly at the heart of such love for one another but this is not as a finite being able to encapsulate anything akin to "Agape love" per se'.
Unconditional love is not sacrificial in the slightest; either by the Eternal Father that Jesus espoused or in the spiritual kingdom. Craig, to 'speak' for 'God', is certainly not speaking for the Eternal Father that Jesus prayed to and followed that will!
When you advocate sacrifice to attain unconditional love then it becomes a sin against the very Father that Jesus set as an example. Craig, it appears the very path to actual spiritual existence is narrow but no sacrifice is needed as the maturing from the Soul-ful to the Spiritual existence. This portion reflects the parroting of Saul and not the teachings of Jesus whom in thought and deed reflected a different path to the Father of Light. May I point you to Section 76 of your Doctrine and Covenants (THE COVENANTS AND COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD) *Lord meaning; "Father" in this contexts.

l. And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars is one, for as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world; for these are they who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and of Cephas;

[*note: Paul (Greek for Saul - Saul of Tarsus) Cephas is Apostle Peter; Simon Peter or Simon ben Jona]

This then reflect the very Apostasy that the boy Joseph discovered in that grove in the woods when speaking with the Father AND the Son.... both the Christ.

And Joseph continued in this dual person revelation writing;

'n. last of all, these all are they who will not be gathered with the saints, to be
caught up unto the church of the Firstborn, and received into the cloud;
o. these are they who are liars, and sorcerers,
p. these are they who suffer the wrath of God on the earth;
q. these are they who suffer the vengeance of eternal fire;
r. these are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty
God until the fullness of times, when Christ shall have subdued all enemies under
his feet, and shall have perfected his work, when he shall deliver up the kingdom
and present it unto the Father spotless, saying:
s. I have overcome and have trodden the winepress alone, even the winepress of
the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God; then shall he be crowned with the
crown of his glory, to sit on the throne of his power to reign for ever and ever.
t. But, behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial
world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore, and heard the voice of the Lord saying:
u. These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits
upon the throne for ever and ever;'
so perhaps this is to come back void in the hearts of finite humans?
Craig, you continue....

""If we allow our love to expand for the well being of others around us people are impacted in creative and life changing ways. Are you currently living out sacrificial love in your work and personal life? How would you be different if you choose to sacrificially love those around you?

When we seek the heart of God by sacrificially loving those around us our spiritual lives deepen. Our own personal desires suddenly become aligned with the w

Craig

1/31/2019 02:16:22 pm

James thanks for commenting. It appears your comment was cut off by the maximum number allowed in a comment. Please go on to share your thoughts so I and others can look at the entirety of your message. Thanks again!

2/3/2019 12:19:53 am

James based on your comment you did not agree with my description of sacrificial love. That is ok, different opinions are good as it helps us really identify what we believe. I appreciate your identification of Philia which is a close friendship love or brotherly love as you indicated. The greeks also used other words for love such as Storge which was the love of family relationships and Eros for sexual passion. Agape love is a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. By no means am I "advocating sacrifice to attain unconditional love." Agape love is self-giving. Jesus' act at the cross was the ultimate message of sacrificial love for others. I am not indicating we have to intentionally give up anything to love unconditionally but it is in the act of unconditional love that we are selflessly giving of ourselves.

As for the reference to Doctrine and Covenants 76: It is my understanding we believe in a triune God and the self revealing nature of God. Our church continues to see God revealing through the message and life of Jesus. I believe this to mean seeing the historical context and value of past doctrine (what was happening during that era, how did this shape the people, etc.) while continuing to further our theological views based on the self revealing nature of God. Doctrine and Covenants 163 7b-d represents more clearly our interpretation of scripture.

b. Scripture is not to be worshiped or idolized. Only God, the Eternal One of whom scripture testifies, is worthy of worship. God’s nature, as revealed in Jesus Christ and affirmed by the Holy Spirit, provides the ultimate standard by which any portion of scripture should be interpreted and applied.

c. It is not pleasing to God when any passage of scripture is used to diminish or oppress races, genders, or classes of human beings. Much physical and emotional violence has been done to some of God’s beloved children through the misuse of scripture. The church is called to confess and repent of such attitudes and practices.

d. Scripture, prophetic guidance, knowledge, and discernment in the faith community must walk hand in hand to reveal the true will of God. Follow this pathway, which is the way of the Living Christ, and you will discover more than sufficient light for the journey ahead.

Thanks again for commenting! It is the discussion and questions which further our spiritual journey's.

James Irwin

2/10/2019 12:08:43 pm

Graig, we were very surprised that you actually posted our comments, and this was unexpected.
Having said this, I'm re-posting that which was left off because of the limitation of verbiage, then we shall rebut your response to our comments.

Left off with your quoted comment....

""If we allow our love to expand for the well being of others around us people are impacted in creative and life changing ways. Are you currently living out sacrificial love in your work and personal life? How would you be different if you choose to sacrificially love those around you?

When we seek the heart of God by sacrificially loving those around us our spiritual lives deepen. Our own personal desires suddenly become aligned with the will of God for our lives. We listen more attentively, walk more confidently, and open our eyes to the needs of others.""

Our remaining response;
The first sentence here is no umbrage, but to find love in sacrifice is pure Saul or Pauline and his Hellenistic teachings of Jesus' message to humankind. To live in the Father's will is not sacrificial Craig, only as a human would think of it as sacrificial, unconditional love does not sacrifice as Truth needs no defense either. We should follow the Master's teaching, the relationship with the Father is found in the relationship WITH the Father, not through others. Jesus epitomized this in his actions and by example. Each has the free will or Agency to seek and find the Father and the promise shall be found as it was with Joseph Smith in that grove. Your entire Restoration Movement with its many permutations were spawned from that one event. We need not 'align' with the Father but come in communion with him. This is a process of reciprocal communication and living. This is not sudden or unexpected, but rather expected and gradual maturing with no sacrifice in the process, only the touch of the divine to the Soul-ful portion of ourselves. The Spiritual condition is no closer or further away that the event of expectancy with the Father. Spiritual live is a process not an event in and of itself.

And Craig, as a Seventy of your church, called by your church, you continue...

""I think its important to remember Jesus had boundaries and expectations for others especially those in power. Jesus met the needs of others but did not let others walk all over him. He peacefully and confidently handled concerns upholding the worth of others and himself.""

Our response;
The "boundaries" during his three years of public ministry was self imposed and not because as the personification of the Father's will had expectations of humans in power, on the contrary, he knew fully well the intent and thus no expectation. And Jesus knew which kingdom he was in and how that kingdom was to be revealed in his actions for he was their very creator of that Soul-ful part of them.

Craig, your "sacrificial questions" have no merit in unconditional love being exhibited and perhaps miss the point of communing with that very Father that Jesus prayed to and WITH for the Soul-ful portions of the physical creation that was ascension toward the Father. Re-read Section 76 of your D&C and discover the three degrees of that creation.
"Call no man your Father, but the Father in Heaven" and I would also point out call no God, God, but that Father that Jesus prayed to and with.

James, An Ambassador of that kingdom

Craig, your response to our comments; (we expect to run over once again... our apologies) so it will be in the next set of comments....

2/10/2019 01:39:54 pm

2/3/2019
Graig, you responded;

""James based on your comment you did not agree with my description of sacrificial love. That is ok, different opinions are good as it helps us really identify what we believe. I appreciate your identification of Philia which is a close friendship love or brotherly love as you indicated. The greeks also used other words for love such as Storge which was the love of family relationships and Eros for sexual passion. Agape love is a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. By no means am I "advocating sacrifice to attain unconditional love." Agape love is self-giving. Jesus' act at the cross was the ultimate message of sacrificial love for others. I am not indicating we have to intentionally give up anything to love unconditionally but it is in the act of unconditional love that we are selflessly giving of ourselves.""

Our response; We would submit that the connotation of "Sacrifice" for unconditional love is a misnomer although we understand the emotional dependency that humans would attach to such a definition, yet we would submit also that the Eternal Father is not sacrificing when engaged in unconditional love with creation, rather it simply IS. We would also point out that Jesus was not "sacrificing" as he hung on the cross, please read PSALMS 22; the very prophesy of this event as he attempted to recite it while still hanging on the cross! When we truly understand the teachings of the Master in this last day and as the hours have already ticked away and the minutes fade into the seconds of time as measured by the Spirit Kingdom of this dispensation of time we readily see that the Master also was simply 'being' a natural condition of unconditional love itself! Yes, we do differ on 'Agape' as ""self-giving"" for us it is simply a state of being and no sacrifice is being done.

Graig, you continued..
""As for the reference to Doctrine and Covenants 76: It is my understanding we believe in a triune God and the self revealing nature of God. Our church continues to see God revealing through the message and life of Jesus. I believe this to mean seeing the historical context and value of past doctrine (what was happening during that era, how did this shape the people, etc.) while continuing to further our theological views based on the self revealing nature of God. Doctrine and Covenants 163 7b-d represents more clearly our interpretation of scripture.""

We respond;
Craig, the message or "Good News" that Jesus presented is not the message or information that he gave twenty-one centuries ago; as it is today and has been morphed into an apostasy of itself. Our understanding is truth (Spiritual Truth) is sustained in and of itself and time does not have an effect of modification. Many humans will use historical as an umbrage to attempt modify its context, but that only distorts the perception not the actuality of Truth. We must admit that the new ' Doctrine and Covenants 163 7b-d' is and was an attempt to do exactly this and now the term "God" is replacing Jesus' teaching and life example since his use of Eternal Father. Humans cannot even conceive the actuality and reality of the Eternal since the human mind is but a finite instrument of the 'mindal' condition of the Soul-ful existence.

Craig, you continue.. (quoting from 163?)
""b. Scripture is not to be worshiped or idolized. Only God, the Eternal One of whom scripture testifies, is worthy of worship. God’s nature, as revealed in Jesus Christ and affirmed by the Holy Spirit, provides the ultimate standard by which any portion of scripture should be interpreted and applied.""

We would point out this author of this statement does not understand the 'Eternal' nor the 'Eternal Father' and Jesus' as the Son thereof. Since this author is a product of the Infinite as are Soul-ful beings striving to understand the simple Eternal value within each human and as all ascension beings throughout the Universeſ. The act of worship of the Eternal Father is not the panacea of scriptural understanding and certainly when given by the Master himself!

Graig, you continue (again 167?)
""c. It is not pleasing to God when any passage of scripture is used to diminish or oppress races, genders, or classes of human beings. Much physical and emotional violence has been done to some of God’s beloved children through the misuse of scripture. The church is called to confess and repent of such attitudes and practices.""

We have no umbrage with this other than this author claims to know what pleases this God which is referenced. Agreed, any scripture or in fact any comment written or expressed which diminishes human beings or any other creation within the Universe to bring about a diminishing attempt is wrong and is an act in ignorance. A "church" in this context is a group of humans, organized to strive to understand its creator to the best of the abilities of the finite mind can conceive.

Craig, we are a bit amused (section

2/11/2019 07:35:31 am

James thank you again for your comments! I love how you put “we need to come in communion with him. This is a process of reciprocal communication and living.” I agree our spiritual journeys are a process that has many ebbs and flows but should be focused on our communion with God.

You reference “we”. I’m not for sure who is writing with you or what background you are sharing from. Please share as I would love to know.

The restoration movement was mentioned a few times in your response and you refer me back to D & C 76. I’m not for sure how familiar you are with the Community of Christ. I would refer you to the document titled, “Continuing Your Discipleship in the Community of Christ.” This document provides a good understanding of Community of Christ. Another great article is “Sharing in the Community of Christ.” Both can be found online. I add this following paragraph from the first one referenced. I think this highlights the differences we have in our understandings of the gospel.

“Too often believers lose sight that God’s message is for all ages and peoples. Some have canonized one group, and their time and culture. But the message of the Restoration is that God conveys eternal truths to every generation to meet their unique needs. If we forget this, then what was once alive and vibrant becomes rigid, and the potential for liberation through Christ is limited. We must never forget that the gospel is both new and everlasting: everlasting in its unchanging message of salvation through Christ, and new as salvation is experienced in new times and places by new peoples, or experienced again in our hearts in new ways.”

James it is apparent we have some differences in our beliefs which is great. I am glad your faith walk is providing you a structure for you to see the world and commune with God. Thanks again for your comments!

2/15/2019 08:03:38 am

To complete the last set of comments..... and the next to follow

Craig, we are a bit amused (section 167 again?)
""d. Scripture, prophetic guidance, knowledge, and discernment in the faith community must walk hand in hand to reveal the true will of God. Follow this pathway, which is the way of the Living Christ, and you will discover more than sufficient light for the journey ahead.

Thanks again for commenting! It is the discussion and questions
which further our spiritual journey's.""

First the scripture... we are sure; this human author, has loftily regard to its opinion, but we would caution that the God referenced in this statement apparently appears to be its own creation. "Faith Community" should transcend into experiential and personal relationships with the Eternal Father as Jesus so apply demonstrated every day of his incarnated human existence as the personification or personalization of the Father of Light, anything less is not following that path that Jesus taught. The author speaks of the "Living Christ", yet denies the power thereof.. If this author has had direct personal interaction then this phrasing would not be used.

Craig, I (we) are not acquainted with this section 167, but it is obvious that a personal relationship with Jesus as Joseph Smith had is not being accomplished during that writing. Each Soul-ful being has their own agency or free will to have such a relationship with the Father and also the Son, and in the striving the degree of that relationship is indeed manifest in that degree of personal exchange.
The Human race with its Soul-ful entities within as a parasite to the physical body have yet to discern the teachings of Jesus as he taught his apostles twenty-one centuries ago, and continue to cling to the morphed teachings as the way and the light. Humans have yet to understand that they are but in corps walking. The author writes of the Living Christ, yet no understanding where that living resides. Indeed, no understanding the entire concept of "Christ" itself!

Craig, Humans are quick to express a "Spiritual journey" yet deny the power thereof and ignore the kingdom therein. When the Soul-ful within the body understands that it is IT and not the body that IS then a true understanding can be found in unconditional love itself.
Jesus taught this and lived this, should we do less? Where is the Spiritual kingdom, but a breath away, a mindal thought in an instant. Enoch knew this, Elijah knew this, many within the Universe know this and through continual prayer to the Eternal Father we know this.
Thank you for the forum Craig, The Father of Light is pleased.

Personal relationship with the Father and Son are no further away or closer than as the boy of fourteen found out in a grove one moment in time with faith unwavering and focused on an question. Certainly this boy grew and did as all Soul-ful within the physical might do... and discovered much through that personal relationship with Jesus. Much of his very releasing of additional information is not being taken seriously even by his children's children, and so it is.
We presented Section 76 for your consideration, since this was an event experience by two individuals rather than just Joseph, something to think about.

James, an ambassador of the kingdom

2/15/2019 09:18:44 am

And to continue in our lively debate Craig your response... Part 1 of 3

""James thank you again for your comments! I love how you put “we need to come in communion with him. This is a process of reciprocal communication and living.” I agree our spiritual journeys are a process that has many ebbs and flows but should be focused on our communion with God.""

Once again, we would interject "Eternal Father" rather than simply the moniker 'God', not to be too nitpicky, but many in the Universe use this term rather too loosely as do most humans. While your presentment of ""spiritual journey"" reflects a very limited understanding of the Spirit Kingdom, it certainly is understood in the context of emotional impression as a finite being. Yet it truly is the highest achievement even to begin the communion or communication with the very Spirit Kingdom or world that engenders awareness of the narrow path to the Eternal Father. Once the achievement of such a communication is established then, and only then, does the awareness of truth; actual Spiritual Truth becomes evident in the finite conciseness which then envelops the Soul-ful beings' liaison which awareness beyond its realization of its own creation.

Craig you continue.... ""You reference “we”. I’m not for sure who is writing with you or what background you are sharing from. Please share as I would love to know.""

The Spirit Kingdom of course...

2/15/2019 09:19:24 am

Part 2
Craig, you continue..
""The restoration movement was mentioned a few times in your response and you refer me back to D & C 76. I’m not for sure how familiar you are with the Community of Christ. I would refer you to the document titled, “Continuing Your Discipleship in the Community of Christ.” This document provides a good understanding of Community of Christ. Another great article is “Sharing in the Community of Christ.” Both can be found online. I add this following paragraph from the first one referenced. I think this highlights the differences we have in our understandings of the gospel. ""

The ""gospel"" in Greek means 'good news' and Jesus was expressing the good news from the Spirit world (as it were) to the physical word replete with the Soul-ful as parasites within the physical utilizing bodies to enact action of purpose in Time and Space which is encapsulated within the Eternal, which is the Eternal Father's realm. I (we) seek no physical organization rather only the continual communion with the Spirit realm to focus on the Eternal Father, through the Spiritual Kingdom (or in the modern vernacular Dimension if you like). Craig, within this revelatory information in 1832 given to Joseph and Sydney an important and very significant reason that both Joseph and Sydney and the organization which was about to be formed would continue on its path deviation of the 'good news' that Jesus, the personification of the Father of Light presented to an entire universe. Even to begin to imagine that this 'gospel' was only meant for just the human race is indeed the heights of hubris and narcissism indeed! The reference to Christ is very noteworthy since the 'Christ' resides and has its being within and throughout the very kingdom I (we) convey to you and those that may by happenstance read this exchange. Your understanding of the 'gospel' and our difference of sympathetic knowledge of same, is in no way an umbrage between this conveyance of communication, because each must use their 'agency' or 'free-will' to enlighten our soul and mature the Eternal value placed there by the Eternal Father. Your organization has been given very holy communication and our reference to Section 76 has a key to that understanding when placed in proper perspective of the Father of Light. As a Seventy of your organization the ramifications of your teachings have a being upon the very universe it, and you reside within and are a part of as a whole.

Craig... you continue..
""“Too often believers lose sight that God’s message is for all ages and peoples. Some have canonized one group, and their time and culture. But the message of the Restoration is that God conveys eternal truths to every generation to meet their unique needs. If we forget this, then what was once alive and vibrant becomes rigid, and the potential for liberation through Christ is limited. We must never forget that the gospel is both new and everlasting: everlasting in its unchanging message of salvation through Christ, and new as salvation is experienced in new times and places by new peoples, or experienced again in our hearts in new ways.”

2/15/2019 09:20:04 am

Part 3
James it is apparent we have some differences in our beliefs which is great. I am glad your faith walk is providing you a structure for you to see the world and commune with God. Thanks again for your comments!""

You are very affable and gracious Craig and thank you for your kind remarks. First my young friend, have you spoken with Christ as Joseph did in that grove those few years ago? No one needs any intermediation only the simple faith that such can occur. Here comes that 'God' reference again, and no offence, but elevate your thoughts, lift your mind to the possibilities that beyond imagination of the mind such can occur and it surely will! When we speak of Eternal Truth, perhaps again, have place a limitation upon Truth? Humans cannot define Truth no more than they can define Infinite which they are a part of, nor Spirit which they believe they should strive for, nor an understanding of Absolute or Absonite and certainly what Eternal is, or even the life within them? Belief is not the issue, but rather what we individually experience and create as understanding within our very lives as we prod and struggle within the actuality of life as lived in Space and Time. Since Christ lives and has being as does the personification which we call Jesus it is incumbent upon the life with the physical to understand that they are more than the reflection in the mirror which is only a corpse staring back in the reflection at them. Everlasting? Certainly that which Jesus presented in his ministry which is now distorted from that which he revealed and again eighteen centuries later to young man in a grove and subsequently was in communion with for a time, enables an ""everlasting gospel"" for a universe, not simply the limitations being placed upon it, hence the amalgamation of bits come together to form a mosaic to show the path to the Eternal Father, but this path is narrow and broad is the way to covet the physical and the euphoria that it brings. Craig, it is not the beliefs that differ as much as it is the communication with that which IS that differs. Where knowledge and experiential is, belief is but a shadow and faith precipitates even enlarged faith and experience and additional experiential liaisons and understanding. Amen.

James, Ambassador

2/17/2019 03:40:22 pm

James, thank you again for your comments!

2/19/2019 07:38:34 pm

Hello Craig,
You are more than welcome..
You remind me of another Seventy of the Reorganized Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, Seventy Stan Zanhizer in 1968 in Florida.
The outreach skill set you exhibit to your fellow humans is very commendable, yet we would still ask you your opinion of this presentment.
Please focus on Section 76 and the portion presented.
What are your Soul-ful thinking upon this?
Do you believe that anything in this revelation in-vision has any credibility in your awareness toward the Father of Light?
Do you believe that Joseph Smith and Sydney Rigdon had this experiential moment?
Did they communicate with Jesus and the Christ or not?
Did Joseph have the grove experiential moment which he described in his testimony in your opinion?
The very organization you are a Seventy; was spawned from these events and are just as germane today in this twenty-first century as they were in the early 1800s are they, or do you espouse that your organization started with Joseph Smith III and his earth father Joseph Smith Jr really had nothing to do with the current organization?
Simply put, did Joseph Smith Jr actually communicated with Jesus and the Father of Light?
Certainly humans can experience beyond the "veil" (albeit a rare moment) and having had such an experience, can grow apart from that communion; because the physical, is euphoric and the drunkard state of ignorance of the Spirit; IS strong, enabling corruption of the Soul-ful to occur in Time and Space.
Forgiveness is both divine and Eternal and resides within the Universe and Eternal.
Humans are weak in their pursuit of the Eternal Father and continual prayer and worship in the mind brings communion with the Father of Light!
Perhaps the human ego demands recognition that it IS perhaps the clouding of the mind with the continual attention to the flesh brings a fog to the Soul-ful self?
Craig, being a Seventy of the Christ is difficult as all around you is a world which seems to be in a chaotic state of being, yet the Eternal Father is no closer or further away than the light of being, the Christ IS that Father of Light in complete liaison with the Eternal, indeed a part thereof as Jesus in the Son as a personification of the Father of Light.
The revelations given to Joseph Smith Jr is replete with this focus on the Father of Light, the Christ. The inward will be the outward, the Soul-ful seeks the Father yet the Father has already found the Soul-ful children. None are lost, all are found.
Amen

James, An Ambassador of the Kingdom

2/19/2019 07:47:44 pm

Craig, As a servant-of the servant's, servant of the Christ and the Father of Light we greet you all-together do you have any questions?

James, Amb

2/22/2019 03:44:28 pm

James thank you for your kind words and again I appreciate your thoughts and questions! This blog is to allow people to express ideas and discern for themselves through prayer and study what it means for them and their spiritual walk. It is not to push one point of view but allow the reader to find something that might help them connect with the eternal father or as I would state God, mystery. I thank you again for following along and the views you have expressed.

2/23/2019 01:29:06 pm

Hello Graig,
Ok...subtle hint... got it...if you knew to whom you were communicating with; perhaps you would not be so quick to dismiss.. sorry for the intrusion. Go in Peace
James, Amb

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Loving Sacrificially

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