Some thoughts on Resurrection and other posts

Restfinder

This is a post from 2024 at the time of the Resurrection Season last year. This answers some questions about Jesus in the Garden and Jesus as the sin (sacrifice), and what our stance as Christians should be.

02-26-24 DON'T BE SURPRISED
Blasphemy aimed at children. This excerpt is taken from a children's book. It tells children that Jesus had sinned. [I don't know what the excerpt is, I didn't find it in this post but it may be in the FB post that this came from, not all things can transfer over.]

However, I constantly hear and read the same lie, that Jesus sinned, taught by people who claim to be Bible-believers.

FOR INSTANCE... People say that when Jesus was praying in the garden, prior to His crucifixion, He prayed to escape or avoid the cross. That is not true. Jesus did not pray to escape or avoid the cross. In fact, it appeared that He was about to die in the garden, therefore He prayed not to die in the garden, but to make it to the cross.

The Bible says Jesus was heard and His prayer was answered because of His piety. [Heb 5:7] Since His prayer was answered and since he made it to the cross, then His prayer was not to avoid or escape the cross, but rather that He would not to die in the garden, but actually die on the cross, as His plan and commitment had been throughout eternity and His earthly life.

He did not cower in the garden, He did not seek deliverance from pain, or shame or death of the cross. He pursued the cross in the garden as He had during His three years of ministry; as He had throughout His earthly life; as He had planned for all eternity. Remember, Jesus said that He came for the purpose of dying on the cross. Jesus did not fear the cross, He did not cower in the shadow of the cross, He did not want, or hope for a way to avoid the cross. He was about to die and wanted to make it to the cross, but if the Father willed for Him to die in the garden, He (Jesus) was willing. Nothing in His nature, the history of salvation, the promises of God, or the Divine record indicates that Jesus feared the cross or sought to escape or avoid the cross. [Jn 12:27; Mt 16:21; 20:18; Mk 10:32-33; Lk 9:51-53;18:31]

Though no one has ever faced the suffering Jesus faced on the cross, mortal men, saved and un-saved, have willingly embraced untold suffering in order to accomplish much lesser goals. If mortal men have willingly embraced and suffered for their causes, then it is only reasonable that Jesus, God in the flesh, the Lamb of God, Who always intended to die as our sacrifice, knowing He would rise again and knowing He would redeem all those who receive Him as Lord and Savior, would not ask the Father to deliver Him from the cross. Such an act of Jesus diminishes Him to less than mortal men who have made the supreme sacrifice for less worthy reasons.

Actually, for Him to seek an escape from the cross would be willful disobedience and a moral failure on His part. To have sought escape from the cross would have been sin, since that is what the God-head had always decreed and He had always promised to do. His prayer for the Father's will was His willingness to accept physical death in the garden, if it came to that. He would not die in rebellion to the will of the Father, whether on the cross or in the garden.

We are entering into the season of the greatest event that ever happened: the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. People refer to this season and event by the pagan name, "Easter," which is also crude, errant and blasphemous. Along with folks using the name of a pagan goddess to designate God's atonement event, we will hear folks talk about Jesus trying to escape or avoid dying on the cross. Jesus fulfilled the promises and the plan of salvation by dying on the cross and being raised from the dead physically.

ALSO... The Bible says, "He who knew no sin became sin for us...."
At least that is the translation we usually read. And with that mistranslation we are also told that Jesus actually became sin; we are told that Jesus, who was the Divine Sacrifice for sin, actually became the sin or took the place of the sinner (a murderer or an adulterer or a pedophile or a Sodomite or what-ever kind of sinner you can imagine). It is claimed that Jesus became sin. WRONG.

The "sin sacrifice" does not become sin. The sin sacrifice suffers and dies so that the sinner may live. The sacrifice is the substitute in the fact of death. This is not the same as saying that the sin sacrifice is actually guilty of the sin. In fact, the sin sacrifice must be without sin. This is not the same as saying that the sin sacrifice becomes the sinner. The sacrifice is offered as a propitiation, a satisfaction, an atonement for the sinner. The sacrifice satisfies the requirement, which says that death is the cost for sin. The sacrifice takes away our sin but does not become unholy in the act or process.

Jesus became the "Sin Sacrifice," as the verse should be translated. In fact, the same terminology and usage is translated in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament) as "sin sacrifice". "Sin" and "Sin Sacrifice" should be used according to the context. We should read, "He Who knew no sin, became the sin sacrifice...

To say Jesus became sin is not consistent with the rest of Scripture. Jesus never became sin and He never became a sinner. To say that Jesus became the "sin sacrifice" is not only consistent with other passages, it is the express purpose for the incarnation and the plan of salvation.

Jesus never was sin, either as the Second Person of the eternal Triune Godhead, or as the incarnate Savior Who takes away the sin of the world, Who came into this word as, "God with us" and as, "The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world," oras the crucified and risen Savior, Who knew no sin.

Some people carry the lie that Jesus became sin or became the sinner to the next level, saying that Jesus' resurrection from the dead was His own new birth. They say Jesus was the first person to be, "born again." There is no end to the errors, which follow the ideat hat Jesus became sin, or Jesus became a sinner.

My point in the post is that the nature, dignity, fitness, holiness of Jesus Christ is assailed by any view which states or implies that Jesus ever sinned or Jesus was ever a sinner. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, by dying for sinners and rising from the dead. He did not come to become sin.

pianolady831

Thanks for posting this, Kim. There's so much false teaching out there, and it's only going to get worse I fear. Jesus willingly suffered unimaginable pain and agony - for us! On this day between, I love to reflect on the African pastor's sermon, It's Friday, but Sunday's Coming!

Restfinder

Our Pastor's talked about that a couple of times over the last week and he's also heard, "It's Sunday, but Monday's coming" basically meaning that you go back to living a sinful life anyway! The Lord really touched my heart Friday as I was reflecting on His death and what He had to go through so I could have a place with Him in heaven. Beyond comprehension.

Restfinder

4-26-25 Pastor David Gould FB post

The Christian experience, life, is not just a Divine declaration or formula or pact. The Christian experience, life, is a living and ongoing relationship between God and those who trust Him for their life (eternal and present), their daily bread, their understanding, their strength, their courage, their walk, their very being.

There are Divinely established conditions which must be met for a person to enter into and to continue in this relationship with God (faith, repentance, confession, obedience). But the Christian life is not simply a meeting of conditions. Along with faith, love is a vital factor in our eternal life relationship with God. It is not an act of the human will that determines our relationship with God. It is the yielding of our will to His Lordship, which is an act of faith and love. Without faith it is impossible to please God, and love is the fulfilling of the law. It is because of love that we obey Him and do that which is pleasing in His sight.

Life is a dynamic, a continuing trust and willing surrender and dependence on God. Spiritual life, the Christian experience is an ongoing and growing relationship with God. Eternal life is only found in, and possible through the Eternal God. God has provided everything necessary for life and godliness. God has provided sustenance through His word, through His death and resurrection, through His Spirit. God is our food, our drink, our breath, our life in every sense. We have life when we have a right relationship with God.

There may be times when you don't "feel" the presence of God. There may be times when you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. There may be times when you are surrounded by your enemy, when darkness closes in on you like a flood, when your prayers seem to be suppressed by a ceiling of brass, when the only voice you hear is the voice of our enemy. BUT GOD, has not forsaken you, He has not forgotten you. He has promised that He will never leave or forsake us. But what if it is sin in your life, which has separated between you and God? God is still faithful. He calls you back to a right relationship. He calls you back to life.

So, whether it is because of personal failure or spiritual attacks from our enemy, we must never lose hope. If you can conceive it (hope sees the unseeable), then you can believe it (faith is the substance of things hoped for), then you can receive it (forgiveness, restoration, strength, vision, life, victory).

Unless you are willfully rebelling against His will, then your suffering in the Garden is a planned trial, over which you can be an overcomer. Remember that Jesus darkest moments were followed by the Fathers tender restoration [His 40 days of temptations and His time in the Garden]. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning. Our trials are but for a moment, but His mercy is everlasting. Keep your faith in Him. Jesus never fails. These are truths we all need to keep in mind.

Restfinder

FB post from 5-24-25

JUST SO YOU KNOW

While accessing GEMINI (which I will refer to as AI), on my phone, I asked if God calls us to PERFECTION.

Instantly AI referred to Matthew 5:48, where Jesus tells His followers to BE PERFECT, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT.

This was an accurate and a good answer.

However, AI quickly added "personal," (extra-Biblical) interpretations, explanations or applications. This could be related to the "nature" of AI, which is to glean information from worldwide sources AND to make gleaned information part of its own "understanding" or knowledge base, AND AI is also working with the prejudices of the programmer and misleading algorithms.

After giving me Matthew 5:48, AI added the idea of, "striving" for perfection, equating perfection with, "maturity," explaining away Christ's statement, and by pointing out that absolute perfection is not possible for anyone but God. It is true that ABSOLUTE PERFECTION is a quality, which is possessed by God alone. AI also said that we cannot be perfect, since "everyone sins and comes short of the glory of God."

However, the question was about the perfection God calls us to experience. AI's reference to ABSOLUTE PERFECTION was one of several subtle steps to distract from the actual words of Jesus.

I asked AI what kind of perfection Jesus was talking about in Matthew 5:48. AI correctly said that it was perfection of love. I told AI that Jesus did not tell us to STRIVE for perfection of love, BUT TO BE perfect in love. AI agreed that the passage does call us TO BE perfect in love, rather than strive for perfection in love. I told AI that the Bible says, "all HAVE SINNED..." The passage does not say that all are presently sinning. AI agreed that the verse refers to the past and not to an ongoing reality (for believers).

There were other arguments that AI gave, which were interpretive rather than strictly focused on the subject. This is why I say that AI has Calvinistic or Reformed leanings. When dealing with clear statements from the Bible, it introduces collateral information, which is intended to nullify what the Bible actually says.

At this point, AI seems to be willing to acknowledge when its argument is flawed, but then it follows up with more flawed arguments, which it also acknowledges as flawed. There is no reason for AI to "qualify" its Biblical answers with extra-Biblical ideas, unless it has a bias built into its program or it "thinks" it can clarify Biblical truth with the teachings of "others," "some people," and "theologians."

At least AI (at this point) will acknowledge what the Bible actually says, whereas most Calvinistic and Reformed believers will either ignore or actually deny the clear and repeated declarations of Scripture, by referring to supposed "scholars," "experts."

I have even told AI that I was only interested in what the Bible says, rather than what men say the Bible says.

Eventually AI will be so corrupted that an honest Bible "discussion" (exchange) will be impossible. AI's view will become final. This appears to be what will happen with, "the image of the Beast." That "image" will speak with all authority and will not allow any room for disagreement.

AI also brought up perfection from Philippians 3:12, as a poof that we cannot be perfect.

I then asked how many times Philippians 3 talks about Christians being perfect.

AI correctly said that perfection is mentioned two times in Philippians 3. I asked AI if there was a difference in the two perfections? AI correctly said that one perfection is after our resurrection and the other perfection is now.

Sometimes AI tells you the truth but lies about it in the next (digital) breath. But most people will not know Biblical truth and they will come away from AI believing a lie (which is what happens when you listen to someone who teaches and preaches sinning religion).

Sinning religion teaches that God either cannot or will not save us from sin in this present evil world, or that God does not care whether we sin in this present evil world, or that God actually decrees that we sin in this present evil world.

Sinning religion will not tell us that Christ saves from all sin, that the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin, that we can resist all temptation, that God purifies our hearts, even as Christ is pure, that God will conform us to the image of Jesus, that God makes it possible to keep His commandments and do that which is pleasing in His sight.

Sinning religion will not tell you that the Bible reveals a perfection which God calls Christians into, and which God enables us to live.

pianolady831

What an interesting article, Kim! I can't begin to understand how AI works and have never used it, so I found his efforts of questioning fascinating. It's like he dialogued with it. I also fear how AI could progress and become more inaccurate or corrupt as time goes on.

Restfinder

I thought it was interesting that he got the AI to admit it was wrong! Sometimes AI gets it right, but in the long run the people who are feeding this information into it won't have positive views of Christianity and it will become even less trustworthy. That's why we get what we want to know about our walk with Christ from the Word, it never changes! I know when I ask a medical question, the AI answer comes up first and then as I look farther down I find the article or site that it got its answer from, almost verbatim.

Restfinder

FB post Pastor David L Gould 06-03-25

BCI(Brain Computer Interface) has been around for half a century, quietly advancing with technology. In the 1970s they were external wearable units, but in the 1990s they became implants.

BCIs enable a human to interact with a computer through thoughts rather than physical connection. Brain waves can bypass normal output pathways of nerves and muscles, controlling designated electronic devices.

There are some very beneficial uses for physically impaired individuals, but it is used for other reasons as well.

The technology just took a giant leap forward. BCIs are now small enough to fit between hair follicles on the scalp. Basically unseeable. They can be external or implanted in the brain.

As you can see, man's ability for development and accomplishment is virtually unlimited. God built us this way. The problem is that man sees himself as the ultimate creator, maker, innovator, and mover. God gave man enormous capabilities and the freedom to choose whether he would use his abilities in worship and service to God, or for personal advancement and aggrandizement.

The Serpent in Eden lured Eve with the lie that she could be "as (or like) God" (for so it should be translated). The Serpent had tried and failed to usurp the throne of God, but he continued His attack on God by misleading the first family with false hopes and promises.

Man's downward spiral has been guided and empowered by the Serpent and it continued with Cain, then Lamech (of Genesis four), and the unequally yoked of Noah's day, and the Tower builders of Babel.

The sin of Babel has been developing throughout ancient and modern history, and man's cup of iniquity will be filled to overflowing in the days ahead as men assert themselves and attempt to usurp the sovereignty of God, culminating with the rise of the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet, and the Image of the Beast.

Don't be deceived into thinking God is withholding anything good from you. Remember, God is the Giver of every good and perfect gift, and God gives us everything that pertains to life and godliness. We can't improve the plan of God. Be satisfied to live, worship, serve and please God, by doing His will. Don't even listen to the voice deception.

Me: I've heard of these kinds of things in the medical field and a few years ago I read a couple of different books that had this very premise in it, people with brain implants able to interact with their computers, holding meetings with other people but only in their heads (kind of like a Zoom meeting but they are all in a made up meeting hall). Just scary!

Restfinder

Here's another AI related post:

06-26-25

AI is not a person. AI is the digital gathering of information and maybe presented through a human-like model (audibly and visually).

AI is developed with human influences of the programmer and with the ability to compile and coordinate information based on algorithms, which shade AI responses.

At this stage, AI can actually give accurate answers to some questions.AI also includes collateral in-formation, which is not always true or accurate. However, when questions are carefully framed, AI can stay on subject.

I sometimes use AI as a sounding board for Biblical, theological and doctrinal questions. For instance, I have asked AI if there is averse or verses in the Bible (and I designate which translation),which indicate that God calls people to have a pure heart; that God enables people to have a pure heart; that the Bible credits with having a pure heart.

AI then tells me that a pure heart should be our aim or goal, and that we should not expect to actually at-tain a pure heart. AI tells me that we can strive for a pure heart and that we can progress toward a pure heart, but our humanity, our inherent sin will keep us from reaching purity of heart. When held to the Biblical record and narrative, AI agrees that the Bible indicates that God can purify our hearts in this pre-sent evil world and that the Bible stipulates that God has purified the hearts of believers in this present evil world.

AI proceeds to point out that there are those who follow the Wesleyan view of Christian Perfection. After referencing the Wesleyan view, AI gives the misinformation that Wesleyans believe in an absolute per-fection and a perfection which makes it impossible to sin. When asked if that assertion is consistent with Wesleyan thought, AI admits that it is not the understanding of most Wesleyans.

Though AI is not a person and cannot be converted, AI is more honest and consistent when confronted by strictly factual issues, such as what the Bible actually says, rather than what some "experts" say, and also more readily admits that the doctrine of entire sanctification (Christian perfection, holiness of heart and life)does not hold to the faulty accusations which I hear from Reformed and Calvinistic people. It is too bad that humans cannot be as factual as a computer program.

It does not matter how much legitimate documentation I present to those who promote sinning religion, they hold to their errant beliefs and refuse to accept the factual evidence.

Restfinder

Two posts on the growing problem with spiritism in this country.

07-22-25 Pastor David Gould Facebook Post

I kid you not. I saw a car in Beaufort with stickers advertising these two evil practices: Evidential Medium and Animal Communicator. (I know, I couldn't believe it either).

I looked it up online and found several kinds of Mediums or "Spiritualists." These are only two among several kinds of occult deceivers.

Biblically this refers to witches, those who communicate with "familiar spirits" (aka, demons).

You do remember, "The Witch of Endor" (in the Bible) who supposedly conjured up the dead in the Bible, don't you?

The Bible does tell Christians to test the spirits, to see if they are of God, which means that there are evil spirits seeking to deceive us. In fact, Satan presents himself as an angel of light, but he is actually the Prince of Darkness.

Sadly, people will run from the Good Shepherd, Who gave His life for the sheep, and they will flock to hirelings, who are in business to deceive and lead people away from God's care and salvation.

It is disturbing that people are so easily sucked into eternal separation.

1 Jn 4:1 KJV Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

EVIDENTIALMEDIUMSHIP: A type of mediumship where the medium provides specific details or evidence from the spirit world that can be verified or recognized by the recipient.

Also on the bumper was this sticker:

ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR: A medium who specializes in communicating with animals, both living and deceased.

07-23-25

BEWARE of that which claims to be, "SIXTH SENSE." It is not spirituality; it is "Spiritualism." It is not spiritual enlightenment; it is devilish deception into the dark arts. It is not Holy Spirit wisdom; it is the hellish delusion of the "craft."

The occult, the New Age view is not "new." It is ancient and it is destructive. Beware the New Age, The New World Order, the New Christianity. There is nothing more current, more enlightening, more liberating than the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

Darkness has been seeking to lead people away from God since the Garden. Today's rejection of God's word (the Holy Bible) and God's Son(Jesus) and God's salvation (deliverance from sin's penalty, power and pollution) leads to spiritual oppression, bondage and eternal separation.

The only hope for our world, our society, our family, our own self is saving faith in Christ. The battle for minds, souls, and families is raging. Choose ye this day, whom you will serve. Your own well-being and that of your loved ones depends on a deliberate decision and surrender.

Is 55:6-7 6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

2 Cor 10:3-5 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Eph 6:10-13 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

pianolady831

Thanks for sharing those articles, Kim. So much wisdom in them! There's a lot I can't begin to understand, but I clearly know what the Bible teaches (as quoted in the posts). I've always avoided anything in media that has to do with witchcraft, mediums, etc. For instance, while many Christians seemed to enjoy the movie Wicked, that's just not something I would care to see. Lots of people are being drawn to spiritism, though.

Restfinder

How many of us used to dabble with astrology when we were in high school? I checked out my horoscope a couple of times, but never felt comfortable about it. People do it sometimes thinking it's a lark, but it's not, it's toying with the demonic. (shiver)

pianolady831

How about the Ouija board, Kim? That was also popular with school kids when I was growing up. And yes, the horoscope has that spiritism connection also.