As of September 24th 2012, the New Thought Ministries blog has been moved to our website www.newthoughtministries.org. Come visit us!
Dr. T.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Living The Paschal Mystery In Divine Wisdom
Reference Scripture: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8, 'Two kinds of wisdom'
Key Verse: 'But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruit, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy' (James 3:17).
Introduction
In today's Epistle, James discusses how witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, could live their lives in harmony with God's plan and will for their lives. The unifying faith needed, to fulfill God's design and plan for mankind and all creation, was revealed, taught and modeled in Jesus Christ as Messiah. Unifying mindsets are revealed in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit. Proper Christ-centered mindsets produce harmonious relationships. Proper behavior and good works are produced as witness follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit (John 10:14-21, Mark 8:31-34, Romans 8:12-17).
Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based conduct produces good works
To James Christ-centered, spiritual mindedness produces true faith. In the context of the Gospel of Christ as revealed in Jesus Christ, true faith brings self-effacement, humility, meekness, compassion, surrender and obedience to God's will. True faith provided the proper mental alignment for the descent and incarnation of the divine wisdom, which is from above. Divine wisdom bring spiritual understanding, virtues, spiritual fruit and good works in human lives and relationships (James 3:13-14).
Worldly wisdom produces works of the flesh
In contrast to divine wisdom, worldly wisdom is human wisdom. To James, human wisdom is flawed, because it is grounded and established in the inappropriate, left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. Human wisdom produces competition, conflict, envy, strife and bitterness, hypocrisy, and envy within witnessing paschal faith communities. Out of evil human hearts proceed not only false professions of faith, but also evil mindsets, destructive human relationships and the devastating works of the flesh (Romans 8:1-11, Galatians 5:19-21, James 3:15-16).
Divine wisdom produces spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit
When witnesses follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit, purity and impartiality prevail in their witnessing paschal faith communities. Agape love, gentleness, loving kindness, sincerity and peacefulness are characteristic of relationships in these faith communities. In true wisdom, seeds of peace, righteousness and spiritual formation and maturity and sown. Spiritual gifts and discerned and used to not just build up the body of Christ, but to also bear the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-26, James 3:17-18).
Evil desire is the source of conflicts and strife
The inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh is the source and perpetuation of mankind's alienation and separation from the Godhead and one another here on earth. The mortal, carnal and worldly mindsets of the mind of the flesh, do not please God and cannot fulfill God's plan and will for human lives and God's creation, here on earth. The mind of the flesh impedes and destroys the prayer life of witnesses and witnessing paschal faith communities. Contentiousness, evil desires and strife arise from the inappropriate dominion of the mid of the flesh, within witnessing paschal faith communities, in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, throughout our planet earth (James 4:1-3).
Submit yourselves to the Godhead's plan and will for your lives
James ends his discussion about divine wisdom and worldly wisdom by admonishing witness and all witnessing paschal faith communities to repent and submit to God's will and plan for their lives, as revealed in Jesus Christ. He advises them to resist evil and embrace the spiritual cleansing of the Word and the Holy Spirit. He assures them if they steadfastly follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit, they will not only avoid double mindedness, they will also purify their hearts and fulfill God's will and plan for their lives (James 4:7-8).
Conclusion
Are you willing to be an iconoclast and intrapreneur within your witnessing paschal faith community?
Will you follow Jesus Christ and lay down living your life in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion and human wisdom, of the mind of the flesh? Are you ready and willing to steadfastly follow Jesus Christ and take up living you life in the right-brain hemisphere dominion and divine wisdom, of the mind of the spirit? James assures every witness that if the do these things, they like Jesus Christ will be called beloved Sons and Daughters of God, in Christ. They will fulfill God's will and plan for their lives in divine wisdom (Mark 8:31-34, 9:30-32; John 10:14-21).
Related Articles:
Season of Pentecost, Proper 20
http://prayerbookguide.wordpress.com/
Your Brain-Are You In Your Right Mind by Beverly Golden
Your Brain-Are You In Your Right Mind by Beverly Golden
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Taming The Tongue And Living The Paschal Mystery
Key Scripture: James 3:1-12, "Controlling the tongue, within witnessing paschal faith communities'
Key Verse: ' And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it strains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle on nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.' (James 3:6).
Introduction
Today's Epistle was written by James to brothers and sisters who are witnesses, within witnessing paschal faith communities, in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups. As fishers of men, James reminds these believers that as the image of God, they are called to follow Jesus Christ in becoming the likeness of God, here on earth. In loving-kindness, patience and spiritual maturity, they are called to live, teach and proclaim the Paschal Mystery, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit. He them sternly warns these witness, they must avoid the harsh words, condemnation and arrogant rebuking of others, which is so common, when witness choose to dwell in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, in their teaching and preaching ministries. To James taming the tongue is critical in creating and maintaining effective ministries (James 3:1).
Taming the tongue - key to personal mastery
James stresses that within witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, taming the tongue is the key to personal mastery. He recognizes that we are all human, and that believers as well as unbelievers will stumble and make mistakes. To James controlled speech leads to perfect control over the whole person, spirit, mind, emotions, relationships and body. James uses the example of how a small bit and bridle control a large horse and describes how a large ship, even in the midst of a storm, is controlled by a small rudder, to describe taming the tongue (James 3:2-5).
Power of Evil Speech
To James vain boasting and evil speaking exist within witnessing paschal faith communities, when witness choose the live their lives and practice their faith and ministries, in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. The mind of the flesh produce defilement, destruction, unnecessary hurt and suffering within faith communities. James stresses that mankind can successfully tame wild beasts, birds, serpents, and sea animals, but the tongue cannot be tamed by mankind. The human tongue can be like a wild fire. The tongue can only be tamed when witnesses surrender their souls, hearts, minds and lives, to the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit, within witnessing paschal faith communities, as revealed in Jesus Christ. In God's redemptive plan in Christ, the tamed tongue glorifies God as universal Father, and proclaims the universal brotherhood of all mankind in Christ (James 3:6-9).
Metaphors related to speech
In closing James remind us about the inconsistency and destruction of evil words, which can proceed from the mouth unregenerate human souls, hearts, minds and tongues. James stresses that within witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups the human tongue must be controlled and restrained. Blessing and curses may come from the same tongue. This sort of thing should not be happening within witnessing paschal faith communities. James asks the questions, "Have you ever seen a fig tree with a crop of olives, or seen figs growing on a vine". He then declares, "It is just as impossible for a spring to give fresh and salt water at the same time" (James 3:10-12).
Conclusion
Have you chosen to be a brother or sister within a witnessing paschal faith community, within your tradition, religion, culture, ethnic and secular group? Have you chosen follow Jesus Christ, by laying down speaking words and living your life, in the evil, condemnation, rebuke, destruction and divisiveness of the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh? Will you now choose to follow James admonition and embrace taming your speech, and living your life, in the loving-kindness, patience, long suffering, grace, agape love and truth of the appropriate right brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit (Mark 8:31-38, Romans 8:1-17)?
Related Articles:
Season of Pentecost, Proper 19
http://prayerbookguide.wordpress.com/
Key Verse: ' And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it strains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle on nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.' (James 3:6).
Introduction
Today's Epistle was written by James to brothers and sisters who are witnesses, within witnessing paschal faith communities, in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups. As fishers of men, James reminds these believers that as the image of God, they are called to follow Jesus Christ in becoming the likeness of God, here on earth. In loving-kindness, patience and spiritual maturity, they are called to live, teach and proclaim the Paschal Mystery, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit. He them sternly warns these witness, they must avoid the harsh words, condemnation and arrogant rebuking of others, which is so common, when witness choose to dwell in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, in their teaching and preaching ministries. To James taming the tongue is critical in creating and maintaining effective ministries (James 3:1).
Taming the tongue - key to personal mastery
James stresses that within witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, taming the tongue is the key to personal mastery. He recognizes that we are all human, and that believers as well as unbelievers will stumble and make mistakes. To James controlled speech leads to perfect control over the whole person, spirit, mind, emotions, relationships and body. James uses the example of how a small bit and bridle control a large horse and describes how a large ship, even in the midst of a storm, is controlled by a small rudder, to describe taming the tongue (James 3:2-5).
Power of Evil Speech
To James vain boasting and evil speaking exist within witnessing paschal faith communities, when witness choose the live their lives and practice their faith and ministries, in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. The mind of the flesh produce defilement, destruction, unnecessary hurt and suffering within faith communities. James stresses that mankind can successfully tame wild beasts, birds, serpents, and sea animals, but the tongue cannot be tamed by mankind. The human tongue can be like a wild fire. The tongue can only be tamed when witnesses surrender their souls, hearts, minds and lives, to the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit, within witnessing paschal faith communities, as revealed in Jesus Christ. In God's redemptive plan in Christ, the tamed tongue glorifies God as universal Father, and proclaims the universal brotherhood of all mankind in Christ (James 3:6-9).
Metaphors related to speech
In closing James remind us about the inconsistency and destruction of evil words, which can proceed from the mouth unregenerate human souls, hearts, minds and tongues. James stresses that within witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups the human tongue must be controlled and restrained. Blessing and curses may come from the same tongue. This sort of thing should not be happening within witnessing paschal faith communities. James asks the questions, "Have you ever seen a fig tree with a crop of olives, or seen figs growing on a vine". He then declares, "It is just as impossible for a spring to give fresh and salt water at the same time" (James 3:10-12).
Conclusion
Have you chosen to be a brother or sister within a witnessing paschal faith community, within your tradition, religion, culture, ethnic and secular group? Have you chosen follow Jesus Christ, by laying down speaking words and living your life, in the evil, condemnation, rebuke, destruction and divisiveness of the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh? Will you now choose to follow James admonition and embrace taming your speech, and living your life, in the loving-kindness, patience, long suffering, grace, agape love and truth of the appropriate right brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit (Mark 8:31-38, Romans 8:1-17)?
Related Articles:
Season of Pentecost, Proper 19
http://prayerbookguide.wordpress.com/
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Living The Paschal Mystery In Agape Love
Text: James 2:1-17, 'True witnesses live and are judged by the law of liberty'
Key verse: 'So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty' (James 2:12).
Introduction
In John 10:10, Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd declared, "The thief (Satan) comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly". These statements confirm that witnesses and witnessing paschal faith communities of true faith, self-surrender, humility and obedience, follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit. In true faith, witnesses turn from the mind of the flesh, to be filled, guided and empowered by the Godhead, in the mind of the spirit. They speak and act as those who live and are judge by God's law of liberty, in the Godhead's agape love, grace and truth, as revealed in Jesus Christ (Mark 8:31-34, John 1:14-18, 10:14-21; Romans 8:12-17). Today's epistle assures us that when living the Paschal Mystery, true faith begins in the mind of the flesh. More importantly however, James reminds us that true faith and true religion are fulfilled here on earth, in the mind of the spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45, James 2:12).
Speaking and acting in God's law of liberty means that witnesses follow Jesus Christ by setting their minds on the thing of God, heavenly things, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit. They let go their inappropriate obsessions and preoccupations with the things of men, the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of flesh (Matthew 16:33, Mark 8:33, Romans 8:1-11). They proclaim, affirm and manifest mankind's deliverance and freedom, from the bondage, slavery, condemnation, incivility, sinfulness and spiritual death of Satan, the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. In the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, they embrace and fulfill God's promises of salvation and righteousness in Christ, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit (2 Corinthians 5:16-21). These spiritually resurrected believers realize and make daily practical application of God's promises of pardon, peace, civility, agape love and eternal life in Christ, while living here on earth, in the mind of the spirit (Genesis 1:26-31, John 3:16-17, Romans 8:1-11).
Are you people of faith or judges of the poor? (Verses 1-4)
The Christ-centered witnesses and witnessing paschal faith communities which James exhorts and encourages in today's Epistle, can be found in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, throughout the earth. These spiritually resurrected believers can be readily identified, because like Jesus Christ, they seek, serve and surrender their lives to the universal, indwelling Christ, the Godhead's invisible presence, image and likeness, in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ, themselves and all persons (Genesis 1:26-31). In the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit, these witnesses love the LORD their God, with all their hearts, their souls, their minds and all their strength. In the mind of the spirit, they are discovering the awesome and daunting reality, that when dwelling in God's law of liberty, in the mind of the spirit, it is normal, natural, effortless, compassionate and civil human behavior to love their neighbors, as they love themselves (Matthew 12:34-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-38).
Because they live in the mind of the spirit, these witnesses discern that all human beings are designed by the Godhead, to be forever bound together as one visible spiritual family, in Christ. They know, embrace and honor God's planned, normal spiritual unity and planned normal mental, emotional and physical diversity, within all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, throughout the earth. In the mind of the spirit, these spiritually resurrected witnesses learn to naturally discern differences and to show no partiality. They learn not to despise the poor, because they know they are called by the indwelling Godhead, to use their resources to protect, provide for, care for the poor. In the mind of the spirit, they learn not condemn others, because they know that there remains so much to be forgiven, in their own hearts, souls, minds, relationships and lives (James 2:1-4).
Who are the poor and the rich, in the kingdom of God?
In the mind of the spirit, witnesses discern how the Godhead so often chooses the people who are the poor in the context of material possessions, to be rich in true faith and kingdom living, here on earth. Many holy men and holy women have demonstrated, that when believers follow Jesus Christ, in living according to God's law of liberty, that is living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit, they become rich in true faith and true works that please the Godhead, whether they are rich or poor in the material possessions of this world. In the mind of the spirit, these witnesses are able to possess, dwell in and demonstrate the invisible kingdom of heaven, which Jesus Christ declared and revealed, is forever within each person and in our midst (Luke 17:20-37).
These Christ-centered, spiritually resurrected believers are now becoming iconoclasts and intrapreneurs, within their own traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups. Like Jesus Christ and his brother James, they are also called by the indwelling Godhead, to remind all people that too often, those who are rich in material possession, find it most convenient and easy to live their lives, in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. Those who choose to live in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, are often the ones who consciously or unconsciously, who practice incivility, speak evil of, and often oppress and drag down those witnesses, who choose to live in the mind of the spirit, within their traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups (Matthew 22:38, Mark 12:29-31, Luke 10:25-37, James 2:5-8).
The Essence of true faith
To James, the essence of true faith is following Jesus Christ in fulfilling the letter, as well as the spirit of the ten commandments, in the mind of the spirit (Matthew 5:17). It is thinking, speaking and acting as believers, who are liberated and free from the laws of the sin, incivility, condemnation, and spiritual death of the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. James declares that God will not show mercy and forgiveness to those who choose not to have mercy and forgive themselves and others (Matthew 6::5-14, James 2:11-13).
Daily practical application of true faith
James summaries his statements of exhortation and encouragement by asking these questions, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith, but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm and eat you fill", and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what good is that? James then declares that true faith is based on works, which have their origin, goals, and ultimate fulfillment in seeking, lifting up, honoring and serving Christ, God's invisible presence, image and likeness, within the spiritual body of Jesus Christ, ones own spiritual body and the spiritual body of all persons, in the mind of the spirit (John 3:14-17, James 1:14-17).
Conclusion
Today's Epistle of James reminds us, that believers who choose to live their lives in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, cannot practice true religion. The inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh is the universal reason why, many sincere believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, continue the practice false religion in mindsets, attitudes, behaviors and works, which are displeasing to the indwelling Godhead. Unless they repent and lay down living their lives in the mind of the flesh, carnal, mortal and worldly minded believers do not and cannot live their lives, in God's law of liberty, within the context of God's agape love, grace and truth, as revealed in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1-17).
Are you willing to follow Jesus Christ, in laying down living your life, in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh? Are you willing to follow Jesus Christ, in taking up thinking, speaking, behaving and acting, in the practical application of true religion, in the mind of the spirit, within you witnessing paschal faith community? Are you willing to follow Jesus Christ as a Christ-centered, Holy Spirit empowered iconoclast and intrapreneur, living the Paschal Mystery, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit (Mark 8:31-34, John 10:14-21, Ephesians 2:12)?
Related Articles:
Season of Pentecost, Proper 18
Key verse: 'So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty' (James 2:12).
Introduction
In John 10:10, Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd declared, "The thief (Satan) comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly". These statements confirm that witnesses and witnessing paschal faith communities of true faith, self-surrender, humility and obedience, follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit. In true faith, witnesses turn from the mind of the flesh, to be filled, guided and empowered by the Godhead, in the mind of the spirit. They speak and act as those who live and are judge by God's law of liberty, in the Godhead's agape love, grace and truth, as revealed in Jesus Christ (Mark 8:31-34, John 1:14-18, 10:14-21; Romans 8:12-17). Today's epistle assures us that when living the Paschal Mystery, true faith begins in the mind of the flesh. More importantly however, James reminds us that true faith and true religion are fulfilled here on earth, in the mind of the spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45, James 2:12).
Speaking and acting in God's law of liberty means that witnesses follow Jesus Christ by setting their minds on the thing of God, heavenly things, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit. They let go their inappropriate obsessions and preoccupations with the things of men, the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of flesh (Matthew 16:33, Mark 8:33, Romans 8:1-11). They proclaim, affirm and manifest mankind's deliverance and freedom, from the bondage, slavery, condemnation, incivility, sinfulness and spiritual death of Satan, the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. In the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, they embrace and fulfill God's promises of salvation and righteousness in Christ, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit (2 Corinthians 5:16-21). These spiritually resurrected believers realize and make daily practical application of God's promises of pardon, peace, civility, agape love and eternal life in Christ, while living here on earth, in the mind of the spirit (Genesis 1:26-31, John 3:16-17, Romans 8:1-11).
Are you people of faith or judges of the poor? (Verses 1-4)
The Christ-centered witnesses and witnessing paschal faith communities which James exhorts and encourages in today's Epistle, can be found in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, throughout the earth. These spiritually resurrected believers can be readily identified, because like Jesus Christ, they seek, serve and surrender their lives to the universal, indwelling Christ, the Godhead's invisible presence, image and likeness, in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ, themselves and all persons (Genesis 1:26-31). In the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit, these witnesses love the LORD their God, with all their hearts, their souls, their minds and all their strength. In the mind of the spirit, they are discovering the awesome and daunting reality, that when dwelling in God's law of liberty, in the mind of the spirit, it is normal, natural, effortless, compassionate and civil human behavior to love their neighbors, as they love themselves (Matthew 12:34-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-38).
Because they live in the mind of the spirit, these witnesses discern that all human beings are designed by the Godhead, to be forever bound together as one visible spiritual family, in Christ. They know, embrace and honor God's planned, normal spiritual unity and planned normal mental, emotional and physical diversity, within all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, throughout the earth. In the mind of the spirit, these spiritually resurrected witnesses learn to naturally discern differences and to show no partiality. They learn not to despise the poor, because they know they are called by the indwelling Godhead, to use their resources to protect, provide for, care for the poor. In the mind of the spirit, they learn not condemn others, because they know that there remains so much to be forgiven, in their own hearts, souls, minds, relationships and lives (James 2:1-4).
Who are the poor and the rich, in the kingdom of God?
In the mind of the spirit, witnesses discern how the Godhead so often chooses the people who are the poor in the context of material possessions, to be rich in true faith and kingdom living, here on earth. Many holy men and holy women have demonstrated, that when believers follow Jesus Christ, in living according to God's law of liberty, that is living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit, they become rich in true faith and true works that please the Godhead, whether they are rich or poor in the material possessions of this world. In the mind of the spirit, these witnesses are able to possess, dwell in and demonstrate the invisible kingdom of heaven, which Jesus Christ declared and revealed, is forever within each person and in our midst (Luke 17:20-37).
These Christ-centered, spiritually resurrected believers are now becoming iconoclasts and intrapreneurs, within their own traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups. Like Jesus Christ and his brother James, they are also called by the indwelling Godhead, to remind all people that too often, those who are rich in material possession, find it most convenient and easy to live their lives, in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. Those who choose to live in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, are often the ones who consciously or unconsciously, who practice incivility, speak evil of, and often oppress and drag down those witnesses, who choose to live in the mind of the spirit, within their traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups (Matthew 22:38, Mark 12:29-31, Luke 10:25-37, James 2:5-8).
The Essence of true faith
To James, the essence of true faith is following Jesus Christ in fulfilling the letter, as well as the spirit of the ten commandments, in the mind of the spirit (Matthew 5:17). It is thinking, speaking and acting as believers, who are liberated and free from the laws of the sin, incivility, condemnation, and spiritual death of the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. James declares that God will not show mercy and forgiveness to those who choose not to have mercy and forgive themselves and others (Matthew 6::5-14, James 2:11-13).
Daily practical application of true faith
James summaries his statements of exhortation and encouragement by asking these questions, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith, but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm and eat you fill", and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what good is that? James then declares that true faith is based on works, which have their origin, goals, and ultimate fulfillment in seeking, lifting up, honoring and serving Christ, God's invisible presence, image and likeness, within the spiritual body of Jesus Christ, ones own spiritual body and the spiritual body of all persons, in the mind of the spirit (John 3:14-17, James 1:14-17).
Conclusion
Today's Epistle of James reminds us, that believers who choose to live their lives in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, cannot practice true religion. The inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh is the universal reason why, many sincere believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, continue the practice false religion in mindsets, attitudes, behaviors and works, which are displeasing to the indwelling Godhead. Unless they repent and lay down living their lives in the mind of the flesh, carnal, mortal and worldly minded believers do not and cannot live their lives, in God's law of liberty, within the context of God's agape love, grace and truth, as revealed in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1-17).
Are you willing to follow Jesus Christ, in laying down living your life, in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh? Are you willing to follow Jesus Christ, in taking up thinking, speaking, behaving and acting, in the practical application of true religion, in the mind of the spirit, within you witnessing paschal faith community? Are you willing to follow Jesus Christ as a Christ-centered, Holy Spirit empowered iconoclast and intrapreneur, living the Paschal Mystery, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit (Mark 8:31-34, John 10:14-21, Ephesians 2:12)?
Related Articles:
Season of Pentecost, Proper 18
http://prayerbookguide.wordpress.com/
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