Not seen but perishable and perishing

eejoseph

On the seen and unseen, the eternal and transient, we have lingers too long in the kindergarten of smooth and sometimes silly conclusions.  Paul’s saying about visible and invisible things has been turned into absurd doctrine.

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18, KJVA)



It is not an expression of absolute truth to assign eternity to unseen things, and finiteness to visible things.   Many things that are not seen perish.  Like the fingers and ears we see, the human heart, though unseen, perishes with the body.  In sober reflection of the things we all have to encounter, we acknowledge that there are words unspoken, words spoken, hopes cherished, hopes fulfilled, food eaten and nutrients never seen.  We are assured that the heavens (even the countless galaxies) themselves will be rolled up like a scroll.  The invisibility of racist policy all over the globe does not mean that racism is eternal. We should not let the spillover from the hidden word of God seduce us into the Pharisee urge to see and show

Pharisee righteousness and a golden rabbit hole

eejoseph

Trying to define righteousness as something we put on or work out is no more legit than James and his Pharisee allies trying to circumcise all people coming to eternal life in Christ.  When righteousness never takes its cue from the cross of Christ Wonderland and sheer ignorance are in play.   It surely sounds intelligent and responsible to talk about imputed righteousness and leave out the just (the justified) living by faith.  People who demand that believers can finish what Christ started are playing games with the most precious gift: faith that results in good cruciform works.  Anything else is pure Alice in Wonderland self-righteousness, and likely the result of a demonic doctrine. Believers do not have to show anyone their works in order to be justified. The Christ who justifies unbelievers also works in them  to think and to do God’s perfect will.

Attitudes; some I like, others I wince at

eejoseph,

What’s the oldest things you’re wearing today?

Pure selfishness; interest in me and myself.  Maybe I should be talking about shoes, shirts, underwear, rings and necklaces.  Ya think?  The oldest thing I am wearing first appeared the moment I was born.  It made me wail at the top of my voice, “Pay attention to me!”  “Hey, momma, give me that breast.  I want milk.  I’m cold; warm we up”.

There!  As old as I am.