February 2025
#1 A Foundational Preamble for Understanding the Mission of Christian Restoration Associates
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Please consider:
It is the disposition of our heart that is of most importance if we are to reap the Blessedness of God's Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Even though this is so succinctly stated in the Bible, it seems often to be neglected in our Christian culture. And it is certainly not a consideration of our secular culture. So much of what we rely on are motivational lectures to comply with God's Will and Way, Highest and Best. Although these are with good intention, they do not necessarily get to the heart of the matter.
If we are merely motivated, we tend to rely on the strength of our flesh to comply. This fleshly strength includes our minds, and it is not sufficient to comply with God's Will and Way, Highest and Best. Again, I emphasize, and the Bible states, it is essential to die to our old ways so that we may be born anew. This is not singularly for the purpose of Salvation. It is subsequently for the purpose of ongoing Sanctification.
As we mature in our Faith, individually and or collectively, these fleshly ways can be eliminated. It necessitates a prayerful process. In essence, we can die to these old ways and be born yet anew. This is God'sprovision for ever greater Sanctification and Freedom in his Spirit and of His spirit to reap his Highest and Best.
#2 Unbelief
Please consider:
The Dangers of Unbelief
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God: 13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin: 14 for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end:
15 while it is said, Today if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For who, when they heard, did provoke? Nay, did not all they that came out of Egypt by Moses? 17 And with whom was he displeased forty years? Was it not with them that sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? 19 And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.
In the Bible, there are many references to unbelief. Unbelief is more than refusing to believe, it also includes false beliefs, lack of knowledge, or misperceptions. Unbelief is not just relevant to initial Salvation. It is extremely important for ongoing Sanctification in our quest to become ever more Christ-Like.
In my opinion, unbelief may be a significant and primary reason why we as a Christian culture have failed to bear the fruit that would exemplify the profundity of Christianity.
#3 A better understanding
Please consider:
Our soul is like a fruit. It may be compared to an orange. An orange is a single fruit; however, it consists of separate segments. When we accept God's Provisions in and through Jesus Christ, we are grafted to the Vine. When we are grafted to the Vine, it is as though at least one segment of our soul is purged and purified. We experience newness of Life. To the degree that our soul is purified we are not only Saved, but we are also Sanctified. To the degree we are Sanctified, we are Saintly. Salvation is not the end of our journey; it is merely the beginning.
It is possible to be a Saint and a sinner. This was true for the apostle Paul as he referred to the war within him as he fought against the temptations of the flesh. It is certainly apparent as we observe our contemporary Christian culture. It may even be true for us or our loved ones. It requires more than mere knowledge of God. It requires Knowing God.
Please join us in our journey to cultivate a greater understanding and implementation of essential Standards and Means of attaining "God's will and way highest and best."
#4 Forgiveness Essential
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Please consider:
In the process of forgiveness, it is not as though we set others free. However, we do set ourselves free. We disentangle ourselves from the mental and emotional turmoil. It has been my experience that it is not essential to forgive others face to face. It is merely essential to forgive others within the quiet of our own prayer closet. It is not only essential to forgive individuals, but also to forgive groups and classes of individuals. This may include family members, political groups, athletic opponents and teams and any other combination of groupings of individuals who have offended, even to include our enemies.
If we do not take time to prayerfully ponder who it is that we should forgive, we're probably overlooking a great many opportunities. In the process of overlooking those great opportunities we are merely condemning ourselves.
It has been my experience that forgiveness is most profoundly effective in the name of Jesus Christ, the name above all names. Consequently, I recommend "In the name of Jesus Christ I forgive. Amen."
Blessings,
Robert Benedict
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Do your own research
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Encourage a local discussion group
Encourage special classes (Spiritual Gifts, etc.)
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
The intent of CRA is:
>NOT to demean other religious perspectives but to share the rationale for a better way;
>NOT to insist but to proclaim what is perceived to be a more excellent way;
>NOT to convince but to reveal the perceived Truth and allow the Spirit of God to convict the hearts and >minds of those who are receptive;
>NOT to force feed but to share
>NOT to intimidate but to encourage;
>NOT to coerce but to invite;
>NOT to argue but to dialogue;
>NOT to divide but to unite.