Anonymous: really short and to the point, how does your understanding of the Bible explain or coordinate 2 Corinthians 5:10, and Revelations 20:12, 13 (these 2 scriptures popped into my head as I recently used them in this blog),

My dream, stated differently but non-the-less equal in proportion, is that, any and all joint heirs with Christ / each and every progeny of the Eternal Progenitor sit down together in harmony with the anointed Prince of Peace / the King of love.

Further clarifying. Lincoln's government of, by and for the people was a socialist's mantra. A dejure representative republic is a government of law and justice, not people. Sovereign individual governments unite in accordance with an administration of law and justice.

For purposes of the quote: “Grace”, translates from the Hebrew masculine noun חֵן chên (Pronounced, khane) meaning; an affinity to righteousness, a propensity to uprightness, a palpable harmony with holiness, a nourishment of faith, knowledge, love, truth, etc. From a Greek translation, “grace” derives from the feminine noun χάρις cháris, (Pronounced, khar’-ece) which means; affinity to righteousness, a propensity to uprightness, abetted spiritual condition, Divine influence on the heart.

Though a righteous person may exist with grace generally and/or with a Divine influence on their heart specifically, the quote accurately depicts temporal life’s unpredictability and a fragility to the noble being’s circumstances. Bad things can happen to good people.

I like a broadly hypothesized scope of an overall observation. Does the benefit derive from a contract (agreed to formal obligation), a gift (how does one correspondingly if fact, repay a gift) or ...? OR, does identifying an original source even matter? 

🤣 I like it a lot, as far as observations go, extremely to the point accurate.

I here do give personal first hand testimony with spiritual "knowledge" that, the sojourner that is now called Jesus in scripture was/is my personal Savior.

I absolutely agree with you, the Divine sense and meaning of the term or concept “knowledge” is lost in translation by societal linguistics, scholastic endeavors / prejudices and corporeal use, etc.

It is my belief (which differs from faith and knowledge) that the tree of knowledge of good and evil held multiple purposes. To start the list; God’s will concerning freedom of choice / self-determination is a primal foundation of/to His progeny’s life (lives). I believe rights are inalienable to each noble family member and the best way to demonstrate the principle is to allow an inexhaustible choice between good and evil. The Hebrew feminine noun חֻפְשָׁה chuphshâh (Pronounced, khoof-shaw’) that translates into freedom literally means the right to choose (rights are more closely associated to justice than law). Though we will be judged for our acts (2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelations 20:12, 13, etc.) self-preference still reigns supreme. Even grace, though given freely, is received by freedom of choice.

ALSO, In Genesis 1:28; “God said unto them, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth,” It is an observation of mine that, the “Garden” was of such a jurisdiction that children were not part of the equation? Procreation was of a lower, mortal or fallen state of being (transgression) but was a choice of Adam and Eve's. I also believe that from the greatest existences of intelligence and cognizance to the lowest (Celestial to man’s carnal existence), the greater fully comprehends the lesser while the lesser does not fully comprehend the greater. The fruit of the tree (literal and/or symbolic) was the methodology that the Lord chose for such transition. The prefix “re” added to “plenish” here doesn’t mean again but rather a furtherance of a Hebrew linguistic pattern used for emphasis. The Lord is here emphasizing being very fertile / fruitful and multiplying.

As to a talking serpent. Within the Garden’s jurisdiction, did other sentient beings speak? (-; I say hmmm??? dunno ;-) The Christ was known as a healer or Savior with other titles. “Save” and/or salvation is another term(s) that is lost in translation. The Hebrew verb חָיָה châyâh, or ḥāyâ (Pronounced, khaw-yaw’) literally, figuratively and causatively means: to nourish or give sustenance to survive, to keep or make alive (make whole or perfect). Every symbolism of Christ that I’m aware of has been replicated and used by the adversary. By example: The “rod of Aaron” had a snake carved around the almond staff with 2 red stones embedded into its eyes symbolizing the Christ. In Pharaoh’s court Aaron’s scepter was thrown down to become a serpent eating all the magician’s serpents. In the wilderness, Moses raised the scepter for all to see so that they be nourished and healed from serpent bites; etc. Why the symbolisms? I’m still learning, I don’t have that knowledge yet.  Too little, too much ? 😁

WOW, when Waffler makes a statement I completely agree with — ummm, it is amazing. Anciently, Hebrew words (nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc.) that translated into "knowledge" had meanings identifying knowledge as being finite, intrinsic with truth, love, faith and was the basis of wisdom. In other words, if that which past as knowledge did not include truth, love, faith and lead to real wisdom it was NOT knowledge but rather, just a gathering of falsely interpreted data, information, scholarly facts and figures, evidential findings, etc. Kudos to Waffler, is that religion or science. I submit, true religion and real science are indistinguishable. 

Jack, Holyoake's well publicized secularism is by definition a religion. His truth is as often as not, straight forward dogma. His anti-extra human experience is a shallow form of bigotry — not truth. 

To love truth for truth’s sake is a principle and an element of human perfection. “The principal”? “Human perfection”? And, “seed-plot of all other virtues”, probably not. In context and over all, very good.

Robert, all humanity are children of God (beginning to end). The reference: "shall be called the children of God" is simply identifying those that act in a Godly manner. 😁 As a gay atheist, you are a loved child of God. AND, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS to you.

jim, according to years of responses on this blog, Reston is not seeking truth but rather, seeking to promote his personal religion. Reston's religion is one of control and power, not truth. No mind reading needed.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ! !

MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ! !

MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ! !

Robert, compassion is a religious issue, not a lawful one.

Robert, Morality is the basis of religion ("A"theism to "Z"en)

Sillik, just another stupid and empty propaganda. You, being the only god unto salvation (by self declaration) will never clarify how the Christian God is adversarial to nature (or the laws thereof).

Those children that did not learn or accept this altruism grow/grew up accepting or promoting slavery, advancing one form or another of the occupying statist theocracy now infesting this land. Living through another set of consequences these last few days, the absolutism of how corrupt the courts have become — with no truth in them, is REALLY — REALLY staggering. The truth will set you free.

warren, I guess you are speaking of yourself. I've known otherwise.

Not shooting the messenger here specifically BUT, Wilson's oxymoronic double speak out of both sides of his mouth doesn't quite flow consistent. Liberty / freedom and inalienable rights at nature's law are inherent in the individual (as a faculty of birth through fruition of life's sojourn). What purpose / honor is this anti-freedom socialist referring to? A common end? What narrow interest — AT LAW — is being referenced?

Sound doctrine following the "Rights of Man" ;-)

When you consider that, the 10 planks of the communist manifesto have already been implemented by one degree or another; and, when you consider the implementation of enslaving compelled compliance, victimless crimes, government licenses, larceny with impunity (2nd plank of the communist manifesto, funny money, government confiscations, etc.) and non-recognition of perfected allodium, inalienable rights and liberty at nature's law — the quote takes on a great accuracy.