Welcome to "Groundround 85/15;" 85% belief and 15% experience, figuratively speaking. It is God's plan to reveal Himself TO us so He can reveal Himself THROUGH us.

The section labelled "MY TESTIMONY," is my blog link, & it includes such topics as Islam, Atheism, & dynamic Christianity.

The Bible verse that keeps my faith vibrant & underscores my mission is Matthew 7:7 "Ask, Seek, Knock" or A.S.K.
Ask Jesus anything sincerely & He will always answer.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Christianity is more than a to-do list, it is A FAITH FILLED ADVENTURE.
MY MISSION STATEMENT:
To magnify God's love through the wisdom provided by the Holy Spirit & The Holy Bible, which is The Word of God, & to encourage others to forge a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Join me on a cinematic journey that will enrich & challenge you. Browse my play-lists, eclectic but clean. Enjoy, learn, grow!
John

I HOPE YOU like your burger 85/15!

Just as an earth-bound caterpillar & an air-born butterfly have no similarity, an impenitent sinner & a "born again" Christian have no commonality either.

The Law of Moses, or the so-called, "MINISTRY OF DEATH CARVED IN LETTERS ON STONE," (2Cr 3:7), epitomized Yahweh's attitude toward sin. Spiritual & physical death reigned over the earthly descendants of the 1ST man, Adam, because of his disobedience, until the 2ND Adam, Jesus, offered reconciliation thru His obedience. "I have COME as a light into the world" (Jhn 12:46). "Yes, Adam's one sin brought condemnation on everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness makes all people right in God's sight & gives them life" (Rom 5:18). "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (Jhn 1:12).

The pupating chrysalis of a lepidopterous insect is analogous with the Born Again enigma. Consider that the caterpillar larva can only perpetuate its existence by terminating its previous identity. It encapsulates itself in a hard, transparent chrysalid shell until it slowly transforms into the adult butterfly, or imago; likewise, the "old" man of sin, ("old" because of the ancient origin of Adam's sin,) now a slave to his carnal nature, must embrace the transformational grace of God by faith, (Eph 2:8), with the hope of renewal in Christ (Col 3:11). So the butterfly instinctively follows a metamorphic path to life, while the Born Again believer must follow a deliberate path to eternal life. "Did the law, which is good, cause my doom? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God's good commandment for its own evil purposes." (Ro 7:13) "...But where sin abounded grace did much more abound." (Ro 5:20)

The Law, inherently good, procures damnation for humanity, so that only a "New Creation" in Christ, (2Cr 5:17), can benefit from eternal life. "Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face." (Ps 69:7)

The very layers of our skin function as a chrysalid covering (Mat 9:17), concealing a greater glory than is outwardly manifest (1Cr 6:19). "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart." (1Pe 1:22)

The significance of Christ's substitution & sacrifice is stated in (2Cr 5:2), "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

While the world is preoccupied with preserving its fleeting beauty, the Lord's disciples are drawn to the inward beauty of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
"You should be known for the beauty that comes from within" (1Pe 3:4).

As Christians we are "heirs of God & joint heirs with Jesus" (Ro.8:17), but how we conduct ourselves in the world ought to be a revelation of God's love. "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God & not from us." (2Cr 4:7)

Once sin alienated us from God. We were Christ's enemies separated from His Righteousness. "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. " (Gal 4:8) We were captivated by every satanic whim, a vexation in the face of holiness, "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, & cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." (Eph 4:14) "IN" Christ however, we have been emancipated from Satan's dominion. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. " (Jhn 8:36)

Our missteps are the faint reminder of sins former grip, the residual effect of our past life. " We are the Sons of God, & it doesn't appear what we'll be: but when He appears we'll be like Him." ( 1Jo 3:2 ) Our change is both instantaneous & progressive, legitimized in Heaven & actualized on Earth. "Work out your salvation with fear & trembling." ( Phl 2:12)

Finally, depending on your perspective, the butterfly chrysalis is either a caterpillar's "casket" or a butterfly's "closet." Again, the chrysalis is either a "caterpillar's coffin" or a "butterfly's "clothing room," In fact, a larva's funeral amounts to a butterfly's feast day. The former life must pass away so the latter can live, but the two are not mutually compatible.

Poetically speaking, the ground-hugging, sense-driven, leaf-eating canker is a hellfire aberration; while the high-flying, wind-gliding, honey-sipping butterfly is our "New Creation" symbol of eternal hope.

Christ is made our righteousness. (1Cr 1:30)
If righteousness comes by the Law Christ is dead in vain. (Gal 2:21)
Not having my own righteousness of the Law, but thru the faith of Christ. (Phl 3:9)
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him? (Jam 2:5)