“When you see your matter going black, rejoice, you are at the beginning of the work.” — Rosarium Philosophorum
The traditional method of alchemy is divided into 5 stages:
STEP ONE
Nigredo —Blackening
The term “nigredo” comes from the Latin word for “black,” and its color is referring to the material color at this first stage of the process, which is often darkened.
The alchemist is observing or participating in the break down of the impurities that occur during Nigredo. This is the beginning of the distillation of raw materials.
This physical act represents the process of confronting one’s shadow self and the negative aspects of oneself.
This initial stage is one of dissolution and decay… confronting the raw, unrefined aspects of the self.
It’s a descent into darkness, a metaphorical death; old structures break down, making the route for the emergence of new beginnings.
Black —like fertile soil, chaotic, yet holds the potential for new growth.
STEP TWO
Albedo—Whitening
Albedo is the term used to describe the extent to which an object like a planet or moon reflects light.
Albedo emerges stark in contrast from the blackness of Nigredo.
A state of pristine whiteness, like the moon reflecting the sun’s light is found after Albedo.
Embodies clarity, a fresh perspective gained through the trials of the previous step. It’s a moment of reflection and the dawning of understanding.
STEP THREE
Citrinitas—Yellowing
The term “citrinitas” comes from the Latin word for “yellow,” and it refers to the color of the materials at this stage of the process, which is often yellow or orange.
At this stage, the alchemist is allowing the materials to be still… in Citrinita = self-growth + integration! 🍋✨ … think sitting water. Stagnation.
This yellowing is considered a bridge between Albedo and the final stage.
Citrinitas is associated with the rising sun, bringing with it warmth, light, and a sense of solar energy.
It represents the awakening of the intellect and intuition, a golden hue illuminating the path forward.
This stage signifies a growing awareness and the integration of newfound insights.
STEP FOUR
Rubedo—Reddening
The term “rubedo” comes from the Latin word for “red,” and its name refers to the color of the materials at this stage of the process, which is often red or reddish-gold.
A BLOODY MESS
In the Rubedo stage, the alchemist is completing the culmination of the alchemical process, its the stepping stone into the Philosopher’s Stone.
Rubedo also represents the perfect union of opposites, it is the merging of the spiritual and the material.
It is symbolized by the color red, signifying life, passion, and the ultimate realization of one’s true potential.
This stage embodies wholeness, completion, and the attainment of a higher state of being.
STEP FIVE
Lapis Philosophorum (Philosopher’s Stone)
The transcendent outcome, the perfected state.
Conclusion/ Overview
Nigredo (Blackening): The descent into shadow, where the old dissolves.
Albedo (Whitening): A purification, a dawning of clarity from the darkness.
Citrinitas (Yellowing): The sun’s touch, bringing illumination and understanding.
Rubedo (Reddening): The ultimate fusion, the attainment of wholeness.
Lapis Philosophorum (Philosopher’s Stone): The transcendent outcome, the perfected state.
“…. Looking to Jesus, THE FOUNDER AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
FOUNDER: n. ( faith) establisher, (faith) mounter n. The one who begins (faith); the one who writes (faith), the one from whom all (faith) comes.
Jesus lays the groundwork. Jesus IS the groundwork. He establishes and forms our faith, He initiates and originates our Faith. He has complete domination over our level of faith.
It is clear that His sovereignty reigns; it is not up to us to achieve salvation, nor are we deserving of it, not even through our own belief. If someone claims that they can secure and sustain faith solely of their own volition, they are not telling the truth.
He has the reigns. Jesus alone by the Will of The Father decrees Faith, He, in His predestining Will chooses who will be established in Himself and, as many men reject, who is His enemy.
“For by Grace, you have been saved through FAITH. And this is NOT YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast. For WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND, that we should walk in them.”
Eph.2:8-10
WORKMANSHIP: n. To manufacture (His people); invent; meticulously design (His Faithful), producer with intellectual depth & skill, especially by manual labor. n. That which is effected; (The power to produce an outcome, full forced execution; operativeness), made or produced
We are His Workmanship.
He executes, He operates, He develops, and He produces His people’s Faith by the Power of His Grace. We don’t execute, operate, develop or produce, our own Faith.
The Grace we receive ISN’T because of anything we do (no matter how significant), nor because of anything we say (no matter how righteous), or anything we think. We receive His Grace through His Sovereign Faith (not our free will “faith”); We can only be saved by the perfect Faith of Jesus Christ that can only save us by His Grace.
AGAIN… We have righteousness through Faith. Whose Faith? Jesus’ Faith.
ALL have sinned and fall short, but we are justified by Faith through HIS GRACE AS A GIFT… FREE GIFT.
FAITH IS A GIFT. Therefore, we don’t work for it or at it; there’s only ONE, Christ Jesus, and He alone is able to give Faith to whom the Father chose already, He alone Saves, He follows the Will of His Father.
No human can manipulate, control, command, demand, or alter what has been established before the earth’s foundation. No human can interfere with the Book of Life.
… the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE AS A GIFT, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Mark 10:15, Luke 18:17
MEANING
This statement is a response to his disciples who were trying to prevent children from coming to him.
Jesus rebukes them and says that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these, and that whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.
The profoundness of this assertion lies in the characteristics of children that Jesus is referring to.
Children are often seen as innocent, trusting, and dependent.
They have a simple faith and are not burdened by the doubts and cynicism that can come with age and experience. They are also humble and teachable, willing to learn and receive guidance from older and wiser people.
Jesus says that to enter the kingdom of God, we must approach it with the same childlike qualities of innocence, trust, humility, and teachability.
We must come to God with a simple faith, not relying on our knowledge or understanding but trusting in God’s wisdom and guidance. We must be humble, recognizing that we are not self-sufficient but dependent on God. And we must be teachable, willing to learn from God, and those who are wiser and more experienced in the ways of God.
This is the kind of faith that opens the door to the kingdom of God and allows us to enter into a relationship with God that is marked by love, joy, and peace.
JESUS SAYS THAT WE WILL NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN UNLESS WE BECOME LIKE A CHILD.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
“…. Looking to Jesus, THE FOUNDER AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
FOUNDER: n. ( faith) establisher, (faith) mounter n. The one who begins (faith); the one who writes (faith), the one from whom all (faith) comes.
Jesus lays the groundwork. Jesus IS the groundwork. He establishes and forms our faith, He initiates and originates our Faith. He has complete domination over our level of faith.
The Truth of His sovereignty is evident; we do not establish ourselves, we cannot establish ourselves, and we are not worthy to establish ourselves, not even with our own faith. If anyone claims to have the ability to establish and maintain saving faith by the power of their own will, they are a liar.
He has the reigns. Jesus alone by the Will of The Father decrees Faith, He, in His predestining Will chooses who will be established in Himself and, as many men reject, who is His enemy.
“For by Grace, you have been saved through FAITH. And this is NOT YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast. For WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND, that we should walk in them.”
Eph.2:8-10
WORKMANSHIP:
n. To manufacture (His people); invent; meticulously design (His Faithful), producer with intellectual depth & skill, especially by manual labor.
n. That which is effected; (The power to produce an outcome, full forced execution; operativeness), made or produced
We are His Workmanship.
He executes, He operates, He develops, and He produces His people’s Faith by the Power of His Grace. We don’t execute, operate, develop or produce, our own Faith.
The Grace we receive ISN’T because of anything we do (no matter how significant), nor because of anything we say (no matter how righteous), or anything we think. We receive His Grace through His Sovereign Faith (not our free will “faith”); We can only be saved by the perfect Faith of Jesus Christ that can only save us by His Grace.
AGAIN… We have righteousness through Faith. Whose Faith? Jesus’ Faith.
ALL have sinned and fall short, but we are justified by Faith through HIS GRACE AS A GIFT… FREE GIFT.
FAITH IS A GIFT. Therefore, we don’t work for it or at it; there’s only ONE, Christ Jesus, and He alone is able to give Faith to whom the Father chose already, He alone Saves, He follows the Will of His Father.
No human can manipulate, control, command, demand, or alter what has been established before the earth’s foundation. No human can interfere with the Book of Life.
… the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE AS A GIFT, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
As adopted heirs according to the Promise of our Messiah we are humbled by the certainty of our Salvation being from God’s Grace & nothing else, not even human choice… Not even our own choice.
And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)—if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:17
God is the Potter & His Creation is His clay… The Lord does ALL that He pleases.
I, being the clay in my Potter’s hands, have no authority over how my Potter establishes & constructs me.
I am guilty of my sinful actions, thoughts & nature. In my flesh I disgust a Holy God, this is exactly why a Savior is required for reconciliation.
He patterns His clay according to the pattern He devises in His Mind. His Thoughts are what generate, cultivate, and produce what we humans comprehend as reality.
Outside of the Mind of God, there is NOTHING.
Material reality is a shadow of Spiritual reality, the Spiritual Realm reigns as sovereign over ALL material, not the other way around.
I recognize that I’m just as wicked-natured, crooked, and filled with as much iniquity as the next person & the only reason I am Saved from the wages of my flesh is by His Grace, His Faith, His Decision, His Ordination, His Predetermination, and His Council, all such is derived from His perfect Mind…
We are the clay being formed into His masterpiece, depending solely on Him, the Potter. We are vessels. A vessel depends on its Operator, not itself.
My value, of my own volition, is not higher or lesser than any other human, of whom are made in the likeness of God but all tainted by the sin of Adam.
God always obtains what is His & He deserves ALL Glory!
If a believer deprives any bit of Glory to God, they are speaking a false, counterfeit Doctrine, aimed at robbing God of His Glory… Be it some Glory or all Glory; we own, control, & inhabit NO GLORY outside of Christ.
Glory is His – ALONE.
When we see His perfectly Righteous Wrath, God reveals to us even more that His Glory is merciful, and His Mercy endures (sustains) forever. He reveals His Glory in the ability of His Majestic Grace.
It’s Grace because it’s unearned, it’s not a reward, it’s a pardon, and there is no cause but the Judge’s own Decision & Mercy.
If you earned any part of the Salvation & Grace you received, it’s not Grace. & If you depend on your Salvation, I’d question myself because only God is dependable
He lavishes His Grace and Mercy for whomever He ordains. He is an impartial Judge. He is not a respecter of persons.
In ALL THINGS He is THE essence & foundation, commanding His declaration to be respected by Speaking that which is nothing into existence and making it something. He is before all things, in all things, & all things work through Him, & for Him & to Him.
His will is perfect & a perfect will is unable to be incomplete or unfinished, meaning He accomplishes His will… & His will was written before your decision.
To be perfect is to be exact, complete, accurate, and valid, a completed Will lacks nothing.
Anything truly perfect needs nothing outside of its perfection. A Will that is perfect achieves & fulfills itself without any missing aspect needed…
We are provided with the capacity to discern by His Will and Spirit. He is our illumination in the fog. The Spirit illuminates what materiality darkens.
He determines to lift the veil from the eyes of all that See (in His Spirit) -we are developed beyond the shadow, no longer limited to the diagram, but we are integrated with the Substance.
We have the Holy Spirit. We are rescued from the death we deserve, we earned Hell, by the power of the flesh.
We are purchased by our Creator into Life, saved from our flesh’s reward, we don’t deserve to be saved, we have no merit, etc not even a little bit
But thanks to God we who See are completely Free; only by the Power of the Holy Spirit… Without such, we’re only Tares presuming we are Wheat, but like a flower, we have no substance and we die out.
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
What the Law could not do, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh & an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do NOT walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Those who walk according to the flesh put their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who walk according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
The mind set on the flesh is death
But the mind set on the Spirit is life & peace, The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, it is not even able to do so,(man in & of himself is wicked & deprived) & those who are in the flesh cannot please God (no matter how hard they try). .
The good news is you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God really dwells in you. But if ANYONE does not have the Spirit of Christ, that person does not belong to Christ.
If Christ is in you, though your body is dead because of sin, yet the Spirit is alive because of His righteousness.
If you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if you are living by the Spirit you are laying to death the actions of the body, & you will live.
All who are being directed by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
You have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, & if we are children, we are heirs also, heirs of God & fellow heirs with Christ, If we suffer with Him we may also be glorified with Him.
The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
The anxious longing of His entire creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
A person can only KNOW God by the Spirit of God, we CAN’T know or understand God apart from the Spirit of God…
It is impossible to Know thoughts that are inside of another because to know something is to have a personal connection to it.
Paul informs us in 1 Corinthians 2:11-16
Who knows a person’s thoughts except for the spirit of that person, which is in him?
Also, no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
We have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might comprehend the things freely given to us by God.
We impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
The natural (fleshly, carnal) person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are stupid to him & HE’S NOT ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED.
The spiritual person judges all things but himself to be judged by no one.
Judge: (Greek) Anakrinó: to observe, examine, investigate, explore, analyze
“For who has understood the mind, psyche, &thoughts of the Lord so as to educate Him?”
Instruct: (Greek) Sumbibazó: to join together, assemble, teach, equip for consolidation
I’ve learned that being kind and being nice are NOT the same… not even close actually. Yet most of us conflate the two and use them interchangeably (I’m guilty of this) which is a disservice to ourselves.
Being nice isn’t even a good thing, once we understand the stark difference and comprehend the substance of both words we can understand God more & what He desires… causing appreciation to the significance & substance His WORDS truly bring.
✝️ “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
The word “kind” used in Ephesians is the word chrestos… Kind/ chréstos: 1. properly, fit for use, useful, serviceable & productive; virtuous, good 2. manageable, i. e. mild, pleasant (opposed to harsh, hard, sharp, bitter)
When you are kind you are useful, competent, capable & well resourced. Being kind is being useful, beneficial, and benevolent.
So, what is nice?? 🤡 🤡 🤡
The first 3 definitions of “nice” in Webster’s unabridged dictionary are very clear:
1. Foolish; silly; simple; ignorant; also, weak; effeminate. 2. of a trifling moment; unimportant; trivial. 3. Overly scrupulous (meticulous) or exacting (makes severe demands); hard to please or satisfy; fastidious (nit-picky) in small matters.
Check out the only verses in the Scriptures that speak of being a nice person….
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“How TERRIBLE it will be for you when everyone says nice things about you, because that’s the way their ancestors used to treat the FALSE PROPHETS!”
Luke 6:26
“For even your brothers and the household of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you, Even they have cried aloud after you. Do not believe them, although they may say NICE things to you.” Jeremiah 12:6
They say to the visionaries, “See no more visions!” and to the seers, “Don’t relate messages to us about what is right! Tell us NICE THINGS, relate deceptive messages.
Isaiah 30:10
People say nice things about people that say only what they want to hear… Not what they need to hear.
Jesus wasn’t nice, & people didn’t say nice things about Him, in fact people, “good” people in right standing with society wanted Him dead because He was so offensive… Why? Because humans have itching ears, we want to hear what’s nice and we despise, revolt against and abhor what is unpleasany true, & kind… The truth isn’t nice to the flesh… the Truth is music to the Spirit though.
Let’s not be nice, let’s be kind.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 1 Corinthians 13:4
“PRAYER gives the Holy Spirit permission to do God’s will — He cannot act without getting permission from a human with Authority.”
Permission is defined as: The act of permitting, especially in giving formal consent
That quote is appealing, sounds right to the average Joe, right?
Is it biblical?
Is it true?
Is the limitless power of the universe at our disposal?
Does God require our permission to do anything?
Do we live in a universe where control over the invisible and visible is in the hands of the human will?
No, no, no, and no.
The Serpent’s lie in the Garden of Eden was bad enough:
“you will be ‘like’ God.”
The assertion that God requires one’s permission to act on behalf of any matter is a flawed belief that suggests the individual possesses godlike qualities. This belief is not in line with the reality that God is the ultimate authority and we are subject to His command.
It is important to understand that God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, and we are mere mortals who are dependent on His mercy and grace. To suggest that God requires our permission to act on any matter is to place ourselves in a position of authority over God. This is a dangerous belief that can lead to arrogance and a false sense of power. It is important to recognize that we are not in control of the universe, and that God is the one who is ultimately in charge.
Furthermore, the idea that we have the power to grant permission to God is not supported by any religious text or tradition.
We recognize that God’s wisdom and knowledge far surpasses our own, and that His plans are always for our ultimate good.
Are we the ones holding the reigns?
His power is restrained by us?
God is in control and holds ultimate authority over all things. We are called to submit to His will and trust in His guidance. The idea that we hold the reins in our relationship with God is dangerous and heretical. We are completely dependent on God for our existence, salvation, and destiny. Our role is to respond in faith and obedience to His call, surrendering our desires and trusting in His plan. Humble submission to God’s will is the foundation of our faith and the key to a fulfilling relationship with Him.
The Bible teaches that God is the One who loves and pursues us, not the other way around. We are the ones who arerequired’s love and forgiveness. To suggest that God needs something from us is to turn the whole relationship upside down.
Our flesh always tries to control and manipulate things, including our relationship with God. We want to be in control, and we don’t like the idea of God having any power over us.
Is God a divine genie, ‘an all-powerful wish grantor, He lets us pretend to be His keeper’?
Every believer I’ve ever met makes the claim ‘God can do anything”… yet, He may only do ‘anything’ when we “permit” Him?
God limits Himself to our passions. Where is God’s Power in that?
2 Tim 3:5 says that some will have a form (aspect, presentation, material) of Godliness but reject IT’S POWER. God’s Spirit is Power.
Serious Question:
When did you allow God to form you in your mother’s womb?
What about someone who has cancer?
Is it not going into remission because they haven’t permitted God to heal their cancer?
As if God’s hands are tied until we bags of flesh give Him the “GO”?
To add: There isn’t a single story of Christ ever asking anyone for permission to ACT; quite the opposite.
Scripturally:
God doesn’t need our permission. We are invited by Him to willingly consent to His plans, but He’s not limited by our desires. When the Creator of everything – visible and invisible – invites a person to consent to His plans, that person WILL consent to His plans, willingly.
Just like when God commands you to breathe His breath into your lungs, He doesn’t ask you for permission, and you aren’t feeling dictated to or controlled by Him doing so either, right?
The clay has no right over the Potter. But the Potter has ALL RIGHTS over the clay.
Scripture:
BY Him, ALL THINGS were created, in heaven & on earth, visible & invisible, thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities—ALL THINGS were created through Him & FOR HIM.”
Colossians 1:16
WHATEVER THE LORD PLEASES, HE DOES, In heaven, earth, in the seas & in all deeps.”
Psalm 135:6
Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.
Psalm 115:3
It is *God* who works in you to will & to act on behalf of His good purpose.”
Philippians 2:13
Even if you go and fight bravely in battle, God will make you stumble before the enemy, for God has power to help and power to overthrow.”
2 Chronicles 25:8
God says: Even from Eternity I am He, And there is NONE who can deliver out of MY hand; I ACT & WHO CAN REVERSE IT?
Isaiah 43:13
The life of every living thing is in God’s hand, as well as the breath of all mankind.
Job 12:10
It does not depend on man’s desire or effort but on God’s mercy.
Romans 9:16
“Not death or life, or angels or rulers, or things present or things to come, or powers, heights, depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39
This includes our own will, does it not?
All who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of blood, nor of the DESIRE OR WILL of man, but born of God.
John 1:12-13
“And you were DEAD in the trespasses and sins”
Eph 2:3, Col 2:13
DEAD means spiritually dead.
How can the spiritually dead make the spiritual decision to live? In the same way, a physically dead person can make the physical decision to live. He can’t. He’s dead…
ONLY an outside force can bring the dead to life, & ONLY One WILL have that power… The dead don’t choose life. How can they?
“There’s no one who understands, no one who seeks God……”
Romans 3:11
If we could understand and seek by our will, we would not desperately need the Holy Spirit to intercede as we do, nor would Jesus’ death be of any purpose.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
John 15:16
Did Jesus’ Apostles have a choice? NO. Jesus says, NO!
For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
Revelation 17:17
The Holy Spirit, how does HE work?
As it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear heard, no heart imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit… The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have NOT received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may UNDERSTAND what God has FREELY GIVEN US. & this is what we speak, NOT in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing SPIRITUAL TRUTHS in spiritual words… The NATURAL MAN does NOT accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he CANNOT UNDERSTAND THEM, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:9-16
Paul’s warning is very clear about false doctrines, they appeal to the human will and recoil at the idea of having to relinquish control:
Paul :
“Let him who boasts boast only in the Lord.”It’s not the one who commends himself who’s approved, but the one whom the Lord commends….I am afraid, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your SIMPLE and pure devotion to Christ. ( The Simplicity of Christ is enough) For if someone comes & proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily…. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions…. If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is forever worthy of praise, knows that I am not lying. I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.
