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Understanding the Fourth Dimension Christian
The Inspiration Behind the Fourth Dimension Christian Concept
This blog post is inspired by a particular YouTube video where Larry, a skateboard maker, creatively incorporated Christian concepts into his work. He used our campus acronym for Christian studies to create a unique design. Around it, he added small heuristics, symbols we utilize to teach different Christian concepts. I have each of these symbols tattooed on my body because they hold deep meaning and teach significant lessons.
One of the prominent symbols is the cross, which conveys numerous teachings and represents the foundation supporting everything above it. My first tattoo was the cross, reflecting my faith visibly. It serves as a powerful reminder of Christian beliefs that we'll discuss more deeply in our church this Sunday.
The Heuristic of the Fourth Dimension Christian
Among these symbols is what we call the "Fourth Dimension Christian." It might look like a little robot, but it holds profound meaning. To understand it better, let's dive into its significance, especially in light of Genesis.
Scriptural Foundations
In Genesis, it's stated that God created man in His image, providing him with a body, spirit (Numa), and soul (Suke). This trinity aligns with God's nature as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We, too, possess a body, soul, and spirit—one individual being composed of these three parts.
God instructed Adam not to eat from a particular tree, saying he'd surely die the day he did. However, Adam lived up to 930 years, implying he didn't physically die immediately. Instead, he experienced spiritual deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., creating a chasm between his spirit and God. Since Adam and Eve, humanity has operated with only two parts of our intended makeup: body and soul.
The Need for Spiritual Renewal
With the absence of spiritual connection, humans navigate life through their body and soul, encapsulating mind, will, and emotion. Decisions are driven by thoughts, emotions, and actions devoid of spiritual life. Jesus emphasized the need to be born again, to be spiritually renewed, enabling reconnection of the spirit. Without this renewal, individuals remain alienated from divine intentions, constrained to a bipartite existence instead of a tripartite one.
Navigating a Bipartite Existence
Before spiritual rebirth, we operate solely through our body and mind, which interact as follows: "I think I want to do this, I feel like doing this, and so my body will execute it." This limited perspective highlights the necessity of a spiritual awakening to align with God's purposes fully.
In understanding the Fourth Dimension Christian, we recognize the crucial aspect of spiritual renewal and the holistic mindset it fosters, encompassing body, soul, and spirit in harmony with divine design.
The Impact of Choices: Negative and Positive Consequences
When discussing choices and their consequences, it's important to distinguish between actions that lead to negative outcomes and those that result in positive ones. This isn't necessarily about sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. but rather about the tangible consequences of our actions.
Negative Consequences and Their Effects
Let's start with actions that have negative consequences. One example is aberrant sex, sometimes referred to as AB sex. Such behaviors can lead to various adverse outcomes. We also see negative consequences arising from substance abuse and excessive indulgence in certain lifestyle choices, like drugs and rock and roll. These behaviors can result in physical harm and disease, highlighting how we can abuse our bodies and face serious repercussions.
Positive Lifestyle Choices and Their Benefits
On the flip side, there are individuals committed to positive lifestyle choices. Many men and women dedicate themselves to regular exercise and nutritious diets, focusing on their health and well-being. For these individuals, maintaining physical health is a priority, and they often feel a sense of superiority over those who indulge in harmful behaviors like smoking or drug use.
The Mind, Will, and Emotions: Navigating Negativity and Positivity
When it comes to our mental and emotional well-being, some people gravitate toward negativity, engaging in criminal activity, violence, and revenge. This might stem from upbringing, genetic predispositions, or personal choices. On the other hand, some individuals strive for positive impacts on their minds and emotions. This group pursues higher education, participates in community and church activities, and commits to civic engagement, all contributing to a better life.
The Pursuit of Happiness vs. Joy
In our world, many people dwell in what I call the "realm of happiness." Here, happiness is fleeting, linked to actions that bring temporary pleasure. Some find happiness in drug use or sexual activities, while others are content when they achieve fitness goals or professional accolades. Yet, this happiness is often conditional and dependent on external factors, such as staying fit or achieving success.
Opposite this is the "realm of joy," which offers a more eternal perspective on life. This realm becomes accessible through a transformative experience, often symbolized by an encounter with Jesus, who offers new life. This journey transforms darkness into light, representing a shift from temporary happiness to lasting joy and fulfillment.
Understanding Jesus’ Message
When Jesus was on Earth, he conveyed a message that often confounded the expectations of society. He pointed out that sinners, the broken individuals, were the ones who would truly see and appreciate him. They would recognize their need for him, in stark contrast to those who seemed to have everything together.
Light in Darkness
Consider a scenario where a door opens, allowing light to pour into a dark room. The light becomes most visible and shines brightest in the darkest corners. Similarly, Jesus’ message was most profoundly embraced by those who were deeply troubled or ‘most screwed up,’ as it resonates more with them. Jesus acknowledged that it is challenging for individuals who are wealthy, educated, and seemingly have no needs to grasp this concept. These individuals dwell in the ‘darkest place of the human soul,’ where there is a lack of perceived need because everything appears to be going smoothly in their lives.
The Model of Need
This perspective is essentially how the model works. Jesus often taught that those who have everything figured out—especially the most religious and self-sufficient—will likely not have any desire for him. In contrast, it is those who are most lost or struggling who truly need his guidance and teachings.
Choosing Jesus
When someone decides to follow Jesus, they step out from their darkness and into a realm of joy, becoming a whole person in the process. This transition involves experiencing both positive and negative aspects within this newfound joy, though the intricacies of this process warrant a more in-depth discussion in a future explanation.
The Broken Connection
Ultimately, the essence of Jesus’ message resonates more with the broken than with those who are outwardly successful or accomplished. Those who are spiritually or emotionally broken are the ones who truly understand and appreciate what Jesus did for them. This deep connection is what allows them to fully grasp Jesus’ teachings and find solace and meaning in their lives.
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