Most of us have been raised to believe that man is just an animal. The Bible presents a very different picture. The First Adam rebelled against God and brought sin and death into the world. The Second Adam obeyed God perfectly, and was a picture of true humanity.
The message of Micah's Vine & Fig Tree vision (which we have called The Christmas Conspiracy) is the coming of the "Son of Man," the Messiah promised to Abraham:
Luke 1:68-75 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people. {72}To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; {73} The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, {74} That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, {75} In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:29
We strive to become Patriarchs, sons of Abraham. The Patriarch Abraham pursued the City of God, not the city of man (Hebrews 11:10). To get to the City of God, you must follow the path that leads there. The path Abraham chose was obedience to God (James 2:22-23). Obedience to God reverses the curse of sin and death. God blessed Abraham with great wealth (Genesis 13:2), and protected him from his enemies, just as He had promised . . .
Because that Abraham obeyed My Voice, and kept My Charge, My Commandments, My Statutes, and My Laws.
Genesis 26:5
In his journey to the City of God, Abraham did not leave the poor and marginalized behind, as conservatives are often accused of doing. Nor did Abraham ask the State to bring justice to the afflicted, as liberals often do. In obedience to God's Law, he brought them into his household, and put them under the care of the Covenant (Genesis 12:5; 17:12-13). He brought in dozens of dozens of people into his household, and taught them the ways of the LORD.
Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.
Genesis 18:18-19
Abraham's life is remarkable, but it is also a model of what we should be.
Abraham, our father in the faith, did not pursue the tinsel and glitter of Hollywood, the power of the Pentagon, or the wealth of the Fortune 500 CEO. The ability to resist the agenda of the city of man requires great internal strength. This faith comes as we meditate on God's Law.
In his Vine & Fig Tree vision, Micah saw people from all nations streaming to hear, learn, and obey God's Law:
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD
And to the House of the God of Jacob,
That He may teach us about His ways
And that we may walk in His paths."
For from Zion will go forth the Law
Even the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
I am dedicated to becoming a disciplined son of Abraham. God's Law is a blueprint of Godly character traits, which I am learning day by day.
God's Law is a picture of Christ, Who obeyed His Father's will perfectly. As I study God's Law, I see Christ, and I see who God created me to be truly human. My goal is to be like Christ:
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man,
to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; {14} that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15} but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ;
Ephesians 4:11-15
Jesus was completely, fully, truly human. I am more truly human as I develop Christ-like character traits. I am more fully human as I obey God's Law.
As a Christian, I am continually putting to death the "old man," and putting on the "new man," made after the image of Christ. Because I am "in Christ," I am part of the seed of Abraham. I am an heir to the overwhelming promises made to Abraham. In Christ, I am a son of Abraham.
| Accomplished | Accurate | Alert |
| Amiable | Analytical | Available |
| Bold | Calm collected, cool, steady, poised, balanced, serene, Edenic, encouraging |
|
| Cautious | Charitable compassionate, pitying, concerned, caring, solicitous, sorrowful, heartbroken, comforting, supportive, moved, big-hearted, consoling, loving, fond, humane, kind, charitable, thoughtful, generous, liberal, unselfish, bountiful, free, giving, ungrudging, unsparing, lenient, tolerant, agape |
Chaste modest, virtuous, self-controlled, sober |
| Cheerful | Composed even-tempered, composed, calm, collected, unruffled, untroubled, self-controlled, balanced, teachable, meek, secure |
Concentration absorption, engrossment, fixed regard, intentness, close attention, application, rumination, diligence, devotion, pondering, meditation, deep thought, deliberation, consideration, study, scrutiny, examination |
| Confident security, trust, faith, positiveness, sureness, reliance, assuredness, fortitude, reassurance, conviction |
Contented grateful, happy, at peace, satisfied, thankful, appreciative |
Cooperative |
| Courage intrepid, unflinching, undaunted, unalarmed, bold, firm, resolute, unconquerable, staunch, steadfast, unshrinking, plucky, spunky |
Courteous polite, respectful, deferential, cordial, genial, affable, attentive, caring, gentlemanly, gracious, kind, elegant, tactful, helpful, accommodating, available, cooperative |
Creativity inventive, imaginative, visionary, inspired, talented, formative, original, ingenious, skilled, crafty, resourceful, clever, enterprising, industrious discoverer, coiner, generator, initiator, institutor, architect, inventor, devisor, organizer |
| Decisiveness unhesitating, determined, resolute, confirmed, earnest, sober, purposeful, thoughtful, deliberate, tenacious, committed, resolved |
Dependability | Diligence |
| Discernment | Discretion | Earnest |
| Endurance | Efficiency efficacious, effective, productive, generative, dynamic, competent, fitted, prepared, well-grounded, ready, capable, crack, proficient, adept, experienced, au fait, skillful, dexterous, expeditious, business-like, dominion-oriented, successful, results, hard-headed, fruitful, constructive |
Emotions
(in the appropriate context) 1. sensitive, feeling, compassionate, warm, tender, affectionate, loving, sympathetic, sensuous 2. angry, wroth, outraged, indignant, pained, hurt, grieved, appalled, fervent; Deploring what God deplores 3. sorrowful, mournful, sad, agonizing, lamenting, heartfelt, tearful; Crying when God cries. Mourning with those who mourn 4. rejoicing, merry, delighted, blessed, jubilant, exultant, exhilarated, enthused, elated, mirthful; Rejoicing with those who rejoice 5. loving, amorous, passionate, ravished, thirsty, captivated, satisfied |
| Energy peppy, energetic, vigorous, dynamic, full of vim and vigor, eager, lively, spirited, animated, vibrant, robust, industrious, driving, pressing on, sprightly, effervescent, cheerful, passionate |
Enthusiasm | Expressiveness |
| Fair-mindedness | Faithful | Flexibility |
| Foresight prudent, careful, discrete, judicious, sagacious, ready, farsighted, circumspect, anticipating, prescient, prepared, sapient, calculating, circumspect, visionary readiness, future-orientation |
Forgiveness | Frankness |
| Frugality | Generosity | Gentleness |
| Goal
Apprehension aspiring, hoping, yearning, purposeful, expectant, eager, ambitious, future-oriented, dominion-oriented, enterprising, optimistic |
Goal
Direction confirmed, resolute, single-minded, not double-minded, adamant, ceaseless, dedicated, determined, firm, immovable, inexhaustible, inexorable, inflexible, relentless, resolved, steadfast, unbendable, uncompromising, unswayable, unyielding, persistent, tenacious, fixed, intentional, set, assiduous |
Gratefulness |
| Honesty veracious, trustworthy, reliable, impartial, equitable, unprejudiced, sincere, guileless, undeceiving, unfeigned, undissembling, undissimulating, aboveboard, un-contrived, unaffected, unassumed, plain-spoken, genuine, authentic, respectable, credible, virtuous, unpretentious, uncorrupted rectitude, justice, integrity, righteousness |
Hope expectant, positive, optimistic, affirmative, cheerful, confident, encouraging, promising, sanguine, assured, secure, convinced, sure, certain, utopian, idealist, visionary, lofty, soaring, grandiose, heavenly |
Hospitality convivial, receptive, welcoming, warm, open, gracious, sharing, inviting, friendly, congenial, affable, amiable, neighborly, receptive, sympathetic, merciful, kindness, kinship, tenderness |
| Humility modest, reverential, polite, respectful, gracious, meek, contrite, gentle, lowly, unassuming, unpretentious |
Industry hard-working, energetic, inventive, laborious, dynamic, unflagging, workmanlike, enterprising, businesslike, constant, diligent, ambitious, spirited, active, vibrant, venture, drive |
Initiative |
| Interest in
People sympathetic, congenial, agreeable, pleasant, friendly, neighborly, philanthropic, supportive, considerate, empathetic, understanding, warm, kind, sociable, good-humored |
Kindness | Loyalty faithful, allegiant, true, steadfast, dependable, stable, solid, supportive, constant, permanent, conscientious, dedicated, abiding, unswerving, honorable, unfailing, trusty, true-blue |
| Manners | Maturity full-grown, adult, of age, perfect, elder, patriarch, pillar |
|
| Meekness | Memory recall, recollect, call to mind, have at my fingertips, recognize, aware, retain |
Motivation of
Others enhearten, reassure, cheer, back up, buoy, pat on the back, stimulate, animate, whet, inspire, build up, edify, boost, rally, invigorate, give a shot in the arm, prompt, exhort, spur, goad, egg on, persuade, excite, provoke, fire up, psyche up, help, assist, lend a hand, commend, reward |
| Music | Neatness | Non-violent law-abiding, peaceable, well-behaved, well-mannered, civil, courteous, polite, disciplined, obedient, self-controlled, quiet, gentle, mild, serene, tranquil, civilized, considerate, thoughtful, neighborly, yielding, peace-loving, non-combative, conciliatory, propitiatory, accommodative, mediatory, calming, tolerant, forbearing, uncomplaining, unassuming, forgiving, intercessory, harmonious, pacific |
| Objectivity | Organization well-designed, harmonious, symmetrical, methodical, structured, efficient, productive, orderly, fit, systematic, well-managed, under-control, arranged, predictable, attractive, well-proportioned, steward (eco-nomist) |
Overcomer |
| Parenting | Patience | Perfection |
| Perseverance steadfastness, persistence, endurance, abidingness, patience, stamina, backbone, application, zeal, devotion, diligence, pursuance, tenacity, resolve, determination, stick-to-it-iveness, sedulous, persistent, determined, resilient fortitude, backbone abide |
Persistence | Persuasiveness |
| Planning prepared, thought-out, ready, thorough, provident, lamps trimmed, wary, equipped itinerary, design, purpose, objective, end, aim, object, program, project, enterprise, proposal, vision, brainstorm, strategy, blueprint, design, schedule, provision, contingent, agenda, policy, course of action, alternative, option, backup, recourse, substitute, selection, calendar, projection, estimate, probability, plan budget, consider, contemplate, weigh, count the costs, forecast, anticipate, plan, project, budget, sketch, map, chart, design, arrange |
Punctuality | Purposefulness |
| Reading literate, knowledgeable, informed, helpful, conversant, informative, inquisitive, understanding, intelligent, aware, appreciative, wise, discerning, insightful, questioning, prudent |
Relaxation | Resoluteness |
| Resourcefulness | Respectfulness | Responsibility |
| Reverence | Security | Self-Assurance confident, steady, unwavering, single-minded, self-controlled, undoubting, unhesitating. poised, level-headed, unruffled, untroubled |
| Self-Disciplineself-control, strength of character, will power, moral fiber, fortitude, patience, endurance, presence of mind, stability, self-command, self-government, self-mastery, work ethic, diligence | Self-Education discriminating, discerning, questioning, (see Reading) educated, learned, academic, erudite, intellectual, literate, scholarly, well-read, intelligent, alert, astute, bright, advanced, brilliant, informed, abreast, knowledgeable, conversant, up on, acquainted, aware, observant |
Self-Improvement develop, work on, refine, polish, perfect, ripen, flower, reconstruct, enhance, enrich, nurture, supplement, augment, advance, promote, progress, become, expand, reinforce, multiply, cultivate |
| Self-Respect confidence, self-sufficiency, pride, respectability, character, honor, virtue, goodness, eminence, value, purpose, justification |
Self-Starting promptness, fervor, zest, liveliness, relish, gusto, verve, vigor, dispatch, willingness, readiness, as unto the LORD, psyched up, kindled, spirited, solicitous, energetic, quick, rapid, expeditious, Johnny-on-the-spot, punctual |
Sensitivity |
| Sincerity | Speech clear, lucid, plain, simple, lipid, transparent, definite, logical, expressive, direct, intelligible, logical, comprehensible, legible, audible, cogent, persuasive, well-spoken, communicative, fluent, perspicuous, articulate, graceful, pleasant, expressive, coherent |
Success prosperous, flourishing, booming, wealthy, thriving, rooted, planted, growing, fertile, productive, fecund, fruitful, winning, triumphant, victorious, well-known, fat, abundant, overflowing, abounding, well-supplied, bountiful, plentiful, abounding, abundant, bounteous, cornucopia |
| Thoroughness | Thriftiness | Tolerance |
| Touch | Truthfulness | Virtuous |
| Wisdom | Work for Quality excellence, distinction, craftsmanship, artistry, superiority, down-deep, genuine, choice, first-rate, foremost, pure, unadulterated, honest, authentic, quality, touch skill, finesse, savvy, proficiency, ability, adroitness, caliber, command, competence, expertise, forte, knack, know-how, mastery, prowess |
These character traits are commanded in God's Law. These are the characteristics of a Godly Patriarch like Abraham. This is a picture of Christ, and it is to be a picture of the Christian, indwelled by the Holy Spirit.
To be "truly human" is to be like Jesus, who followed God's Law perfectly, and embodied these traits of true humanity.
I once heard someone talking about a neighborhood teenager who got his girlfriend pregnant. "That's just so human," he said with a syrupy antinomianism. Three centuries ago, the poet set our sights on a higher standard: "To err is human, to forgive divine." The implication was that we should strive to be more like the Second Adam than the First. We cannot accept sin, we must overcome it, and thereby become more truly human.
What a tall order! Who can ever be a Patriarch? Who can be so perfect?
We can!
A righteous society begins with righteous men, not a powerful, bureaucratic State.
But how can I join The Christmas Conspiracy? How can I become a Patriarch?
The first step is simply to have an earnest desire to be one. Being a "couch potato" may seem easier, but . . .the reason why God created you is for you to join The Christmas Conspiracy and bring Micah's Vine & Fig Tree vision to pass.
Once you're willing to leave the world of TV, the next step is to meditate on God's Law, which is the standard of Godly character. If we take this step seriously, we will succeed; God has promised:
Joshua 1:8 This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth: but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
We don't have to worry about what the "experts" on TV say if we meditate on God's Law.
Psalm 119:97-100 Oh, how love I Thy Law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through Thy Commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies; for They are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy Testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your Precepts.
Over and over again, God commands us to meditate on His Law. Few Christians do. Few know how. Few are patriarchs like Abraham. And civilization is collapsing. We must develop these character traits. We must become like Abraham. Therefore, we must meditate on God's Law.
Psalm 1:2 His delight is in the Law of the LORD; and in His Law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 119:97 O how love I Thy Law! it is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 119:15 I will meditate in Thy Precepts, and have respect unto Thy Ways. I will delight myself in Thy Statutes: I will not forget Thy Word.
Psalm 119:55 I have remembered Thy Name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept Thy Law.
Psalm 119:48 My hands also will I lift up unto Thy Commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy Statutes. (cf. Ps. 138:2)
Psalm 119:78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in Thy Precepts.
Psalm 119:148 Mine eyes are awake through the night watches, that I might meditate in Thy Word.
I Tim. 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Psalm 119:11 Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
In his seminars on Basic Life Principles, Bill Gothard underscores the importance of meditation and "engrafting" Scripture into our hearts. Over the years I have compiled lists of the Statutes of God and categorized them according to the character traits they command.
Each day I can meditate on these character traits, and I find that when I do, I become more like Christ. When I don't, I find myself on the road to the city of man.
This is not a New Age program of mantra-chanting and pagan "visualization." This is a program of daily vows to the Lord, as described in the Westminster Confession of Faith (ch. 22:5,6). Many of the Psalms contain vows of this type.
| They work!
I know that's hard to believe. Programs far less rigorous meet with the same disbelief. |
The "Big Blue
Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous (p.60) says that after reading the
"12-Step" program,
What an order! I can't go through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection. |
I am posting on the WorldWideWeb a program of daily meditations which ground you in God's Law and will help you begin the transformation from a vassal of the Secular State into a mighty Christian Patriarch.
The Christmas Conspiracy begins with God's Law.
To begin the Meditation Program, click here.
Vine & Fig Tree
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Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
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