There are few, though I am sure there are some, who see Jesus with God somewhere beyond and above the CLOUDS. We no longer (some do) believe the earth is flat. We embrace more scientific truths such as the heliocentric view of the solar system and not the archaic geocentric paradigm. And yet, much of our FAITH is still bound up is 2-4,000 year old theologies.
I see “belief” as a precursor to KNOWING; however, faith is the demonstration of knowing. I don’t have to BELIEVE in the inerrancy of the Bible because it’s more about my FAITH in the Christos that Jesus became than it is in if John or Mark got it right when they wrote about Jesus cleansing the temple at different times or even the differences in the DAY that Jesus was crucified (Mark vs. John). Here’s where my FAITH has landed.
>Faith in Inner Truth vs. Outer Form
>Faith in a Person (Jesus) vs. in Paper (Bible)
>Faith in the Substance vs. the Shadow
>Faith in Being vs. Becoming (I AM already)
The TRUTH will set us free, but TRUTH doesn’t come in some neat wrapper or fancy paper. Truth comes from WITHIN where the divine spark resides. Unfortunately, the Christian church grew to become a new religion and posited certain doctrines over 300 years initially that were man’s ideas and his interpretation of what had happened hundreds of years before.
The only CLOUDS that I’ve encountered have been those that the church established that hindered by view of reality. The CLOUDS made SEEING the truth of who Jesus was (an historical person) and who he became (the Christos) much akin to a FOG that clung to me every where which direction I went lowing the VISIBILITY to maybe five (grace) feet.
Once I was BLIND(ed), but NOW I SEE (more clearly).
When’s the last time you have you eyes checked? 
The problem with believing what comes from within is that we can all be confused by thoughts that play through our minds which may not have any basis in reality. Our minds can play tricks on us! No one is excluded from the possibility of deception.
For that reason, God has sovereignly allow the Bible to be compiled as our standard of how to gauge a word, whether it comes from within us or from someone else. As God has spoken to many people over thousands of years, we have come to receive the standard of truth, inspired by God, making us wise for salvation through Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:16).
I know the Holy Spirit still speaks today. He still gives dreams, visions, and understanding to those who seek God. We act wisely when we listen to Him, having judged the word we receive through the filter of the scriptures.
Some will use the written word to kill, while others will use those same words to make alive; some will use biblical passages to wound, while others will use the same passages to heal. It is all according to the manner of the receiver, because It is all within.
The written words are a valuable tool, but they are not the Way–I AM. I AM the stone that my judgements rejected, and when I find the truth of my being in all of its Radiance, it becomes the very cornerstone of my experience.
Linda, I agree, our minds do get in the way. That is why it is important to learn to silence and let go of our minds and listen to the Spirit— dying to oneself (mind and/or ego) daily. Only then can be free ourselves to hear God.
JBF – How YOU SHINE!!!
My children hear my voice and a stranger they will not follow.
The same “mind” that can not be trusted is the same mind that is interpreting, using, and expelling the scripture. So, we must allow the Comforter/Guide to train us up in the ways we should go/grow. We must learn to be still, hear, and respond to HIS/ITS voice within….
Still good to be submitted to spouses, and those that go before us that know our blindspots and help love us unconditionally out of our deadly conditioned thinking (mind). May our spirit arise and may we walk and live as the CHRISTOS that we are designed to be!
Adelee- very nicely stated, totally agree
‘Truth cannot be encompassed by facts….a true judgment need not conform to the external reality to which it relates.’ -Neville
Willie- You got it bro! We are still ALL HUMANS who use our MINDS, (well, most do) and the very READING of Scriptures are INTERPRETED through the LENSE of our MIND. Getting quiet and hearing the inner voice (Spirit-Consciousness) is the only way to get the MIND of the Christos.
Adelee, I agree that we need to spend time with the Holy Spirit often. He always brings me back to the Bible.
Paulette, I think it’s interesting that Simon Peter was in Jesus’ inner circle of disciples, yet he withdrew from eating with the Jews, fearing them. At that point in his deception, Paul opposed Peter face to face, along with the other Jews who joined him in his hypocrisy. Paul reminded Peter about the truth of the gospel, exhorting Peter that man is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatian 2:11-15) If Peter was subject to deception, the rest of us can also be. Fortunately, if we’re really seeking the Lord, He always brings us back to truth.
Willie- Well said!
Ernie- I would like to reiterate your point: getting quiet and listening to the inner voice (Spirit-Consciousness) is the ONLY way to get the Mind of the Christos!
Rightly dividing the word is acknowledging the Voice of the Spirit. We have received that Spirit but are not to trust it, just because we hear other voices too?
We have been given alot of instruction on meditation and listening in the 2 years that I’ve been at LRC. Fear of being led astray has to be dealt with and I was trusting God. We all hear other voices at times, but the voice of Spirit is unrecognizable or untrusted ONLY if we refuse to fellowship with it frequently, by waiting and listening.
Actual sheep spent 7 days a week with the same shepherd all day long, year round. Little wonder a hireling had trouble with another man’s flock of grown sheep. The young sheep followed the older sheep too, not the shepherd. We follow whoever we listen to the most. If we listen to fear, we’ll never move forward.
When we preach, do we preach to the spirit, or to the man? We preach to the man, that the man may be persuaded to allow the spirit that dwelleth in him already; to be given more liberty, to move as according to what we whom preach serve. (I John 4:4) “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: ‘because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world’.” The vessel cannot move without the spirit, but as well there is no place for the spirit to dwell without the vessel. So take care of your ‘earthen vessels.’ We have only one vessel, but the spirit may be in all. If God be all in all, we are but the filters of His Spirit. All power and strength comes from within, but as well anything that defileth stems forth from the same. (John 15:1-6) We are what we eat. Ultimately the test of any spirit is of that of our own and not those of the ones around us. In all things be blessed. In Jesus name.
You go Jane!!! Even as no other child can walk in this house and I just mistake them for one of mine. The bottom line is relationship. Following the still quiet voice within will keep us on our path. It takes time to develope and we are not young Christians or baby Christians, as we use to call the new converts. If we want to test it, is this love or fear is a good gage.
While we don’t need to be walking in constant fear that we might be led astray, there is wisdom in heeding the warnings the scriptures give us. I didn’t realize until a short time ago that there were reminders in many books of the New Testament about being cautious of false teachings.
Jude speaks about contending earnestly for the faith which is truth. I Timothy 4:1 advises God’s children to be aware of doctrines of demons. In Luke 21:8, Jesus spoke gave a caution to His disciples not to be deceived. 2 Peter 2:1 warns about false teachers who secretly introduce false heresies.
Obviously, walking in fear is not of God, but since the writers of scripture took occasion to remind their readers of the possibility of deception, the Holy Spirit was consistently advising the readers of being wise in their listening.
I would submit my own experience of living in an old wine skin. Walking the walk & talk that for so many years was my true & real paradigm…so I thought. It was in my religiosity that I saw through the glass so darkly…blind really. Living deceived = living falsely/my false self…a white washed tomb if you will (looks good on the outside but lifeless on the inside). Basically going through the motions of life. But the good news is I’ve been called forth! I AM resurrected with Christos. I have tasted and now I SEE. I have barley scratched the surface but the veil has been rent and there is no holds barred! I’m on my way into “the darkness of faith”…this is my journey and my heart is opened wide. God is love – I AM love. I see the light and I don’t believe for a second it’s a train!
Peace & love to all.