Daily Archives: April 7, 2014

But for Christ

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I look back over my life.  From time to time a memory triggers an avalanche.  I can only sigh.  Not one act of beauty can I find.  And if there was anything beautiful, it is tainted by the duress of position or opportunity.

It was either the result of a compulsion to do what is right because of my position in this world, or that I found an opportunity for gain.  Therefore no man is righteous.  And all of his righteous acts are as if filthy rags.

But for the mercy of Christ Jesus’ sacrifice, I would have been among those who are gathered up and tossed without care into the bottomless pit.  No scream to save you.  No pleading to soften the blow.  No anger can touch the one who has judged you rightly.  Down you go, hopeless and destroyed.

As in my days of complete destruction, now there comes upon me days of building and hope.  I had listened to my own advice; directed by avarice and desire.  Now the Lord teaches me to listen and to do.  And I see that what he builds is lasting, good, and full of purpose.

I did not know, but neither did I ask.  There was no reward for the man I used to be.  Death without mercy nor consideration was mine.  I had no defense nor was I likely present justification on my own behalf.  This is the sentence to all who reject the mercy of God in Christ Jesus.

Come and taste that the Lord is good.  All who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled.  Such is the promise of God to all men.  He cannot lie and he has sealed his word with the very blood of His Son.

God is

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It is odd to me, this ruse of enticements.  That we should be placed so firmly among all that is a lie.  Let a man ponder this.

All the while, God is.

Then we are given what is true, from He who is above all these things.  Now we are condemned if we do not choose.  Let a man ponder this.

All the while, God is.

Who should know it in this place of enticements?  How should we even know to look?  We should be satisfied with greed and death.  We are, however, anything but satisfied.  Let a man ponder this.

All the while, God is.

It is odd to a man that he should consider greater things than what he has.  He has only weeping and anger, frustration and loss.  He has only toil and trouble all his days.  How is it then that he should consider something more?  Let a man ponder this.

All the while, God is.

Man says to himself, “Why am I here?  Why are my days so filled with anxiety?  I no sooner release myself from the jaws of a lion, and the snake bites my heel.  It is senseless to live.  The only pleasure I can find is what I can take.”  So he gives himself with abandon to take all he can.  Let a man ponder this.

All the while, God is.

Let a man ponder that he desires.  Let him wonder of the source.  Why not die and be done with this place?  This world and we are hopeless and void of help.  Indeed, let him consider this quandary.

All the while, God is.

God has spoken us a place to live.  There were two trees in the garden.  Take note that the tree of life was not a consideration of temptation.  It was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that caused the downfall.  And to this tree the woman was drawn.  Let a man ponder this.

All the while, God is.