A good man?


If by chance you think of yourself as a good man, I have something for you.

I will grant that of all men who have lived, there may be one (possibly two) that have lived their entire life with minimal sin.  It is also very highly likely that you are not one of them.  Therefore your definition of the word “good” likely lacks horribly.

But let’s put that aside, without accusations farther.

The Lord Jesus is faultless.  I am not talking only about his life in a body on this earth.   But he was with the Father in the beginning of all things.  From that indescribable moment until now, and throughout eternity, Christ Jesus will be faultless and good.

It is impossible that any creature should ever match the Majesty of Christ.  So if you think of yourself as a good man, I suggest you study the Scriptures for a better definition.

Psalm 50


16 But to the wicked person, God says:

“What right have you to recite my laws
or take my covenant on your lips?
17 You hate my instruction
and cast my words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him;
you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You use your mouth for evil
and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You sit and testify against your brother
and slander your own mother’s son.
21 When you did these things and I kept silent,
you thought I was exactly like you.
But I now arraign you
and set my accusations before you.
22 “Consider this, you who forget God,
or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”

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I will confess before him and before the Great assembly of all men.  The Lord is faultless and true.  The Holy One remains and will never be moved.

How can I make my soul hear His Holy words, which stand as blazing fire against my evil ways?  If I thought I could stand, I find myself guilty.  What shall be said of this fool?

How shall I escape when none have before, nor will?  I say to my soul:

“You know what is right to do.  Appeal to the Holy One for mercy; that he may teach you his way and you will walk in them.  Appeal not once, but a million times.  Wear yourself out before his Holy Face!  Strive to cause a rut with the knees of your begging, in his Holy throne room floor.

Consider the cost, as you have heard him speak.  He will suffer no loss at the demise of the wicked.  For he does not count them among his things.

But you, you soul of a foolish man!  Go and present yourself before the Most High that you may live!  This flesh must die!”

Carrying His Cross


I would live alone in a cave, deep in the woods.  That would be my choice were this world the end of my life.  For anxiety fills me when I am near my brothers of flesh. 

I am not anxious because I am afraid.  I become anxious because they are anxious.  Questions do not pester them.  And answers, not requested, elude them.  I become anxious, for the living God within me demands testimony.

So if given my choice, I would remove myself from them.  But their anxiety leaves me no choice. 

The very things that God has shown me, force me to desire to stay.  And this desire is stronger than my own. 

In this, those I meet are neither righteous nor wicked.  They have simply appeared beside me along my way.  And I will speak.

The message of God within me is a thriving holy crop.  And I will gladly offer a bounty to the hungry stranger.  I must refuse to eat alone.

I toil in the garden all day long, sweating neath the Blazing Sun of his  Righteousness.  Weeding my garden with the tools of judgement, restraint, and mercy.  Forgiveness carries the living water.  And his crop grows taller everyday.

I will not go seek the place of peace in this world; the peace as my flesh defines it.  For the Holy Lord of Life has set me in a place.  His love calls sweetly, and I will obey.

What is it to me that anxiousness should fill my heart?  It has replaced terror and confusion.  I will not return. It will not leave though I swat at it as flies. 

Embrace it I must.  Embrace it I will.  Shall I throw down my cross seek peace?  NEVER!