They were before us and have worked, in their day, according to what will they could summon.  Most crowned their life with abject failure.  Some found strength in their legs to obey.  And to some, their entire soul and body glowed with holiness.

They have been placed in waiting, as will we, and the Lord will do what is right.  He will assign to each of them, and to us, a rightful place according to the desire of each.  For the desire to serve Him is lived, and is testimony, both for us and against us.

God has chosen his King of kings.  He has placed him in the Most Holy Place.  And to the rest of men His grace and mercy abounds.

Glory to God in the highest, for His Holy wisdom, to impart a separation; each according to his place.  And the Holy One will do what is right according to Eternity.

It is for this reason that I write these things.  That I may stir my heart, and that of my brothers and sisters to renew  understanding.

I have perceived that God has strengthened his people with great mercy and patience.  Consistently, he has allowed His wayward people to encounter a time of replenishment.  A time when his Holy commands are taught.  As the people heard again, and understood, they were cut to the heart.  Though he has destroyed many for their disobedience, the remnant are always allowed a time of learning.

As often as a man will submit himself to hear, his heart will be cut, and confession with repentance will follow.  Then God will grant him a time of peace. 

But it is this very place where care is tossed away; where the desire of men takes root and again we go astray.  Is this really necessary?  This time of peace, he grants, is to test the heart.

From the beginning of the gospel until today, this has been played out countless times.  The embrace of wickedness has come among us, even as rain waters the grass in spring.  The holy Church has embraced the ways of the world, and fallen far from His Holy and righteous expectations even today.

Men speak of revival.  But by using the very word they prove that we have strayed.  So it has been.  So it will continue to be.  But my heart is cut because of its necessity.  The word still lives among us, and apparently cannot be removed.

But there is another word that stems the tide of this unholy tendency of God’s people.  Those few, who have found the strength in their body and soul to dedicate their entire days to the holy Lord of life, these are those who have understood the word:

“Fear“.

Those who end their days in holy measure, have feared the difference between the Most High God and the ways of man.  They have perceived the willingness of the flesh to drag us into hell.  And they consistently appealed to the Sovereign God for the desire to serve Him.

Let it be understood that when we find ourselves in wayward stance, it is because we have not desired to hear and understand that we may do.  We have allowed ourselves to listen to the wicked tongues of men who do not fear God.  We have embraced the flesh, as if it is our friend, and given it a place to live among the things that he has given us which are holy.

How has our soul prospered by such abhorent behavior?  Is this the kind of man we desire to present before the Most High God on the day he calls us to account?  Are we pleased with our service to the Holy One?  Or have we relied, far too heavily, on his generous grace and mercy?  How is it that we try His patience like this?

His righteous commands are forgotten in less time than it takes to sit.  Though we have understood, and with earnest prayer have confessed our sins, and spoken of repentance, we find ourselves walking again in unholy manner.  Do not use to me, the unholy phrase, “We are only human.”

Perceiving these things, I could not be silent.  I appealed to the Lord for words that I may strike these things down.  In my zeal, I desired words that would provoke my brothers and sisters, yes and even I, to obey with consistent behavior.

His answer was wise and kind.  “If the people are given command, they will disobey, and their guilt will mount up.  The weak will be shattered, and there will be no place for them to hide.”  (paraphrased by understanding.)

The Lord is wise and true.  He has set the Holy One in his proper and Majestic place.  The mercy and teaching of the living God is dispensed, by His grace through Christ Jesus.  No man has foundation to command another.

But I look on the assembly of testimony; the testimony of those who have gone before us, and even of us who remain today.  I find us lacking so pathetically.  He is so worthy, but we are so horribly unwilling.

Who, among us now will desire to do the will of the Holy One?  Who will desire a greater standing before the Most High for eternity?  Who will stand tall for his brothers and sisters and show them, “This is ‘The Way’ walk in it.”?

Who will give counsel to all men, wicked or righteous, by the conduct of their life before the Most High God; that those who see may find strength and live?

When I look for an example where can my face turn?  It is as if the entirety of the church has said, “My relationship with Jesus is private, and you have no right to inspect it”.

My dear brother, you are inspected.  Everything you have become is witnessed by every man who sees you.  How can you say your relationship with Christ Jesus is a private matter?

Others will say, “I will live by grace.  God will cover my sins and accept me because of Christ Jesus His Holy Son”.  How could I possibly contend with that statement?  But where is the holy service that is due toward his Holy Name?  Where is the obligation to be our brother’s keeper?

Put aside your own salvation and concerns about your place in eternity.  Do we not have a responsibility to teach what is holy by the doing of it?   Shall we arrive before him alone?  Do any who read this truly desire to be put to shame on that day?  Would we not rather appear, holding hands of those we haved loved, even to the death of our own desires?

Unholiness is the child of excuse.  And excuse is born from a lazy attitude.  These things are true I do not accuse.

But what is “good” comes, by birth, from consistent practice of what is good.  While what is less, is born of the flesh and the evil desires that war within us.

When will the fear of God inhabit all God’s people?  When will they, with great zeal, go into the things that are theirs and destroy the things that do not belong to God?  What can be said to provoke a holy testimony in all my brothers and sisters?

I have spoken with great restraint.  I have not spoken to strong men.  For then my words would not have been formed in question.  They would have recalled the great and holy commandments of old.

To the weakest among us, I make this appeal.  To those with weak legs and severe lack of understanding, I present this plea.   I have appealed with the mercy of God.

Holy Father I beg you by your great wisdom, righteousness, and mercy, to watch over this writing as men read it.  Let none be dashed to pieces as they understand.  Rather counsel them with your great compassion, and lead them to the better place.

In Christ, your Holy One, I place my faith.  I confess I have no righteousness of my own.  My lack is displayed before you everyday and even when I sleep.  But in Christ Jesus you have placed me.  By your great tender mercy, you have given me this place to serve.  You have even taught me how to believe that your every word is true and living, and that to the doing of it.

Without your Holy Son, we can do nothing.  But with his strength and counsel we can come to the place where we please you greatly.  Therefore please, attend with mercy those who read.

By asking you this I do not presuppose that I am something.  Rather it is you who are all in all.  May your Holy will be done.  May your people rise up and bless you with great bounty, even as you have blessed them with your great mercy.

This letter is an appeal, from one man to another.  It has no authority but the love we are all compelled to return to our mutual Lord.