Daily Archives: October 31, 2014

Tying Virtue Tight

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Mocking virtue is the business of those who have none.  It is not a business of jealousy or greed.  It is a business run by pure evil.

Yet to make a mockery of those who work in that factory, is to displace virtue with judgment. 

Those who work in high-rise construction often tie their tools to their person.  Care is taken for the sake of others below.

Those to whom virtue is displaced, are like a careless highrise worker.

Let those on the ground mock the workers in the air as they tie their tools to their wrists.  It is not because they lack control or dexterity. 

It is for the sake of those who mock, that we bind virtue tightly.  Judgment is reserved for he who never makes a mistake.

Let us make our assessments with the wisdom of God.  Those who mock can be a sincere distraction.  But let us keep clear and intense focus, that those who move below may have a place to live.

By His Grace

The Intent of God

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God is the maker of your soul.

He wants it back under his control.

To curb your hands with which you stole,

His righteousness and joy.

By His Grace

Of the Making of Books

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11 “The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.”  (Ecclesiastes 12)

Has the world honestly done itself a favor to create and accept so many books regarding the Bible and Christianity? 

A great and profitable enterprise was launched many decades ago.  The making of more and more translations.  Sunday School lessons enough to fill a cathedral, without one gap left for air.  “How to” books, “Where and When” books, books for families, books for marriage, work, play, devotion, witnessing, holiness and hell, books of pictures, books regarding prophecy, and hundreds more.

All of them for sale.  All of them for profit.  All of them beckoning.  All of them crafty in their own right.

Has the printing press replaced the Holy Spirit?  What has become of the saying,  “Freely you have received freely give”?  And where is the door through which we might return?

Many know the proverb above.  But how many have taken note of the tiny passage within it: “given by one Shepherd”?

By His Grace

The Fearless and the Ordinary

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Fearless, and ordinary passion for Christ will come face to face with the stubborn ignorance of this world.  But ordinary passion will lose the battle before it is begun.

Stubborn ignorance knows the difference.  When confronting ordinary passion, stubborn ignorance is allowed to use a variety of excuses.  For ordinary passion has only answers for himself.  His lamp is set for use in the house.  It is not built for travel in the streets.

But when stubborn ignorance comes face to face with fearless passion, calculated and decisive strikes will lower his guard.  The lamp of fearless passion is a blazing light that penetrates to the deepest parts of every man.  No matter how the armor of ignorance is turned, the gaps in its protection are pierced.

Fearless passion has a twinge of warrior.  But ordinary passion is a brother to self satisfaction.  This is a harsh saying, but it finds its truth in fruit.

Fearless passion is of the family of godly humility.  But ordinary passion is of the family of man.  Another harsh saying.  War requires a fearless heart.  While the ordinary its content with the domestic.

Fearless passion goes hunting for the transformation of men, regardless the threats to himself.  But ordinary passion has received his desire and finds himself satisfied; full of the gain he hoped to find.

Both passions recognize the holy fire of God (afterall, they are passions).  But the fearless enter in, allowing themselves to be burned by the work of God.  While the ordinary perceive God’s holy fire simply as protection and forgiveness of sins.

The Fearless desire to be sent.  The ordinary are content to stay at home.  By compulsion their message to the world will differ radically.  One perceives the gospel as a choice in lifestyle.   The other perceives the great weeping and gnashing of teeth that will surely come.

Fearless passion will enter into the war for souls.   He will not consider his life of any value, but that he should serve the Sovereign God in Christ.  With abandon, he counts his life as nothing.  He seeks to save the souls of others, and stands before the Lord, willing and daily, to be sent.

Ordinary passion respects the Lord’s love, but fails to make the connection between his own need for salvation and that of others.  Except where he is invited, he keeps the gospel to himself.  This is the proof of fruit that a man may easily see for himself.

Both passions will serve the living God.  But the domains, in which they serve, are radically different.  One is built to willingly embrace death and threat.  The other is built on the gladness of life.

Both will be received by the Holy Lord.  Both are a ligament response to the sacrifice of Christ.  But one seeks understanding (to the “doing), while the other is content to receive and become.

Personally I perceive that the fearless are the intent of the gospel.  But I will not shake the faith of the ordinary.  Still, I cannot help wondering what this world would be like if every Christian were fearless.

By His Grace