Daily Archives: December 3, 2014

Philippians 2: 15

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[. . .] “blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”

What does the Apostle Paul mean by this, in his letter to the Philippians?  Is it possible to read into this, “It’s okay to toy with sin, after all there’s grace”?

You gotta be a blithering idiot to read that in there.  I mean no particular offense to blithering idiots.

But I have met some people in the past who say there is no such thing as sin.  and these folks consider themselves Christians. Really?

And I know there are hundreds and thousands of people who think all they have to do is roll back their lust a little bit.  Don’t sin as often, or don’t enjoy it as much as you used to.  Really?

Heaven is not a fast burger joint.  No one will say to you there, “Have it your way”.  What will be expected in heaven is expected now.

Look, just get busy chipping away at your sins.  If you have to be caught doing something get caught trying!   Either way, you will be caught!

Don’t think you’re going to get rid of them for a day, week, month or a year.  Get rid of them for eternity.

If you find something you can’t whoop, take it to God in earnest prayer.  If it doesn’t go away, keep taking it to God in prayer!  Judge for yourself: which is better, to die in your sins, or to die in earnest prayer?

This ain’t no dress rehearsal!

By His Grace

Mental Fog

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When something really bad happens to us, there’s always a few moments of disbelief.  It’s like our brain goes into fog mode. 

Depending on the severity of the problem, that fog mode can last a couple of seconds, or up to a couple of weeks.  Some people never return to normality.

There are millions of people depending on Jesus to save them.  But they do nothing in return.  I guess they figure they’ll just walk through unscathed.

It’s impossible for me to come away with that kind of response to the gospel in the Bible.  There so many warnings to the faithless, the fearful, and the thankless.  One warning that stands out, really tall, is: “Cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers”.

How can you read that and have no response?  How can you read that and have no fear; the kind of fear that motivates?

I don’t claim to know what happens after death.  But I wonder if that mental fog will fall on those who don’t get what they think they’re going to receive.

Will there be a moment of incoherent oblivion, as the angels come and snatch him up?  Coherent thought returns just as he falls down into the pit.

If you won’t serve the Lord out of love, at least let fear motivate you.  We are told that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  It would be wise to begin somewhere.

You won’t serve Him in fear long.  He told us, and I testify it’s true, My Father will honor the one who honors me”.

By His Grace

Successful Christianity

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What characterizes a successful Christian?  He has something that’s rather rare.  Something that many, apparently, never even know exists.  And it must be rare because all the Christians are still trying to find it.  That in itself, makes this a worthwhile post.

He’s a detriment to the Christian publishing business.  He’s simply not that interested in mainline Christianity.  He doesn’t need “how to” books, he’s already doing it.  He doesn’t need someone to provoke inspiration, he can’t shut it off.   But this in itself doesn’t make him a successful Christian.

It’s highly likely he does not have a lot of friends.  Though he is the one steady enough to confide in.  People rarely seek him out.  He just doesn’t play well with others.

He hates no one.  But he also trust no one.  And over time that becomes rather obvious.  Still, no “pin the tail on the donkey” here.

The successful Christian knows where his Bible is at all times.  He may or may not be able to quote you chapter and verse.  But you’ll find him busy doing it.  Yet this isn’t what sets him apart from the rest.  Many fall into legalistic adherence to the Word.  Many!

What is it that has cut him away from the larger portion of the flock?  Why is this one successful, while the others flounder about? 

If he has no interest in the things of mainline Christianity, how can he be called successful?  And if the successful Christian can’t memorize chapter and verse, what was the use of their notation?

Two really good questions.  But I’ll let the reader answer for himself.  When you finally realize the answers, you’ll be amazed.

The successful Christian understands the meaning of the name “Christ”.  And he realizes, with stark nakedness, that he does not own this understanding, because he studied.  He realizes that Christ knows him, and he knows Christ because of the merciful introduction from the Father.

In the successful Christian’s mind, he has only one thing that he can call his own.  To whatever extent a person owns this, he is a blowout success.

(watch for caveat.)

A successful Christian is always looking for opportunity to obey (bingo!).  This is the only item of Christianity we can own.  Everything else comes from God.  Obedience comes from mastery of the will.

(Slow down please.  Caveat ahead.)

Though it must be said that no man masters the will, without the direct guidance of Christ Jesus.  The successful Christian has made up his mind to dedicate himself to mastery.  The mutual work of Christ Jesus and man comes to a head in the man’s will.

You know the really sad part about this entire writing, is that I felt it necessary.

By His Grace