Where there is lust there is sin. But as much as a man has love sin is taken down.
To love is best. But if a man lacks the fullness of love, let him at least employ a restraint for the sake of love.
By His Grace
Category Archives: teaching
The Hopeful One Endures
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36)
If the Lord’s eternal word says that a man shall die for his sins and rebellious soul, that man shall surely die. Likewise, if a man turns his will to obey the Living God’s commands, that man will find himself living. And this life is eternal life. For what cannot be shaken remains forever.
What produces the man who enters into an eternal living here, in this place of testing? Isn’t it the fear of the Living God? Isn’t it that the man believes what the Word of God has proclaimed regarding life and death?
But shall the man who finds himself living the eternal life here remain in fear? Doesn’t it depend on his willingness to be diligent in the things he learns? Doesn’t a man’s love follow the things he desires? If he desires the kiss of God, then he will desire to love Him.
The scripture above is fear to those who perceive with a weakened will. But it is a proclamation of love to those who willingly train themselves to obey what they learn. For they have come to live inside trust. They have come to desire a love for God’s Holy Son.
The trust God’s people have comes from a living faith that cannot be shaken. Even if they are “injured” by a Holy Blast of Condemnation from the Living God, they survive into a holy hope. For such people perceive that purity is the desire of their God, Christ Jesus. How can they be shaken then, by the threats of this world, or even their own faults? For they have come to adhere to the following hope:
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12: 5, 6)
Their fear is transformed, over time, to a love for He who rebukes toward the health of their soul. By this, the wrath of God is endured before the Judgment Day, that they might become like His Holy Son.
What condemnation can be given to he who has willingly obeyed the Lord’s commands to purify himself? And won’t the Son of God direct his commands toward what the man can accomplish? Like His Holy Father, the Son does not EVER ask too much.
The Proper Use of Greed and Jealousy
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” (John 8: 19)
God’s people speak of heavenly things. And when they speak so, they speak of things the world is not able to understand.
Just before the Lord spoke the words cited above, he said this: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Therefore as you follow the living God in Christ, do not be surprised that you are not received or understood. But as we speak what is true and faultless, let their lack of understanding be a source of joy.
We strive to interpret for their benefit. But understanding must come from the Holy Father. If anyone wants to understand, let him humble himself before the Living God and ask for wisdom.
We are adopted into a foreign land. But they remain natives of this place of testing. We speak the language of the land into which we are adopted. Let us boldly speak according to the will of God. Allow God’s power to be displayed in our speech.
We were once native of this place also. In this, to some extent, we are bilingual. But our allegiance must be first to the One who calls us home. It is not profitable to rejoin the rebellious that we may draw them out.
They speak in the vulgarities of rebellion, and to this alone they understand. But remember we are cautioned that “it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret”. (Ephesians 5: 12)
Display the beauty that you have received. Let greed and jealousy do its proper work.
By His Grace
Successful Christianity
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
What If, What Then?
Is it possible? What is the probability? Does the Church lack fruit and devotion simply due to human ability to process information?
If mentors are placed. If vision is clearly promoted. Do the people lack, simply because they are not able to “think it through”? Is it a situation of inability? Or is it a lack of willingness, that causes unfruitfulness in the Body of Christ? And, it can’t be ignored, what is the impact of “rotten apples” among them?
If this is so. If there is no remedy, for the sake of the human mind, then how much more need we rely on the Grace of God?
If the people are not quite able to grasp the fullness of the Gospel they are offered, then how powerful is the Majesty of Christ to save? How great is the Grace of God!
There is the least among us, yes. There is the greatest among us, yes. And a myriad in between.
But to what extent are we valuable by continually promoting the epitome of Christianity? Are souls ruined by a consistent deluge of “Get it Right”? Are our brothers and sisters encouraged to try harder? Or are they damaged by expectations they’ll never be able to attain?
Well, now. What a dilemma to rake over the coals. And I don’t want to waste too many words doing it.
After thinking it through, I fall on the idea that I am not qualified to determine the answer. But it’s crucial to remember two things.
1. The Church belongs to Christ Jesus.
2. He has seen fit, by Holy Wisdom, to leave the leadership of His people in the hands of men.
What say you?
Victorious in Loss
Among people, who are those who suffer well? It is those who own nothing of what they own.
These are prepared to lose everything, even while they have it all. It is the one who is determined, while in wealth and health, to die penniless and miserable. This one cannot be held hostage to expectations full of error. If prosperity of possessions continues to a peaceful death in his own bed, such a one will have lived his life without fear of loss.
Though all he has is taken. Though sickness viciously tears at his body. Though the wicked greed of man rips his belongings from his control. This one will prosper.
Yet is it enough to be stoic in our life? Is it necessary to pass by the loaf of bread while you have money and hunger? Is it right to purchase the rust bucket chariot so that you will suffer the pains of upkeep? Is it required of us to live under a pile of leaves in a part of the forest we don’t, and can’t own? Such people are not being responsible with what has been given them.
What provokes the Responsible life? Is it the desire of a man to become completely humble among all men? That mind-set is produced from the pride of life. Pride can’t, by its very nature, produce humility. Such a man might feel pretty proud of himself, after all, he has forsaken what other people crave. But his humility is crushed by a whisper of pride.
Jesus provokes the true strength of life. His strength in a man is beyond ALL the things of this world. Because His teaching and “in dwelling” comes from Heaven; a place which has never entertained the temporary wealth of this place. And NEVER will.
If we want to be strong. If we want to endure with stellar conviction. If we want to live that “over coming” life, we will have to appropriate the teaching and character of the Lord Jesus. While we live in relative peace, it is best to be prepared for the worst. Let us not compile “things” so that we will be able to endure hardship. Let us prepare our heart to be God’s champion, even if the entire world comes after us.
How does cancer become a trophy to be desired? How does molestation become a crown of joy? How does losing our job, or place in the family, become a stepping stone to eternally born victory? All these things, and the myriad of things that can happen to a person, become glory when we embrace failure. We love our weakness, because it gives us an opportunity to overcome! Even our own sins can become trophies of Grace. Such things can produce a certain kind of humility that cannot be manufactured by the desire of a man. Nor can it be purchased by any of our possessions.
We encounter hardship for the sake of Christ. We encounter hardship for the sake of testifying that God’s love and promise are vastly more, and true, than anything the world can provide. We testify that life can be lived, even while this world has strapped us to a post in the middle of a raging fire. We can clap our charred hands, even while the skin of our bodies walks toward becoming a lump of coal. Thus, we encourage others to love the God who bestows such incredible strength.
Let us testify that God in us, is greater than all things. Prosperity, health, wealth, sickness, persecution, joy, poverty, alienation, or fame, cannot take away the riches of Christ in any man! It is the man who counts any of these things as more valuable or stronger than the promise of God. This is the one who will likely lose it ALL.
Words From There 