Category Archives: the gospel

Foreign Language

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I had been of the persuasion that the Gospel could be communicated in a way that was “less offensive” to the ears of man.  To a certain degree, I still am.  I find that stories, parables, and examples from life, are quite fit for consumption by those who do not have the Spirit of God in them.

But it must be recognized that The Gospel speaks an entirely different language than the language of man.  And why not?  The Gospel comes from Heaven and Eternity.  Man is of time, suffering, rebellion and death.  How can the two speak the same language.

Certain phrases and alignment of words are completely foreign to man.  One such alignment of words is “I love God”.  Now man is quite willing to allow that God is love.  It’s kind of cool to think that there is at least someone who loves.  So they don’t mind hearing that.  But if you tell them you love God, they come unglued.  If they are willing to try to understand what you just said, they might accept it for a moment or two.  But as you show and speak the things of God, that live within you, they will quickly label you a freak (At least in their mind.  And to my experience, they will often let that thought pass through their lips.  I have even been told I am insane for just such an alignment of words.)

So what’s this mean?  It means that there’s a place where hiding your foreign language from man is not reasonable anymore.  You’ve tried to speak to them in their own language.  You’ve spoken things that man thinks are wonderful, wise and beautiful ideas.  You’ve spoken about wisdom, as man likes to hear.  But you see no connection within them yet.  Well maybe it’s time to pull out the “big guns”.  Maybe it’s time to tell them plainly that you love God.  Just be ready.  When you do that, you’ll see their true feelings about the things of God.

How Much?

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Can you name anything on earth that’s free?  Everything costs something.  Even breathing requires an expense of energy from the lungs.  So, even air is not free.  We pay for it by physical labor.  Someone will say, “It’s a voluntary reflex.  And the energy expended is so small”.  But something is paid, regardless.  Isn’t it?

The Christian will tell you that salvation is free.  Now, I will differ with that.  We must believe that God’s word about himself is true.  That’s an expense of personal security, (at least as we perceive security) isn’t it?  Even salvation costs us something.  And the deeper we travel into Christ’s Holy will, the more we are asked to give up.  The more of our “trustworthy” perception we’re asked to relinquish.

I was going to target this idea to the atheist and such like.  But as I went to the Lord about it, I remembered the faithless Christians I’ve met.  I’m not going to go into an attack here.  But it’s important to make this point to all men, evidently.

If you want salvation from the Holy Lord of Life, you’re going to have to be willing to surrender some portion of your “dearly loved security”.  The more you sacrifice your safety, so that you can rely on God, the more He will grant you faith.  And why wouldn’t this be so?

From the man who is sure there is no God, to the one who thinks Christianity is a social club, you need to understand this.  Nothing on earth is free.  And the cost of Christianity is everything you’ve got.

The Hard Baked Clod of Dirt

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Oh, Man!  Look and see what you have done.  See how you quibble over a clod of dirt; dried into a hard, tiny, rock.  You see it in the hands of another.  You desire what the other has.  So you threaten.  You plot.  You contrive reason to steal.  And with various means, you attack with purpose filled vengeance.  You take what is not yours.

First you offer compensation to the other, that you might have what does not belong to either of you.  For all things belong to God.  Then, if he refuses, greed burns within you.  The clod fills your dreams in the night.  The clod preoccupies all your thoughts during the day.  And the man who holds it secure in his house becomes your enemy.

How is this right?  What right do you have to envy another man over a clod of dirt?  What folly is this that men do?  Yet you call it reasonable!   You call it legitimate business.

Go!  Finish what is in your heart to accomplish!  Kill the man so that you can have your desire.  Take from him what does not belong to either of you!  Go ahead!

Then, then you will both find yourselves in another place.  Your hands empty of dirt, but over flowing with greed, and every wicked thing.  Shame covering your face, you will see the One to whom the Living God has given all things.  You will both stand before the One who owns it all!  Your life having been filled with greed for what you have no RIGHT to own.

What then?  You have lived your entire life full of purpose to gain.  Now you have nothing.

Why won’t you hear these words?  Why do you pay money for that which is not food?  Why do you hate and murder your brother for what neither of you owns?  Why won’t you look into these things before you are forced to appear before the owner of all heaven and earth?  Why would you finish your pathetic days in shame?

The Gospel answers you.  The Gospel waits to be read.  There is understanding, so very near the tips of your fingers.  Why won’t you pick it up and learn?

Point the Tip Down!

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Inspect me in your presence.  Grill me with questions designed to test.  Make me speak of The Faith, and surely, in all my words, I will stumble.

I may not say anything false.  But one or two words are sure to come unexpectedly.  They will not be aligned as you have been told they should.  And you will surely label me a heretic.

Or love me as a brother in Christ.  Love me as God has commanded us both to love one another.  Show me the mercy that God has shown you. 

Let me speak of Our mutual Lord.  Let me confess that he is risen from the dead.  Let me confess that he is seated at the right hand of his Heavenly Father.  Accept my confession that my sins are forgiven.  Inspect my actions as well as my words.  And let that be enough between us.  Then we will be brothers in Christ.

Perhaps the Lord has revealed to you something “different”.  Perhaps you have revealed to your self.  Perhaps the only revelation you have is what you have been taught, or what you have read.  What is that to me?  And what does my understanding have to do with you?  Only let us display our faith in that we love one another in Christ.

There are differences that cannot be accepted.  But let those who know better, speak correction in love.   Call them in that they may divide between us.

There are wolves in sheep’s clothing.  But let them speak of the Holy Lord we serve.  In a very short time their error will be seen.  But a wolf will not receive correction.  And he will not strive to listen.  His words are bent toward devouring.  When you are sure of his pedigree, be diligent to see him go.  But by all means be sure.

Valiant warriors on a field of blood point down their swords for a moment.  “Let us not be so quick to shed blood, simply because a man has a foreign tongue.  But let wisdom and holy custom dictate our response.

Then we can be brothers in Christ.  Then we can stand with confidence.  Then we can praise our God together, while the smell of victory floats across the field.”

A warrior is not easily be perceived as a docile farmer.  A liar cannot tell the truth.  And it should be established that a Christian can not hate.

Tired arms raised by souls of steel. 

Hearts aflame with love. 

Praise to our God who set us free. 

Praise to our Lord above!

By His Grace

Self Discipline and Diligence; Fear and Awareness

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If you were compelled to grow a garden instead of relaxing and watching TV, you would naturally develop the self discipline to get it done.  Hunger is a fascinating motivator.

If you had to kill deer in order to have clothing and food, you wouldn’t complain so much about the weather.  You would learn quickly how to track, kill, field dress, and manipulate the carcass.  And the more intense the fear, the less remains would be left in the field.

Instead of being spoiled by central heating, and a fat paycheck, you would have gathered enough firewood for the entire winter.  Your fear of freezing to death would cause you massive sweat in the summer.

The more basic the life, the more likelihood of strong self discipline.  Hunger and survival are powerful motivators.  Fear of starvation and death can make weak people extremely strong.

If freedom was not given to you by legislation, you would have fought tooth and nail to gain it.  The desire for freedom is often stronger than the will to live.  Especially when ruthless men subject your children to violence.

But a consistent freedom requires consistent self-discipline.  The lazy and spoiled simply can’t hang on to it.  All the goodies are given to them for minimal labor and self discipline.  They will surely lose their rights over time.

All these things are true in the world.  They are far more true in the kingdom of heaven and application of the Gospel.  Didn’t Jesus tell us that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled?

The Hungering and thirsting presupposes recognition of lack.  He didn’t tell us that all we had to do was ask and, “whaamo bammo”, we’d be righteous. 

The more stark the reality of a man’s trouble, the more likely he will be to pursue stability with all he has.  And when he perceives his need as greater than anything on this earth can cure, he will chase after God with a feverish pitch.

But how should a person diligently pursue what he thinks he already has?  And isn’t this a problem that has surfaced because the Gospel has become watered down?  Distill all the “flaky fluff” out of today’s Gospel, and you would see an entirely different people worshiping God.

By His Grace

How Dare You!

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Shall I keep the following words to myself?  Shall I be tender, soft spoken, and reserved, as I share what comes?  I will not.  I will speak with a voice different from the current “brand” of Christianity, being proclaimed among so many today.

I will speak with defiant authority.  I will say what is right.  And I will encourage all to “hear”.

How dare you keep it to yourself?  How dare you shrink back from assault (as if today’s world will do you any more harm than to ignore you)?  How dare you keep the Holy Words of God to yourself, while the entire world around you burns to the ground with wicked abandon?  You call this Christianity?  You call this “Love”?

When Christians stood up and pointed to the truth, this world was a different place!  The wicked feared their approach.  “Oh, Crap!  Here comes one of those Christians!”  And they would hide for the fear such faithful ones brought with them.  But today, it is the Christian who hides.

How dare you live your life at ease and contentment, while the millions of unsaved sinners pass you by!  How dare you think you will be well received by the Holy One who endured such a horrible beating for His willingness to proclaim the truth.  How dare you think you will have a place among the holy ones who have proclaimed despite their fears!  And how dare you leave the proclamation to such sinners and fools as I!