As is always the case, “soul supply” correctly nails the vibrancy of Christmas. Below is a worthy read for all men, but especially for the faithful brothers in the body of Christ.
By His Grace
Category Archives: the gospel
Blue Christmas
Throughout the night, the last song I heard playing continues to echo in my mind. Exhausted as I was, I slept well. But the power of the song continues. Even all my dreams were touched by endless sorrow.
I wake with a heavy heart. For the things I have done in my life will not leave me alone. This is a picture of the life I lead for decades. It is a haunting echo of the man I was.
With desperation I realize I need a friend. I need someone who is not like me. I need someone whose resources are endless. I need someone near me who can care. This is, of course, the Living God in Christ Jesus.
I hide from men as a loner, because I do not want to teach them the things I have done. If I speak to them face to face, the testimony of myself comes to the surface.
I push the Lord forward before me, between they and I, that they will not assume a wicked life can have any righteousness.
The song is “Blue Christmas”. I am void of explanation that I should have any joy at all. The things I have done in my life are death. My value is to die, and to die, and to die. If it had not been for the mercy of God, I would be dead already.
This is my testimony before all men, according to the things I have done.
I know I am not alone. Everyone of you can testify the same. If every man is honest with his history, death is all he ever was. And without the life that God offers, no man has hope.
But isn’t this the reason why I testify so vigorously? Because the One with endless resource has offered his bloody hands to me. He teaches me to receive. He promises me a new song.
I cannot live in my past, for it is nothing but death. I cannot live in my present, for memories drown me in sorrow. And if it were not for the Living God, to come and touch me with compassion, my future is nothing but darkness of death’s promise.
This is what this blog of testimony is all about. I write that many may have life. I speak as loudly as I can about the endless resources of God to love you. I speak as loudly as I can, to educate every man regarding his own worthless life. Let them perceive the disparity and yearn for health.
God is mercy. He holds out his hands all day long to every man, woman and child. “Come, let us reason together. Though your sins are as scarlet they shall become white as wool”.
Hope! Precious and vibrant hope! This is what the Lord offers! Yet with a heavy sigh, I wonder who can take it.
Who is willing to lay down their precious death? Who is willing to abandon their regretful memories; their only solace in the dark? The compensation of man for the nature of what he is.
Yes Christianity requires much. There is holiness to attain. But in this work there is life. We are death. We are headed to death, and all we have is death.
All the while God stands. Life, promise and pure integrity, is held out for any who come and take it. To die is easy. For that is what we are. To live, simply requires laying down death.
This is the new song he gave me, as I sat with heavy heart. He reminded me of the new song that waits to be sung. The compassion of God is not a fable. It is in fact, the endless resource for life.
By His Grace
The Powerless Gospel
“Live United” is the hope and mechanism of the gospel of man. Because of those who propagate this lie, it could be termed the “Scientific Gospel.
The scientific community quantifies the ability of man to raise himself to the level of God. The scientific standard sets the boundaries of man’s righteousness and wickedness. United, such people stand against the rule of God.
“Come out from them and be separate”, is the hope and mechanism of the Gospel of Christ. By the calling and power of Christ, this is true good news. For Jesus lifts a man far beyond the boundaries of man. Jesus lifts his people to humility, while lowering pride to the grave.
Where you find the gospel of man, the Glory of God is diminished. Where you find the Gospel of God, the glory of man is obliterated.
The scientific gospel glorifies man, therefore it is no good news at all. No need for a change of heart, simply do the prescribed good works. Even a pedophile, compulsive liar, reeling drunk, imprisoned murderer, and the myriad forms of wickedness among men, can Live United.
“But unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Such a Holy statement requires good news. Such a Holy statement requires the power of the Gospel of Christ.
By His Grace
Two Lions
The forgiveness of Christ is the ultimate power for life. If a man’s sins are forgiven, his conscience is cleaned. Where then is regret?
Where then is fear?
Where then is strength to live?
What kind of joy should this one own?
What kind of man should he be able to become?
Are you willing to dissect this truth with me? Are you willing to be free of regret?
Are you willing to become fearless?
Are you willing to become endlessly strong?
Are you willing to be full of joy?
Are you willing to become a child of the Living God?
It may be that you have said yes to all these. But if these are not a part of your life, have you asked why? And if you asked, were you able to endure the answer?
These things are true for the one who is forgiven. Why then are they not true for you?
I don’t mean to attack you or to judge. I simply asked the question that everyone in Christ is asking. “If the forgiveness of Christ is real, then why do I struggle so?”
You believe the things of the gospel. But the problem is application to you. At your best moment, and full of generosity, you perceive that forgiveness is available to every man. But in your personal practice, that application comes and goes. It gives you strength and leaves. Why does it leave? If it leaves, have you pondered why it even comes at all?
If Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, why not you? Why can’t you have that familiar strength all the time?
The answer, whether we like it or not, is diligence. When we are strong in Christ, by His forgiveness, it is because we have taken time to assess our situation. It is because we fail to sit quietly and make assessment, that we falter and lose our strength. Isn’t this so?
Then it takes a strong man to receive the things of Christ. It takes one who is dedicated purely to living the truth. As a man is lazy in the things of Christ, so his faith will lack. We could call such a soul, a sluggard. Couldn’t we?
Proverbs 26 addresses this very clearly.
13. A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road,
a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
Yes there’s a lion roaming the streets. And for this the sluggard keeps his door shut.
But hear this truth! There is also a lion in your own house.
The Lion of Judah roams the streets seeking earnest hearts. While the lion who devours, lives among your things. The One is fearsome and free. The other is domesticated and emaciated.
As you can understand, let me say this: Get off your couch, open the door, and walk in the streets. If you have faith, prove it to yourself. Become diligent.
The domesticated one will not go with you, he will remain emaciated and sleeping on the couch.
But you! Go out into the street and call for Him. The Lion of Judah is free and full of fire. Yet you know you do not fear him. You fear your own weakness.
You know he can take away your weakness and give you strength. You know he can decimate your regret. You know he can make you fearless. You know he can give you the fullness of life.
Then the choice is yours. Remain with your pet domesticated and emaciated lion, or go out in the street and live.
If I say to you, “I live in the street”, I would be a liar. For I wake in my house just like you. But he teaches me to walk past the couch and go outside. As honestly as I can, I tell you, this takes great strength.
But my brothers and sisters, it is so sincerely worth it! In my past, laziness has destroyed me. But as I listen to him, I retain diligence. This truth he teaches me, is the same for all men.
By His Grace
The Shill of Man’s Joy
He was born in obscurity. He readied himself with quiet humility. He taught with words few understood. He was condemned in private. He was beaten in seclusion. Then he was murdered in public.
The greatest of his joys is talked about the least; the moment when his feet left the ground. At the end of his perfect ministry to man, he was taken up to be with his Father forever.
In this season, we talk about the baby. In this season, we talk about his humiliation. Though people marvel at the child.
But let us inject His glory to the story of our Lord. For that tiny obscure child will return with explosive Holiness.
The world loves the innocent and helpless child. But they have no regard for the glorious Lord he became.
The baby speaks no words of condemnation. He is innocent and beautiful in their eyes.
But make no mistake, at that time in his ministry, he was so treated by those who lived in his day. Those same people who passed by with a smile, also screamed out the words, “Crucify him”.
Christmas leads to three bloody nails. Do not let the joy of the world confuse you. They do not love The Christ, they love pageantry.
By His Grace
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.
Words From There 