Tag Archives: Book

We Never Get Past 17

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Books

Books (Photo credit: henry…)

I am an older man now.  And I realize that I am just one step above the idiot I was when I was 17.  It’s curious how we never seem to “grow up”.  We all remain little kids playing tricks with our bodies.

We balance our lives according to need.  And most of us get pretty good at it.  While some people act as if they were really “grown ups”, they betray their self perception every day.  It is a hard thing to come to the realization that what I think I am is a far cry from the truth.  But isn’t it necessary to make a truthful accounting to ourselves regarding what we really are?

When the lights go out and we are laying there thinking about the day, which one of us can say he or she lived a perfect life in a perfect day?  Stupid things were said or done.  Thoughts filtered through our mind that shouldn’t have been there.  And misunderstandings seem to rule every relationship.  We talk to each other.  But it’s like we only make guttural noises.  Oh they understand us alright.  But they understand us from their own perspective.

This leads me to the central thought this morning.  Why do we glorify those who can couch “truth” in poetic terms?  I mean, one man will say “We are all sinners.”  And no one will listen to what he just said.  Another man will say the same thing with 300 pages of a book.  And in everything he says he never says “We are all sinners.”  People buy his book and laud his great skill.  They even pay $35.00 just to read the book.  Now this just leaves me mystified!

It’s like a madness among men.  They won’t listen to truth given freely.  But they will gladly go spend their hard-earned money to hear someone say what is true (provided the author has hidden the truth carefully, like one who hides the pill for a child in a gob of jam.)   The better the author is at hiding truth behind edible words, the more praise he gets.

This is an amazing thing to observe among the children of this world.  As far as I can see, the culprit of this folly is pride.  Tell me if I’m wrong.

Will the Real Christians Please Stand Up? We’re a Bit Confused Here.

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A large crowd gathers [at Madison Square Garde...

Image by Kheel Center, Cornell University via Flickr

I have met and know a few people who love the Bible.  These people adore Jesus.  And they’re willing to obey God.  By all appearances, these folks are “good” people.  And if you met them, you’d think God must be pleased with the way they have come to handle the life God has given them.  They are acceptable humans; both by men and by the Church.  And no fault is easily found in them.

However…………………..

These same folks will accept what they think they can handle from the Bible.  That’s why they love it.  They will adore Jesus, as long as He remains simply a loving God, or a baby in a manger.  They are willing to obey God, as long as He doesn’t ask them to become something or someone they don’t want to become.  And though they appear godly, there is a test you can perform on these folks that will surely show their true colors.

Speak to them about the reality of the Bible’s message and watch how they react.  These folks will be nice to your face.   But it might be the last time they will willingly talk to you.  Speak to them about the Glorified Christ, who has made all that is and is the final authority regarding the righteous worship of His Father.  Watch how their eyes dance as they try to find a way to say “good bye.”  And as you watch them go, you’ll see them quickly rid their minds of what you  just said.  Again, they meld into the socially acceptable activity among men.

It is so very interesting how people are willing to believe the Bible, yet so quick to avoid anyone who talks about the Bible.  Most people simply adore leaving the Lord within the pages of the Book.  They gladly receive instruction from the written Word, but will balk severely when that Word becomes flesh among their fellow humans.  They will listen to a sermon while in a group of people.  But when it’s over you’ll find them talking about anything but the sermon’s content.

The Lord is not fooled.  And only He will assess their value to Him.  It is good to point these things out.  Far too many are doing what we are seriously warned against:  If we turn away from those who warn us on earth, how will we hope to receive Him who warns us from heaven?

 

By His Grace.