Tag Archives: condemnation

The Perplexing Question

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My God, you are so sweet.  You bring me a perplexing question, to which I have no answer.  But now I strive to provide an accounting to your tender truth.

“Why do you pay attention to these things of the flesh, and come to Me for wisdom?”

You do not ask without expectation of answer.  Draw up my will to answer.  Summon my soul to answer.  Seek what is faultless and true.  Condemnation is perceived.  But growth is offered.

Why do I listen with my eyes of flesh?  Why do I allow perception to appear from my fleshly ears?  Why do I allow division to exist, when fullness is offered so freely?

For surely, there is a place where I do not allow these things to divide.  There is a place where Your wisdom abides, as freely as it is offered.

Shall I blame the condition of limit, in which man is forced to live?  That is no answer to Your earnest question.  That is to seek an excuse.

I shall ponder this with willing heart.  For You call me to “All”.  And there is “All” for the taking.  Holiness beckons.  The fullness of Stephen awaits.

I stand between fullness and want.  I stand at the door of “becoming”.  Why hesitate?  For now, I can’t answer.  What a shame to me that I should not be able to give an immediate answer.  What a shame to me that You should have to ask.

Yet what possibilities for Your Glory are present!  What service remains undone.  What rekindling of flame demands too much time.  What a raging story is yet to be written.

By Your Grace we prosper, and that for Your Glory’s sake.  Direct my mind.  Direct my will to hear.  Regardless the surroundings, Your people should endure with great vigor.  This is so.  This is true!  Show me how to endure, according to the power of You, O Christ of God.

The Invisible Bridge

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I have found something interesting, something I have known, but not fully understood.  The elders talk about it.  The Deacons point toward it.  The world denies it with frothing lips.  It remains, however, before every child of God to encounter.

The majority of our walk before Christ Jesus is spent in discovery.  We cannot use excuse, before the Holy One, for our disobedience.  Yet there are reasons why we falter as we do.  Discovering these reasons comes hand in hand with growth toward maturity.

We learn not to blame anyone for our fault.  Yet we recognize that the whole of humanity has caused every sin.  And in this way, the Lord Jesus teaches us to sacrifice blame for personal responsibility.

But what shall a man do when he understands this as fully as his mind is able?  What shall we do when a man finds himself repeating offenses yet finds no one but himself to blame?

Here a man comes face to face with the fullness of the gospel.  No longer perceiving as a child.  Now he perceives as a man.  The fullness of blame rests on the one who has sinned, rests heavily.

From here one can receive the forgiveness of Christ with renewed interest.  From here the glory of God takes a prominence in all his thoughts.  The man no longer tosses about the subject of blame or innocence.  Condemnation becomes exceedingly personal.  Here the glory of God rages even brighter to consume his enemies.  Here the glory of God’s mercy blazes even brighter within the flame.

I have come to discover: the Glory of Christ Jesus is stronger than our sins.  Not only in his teaching, but more so in our learning.

If you continue in the way you will discover this also.  It is the crossing of an invisible bridge.  And I speak of it so that when you yourself encounter this, there will be memory within you.

It is a difficult place to encounter.  For here a man is starkly naked before the Holy One.  But having reached the other side of the bridge I can testify, “Even in this he is able to save”.

It may well be you do not understand what I’m saying.  But the time for every man will appear.  I will try it with one example to express this in understandable terms.

As a man goes to a school of learning, he learns enough to do his trade.  But he has yet to enter the workforce and apply it.  Often the world will scoff at the little bookworm who seems to know all. 

But one day he goes to work and understands why they laughed.  He presupposed his importance.  And difficulties have proved his knowledge insufficient.

Now he grapples with humility.  Now he is faced to join them in their derision of the novice.  Yet even while he makes fun of pretense, he is forced to remember that he once also walked in that way.

What comes from this place I do not know.  It is not as though these things happen among men.  But this has come to me before the Holy One in all its brilliance.  Stark and true, it shines a light within my soul to illuminate every possible miscarriage of righteousness.

May understanding come in due time.  I enter into this place in full view of those who have gone before me.  And I speak of this with the humility that knows others have understood this long before I arrived.  And I have to confess the question, “Do I yet understand as I should?

By His Grace

To judge or to be the standard

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The Angel stands to minister orders given by God.  He does what he was sent to do.  He knows he is in a direct sight of the Sovereign Father and his Holy Son.  The Holy Angels willingly obey.

The Angels attend the garden of God, which is this place of testing.  They are of the house of God.  They are not of this place of blood and flesh.  Therefore they do not judge man as they minister those things for which they were sent.  Perfectly, their entire being is firmly set on the will of God.  And man receives what God has sent through their hands.

God alone is Judge.  It is the sin of man that he judges his brother while he ministers those things for which he was sent. 

In the blindness of flesh we minister among the blind.  By this we mark ourselves as unholy.  It is not right that this should be.

We, who are of the house of God, will do well to consider our place.  It is good that we consider the service of the Holy Angels.  Is also good that we consider the service of men who have achieved a non-judgmental ministry.  (Personally I am convinced that every age of man sees a few such men.)

Those who are of the house of God. through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, no longer belong to this place of blood and flesh.  They belong to eternity; sealed forever as the sons of God.  How can we then minister our charge as if we belong to the wicked?  I believe it is from a misunderstanding that we sin in this manner.

We are told that we will judge with Christ.  Do we suspect that we will take our place on the judgment bench and dictate the outcome for many?  (“And now, the judgment of all creation will be handed over to Johnny Richter!”)

Perhaps it is better to perceive that we will stand among a great throng; the people plucked from the fire and set apart from all else.

Perhaps it is better to perceive that God will use us as a standard.  He will point to one and say “This one is of your clan, but he has done such and such.   How is it that you did not?”

If that is how it will be on the day of judgement, how is it that Christians judge the wicked even now?  We do not judge with word and condemnation, though we proclaim words from God that do condemn.  Rather, we condemn the wicked by becoming.

By obedience and a willing heart we become God’s desire.  By this we are set apart.  Even in the clan of men from which we are taken we are marked as of the house of God.  And thus our former brothers are condemned even in this place.

We do not take our place among men on a bench crafted to judge.  Like the Holy Angels,  let us carefully choose what we perceive, and how we conduct ourselves as sons of God.

Why should we see their sin, unless it is to help them overcome?   Why should we listen to their vile words, except to increase their vocabulary into that which is holy?  And why should we witness the unlawful and unholy acts of men, except to teach them what is better.

Do not close up the judgment you are saved to display.  It is far better to learn from the Holy One and to do His will.  Let the sovereign God judge by speaking directly to the souls of men.  But let us become obedient and holy servants so that God may use us as an example.

We must assess.  Wisdom dictates assessment.  Who walks an open field successfully with his eyes closed?  Then assess with all due wisdom from God.

But setting our face toward heaven like flint, we purpose in all our being to obey.  By this we become a standard from which our brothers are judged.  And that without a word of personal condemnation from us.

In perfection of service we are not even allowed to compare.  By the true words of the Apostle Paul, we are not even allowed to judge ourselves.  How then shall we judge others?

But let there be no mistake.  As we are called to obey, we are also called to teach.  Let no man embrace the one and forsake the other.  Do not close up what God has opened among men.  For to do so, is to deny the Christ among men.  A thing for which a horrible end is promised.

If this message is not clear, please my brothers in Christ, ask God to show you.  These things are His will.  He will certainly educate.  Only let us be willing to learn.

Rise up and consider

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He stands enthroned beautiful and lifted up.  Holy and true, the singular word of God.  Tested, he is approved.  He has loved righteousness and hated wickedness therefore God the Father has made him first of all.

Meek and humble, he works, diligently and without ceasing, for the sake of those who call on his name; that they may learn to love him and do the will of his Father. Trustworthy is one of his names.  Anointed with the oil of joy he rules with righteousness, wisdom, compassion, truth and justice.

He is forever standing ready to do the will of the Father.  In the twinkling of an eye his obedience is absolute.  Perfect!  And at the appointed time he will receive the command of his Father to put an end to this place.  He will not delay.

He alone has walked this place in which we live and succeeded in obeying every command of the Sovereign God.  He is, therefore, to be called Faithful.  In every way he is the perfect representation of the Most High God.

What then is to be said of how the world treats this magnificent Lord?  They give him no praise or Glory.  Instead they use his name in jokes, wicked exclamations and derision of one another.  They create their own religions for the exclusive purpose of blotting out His Majesty.  Though many adore the celebrations of his name they give him no honor, for their lives are a reflection of his enemy.

He will judge his people.  He will purify and teach.  No one will come to the Father but by him.  His people are taught to obey his every command. While the world treats him as the worst of possible men.

What has he done that you hate him so deeply?  Have you even asked that question?  Why do you use his name as an expression of disbelief?  Why do you dishonor God by dishonoring the Son?  All the while you think you are a good man.

Where is holiness?  You say you love him.  Where is the proof in your heart that you have had communion with this Son of Heavenly Royalty?  You will think that I judge you simply because I asked.  But examine yourself and give answer to He who lives forever.

Where is the deep and abiding  desire to do what is right and holy and pure and true?  Examine yourself.  For you will surely be examined.   And the examiner will examine you with absolute truth.

Do you retain the right to be a minister of your life?  Are you your own judge?  Are you satisfied with the perfection you have attained?  Will the Most High God be satisfied with your compromise?  Is your temple of holy service constructed of rotten cardboard?  Will such a structure stand the torrent of Holy Fire on that fearful and terrible day?

Cease your heckling.  Clamp shut your lips lest you are called before God.  Put your pride to death by the power of Jesus the Son of God.  Submit to his rule and learn what is true.

Consider the majesty of Christ Jesus.  This day, and what days you may have left in this place of testing, are the only moments you will be given to come to terms with God’s chosen salvation.  Before you accept the Lord Jesus you are already condemned to death.  The choice belongs to you. 

Rise up and consider.

Vain Superstitions

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We are not called to frolic in the guestimations of the world regarding the Holiness of God.  We are called to join with Him in implementing His will among men.  While men make guesses regarding end times, the “Way”, the nature of Jesus’ salvation and glorification, God remains steady and sure.  He does not shift or change according to the limited understanding of man’s wicked contrivings regarding Holy.  God is.  And it is enough for us to live by the faith He gives each one of us.

Cease your constant wandering and rest.  It is God who works His will in His people.  Do not be swayed by all kinds of foolish words with which man builds his kingdoms.  They speculate about what is true.  It is God’s domain to KNOW what is true.  The one who follows Jesus will lay aside all this foolishness and pick up what is absolute.  God is willing to share wisdom to anyone who will ask.  And He will share this vast resource without judgment of any man’s history or bend toward wickedness.  Only, let us not give in to believing all the short sighted superstitions the world begs us to endure.  Hold firmly to Jesus and the truth He reveals.

Let those who will chase after vain knowledge; knowledge that is puffed up by the mind and wicked heart of man.  It is not the lot of Christians to cave to the foolish of the world around them who do not know the Lord of Glory.

By His Grace.

Allowing Time for Change.

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We all have someone in our life who we would love to see grow in maturity, or experience the freedom found in Christ Jesus, or take responsibility for their own actions, or even forgive an offence.    This desire to see positive growth in that loved one is a good thing.  No doubt, in that desire is found everything “good”.  There are even places in each one of us which might draw that same desire for ourselves.  “Oh, I so wish I could just…………….”. 

Will you permit me to ask a really hard question?   What serious change, or radical change, has ever come upon anyone over night?  Oh, there might be realizations that change our direction.  But the really concrete change (so as to never go back) happens slowly.  First we realize we have a problem.  Then we try on different fixes like a child tries on daddy’s shoes.  And finally we find what we know will solve the problem.  But it’s at the last point where we realize how absolutely huge and difficult change is going to be.

Even coming to Jesus with a problem we find the same three increments: realize, try variations, come to grip with the real fix.  Our lives are slow, yet hopefully sure, steps toward what we know is “good”.  I post this because I see a whole lot of people kind of stuck in a mire of doubt and inability.  I absolutely know that Jesus is the answer to any problem you might have going on.  But there’s an element of natural progress that must be embraced.

When we see someone we want to change toward what is “good”, what are we expecting?  If we expect them to just “Get with the program”, we’re bound to be disappointed.  Look at yourself.  What are you expecting?  Since even we can’t change over night, why do we expect it from others?  And what might the first signs of change look like?  The person we are focusing on, whether someone else or ourselves, is already dysfunctional in some manner.  Do we expect the first signs of wellness to appear void of this dysfunctional behavior?

This is what forgiveness is all about.  Openning the door to the sickness. so that when we see change we are willing to embrace it.   And this is why it is said that Jesus offers the fix to our problem.  His forgiveness and teaching are sure, real, and effective.  Let yourself receive forgiveness from Him.  Let yourself receive forgiveness from yourself.  Offer that same forgiveness to others.  This is the beginning of healing for everyone, even YOU.  Put on patience and love as if you were going to a stately dinner.  Wear patience for yourself.  Love without regard to who needs it.  This is the key to healing from wounds too deep to touch.

By His Grace.