I have no right to ask anyone to love me. For wouldn’t that put the burden of expectations squarely on their small shoulders?
I have no right to ask anyone to respect what I think or what I do. For wouldn’t that nullify their own opinion?
It is better to give love without being asked.
It is better to respect without expectation of return.
For if we do not give we freely, will be miserably surprised at the response. Duress has a price.
What is fear? Isn’t it fear to ponder what can be done to us? Doesn’t fear come because we know we are weak and defenseless.
What is perfect strength? Isn’t it the knowledge that we are perfectly protected? Doesn’t strength come because we know that He who protects us is above all things?
Therefore I am proud of my weakness and am not afraid. For the One who has sworn, by his very blood to protect me, That One cannot lie!
I see the fear that was in me, and gladly spit in its face. “You will not own me! You have been dethroned. You are destroyed before you speak! The One who is above you owns this soul.”
Come! Believe beside me. The shadow of fear has no hold on those who believe!
Today is the court of Man. There is a singular case on the docket: who is true and who is the liar. Who is the accused? Who is the plaintiff?
It’s a shell game of two. When they walked in, did they take their proper seat? Every officer in the court is one man, you.
Today, you get to be the law. Today, you are the judge. There is only one verdict possible. Choose fatal condemnation for one, and eternal freedom for the other.
What’s at stake? One of the two who sit before your examination is vital to the security and welfare of all. The other is an eternal mass murderer.
Today, judgment belongs to Man. Assess correctly. Be wise in your questioning. Choose wrong, and extinction is set free!
“Be silent before me, you islands!
Let the nations renew their strength!
Let them come forward and speak;
let us meet together at the place of judgment.” (Isaiah 41: 1)
By His Grace
It is easier to set a man against the entire world than to set him in opposition against himself. (Paraphrase from Matthew Henry’s commentary regarding the narrow way)
The social, religious, and political activist finds it easy to point his finger at the nature of things around him. All the while the truth of Christ points its finger at the nature of things within the man.
This is the difference between living our life in the broad way which leads to hell and destruction, and the narrow way which leads to life.
The only one who has a right to speak against the nature of wickedness, is the one who is enduring a holy chastening of his own. As the Lord makes the man accomplish, he also endows the man with rights and expectations.
How few are willing to endure the Holy Judgment of God’s expectations daily? How many simply ignore God’s direction without examination?
Endure the Holy Fire of God now, or endure it forever then. That’s our choice isn’t it? Join the vast crowd and die unchanged. Or submit yourself to the Eternal Holiness of the Eternal Living God. Remain free to make your own choices, or submit all your choices to the One who lives forever.
Matthew 7: 13, 14
By His Grace
How easy it would be so slam Elton John for his hatred for truth. He uses his money and “power” (Sir. Really?) to push others around. And now he stands in his pomp to decry a truth, spoken against the sin he loves so very much. It would be so much more peaceful, in this world, if those who say they love freedom would give that same desire of freedom to the One who made them.
How easy to speak of God’s perspective of “unnatural desire for those of the same gender”. But to what end? All I would accomplish is to set myself against the times in which we live (a purposeful pun against Johnny’s own statement). And I have already done that for many years now. And look at how many lives have been changed by my testimony for the Christ of the Living God; only me.
But shall I let the blind and ignorant talk, of the “powerful and rich”, go without response? Why should I? Their power to influence others into sin demands a response.
I do not respect a man because he has money. I do not respect a man because he is poverty stricken. I respect a man who proves he loves the God who made him. I do not respect a man who has the approval of heads of state. I respect a man who proves he has the approval of the Head of All Creation.
No sir, “sir” Johnny, I don’t respect your decry of truth. And you are no lover of freedom. For you purchase the silence of those who stand against you. I believe the proper term for your brand of freedom is called Fascism (authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice). How you love the idea of tolerant behavior, while you crush anyone who does not agree with your sinful life. Not only that, but you would purchase the power, if it existed, to silence the Living God.
I really wanted this to become some kind of encouraging statement. But I find nothing encouraging in today’s acceptance of ungodly behavior.
I guess if there is anything to be called “encouragement” in this article, it is that one man has the guts to stand up and say “NO”.
Related link
http://m.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/31896339
People will not go to places that do not please them. They will not go to church or read their Bible, because these do not cater to the desires of man.
Men love freedom. One would think that if there is a place they cannot go, they would mend their ways to rid themselves of an obstacle. But they simply say to themselves, “Well it is only one place I cannot go”. So they gladly accept the restriction and think they are free.
They do not realize that the place where their freedom is taken, is called eternity.
By His Grace
We: Live, Die, Face Judgment. Jesus or die twice.
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