Tag Archives: godliness

Regard or Suspicion?

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There is an air of suspicion among Christian bloggers.  It’s the same air we find in the body of Christ.  This suspicion is neither good or bad.  In one way, we should develop a sense of carefulness regarding who is sincerely in love with Jesus.  In another way, we should be very careful not to offend our brothers.  Those on the fence, in believing to salvation, should be weeded apart from those who have entered in.  But who can tell?  And should we allow our suspicion to drive the “babes” away?

We all have a healthy and careful approach to others who call themselves Christian.  And this is as it should be.  Those who are mature in Christ, however, will balance their doubt of others by the measure of the Word of God.  It is right that we should judge one another on the basis of truth.  But that judgment should never exclude another from fellowship.  When we find fault in another, regarding doctrine, ethics, morals, or statements, we should not presume them to be the enemy.  What fault we find might simply be a matter of redirecting from error to truth.

I applaud the bloggers for being careful.  But let’s not let our work in our blog drive an eternal wedge between our brothers and sisters on here.  If you are mature, teach.  If you are growing, learn.  To those of you who are mature in Christ I say this:  “You never learn so much as when you teach”.  There are millions of thoughts behind the man of Christ who has learned to do His Holy will on a consistent basis.  Have mercy on those who are trying to accomplish the tasks you have learned to do well.

To those who are learning I say this: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (wow that sound so familiar).  What you lack in maturity, you don’t even realize your lack yet.  There are men and women in Christ who are able to discern your need, and they will not count it against you if you prove your willingness to learn.

In all things we do in our blog, let us be very careful.  Treat your posts and responses as though you were in a church body setting.  After all, aren’t we doing eternal work?  I post this because I have both encountered snobby bloggers.  And I have posted items I had to remove later.  We all falter and stumble in our words.  Mercy is the call of eternity.

By His Grace.

Scarlet is the Color of Extreme Sin.

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I posted a passage from Isaiah this morning regarding the nature of God’s expectations for men.  In the passage, God speaks of our sins.  He says, “Though your sins are as scarlet . . . “.  So why is God referring to extreme sins as a deep shade of red?

We think of good and bad in shades of light.  Horrible is marked by utter darkness; absolutely no light.  And Purity is marked by light; a great brilliance.  So why is God referring to extreme sin as a deep shade of red?

I thought, “Perhaps I don’t even know what scarlet is”.  So I did a google search for the color.  Then I went to image search to find the color depicted.  Ya know what popped up?  Porn.  “Oh!”  “Now I remember the ‘scarlet letter’ given to prostitutes and the sexually immoral.”  “Oh!”  “Now I remember how God often refers to His people as prostitutes; those who sell what is good for what is evil.  Oh.

In God’s eyes we are not shades of black and white.  We are labeled, either as those who chase after the things of the flesh, or those who chase after the things of God.  Which are you?  Which am I? 

By His Grace.

Who Are We?

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“Come now, let us settle the matter,”
   says the LORD.

This statement comes from the first chapter of Isaiah.  God is speaking of how His people have fallen.  And He speaks to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (that would be all people).  What are we that God would say to us, “Come now, let us settle the matter”?  Such a statement is not made to a chair.  We don’t speak like that to anything that cannot respond through free will.  We speak like that to each other, don’t we?  We have a demand that’s not being met by someone who is able to meet the demand but refuses to do so.  Who are we that God should have such expectations? 

We have heard that we are so limited, small, vulnerable, and victimized.  But that statement is not addressed as though we have no choice but to remain as we are.  It speaks of ability not limitation.  What will be the judgment of such a people who refuse to learn of what is holy and good?  If God sees us as able, then His judgment of us will be wrapped around that concept.  “You were able to obey me because I gave you all you needed to learn this obedience”.  Perhaps that is going to be one of the phrases heard by the rebellious.

Consider, people, consider Him!  It will not be long before you stand in His Glorious and Holy presence to receive the just reward of your life.  I tell you a truth: It will be awesome to behold Him.  And it will not go well for the vast majority of mankind.  The rest of that chapter speaks of His expectations and His ability to restore those who desire to rid themselves of rebellion. 

This post is filled, to overflowing, with promise and warning.  I could have just pointed to the scripture and expected you to go read it.  But understanding the times, I know there are very few who read the Bible anymore.  Perhaps you think I speak with too much authority on this matter.  My words are light and carry the weight of a man.  But the words of God are filled with extreme authority.  Regardless what you think, you will die a hideous death of guilt at the hands of the Almighty God if you don’t heed what is posted here. 

Don’t think to yourself that refusing to read the Bible will excuse you from judgment.  “I didn’t know what you said in that book.  So I’m not to be held responsible for what you said there”.  Don’t allow the foolishness of your sinful mind to lure you into death.  You do know what He wants.  And you will be held accountable for all His Holiness on that day.

By His Grace.

Things Held Secret.

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Stories, movies, rumors, whispers, guessing, and foolishness, all surround God’s will.  Man seeks to know Him and there are surprisingly few who learn to know Him.  Yet His ways and will are plain to all men. 

A whole lot of speculation has gathered together in this age.  People making statements about some “secret” they’ve learned.  They write books and make lots of money by peddling their “secret”.  Yet the attributes of God remain open for all who would earnestly seek Him. 

I stepped out to start my day with prayer.  I looked at the bright stars then caught myself.  The fascination with the things created began to capture my attention as I prayed.  But it’s not in those things we see that we find God.  So much for the naturalists approach to Holiness.  I turned my attention to that place in me where I am allowed to cross infinity to meet Him at His Holy Throne. 

Here, we struggle with the blindness God has ordained for man.  And once we begin to see with the eyes of faith we are encompassed by the real secret.  God is not a secret.  And He does not hide Himself from us.  It is we who remain secretive and hidden.  I struggle, as do all who know Him and try to tell His story.  But it’s not a struggle of knowing Him.  It’s a struggle of how to tell His story to a blind people. 

Jesus often said, ““What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?”  Even Jesus, who created all heaven and earth was a bit stumped in telling us about what is real.  He was not stumped because He is limited in His abilities.  He found it difficult to tell man what was true because man is so horribly locked in sinful thoughts and realities. 

We are lost in a sea of speculation and confusion regarding the majesty of God.  And this sea causes us all manner of pain.  So I write and write and write trying to capture the unseen nature of He who loves.  The battle between waking up my brothers and rendering a true picture of God’s nature is a sincere war.  Those who Know Him through Jesus are really put to the great task of telling others.  What you read in this blog represents my utmost desire to communicate with a people locked in sin.  I speak as I can.  But it would be best if the reader would seek and find Him. 

So three things result from this post: 

1. I know God the Father and what has been revealed to man through Jesus, the Christ of God.

2. This knowledge is beautifully beyond our ability to voice to others because of  the sinfulness of man.

3. Knowing God and His Holy will and attributes is an intensely personal task.

I cannot give you what I know.  You must receive it from Him.  Then we can speak together of the beauties we find.

By His Grace.

Ready to Run!

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I prepare to drive (cause that’s what I do for a living in this wicked world). 

That means I am preparing to run (in the language of truckers).

I prepare to serve (cause that’s what I do for a living in the world to come). 

That means I’m preparing to run (in the language of God)

By His Grace.

We are a People Set Apart.

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Attacks against what is called Christianity will abound.  There is no end of turmoil within the ranks of Christians.  But isn’t this the beauty of what Jesus has done?  He is actively creating a people for Himself.  We should not expect that God’s people are a polished stone in the tumbler of God’s will.  We find our righteousness in Christ alone.  And we await the day when He will grant perfection to our ways, hearts, minds, and desires.

Now, to be sure, we should do all we can to limit our folly for the sake of God’s Holy name.  It would be best to give no fuel to those who would cast accusation on the Church of God.  In our faith we wrestle with that which is Holy.  We are called to completion while we struggle with what is unfinished.  Christians struggle with the same problems as does the world.  The difference is found in the power of God to rectify our understanding.  It is He who guides us into what is right and Holy.  In short, Christians hear the very voice and will of God as He directs His people.  Some hear Him through the pages of His word the Bible.  Some hear Him through that voice which whispers in the inner man.  Some hear Him loudly, often, and surely.  Some simply follow what others are hearing.

We serve the Living God not some set of rules and regulations.  Our faith is built on liquid truth.  This truth is not that which varies according to the will of man.  Our house is built on (not by, or over)  the very river of truth which flows from the Throne of the Living God.  By faith we listen to His voice.  We walk in places where darkness is the only light.  Yet we walk in this darkness with the light of God Himself.  It is in the interaction of the Holy God to a people struggling with the nature of sin that sets us apart from every other creation. 

I know the world can only see what we are by the actions and words we produce.  Evolution is looking for the next stage in development.  Christians are that stage.  We no longer fit into the mold of the world’s expectations.  We are more yet less.  Through humility before the Greatness of God we are being formed into something eternal and beautiful.  And that, right before their very eyes.  What the world sees is chaos and dischord in the Church.  What God sees is a people being transformed.

If anyone wants a better explanation of what Christianity is, they will need to seek the face of the only One who can explain it.  Jesus is willing to lead you to a living faith.  It’s not what we believe that makes the difference.  The difference resides in Who we believe.  And it’s not what we are that stands out so strongly.  It’s who we are becoming that sets us apart.  If you seek Him, you will find Him.  If, indeed, you seek Him with all your heart.

By His Grace.