Christianity is a Promise


Christianity is counted as a religion.  Even many who call themselves Christians treat it as such.  But Christianity is no religion of man at all.  Please give me liberty to explain.

There are three tribes of men before the Holy Lord’s eyes.  Those who uphold the law of Moses.  Those who depend on the law of Moses, as if beggars .  And those who have never known the law of Moses.

The first live by that law, and are guardians until the end of this place.  The second, hope toward that law.  For they suffer greatly without its benefit.  The third make their own law according to the shadow of the laws of Moses.

The first are the Jews.  The second are the Samaritans.  And the third are the Gentiles.

(In this I speak to those who do not know.  What I have said can be considered full of fault by the scholars of the Bible.  But let it be and watch how it develops.)

I am a Gentile.  Until I was in my thirties I had not desired of the law of Moses.  I heard of the Ten Commandments but did not care, for I did not know their source.  I heard rumors of some things the law commands, but paid no attention, for they were laws given to “holy men”.  I was not holy and so I did not care.

Then Christianity came to me, and I understood the sacrifice of Christ.  Like a child, I accepted by faith that what he said was true.  But unto this day, I have lacked the understanding in full.  And until I die and appear before him, my understanding will be but a shadow of truth.

But I woke from a dream this morning.  And with my waking, a greater understanding has come.  Christianity is not a religion.  Christianity is an engagement.  Christianity is a promise from the Holy Lord.  An honourable promise of marriage from he who is fully honorable.

In the dream I saw two men and a woman.  The first had come to her house but did not belong there by reason of broken promise.  In the past he had been her husband.  But divorce had separated them.

The second had promised to be her husband, after she became divorced.  And with consistant servitude he loved her.

The first came bearing a gift she desired.  He offered it to her in front of the second man.  The second man heard and saw clearly.

The first one held out the gift and said, “I am your husband so I give you these things”.  Her hands reached out to receive.

Knowing he could not say the same, the second one prepared to leave.  Tossing his cell phone to the first man, he said, “This belongs to her you will need it”.  And the last of the dream was when he opened the door of his car to leave.

After that I woke, and understanding came faster than my eyes could open.  The compassion of God is a promise that cannot be broken.  But the will of man determines his response to the promise of God.  Will he hold to what is?  Or will he return to where he came?  Will he love the one who loves him?  Or will he love the promise of the one who has abused him?

It is as if a great and rich man lived in a high mountain land.  He looked to the valley below and saw the plight of many young women; how they were mistreated and sold as if property.

In the passion of his great heart, he took mercy as his guide.  He carved out a place in his vast mountainous property.  And as his workers planted wonderous trees and vegetation.  Making long beautiful meadows, with glimmering lakes and houses, he went down himself to select his brides.

He is an honorable man and his promise can be believed.  He gave rings to all who asked; rings as a seal of his promise.  Those who received would later be called to inhabit the place he is making.

Some of the women separated themselves in waiting for his promise.  But many held the promise as if from their fellow citizens.  To them the promise was less than honorable.  So they gave themselves to the men of the land; keeping themselves in abusive relationships, mindless of the promise given.

But his promise is true and faultless.  And when the time came to gather his brides, he sent out his servants to bring them.  All of them were dressed according to his honourable promise.  All of them were prepared for the wedding.  He had prepared a place for every one of them to live.

Those who had separated themselves for the sake of his honor were kept in high esteem.  But those who did not believe were given a lower place.  Nevertheless his honor is true.  As he has promised he will do.

Religion is of man.  It is his way of serving his version of God.  His belief dictates his religion.  Religion becomes a doing of a man’s understanding of God.  But the religion from God (what He does) is honorable and pure.  It is he who has extended his own desire.

Men will do as they do.  But God is.  We worship as if blind men.  But God sees with perfect eyes.  In our religions we lie, for understanding within us is but a shadow of truth.  But the religion of God is faultless and pure.  The intent of God to save is Holy honorable.

Christianity is not a religion of man.  Christianity is a promise from He who cannot lie.

P.S. I have written this because of the dream.  If people will understand it, then they will understand it.  If they do not understand, or even contend with me on some issues, what is that to me? 

What you see here is not an attempt to teach.  It is an altar representing a gift from my God.  I have marked a place according to his command for me.  “Write and do not care who reads.”

May God receive glory according to his great riches in righteousness.

By His Grace

Put up or Shut up.


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Image via Wikipedia

As I respond to comments, the words sometimes astound me.  I know it’s not me who is responding.  It’s a lead conversation.  The Lord is in the concepts.  And He allows me to interpret what’s being spoken from Heaven.

I posted something in response to a comment today that has really caused me pause.  “If I wanted to tear down any social structure I wouldn’t use a direct attack of hacking limbs or even banishing them from society in general.  I would infiltrate their group, act like them enough to get honors, then allow myself to be seen corrupting their code of honor.”  What shall we say to that?  If this statement doesn’t provoke a serious look at our motivation and “belonging”, we’re in serious trouble.

Christians:  If you find yourself bringing shame to the name of Jesus, you alone will answer for it.  In the mean time you help the enemy block the door for those trying to enter.  And you do yourself untold harm when you appear before Him.  Let me say this please.  And take note that I don’t give a rip what you might think of me for saying this.  If you’re doing harm to the body of Christ in this world, it would be better that you pull away from the body and stop telling people you’re Christian.  At least the Lord would be able to see that you care enough about His honor to suffer loss.  If you can’t keep your lust under control, if you can’t keep your loose tongue sealed behind those quivering lips, if you just can’t seem to stop bringing shame to the Lord, then step away.

Do you think I say this without personal experience in this matter?  I’ve gone through more than a decade of isolation because I saw myself doing more damage than was reasonable.  I know we all slip.  I’m not poking at that.  I’m looking intently into the eyes of those who believe it’s ok to do anything they please or say anything they want, and still allow others to think you’re a Christian.

I could say so much more about this.  But I think I’ve said enough to have my head delivered on a platter by those who hate the Holiness of God. And if you continue to draw a bad name to Jesus, you’ll eventually look much like that picture above.  While you should have been a clear message to the world through your display of Christ, we can’t make heads or tails of your testimony.  And you will be held accountable for all of it.

 

By His Grace.

Where’s God’s Will?


Far too many believe Jesus has died to give them a life of peace, joy, prosperity and an eternity with Him in heaven.  There’s nothing wrong with that part of the blessing we receive from Him.  But where’s the other part?  You know, the one about testifying for His Glory, the one about being willing to endure all hardships for His sake here, or perhaps the one about making yourself available for the very will of the Most High God?

Think about it.

By His Grace.

Regard or Suspicion?


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.