If we refuse to put Jesus first, who then takes his place? The one who is first is the dictator of the will. The will is the engine of doing. And our doing is the indicator of who we are becoming.
If we refuse to put Jesus first, then who leads our life? Let’s not lie to one another. There are many who call themselves Christians, yet they put anything but Jesus as first.
By His Grace
This morning I took a “spiritual gifts” test. It’s been some decades since I took such a test. I don’t know what I found out the last time I took one.
I wasn’t too surprised to see the outcome. Here’s the page for the test I took: http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/test/adult
I’m going to display the results here so that those who read the things I write might better understand the intent and gifts God has seen fit to place within me.
I don’t know how accurate such a test can be. And I’m not sure what value they might be to others.
| Administration 12 |
| Discernment 23 |
| Evangelism 22 |
| Exhortation 25 |
| Faith 35 |
| Giving 13 |
| Serving / Ministering 20 |
| Knowledge 27 |
| Leadership 22 |
| Mercy 6 |
| Prophecy 26 |
| Pastor 23 |
| Teacher 29 |
| Wisdom 17 |
How very typically pompous of men to create division in religion, or even civil matters. Yet by the very nature of things in creation, hierarchy necessary. For there are things among us that are holy. And to our shame, there are things among us that are debased and thoroughly wicked.
Regulation of rebellion is required for the simple sake of life. For the sake of even a semblance of order, hierarchy among men is required.
You leaders of people; hundreds, thousands, or millions, have you considered what has given you your authority? Have you considered what seals life among us? Or do you believe that you have attained your position by your own strength of strategy?
The will of man can produce nothing but continuous death. How then can hope prosper among us if the leader’s only visions produce destruction?
The ways of Man are nothing but death. Do you know this? Have you even considered this?
You are set in place by necessity. Have you taken the time to consider the meaning of the word “righteous”? Have you considered that there is a storehouse from which all things righteous come? Have you appealed, continuously, to the Holy One of God for help in the decisions you make every moment? If not, how can you hope to produce anything good from the very place you have been given to inhabit?
Holy Father I ask you to broadcast this message. Even as you have done with all things in creation: glorify your Holy Son, that Your will may be accomplished among men. I place this message in your Holy hands. My hands have strung the letters together. But the message belongs to your Holy Son, Your Righteous One, Jesus the Christ.
May Your mercy allow understanding according to your excellent will. By Your Grace alone my God, and this through faith, may Your Holy will be done forever.
Amen.
By His Grace
Is it possible? What is the probability? Does the Church lack fruit and devotion simply due to human ability to process information?
If mentors are placed. If vision is clearly promoted. Do the people lack, simply because they are not able to “think it through”? Is it a situation of inability? Or is it a lack of willingness, that causes unfruitfulness in the Body of Christ? And, it can’t be ignored, what is the impact of “rotten apples” among them?
If this is so. If there is no remedy, for the sake of the human mind, then how much more need we rely on the Grace of God?
If the people are not quite able to grasp the fullness of the Gospel they are offered, then how powerful is the Majesty of Christ to save? How great is the Grace of God!
There is the least among us, yes. There is the greatest among us, yes. And a myriad in between.
But to what extent are we valuable by continually promoting the epitome of Christianity? Are souls ruined by a consistent deluge of “Get it Right”? Are our brothers and sisters encouraged to try harder? Or are they damaged by expectations they’ll never be able to attain?
Well, now. What a dilemma to rake over the coals. And I don’t want to waste too many words doing it.
After thinking it through, I fall on the idea that I am not qualified to determine the answer. But it’s crucial to remember two things.
1. The Church belongs to Christ Jesus.
2. He has seen fit, by Holy Wisdom, to leave the leadership of His people in the hands of men.
What say you?
No Corruption (Photo credit: Ann Douglas)
Socrates was charged and put to death for corruption of the youth. Apparently he incited them to contempt of leadership by his words against unjust laws and rulers. With amazement I have to say, “What did he do but point out the obvious?”
If a leader is worthy of contempt what is the harm in pointing it out? It is not a charge that should be laid against the one who speaks. It is a charge against the corrupt leader. The one who speaks is only pointing out what is well known and true. It is the
Portrait of Socrates. Marble, Roman artwork (1st century), perhaps a copy of a lost bronze statue made by Lysippos. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
obligation of the corrupt leader to change his ways.
Yet corruption often leads to power and influence. So to point out the faults of those who attain power by means of corruption are likely to wield that power against truth sayers. My reply is, “What is that to me? I’m going to die anyway. Let them come and assail me for telling the truth. At least I will have done my duty. That cannot be said of those who took oaths of truth and shed them as soon as they put the robe of office on their shoulders.”
I confess that I am so very frustrated at the lack of leadership from those who know better. But hasn’t that been the case since the time of Adam? The frustration is a shared cloak which all men of truth wear. One thing comes to mind that bears saying. If I were as I am and placed in a populous advantage I would not be alive today. Here I am to speak out and I find a twinge of shame in that statement.
You who hold a place of leadership should be speaking out strongly against the corruption in leadership. But you often resort to simply maintaining peace among the people under your charge. You turn inward in hopes of establishing stability for those who will listen to you. All the while the corruption grows to near riot right outside the walls of your sanctuary. You teach them righteousness and peace while you make no attempt to shine a light on the corruption of this world.
You know who you are. I know who I am. Neither of us is the other. And I do not judge you for what you are doing. But will you judge me for pointing this out?
We: Live, Die, Face Judgment. Jesus or die twice.
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