The stubborn teen, who has all the toys and friends anyone could want. The successful college grad, who knows how to meld into any social event. The proud man of middle age, who can prove his successfulness by the things he has acquired. The dutiful housewife who is adored by so many in her community. The angry old man or woman, who causes children to avoid that certain portion of sidewalk.
All these, and such an endless variety more, think they have it all, because they have what they want, and know how to get more. To them, righteousness is what they are in the process of becoming.
The worker, bent over from working hard for a living. The champion beer drinker, who works hard at some company where he has become important. The young woman who knows how to get what she wants. The rebellious young man, who hates everything and everyone.
All these, and such an endless variety more, think they have it all, because they have what they want and know how to get more. To them, righteousness is what they are in the process of becoming.
But not before God! Before the Holy Throne of God is only One Righteous individual. There will never be more. His name is Holy. His name is Jesus, the Christ.
You think you’re a righteous person? Then you don’t know anything about what righteousness is. Study the nature of the Christ, as found in the New Testament. Compare His Holy devotion to truth to yours. You’ll soon find out what righteousness really is.
Tag Archives: success
Willing Refinement
The fire is brought to the field to cleanse it of stubble and blight. The winds of a hurricane are a pleasure to the man who knows he has built his house well.
For everything a man may make, receives a testing. To the craftsmen who knows he has done his work well, there is no fear. For even if his work may suffer loss, he is anxious to apply his learning. Such a man’s hands quiver with delight at the approach of destruction.
As the racehorse strains against the bit, ready and willing to run, so the man of God looks forward to the testings. Always looking for refinement, he does not despise destruction of weakness.
It is of man to desire rest in peace from the labor of his hands. He seeks respite for the weakness of his body and the sparseness of resource.
But the Spirit of of the Holy Lord God Almighty urges toward completion. Let every one of God’s people be joyful to submit themselves to the fire of God’s Holy expectations.
His love is destruction for all that is unholy. But this destruction is sent in eternally lovely intent. The rewards will always outweigh the tears. Yet is it righteous for us to have tears at all?
Allowing ourselves to be driven, accomplishment draws nearer. But rest, as the flesh desires, and you will suffer loss.
Every man will appear before the Holy Lord to give account of himself. The day of judgement will come as the final restraint. But now is the day of testing. Now is the day for becoming.
It is the forceful soul who presents himself to the day of judgement now. “The Faith” in Christ Jesus is the beauty of holy strength.
May God receive the bounty that belongs rightfully to him; the refinement, the willing refinement of his holy people. His reward is in his hand as he stands to judge all men.
Let us therefore not despise the destruction of those things the flesh desires. Rather let us side with God in His Holy judgment against sin.
The servant who whimpers at the commands of his master, is no joy at the dinner table. Such a one is deservedly given a lower place.
By His Grace
Successful Christianity
What characterizes a successful Christian? He has something that’s rather rare. Something that many, apparently, never even know exists. And it must be rare because all the Christians are still trying to find it. That in itself, makes this a worthwhile post.
He’s a detriment to the Christian publishing business. He’s simply not that interested in mainline Christianity. He doesn’t need “how to” books, he’s already doing it. He doesn’t need someone to provoke inspiration, he can’t shut it off. But this in itself doesn’t make him a successful Christian.
It’s highly likely he does not have a lot of friends. Though he is the one steady enough to confide in. People rarely seek him out. He just doesn’t play well with others.
He hates no one. But he also trust no one. And over time that becomes rather obvious. Still, no “pin the tail on the donkey” here.
The successful Christian knows where his Bible is at all times. He may or may not be able to quote you chapter and verse. But you’ll find him busy doing it. Yet this isn’t what sets him apart from the rest. Many fall into legalistic adherence to the Word. Many!
What is it that has cut him away from the larger portion of the flock? Why is this one successful, while the others flounder about?
If he has no interest in the things of mainline Christianity, how can he be called successful? And if the successful Christian can’t memorize chapter and verse, what was the use of their notation?
Two really good questions. But I’ll let the reader answer for himself. When you finally realize the answers, you’ll be amazed.
The successful Christian understands the meaning of the name “Christ”. And he realizes, with stark nakedness, that he does not own this understanding, because he studied. He realizes that Christ knows him, and he knows Christ because of the merciful introduction from the Father.
In the successful Christian’s mind, he has only one thing that he can call his own. To whatever extent a person owns this, he is a blowout success.
(watch for caveat.)
A successful Christian is always looking for opportunity to obey (bingo!). This is the only item of Christianity we can own. Everything else comes from God. Obedience comes from mastery of the will.
(Slow down please. Caveat ahead.)
Though it must be said that no man masters the will, without the direct guidance of Christ Jesus. The successful Christian has made up his mind to dedicate himself to mastery. The mutual work of Christ Jesus and man comes to a head in the man’s will.
You know the really sad part about this entire writing, is that I felt it necessary.
By His Grace
Heros Succeed
Who can speak fluently of the glorious challenge that lay before for the people of God? All that is holy is expected, and rightly so, to cover us as if we are dressed in pure light.
Discretion, willing obedience, mercy beyond the ability of man, faithfulness in prayer regardless our current understanding, and a laying down of all that is wicked, these are things placed upon us by the King of kings and Holy Lord.
He is faultless and true in all his Holy way. And his expectations are not too much. For he is willing to grant all that is necessary for us to achieve. It is we who are unwilling and frail. Yet the expectations remain.
We are ambassadors of the One who dispenses life! It is then appropriate that our attitude match the expectations.
How many billions have tried and failed? How very rare that one succeeds.
The world has its set of heroes; those who have met the expectations of the world and surpass them. These are also rare indeed. But the expectations of the world are small compared to those of God. If only a handful meet the world’s expectations, how many less meet those of God’s?
Let us make every effort to rectify obedience. Let us make every effort to add to our love for the Holy One of God.
We have only one day. We are not promised beyond the sunset. Thousands will die today, sealing what they have done. Will it be me? Will it be you? Which of us can know?
Make every effort to enter in: to do, to become and to glorify the one who has purchased us by His Holy Blood. This is the expectation of God. And it is placed squarely on the shoulders of those who profess the name of Christ Jesus.
May God have mercy and grant glory among all his people. May the testimony of each one of us be that God is Holy!
By His Grace
To never leave
Many Christians struggle desperately against sin. One day, perhaps one week, they are fine. They cling to righteous behavior and find their prayer life normal. Then a small miss step occurs and the tumble begins.
With their consciences blackened, they bow before the Lord in prayer only once or twice a week. And when on their knees before the Most High God they can only mutter a few words and then must run. Perhaps some canned prayer is all they can lay their hearts to.
But the problem is not the first missed step. It’s all the steps that lead to it. Jesus tells us, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.”
The opposite of that is also true. “Cursed to continue in sin are those who do not desire righteousness with a burning heart.” You won’t find that in the scripture. But you will certainly find that on the lives of those who constantly tumble.
What would your life look like if you never left the Lord again? What confidence and joy would you have if your prayer life spiraled up to heaven itself? How would your understanding and witness be transformed?
All this trouble can be so easily avoided. And all you have to do is fan your desire for God into flame. The Lord Jesus is watching and waiting. A continual crying out for mercy and righteousness will certainly bring a powerful response.
By His Grace
Words From There 