“The Faith”
Teaches what is Holy;
What is unknown,
How to understand,
How to endure,
How to “become”.
Temptation must come;
In the form of ailment,
In the form of beckoning toward sin,
In the form of fear,
With the threat of destruction,
Yet with the opportunity to glorify the Living God’s Holy Son.
Do we understand these things? Of course we have. The question to us all is this:
Why do we not apply what we know we understand?
Temptation sits idle along every path a man might walk. It does not have the sense to desire you. It simply remains, deadly and dishonorable.
It waits with senselessness to bring shame to anyone who would stop to admire it. And when the soul begins to admire sin, dishonor flourishes.
Temptation is no better or worse if a soul drinks its poison. It is the man, who reals about, blind, drunk, and dying. Temptation simply sits waiting to be consumed.
Men think of temptation as if it were an enemy. Temptation is not smart enough to be aggressive. No. The enemy is not temptation. The enemy is folly that is bound up in the desire of the man.
With our desire we dishonor the One who made us. With our desire we destroy our legacy. With desire we make the choice to be useless and damaging. The one who desires temptation is the one who owns his own choice.
Birth is no easy experience. Neither is death to be desired. Yet once birth has happened, death is inevitable. In between the two is an innumerable number of choices to be made. But for what purpose?
Pain calls our name. Toil and heartache know where we sleep. Adding to the difficulty of life, the expenses of pleasure call from every corner.
There is nothing profitable about pleasure. Everytime we take a break from toil and heartache, we lose something valuable; money, reputation, preparation, and resources. Yet we justify it by saying, “I just need a little rest. Then I’ll be stronger”.
But no sooner do we get back to our toil and heartache and the entire pleasure becomes a forgotten matter. All we have left is memories, pictures, souvenirs, and wasted time. Yes, even the pursuit of pleasure is toil in itself.
You might be thinking I’m just a stick in the mud. But you know that what I’m saying is true. From front to back, and everywhere in between, life is full of difficulty.
People do everything they can to remove the rough edges of life. But even as they rub them smooth, the smoothing quickly breaks loose and sharp edges reappear.
This world has a singular design for humanity. It is designed to teach God’s people to endure through faith. The wicked heart will strive to find pleasure here. But God’s righteous elect will keep their eyes firmly fixed on his Holy promise.
The wicked will have their tumultuous pleasure. But the people of God will find pleasure in pleasing the Living God’s Christ.
Christianity recognizes that this place was sufficient to test the Holy Son of God. And here is where I mention that he is a very example God’s elect must follow.
Did the Lord shrink back from righteousness? Not once. Did he seek to use his body for pleasure? Again, not once. He did nothing but what his Heavenly Father told him to do.
Did he take a vacation? Did he chase after money? Did he lie or cheat or steal? He did not seal up his mouth, for fear of Man. He did not cease to pray. And if he had any knowledge in this world, it was the entirety of what is called the Old Testament.
There is our example.
Consider the outcome of his life. He is now firmly fixed as first in all creation. Now allow yourself to ponder the outcome of mimicking his life.
Who is man, that God should send His Holy Son as a sacrifice for our sins? What is it the righteous elect are to inherit? How can any pleasure in this world compare to what God has in store for those who love him?
Psalm 82:6. While you’re at it, consider the outcome of satan’s choice. Ponder the meaning of the differences between Christ Jesus and the one condemned to destruction.
By His Grace
Something keeps playing on my mind lately. It likely has to do with being a truck driver. But the implications of this thought extend into absolutely every facet of life.
A truck driver jack knifed his rig on ice one night. His carless driving, in extreme circumstances cost the life of a mother and her baby girl. I don’t know the outcome of the court case. But I can assume that the driver was sent to jail on manslaughter charges, at least.
(picture is not of the accident I’m talking about)
His life ruined. The family in tears. The potential of two lives was in the driver’s hands, though he had no clue until the slide began.
Here’s the really painful part. The next day, the sun came out. The temperature went from 15 degrees to 45 degrees, within the space of 12 hours. Within a day the highway was cleared of all signs of the wreck, except for the bent up guard rail.
The implication to drivers is clear. Just slow down!
The implication to everyone else is, “Just hang on!”
Are you tempted to steal? Wait till the urge passes, to move your wicked hands. Are you plagued by sexual desires? Count off 12 hours before you make that decision. And how many other “stupid” decisions would have never happened if we had just waited for the “storm” to pass?
Slowing down may mean getting up from the couch, where temptation stews like a pot on a warm burner. Honestly, in the power of Christ Jesus, it’s that easy. Without Christ, however, you’re not likely to even be found reading this post, let alone realize there is a way out of your horrible decisions.
What have I learned about temptation that is worthy of writing? So much is written on the subject. I did not dare write about it until I had something more to offer.
I have learned about its true nature. It is not just an unwise choice, born of rebellion against God. And it is not a single action.
It always starts as something small. It never comes upon us in its full-blown nature. In this it is rightly called an enticement.
Among men there are things of beauty. Among men there are things that can rightfully be desired under the right circumstances, and within a proper limit. But the enticement of temptation will draw you a little farther.
Consider the beauty of woman. Along with desire for wealth, her beauty rates very high in the failure of man. What does temptation whisper, as it begins its routine enticements? Doesn’t it make remark in regard to the things of our perceptions?
We say yes. She is beautiful. Then temptation agrees, adding an observation of your desire. The enticement has begun.
Temptation whispers to you that lust is only natural. By now you are ready to agree.
But as the foolish man enters in, temptation does not keep quiet. He adds more shame upon shame. By now you are not only too weak to resist, you encourage him to speak. Pathetically, by now you consider temptation as an honorable teacher.
Before a short while is done abominable things have crossed your filthy heart. Temptation does not end with enticement. It takes a man or woman to the classroom of filthy thoughts and actions. And when physical satisfaction has been found, it laughs at you!
Now temptation does what it is renowned to do. Its strip you of pride, and rubs your face with all that is filthy. You are a disgrace before God. You are a disgrace before the Holy Angels. You are a disgrace before all humanity. You are a disgrace to yourself! The only one who is pleased by your stupid choice is temptation.
Worse upon worse, temptation now knows your weakness!
Take note in all these things, I did not call temptation the devil. The book of James tells us that we are tempted and drawn away by our own desires. Yes he is called the tempter. But we, my friends, are the ones pointedly to be blamed.
I have used the example of woman. But I do not blame her singly. It is the most pervasive temptation among man. But it by no means stands alone. Everything that draws us away from what is good and pure is sin.
To some it is lying. To another is money. To one it is gluttony. To someone else it is self-abasement in any form. And temptation will testify, “The myriad is large”!
Temptation knows your weakness. Be honest with yourself, my friend, so do you!
I tell you a truth. You will not overcome the things that tempt you from within. Try as you might you will not find the strength. You are bound like a prisoner to repeat your filthy ways.
The only one who can free us is Jesus the Christ of God. And I do not say so with the slightest sliver of shame. I testify to you that overcoming temptation is quite possible. But you will not overcome if you do not call out to him.
Eternity will be purged. Did you know that? Once this place is done, this place of temptation and testing, nothing that is sin will ever find life. If you needed provocation to consider resisting temptation, let eternal death sink into your mind.
Those who desire righteousness will seek His Holy face. Those who are content to be filthy will never raise their eyes. Death will cover them forever. And no one will say, “Sweet dreams”.
By His Grace
There is a roar in those nations referred to as “advanced”.
A quaking of souls, massed together in humiliation,
Each one buzzes with desire.
Together a thunderous volume of hatred roars.
Against the Holy One they mummer.
For the love of sin they whisper their joy;
Now shouting with their unholy practice.
Do they think the din of unholy noise will not reach Heaven?
Adoring the parade of wicked desire.
Propriety is forced to hide;
That brilliant, lovely, gentle dressing of soul.
“Get away from us! You have nothing to offer anymore.”
So they turn to perfumes to hide the stench.
They turn to guilded eyes to hide the darkness within.
Rich clothing, consuming of wages gained,
Adorning rotting bodies.
“Propriety is dead! ‘Proper living’ is useless.
We will celebrate gain! This we will elevate to holy worship.”
Chaos fills the desire of man.
Unholy things fill his unholy temples.
While the body rises to the strength of proud legs,
His soul slithers on the ground.
As the sharpened blade glints in the sunlight,
So his practices, unholy, glint in the Majesty of God.
As the blade sinks deep to cut off life,
So the practices of unholy men rest on their breast bone.
A tiny shove and life is over.
Let surprise show on their faces.
Let the Holy Lord of Life press truth against the handle.
Let temptation, enticing, lies, and desire,
Be pressed away from Him.
Salvation is offered.
But the One who offers is relegated,
To the shadows of a darkened alley.
Who will dare approach?
Who will brave death to embrace Life?
The Holy One’s promises are eternally true.
One is for death.
The other is for Life.
Rise from your drunken stupor!
You die the Death unrestrained.
How will you stand on that Horrible day for sinners?
What strength will your legs of flesh find,
When He rises to judge?
So be it!
Let your soul slither on the ground!
It is in proper posture already.
For every knee will bow,
Every tongue will confess,
That Jesus, the Christ of God, is King,
Lord,
Master,
Glory,
Honor,
Righteousness,
Faithfulness,
And Truth.
Amen, Amen, Amen!
We: Live, Die, Face Judgment. Jesus or die twice.
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