Why does the following slice of logic escape the mind of the “wise”?
You make revisions to the laws of God, and you pat yourself on the back for accomplishing such a grand victory. But you fail to take notice that the law you have revised is only a copy of the original.
The original law of God remains in heaven and eternity, far beyond the reach of an eraser and pencil. Tell me then, what is the substance of your so called victories?
What is fear? Isn’t it fear to ponder what can be done to us? Doesn’t fear come because we know we are weak and defenseless.
What is perfect strength? Isn’t it the knowledge that we are perfectly protected? Doesn’t strength come because we know that He who protects us is above all things?
Therefore I am proud of my weakness and am not afraid. For the One who has sworn, by his very blood to protect me, That One cannot lie!
I see the fear that was in me, and gladly spit in its face. “You will not own me! You have been dethroned. You are destroyed before you speak! The One who is above you owns this soul.”
Come! Believe beside me. The shadow of fear has no hold on those who believe!
From Eternity, he was Faultless.
Restrained in body, just the Same.
And since death had no claim upon him,
He bid it, “Have free reign”.
“IT IS FINISHED!”
——————–
Eternal Majesty, robed in flesh.
The Majesty of God, walked among us.
And as he hung up on the cross,
Majesty was willingly clothed with oblivion.
“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.”
———————————–
The Christ of God is risen from the dead!
He is seated forever at the right hand of the Most High God!
Let all the world hear the proclamation!
To those who know:
Do not seal it up!
The Christ is God forever!
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
By His Grace
Anxiety and death,
Hunkydory buddies,
Had left my house in a mess.
With all shades drawn
They carried on,
Chaotic,
And that without rest.
But I sold my house
To the Law of the Lord.
He came in like thunder!
Unceasingly under-mining,
All of the strength they had.
Bit by bit and little by little,
Their chaos the Lord did whittle.
The Siamese twins have been evicted!
Oh man, am I glad they’re gone!
Please show me dear Lord,
How to open the drapes
And put things where they belong.
By His Grace
The wisdom of God, now attends my days. If someone must place a percentage, I confess that the Lord Jesus rules, well over, 90% of my thoughts. Personally I think that is a conservative percentage. But the opinion of man cannot be trusted.
He has done all this! The entirety of the gospel belongs to him. And from the message of the gospel the ascension from sin has become.
I am not saying I am sinless. Rather I am saying there is placed a brutal guard over all my thoughts and actions. And if one escapes, he is captured and brought back for examination. Execution belongs to the culprit.
Yet more credit belongs to the power of God to transform. For God instructs, moment by moment, according to His perfect righteous ways. According to my willing ability to obey.
These things are marvelous, and a very welcome life! But something “other”, even more amazing, comes to visit from time to time. And this “other”, is the provocation for this writing.
I am often reminded, by some familiarity, of the man I used to be. And with stunning clarity,, and regularity, I find no righteousness in my past. The word “no” has a definitive meaning.
Let any memory come to mind, and my response is shocking revulsion. At first I am shocked that I would do such things for such reasons. And then quickly comes the shocking revelation that I am not dead.
We have all heard it said, in one fashion or another, “If it were not for Christ Jesus I would have no life at all”.
If confession were made, most Christians would confess, their nod is without full understanding. By what they know of Christianity, that saying must be true. Though they embrace it, spiritual fruit in their life displays their lack.
In this the saying of the Lord is true, he who is forgiven much loves much. Conversely, he who finds little need for forgiveness, is likely to rely on his own ability. This one’s love is likely to be split between the Sovereign God and himself.
I do not mean to say this with judgment. It is simply a fact of life.
But the longer and farther I walk with Jesus, the more alien and repulsive my past becomes. It can be likened to a virus, which has attached itself to every memory; this lack which provokes amazement.
I pray this has some value to my brothers and sisters, and to those who desire to become Christians. May every child of God come to abhor who he was.
It occurs to me, that there may be an oddball or two out there like me. A few who actually desire this place the Lord has brought me to stand.
How can such a one hope to arrive? The answer is rather simple. However the journey is anything but.
Give yourself permission to examine every action and every motive you have ever had. Hold it up as one would a transparency into the light. Examine it before the righteousness of God. The comparison will be stunning.
Such a life is not for the faint of heart. But wasn’t it said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven is forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it”?
By His Grace
Among people, who are those who suffer well? It is those who own nothing of what they own.
These are prepared to lose everything, even while they have it all. It is the one who is determined, while in wealth and health, to die penniless and miserable. This one cannot be held hostage to expectations full of error. If prosperity of possessions continues to a peaceful death in his own bed, such a one will have lived his life without fear of loss.
Though all he has is taken. Though sickness viciously tears at his body. Though the wicked greed of man rips his belongings from his control. This one will prosper.
Yet is it enough to be stoic in our life? Is it necessary to pass by the loaf of bread while you have money and hunger? Is it right to purchase the rust bucket chariot so that you will suffer the pains of upkeep? Is it required of us to live under a pile of leaves in a part of the forest we don’t, and can’t own? Such people are not being responsible with what has been given them.
What provokes the Responsible life? Is it the desire of a man to become completely humble among all men? That mind-set is produced from the pride of life. Pride can’t, by its very nature, produce humility. Such a man might feel pretty proud of himself, after all, he has forsaken what other people crave. But his humility is crushed by a whisper of pride.
Jesus provokes the true strength of life. His strength in a man is beyond ALL the things of this world. Because His teaching and “in dwelling” comes from Heaven; a place which has never entertained the temporary wealth of this place. And NEVER will.
If we want to be strong. If we want to endure with stellar conviction. If we want to live that “over coming” life, we will have to appropriate the teaching and character of the Lord Jesus. While we live in relative peace, it is best to be prepared for the worst. Let us not compile “things” so that we will be able to endure hardship. Let us prepare our heart to be God’s champion, even if the entire world comes after us.
How does cancer become a trophy to be desired? How does molestation become a crown of joy? How does losing our job, or place in the family, become a stepping stone to eternally born victory? All these things, and the myriad of things that can happen to a person, become glory when we embrace failure. We love our weakness, because it gives us an opportunity to overcome! Even our own sins can become trophies of Grace. Such things can produce a certain kind of humility that cannot be manufactured by the desire of a man. Nor can it be purchased by any of our possessions.
We encounter hardship for the sake of Christ. We encounter hardship for the sake of testifying that God’s love and promise are vastly more, and true, than anything the world can provide. We testify that life can be lived, even while this world has strapped us to a post in the middle of a raging fire. We can clap our charred hands, even while the skin of our bodies walks toward becoming a lump of coal. Thus, we encourage others to love the God who bestows such incredible strength.
Let us testify that God in us, is greater than all things. Prosperity, health, wealth, sickness, persecution, joy, poverty, alienation, or fame, cannot take away the riches of Christ in any man! It is the man who counts any of these things as more valuable or stronger than the promise of God. This is the one who will likely lose it ALL.
We: Live, Die, Face Judgment. Jesus or die twice.
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