Though the old saying, “Giving credit, where credit is due,” is not spelled out in the Bible, its principle is. One such deserving people are those who give the credit, just not those who receive it. We need to give some credit to the creditors.
It seems exalting oneself at another’s expense is the vogue thing today. It takes real heart-felt humility to put the spot-light on someone else and off of us. Pride loves to parade itself as if it were the only one in the marching procession. We like all eyes to be upon us.
The next time someone gives you credit for something, take a minute to appreciate the humility it took to sincerely do so. It’s an easy thing to take credit, to be on the receiving end, but not always easy to give it. Many times it’s a thankless endeavor!
I love the way the translators of the K.J.V puts it in their dedicatory, concerning those who are “eaten-up," so to speak, with themselves. They’re described as, “…self-conceited Brethren who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing, but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil.”
When credit is due another, pay what is owed them.
Nov 23, 2009
Nov 14, 2009
A Word to the Intelligentsia
I personally do not know of anything more magnetic in the academic world than intellectual simplicity. This, no doubt, is what Paul was referring to when he warned the learned Corinthians of not forgetting the simplicity that is in Christ. Just because a great book on higher learning is on the bottom shelf, doesn’t make it any less so. One advantage of having the cookies on the lower shelf is that everyone can enjoy them, just not the “big people.”
I like to think of the intellect as the capacity to hold knowledge, and wisdom as enabling one to dispense it. Or to put it another way, intellect is the bucket, knowledge the fluid poured in, and wisdom the dipper that distributes it.
Though Jesus’ intellect was fathomless, and His knowledge endless, when He disbursed truth to the people, it was ordinary, familiar words He used. The greatest sermon ever preached was the Sermon on the Mount. Notice He used a simple dipper that they were all accustomed to, in satisfying their thirsty souls. Is it any wonder we are told, “…the common people heard Him gladly?”
Character is higher than intellect. ~Ralph
I like to think of the intellect as the capacity to hold knowledge, and wisdom as enabling one to dispense it. Or to put it another way, intellect is the bucket, knowledge the fluid poured in, and wisdom the dipper that distributes it.
Though Jesus’ intellect was fathomless, and His knowledge endless, when He disbursed truth to the people, it was ordinary, familiar words He used. The greatest sermon ever preached was the Sermon on the Mount. Notice He used a simple dipper that they were all accustomed to, in satisfying their thirsty souls. Is it any wonder we are told, “…the common people heard Him gladly?”
Character is higher than intellect. ~Ralph
Nov 11, 2009
Daily Dependence
There are few things in the Christian life that are once-for-all settled. Certainly our salvation tops the list in this brief category (Heb.10:10). But most things are on-going. For example, we are told God gives out His benefits on a daily basis. Israel found they were to be daily dependent during their forty year pilgrimage in the desert.
God has arranged things so that the Christian’s life is to be lived in perpetual day by day reliance upon His faithfulness. Thus He keeps our lives from becoming boring and matter-of-fact. For, says He, “Thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
It’s assuring to know He’s planned ahead for each new day. And exciting to anticipate what new things He has in store for us on any given day. David knew his days were in Deity’s hands, and so he penned, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had been done. (C.S. Lewis)
God has arranged things so that the Christian’s life is to be lived in perpetual day by day reliance upon His faithfulness. Thus He keeps our lives from becoming boring and matter-of-fact. For, says He, “Thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
It’s assuring to know He’s planned ahead for each new day. And exciting to anticipate what new things He has in store for us on any given day. David knew his days were in Deity’s hands, and so he penned, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had been done. (C.S. Lewis)
Nov 3, 2009
Good without God
It seems to me, in the controversial passage of Romans chapter seven, verses fifteen through twenty-five that we have a sinful man (vv.17, 20, 23) trying to be a good man (vv.19,21) without the God Man (v.25).
C.S. Lewis said, “No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.” Paul found you can’t bypass God, trying to be good. Our Lord said as much when He said, “…there is none good but one, that is, God.” Therefore, the only way for a man to be truly good, is to get God into him!
One of Satan’s main goals in the Fall was to tempt man to side-step God, and exchange Him for good alone. You can be good without God; but only in the world’s estimation! It is not good enough for it to be said of a man, “He’s a good man.” But, like Barnabas, of old, “He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost.”
A Godly saint trumps a good sinner every time
C.S. Lewis said, “No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.” Paul found you can’t bypass God, trying to be good. Our Lord said as much when He said, “…there is none good but one, that is, God.” Therefore, the only way for a man to be truly good, is to get God into him!
One of Satan’s main goals in the Fall was to tempt man to side-step God, and exchange Him for good alone. You can be good without God; but only in the world’s estimation! It is not good enough for it to be said of a man, “He’s a good man.” But, like Barnabas, of old, “He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost.”
A Godly saint trumps a good sinner every time
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