Those Pseudo Love Advocates

I have been told on more than one occasion, I’m sorry to admit, that I needed more love in my life as a Christian. I was even told this once by a professed drunken believer. Since I take all rebukes seriously I took into consideration the inebriated one’s also. We can not always choose the one God uses to tell us the truth about ourselves: as in Baalam's case! (2Peter 2:16)

I’m sure many of those well-meaning but misguided saints would have shown a little more pity toward this wretched man had they walked in his skin from childhood. Don’t misunderstand me, it is not what they said, but the way they said it I have a problem with. I totally agree with what they said! I long to love as our blessed Lord Jesus loved!

My dilemma comes from the fact that the love advocates trying to straighten me out on my lack of love seem to show little toward me while attempting it. In these conversations many, if not all, show irritation, hostility, and yes, even anger in their rebukes in spite of what we’re told about love in 1Cor. 13. Love manifests itself in longsuffering, kindness, etc.

After all is said and done I think it wise to let God do the work of teaching each of His children to love. “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another,” (1Thess. 4:9). “...because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us,” (Rom. 5:5).

Second in Line

After my dear wife’s death I was crushed with the guilt of regrets, things I should have done and didn’t, and things I didn’t do and should have. But after reading scholarly C.S. Lewis and the godly country preacher Vance Havner, concerning their wives death, I found It was a normal thing.  That is, something  all experience when losing a loved one.

But knowing this didn’t bring peace of soul and mind. The nagging continued. It was then I knew like all sins, faults, and failures, it must be put under the blood of Christ. And so late one night in the darkness of our front room I knelt by my prayer chair and did business with my God. I confessed it, with no intention of doing it again. Knowing, with our merciful God once is enough. Joseph wept when his brothers asked forgiveness a second time, when he had obviously did it earlier. (Gen. 50:17)

As I was about to rise, having settled the matter, I said to myself, “I wish Salle was here so I could ask her forgiveness.” And then the Lord spoke, to my heart, and said, “She is right behind me.” O, the thrill, to know after God she was second in line to forgive me, as she always was while here on earth. God help each of us, when loved ones truly repent, to be second in line to forgive.

“If you’re unforgiving to yourself, you’ll be that way toward others.”

(rds)

Way Back Then

I have never professed to be in the same major league with the theologians and scholars, but I do profess being in the minors with those who are students of the Word. I’ve always tried to follow David’s example when he said, “…neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.” Nevertheless, many of us have our own personal views on problem texts. These views do not always satisfy others, but they do the individual who holds to them. That is, they are comfortable with their view point.

A text that has always seemed to generate more friction than light among the brethren has been Ephesians 1:4. “…he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.” If we believe the extreme position, that we were always “in Christ,” then we were never “in Adam”; therefore, we were not born sinners. This reasoning creates even a greater problem. On the other hand, for us to try to dismiss the fact of our text is to deny God’s foreknowledge of us (Rom.8:29).

The answer that I can live with is found in Hebrews 7:9-10. Levi was in the loins of Abraham before he was born. Positionally, he was always in his father’s loins; but, practically, he only became his son when he was birthed. And so it is with us and our spiritual birth. Paul, who penned Ephesians 1:4, also wrote Romans 16:7. Speaking of two believers, he says of them, “…who also were in Christ before me.” Not positionally, but experientially. We were not always saved; but, Hallelujah! We were always safe.

It's Not Mandatory

“If he offer…the sacrifice of thanksgiving…”

A number of the Levitical offerings were mandatory, but the thank offering was voluntary. It was not “when ye offer,” but “if ye offer.” As far as I can find, no one offered this voluntary sacrifice of thanksgiving until David—not Moses, not Aaron, or anyone else. For close to 500 years, God had not smelled a sweet savor of a thank offering. Is it any wonder this shepherd boy, who became a man of God, had wiggled his way into God’s heart? How pleased the Lord was with such sacrifices. God seems to have an affinity for those who are most appreciative.

The Scriptures abound with the subject of thanksgiving. “In everything give thanks”; “Always giving thanks..;” “Come before his presence with thanksgiving.” If the Bible did not teach the giving of thanks, common courtesy would demand it for all God’s goodness to us. “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good.” In Jesus’ prayers, He said, “I thank thee, O Father…” That’s an excellent example to follow. Let me suggest the next time you have the hum-drums, to try thanksgiving.

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"

Walkin and Talkin

“Jesus himself drew near, and went (walked) with them...And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk...”

(Lk.24:15,17)

Just as you can walk and chew gum at the same time, one can walk and talk to Jesus at the same time. We’re told in Scripture that both Enoch and Noah,“Walked with God.” I think if we had been close enough to them as they walked we would have heard them singing something like, “And He walks with me and talks with me.”

Our Lord desires fellowship with His elect. We see this fact brought out in the context, “And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us...And he went in to tarry with them. (vs 28-29). He wanted to be invited.

A year or so ago I was waiting in the car in our driveway for Salle.  As she was getting in she said, “What did you say?” To which I answered, “I wasn’t talking to you, but the Lord.” She jokingly responded, “I hate it when I interrupt you two.” My friend, that is how real He was and is in both our lives. HE LOVES COMMUNION WITH THE SAINTS!

He's My Everything!

“Christ is all, and in all”

(Col. 3:11)

Squeezed into these six small words is the Apostle Paul’s encyclopedic creed. Of the ninety-five verses found in this little letter, Christ is mentioned no fewer than eighty times. The whole of the Bible is Christocentric. That is, He is the nerve center, so to speak. God’s eternal design is found in Him, and Him alone! The entire universal creation was made by and for Him, and held in place by Him. The physical shows forth the Spiritual.

Jesus Christ is the summation of all things. It is not Christ and...IT IS CHRIST AND CHRIST ALONE. He is the first and the last, and all in between. There is no danger in overemphasizing Him. You can’t say too much about Him, you can’t love Him in excess. Paul breathed Christ every waking moment of the day and night. And if he dreamed, He was there too, I expect. If Christ be our “All,” then one cannot put too high an evaluation on Him.

If He is all, we need nothing more, for “Christ is all.” If we have nothing else, but Him alone, we have the greatest of all treasures within these coats of skin. The Tabernacle was covered with badgers' skins but underneath was pure gold. When Jacob heard Joseph was alive he said, “It is enough.” As a poem A.W. Tozer quotes about God’s questioning His children, “Am I not enough mine own, enough mine own for thee?”

“If Christ is all then we are nothing at all”

(Puritan saying).

Have You Considered Him?

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider...Christ Jesus.”

(Heb. 3:1)

“For consider him that endured...lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

(Heb. 12:2)

The word consider in out texts can have a twofold meaning: a prolonged, concentrated gaze, like that of an astronomer, and also to compare or weigh. Taken together we’re told to fix our minds consciously on Christ, comparing and weighing happenings in His life with our own. It will act as a stimulant in keeping us from fainting.

To regard Him during the tough times in life will keep us in times of discouragement, suffering, temptation, self-pity, lethargy, misunderstanding, loss, and a host of other unbearable hurts and heartaches. Peter tells us, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” (1 Pet. 2:21)

In the Old Testament there is a story how God’s people, thirsty and faint, came to a body of water only to find out  that they were bitter, in spite of the fact their path was in the way of God’s choosing. Moses prayed and God showed him a tree. After casting it into the waters they became sweet. Peter says He died on a tree!  (Acts 5:30)

“Sufferings are but as little chips of the cross.”

(Puritan Saying)

A Great Day Today!

60 years ago today I said YES! to Jesus Christ and His Will. Not for a second have I ever regretted it. Bless That Holy Name.  "May the Lamb that was slain" receive the reward of His suffering!" (Moravian saying)

An Old Disciple

HIMSELF
by A. B. Simpson
Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

Once 'twas painful trying, Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost.
Once 'twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting, Now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning, Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring, Now He has the care.
Once 'twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking, Now 'tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the vail.