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Men of more sound understanding lived in generations different than now, a time when ordinary and meek men were so used to turn lost men to God! Sinners were saved! Men who would have burned in the Presence of God for all eternity, they rather broke their idols and burned their books of witchcraft. The city backlashed the bold repentance and faith of countrymen crucified with Christ, and this clash created the predestinated witness that God sought after at last (Rom. 8:36) – “we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter”. This climactic Image of Christ living in the Church on earth was sealed by this God-ordained, yet mysterious clash, man to man, when holy men and unholy men, with God, met face to face. These 1st century Christians “endured such a contradiction of sinners” in their “striving against sin” (Heb. 12:3-4), which meant that they rejected their popular cliques, did upset their family unity, and became the troublesome aggravation of society’s honorable elite who domineered in idolatrous fraternities! The self-obsessed “nobility” of the city was the power class of the heathen – emboldened in sin – and they, even they, FEARED that their life of sin was in danger! Can you imagine it!? The highest class of wealth and power which fared sumptuously in sin and debauchery, even they were melting with fear that their livelihood of sin was in danger of extinction! The idolatry-fueled economy was crashing into a depression with no economist making the claim, but streetside bonfires hailing Jesus’ Name! Men were in fear, fear for the safety of their world of lies and sin, that this Christ in men would utterly end it at last! Therefore did the servants of the devil bestir themselves to violently oppose it with boundless immorality. Blaming God and beautifying the devil, they shed the blood of their converted family, friends, and fellow countrymen. Do you see the point? These Christians had POWER; therefore sinners feared to let them have a fair-standing freedom to preach in the public eye. Doomed to do the devil’s will, the heathen murdered the righteous children of Christ, and no wonder; it is just like they did to Christ. It was because Christ in their countrymen was destroying sin (1 Jn. 3:8)! This Christ in the 1st century Christian men – He did “fill Jerusalem” (Acts 5:28), and then “every where” (Acts 21:28, 28:22) else in “the world” (Acts 24:5), with sin-destroying, sinner-saving Truth! “I am the Truth” – saith Christ! Oh! Will we ever recover that wondrous secret of abiding in the Lord?
Oh! Let God reason with us again, reasons why we should walk worthy!
While dwelling in the world…I must not, I cannot be of the world!
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)
This world, a snake-infested path filled with Satan’s wrath,
Yet I know my enemies shall be heeled-down at last (Gen. 3:15).
I will not dwell on my unregenerate past,
My Father in heaven did against the devil laugh.
“And the Dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed,
which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17)
When walking near the devil and I hear his loud Texas rattle,
I will not be powerless like the herding animals, the goat or cattle.
I will not retreat while having sufficient armor for this Battle.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…” (Eph. 6:11-14)
Should I cry wolf while dwelling safe behind the Shepherd’s staff? (Matt. 7:15, 10:16)
Should I gasp while at heaven’s height, while I am utterly out of the enemy’s sight? (Prov. 18:10)
Then I am afraid of black when I am dressed in white! (Rev. 3:5)
Can I believe the devil’s threats while I yet hear My Father’s laugh?
Which sound should I trust while on this grueling, narrow path?
“But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” (Deut. 30:14, Rom. 10:8)
“Set me as a seal upon Thine heart, as a seal upon Thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.” (Song. 8:6)
I will not be weak when in a body of strength, (Heb. 11:34, Eph. 6:10)
When I know my Author has finished my race at length. (Rom. 9:16)
I will not be dead while abiding in Life,
For love stronger than death made me the Savior’s wife.
I will not be a hopeless human while abiding with Hosanna.
I will not go hungry in the desert while surrounded by Manna. (John 6:58)
There is a Rock that follows me, in Whose cleft I can continually resort for free, so how could I remain thirsty? (1 Cor. 10:4)
Dehydration or starvation, is there need for migration? From Christ there is no depravation or separation, shadow of turning, or segregation!
“All that the Father giveth Me shall come to ME, and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)
Could it be that a Christian could not see? (John 14:4)
Barren when grafted into a fat and fruitful Vine? (John 15:5, Rom. 11:17)
Forgetful while having a Holy Ghost memory and mind? (John 14:26, 1 Cor. 2:16)
Confounded while Spirit-led, unforgiven while under the crimson red? (Rom. 8:14)
Undiscerning after all that the Book has said, wandering in the dark with a light over my head? (Ps. 18:28, Job 29:3-4, Ps. 119:105)
Murmuring when rewarded by the Judge’s weights weighed? (Rom. 8:33-34)
Unhealed from my wounds after I am cut by His blade? (Jer. 8:22, Heb. 4:12)
At the giants dismayed, when at the feet of the Almighty we prayed? (Deut. 7:17-21)
Looking for carnal help when Christ in me already obeyed? (Col. 2:6, Col. 2:10)
Can I be poor while in a Treasure House of gold? (Col. 1:27)
Foolish when with the Ancient Creator of old? (Prov. 8:22-31)
A coward when He is bold, I am burning in a Consuming Fire and yet still cold? (Prov. 28:1, Heb. 12:29)
Grace, Grace, an ocean of grace with its billows o’er me rolled!
Can I calculate salvation, number the waves, or grab a hold?
“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee.” (Psalm 139:2-7, 17-18)
Should I be doubting a story already told?
In the timelessness of His charity can I break my predestinated mold? (Jer. 31:3, Rom. 9:13)
Earthly-minded while in His resurrection, can I then be found without lasting affection? (1 Peter 1:22-23)
I cannot believe the devil’s threats, the Father in heaven laughs at his fish-empty nets. (Lk. 5:10)
I will not be dismembered from those with whom I am one! For this reason He did come! (Col. 2:19, John 17:21-23)
I cannot sleep or slumber while under the noonday sun! I cannot lose a race in which He doth in me run! (Rev. 1:16, 2 Cor. 3:18)
Oh! Let God reason with us again, reasons why we should walk worthy!
While dwelling in the world…I must not, I cannot be of the world!
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)
This world, a snake-infested path filled with Satan’s wrath,
Yet I know my enemies shall be heeled-down at last (Gen. 3:15).
I will not dwell on my unregenerate past,
My Father in heaven did against the devil laugh.
“And the Dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed,
which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17)
When walking near the devil and I hear his loud Texas rattle,
I will not be powerless like the herding animals, the goat or cattle.
I will not retreat while having sufficient armor for this Battle.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…” (Eph. 6:11-14)
Should I cry wolf while dwelling safe behind the Shepherd’s staff? (Matt. 7:15, 10:16)
Should I gasp while at heaven’s height, while I am utterly out of the enemy’s sight? (Prov. 18:10)
Then I am afraid of black when I am dressed in white! (Rev. 3:5)
Can I believe the devil’s threats while I yet hear My Father’s laugh?
Which sound should I trust while on this grueling, narrow path?
“But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” (Deut. 30:14, Rom. 10:8)
“Set me as a seal upon Thine heart, as a seal upon Thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.” (Song. 8:6)
I will not be weak when in a body of strength, (Heb. 11:34, Eph. 6:10)
When I know my Author has finished my race at length. (Rom. 9:16)
I will not be dead while abiding in Life,
For love stronger than death made me the Savior’s wife.
I will not be a hopeless human while abiding with Hosanna.
I will not go hungry in the desert while surrounded by Manna. (John 6:58)
There is a Rock that follows me, in Whose cleft I can continually resort for free, so how could I remain thirsty? (1 Cor. 10:4)
Dehydration or starvation, is there need for migration? From Christ there is no depravation or separation, shadow of turning, or segregation!
“All that the Father giveth Me shall come to ME, and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)
Could it be that a Christian could not see? (John 14:4)
Barren when grafted into a fat and fruitful Vine? (John 15:5, Rom. 11:17)
Forgetful while having a Holy Ghost memory and mind? (John 14:26, 1 Cor. 2:16)
Confounded while Spirit-led, unforgiven while under the crimson red? (Rom. 8:14)
Undiscerning after all that the Book has said, wandering in the dark with a light over my head? (Ps. 18:28, Job 29:3-4, Ps. 119:105)
Murmuring when rewarded by the Judge’s weights weighed? (Rom. 8:33-34)
Unhealed from my wounds after I am cut by His blade? (Jer. 8:22, Heb. 4:12)
At the giants dismayed, when at the feet of the Almighty we prayed? (Deut. 7:17-21)
Looking for carnal help when Christ in me already obeyed? (Col. 2:6, Col. 2:10)
Can I be poor while in a Treasure House of gold? (Col. 1:27)
Foolish when with the Ancient Creator of old? (Prov. 8:22-31)
A coward when He is bold, I am burning in a Consuming Fire and yet still cold? (Prov. 28:1, Heb. 12:29)
Grace, Grace, an ocean of grace with its billows o’er me rolled!
Can I calculate salvation, number the waves, or grab a hold?
“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee.” (Psalm 139:2-7, 17-18)
Should I be doubting a story already told?
In the timelessness of His charity can I break my predestinated mold? (Jer. 31:3, Rom. 9:13)
Earthly-minded while in His resurrection, can I then be found without lasting affection? (1 Peter 1:22-23)
I cannot believe the devil’s threats, the Father in heaven laughs at his fish-empty nets. (Lk. 5:10)
I will not be dismembered from those with whom I am one! For this reason He did come! (Col. 2:19, John 17:21-23)
I cannot sleep or slumber while under the noonday sun! I cannot lose a race in which He doth in me run! (Rev. 1:16, 2 Cor. 3:18)
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