Living the Dream...Good Times

What are "good" times? What is the "good" life? In the author's opinion, it is being His Hands and Feet. Life as part of the Body of Christ is more rewarding and offers more precious memories than "living a little" as the carnally-minded say. The author hopes that he can share one fond memory of "good" times and living while in church. Although, it is said that one's left hand should not know what one's right hand is doing, it is a fond memory of alms-giving.

While attending a small "storefront" church, a young woman came in with a couple of children. She sat in the pew with her children and looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. When the floor was opened for testimonies, she stated her concern. It was financial. She was between jobs had a utility bill which must be paid and needed groceries. She did not openly ask for money. She asked for prayer that she might find a job. While she made her supplication, the collection plate was passed. The collection was not for her, but it was for the church. When the plate reached her children, one asked the other, "Did you bring the money?" And, the author saw them place a few pennies in it. And, one said, "I prayed. I know this will work!"

The author was touched by his faith. 

[Luk 17:6 KJV] 6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

The author had some cash in my wallet. Which he usually does not carry, but he was planning on some grocery shopping himself. So, he shared it with the young family. Simply, being His Right Hand.

In this lifetime, this author has made it rain in the club, like a "fool" living a little.

[Eph 5:5 KJV] 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

How can one make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

[Mat 19:26 KJV] 26 But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

[Mar 10:27 KJV] 27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

[Luk 18:27 KJV] 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

And, he did not just fall off of the turnip truck when it entered town around noon. He is fully aware that this young woman might have been a grifter who trained her children in that art at an early age. Some families do such things, although they have plenty of wealth. For some, it is never enough.

But, the author sowed a seed and let the Lord handle the Justice.

Good Memories and Good Times are not formed from hangovers.

After living a little in his twenties, he discovered that he was truly living before he started "living a little". In fact, such riotous living was only death in small draughts.

When in Rome...

Might the Lord bless and keep you, delivering you from all forms of wickedness and vile behavior. Part of the author's liberation from sin was derived from experiences with a couple of Hebrews, one modern and the other ancient. And, each of these Hebrews expressed an enlightened view of New Testament scripture.

The first, a dear classmate from fifth grade, asked this, "Why do Christian not follow the Law more closely?" She said that her mother had read the Old and New Testament with her and explained why Hebrews felt that Christ was not the Messiah. Her primary evidence for this was Matthew 5:17-20 (KJV) from the Sermon on the Mount:

[Mat 5:17-20 KJV] 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Her question for the author was, if Christians truly believed in Christ and loved Him, why will they not do what He says. Why do they feel that they need not be law-abiding based upon the Old Testament.

The "best" answer that one could have given her at the time is found in Romans 3.

[Rom 3:3-4 KJV] 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

And in this passage also is the verse that many Christian whose ears itch for the "permissive", "law-breaking" gospel of scripture cite and take out of context. Yet, such is a perversion of the Gospel. 

[Rom 3:28 KJV] 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Yet, this "relaxation" of statutes was given concerning one difficult and somewhat impractical statute for adult male believers. That is the law of circumcision.

It is the case that roughly thirty verses earlier one can find the topic and context for this "relaxation".

[Rom 2:25-29 KJV] 25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.

[Rom 3:2-4 KJV] 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

These verses set-up the context for Romans 3:28. The topic of discourse in which it is given is "whether adult male Gentiles should be circumcised before acceptance in the fold." And, an implied conclusion which one can draw from Romans 3 is that an Old Testament Law should only be "relaxed" if and only if it permits greater adherence in other areas. Second Romans also provides verse which support this conclusion.

Yet, as Christ said in paraphrase, we must follow His Law if we seek an Eternity of Peace.

He also told his followers,[Mat 5:48 KJV] 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect., nearly in the same breathe as Matthew 5:17-20.

And, Paul also wrote:

[1Co 10:13 KJV] 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

And Christ said,  concerning the burden of temptation versus taking up one's cross,

[Mat 11:28-30 KJV] 28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light. 

A life free of sin is more pleasant, beautiful, and enjoyable than one rife with it. Sin is suffering. Years past have provided this author with a chaste urban monastic lifestyle for well over a decade. It was quite wonderful until he started espousing the benefit and joys of it. Some others rejected him and his lifestyle more so than it rejects the modern GQBLT community of which many Americans are members. And, on an occasion while spending time in a hospital, called Immanuel Medical Center of all names, nursing staff continually gave him erectile dysfunction medications asking if he were comfortable. This occurred after he experienced something all unmarried adult men periodically should while hospitalized, a nightly emission. The spiritually immature and outright wicked among us feel that such is laughable and a sign of childishness.

And, although the Lord's Word is quite true, the author "fell" and entered a life of fornication again.

As Paul states,

[Eph 5:3-7 KJV] 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. [Reconcile this with Paul's writings in Romans 3:28 KJV. This partially is why he stated what he did in Romans 3:31 KJV.] His Law is Eternal as is Christ Blood and Suffering. Neither should be taken lightly.

With this said, the author understands the consequences of sin. And, he fully trust that unless he overcome this fornication addiction, which is partially driven by his only life's addiction, pornography, he will not hear, "well-done good a faithful servant". Yet, it is comforting knowing that we serve a just God who will not tolerate the wickedness of sin and has prepared a place for those who accept His offering for the remission of sin. This remission can be a livelong cessation if one diligently seeks Him. Scripture states that He is a rewarder of such.

[Heb 11:6 KJV] 6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

What are you seeking this day? Carnal wealth, fame, sexual pleasure, pain-numbing narcotics. or some other of this life's poisons. Let the author suggest that you try El-Shaddai. His Love and Mercy will meet your life's needs.