Dale Cresap's blog

How high do you set the bar for those you would minister to? Consider my own example. Did I ever ask anyone to recite the Ten Commandments before I would heal them? What did I ask? I typically only asked if they wanted to be healed. Even I wasn’t going to force blessings on them against their will. Other than that I required no payment or knowledge or commitment. In other words I set the bar really low. I have commissioned you to go forth and do the same things that I did, and given you the power to do these things in my name. in doing this you should follow my example.

Are you eager to cause your enemies pain? What about heaping coals of fire on their heads? That sounds very painful, but the Bible says you should do it. Yet this passage is not written in the context of aggressive torment, but rather of conviction by your example. Treating your enemies better than they would expect from you should activate their conscience. So don’t be surprised if your acts of love towards those who oppose you makes them uncomfortable. Is this a loving way to treat your enemies?

Do you think more offense is given or taken? This question can only be answered if there is an objective standard for what is offensive. An offense requires two parties, just like a transaction requires a buyer and a seller, and in this case neither side can claim to be loving and gracious. You are warned against giving offense in that it is better to be cast into the sea tied to a millstone than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. But if you would be truly gracious, then you can learn to overlook personal slights and offenses and not be offended by them.

Do you believe in one true church? Some people think that one true church is their church. They know better than to claim that they are the best, or the greatest in the Kingdom of God. But that doesn’t stop them from making a similar claim about their church. For an individual to make such a claim is rare, but to make such a claim on behalf of a group is quite commonplace. This is one step removed and not quite as blatant, but it is still arrogant. My body has many members and my mansion has many rooms. I have other sheep who are not of this fold. So is there one true church?

Have you heard that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? There is a basis for this in that we seek to emulate that which we admire. It is an affirmative response to change your own behavior. Do you worship me? I am pleased to receive this, but did I ask my disciples to worship me or to follow me? I came to earth for many purposes, one of which was to provide an example for you to follow, and another was to enable you to do this. Worship can take many forms, and I am eager to accept them all.

Are you an evangelist? You may think this is an office and title but my Great Commission was given to all believers. Do you have a hobby or favorite pastime or team? Don’t you find it easy to talk to strangers about something you love and have enthusiasm for? You can patiently explain the details about why it is important to you and you don’t consider it a burden to do so. This is a universal principle for all activities, beliefs, and associations. So the concept of evangelism is inherent in the human spirit.

What do you know about humanism? Is this word, particularly paired with secular a code word for atheism? But doesn’t it imply a favorable attitude toward humans? Consider the commandment that I gave second priority after loving God, that you love your neighbor as yourself. Consider how I spent my own life. I declared the doctrine of the Kingdom of God, but I spent more time helping people and healing them, which is the practice of a doctrine of the Kingdom of God. Is doctrine or human compassion of greater importance to you?

Do you have favorite teachers and authors? Are you prone to accept what they say with less scrutiny than others? On the other hand, are you skeptical of those without a ‘name’ and reputation, and more prone to reject what they say? I am not a respecter of persons and you should not be either, but I know this is hard for you. I promised that if you seek you would find. If you love the truth then seek it and rejoice when you find it. It doesn’t matter whose voice speaks it, or whose pen writes it down.

In times past chloroform was used for general anesthesia. This was considered a great medical breakthrough. It is no longer used this way, since it is now considered toxic above a 2 ppm level. It was an increase in knowledge that led to its medical use, and a further increase in knowledge  that led to its replacement in this application. You can be glad for both things.

How do you see evangelism? Like sales or marketing? These are common activities you are familiar with, but is proclaiming the gospel message just like selling a product? Do you see it as a secretary making appointments for the boss? Your task is to introduce people to me, or facilitate their encounters with me. In the corporate world, a prudent secretary knows who should have access to the boss and when, and a wise boss will trust the secretary and honor the appointments. I have given you the authority to act as my secretary. If you make appointments for me I will honor them.