Dale Cresap's blog

I tell you not to judge others that you may not be judged, for you shall be judged by the same standard by which you judge others. Does this mean that you must go through life oblivious and unaware? Yet I also commended awareness in that I wanted my followers to have eyes to see and ears to hear. How can these things be reconciled? I want you to be discerning in that you comprehend reality both visible and invisible. Can you do this and stop short of invoking the condemnation that is involved in being judgmental? Then I can give you discernment for my redemptive purposes in the lives of those you meet.

Do you give money to support my work? In some cases you are given the choice to give to support a particular need, or you can choose to let those who receive the money apply it where it is needed most. If you trust someone enough to send them money, can you also trust them enough to do the right thing with it? This is your choice, but consider the parallel. I lavish blessings upon you in material resources and in many other ways. Not all of them are for you to consume directly, but provide the means for you to pass on and bless others.

Freely you have received, freely give. This is such a basic simple principle that it is hard to argue with, but have you ever encountered someone who has an obvious gift from me that they are stingy with? Or someone with a powerful gift from me that expects money, or recognition or power in exchange for exercising it? This is not to criticize the practice of freewill offerings, and if those are handled graciously it is clear that they are to be freely given so the giver can be cheerful. If you recognize that everything you have is a gift from me, then I have set a precedent by which you can pass it on without charge.

You know that your body cannot live without food. Do you know that your soul cannot live without meaning? You know when your body is hungry. Do you know when your soul is hungry? You can live your life doing the same activities that others do, but if you do not have a sense of purpose and meaning then you are just going through the motions and your soul will wither and die. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. It is no accident that the language of appetites is used in this passage. Blessed are those who recognize the hunger in their soul and know how it may be satisfied in me.

Why do you go to church? Do you go to meet with me? Do you go to socialize with your friends? Do you assume that these are contradictory goals and that one is high and lofty and the other one shallow and superficial? It doesn’t have to be such a stark choice. I promised that where 2 or 3 were gathered in my name I was in the midst of them. You can find my presence in a faith community and there are aspects of your spiritual formation that cannot be completed apart from one. Life in community is more than socializing, even as I have referred to my church as a body with many members.

Have you heard that he who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward? That sounds like a good deal. Do you know any prophets to receive? Can you apply the same principle to your day and age? Can you find something to affirm in every church, even those you do not belong to? What do you normally hear from other believers? That their church is the best in every measure that matters? That is a much greater claim than saying it is a good fit for them now. I gave gifts to every church. If you can acknowledge and receive them, then you are acknowledging my work in them, and will receive the same reward that is due them.

Are you led by the Spirit? Do you resent any interference in your plans? Do you see a conflict between these things? For my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts, but I am willing to share my thoughts and ways with you. Are you willing to follow them? I don’t expect you not to make plans. Most of the time you will be able to carry our your intentions. But can you hold your plans with humility, being open to switch to a better plan if I provide one? It is better still to be led by the Spirit when you make your plans so you don’t have to change them on the way.

Do you like your freedom? I tell you to stand fast in the liberty in which I have made you free. Are you mature enough in your response to freedom that it gives life rather than leading to dissipation? You are free to use your freedom any way you choose, but you have seen people whose lack of restraint works against them. Don’t let that happen to you. Use the freedom of action that you have to choose for yourself the internal framework and structure that you need to build a life of meaning and purpose and intention. This is standing fast in an expression of liberty that will give you life.