Dale Cresap's blog

Have you ever been to a church where the people refer to each other as brother and sister? This endearing practice is becoming less common. The Bible gives an account of a man who asked me, who is my neighbor? In the beginning, there was no doubt about everyone being related. Now the population of the earth has increased drastically. Does this make it more difficult to view everyone as your neighbor, let alone your brother and sister? Yet this increase does not in principle negate the original premise that all people are related. Whether your church follows this practice or not you can still regard them and everyone else as your brother and sister even if you don’t address them that way. 

If someone came to you in desperation to be released from their burden of sin you would know exactly what to tell them. Forgiveness of sin has been the trademark feature of the Christian faith from the beginning. Does this ever happen to you? Don’t you find that the only people who care about sin are already in the church? Then what approach do you take to evangelism? It is not your job to convince people they are sinners. Conviction of sin is the task of the Holy Spirit. Yet this does not leave you passive and impotent. You are the salt of the earth. Your conduct is a greater factor than you realize in the advancement of the gospel. 

Do you know why you are here? How many people do you meet who say, if I was rich this is how I would devote my time? Have you ever said this? The statement is an acknowledgement of longing for a deep sense of purpose, but it ends up being an excuse for not doing it. How many rich people do you know who live from a deep sense of purpose? Perhaps it is better to look at those who do live from a deep sense of purpose. How many of them are wealthy? Even if you have to earn a living, how do you spend your spare time? I know your life situation and the demands on you, but I will not allow them to prevent you from reaching your destiny if you seek it. 

Do you see yourself as a defender of the faith? My word commends bold evangelism, preaching, and proclaiming the good news of the gospel of the Kingdom. Yet these are not inherently defensive activities. My word also commends you to seek first the Kingdom of God. Can you be a seeker and a defender at the same time? Doesn’t defensiveness close off the openness that is necessary for seeking? How effective have you been at defending the faith? Do you find yourself open to receive from people who are defensive themselves? Seek me, and trust me that my message will go forth more effectively from your openness than your defensiveness. 

Are you under the influence? You trust that you are ultimately following me, yet you are not following a faith tradition that descended from heaven in pure essence. Even very early in Christian faith there were those who identified with prominent personalities, such as I am of Paul, or of Apollos, or of Christ. The last one of these may seem to be the purest form, but it is the denial of the reality that people were involved in transmitting your current faith tradition to you. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging those who have gone before to bring you the message of redemption. It is beneficial to know who has influenced you. 

You understand that the forgiveness of sins is central to the Christian faith. Once you have received that, what comes next? Everyone is looking for validation; the reassurance that everything about them is OK. What I offer instead is the promise of transformation, that through a process that takes a lifetime you can be changed into my image and likeness. I don’t pretend that this is easy. It includes elements of being sifted like wheat, and tried in the fire. It involves laying down your life, and picking up your cross, and following me. Keep engaged in your inner work even when it is difficult. Transformation is better than validation. 

Do you trust your instincts to make snap decisions and make major life decisions quickly? Has this ever worked out badly for you? Indecision is paralyzing but this is an area where balance is called for, and snap decisions are out of balance in the other direction. What do you see in my word? I gave Gideon an assignment and he put out a fleece before me with special conditions for confirmation. Then he asked for more confirmation, and then he did as I directed. What do you see in your own life? Don’t I give you confirmation for major life decisions? I am steadfast and time will validate my words. Keep moving ahead and open to be convinced, and then obey. 

Do you like good news? Who doesn’t? Do you know what the word ‘gospel’ means? It means good news. When you present the gospel message to people, do they respond with great enthusiasm and say, wow, that is really good news? If not, then what is wrong? There are many aspects to the gospel message. You don’t have to start with trying to convince people they are evil. If you understand that the root problem of the lost is their alienation from their true identity, then you can tell them that it is possible to know as they are known, and live from their true being. This is a part of the gospel message, and it is really good news. 

Do you think that your faith requires you to be a grim defender of every point of doctrine? Have you ever encountered such people? What was your overall impression of them? Do they seem to be effective advocates for the faith? You don’t have to fight every battle. I didn’t. I was silent before my accusers, and told my followers to let alone the self-appointed blind guides. It is also OK to use humor. It helps to diffuse tense confrontations that have no potential as learning opportunities anyhow. A soft answer turns away wrath. Be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves and I will give you opportunities to be my faithful witness. 

Do you hold believers to higher standards than unbelievers? My word teaches you that God will judge those outside the church, but opens the door for, and even encourages, standards of conduct for those who join together in my name. When I prayed, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do, I was referring to unbelievers. Have you ever felt the urge to offer the same prayer for those who believe? For there is no test of knowledge or conduct involved in salvation, but those who receive it should learn what their decision implies. Blessed are those who do and teach my commandments.