Dale Cresap's blog

Do you see me in the gospels as loving and gracious? How do you see me in Revelation? Does there appear to be a different Jesus in Revelation? Do you think I finally have had enough and reach a breaking point, calling an end to grace and executing vengeance? Yet this would be a more human reaction than a divine one, and you have strong doctrinal support for my unchanging nature. Even in the apocalypse I reveal myself as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Do you look at this record of end time events as the final act of retribution? I want you to read it again and see it as the final act of redemption. 

Have you ever wandered far away from me? No matter how far away you go you can return in a single step, or even less, because I will receive you as soon as you turn toward me. Were you expecting to have to work your way back? If it was not by your own works that I received you to begin with, how would I expect you to earn your way back? The prodigal son did not expect a warm welcome at home after ruining the family’s fortune and reputation, but he got one nonetheless. When he left he was indifferent to his father’s love but he came back with a renewed revelation and appreciation of it. You can expect the same yourself. 

A man said that I was good and I replied that only God is good. Does this seem like a cynical statement to you? How much time do you spend trying to classify people into those who are good and those who are not? If you accept my statement it relieves you of this burden. Does this mean that all people are evil? You can accept my statement about the goodness of God without making the logical inference that people are not. After all, I told you not to judge others. Do you then see this statement as liberating rather than cynical? For you can give the ministry of life to others and receive it from them without having to determine if they are good or not. 

You know how central the cross is to the Christian faith. My cross has become the universally recognizable symbol of Christianity world-wide, and many of my followers wear a small one as jewelry. How prominent is the cross in your own life? Do you think that my cross makes you exempt from bearing a cross yourself? You could not do what I did for you on the cross, but my word teaches you to lay down your life and pick up your cross daily and follow me. There is an element of death involved in following me. Even though it is not a physical death you will find life in being a living sacrifice. 

You understand the importance of forgiving others the offenses they commit against you. Carrying unresolved claims of justice is a heavy burden that I did not intend for you to bear. Do you carry it because you impose conditions for granting forgiveness and wait for the other party to meet these conditions? This places too much power over you in their hands, and makes you a judge of their actions. Do you claim to forgive and still keep the case open, rehearsing in your mind all the reasons why you were wronged and why you are justified in keeping the records and arguments in place? Close the case, destroy the evidence, and forgive from your heart that you may live. 

All armies and some schools have their members wear uniforms. This is not done to limit individual creativity, but to give a common sense of identity and purpose. Can you imagine trying to form recruits into an army if they remained in civilian clothes? Yet I refer to my people as an army and they don’t wear uniforms, even though all the reasons that soldiers do are valid. How do I accomplish the same ends without them? I am looking for spiritual unity which is above and beyond the uniformity that armies strive for. Do you see the evidence of it around you? Contend for it by faith that you may see and practice unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Do you tend to associate with people of similar beliefs? Are you more concerned that your friends be doctrinally correct, or that their lives are expressions of goodness and kindness and love? Ideally they would be both, as would you, but I gave an example in my word of a good Samaritan who was the good neighbor to the beaten man because he showed kindness even though his beliefs were in error. This was a clear example of how I rank priorities. Aren’t you attracted to those who display these qualities more than those who are right about everything? Others feel the same way about you. 

Have you noticed how many more choices you have available to you today? Products that used to come in one version are now customizable with a multitude of colors, features, and styles. You used to have to get used to whatever was available. Now it appears that the world is infinitely malleable to meet your preferences. My word tells you not to be conformed to this world. Do you accomplish this through the expression of your choices as a consumer? Everyone around you has the same choices.

Have you heard it said that blood is thicker than water? This implies the substance of family relations. Yet I tell you that relationship is thicker than blood. Haven’t you experienced this yourself, in finding a stronger bond between yourself and your friends than at least some of your relatives? In my time on earth I said that my brothers were those who heard and obeyed the word of God. You would like to have those related to you to accompany you on your spiritual journey but you have no assurance of this. You do have my promise that those who are rejected by their families for my sake will have a hundredfold of brothers as companions as they walk with me. 

Large institutions of higher learning are called universities. The name implies universal instruction; learning in every field of human knowledge. This is a strong claim to make. Do you see yourself as a student? I tell you that you are enrolled in the great university of the Holy Spirit. I want you to look at every event of life as a learning experience. Do not ask whether there are things to learn from what you go through, but what I am saying to you through them. For I promised to send the Comforter to lead you into all truth. Expect this and you will see it everywhere you look.