Dale Cresap's blog

Have you heard of the period of history known as the Enlightenment? This period is incorrectly named, for enlightenment is another Biblical term for revelation, and this was a time in which revelation was rejected in favor of human reasoning. What consequences of this change do you still see in effect today? Do you encounter believers who will only accept things they can figure out from their own study of the Bible? I have much to show you from the Bible, but I want you to be aware that it is I who am showing it to you. What does a man have that he did not receive from heaven? Come to me and let me enlighten you. 

Do you tend to judge people by the behavior of their children? Do you assume that the influence of a parent is so strong that there is a direct cause and effect relationship between the conduct of the children and the quality of the parenting? Yet have you not known devout and diligent parents who nonetheless had children who went astray? Consider my own story of the prodigal son. Was there anything wrong with the love of the father? Yet the younger son still departed and disgraced the family. You are not called to judge others. How much less based on the conduct of someone else? 

Are you aware that you live in a fallen world? You see suffering and sin and death and decay. Does it fill your heart with sorrow when you see this evidence? Yet I do not want you to be discouraged. I declared the world to be good before it became a fallen world and it is still my creation. If you look you will see the evidence for this too, in a world that sustains life and growth. Look and see the beauty in this world that is a reflection of my beauty, and see my presence everywhere, intervening in my creation to continually sustain it with favor and blessing. He who has eyes to see, let him see. 

You understand my commandments to avoid idolatry, and that idols can be things other than graven images. You need something to acknowledge as being of supreme importance, and I alone am capable of filling this role. If you don’t choose me you will choose something inferior. Have you noticed that unbelievers find something on which they place undue influence? Lacking a sense of the transcendent they find something close at hand to serve as an anchor. I want you to have a higher viewpoint from which you have a true perspective. Only in me do you have an eternal and infinite horizon and he who is spiritual judges all things. 

Do you know that my Spirit indwells you? For I have declared that your body is my temple. This should not make you arrogant, but you should view it as a tremendous responsibility. All your thoughts and actions should be considered in the light of the fact that you are my dwelling place. Yet I do not want you to think of this as a burden, but rather as an opportunity. I said that you are the light of the world. Conduct yourself with a conscious awareness that I am in you and respond accordingly in every situation. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and hear your good words and glorify me. 

Do you know anyone whose education makes them arrogant and mean? My word warns that knowledge puffs up. Do you know anyone whose faith has the same effect on them? You should find this to be even more disturbing, and my word warns of those because of whom the way of truth is evil spoken of. The first principle of a physician is to do no harm. Follow this same advice in the practice of your faith. I declared woe unto the world because of offenses, but some offenses are inevitable. Some will find it offensive if you are faithful to me. This is acceptable to me, but don’t give them occasion to be offended because your conduct sets a bad example.

Do you love your friends? Is it difficult for you to say so? Your culture narrows the concept of love by tying it so closely to romance, but the Bible makes it clear that this is a broader concept. You shouldn’t be awkward about expressing love for your friends. This comes more easily for women, but I was speaking to my disciples when I said greater love had no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Do you understand that love is my defining characteristic, as it is of those who follow me, who are transformed into my likeness. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable with the concept. 

How much approval do you need to keep going? I told a story about a rich man who went on a long journey. The point of the story was about the conduct of his servants in his absence. He wasn’t present to direct or correct them, and as a result, some behaved badly and didn’t carry out the duties assigned to them. In the story I am the rich man who will return and you are the servant. The people around you may not appreciate your faithful service to me even if they benefit from it. Yet I am with you even as you occupy until my coming. Do you sense my favor and approval to sustain you now, even as you wait for my return? 

Do you think that inexcusable and unforgivable mean the same thing? Blatantly bad behavior is usually referred to as inexcusable, and this is correct. Minor annoyances or differences in taste and preference can be overlooked or excused without invoking the redemptive process. Many things are excusable for those who hesitate to take offense. Forgiveness involves the process of redemption. Things that are inexcusable are forgivable. Bring your own offenses to me for I am rich in mercy and eager to forgive, and hold this same attitude toward others, since you have been forgiven much yourself. 

What makes you happy? My disciples rejoiced that they were able to perform effective ministry in my name. Do you think this is a more noble reason for rejoicing than getting a present, or approval and recognition for achievement, or getting your own way? But my response to them was that they should not rejoice that the demons were subject to them, but that their names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. This is not a material benefit for your indulgence or status, and is not an achievement you can boast of. Yet if you understand its real meaning and value it will be your true basis for rejoicing as well.