Dale Cresap's blog

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. 

Do you see a progression in the development of sin, in which those who casually dabble in bad habits end up being more deeply ensnared in them? My word warns against starting down this road, for it leads to a bad destination, and it ends in death. Yet sin is not the destiny for anyone because all have access to the process of redemption. Does this seem like a less predictable outcome? You should be encouraged rather than discouraged by this, for it means that it is never too late to overcome any sin that you see in others, or in yourself.

How would you respond upon entering my presence? Do not be quick to form a response and assume it is correct. My word gives several examples of people who diligently followed me, but when they came before me they were devastated and undone. Isaiah declared, ‘woe is me’, and my beloved John kept falling prostrate. These were not easy experiences for them, but they persevered. When you enter my presence your choices are to press on even though it is painful and requires your transformation, or to draw back and depart from me. Which of these will be your response?

Are you worried about coming into contact with sinners? Are you afraid of being contaminated by them? Yet I was accused of such contact by my critics and I responded that it is the sick who need a physician. My critics were in a worse position than those who received my ministry although they were unable to understand that. You have a term for people like this, ‘holier than thou’, and this is no compliment. If you are about your Father’s business you can do it without being defiled. In this sense to the pure all things are pure. You can minister life without receiving death. 

Science looks for understanding, and the most universal scientific principles are the most highly prized. The elusive goal of scientists is a unified theory that reconciles and explains all observed phenomena. Faith is another approach to understanding, but the goal is similar. You have an innate sense that everything has a proper place in my created order, that everything belongs. Your search to understand this may not end in a set of equations, but it has a superior result. For the context of my Kingdom gives everything its meaning and purpose, and this is something that science cannot do.