Dale Cresap's blog

Are you familiar with the parable of the wheat and the tares? Tares from the enemy are discovered in a wheat field. The workers propose to tear them out, but the owner shows greater wisdom in allowing them to grow up together until the time of the harvest. Are you familiar with the law of reaping and sowing? Each type reproduces after its own kind, so that wheat begets wheat, and tares beget tares. Yet there is a higher law of redemption in which tares can be changed into wheat. This involves a transformation at the most elemental level, a change in spiritual DNA to bring you into adoption as my son. This is the radical good news of the gospel I have commissioned you to preach.

You know that I love you. You know that I called you while you were yet a sinner, and reached out to you while you ran from me. I love you the way you are. Yet I want you to change. If you see a contradiction here it shows that you don’t understand the difference between affection and approval. I do not love you because you are righteous, but because I love you I made it possible for me to impute righteousness to you. My redemptive work in your life begins with your salvation, but it continues with your transformation into my likeness. If I loved you while you were far from me, I will continue to love you while my image develops in you.

Do you think it is enough not to curse and condemn others to live in good will towards them? I tell you that love is more than indifference. This is a first step, but it leaves you neutral and disengaged. Love goes beyond this to be an active involved blessing in the lives of others. I have given you an example to follow. I did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that through me the world may be saved.  Commandments not to do evil are followed by commandments to do good. You may point out that it is not possible to be an active blessing to everyone because the task is too great, but I faced the same limitations you do and was still able to do my Father’s will toward those he had given me.

Do you understand the importance of evangelism? My apostles asked me for boldness in proclaiming the gospel message and you should make it a priority as well. Yet it is still a process that calls for patience. It is an area in which pushing faster and harder doesn’t always give better results. People react badly when they feel they are being coerced or turned into a project. They become defensive and resist even when there is no reason to resist. Look for and respond to every opportunity to obey me, but realize that there are times when you plant and times when you water, but only I can give growth and increase. 

Do you meet believers who say they wish they had lived when I lived on earth? This is not available to you and is not as desirable as you may think. Many who saw me in person did not follow me. Yet you have something better available to you. A witness in my word recounts that though he knew me in the flesh, henceforth he knows me in the spirit rather than the flesh. This same relationship is available to you. This is a superior way of knowing, transcending the limitations of appearance. It is the ultimate reality, and the way you are able to know me as I know you. 

Have you ever seen an altar of human sacrifice? This phrase conjures up images of ancient pagan civilizations and blood rituals, but every church should have one. The shape, size, and construction are not really important but every church should have a place where people can consecrate themselves to me. In this case it is for the living rather than a place of death, but in a larger sense it is a place to lay down your life that you may really live. For I have called you to lay down your lives bearing about in your body my death that the power of my resurrection may also be manifested in you. 

Have you ever heard of fertile ground? This is a misnomer. The fertility is not present in the soil, but in the seed planted in the soil. In my parable of the sower and the seed, the soil represents the hearts of people on whom the fertile seed of my word falls. The soil can bring forth nothing by itself even as without me you can do nothing. Yet it is only in good soil that the seed can bring forth fruit. In like manner you are to abide in the vine, for I am the vine and bear you as the branches. This is such a simple concept and readily understood by natural illustrations. Are you walking in the reality of it? 

Do you have mirrors in your home? Have you ever broken one? This is bad luck according to superstition, but it may be a good idea. It is possible to be too devoted to oneself. A mirror has the obvious function of allowing you to see your own image, but even without one you can focus too much on your own interests and point of view. My word says that you see in a glass darkly, but then face to face. You have higher quality mirrors available to you than when this was written, but they will still only give you your own reflection. Turn away from your figurative mirrors and look to me that you may see me face to face, and brighter than any reflection of you.

Economists understand the connection between demand, supply, and value as it applies to money. Do you understand that this principle can be more broadly applied? Compliments and affirmation tend to be in short supply and high demand. This gives them tremendous value. Those who understand this can use them for flattery and manipulation, but if your motivation is pure you can affirm the work I am doing through someone else and exhort and encourage them to continue. Don’t you thrive on such recognition yourself? Ask me for opportunities to affirm others and I will give them to you for creating so much value at so little cost.

How do you respond to those with whom you disagree? This must include everyone for there are no two people with the same positions on everything, and probably none who disagree on everything. Some people are quick and eager to find areas of disagreement, and then to create distinction and distance, but I have called you seek peace and harmony as much as you are able. Even if your differences with others are irreconcilable there is no need for you to pronounce judgment upon them. If I did not come into the world to condemn the world, how much less should you? Speak the truth in love, and do and teach my commandments with grace.