Dale Cresap's blog

Those who fall into sin are to be restored in a spirit of meekness and gentleness, being careful that you do not get drawn in yourself. Do you have a ‘grid’ for restoration? I do not willingly crush my children even in the process of correcting them. How much less should you who have been forgiven much yourself? Are you prepared to work with those who repent that they may be healed? Are you prepared to accept them as fellow believers again? It is one thing to accept them as fellow believers who come to receive ministry from you or along side you, but I have ministry for them to perform as part of my plan. Are you prepared to receive ministry from them? 

What attributes do you ascribe to spoiled children? Do you think of them as selfish, undisciplined and self-indulgent? Do you assume that this comes from over-indulgent parents? Adults can have the same qualities to an even greater degree, although they are more subtle in expressing them. Do you refer to adults with the same qualities as being spoiled? Who is to blame for their condition? These characteristics are the opposite of the godliness described in my word. Spoiled fruit cannot be restored to freshness, but marvel at my redemptive power, that even people who are spoiled can come to me and be restored to godly character.

Do you think that you are highly aware of your situation, so that you know about any needs that you have? Could you have any needs that you are unaware of? Most people who come to me do so because of a need they are aware of, such as illness or personal or family crisis, and I end up meeting a need they were unaware of. Your need for reconciliation and redemption is greater than any other need you have. This is true of everyone, but those who are in darkness do not realize it. Let your light so shine before men that they may understand their real needs and come to me to have them fulfilled. 

All your life you have known people by what they look like, what they say, and what they do. These are observations that anyone can make. Yet you are a spiritual being, as is everyone you meet. In my word I tell you to no longer know anyone after the flesh. This requires you to disregard the visible physical reality of other people that you may know them according to the spirit. This takes discernment and a deliberate intent to look beyond the superficial, but if you ask of me I will give you this understanding. I do not say it is easy to unlearn habits and be retrained to see this way, but this perspective is the only one that allows you to see the true humanity and spirituality of those you meet.

Have you ever heard of people referred to as sheep? This implies that they are placid and unthinking followers. This is no compliment. Yet many times in my word I refer to my own people as my sheep. Do you think I mean this as an insult? Yet my word also refers to me as the lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and it is clear that sheep face a better future than goats. It is not within a man to direct his own steps. Even the best and brightest are followers and all the more so if they are unaware that this is true and how much this dynamic affects them. Blessed are those who walk in the light and are delighted to call on me as their shepherd.

The skeptic and the doubter pride themselves on their reason and intelligence for the things they can figure out on their own. This is their primary distinctive. My intelligence so far exceeds theirs that there can be no comparison, for mine is infinite, yet I do not pride myself on it. For my primary distinctive is not intelligence but love, which is greater, and I should know. Do you think that you lack wisdom in comparison to the intellectuals you know? Yet I am willing and eager to share divine wisdom with those I love, who seek and ask it of me. I want them to understand that love is greater than intelligence, and for it to be their primary distinctive as well.

Do you desire the approval of others for being devout? I warned against emphasizing the outward appearances of piety in offices and titles, in manner of dress, and even in your appearance, that those who fast should not appear sullen or somber to be regarded as being spiritual. Are there still more ways in which you value public approval for your spirituality? Even if you avoid these items just mentioned are you content to let others think you are more spiritual than you really are? This is a dangerous trap. Be quick to acknowledge me for your righteousness and yourself for your faults to bear my presence in you with open humility. 

Have you heard it said that you are what you eat? This can be argued at the most basic material level, and a proper diet is important to health, but you are a spiritual being. I taught that it is not what goes into a man that defiles him, but what comes out. For the food you eat passes through you and is eliminated, but what comes out of your mouth is an indication of your heart. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. This is true for better or for worse, for curses and insults and condemnation or for blessing and affirmation and favor. Just as godliness is more profitable than bodily exercise, so the words you speak are more important than your diet. 

Do you believe in the sanctity of life? This is easy to believe in for infants and children who are in a state of innocence. What about adults who have issues and character flaws? This is a more severe test of your commitment to this principle. The sanctity of life is based on the creature being made in the image of the creator. This is still true even if the creature is fallen in sin. It is not based on the life being worthy, but is an intrinsic value. Do you see your fellow men and women as made in my image whether they believe or not? This gives you the same perspective I have, and an appreciation for the magnitude of the great commission. 

Have you heard it taught that Christians should not be involved in politics? This restriction is not in the Bible, but it is often stated by those who oppose the Christian world view. Yet political involvement is a test of character because it is a field that lends itself to strife and acrimonious debate. The polarized camps make stereotyped caricatures of and mock and curse the other side. How do you represent my values without descending into such behavior? You are called to let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify me. If you display grace and maturity in the political realm it will indeed be a light in the darkness.