SOME NEEDFUL EMPHASES

SOME NEEDFUL EMPHASES

The CROSS of Christ remains that in which to glory as Paul says in Galatians 6:14, of Him who died yes, indeed, is bodily risen. So risen and now glorified, He is equipped to return. He who was resurrected, will resurrect, and resurrecting will receive into glory those who are His. But notice this of the Cross of Christ: BY IT (or by WHOM of Christ, as it could be rendered), the WORLD IS CRUCIFIED TO ME AND I TO THE WORLD.

Indeed, read SEEING WITH THE GLORY IN ONE'S EYE ON THIS TOPIC, AND SEE HOW ITS SIGNIFICANCE SPREADS!

Crucifixion with Christ is a just and necessary topic, set in the very summit by Paul, and the pith of the work, 'Born Crucified' (Maxwell of Prairie Bible Institute) needs attention: for Christ is not a cushion, but rather provides a cross; is not a device for self-fulfilment but the Lord who made life, who well knows how to fulfil HIS good pleasure in it, for those who are His!

Let us then do away with temporising, compromising, annealing the word of God in the furnace of philosophy, of diplomacy, to make it into some calf of desire, like Israel of old, before it failed so signally to enter the promised land (Exodus 32, Numbers 14). Don't forget Peter's declamation in the service of the Lord to 'duly constituted authority', long unduly astray: In effect, idiomatically rendered, he told them - 'Whether it be right in the sight of God to heed you rather than God, work it out for yourself!' (Acts 4:19).
When Christ is to be closed down or quashed, faithful dogs bark (Isaiah 56:10). Foxe's Book of Martyrs has some wonderful examples even of juvenile courage.
The world often does not know at what it looks; but the presence of godliness can startle the heart, and commence conviction. This is not an option, but an obligation; no mere duty, but a delight (I Peter 1:8, II Peter 3:10-13).

Students do NOT need to delay their commitment and consistency until they graduate. It is time to be richly sincere, fearlessly prompt in doing all in the name of Christ, and not to injure conscience, conversation and testimony by carnal prudence.

BUY THE TRUTH AND DO NOT SELL IT!

NOT paradoxically, but actually, boldness like that of a lion - and we read in the word of God that the righteous is bold as a lion - is part of the tartan of life in which profound peace dwells, for faith will never be silent, truth must never lie slain in the streets while the children of God are spared to remain (cf. Isaiah 59:14-15). Indeed, Christ in whose authority and power we Christians live, move and go on mission - our lives a dedicated thing - He is of and in Himself of so profound a peace, that it surpasses all understanding: like a lake, watched and wonderful. Integrity is like clear glass, through which the sun shines; and the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2) warms and helps growth. Meanwhile, the people of the Lord speak much together (Malachi 3:16).

Parents do not need to bring their children up on psychology, secular and squalid, irrational and insecure (cf. The Shadow of a Mighty Rock Ch.4), but on the diet of the word of God, to read it, learn it, see it practised in the home and applied in the life.

Christian schools do not need to co-operate with State religious programs (see Stepping out for Christ Ch. 6 - 'Religious Knowledge' and the Secular College'), since Caesar never did understand Christ. Salt is needed, and in South Australia if we had any parallel to the physical salt pans so evident, in the spiritual, it would be a delight indeed!

Australia overall is in the grip of continual compromise by many who use the name of Christ, and like Israel of old, it is too easy to follow in the rut which drives to the cliff of dizziness, falling and eventual destruction.

It is time for revival of love of truth,
insistence on fearless and frank faith and

the compassion which makes no substitute bread for life itself, though bread may be added.

It is also time for Christians to seek new forms of unity where the word of God is honoured, in word and deed, and to be ready to ponder the precise teachings of the word of God past human traditions, without ceasing to be grateful for the great products of the past; and to unite about what the Bible actually has to say.

Philosophy is always fathering the falsettos of extremes; but the actual word of God is often lost for many in the squabbles of sententious substitutes for what is written. The BIBLE must be put back where it belongs, carnality where it belongs, crucified with Christ, while the love of God, which covers a multitude of sins, needs to play like sunlight on the waters of truth. "Yes but" must cease to be entertained as a guiding light and pilot vessel, one in fact departing from the word of the Lord, IF CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE THERE.