Bittersweet Refinements: CHapter XXIX

The following is a rewritten chapter from Bittersweet Refinements.  If you would like to read the entire book, from start to finish and in the proper order, please go [here].

Chapter XXIX

The Sum of Our Fears

“I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”  Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

[John 21:18-19 NIV]

Be assured that this also applies to the kind of lives that we are to live in this world.  For we are all led down paths that we would not naturally want to go [Proverbs 16:33].

The Prophet Jonah stands as a good example of that.  For he certainly did not want to go to Nineveh [Jonah 1:1-2:10].

Yes, it could be argued that the wayward prophet brought all of his misery down upon himself by being so disobedient, but can the same be said of the Prophet Ezekiel?  Be assured that it cannot.  Yet: The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears.  Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover the lower part of your face or eat the customary food of mourners.”  So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.  Then the people asked me, “Won't you tell us what these things have to do with us?”  So I said to them, “The word of the LORD came to me: Say to the house of Israel, `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary—the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.  And you will do as I have done. You will not cover the lower part of your face or eat the customary food of mourners.  You will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep but will waste away because of your sins and groan among yourselves.  Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.” [Ezekiel 24:15-24 NIV]

Special circumstances?  I would think so, but if one life is just as important as another unto our Heavenly Father [Ezekiel 18:32], are we not all living under special circumstances in this world [Romans 8:18-21]?

No, it is not that I have some sort of a great desire to sully the glory of our Heavenly Father, but many do—albeit unintentionally.  For by denying that He has anything to do with this or that, they portray Him as being be far less than He absolutely is.  Whereas, what He actually says is absolutely true about Himself is: I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things. [Isaiah 45:7 KJV]

Alas, is it not time to come out of the darkness of spiritual ignorance [1 John 1:5-10]?   For what good can come from insisting that all of our problems are of our own making when there is absolutely nothing that we can do about them [Zechariah 4:6]?

No, that is not what most want to hear [2 Timothy 4:2-4].  For it sounds oh so very noble to take full responsibility for our own actions [Proverbs 14:12].

Moreover, there can be no self-esteem, which is just a more politically correct way of referring to self-righteousness, without personal responsibility.  For when we make that vow to do better, in whom are we really depending upon to make it happen [Jeremiah 17:5-7]?

Far worse to most, however, is having to give others the benefit of our doubts until told otherwise [John 7:24].  For as in the case of Judas Iscariot [Luke 22:3-6], it may not be their fault when someone has done wrong.

The Prophet Jonah would certainly attest to that.  For it is written: But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry.  He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.  Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live."  But the LORD replied, "Have you any right to be angry?"  Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.  Then the LORD God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine.  But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered.  When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah's head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, "It would be better for me to die than to live."  But God said to Jonah, "Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?"  "I do," he said. "I am angry enough to die."  But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.  But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" [Jonah 4:1-11 NIV]

No, Jonah was not angry about the vine dying.  For he absolutely hated the Ninevehites, and the last thing he wanted to see is them repenting of their wickedness and being spared utter destruction, which is exactly what did happen after he obeyed his call to go Nineveh [Jonah 3:1-10].

Alas, are not our hearts so very wicked by nature [Jeremiah 17:9-10]?  For making sure that everyone gets just exactly what we want to believe they have coming to them is paramount—especially when a perceived wrong is considered personal, which is one of things that the parable of the prodigal son is all about [Luke 15:11-32].

Regardless of whether someone is truly at fault or not, we would do well to listen to our Heavenly Father [John 14:26] when He reminds us that mercy triumphs over judgment [James 2:12-13].  For all who demand justice will receive what they are willing to give [Matthew 7:1-5].

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Bittersweet Refinements: Chapter XXVIII

The following is a rewritten chapter from Bittersweet Refinements.  If you would like to read the entire book, from start to finish and in the proper order, please go [here].

Chapter XXVIII

Crosses to Bear

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.  What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?  If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” [Luke 9:23-26 NIV]

Back in those days, following the Lord Jesus Christ really was quite a cross to bear.  For it meant the total abandonment of traditional beliefs [Romans 10:1-5] that often tore families apart [Matthew 10:34-39].

Be assured that it is no easier today.  For it is written: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” [John 15:18-19 NIV]

There is, however, more to it than that—much more, be assured.  For there is also the bearing of the cross of having to live with who we naturally are [Romans 7:14-25].

No, that does not appear to be much of a problem at first.  For where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more—right [Romans 5:20]?

Nonetheless, there are still consequences to our actions, and after being given a glimpse of what perfection really looks like, the more imperfect even our best becomes [1 Corinthians 13:12].  For it is written: Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.  Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.  For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.  Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. [2 Corinthians 5:1-5 NIV]

No, it is not just in regards to the flesh of our bodies that the passage is referring to.  For it is also written: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.  The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” [John 6:63 NIV]

In other words, it is what is on the inside (so to speak) that is what really counts, and woe be it to all who have not accepted our Heavenly Father’s Holy Spirit into their hearts [John 14:15-29].  For there is no life apart from Him [1 John 5:11-12], but even with the overflowing measure of grace afforded me [Ephesians 4:7], I would still like to be a lot more like Him in the much sooner than later [1 John 3:2].

No, it has nothing to do with wanting to be better than others [Luke 18:9-12], but it does have everything to do with hating who I naturally am [Luke 18:13].  For if I was like our Heavenly Father, I would never do anything harmful—neither to myself, nor others [Romans 13:8-14].

Yes, I would do well to want to follow the example that was set through the Apostle Paul.  For I know just how he felt: To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. [2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV]

No, none of this is meant to deny that changes take place when a person becomes “born-again” [ John 3:3] in the Lord Jesus Christ.  For it is written: Therefore if any person is [engrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh {and} new has come! [2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP]

In my own case, however, most of those changes have been in regards to knowledge and understanding [1 Corinthians 2:6-16]—not behavior [Galatians 5:19-23].  For aside from having my mouth cleansed of all foul language [Isaiah 6:5-6] and losing my love for drunken revelry, I am still just as naturally despicable as I ever was, which causes me even more anguish now [Ecclesiastes 1:18].

Yes, there are many who would say that it is obvious that I have never been truly born-again—certainly not in Christ!!!  For it is written: Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. [1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV]

On the other hand, was not [Romans 7:14-25] also placed into written form through the Apostle Paul, and does this passage not make it abundantly clear that he was far from perfected?  Therefore, have not many been woefully deceived [1 Timothy 1:5-11]?

Yes, there are many who have missed the point.  For the absolute truth of the matter truly is: Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God {did:} sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and {as an offering} for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. [Romans 8:1-4 NAS]

No, there is no danger of encouraging wickedness in this.  For who in their “right-mind” would ever want to do what is harmful to themselves and others—regardless of whether real or imagined [Matthew 5:17-48]?  Hence, the part about walking according to the Spirit [Romans 8:5-11].

Yes, there is a big difference between wanting to do something and actually doing it, and it is indeed a great blessing to be prevented from acting upon natural impulses [Mark 14:38].  I would still like to be a lot more like my Heavenly Father while I wait for my own time as a part of this world to come unto an end, however [Jeremiah 17:9-10].

Whoa, talk about coming full circle.  For to truly be a follower of Christ involves participating in His sufferings, and that includes waiting on all that He wants to accomplish to come to pass—not only in ourselves, but throughout the entirety of this world, as well.  For it is written: Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. [Romans 8:17-19 NIV]

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Bottersweet Refinements: Chapter XXVII

The following is a rewritten chapter from Bittersweet Refinements.  If you would like to read the entire book, from start to finish and in the proper order, please go [here].

Chapter XXVII

Stages of Development

Concerning him we have much to say, and {it is} hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.  For everyone who partakes {only} of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.  But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.  Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.  And this we will do, if God permits. [Hebrews 5:11-6:3 NAS]

No, this is not meant for everyone [Matthew 13:10-12].  For it all depends upon what our Heavenly Father wants to accomplish in and through someone [Philippians 2:13] that determines when, and to what extent, He will allow and enable them to enter into the knowledge and understanding of His absolute truth [1 Corinthians 2:6-16].

It is, however, meant for a lot more than want it to be.  For far too many are well content with thinking that they already possess everything they need in Christ Jesus [1 Corinthians 1:4-9] without having any idea just what that really means [1 Corinthians 3:1-3]—nor having any desire to learn [Luke 9:23-26].

No, this has nothing at all to do with us earning our keep.  For it is written: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. [Ephesians 2:8-10 NAS]

On the other hand, it does have everything to do with the kind of relationship that our Heavenly Father wants to have with His children by faith [John 15:15].  For to think that there is nothing more to it after accepting Christ Jesus as being your own personal Lord and Savior is like a wife thinking that there is nothing more to her marriage after the wedding vows have been exchanged.

Alas, have we not been given written confirmation of this?  Yes, we most certainly have been.  For it is written: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” [John 15:1-8 NIV]

Needless to say, none of that should be taken as a threat.  For it is meant for the benefit of all concerned [Jeremiah 29:11].

It does, however, involve some things that are naturally unsettling [John 15:18-25], and not the least of these has to do with coming to terms with the realities of our situations in this world.  For it is written: I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.  He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light; indeed, he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.  He has made my skin and my flesh grow old and has broken my bones.  He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship.  He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead.  He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains.  Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer.  He has barred my way with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked.  Like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding, he dragged me from the path and mangled me and left me without help.  He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrows.  He pierced my heart with arrows from his quiver.  I became the laughingstock of all my people; they mock me in song all day long.  He has filled me with bitter herbs and sated me with gall.  He has broken my teeth with gravel; he has trampled me in the dust.  I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.  So I say, "My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.”  I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.  I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.  Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."  The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.  It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.  Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.  Let him bury his face in the dust—there may yet be hope.  Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.  For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.  Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.  For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.  To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land, to deny a man his rights before the Most High, to deprive a man of justice—would not the Lord see such things?  Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?  Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? [Lamentations 3:1-38 NIV]

Yes, the rest of the passage goes on about being justly punished for sins [Lamentations 3:39-66], and this is exactly what is going on in far too many cases [Colossians 3:25].  For there are times when we do bring more hardships down upon ourselves than would be absolutely necessary to accomplish our Heavenly Father’s purposes [James 1:2-4].

Nonetheless, that does not discount the absolute truth of the matter truly being that there would not be any hardships of any kind to our lives in this world if it was not for it being in accordance to our Heavenly Father’s will.  For it is also written: I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me.  I am the LORD, and there is none else.  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. [Isaiah 45:5-7 KJV]

No, there is no way of getting around it.  For what did all of those children (most being of His own chosen people [Genesis 17:1-21]) who died in Nazi gas chambers during the Holocaust do to deserve their plight?

Yes, many would argue that it was just a result of being born into a fallen world.  Some would even go as far as to insist that it was because of being Jewish, but what choice did they have—either way [Job 5:7]?

No, there is nothing to be gained by ignoring what has been made so very obvious [Luke 12:1-3].  In fact, there is actually much to be lost—and not just in regards to integrity, neither [Matthew 25:14-30].  For the more it is made clear that our Heavenly Father truly is responsible for ALL that happens, the more satisfaction He can receive.  For it takes a very special kind of love to want to still be with someone who appears to have done you much harm [Job 1:21-22].

Yes, it naturally sounds rather crass (to put it mildly), but when all that our Heavenly Father has endured [Genesis 6:6-7], even going as far as to experience the spiritual death of a full and equal part of Himself [Matthew 27:46], is added to the mix, a much weightier issue must be considered.  For why would He subject Himself (not to mention us) to all that He has unless it was worth it [Romans 8:15-39]?

No, I cannot naturally blame anyone for being reluctant to accept these things [James 1:5-8].  For ignorance is bliss when it comes to such [Ecclesiastes 1:18], but the time has come for a great, great many to grow up [1 Corinthians 13:11].

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