Life is made up very largely of words. They are not so emphatic, perhaps, as deeds, for deeds are more deliberate expressions of thought. Yet one of the most remarkable authors of the New Testament said, If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man (James 3:2). Not offending in word is often a test of victory in the Christian life. Our triumph in this often depends on both what we say and what we do not say. Speaking of the tongue, James said, It is set on fire of hell. The true Christian, therefore, is righteous in his ways and upright in his words. His deeds appeal to men; and in speech he is looking up, for God is listening. His words are sent upward and recorded for the judgment. I can almost imagine that the beautiful blue sky over our heads, seemingly so transparent, is like a wax tablet with a finely sensitive surface which receives an impression of every word we speak, and that these tablets are then hardened and preserved for the eternal judgment. We should speak with our eyes ever upward, never forgetting that we shall some day meet the words that we have spoken.

[url=http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=category&cid=126] A.B. Simpson[/url]

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Mike Balog

Here I found the benefit of a principle which I invariably adopt, of never pressing upon any human being my sentiments or wishes, without an absolute necessity. If a friend be reduced to the necessity of refusing or complying, he will feel grieved: but if, though with pain to himself, he do anything without being importuned, he has a sweet feeling of love excited by that very act; or, it he refrain from doing what you wish, he feels a love to you for not pressing him against his will. ~ Charles Simeon

An excellent post, Mike.

"I can almost imagine that the beautiful blue sky over our heads, seemingly so transparent, is like a wax tablet with a finely sensitive surface which receives an impression of every word we speak, and that these tablets are then hardened and preserved for the eternal judgment. We should speak with our eyes ever upward, never forgetting that we shall some day meet the words that we have spoken."

Very nice! Man shall indeed give an account for every idle word spoken - and electronically transmitted. People think that when they delete messages, or when they run off the face of the SI forum they are gone forever. Not so. I have just recently been reminded of this, to my shame. I have decided to lessen my accountability on judgment day by posting fewer posts, and refraining from posting anything critical, negative, impetuous and non-edifying to the body. I picture Jesus standing next to me in my study, the moment I'm about to click "submit", and see him often shaking his head, saying "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of, Paul."

And I now humble myself before all of my SI brothers and sisters: Beloved, if I have offended any of you through a post or comment that was of a manner of spirit not becoming of Christ Jesus, I am truly sorry. Please forgive your brother. I ask forgiveness especially from Olan, RobertW, Ron Bailey, Bartle, Sonofthunder, Krispy, and from anyone else who may have detected spiritual pride and animosity through any one of my posts.

Brother Paul

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SermonIndex.net Moderator - Paul West

"What is the secret strength of the Christian life? Whence has its power? Let me give you the answer in a sentence: The Christian's secret is his rest in Christ."

Watchman Nee (1903-1972)

[quote]And I now humble myself before all of my SI brothers and sisters: Beloved, if I have offended any of you through a post or comment that was of a manner of spirit not becoming of Christ Jesus, I am truly sorry. Please forgive your brother. I ask forgiveness especially from Olan, RobertW, Ron Bailey, Bartle, Sonofthunder, Krispy, and from anyone else who may have detected spiritual pride and animosity through any one of my posts.[/quote]

Brother, would like to express the same sentiments here. Being in this particular 'role' as it is can be incredibaly difficult at times ... so much seems to go unsaid or stated incorrectly ... it is often deflating as it is elevating.

[quote]I picture Jesus standing next to me in my study, the moment I'm about to click "submit", and see him often shaking his head, saying "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of, Paul."[/quote]
That last one first ... Even that has almost come to a point of contention in times past, what was meant in it's 'context', still the carry over and underlying meaning can't be lost. I can only pray that whatever is shared, stated, rebuked, drawn out it is always with the pure intention of helping us all to further understand the Lord and each other in the Lord.

The first part being second, "submit" ... It's more than a play on words, it still gets me even now, when the page refreshes;

"Thank you for your submission"

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Mike Balog

Here I found the benefit of a principle which I invariably adopt, of never pressing upon any human being my sentiments or wishes, without an absolute necessity. If a friend be reduced to the necessity of refusing or complying, he will feel grieved: but if, though with pain to himself, he do anything without being importuned, he has a sweet feeling of love excited by that very act; or, it he refrain from doing what you wish, he feels a love to you for not pressing him against his will. ~ Charles Simeon

[quote]like a wax tablet with a finely sensitive surface which receives an impression of every word we speak, and that these tablets are then hardened and preserved for the eternal judgment. [/quote]

This line of thought particularly fascinates me, because I work with wax, and know first-hand how impressionable softened wax can be.

In my line of work, we (morticians) are sometimes called to reconstruct facial features that have been obliterated by violent deaths or mutational diseases. When we apply the wax, we must take the utmost care so that the wax's suface is not marred by fingerprints or superfluous indentations that would render a synthetic appearance. The goal of restoration is to restore a healthy and lifelike appearance to the deceased - as if the accident or disease never occured. Restortion in these situtions either make or break a funeral. If the deceased is not asthetically pleasing, the entire funeral will be ruined. It doesn't matter that the hymns were sung perfectly, or the preacher preached eloquently, or the chapel was immaculately clean, or there were no spelling errors in the obituary; if the wax has fingerprints on it, or brush patterns, when the light shines on the casket everyone will see the flaw. And the mortician will be put to shame.

Wax is so impressionable. A reckless, clumsy finger can easily dent it! And it's usually not untill the body is wheeled out of the preparation room and into the chapel where the incandescent lights reflect just right and the flaw is detected. How, then, shall my flaws be detected when I stand before Christ in the Eternal Chapel of His unapproachable light! If I am not careful to smooth and perfect my wax now, while in the preparation room of earth, I will be put to open shame before the family of the Loved One, with His musicians and greeters and ushers in the Eternal Chapel.

The object my spiritual wax is being transformed into is that of the Holy Image of Christ. Through the work of the Spirit here on earth, daily, this is being done in my inner man from glory to glory. How, when I am brought before His blazing light of utter purity, will I fare? Will my spiritual features have a close enough resemblance to Son so that His Father and friends and angelic family will not be offended? Have I been a good and faithful steward, redeeming the time, walking and working in the light, allowing the Spirit full use of the restorative equipment to perfect my spiritual wax?

There's only one way to find out: I must make sure I'm walking and working in a bright morgue (for I walk among the dead) so that I can see what I am doing, where the Spirit is leading me, through what means is He mentoring me, and how effectively we are working together getting those ugly smudges out, those marring fingerprints of Satan, the fleshy thumbnail prints, the synthetic features of the world. When the chapel bell tolls for me, I pray the Holy Spirit will be able to present my wax "perfectly" before God.

Brother Paul

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SermonIndex.net Moderator - Paul West

"What is the secret strength of the Christian life? Whence has its power? Let me give you the answer in a sentence: The Christian's secret is his rest in Christ."

Watchman Nee (1903-1972)

[quote]Through the work of the Spirit here on earth, daily, this is being done in my inner man from glory to glory. How, when I am brought before His blazing light of utter purity, will I fare? Will my spiritual features have a close enough resemblance to Son so that His Father and friends and angelic family will not be offended? Have I been a good and faithful steward, redeeming the time, walking and working in the light, allowing the Spirit full use of the restorative equipment to perfect my spiritual wax? [/quote]


.sweetness of lip..

praise God!

mamalluk/mamaluk

Paul,

What an illustration!

[quote]The goal of restoration is to restore a healthy and lifelike appearance to the deceased - [/quote]

Thinking of that verse that begins; [i]once[/i] you were ...

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Mike Balog

Here I found the benefit of a principle which I invariably adopt, of never pressing upon any human being my sentiments or wishes, without an absolute necessity. If a friend be reduced to the necessity of refusing or complying, he will feel grieved: but if, though with pain to himself, he do anything without being importuned, he has a sweet feeling of love excited by that very act; or, it he refrain from doing what you wish, he feels a love to you for not pressing him against his will. ~ Charles Simeon

[quote]Thinking of that verse that begins; once you were ...[/quote]

Mike, was it Romans 7:9?

"For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died."

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SermonIndex.net Moderator - Paul West

"What is the secret strength of the Christian life? Whence has its power? Let me give you the answer in a sentence: The Christian's secret is his rest in Christ."

Watchman Nee (1903-1972)

'Once you were darkness ...' ?

The brain is a little sleep deprived ...

Similar expression to that though, ... Galations?

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Mike Balog

Here I found the benefit of a principle which I invariably adopt, of never pressing upon any human being my sentiments or wishes, without an absolute necessity. If a friend be reduced to the necessity of refusing or complying, he will feel grieved: but if, though with pain to himself, he do anything without being importuned, he has a sweet feeling of love excited by that very act; or, it he refrain from doing what you wish, he feels a love to you for not pressing him against his will. ~ Charles Simeon

[quote]'Once you were darkness ...' ?[/quote]

Hmmm...Ephesians perhaps?

"For ye were sometimes in darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." (Eph. 5:8)

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SermonIndex.net Moderator - Paul West

"What is the secret strength of the Christian life? Whence has its power? Let me give you the answer in a sentence: The Christian's secret is his rest in Christ."

Watchman Nee (1903-1972)

I think maybe Colossians 1:13-14

The Father

[size=xx-small]13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:[/size]

Brother Paul,
You do have a wonderful way with words!

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Obey God.