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jstrang
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Joined: 2011/10/21
Posts: 154
Owasso, OK

 Men - You Don't Need A New Cart

In this day of thin-skinned-narcissistic-feel-good-consumerism-churchianity that has become so evident in the culture of relevant talk, fear driven political correctness and the tidal wave of sin-embracing-Christ-denying-God-enmity, men especially have neglected their posts. The day of God fearing men of humility, prayer and meekness has almost been removed. If we have ever lived in an age when men of God need to arise, it is surely now.

By arising I don’t mean arising to another program, another self-help book, another powerless sermon, another get the kids and wife in the car, go to Sunday “church” and then come home self-inflated thinking ones godly leadership in the home is done; and I certainly don’t mean take some flowers to your wife and expect your duty to be done, nor merely “gracing” people in a church building with your presence and you have served, nor staring at porn on the internet and saying, “Well, at least I am not as bad as the child molester, the rapist or the murder.” No. I mean men who will raise the bar in their private life, their home life, their work life, their commitment to the church – I mean men who will literally tremble before the Word of God, the throne of God and be touched by the coals on God’s holy alter. I mean, raise the bar to be brought low, made humble, contrite of spirit and strong in perseverance, steadfastness and meekness of being a man of God “shut up” to God alone.

You see, we have truly become “thin-skinned.” What do I mean? Simple. When anyone confronts us, in anyway, we react with our fists clenched, our mouths moving, our hatred on a flag in some parade, and our lawsuits leading the way. We have become stricken with paralysis when it comes to our resolution to carry out the Word of God, whether it is because we are unregenerate or we are weak the Lord knows each heart. This I can say, it’s time to “blow the trumpet” and call men to take something of old, something of God to our wives, our children, our fellow brethren, our coworkers, our neighbors, etc. You see, we need to learn not to build a “new cart” (2 Samuel 6:3 [6:1-11]) as we have done in Christendom today. We have done so by trading in the true knowledge of God for human philosophies; we traded humility for humanism; we have traded piety and purity for porn and prosperity of possessions; we have traded in knowing God for knowledge of fools; we traded the true power and conviction of the Holy Spirit for the emotions and feelings of false spirits and lusts of the flesh.

Now even some of you will say, “Is that all he can do, point out the negative? I mean, who does this guy think he is? Don’t bring this up around me, I don’t want to hear it. Find some other group of people. We all will sin, but grace covers my sins. Oh but love is so much more, so even though I sin, I am saved. Nobody is perfect. Ect, ect, ect…” Trust me, what little I know about the true love of God and His true grace, and though I only be at the foothills in my understanding, this I know, the true love and grace of God does not lead you into bondage of sin, leave you in that bondage, let you wonder like a beggar and leave you weak, powerless against sin and focused on your selfish desires. No!

I want you to read through, ponder, pray, meditate and be ravished by God in regards to the verses below. I want us all to take this to our wives, to our children and into every facet of our lives. By the way, this section of Scripture is in heavy context in regards to our wives and having unity, so keep this in mind. It is a solemn wake up call to be like the Christ that some of us so often brag we are a part of. Test yourselves, see if you are truly in the faith, of course unless you rather be told by God Psalm 50:18-23 and Matthew 7:21-23. If we truly desire to be more like Christ, then these verses leave no wiggle room for excuses, no justification for sin and prideful arrogance, but a more sanctified, godly, pious life of true joy, peace, patience, love, long-suffering and the rest of the fruits of the Spirit.

“For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:19-24

As a Christian there is no greater way that we can fight our battles, seek to live a godly life, and walk with our blessed Savior than when we are shut up to God alone, with a humbled spirit, a contrite heart, and a bold meekness in prayer. Unfortunately, the great majority of professing believers today know nothing of the sort, and many are offended and quickly angered when the truth is pointed out to them. Far be it from me that I have yet achieved some sort of perfection in all of this, but this one thing I do, I press on towards the upward call of God to live unto Him and Him alone.

Few more verses to ponder.

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:1-11

Men, take this to your wives, for you do not need a “new cart.”

When Paul set before young Timothy the task of charging certain persons not to teach a different doctrine, and to fulfill the prophecy made about him, and to set into effect men of prayer, Overseers, Deacons and the church in Ephesus, it was not that only a few would attain to some new level of piety, rather all men would learn how to manage their households well (see 1 & 2 Timothy). If we are going to lead men to the right way of living unto Christ, we cannot use a “new cart“, but rather we must carry the “Ark” as prescribed by God, with fear and trembling, in humility and deep love, with piety and holiness.

May the Lord have His perfect will in us all. Amen.

Jeremy Strang
original link: http://wp.me/p49Shk-ig


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Jeremy B Strang

 2014/12/1 15:41Profile





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