Wednesday, May 1, 2013

In My Hand No Price I Bring, Simply to Thy Cross I Cling


In My Hand No Price I Bring, Simply to Thou Cross I Cling           5 01 13

I read the beautiful chapter four of Romans this morning, in which Paul discusses the rite of circumcision as means of righteousness. Here Paul, in the early days of the church is endeavoring to reconcile the Jewish/Gentile conflict.

We of the Holiness persuasion love to talk of the traditions of our Fathers. I, indeed, am thankful for my Godly heritage and treasure this gift. But we all know that The Tradition of Our Fathers, as referred to in The Word must always be Biblically based. Oh, boy, oh, boy...NOW I'VE GOT YOUR ATTENTION, don't I...ha ha

The entire fourth chapter makes the point that Abraham was called and obeyed BEFORE his circumcision  Thus FAITH/OBEDIENCE preceded the ritual of circumcision.

Verse three begins with these words: For what saith the Scripture? That's the # 1 question, isn't it?

Abraham had a heart to follow God as well as a heart to obey Him totally.
So what do I do to follow God totally?  I must search The Scriptures as the Berean church did, as they compared The Scriptures with the teachings of the early church, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have a great deal of respect for ministers and their position. Thank God for them, we need them.  Shepherds are vitally important to The Church. But The Word must always be my "plumb line." Churches change, people change, culture changes.  God never changes.

Yes, I know we must live in the 21st Century. We can't "bury our heads in the sand" and pretend that technology and so forth doesn't exist. We must apply Biblical principles to this age, this time, this era. It amazes me that folks can live totally opposed to The Word and yet profess to know God. I'm not referring to necessarily denominational "'differences" but God's Word.

But remember, that Abraham's faith produced a Godly life style as well as a relationship with God.

Thus the devotionals books that I wrote, my modest dress, my church attendance, etc. cannot produce righteousness.  However, my love for Christ, my desire to gaze upon Him, my love for His Word, my love for people WILL make a difference in how I live and the image that I display to the world.

May Jesus live in me, love through me, flow though all I do and say!

"In my hand no price I bring......simply to Thy cross I cling!"""

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