The perfect bond of unity

November 16th 

Love all for Jesus, but Jesus for Himself.

from The Imitation of Christ (Book II, Ch. 8) 

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his practices and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of his Creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian*, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complain against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive. Above all, put on love —the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.

Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:9-17 (HCSB)

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*a term for savage

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…and, because I’m evil, here’s another Integrity medley, Walking in the Spirit on Youtube and Spotify respectively. (Mhhmmm, Muzak. Give me all the Muzak.)

‘The gladness of the just’

November 6th

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this* and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

Luke 16:14-15 (NIV)

The gladness of the just is of God, and in God: and their joy is of the truth.

Anyone whose conscience is pure will easily be content and at peace. You are not more holy if you are praised; nor more worthless for being dispraised. What you are, you are; no words can make you greater than what you are in the sight of God. If you consider what you are in yourself, you will not care what people say about you.

Man looks at the appearance, but God on the heart. Man considers the deeds, but God weighs the intentions. He that looks for no witness on his behalf from outside, shows that he has wholly committed himself to God.

“For not he that commends himself is approved” (says Saint Paul) “but the one whom God commends.”

To walk in the heart with God, and not to be held in bondage by any outward affection, is the state of a spiritual man.

from Thomas a Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ (Book II, Ch. 6)

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*’This’ meaning Jesus’ parable about the dishonest steward, and his ‘no man can serve two masters’ boilerplate (you can’t convince me he didn’t repeat himself, that is just not how teachers work, and there’s no point in coming up with new stuff  when people haven’t gotten what you said the first time).

I also love all the editorializing in the gospels, just these blanket statements like ‘yeah, the Pharisees worldly power-mongers, everybody knows that.’

The spirit of the law

October 1st 

Instead of Moses, or any of the prophets, You speak, Lord God, the inspirer and enlightener of all the prophets; for You alone without them can perfectly instruct me, but they without you can profit nothing.

from Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ (Book II, Ch. 2)

…the Jewish leaders began to persecute him… and Jesus gave them this answer:

“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true. You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study  the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me…”

John 5:31-39 (NIV)

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Contentment

September 23rd 

When thou hast Christ thou hast enough…

The Imitation of Christ (Book II, Ch. 1) 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! …Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

[For] I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

from Philippians 4

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…and here is Lecrae’s God is Enough on Youtube and Spotify.

Learning through opposites

September 14th 

No man doth safely appear abroad, but he who can abide at home. No man doth safely speak, but he that is glad to hold his peace. No man doth safely rule, but he that is glad to be ruled. No man doth safely rule, but he that hath learned gladly to obey.

from Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ (Book I)

Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me.

Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother; I am like a little child.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever.

Psalm 131 (HCSB)

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The pithiest synopsis of this that I heard (over, and over, and over, and over) growing up was: ‘if it’s not working at home, how can you export it?’

‘Set your minds on what is above’

August 5th 

Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.

Colossians 3:2 (HCSB)

‘He that followeth me, walketh not in darkness,’ saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ, which teach us to imitate his life and manners, if we would be truly enlightened, and delivered from all blindness of heart.

Let therefore our chief endeavour be to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ.

The teaching of Christ exceeds all the doctrines of holy men; and he that hath the Spirit will find therein the hidden manna. But it happens that many, who often hear the Gospel of Christ, are yet but little affected, because they have not the Spirit of Christ. But whosoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavour to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ.

What will it avail thee to engage in reasonings concerning the Trinity, if thou be void of humility, and art therefore displeasing to the Trinity? Surely great words do not make a man holy and just; but a virtuous life maketh him dear to God.

from Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ (Book I, Ch. 1)

 

Want what you want

 

July 16th 

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in the loving devotion of God forever and ever.

Psalm 52:8 (CSB)

Whatever seems to be desirable, must always be desired and prayed for in the fear of God and with humility of heart; and you must say, “Lord, You know what is best for us, let this or that be done, as You please.”

“Give what You want, and how much You want, and when You want.

“Deal with me as You think good, and as best pleases You, and is most for Your honour.

“Set me where You want, and deal with me in all things just as You want.

“I am in Your hand: turn me round, and turn me back again, as You please.

“Behold, I am Your servant, prepared for all things: for I do not desire to live for myself, but for You, and O that I could do it worthily and perfectly!”

…A prayer that the will of God may be fulfilled:

O most merciful Jesus, grant me Your grace, so it may be with me, and work with me, and continue with me even to the end.

Grant that I may always desire and will that which is to You most acceptable, and most dear. Let Your will be mine, and let my will always follow Yours, and agree perfectly with it. Let my will be all one with Your will, and let me not be able to will, or forego anything, but what You want or do not want.

You are the true peace of the heart: You are its only rest. In this peace, that is, in You, the one chiefest eternal Good, I will lay myself down and sleep.⁠ Amen.

from Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ (Book III, Ch. 15)

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Or, you know, not, because it’s probably the beginning of the day and it’d be weird to go back to sleep after all that.

…and here’s What You Want by Tenth Avenue North.

A little learning is a dangerous thing…

May 20th 

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

Psalm 119:100 (KJV)

All naturally desire knowledge; but what use is knowledge without the fear of God?

Surely a humble peasant who serves God, is better than a proud philosopher who, to the neglect of Him, studies the course of the heavens. Whoever knows himself, is lowly in his own eyes, and does not delight in the praises of men. If I understood all things in the world, and had not charity, what would that avail me in the sight of God, Who will judge me according to my deeds?

Cease from an inordinate desire for knowledge, for there is much distraction and deceit therein. Learned men are anxious to be esteemed learned by others, and to be called wise. There are many things the knowledge of which doth little or nothing profit the soul: And he is very unwise who minds such things rather than those that tend to his salvation.

from Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ 

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Regarding the title, I love how everyone always forgets the last part:

“...Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.”

Context, guys.

Want to do great things for God? Clean your room ;)

March 21st

…whatsoever is done of charity, be it never so little and contemptible in the sight of the world, it becomes wholly fruitful. For God weigheth more with how much love a man worketh, than how much he doeth. He doeth much that loveth much.

from The Imitation of Christ (Book 1, Ch. 15)

Naaman, commander of the army for the king of Aram, was a man important to his master and highly regarded because through him, the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was a valiant warrior, but he had a skin disease.

Aram had gone on raids and brought back from the land of Israel a young girl who served Naaman’s wife.  She said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his skin disease.”

So Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said. Therefore, the king of Aram said, “Go, and I will send a letter with you to the king of Israel.” So he went and took with him 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing.

He brought the letter to the king of Israel, and it read:

When this letter comes to you, note that I have sent you my servant Naaman for you to cure him of his skin disease.

When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life that this man expects me to cure a man of his skin disease? Recognize that he is only picking a fight with me.”

When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Have him come to me, and he will know there is a prophet in Israel.”

So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house.

Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go wash seven times in the Jordan and your skin will be restored and you will be clean.”

But Naaman got angry and left, saying, “I was telling myself: He will surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the skin disease.

“Aren’t Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be clean? ” So he turned and left in a rage.

But his servants approached and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more should you do it when he only tells you, ‘Wash and be clean’? ”

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I felt like the whole chapter was a bit too long to post, and I’m pretty sure everybody knows how the rest of the story goes, but just in case, here’s 2 Kings 5. (Worth the read. Plus, you know, there’s the omake with leprous Gehazi at the end. Way better than Miriam’s.)

Love never fails

February 13th

Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life comforts the mind, and a pure conscience gives great confidence in God. The more and the better you know and understand, the more strictly you will be judged, unless your life is likewise more holy. …let the knowledge given to you make you more cautious.

from the Imitation of Christ (Book 1, Ch. 2)

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

from 1 Corinthians 13 (NKJV)

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…and, in case you were missing the rest of the passage, here’s Brandon Heath’s Love Never Fails on Youtube and Spotify respectively.