Dale Cresap's blog

Do you judge people by the best things they do or the worst? Is it easy to judge people you like by their best and those you do not by their worst? An objective statistician considering this question would probably say that neither of these is correct because the best and worst are outliers and not representative of consistent behavior. How do you judge yourself? Your own consistent behavior is the best indicator of your character. Your sins are forgiven, and to dwell only on the best things you have done is to overlook areas that need improvement.

What do you see as the main theme of my message? That heaven will be glorious when you get there? But didn’t I put more emphasis on the Kingdom of God as a present reality? Didn’t my illustrations and actions all declare the Kingdom as immediate and available now? I did promise to return, and told my followers to watch for me, but this is not the same  thing as waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. You should indeed watch for my return, and great is your reward in heaven, but neither of these things should cause you to miss out on the reality of living in my Kingdom today.

Do you find that your enemies occur in groups of people that you do not identify with? Do you judge your enemies by the worst examples of their groups? Does that make your task easier to criticize them? But doesn’t every group produce good and bad examples, including your own? What does my word tell you about loving your enemies? If you would do this, then try considering those groups that oppose you by the best examples they produce. That would make a fair comparison to the examples you use to evaluate your own group, and would make you a better example of yours.

My word warns about the danger of offenses. Woe unto those who cause these little ones to stumble. So you should strive to live your life in a way that avoids giving offense to others. But there are two sides to this issue. You should also strive to avoid receiving offense. So here you have two opportunities to live in a sacrificial way. As a result you may have the opportunity to overlook the behavior of others that you would not do to them. Have you heard it said that you should do unto others as you would have them do to you?

What do you think are the qualifications for a prophet? In some circles a bad disposition and a big mouth and a judgmental attitude are enough. Yet true prophets are commissioned by God and anyone who claims this title should welcome the scrutiny it invites and you should be eager to give it. Is it enough to be accurate in what you foretell or forthtell? Those who operate in this gift should do more than bring judgment and correction. How hard is it to be an accuser? That job is adequately staffed with a multitude of volunteers. A true prophet brings forth words with redemptive purpose.

Do you desire to prophesy? My word says that you should earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. Not all recognize the validity of this gift, and not all who do desire to exercise it. Yet this verse implies that it is available for those who will. Prophets of old had limited life spans, and I made the emphatic point that these special messengers of God were killed by those who did not like their message. So some of the gifts I offer have a risk attached to them. Prophets may not be stoned to death today but exercising this gift may not make you popular.

Do you see me as a warrior? There are many Old Testament portrayals of a martial God of vengeance, and you see the same qualities attributed to me in the Book of Revelation. Yet do you find any contrast between those images and the life I lived on earth? Didn’t I tell my followers to put away their swords, to turn the other cheek, and to refrain from calling down fire from heaven on those who opposed them? Am I not known as the Prince of Peace rather than the God of War? Since I have called you to follow me it is important for you to get this right.

I told Moses to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. Have you ever stood on holy ground? Did you take off your shoes? Can you see how this is an appropriate response? Are you aware that you are standing on holy ground all the time? Where would you go that you would stand on ground that I did not create? But I do not expect you to forsake the wearing of shoes altogether. Do you live your life with a constant awareness of divine presence?

Do you see the benefit of being able to read and write? These skills give you access to the whole scope of human knowledge and enable you to contribute to it, but you did not learn this by yourself. You had teachers to instruct you. Do you know how to encounter me and hear my voice? Have you ever had any systematic instruction in how to do this? This ability gives you access to more than just human knowledge. You can learn some things on your own, but for most things the instruction and guidance of those with knowledge and experience is beneficial.

Do you fully embrace your faith tradition? Are you able to interact with others of different traditions who fully embrace theirs? Has this ever created tension for you? You can embrace your faith and this resulting tension at the same time. Being faithful to your own calling doesn’t require you to live in isolation from everyone else. Meeting people who disagree with you doesn’t make them your enemies. I got along just fine in a world with diverse faith practices and you can too. You are to be in the world but not of the world.