Dale Cresap's blog

Do you think of distraction as sin, or do you think of it only as lost time? Most believers have a list of sins in their mind, ranked in order of severity, and it is prominent in their thinking even if it is never committed to print. It is useful for comparing oneself to others. For most people distraction doesn’t even make the list. But I have a destiny for you as part of my body. It is real and other people depend on you doing your part. If you are distracted from accomplishing it then it is just as great a loss as if you were doing something you think of as sin.

You know that some diseases are contagious, and you take appropriate hygienic precautions. Have you also noticed that some moods and mindsets are also contagious? Angry people tend to make others angry. Have you noticed that calm and peaceful people can impart these traits to others? Do you think that anger is a stronger influence and more easily transferrable than peace? It takes more inner strength to be at peace and impart peace than it does for anger. Yet I have imparted peace to you and told you not to be overcome with evil, but to overcome evil with good.

My word offers you the promise that you can be transformed into my likeness. Is this what you really want? Does this promise become less appealing the more you are established in your own identity? Do you understand the process that is required in this transformation? There is much that you must let go of for it to be accomplished. You can also expect to be sifted like wheat, to die to yourself and pick up your cross and follow me. This also involves a thorn in your flesh and walking with a limp. This is the path to transformation.

Do you understand that you are saved by grace through faith rather than by works? This is a strong theme in the Bible. Do you know Christians who live their lives as if they would have to pass a test on basic doctrine to enter the Kingdom of God? There is no support for this in the Bible. Consider how I lived my life. I told a story about a Good Samaritan, and commended a Centurion for his faith. I told the woman at the well that she was not worshipping in spirit and in truth, but did not reject her.

My word is clear about the importance of giving to the poor. It is present throughout the Bible, and one practice present in most faith traditions and approved of by those outside the church practicing it. It is the closest thing to a universally approved practice. Do you give money to the poor? If you give them enough then they are no longer poor, but I said that you have the poor with you always. Money isn’t the only thing that you can give the poor, and it may not be the best. Are you prepared to address the issues that led to their poverty in the first place?

How many things are you interested in? Do you find people more interesting if they have a wide variety of interests and less so if they do not? What about me? Do you think that I am only interested in ‘spiritual’ things, and church business? If that were true it would make me less interesting than most of the people you know. Would it surprise you to learn that I am interested in everything? I created it all and know all about it. I care about everything you care about and more besides, even things you do not consider as spiritual.

Do you interact with people you don’t engage with? In the course of your day do you come in contact with clerks and servers and various other people in the service industry that you see face to face but do not really engage? You may describe their service to you as unskilled menial labor, but you depend on them to facilitate your transactions and the convenience of your life. They too have their stories, and know things that would be beneficial for you to know. Can you make the effort to engage everyone you meet as an authentic human encounter?

Do you see yourself as a positive or negative person? Are you looking for truth or looking for error? If you take the truth seriously, you will be sensitive to things that are not true. Yet if you make this your search, you will find error according to the principle that you will find what you seek. Strive to agree, even with your adversary. Look for points of agreement before points of disagreement. Affirm before you criticize. This makes you a friend who is in a position to correct, rather than an enemy who just attacks, and makes it possible for you to win your brother over.

Have you ever encountered a conflict between humanity and doctrine? Which do you think is more important? I encountered the same question in the form of whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or to satisfy your hunger on the Sabbath. I pointed out that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. This implies that the needs of humanity are greater than rule observation, for the rules exist for the benefit of people, and not the other way around. As the Lord of the Sabbath I was qualified to make this judgment.

Do you like the fact that salvation is a free gift? When you go to the store do you expect to have to pay for your groceries? Do you resent this or find it objectionable? Are you willing to stop eating to avoid having to pay for food? You know that ultimately I provide all things for you, but not all things are free. A more realistic view is to consider the value and count the cost. Aren’t you willing to pay for desirable things of great value to you even if they are expensive? Is there anything of greater value than fulfilling the high calling of your destiny?