Dale Cresap's blog

If your brother has a claim of justice against you, go to your brother and be reconciled to him before you bring your gift to the altar of the Lord. This emphasizes that reconciliation has priority even over ‘spiritual’ tasks, because reconciliation is a spiritual task. What if you have a claim of justice against your brother and he will not come to you and repent? Can forgiveness be extended only if it is sought by the offending party? You can extend forgiveness to your brother even if he does not seek it. This does not bring about reconciliation, but it does release you from the burden of bitterness that comes from unforgiveness.

Do you consider yourself to be teachable? Consider what this means. I said that if you continued in my word you would know the truth, and the truth would make you free. You may recall that this statement was not popular with the audience it was spoken to. Perhaps they were not teachable. Being teachable involves more than the ability to acquire and organize and recall information. Someone who is truly teachable will examine their own life in the light of the truth they discover and change to align with it if necessary. This is much more difficult than learning facts. But what benefit is it to learn the truth if you are unaffected by it?

Do you know that in the legal system some defendants are given immunity in exchange for their confession and testimony? Even in plea arrangements confession is usually part of the deal in exchange for a reduced sentence. Do you see the same dynamic in operation in my kingdom? If you confess your sins I am faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. In this case it doesn’t depend on the decision of a prosecutor and applies to everything. Do you think that defendants should not be given leniency in return for their confession? What about you?

Have you heard that everyone has a story that would break your heart? Do you know that some got theirs in church? I meant for my church to be a place for healing and giving life. Not everyone finds it to be this way. I refer to my people as sheep, and those who care for them as shepherds. This is the only responsibility of the shepherd. Some people who complain about churches are actually reflecting their own issues with my dealings in their lives. You should not try to accommodate them. Yet you can structure your church so that no criticism against it will have a valid basis.

Is your faith robust? Do you understand this as something that is hard to break? You may apply this term more often to physical objects or systems, but it can also be applied to faith. You face challenges to your faith from the circumstances of life and from unbelievers, and you can expect this to increase. You may have acquired additions to the basic simplicity of  the gospel and find that these more complex concepts are harder to defend. Examine your beliefs to determine which are essential to your faith that you are willing to stand for, and which you can let go. This will make your faith more robust. There are some hills you don’t need to die on.

Have you known people who are chronic complainers, who use every opportunity to tell you about all their woes and troubles at great length? It is not surprising that you would find this unappealing. You have an inherent sense of respect for those who can bear up and function in spite of difficult circumstances and not complain. Yet even those who are not prone to complaining still experience pain. They are just as grateful for those who notice and offer sympathy, compassion, and understanding; and usually more so than constant complainers. Who do you know that is suffering in silence?  

Do you believe in the power of ritual? I do, but ritual has fallen out of favor today. John baptized for the repentance of sins and when I came to him he pointed out, correctly, that in my case it wasn’t necessary, but I told him to do it anyhow. Is there a direct connection between water immersion and repentance? There is a spiritual one for those who are willing to see it, and it is beneficial for them to go through the act. Rituals are actions you can do that connect you with the transcendent realm that you cannot access directly. My belief in the power of ritual is shown in my instituting a new one at the Last Supper. Do not despise the power of rituals.

In the investigation of atrocities of times past, those whose hands implemented such great evil claimed that they were only following orders. By this they would excuse themselves of any moral responsibility for their acts. But this is a false defense. If you know something is wrong, and do it anyhow, it is a sin against your own conscience, even if you are told to by those in authority. It is easy to go along and get along, and hard to stand for what you know is right. But your conscience is a gift from me, and I gave it to you for a reason. If you understand this you can call on me for the moral courage to follow it.

Have you ever read the writings of spiritual giants of previous generations and been shocked at misconceptions, biases, and prejudices they held? Do you think this means that they have nothing to teach you? Do you travel with baggage? You understand this question as both literal and figurative. Everyone is subject to the values of their generation and culture. They were no exception and neither are you. They were as unaware of theirs as you are of yours. If collective thought has advanced since their time you should be glad, but you should not judge them by the values of your time. Are you willing to look past this and learn the mysteries I revealed to them?

Have you ever rushed to judgment? I tell you not to judge at all, but the worst judgments are made in haste. Even your court system allows the accused to speak freely in their own defense. No judgment is rendered prior to this. Are you willing to engage with those who sin in different ways than you do, to hear their stories firsthand before you offer judgment? If you still cannot refrain from judgment this will at least improve your understanding. Have you heard it said that you should seek to understand before you seek to be understood? If you can do that you can also seek to understand before you condemn. Everyone you meet has a story that will break your heart.