Dale Cresap's blog

What do you consider to be the most important measure of a man? Do you value correct doctrine above all else? Yet do you know any mean people who hold to orthodox biblical truth? What did I tell the people about the teachings of the Pharisees?

Search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and they testify of me. Come to me and have life. My Kingdom is already within you. The law is a schoolmaster and the rest of scripture serves as a guide and a testimony.

Even unbelievers are familiar with the golden rule of doing unto others what you would have them do to you. Yet how often do you mentally reverse roles and place yourself in the position of someone you interact with, to see things from their point of view and consider how you would like to be treated in their position?

Do you judge people according to stereotypes? Race and national origin and gender and age were the originals, but now you may see an even stronger resemblance based on occupation. You know you shouldn’t judge in this way, but there are so many people that treating each one as an individual is a demanding task.

Do you see my hand at work in your life correcting your faults? Do you ever wonder why it takes as long as it does? I acknowledge that this is a painful process, and I know what you are able to bear. Sometimes it is more than you think it is, but I do not eagerly afflict my children lest they should be grieved.

Can you define love? Everyone ‘knows’ what it is, but have you ever tried to write out a concise verbal definition? It is not as easy as you might assume. For a concept like this people tend to think in archetypes rather than verbal abstractions.

To cherish and advance the interests of your country is called patriotism. This is a widely admired trait in every country, and something you can admire even in citizens of other countries. This is problematic when those countries are your enemies or under despotic rule, but the general principle still holds.

The fool has said in his heart that there is no God. Fools come in various degrees. A lesser fool will acknowledge that I exist, but live as if I do not. This is an unstable double-minded man.

My word tells you to seek and you will find. Now you have found me and entered into life. Does this mean that you should stop seeking? Have obtained an exhaustive knowledge of me? Do you know as you are known? My commandment to you to seek is continuous and lifelong. Keep seeking and you will keep finding.