Dale Cresap's blog

Do you find people with whom you have differences? This is inevitable and you should expect it, and not regard it as a bad thing. Do you regard people with whom you do not agree as your enemies? It does not have to be this way. How many people are you commanded to love? If this includes everyone then it would extend to those of different opinions. You may be fiercely committed to your own opinions as they are to theirs. Let your fierce commitment to love be even greater. This will enable you to go beyond just living in peace and toleration with those you have differences with.

Do you think that you should get credit for your good works? Do you think you should get more credit for things you do not enjoy? Is this an essential aspect of sacrifice? There have been martyrs of the faith but these were not positions applied for. The term martyr complex is not considered a compliment. Somehow those so afflicted find a way to let you know how miserable they are in serving me. For extra credit? My word warns against grim and dour expressions of faith practices. Do you understand that I love a cheerful giver? This concept applies to more than just money.

Do you regard other people in terms of how similar they are to you, or how different? You can make both cases from the Bible. You are a peculiar people called to come out from among them and be separate. Yet at the same time you are created by the same God in his image and bear his likeness. This gives you a common humanity. Both concepts are true and useful, but which is stronger? Consider my own life and practice. Didn’t I reach out to include those who were rejected and outsiders? My acceptance of those outside my own tradition was a radical departure and shocking to my culture.

Have you ever met people who are easily offended? Do you find them to be unpleasant company and avoid them when you can, because you have to walk on eggshells when you are around them? What do you think of me? Do you think I am easily offended? Have you found that this is the default opinion people have of me, knowing me only through a list of commandments? If this is the extent of their understanding of me is this impression surprising? Do you know me as a source of grace as well as of commandments? As you get to know me better, do you see me as more or less easily offended?

Are you aware of your advantages? Do you have an even greater awareness of the advantages of others? Do you take your own blessings in stride as your due and wish you had the blessings of others as well? Perhaps they wish they had yours, and see you as privileged in comparison to themselves. Can you have peace if you don’t have contentment? Those who are aware of their own blessings without being envious of the blessings of others are in a position to be grateful. Do you understand the value of this? Is it more important to get more stuff or to be thankful for what you have?

Do you want to enter eternal life? Do you think you have to wait until you die for this to happen? In a sense you are right, but you may not have to wait as long as you think. An essential feature of the faith is that you need to die before you die so you can live. Didn’t I tell you to lay down your life and pick up your cross and follow me? Didn’t my apostle say that he died daily? Isn’t baptism a ritual of death and resurrection? The good news is that you don’t have to wait for anything. You can do this today.

I said that unless you were converted and became as little children you would not enter the Kingdom of God. But children have undesirable qualities as well as desirable ones. You use the terms childlike and childish to distinguish between these. The qualities I am looking for are trust, wonder, and amazement. I am not looking for immaturity, stubbornness, and willfulness. For I also tell you to put away childish things as you mature. You can see both sets of qualities in adults you know. Can you maintain the desirable qualities of childlikeness even as you put away childish things?

Do you see yourself as being on a spiritual journey? This is the most common metaphor for a life of faith. It includes the elements of movement and progress and destination. Do you see yours as more of a wild ride? Do not be discouraged, for this also is a journey. Do you feel more secure when you are driving instead of being a passenger? Who do you think is driving on this spiritual journey? If it is you will we get to the right destination? You do not know the road ahead, but I do. There is a reason for the curves and starts and stops. I want you to enjoy the ride.

I tell you to stand fast in the liberty in which I have made you free, and not to be entangled again in the yoke of bondage. Paul referred to those who spied out the glorious liberty that believers have in Christ. Do you love your liberty? Have you found that it bothers some people? Have you ever had the same reaction to someone else, that they were a little too free for your taste? Liberty and control will always be in tension, except in the Kingdom of God, where mercy and justice are joined together.

Do you believe in honor? Is honor worth dying for? Does it sound noble minded to say, death before dishonor? Could this be an expression of pride masquerading as honor? Consider my apostles. If they are regarded as the highest office in the church, should they be given the most honor? Yet consider the description of them in the Bible: a spectacle unto God, angels, and men. Being cursed they bless, being reviled they entreat. As far as human dignity they are considered the off-scouring of humanity. Is it possible that this world and my Kingdom have different definitions of honor?