Hilarious! (At least I think so)

How Free is Free?

As Memorial Day draws to a close, we would do well to consider just what kind of freedom the men who have served and died for our country have bought us, so as to honor them as we use it. In America, does one have the freedom to do whatever he or she wants? If you think so, just try to steal a car or something else of just about any value. If caught, you will be prosecuted and your freedom taken away. So we don't have the freedom to steal other people's property without paying for it. It is the same with murder, as well as small things like traffic laws. So our freedom is not total, we cannot do whatsoever we please at the expense of others. Our freedom is not lawlessness, it is regulated. But history and common sense tell us that this is the best kind of freedom, one that is regulated for the good of the society. Lawlessness is a bondage in and of itself. It is the same with the believer's freedom in Christ. But the Bible tells us that we are slaves to Christ, you may say, how can we also be free? The Bible speaks of both, and both are true. In a sense, slavery to Christ is freedom. Think about it, going back to the example of the civil law. Are Americans free? Yes. Are we under law? Yes. They are not contradictory. So it is with the Christian and Christ. Are we free? Yes, from the law of sin and death (Romans 7:2). Are we under law? Yes, the law of Christ found in His Word. Paul had to deal with this in many places in Scripture. After speaking of the free grace of God, Paul often had to deal with the question: "Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?" To which he replied in the strongest vernacular, literally: "God forbid!" We are recipients of the free grace of God, but we must not use this as an excuse for lawlessness. Peter says it well in 1 Peter 2:16: "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God." So then, the Christian is free, but not lawless. Christ did not die so that believers could continue to live for themselves, but for Him, and that means being obedient to His Word as a loyal and joyful slave. So as we remember the price that American men through the years have paid to make us free to exercise our freedom within the confines of the civil law, let us also meditate on the free grace of Christ that frees us from the tyranny of sin and frees us to obey Him as joyful slaves!

A lowly fellow slave of Christ,

Alex

Poem on Mortification

This is an allegorical poem that I wrote for Literature. It tells a story that every true Christian can relate to. Read these verses before you read the post so you can better understand it: Proverbs 5:3-5, 7:24-27; Matthew 5:29-30; Romans 8:12-13; Colossians 3:5-7; Psalm 19:8-10

The Friendly Foe

By Alex Long

The path I trod was straight and narrow.

I knew the prize that lay at the end,

But fatigue had begun to drive it from me.

Suddenly there stood before me a beautiful woman,

Whose lips dripped honey as she spoke,

Enticing me to come away with her

To a place of rest and pleasure.

So enraptured was my weary heart,

That little resistance did I make,

And no sooner had I followed,

Than the harlot led me to a palace.

A place like this I had never seen,

Where all my desires and lusts,

Could all be satisfied in one place.

Rich meat there was, and pleasures abundant,

And I saturated myself until

I could no longer endure,

And falling on the rich pillows

Sank into deep drugged slumber.

Fitful sleep was mine that night,

Until with a start I awoke.

To my horror, I sat in a dank cell

Surrounded by rotting corpses.

“Surely,” thought I, in disturbed wonder

“These were also the harlot’s victims.”

“How I had been the fool!”

“A wise man had warned me of her

In the Scroll that was my guide,

But I did not listen. Woe is me!”

“Surely I cannot escape from this place!”

Despairing, I remembered the words written

In the Scroll by the father of that wise man

When he spoke of a similar plight:

“He drew me up from the pit of destruction.”

I knew that the deliverer he spoke of

And He who had given to me the Scroll

Were one and the same, And He

Had turned me again to it when in direst need.

As I cried out to Him, my shackles, though iron,

Were cut like twine, and the thick doors of the dungeon

Were thrown open like a screen door.

Fleeing into the light, I raced toward the path,

Remembering the admonition of the Scroll to

“Flee also youthful lusts,”

But as I approached the path the harlot appeared.

My eyes were opened , though, and she appeared

Now as a serpent, dripping venom instead of honey.

Filled with disgust and loathing, I unsheathed the Scroll

And slew with merciless brutality the serpent,

But in the process lost one of my hands.

But that was of no consequence now,

I knew it would be restored on that Day

When battles would cease and rest ensue.

As I walked, the thought came to me:

“What will replace the pleasures that sin gave?”

It was then I remembered the words of the Scroll

In which it was described as “sweeter than honey

From the comb,” and taking it I ate and was satisfied,

And went on my way rejoicing.

...And here's why:

Jesus Died! - Paul Washer from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.

Jesus is worth it!

Jesus is worthy of everything we have and infinitely more. Whoever reads these words will glorify Him one way or the other, whether in the display of His holy justice in eternal torment, or in His mercy praising Him for eternity with exceedingly great joy. Jesus is Lord, whether you acknowledge it or not, whether you obey him or not. But for those who are called by His name, know that He is worthy of your sufferings for His name's sake, and will reward you, even as He is given His reward. Rejoice therefore, and give Him the glory due Him, especially on this His day. In all you say to your brethren, make sure Christ gets the glory that He deserves.

Boasting in the Cross of Christ,

Alex

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Test of email posting

-He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.-Jim Eliot