SUNFLOWERS TOO

SUNFLOWERS TOO

Wednesday, April 7, 2014

            Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  I like it when people challenge me. Ann did it often with her “What in the world are you trying to say?!” . . . and what with her as a Hebrews 12:1 silent witness now, others, mostly female, delightfully get the job done. This time it’s Penny bringing the value.

  In reference to yesterday’s DT, SUNFLOWERS, and in particular my using Hebrews 12:1-2, Penny asks “You lost me.  Although I quite agree with Hebrews 12:1-2, I don't see how that applies to good things in life getting out of hand.  Is this a new branch you are taking? - When good things become sin???“

  Jesus had something to say about this as recorded in Luke 14:26, “If any man come to me, and hate [Strong’s G3404 – μισέω; miseō; mis-eh'-o From a primary [Greek] word μῖσος misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension to love less: - hate (-ful).] not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” (Also note Mt.10:37) And there’s Christ’ words on the same disparity as recorded in16:13, “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

  I believe Paul was referring to the same contrast in living when he wrote Timothy, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2Tim.2:3-4)

  And then there is the first commandment on the matter: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Ex.20:3)

  So, can sunflowers be sinful? Yes, whether pony or plant if we *worship above Lord Jesus Christ, indeed so. And then there’s potential of sinfulness with lovely Iris the plant, or gorgeous Iris the woman, or __________.  EBB4