ABNORMAL NORMAL

ABNORMAL NORMAL

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Matthew 7:13—14 [Jesus said] "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

John 14:5-12 Thomas said to him [Jesus], "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

In the spirit of reminding myself this morning, I share with you:

·         As followers of Christ we are “peculiar” and should not strive to appear as what the travelers of the John 3:18 broad road deem normal. Tit.2:13-15; 1Pet.2:1-10

·         As temples for God’s Holy Spirit we are quite different than those remaining on the John 3:18 broad road. 1Cor.3:17; 6:19

·         If and when we strive to image behavior acceptable to those plodding the wide trail we are suppressing His Holy Spirit within us. 1Thes.5:19

·         Though we may exercise free-will to suppress the Holy Spirit, we cannot destroy Him within us. Doing so however is presently and eternally costly. 1Cor.3:9-23; 11:30

·         In thought and deed we are to worship Him. Rom.12:1-3

  Now, what with events planned and unexpected this day, will I remain mindful of being His peculiar John 1:12 son, and think and act accordingly? I do not deny for one step that it is a challenge ever before me.

EBB4