“Whenever, therefore, we meet with heathen writers, let us learn from that light of truth which is admirably displayed in their works, that the human mind, fallen as it is, and corrupted from its integrity, is yet invested and adorned by God with excellent talents. If we believe that the Spirit of God is the only fountain of truth, we shall neither reject nor despise the truth itself; wherever it shall appear, unless we wish to insult the Spirit of God” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, Vol 1, p.288).

“Sin has corrupted everything. Our relationships, our behaviors, our identities, and our understanding. We get things wrong, all the time. Maybe we’re especially prone to getting things wrong when we are most certain that we are getting things right.” (Kristin Du Mez)

“There is someone that I love, even though I don’t approve of what he does. There is someone I accept, though some of his thoughts and actions revolt me. There is someone I forgive, though he hurts the people I love the most. That person is me.” (C. S. Lewis)

“Ever since I served as an infantryman in the First World War I have had a great dislike of people who, themselves in ease and safety, issue exhortations to men in the front line. As a result I have a reluctance to say much about the temptations to which I am not exposed…. I did not think it my place to take a firm line about pains, dangers and expenses from which I am protected.”

(C.S.Lewis, Mere Christianity, Preface)

OK, I found these words online, a parody by George Verwer on the song Onward Christian Soldiers. Part of me wants to snicker, but another part of me is sad. Maybe the shock of the words is enough to make Christ-followers think about the ‘church’, about how others see us. You may be tempted to react negatively, but ask yourself, “how much of this is true”.

Please leave your thoughts/comments!

Backward Christian Soldiers

1. Backward Christian soldiers,

Fleeing from the fight,

With the cross of Jesus,

Nearly out of sight.

Christ our rightful master

Stands against the foe

Onward into battle, we

seem afraid to go.

Chorus: Backward Christian soldiers,

Fleeing from the fight,

With the cross of Jesus,

Nearly out of sight.

2. Like a mighty tortoise

Moves the church of God.

Brothers we are treading,

Where we’ve often trod.

We are much divided,

Many bodies we,

Having different doctrines, but

Not much charity.

3. Crowns and thrones may perish,

Kingdoms rise and wane,

But the cross of Jesus

Hidden does remain.

Gates of hell should never

‘gainst the Church prevail,

We have Christ’s own promise, but

we think it might fail.

4. Sit here then ye people,

Join our sleeping throng.

Blend with ours, your voices

in a feeble song.

Blessings, ease and comfort

Ask from Christ the King,

But with our modern thinking,

We won’t do a thing.

(reposted from July 7, 2007)

This week I am focusing on Psalm 15 (Monday, Jul 20 – Sunday Jul 26, 2020)
Imagine sitting with Jesus and reading this passage with Him. How would you explain this passage to Him? What questions would you ask? What lessons would you glean?
If all scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17), then how is Jesus teaching, rebuking, correcting or training me through this passage?

Your comments will help me as I prepare my message for next Sunday (Jul 26, 2020).

“There is such an enormous gap between our words and deeds! Everyone talks about freedom, democracy, justice, human rights, and peace; but at the same time, everyone, more or less, consciously or unconsciously, serves those values and ideals only to the extent necessary to defend and serve his own interests, and those of his group and state. Who should break this vicious circle? Responsibility cannot be preached: it can only be borne, and the only possible place to begin is with oneself.” (Vaclav Havel)