UNTO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE!

 

Monday, May 11, 2026

 

UNTO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE!

 

Eph 4:22-25

Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

 

         In Act 1, Scene III of the famous play, Hamlet, Polonius says:

“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!”

 

Christianity today seems to be pretty much in the hands of “Progressives” (otherwise referred to as liberals) because the conservatives (otherwise referred to as legalists) have departed the building. I find my own home-made philosophy resides uncomfortably in the middle. I like the casual attire of the left along with some of the modern upgrades to the worship format. However, at my age, I am unwilling and perhaps unable to abandon traditions. I still use the KJV while reading several other translations. I think that is honest! I still have the nagging feeling that appropriate dress in church is still  appropriate. I think flip-flops, tank tops and underwear worn as outerwear is disrespectful to a God who is clothed in light. I still think that the name “Baptist” is honorable enough to retain it on our church sign and especially in our theology. It is at least as descriptive as some of the modern indistinct names of new church plants.

 

I’m not sure that separatism is always a good thing because it leads to an altered sense of reality. Jesus ate with publicans and sinners while the Pharisees avoided them like the plague. Which was the most balanced? I do, however, demand of myself a strict adherence to firmly held convictions which causes some to withdraw from me. The chill of loneliness because of one’s convictions is not as uncomfortable to me as the frost that settles on my soul when I openly affirm a position which I do not truly hold. I therefore wander through life with my lantern held high searching for truth.

 

Ps 34:13-14

13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

 

Father, let me filter both my thoughts and my behavior through thy Word. AMEN

 

A MOTHER’S HOPE!

 

Sunday, May 10, 2026

 

A MOTHER’S HOPE!

 

Ex 2:1-2

2 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.

2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.

 

          A goodly child! The Hebrew has no more insight than this into the nature of the child we now know as Moses. The word indicates perfection in physical form and also beauty. Acts 7:20 in the New International Version says that he was “no ordinary child.” But what were Jochebed’s hopes for her son?

 

I was born just a little less than two months after the Nuremburg trials. The war was over and Germany’s ruins were being cleared away by the Marshal plan. Germany had reason now to hope. The birth of a second son at the Abbott house must have filled my mother with hope as well. Mothers always hope and dream.

 

          I wonder if Gospel Ministry was one of Mother’s hopes for me. I’m sure I often disappointed her in many ways. Through the years I tried to paint ministry with the best brush and colors, but mothers often see the blemishes on the canvas anyway. She continued to hope. One day I’ll be reunited with Momma, and we will both know how wonderful God’s plan for her boy really was.

 

          Honor your mother whether she is alive or gone. Exodus 20:12 tells us that there is a promise and a reward for doing so.

 

Dear Lord, please give Mom a hug for me and let her know that we are still working out your plan for my life. AMEN

 

BIBLICAL BALANCE

 

Saturday, May 9, 2026

 

BIBLICAL BALANCE

 

Reading: Philippians 4:4-8

 

Phil 4:4-5

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

 

          The word “balance” appears eight times in the Authorized Version, but it refers to an instrument that measures weight. It does not refer to a balanced attitude or demeanor. For that more modern meaning, we must look at the word “moderation” which shows up only once. That word is the Greek epieikes and it literally means “mild, gentle, moderate and patient.” One commentator has called it “sweet reasonableness.”

 

          We live in a world of aggravated extremes and contention. Each side, convinced that they and they alone are right, is determined to destroy the other opinion and practice. It has invaded all areas of our culture including the church. Its root is selfishness and it is as old as Cain and Abel.

 

          Moderation acknowledges another way without feeling intimidated or threatened. It does not demand its own way. It is loving and accepting without excusing that which is clearly wrong. That which is clearly wrong can be measured by its product. Does a certain practice produce peace or is it divisive. “Sweet reasonableness” is not faring well in modern times!

 

          Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit – the Holy Spirit. Do not expect moderation from the unsaved. Also, do not expect reasonableness from those who are following the world or their flesh. These are incompatible. Oh, and don’t expect to assume moderation in yourself without a fight because “the flesh lusteth against [are opposed to] the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:17) Moderation does not reside in one who is willful and proud.

 

Dear Lord, in a world of angry extremes, let me own and display sweet reasonableness. AMEN