Rejoyce With Joy

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,  receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls."

(1Peter 1:3-9 NKJV) [1]

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nkjv/1_peter/1.htm

 

Right On, Gilbert and Sullivan

One of the many great things about the British is their humor.  Witty, sometimes naughty, and often satirical, it never disappoints those who appreciate it. 

Good humor contains a healthy dose of truth, and it helps us to expand our point of view.  The comedic opera H.M.S. Pinafore, or The Lass That Loved a Sailor, by Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert is a good example.  Like all classics, it has as much relevance today as it did when it opened in 1878. 

The character of Sir Joseph Porter, who was the First Lord of the Admiralty (Secretary of the Navy), had nothing in his background that qualified him for the job.  How like some of our leaders today. 

A few handpicked stanzas of “Sir Joseph Porter’s Song” from Pinafore show that, in some ways, things have not changed much, since the late 1800’s: 

"Sir Joseph Porter's Song" ("When I was a Lad I served a Term")

from H.M.S. Pinafore, or, The Lass that Loved a Sailor (1878)

by

Sir William Schwenck Gilbert

When I was a lad I served a term
As office boy to an Attorney's firm.
I cleaned the windows and I swept the floor,
And I polished up the handle of the big front door.
I polished up that handle so carefullee
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee! 

Of legal knowledge I acquired such a grip
That they took me into the partnership.
And that junior partnership, I ween,
Was the only ship that I ever had seen.
But that kind of ship so suited me,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee! 

I grew so rich that I was sent
By a pocket borough into Parliament.
I always voted at my party's call,
And I never thought of thinking for myself at all.
I thought so little, they rewarded me
By making me the Ruler of the Queen's Navee! 

Now landsmen all, whoever you may be,
If you want to rise to the top of the tree,
If your soul isn't fettered to an office stool,
Be careful to be guided by this golden rule —
Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee! [1]  

Let’s take a hint from Gilbert and Sullivan when we go to the polls in 2024.  The same old thing is getting the little guy nowhere.

 

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[1] https://victorianweb.org/mt/gilbert/porter.html

Redeemed

There is no degree to sin.  Whether a person has only sinned once, or if they have spent a lifetime steeped in disobedience to God, all of the Law of God has been broken.  (James 2:10-11)

The Apostle Paul was a Pharisee, and a strict adherent to the Law of God as given through Moses. (Philippians 3:4-6)  Nevertheless, he considered himself to be the chief of sinners because he persecuted Christians before he was saved.(1Corinthians 15:9, Galatians 1:13, 1Timothy 1:12-17)

We all have sinned. (Romans 3:10-18)  The penalty for sin is death, but God provided His only Son to pay that penalty for us. (Romans 6:23)  Consequently, Paul instructed Titus to lead the Cretan believers as follows: 

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. 

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:1-8 NIV) [1]

 

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/niv/titus/3.htm