Sounder

Titus 2:7-8 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Witnessing to unbelievers can be difficult. Taking heed to these instructions in Titus, we often times find ourselves faced with silence. I do not want silence. Silence leaves me no place to go with my witness. I don’t need to hear I am right, but I cannot gauge the amount of understanding they have in silence.

Often times the awkward silence is met with breaking connections. I’m left with nothing but prayer. That is right and good, to pray, but I know eventually I am going to run into this person again and the conversation will not pick up where we left off.

I’m human. Consistency isn’t my strong suit. I have to work at it. I consider it important so I do spend time trying to present a consistent image. I know that if I waiver in my answers even by the slightest, my witness is compromised. You who believe and stand beside me are loving and forgive my momentary lapses.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Unbelievers don’t understand that we are sinners saved by grace. All they see is a hypocrite. A hypocrite is what they want to see. It relieves them of the responsibility of giving account of their own beliefs. Consistency keeps me from having that argument with them.

It is important to their salvation and that matters to me.

 

Trilogies

Romans8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Successful movies breed trilogies. Three movies presented in logical order. They tell an alluring tale of possibility. Successful franchises often spin off in greed and the results can sometimes taint the whole series.

I am interested here in the second story. We have built background and established characters. We know and love all the players. We have our favorite cast members. It is with eager anticipation, earnest expectation that we await the release of the third part.

I was totally disappointed in the release of the third part of the Matrix trilogy. As a writer my imagination had plotted out the story line for movie. It didn’t happen and I was mad. How dare they lead me to these conclusions and then disappoint me in that way. Were my expectations earnest or was I subject to vanity.

Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Are you like me? Do you want to see the third part of the bible trilogy play out according to your own screenplay? Or are you trusting enough to allow God to be glorified in all that is said and done in the second act? Old Testament has been played out, the New Testament is still being played out. Are you following the screenplay or writing your own script?

Romans 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

The church age isn’t over yet. Let’s nott get ahead of ourselves. Redemption is coming soon, just not yet.