Talk Them Into It (Again) 03

Refuse to Be Fragile

Christianity is the religion of the cross. It is the spirituality of the suffering God. This will entail its fair amount of fear and trembling. Holiness does not lounge on a cushion. Holiness stands upright, with the chest thrown out and the eyes cast straight ahead. Holiness knows the fear of the Lord, that God is behind you, that no where you tread is less than where he sent you, that whatever thorns be in your path, they are but the temporary fire that shall only purify, only establish and only strengthen you.

Welcome to the a war of mind-killing, the ordeal of shame-ending, the heaven born at the foot of a cross. This is a fight, and a visceral one at that. The aim is not to disarm but to strike true. The sacrifice is not meant to end but to preserve. The disciple is not above his master. 

Telling the truth is both a duty and a virtue. Virtue is that courage which holds fast to what is true even when it hurts. Martyrdom is witness that does not change, even though the earth give way, even though the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Wisdom is that sword which is the certain Words of the Living God.    

If they hate you, know that they hated Jesus first.

To be continued…

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