BT Flashbacks Vol. 1
Last year (August 2007) I posted the following quote from Tozer:
Commenting on Jesus’ High Priestly prayer in John 17…
…that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. -John 17:21
Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified. The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier. - A.W. Tozer - The Pursuit of God, pg. 90.
This was posted after we got back from our church’s Men’s Retreat. We were in Big Bear for the weekend, about 60 or so, fellowshipping and discussing how we must press forward with the unity of the brethren. Some of our former military guys were comparing Christian brotherhood to that of the US Marines’ Semper Fidelis - ALWAYS FAITHFUL!
The United States Marine Corps adopted the motto, Semper Fidelis in 1883, on the initiative of Colonel Charles McCawley, the 8th Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Prior to Semper Fidelis, the Marines had another motto - Fortitudine - WITH COURAGE! So it was no surprise that the former Marines in our Men’s Discipleship group were so charged up from the comparison between Christian brotherhood and their experience in the military. It is such a strong, strong motto to remind one of the commitments they’ve made to something or someone in the past. Semper Fidelis” is a declaration that signifies the total dedication and loyalty, even to death, that individual Marines are expected to have, and what they expect of each other!
Many of you enjoy and are blessed by my brother Mario’s posts and comments here at BT; Mario is a former Marine. I have learned so much about the Christian walk from Mario, and many times he uses analogies of the US Marines to teach and encourage me! In the short future, God willing, we’ll all be blessed by him even more (he’s almost finished with something that has been extremely time consuming)!
As we read Tozer’s quote and apply Semper Fidelis to our Christian walk, let us dig in our heels, stay in the saddle, and let not the enemy bully us around! Like our fearless leader (that is, fearless of man) said in Big Bear: NO MORE HALF-ASS CHRISTIANITY! Do it fully to the glory of God, with everything under the Lordship of Christ. And to quote our fearless leader’s former fearless leader (Dr. Stephen Olford): ONLY THE BEST FOR GOD!
And remember, the past-tense of Semper Fidelis is a fantasy. How can someone say “I was always faithful?” If you’re not now, you weren’t then. Semper Fidelis: live it, or don’t say it!
It’s God who gives the gifts so you can take it up w’Him - Odd Thomas
3 Comments, Comment or Ping
Fusion!
This is why I love you guys! Keep it up!
Mar 13th, 2008
Mario
Great exhortation! I see the Lord’s grace at work in us. May we always be willing to speak the truth in love to each other. If there is one lesson I am learning well, it is to always keep in mind that the way up in Christianity is down! Everything good in me and done through me comes from God and others! It is excellent to esteem each other as brothers/fellow soldiers in union with Messiah. May we guard each other and contend as the Spartans did in 300 for Messiah!
I have made it a point to watch after my brothers and understand that our Lord is raising men up for His purposes. Steve, thanks for the encouraging words! I can definitely say the same thing about you. The Lord has gifted you in many great ways which encourages all of us to strive harder at studying for God’s glory. Very tough act to follow, however, your example causes us to strive for excellence!
Because we are in this front line ministry, we must take greater care to watch after each other and pray we would not fall into that temptation of the devil! God is sovereign who has appointed us to this, and I thank God for the brothers that God has put in my life!
I look forward to pressing on as those 100 pianos or instruments in the hand of our Messiah, finely tuned to impact the present age and the one to come to the glory of God! I know I am rambling on, but you’re right….NO MORE HALF ASS CHRISTIANITY!
As for me, I am almost finished with my undergraduate degree in business administration. The graduation date is set for May 30! Thank the LORD for His faithfulness!
By grace, I am committed to the cause! Semper Fidelis is what Christ is. He is our example who has gone before us! He is who we live for! He Himself said, “and by this they will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Biblical love presses ahead strong! It rejoices in the truth, it perseveres, it is long suffering, doesn’t keep a record of wrongs, not jealous, not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly, does not seek its own, not provoked, bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails! With this in mind may we press forward committed to Messiah, the works which have been ordained for us to walk in. I love my brothers and vow to stand firm and dig in together, never retreating, never surrendering!
Mar 13th, 2008
Mario
Alright, back again. I had very peaceful sleep! Just extending Grace and Peace to all the brothers and sisters! Even to our extended family in Missouri, Erik, Linda, and the children! Hey it feels like this is a shout out session, only it’s not Art Laboe, it’s in the presence of our LORD.
I said much last night. What brings it home for me is a FCC Flashback to when Dr. Morey was in Philippians 1.
“Grace and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affections of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
A beautiful passage that displays Paul’s affection for the saints. An affection not originating from himself, but an affection, the word meaning bowels, the intestines of Christ! A love that flows from the richness of the arteries of our sovereign and divine Messiah Jesus!.
Oh the far reaching magnitude of what our Great High Priest accomplished when He shed His blood for our sins! His life, His work, His person, He is the very wellspring from which flows our fortitude as followers of Messiah. May God instill in us the mettle which originates from the person and work of Christ. We have His will to FIND, FOLLOW, and FINISH!
Mar 14th, 2008
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