Mmmm...Melty Christians We Must Be!

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:13-16

Chuck Swindoll, in his gorgeous work, "Come Before Winter" shares this story: During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, the British government began to run low on silver for coins. Lord Cromwell sent his men on an investigation of the local cathedral to see if they could find any precious metal there. After investigating, they reported:

The only silver we could find is the statues of the saints standing in the corners. To which the radical soldier and statesman of England replied:
Good! We'll melt down the saints and put them into circulation!

Not bad theology for a proper, strait-laced Lord Protector of the British Isles! In just a few words, Cromwell's command succinctly stated what, though obvious, was not at all expected ... the kernel ... the practical need, and God's full expectation of His expectation of authentic Christianity. God does not look for rows of silver saints, polished to a lustrous glow and that are frequently dusted and crammed into the corners of elegant cathedrals.

God has no use for plaster people cloaked in thin layers of untarnished silver and topped with a metallic halo. The essence of the move of the body of Christ through history has been a marching army. These saints circulating through the mainstream of humanity have had hard brassy hearts melted down. What we do or should or must and can is to bring value down where life happens, and, wherever it happens for mankind. The group Petra once sang, a lyric that must never be spoken of you and I, we must neither be nor cower behind, rose-colored stained glass windows. Our theology must live and breath and do and move and touch and care as the one for whom we owe our love and allegiance; as was His.

It's easy to kid ourselves. So easy. The Christian must guard against self-deception. We can begin to consider ourselves martyrs because we are in gatherings (never call it church) twice on Sunday - really sacrificing by investing a few hours on the "day of rest." Frankly kids, unlike my duped and doped "wilderness brethren", being among the saints is no sacrifice . . . it's a brief, choice privilege. And, yes, I know, but even the phony ones will, from time to time be caught up in the spirit and from them will emanate God's glory and wisdom.

No, the draining liabilities side of the Christian walk occurs on Monday through Friday ... and during the rest of the week where we are off and away from the safety and cocoon of the warmth of fellowship. That's when, as Cromwell said, we're "melted down and put into circulation." That's when the enemies of our peace and composure go for the jugular. And it is remarkable how that monotonous workweek test discolors many a silver saint. As Swindoll said, "Sunday religion" may seem sufficient, but that's far from the truth.

It's the acid grind that takes the toll. Maybe that explains why words of the venerable prophet touch a nerve:

“ If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you,
Then how can you contend with horses?
And if in the land of peace,
In which you trusted, they wearied you,
Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan? - Jeremiah 12:5 NKJV

I know a part of what I do is rest in the finished work of Christ. That is positional for me. What I mean is, I confidently rest, in faith that everything that needed to be done for my eternal redemption was done. It's forever sealed. God's grace covered me, Jesus' love provided for me. The Spirit's continued keeping and His sealing of "John W, in Christ" is forever settled in the hallowed halls of heaven, God's Kingdom and eternity. But there are yet earthly battles to fight. There is an enemy who would attack. Doing battle in the steaming jungle of the daily grind calls for shock troops in super shape. No rhinestone cowboys can cut it among the swamps and insects of the gross world system. Sunday-Go-To-Meeting silver saints in shining armor are simply out of circulation if that's the limit to their faith. Waging wilderness warfare (sorry all you FBN'er s- there was a wilderness so wild way before you tried to call lack of fellowship on a regular basis your "wilderness" home) calls for sweat ... energy ... keen strategy (God's wisdom) ... determination (Confidence in Christ) ... a good supply of ammunition (Praise, Prayer, A lively Word) ... willingness to fight (Stand in faith and hope!) ... refusal to surrender, even with the crazies stomping on your lifeline.

And that is why we must be melted! It's all part of being "in circulation." Those who successfully wage war with silent heroism under relentless outside pressure (or phony religious internal pressure) - ah, they are the saints who know what it means to be melted by their King!

You can opt for an easier path. You can even dance through the pansies and pretend that "Jesus paid it all" means nothing else must ever occur. Or, Like Pastor Swindoll says, "Sure. You can keep your own record and come out smelling like a rose. A silver saint. Polished to a high-gloss sheen. Icily regular, cool and casual, consistently present ... and safely out of circulation. Another touch-me-not figurine ...Until the Lord calls for an investigation of the local cathedral, or backwoods meadows. Trust all who have had any effect at all on the world, He is more like Cromwell than you might think.

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~