The Plumbline

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. ( Galatians 6:1   NLT ) I know for a fact just how easy it is to get caught up in some temptation we might have thought we had already dealt with fully, for I have followed some path back to where I really shouldn't have gone on more than one occasion! I usually am smart enough to see that I am headed there, and maybe even arrived a little ahead of schedule! There have been times when I have needed the faithful words of a friend or two to direct me back on course again, simply because I get stuck in the mire of the wrong place I got myself into. There is no shame in needing help from time to time - there is more "shame" in not taking it when it is offered! I honestly believe God puts us in a community of believers because he knows we don't always...

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike." ( Matthew 5:43-45   NLT ) We all pretty much know how insanely difficult this scriptural principle is to live out in our everyday practice. Loving our neighbor, helping a friend out when they are in need - these are things we don't really think about - we just do these things because it makes sense and our heart is moved to respond that way. To actually do something good toward an enemy - well that's another story! In fact, our most frequent thought might be that they get what they have coming! Remember, I said this might be our most frequent thought, but I didn't say it was biblical - just human! Look at what Jesus instructs - we don't hav...

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. ( Proverbs 21:21 NLT ) " I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death. "  (Leonardo da Vinci)  Pursuit is not for the faint-hearted. It takes tenacity to pursue something - commitment that just doesn't accept the status quo, or won't settle for substitutes. There are a whole lot of pursuits some call "noble" or "worthy", yet if they aren't leading toward living in righteousness and unfailing love, they are devoid of all that gives them integrity. I'd have to ask us to truthfully examine what "principles" we'd pursue unto death - not just those we'd give lip-service to right now, but those we'd hold onto u...