Quick Thought...
In this world...
This I write to admonish you, that albeit yet you shall see tribulation so abound, that nothing shall appear but extreme misery, without all hope of comfort; yet you [should] not decline from God. And that albeit sometimes you are moved to hate the messengers of life, that therefore you shall not judge that God will never show mercy after. No, dear brethren, as he has entreated others before you, so will he do [to] you.God will suffer tribulation and dolour to abound, that no manner of comfort shall be seen in man, to the intent that, when deliverance comes, the glory may be his, whose word only [alone] may pacify the most vehement tempests. [John Knox]
John 16:32-34
I maybe quoting John Knox quite a bit when using quotes for the foreseeable future. As I'm currently reading of his life and work, and he's waaay up there with Doc Martin, ISTM. But maybe I just like those kind of guys who have a message and yet are deliver it in a way that's a bit rough around the edges to most folks today. I was reading a sermon or maybe a treatise by Calvin the weekend, how many people saw him as unloving and unkind and basically didn't give a hoot. As he was there to promote the Word of God and not himself. It was in his answer to the nicodemites. And John Knox is often portrayed as a callous, less than gracious soul, and its picked up often about his young wife, and all these points are used to downgrade his life and ministry in an attempt to mock him. Yet, he was also a man of great compassion, which is often overlooked, but anyone who reads his epistles to his mother-in-law and one or two others, let alone his work in Scotland to attend to the needs of the underpriveledged, the sick, needy, impoverished, in a Godly manner, the facts speak for themselves and blow the myths out of the water. Plain speaking or bluntness, can be a bad thing, yet this man had a fire in his belly and that fire burned soley with love for the Lord. As he said to Mary Queen of Scots when she asked him if he was not answerabe to his Queen. He was answerable to God before any man or woman King and Queen's included. Oh, for more men like John Knox. The idols f our ages would soon be torn down. See: 1 Kings 18:39-40 Numbers 25:6-8 2 Kings 9:21-36 And aren't the words in Isa 3 true today, because there are not more men like John knox?
And in case the above examples seem offensive to today's 21st century Christian. Well, they ain't my words but God. But, as John Knox said in another work:
"My words shall appear to some sharp and indiscreetly spoken; but as charity ought to interpret all things to the best, so ought wise men to understand, that a true friend cannot be a flatterer, especially when the questions of salvation (both of body and soul) are moved and not that of one nor of two, but as it were of a whole realm and nation. What are the sobs, and what is the affection of my troubled heart, God shall one day declare. But this will I add to my former rigour and severity, to wit, if any persuade you (for fear of dangers that may follow) to faint in your former purpose, be he never esteemed so wise and friendly, let him be judged of you both foolish and your mortal enemy: foolish, for because he understands nothing of God's approved wisdom; and enemy unto you, because he labours to separate you from God's favour provoking his vengeance and grievous plagues against you, because he would that you should prefer worldly rest to God's praise and glory, and the friend ship of the wicked to the salvation of your brethren. "
And if anyone happens to know of a link for the Covenant of Dun, would they please post it in the comments.
Okay, so maybe not just a quick thought, but a quick thought AND a rant!! Depending on how the nite goes, I may be back to be altogether in lighter frame of mind! ;-)
|
