Today’s Thought “Before the Axe Grinds…” G. Ward

Matthew 14:3-5 “For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.  For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.”

Seeking intimacy with Holy God must not only consider highly popular expressions that encourage (only seemingly) without true exploration in sacrificial, patriarchal obedience found in many who were ostracized from the populous, then killed (even up to being beheaded for truthful confrontation) for a stance by faith (cf. Heb. 11:8-40).

How long will any settle for selective grasp in what’s deemed motivational, while excluding those storylines perceived as sad, without relevancy (as it concerns this era of grace), denying the whole script which shares a victory desired for any who will remain faithful? Moreover, that same contribution (i.e. motivational) limits the spiritual transformation necessary that denies opportunity to live as I’ve lived; I’m compelled to absolutely die so that Christ may be exalted among men and it may cost me being ostracized along with assassination (cf. Matt.16:24, *2 Ti.3:12).