Porter , those ducks are vultures.
I thought you might pick up on that, Pamela.
I went on a trip recently to the big city, unwillingly, but I had to go see an endocrinologist for my thyroid. The interesting thing about this is that everywhere I went, I kept running into these “vultures in ducks clothing”
. A number of them even took good care of me and my son, who was my escort on my trip into the big city. Some of these “ducks” were total strangers, and a couple were old friends from college. Even my son believes in God, but not quite the same way we do here at BT. So then, of course, I began asking God, “what are you doing?” because this was a bit surreal for me once I realized with whom God was causing me to be surrounded by. Looking back, especially after your post here, Pamela, I see how every one of them were attempting some form of the self purification that you are referring to. Every one of them was doing the “wonderful works” they are known for doing. I know because they told me.
Here's the kicker. Besides running into many who call Jesus Lord, I also kept running into people in the streets who seemed to need my help. I offered some of them money or gave them whatever they asked of me and then some. One guy I met wanted to show me that his jacket was stab proof by repeatedly stabbing himself in the chest. He even mentioned that my jacket was not stab proof
. I am not sure why I didn't notice sooner when I first called him over that he was armed to the teeth with knives in almost every pocket of that jacket of his. And I was alone with him in the parking lot of the hotel my son and I were staying in. My son must have gotten concerned after a few minutes because he went looking for me outside. It seems once the person with the stab proof jacket saw my son, he proceeded to leave. My son is a big, strong young man, so maybe the knife man felt intimidated. Anyhow, I felt sorry for knife man and asked him if he needed some money, but he seemed insulted by my offer and started yelling something as he was leaving.So now, I can't help but to think that I too was attempting self purification. I mean, it felt pretty good to help those that seem to need it, but I sense that it could have gotten me hurt a few times. Some of these people had the look of desperation in their eyes, and I couldn't help but to pity them. I mean, I know what it's like to live in the streets and having to beg. So I guess in the back of my mind I was trying to pay it forward from all the times people, including Christians, helped me in my destitution.
Now, I know I didn't need to do any of that because it doesn't make me righteous or clean. I actually feel pretty stupid and ashamed about it now, to be honest. It feels like I was just on some emotional high the whole time. If we've learned anything here at BT is that we know that the heart is the seat of our emotions. To be led by our emotions (caused by external circumstances) has the potential to deceive us into thinking we are good, which makes us feel less guilty or blinds us concerning our sinful beastly nature. Yet, it is through godly guilt, sorrow, and shame that we can repent.
Joh 3:20 For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
Joh 3:21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.
Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,
Heb 10:17 He adds: I will never again remember their sins and their lawless acts.
