Poetry With A Mission



...a thought provoking poetical exercise.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith [context behaviour]. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test!” (2 Cor 13:5).  

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2).  

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world;  for all that is in the world – the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches – comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever” (1 John 2:15-17).  

“ ‘No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal [devoted] to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [there is no neutral position]’ ” (Matt 6:24, NKJV).  

“ ‘I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of My mouth’ ” (Rev 3:15,16).  

“ ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost it’s taste, how can it’s saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot [if we have become part of the world and are living by its principles we are no longer salt. We have become a part of the problem rather than the solution]’ ” (Matt 5:13).

“Finally, beloved, whatever is true [all that is morally and spiritually sound], whatever is honorable [worthy of respect], whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable [those things that harmonize with Christian ideals], if there is any excellence [moral excellence] and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things [let them play an active part in your life]” (Phil 4:8).  

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31, ESV).  

“Therefore, since all these things [all earthly things] will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness [with special reference to character], looking for [eagerly anticipating] and hastening [assisting] the coming of the day of God…[Christ’s Second Coming]?” (2 Peter 3:11,12, NKJV).  

 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety [a lack of obedience, respect, or reverence to God] and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and Godly” (Titus 2:11,12).  

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions [earthly desires and cravings]” (Rom 6:12, ESV).  

“But whoever keeps His word, in him truly  the love of God is perfected...” (1 John 2:5, ESV).

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries” (Heb 10:26,27, ESV). 

Christians

A Christian? Just what is a Christian? Could you give me some idea?
Say, if I were to look around me, would I know if one was there?
Do these Christians look just like us? Are they into the things we do?
Do they act and think like us? Are there many, or simply a few?

They’re just human too, you say? Then I guess that they are just like us,
Probably have our weaknesses, possibly curse and swear and cuss.
And I guess that they lose their tempers, perhaps even yell and scream,
Or fight each other physically, and make gestures quite obscene. 

I guess they indulge their appetite eating anything they choose,
And also take harmful substances like intoxicating booze.
I guess that they have their idols, and are avid movie goers,
Watching sex and violence that just encourages and lowers.

And surely it must also be that our fantasy and fiction
Has a strong hold on them as well, as we just love its addiction.
And surely they must also be immoral in many actions,
As one thing that we’re well known for is our sexual infractions. 

Presumably their fun and humour is as broad-based as our own, 
And their viewing just as decadent as what we watch in our home.
I’m sure that what they listen to must have similar wrongful sounds,
And that their entertainment — just like our own — with much sin abounds.

I guess that they’re into vanity, love possessions and display,
And aren’t so keen on black and white, quite comfortable with grey.
And the secular and Holy I’d expect they’ve mixed together,
And no doubt they procrastinate, and their own interests feather.

Presumably they have some hang-ups that also afflict them too,
Like pride, lust, greed and envy, that they’ve no doubt often cause to rue.
And they probably like their comforts, and prefer a low profile,
Are rather shy of principle, and maybe not too short on guile.

Yes, to put things rather bluntly, they would hardly be squeaky clean,
For when it comes down to honesty, it depends upon the scene.
Our divorce rate’s ever climbing, so I’d guess that theirs is as well, 
And I presume their self-interest has a similar pedestal. 

In fact, if they’re so similar, do you think that they might join us?
For if they happily compromise, no one here will raise a fuss.
What’s that? You say that they worship? Really! For we’re doing that too,
Thus, I wouldn’t think that a problem, if they too, mix false with true. 

You say that they have a rule book? Well, that’s hardly any concern, 
For when it comes to our ways, I’m very sure that they’d quickly learn.
Sorry, what’s that? You say that they bend their rule book? Well there you go,
Such clearly shows that these Christians would fit in nicely with the flow.

Yes, I find it very comforting that these Christians seem like me,
For they would blend in very nicely within our community.
You see, if they were quite unlike us, we might really sense a threat,
But if I have got the picture right, such a fear would not be met.

What’s that? Some are different? But just a minority, you say?
Just a certain type of Christian that only their God will obey?
Well, I guess that just goes to show that there are some who won’t conform,
But let me tell you this though: I’m very glad that such aren't the norm!

By Lance Landall