Conversational Prayer-Sonnets and Scriptures
September 23 ~
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him ... the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him ...
Heb.5:9 (KJV,Amp)
Must versus Should - 3*
How often doth the pulpit gently say:
"Now that thou'rt saved, thou should thy Lord obey.
Insured now 'gainst the fires of hell thou art
so out of gratitude within thy heart
thou should become obedient to Him.
Rich dividends in heaven thou wilt win!
And if thou don't obey? Thou'lt still be safe
but will in heaven have a lesser place."
Alas, this view conceals that b'lievers must
(not should!) obey, else they'll return to dust!
To all those who obey Him Jesus gives
Salvation Everlasting. Knowing this
doth make it very clear: we must obey!
Just knowing this, Lord, helps me not to stray!
____________________
You are My friends, if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do ... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment ... To love God is to obey his commandments ... sin is the transgression of the law ... We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not ... if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins ... But who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression ... I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me ... "Abide in Me, and I in you ... for apart from Me you can do nothing" ...
Jn.15:14 (Amp); Matt.22:37,38 (KJV); 1 Jn.5:3 (Bar); 3:4 (KJV); 5:18 (KJV); Heb.10:26 (KJV); Ps.19:12-13 (RSV); Phil.4:13 (KJV); Jn.15:4,5 (NAS).
* The first sonnet bearing this title appeared in the February 14 selection.
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