Stuff About Things
This Is Just A Little Story!!
Two library books, dusty and shelf-worn, slipped quietly from the room one hot sultry day, and took a little walk beside a cool stream that flowed through the town. The trees cast a deep shade over the little park; and there were no people around to break backs, turn down corners, or write on margins. They had such a lovely time.
After a while, one book proposed, "Come, let's wade in the cool stream." The second book hesitated, but the first firmly grasped its hand (-- er, bookmark) and led it into the pool.
"But it is rather deep here," the second book protested. "Do you really think this is the thing to do?"
"Exactly the thing," replied the first book. Then, without a word of warning, it grasped the unsuspecting volume and pulled it back -- gently but firmly -- until it was completely buried beneath the water's surface.
When it raised the surprised and puffing book once again to a standing position, the second book shouted, "Hey! That's no way to treat a friendly dictionary!"
"That was to teach you something," replied the Bible. "Now THAT, is what I mean by BAPTISM." And the gentle summer breeze parted the pages to reveal Rom.6:4 --
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
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Karl Von Clausewitz is quoted in Reader's Digest as saying," A conqueror is always a lover of peace. He would like to make his entry into our state unopposed."
And the promoters of innovations in the worship and work of the church manifest the same love for peace. The error is taught, the church treasury is used to support it, but "we must have peace" -- meaning, "keep quiet, do not oppose our pet projects."
It is forgotten, or ignored, that our first obligation is peace with God; and this kind of peace demands that we be at war with error. Freedom from strife must not be traded for freedom to strive for peace with God.