LORD, Evermore Make Us Vessels Fit For YOUR Own Use.

Orthodox in creed--

but heterodox in life! 
 (Charles Spurgeon, "Flowers from a Puritan's Garden" 1883)
 
When we hear of men living in sin 

and yet claiming to be Christians, 

we are disgusted with their pretenses--

but we are not deceived by their professions. 

 
In the same manner, we care little for those 

who are orthodox Christians in creed--

if it is clear that they are heterodox in life. 

He who believes the truth, should himself 

be true. How can we expect others 

to receive our religion--

if it leaves us foul, false, 

malicious, and selfish?

 
We sicken at the sight of a dirty dish, 

and refuse even good food when it is 

placed thereon. So pure and holy 

is the doctrine of the cross, that . . .
   he who hears it aright will have    

     his ear cleansed, 

   he who believes it will have 

    his mind and heart purged, 
   he who preaches it should have 

     his tongue purified. 
 
Woe unto that man who brings 

reproach upon the gospel by 

an unholy walk and life!
 
LORD, evermore make us vessels fit 

for YOUR own use, and then fill us with 

the pure juice of the grapes of sound 

doctrine and wholesome instruction. 

Do not allow us to be such foul cups 

as to be only fit for the wine of Sodom!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published J.R. Miller's encouraging two page article, 

"Tired Feet".