Daddy's Billfold
Posted by: ba <ba@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross
COLUMN: Final Phase
Daddy's Billfold
by J. Randal Matheny
Yesterday morning, at the Iuka, Miss.,
congregation, a church friend crowed about her
intelligent grandson. He had asked, "Grandma, does
the tooth fairy exist?"
Not wanting to give it away, she answered, "Well,
he puts money under your pillow, doesn't he?"
"Yes," replied the five-year-old, "but the money
smells like Daddy's billfold."
The world may try to deny it, hide it, or forget
it, but the true Christians and churches will
"smell" like their heavenly Father. They will bear
the undeniable traces of his goodness, reveal the
marks of his transformation, and reflect the
pureness of his love.
Instead of cursing when they are cursed,
Christians bless. "Do not repay evil with evil or
insult with insult, but with blessing, because to
this you were called so that you may inherit a
blessing" (1 Peter 3:9, NIV).
Against the world's perverseness and immorality,
Christians shine forth in holiness as obedient
children. "... just as he who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be
holy, because I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:15).
And the follower of Christ has a love as broad as
his Master. "Be perfect [in your love], therefore,
as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew
5:48).
People will know who are Jesus' disciples, if they
love one another (John 13:35). This fraternal love
is a principle identifying mark of the true
Christian and the true church.
No matter what others may say, the Christian's
life and a church's character will show through,
because they are like God. The aroma of their
attitudes and actions will be unmistakeable, just
as their message will be clear and forceful.
No doubt about it. The saints have been indelibly
marked by being in the Father's presence.
Be one of them.
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