"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy
to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
(Romans 8:18)
AS ONE YEAR GIVES WAY TO ANOTHER...
This post is dedicated to all friends present and all friends past, to those who've come and remain alongside me and to those who called it a day and went their way, some in silence and some with noise. Pain there has been, and plenty, and pronounced are the scars that 2022 has left upon my person; but at one year's passing and a new year's taking of its place, I extend grace and peace and my warmest wishes to one and all in 2023, and regardless of whether you have determined to be for or against me and the things I have written here in these columns.
Ultimately, as with us all, I am answerable to God for how I have conducted myself in His service. In my compilation and publication of the articles themselves, and in what manner I have interacted with all my correspondents, and perhaps especially with those who are somewhat less than agreed with my personal stance on some issue or other, I have confidence that whatever the opinion of my fellows, in the final reckoning it is He who will be my just Judge when I come to stand before Him. As the Word avers, "yea, let God be true, but every man a liar." (Romans 3:4).
We must every one of us endeavour to move forward in our Faith, and should eagerly encourage each other to do so, forgiving unreservedly all trespasses against us as the Word so teaches. Who is the one who operates in all sinless perfection? Who has no dross to be burned off? Do we not all bear much worldly residue, if we'd only but admit it? We are to be refined as silver is refined; such is the fiery nature of our sanctification in Christ our Lord! For all our assumed righteousnesses - and that means ALL bar none - are as filthy rags! (Isaiah 64:6).
There is no good inherent in any flesh, anywhere, and how easily and conveniently do we forget that the new birth is of the spirit only this side of glory, and the flesh remains in corruption. What do we have to boast of? Assuredly nought of ourselves, only of Him crucified, buried, resurrected and ascended, and coming again to reign in glory! If we in any way elevate the self, which thing is pride, we are fallen into folly. For what are we compared to the Almighty? As is also so pointedly written in Isaiah (55:8-9), "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." We are to diminish, that in our willing self-lessening He increases unto all rightful pre-eminence!
RING OUT, WILD BELLS!
Many years ago, Alfred Lord Tennyson penned a New Year poem of huge optimism, drawing in the turning of the year he was witnessing an analogy to the coming of Christ and the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom on earth. I'd like to share this great ode to hope here, in the sure knowledge that the Lord's return is vastly nearer now than when Tennyson was boldly envisioning it. May his words speak afresh to us now, at this time of intense darkness and deception in the world as Antichrist waits in the wings ready to stride onto centre stage. Is it not always darkest just before the dawn breaks? The false must come and be rung out before the True can be triumphantly rung in...
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL MY READERS:
Open commenting on all articles has now been discontinued. However, anyone who wishes to engage with me privately can still readily do so using the dedicated site email address: watchman4wales@yahoo.co.uk
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