Written by Benjamin Owen / July 2022 / tnmemoirs.com
PART ONE
The beautiful glass candy dish is kept in a high and visible place. And oh! I know something of it’s good contents; for my father has upon my every request given me a piece from it. Though at times, I’ve tried to climb up and reach it myself, it simply isn’t possible to do. Once or twice, I’ve even fallen in the attempt and been hurt. At times I sit staring up at it longingly, thinking; ‘Oh! How I would to share that sweetness with others. If only to make them understand what goodness it holds.’ Though I’ve tried with smart effort to convince them, it seems I cannot. So I go on admiring the sparkle of that glass, wishing I could taste of its sweetness again. Too much forgetful of whom such goodness is continuously provided, unmeasured.
“This only would I learn of you; Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:2-3)
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” (Galatians 6:1-4)
PART TWO
That dusty glass bottle is kept in a high and visible place. And oh! I know something of it’s bitter contents; for my father has upon my every plea administered a dose from it. For there sits within my easy reach many alluring treats. Though I know all to well my allergic condition and must avoid consuming many a dangerous substance, I’ve oft sought out the enjoyment of them and fallen ill. Sometimes indulging would seem quite harmless to me and would add laughter to my day. But in other such times, too many for my liking, the relish turns to poison within me, near unto death. No matter how mild; to me the sickness feels equally severe and in gasping breath I cry for help. Then my father is faithful to come with that bottle, of which I never
can reach myself. And oh! How I would to convince others of the power it holds, or even to bring them just one little drop from it myself. But I cannot. So I go on in life, appearing at times a marvel to those still ill. And far too often proud am I, of this special privilege that restores my health. Too often forgetful of whom I’ve relied, when laying helpless as they.
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:11-18 and 6:23)
“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:6-8)
“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” “….all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (1 Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23)
PART THREE
The candy and medicine are one and the same. Many have received and tasted; for both remain free for the asking. And few have guessed how long the sweetness of each remains. But too easily forgotten how coming to the Father is our only way to receive. We cannot climb up or grasp it down by any ingenious means. And some have been mislead to think that to behold and describe from afar is all that can be achieved. Yet, it wasn’t set there for mere decor, though it shines for beauty and for warning. Even we who delight in frequently eating these healing sweets, sometimes fail to tell others how they can receive; in that we only speak of this sweet medicine high up in the glass. ‘It’s there for your healing, it’s there for your joy,’ we say. Then people might marvel, or doubt, or stumble at its unreachable height. And oh! Would they to know the Father, who lovingly gives life to whomever comes to Him. Not for mere medicine or momentary sweets. The Creator God who made all things, gives to us Himself; that we may abide in the sweetness of Him, our LORD, through the power of His resurrection.
“Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.” (John 14:6-7)
“And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:39-40)
“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)
“But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.” (Jeremiah 10:10)