[192]. MESSAGE FROM A POEM – NO CONTRADICTION FOUND HERE
I am not sure if I should explain each of these or let you work them out for yourselves. I was going to explain what seems to be contradictions, then I changed my mind. I will decide on that tomorrow!
Well, I have decided to let you work them out. ? I think some people call these paradoxes.
We remember one saying of Paul that verges on a contradiction – {{2 Corinthians 12:10 “Therefore, for Christ’s sake, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG.”}}
I will just mention one line – “Yet faith gave me not birth.” The reference there is to physical birth. There is a physical birth and a spiritual birth. The spiritual birth is what the Lord was discussing with Nicodemus, through faith. {{John 3:7 “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”}}
{{1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has CAUSED US TO BE BORN AGAIN TO A LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”}}
Born again to a living hope is absolutely wonderful. We hope in salvation; hope in resurrection; hope in heaven; and have the blessed hope which is the rapture. This world is unpleasant but hope is the fortress we have against the world. {{Titus 2:13 “looking for THE BLESSED HOPE and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Christ Jesus.”}}
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NO CONTRADICTION FOUND HERE
You’ve taken my sin away,
Though my sin, it remains.
A citizen of heaven,
Though on earth where sin reigns.
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I walk by the light of God,
Though live in the world’s night.
I live by many earth’s rules,
But walk by salvation’s light.
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I have a heavenly home,
Though my home is on earth.
I’m born again through faith’s choice,
Yet faith gave me not birth.
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No longer do I resist,
Though I’m armed for the fight.
I no longer fight the Lord,
But war with a sword bright.
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One day my body will die,
Though I live forever.
The present earth is my home,
But won’t be, however.
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My feet carry me to war,
Though my feet are for peace.
My own battle has ended,
Though here, my fight won’t cease.
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I do not go with people,
Yet with them I am found.
I do not sing their lyrics.
In singing, I’m unbound.
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I’m ever pushing forward,
Though I am standing still.
I have a heav’nly dwelling,
Though I paid not the bill.
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12 March 2022 Ronald E Ferguson Metre = 7-6-7-6 ABCB