.. "Loving Kindness"...
..Arr. by A. Bailey..
By O. Allen Bailey
www.olddesign.com
mountaintraveler@hotmail.com
Who is a Pharisee? - Who is a Publican?
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted…" Luke 18:10:14
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"… Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not…" Rom 7:12-18.
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"…So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree…" Gal 10:3-13.
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"… To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law…"Rom 3:26-28.
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"… Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified…" Gal 2:16.
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"… Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter…"Rom 7:4-6.
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"… For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain…"Gal 2:19-21.
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"…For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit…"Rom 8:3-4.
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"…Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God…" Rom 5:1-2.
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11’s
Two Jewish men went to the temple to pray;
One poor man, in shame, stayed very far away;
While one walked right up to the altar so bold -
At the temple’s altar, his life’s story told;
The one at front was so very bold you see,
For he thought his works, from sin, would set him free;
The other said, "I have no works, to show Thee,"
But only asked, "God be merciful to me,"
"For my heart and mind is filthy as can be,
To see Thy face, I know I must be holy;"
- But my righteousness is only of earth’s dust."
And have nothing in myself in which to trust;
"For the good I would, still find I cannot do;
Evil, I would not do, this I do also."
"The trouble is in this wretched breast of mine,
With all the works I do, yet no relief find."
"But all I can do is smite upon this breast !
Oh, Lord, may Thou grant a sinner, here some rest,
For it is the source, from which I groan and pray;
- It makes me feel so miserable day to day."
The Pharisee in confidence, looked straight up;
He could only look to self and his own work,
And made his boast, - (for he felt no need to pray);
Therefore, he felt no need for Jesus’ mercy;
He fully trusted to the works of the Law,
And thought he could earn God’s favor, when God saw
The merit of that his mind and hands perform,
Not knowing such, are ever from God forlorn.
Let us now reverse the case, ye human race,
And still, as the third party, may view the case;
Lest, we think we’re not in the Pharisee’s shoes,
And our sinful nature too, does as his does;
Though God has ordained all of His children’s works,
Here, in them, the presence of sin still lurks,
Soon they will find, there’s no merit therein found;
To trust in works, is to be more with sin bound;
For, all that are of such, are under the curse,
That run to and fro with all the Law’s workers;
No peace can they find, while in this frame of mind,
God’s mercy won’t seek, but to it, they are blind.
As the Scribe’s and Pharisee’s of Jesus’ day,
There are thousands and millions still in this way;
With the works of the Law, they never are through,
In seeking God’s favor in all that they do.
The works that are acceptable in God’s sight,
Christ’s Spirit works in you - it is his delight;
When like the poor publican, you may say too,
"Lord, I have worked with strife - done all I could do;"
In Jesus’ Own time, you will find His rest too,
When the Law has done all, it can to you do;
For the Law was given to prove sin’s strength due -
To teach poor sinners, that they’re sin through and through;
From the crown of their head, to their foot’s sole too,
Sin has permeated all these hereunto;
So we with the publican, smite our breast too,
-Weep for the Pharisee, till Christ’s with him through.
For Jesus will say, "Come to me and find rest,
I’ll move this great burden that bears on your breast;"
"You need not work to gain your favor with Me,
My Grace and Favor, has long since been on thee;
"Though you have not known it, I died on the tree;
All of your effort was placed there upon me;
The work of redemption, I did there for you -
All of your works, sanctified in Me, there too."
"My Spirit performs all My works in you too,
Though your old nature, still does all it can do;
But greater is He that dwells in your breast now,
Than Satan’s old kingdom, God ever allow;
When your self-righteousness will raise it’s old head,
By the Law of the Spirit, you still are led;
And when pride shall lead you, in your works to trust,
The presence of transgressions, turns pride to rust.
So, from all this trusting to that which is dead,
To Jesus in mercy, our souls’ sweetly led;
When found a Pharisee, or publican too,
In Jesus, must find all that you’ve tried to do.
His Rest He will give you, and of His Peace too,
When death by sin through the Law’s finished with you;
For your soul will come forth with gladness and joy,
Sin for a season, will no longer annoy.
Like the publican, go down to your house too,
Find sin’s still a burden, but not death to you;
Christ’s faith still dwells in you, and justifies so,
That onward with joy, in peace you shall go.
* Copyright 2001
O. Allen Bailey
"... Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:..." Phil 3:16-20.
*This material may be freely copied and distributed, but shall not be sold for profit, in accordance with copyright laws.
