My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. James 3:1-2


Wisdom is often lacking, We find in our ownselves; Though knowledges' still stacking From the books on our shelves. And a breach in our wisdom We often have found; May I show in my poem Some thoughts that seem sound.

Though men have grown great, And with wisdom they're blest, And high they may rate With what's claimed the best; Meekness's the best virtue, All readily admit, Still pride's hard to eschew And that fault to omit.

So, with talents to excel Many others around, Pride may our mind swell, And our heart thus surround; Heedless of our diseases, And careless to not err, --Yet God gives what He pleases, To those in His fear.

None can now master The Wisdom of God, Though "experts" run faster, While others may plod; And that which is highly Esteemed in man's sight We often find, wryly, Mixed with pride's bite.

Of masters there's none-- Our Lord has thus spoken; Our Master is one, To Him, we'll then hearken; In need, we are brethren Who wait for our food, And know that we're barren When our case's clearly viewed.

Calvin, Luther, and Wycliff As great men did appear; Exposed errors of the Pontiff, Few held with their peer; Yet to agree in uniformity, In these 'twas not found, They all showed some deformity, On some points not so sound.

If God, in great mercy, With His goodness divine, Could overlook their fancy And fraility of mind; While less make improvement By the grace which is given, Through the Spirit's own movement For all He must enliven.

Even though an Apostle And holy, he was called; Must learn to be docile When with Truth he's appalled; And bow to the Spirit In one called Saint Paul, Because the Spirit may audit Even Simon or Saul.

But the Lord has not given In His gifts from above. An understanding so even To all in His Love; His gifts are then varied, To divide to the poor; That pride may be buried From those at His door.

How great, then, our impertinence When thus we may forget This long standing ordinance, And the release of our debt; Then in conscience stand ready- --Be not too severe On those who're not steady, But bring up the rear.

Is there anyone living That would honestly declare "I don't need forgiving" With delusion's mad glare When conscience convicts us (Unless it's been seared, With these we can't discuss) Till they are re-steered.

The Lord has then taught us By Apostles of old, And still's good to discuss With the sheep of His fold; That they who condemn With rigour, their brother Now must a flood stem, While they judge another.

Our Lord has admonished To consider oneself, Lest we be astonished At the sin in "old self" To condemn our weak brother With judgement severe, We have no authority For we all must appear--

Before the Great Judge, See our own sins are many; We have more than a smudge, So we cannot judge any. All need that same mercy He freely does give, Far above all controversy Supreme, it does live.

We all daily offend In our actions and deeds, And the weight of our offences Show us our own needs; For a temper of mercy As in Jesus was found To end the controversy, He stooped to the ground;

For a sinner, exceeding, Who broke through the Law, When it's threats seemed succeeding, God's judgments to draw; But Lo! how amazing, That Grace which appears To other sinners who're gazing Who too, have their fears;

Their Savior's appearing On earth's sinful ground For those who are fearing, And have searched all around; For a righteousness perfect, Not their keeping the Law, Which renders it's verdict On man's every flaw;

Again, how amazing! This Grace, who can tell; With wonder, we're gazing To the place where we fell; View Jesus, there hanging Where sin did abound; Are heart's are now singing For the mercy we've found.

Copyright, 1998 O. Allen Bailey