Chapter 19: The Perspiration of Inspiration

12/16/1990

Hebrews 10:24-25, Amplified

“And let us consider and give attention, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite and spur) one another to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together as Believers…”

THIS is so important! Consider: How can I help my brothers and sisters grow? How can I spur them on? Spurs have sharp points sometimes, (HI-O Silver!) so spur one another on toward love and good deeds with creativity and imagination. Consider how you might do that! Please let me provoke you, spur you on, to unlearn the detestable religious passivity of 20th- and 21st-Century spectator-christianity! Consider, give careful thought, use your imagination as to how you might spur others on. Enter into gatherings, meals, and after work stops at another brother or sister’s house or apartment having considered how you might encourage them in Christ! Prepare yourself for life, work, grocery shopping, and gatherings, in the prayer closet — and you’ll never lack for those who have been impacted by your love and service.

Many in the local expression of Christ of which I am a part have written songs and offered them as gifts to Christ in the gatherings of the Saints — even at Ben & Jerry’s! (An ice cream parlor.) The poems and songs that have been written, and the paintings and drawings and other offerings to God from His family, have been a tremendous encouragement (and a welcomed, convicting challenge in some cases). Even the children have written, out of the contests that they’ve faced and found Christ in, some songs of victory and truth. The tremendous power and simplicity of ten-year-old Leah’s song: “I will not offer to God that which costs me nothing . . .” echoes through my mind again and again some days.

Of course, don’t be a show-off and don’t say or do “religious” things to be noticed or to boost your ego, or bring “Cain” gifts that are only out of your own uncrucified natural abilities. But for sure don’t bury the Life that God has revealed in you!61 Bring on those gifts that you are offering to your God and your Family! Don’t, as King David (and Leah) said, offer gifts to God that cost you nothing!

“I Will Not Offer to God”
2 Samuel 24:24

I will not offer to God

That which costs me nothing

I will not offer to God

That which costs me nothing

If I see someone sin

Shrink back, remain friends

That would cost me nothing

But if I take it to him

There’ll be victory over sin

That would cost me something

I will not offer to God

That which costs me nothing

I will not offer to God

That which costs me nothing

If I see someone in need

And don’t take heed

That would cost me nothing

But if I do pay the price

At my own sacrifice

That would cost me something

I will not offer to God

That which costs me nothing

I will not offer to God

That which costs me nothing

I could go out

And shop at the store

that would cost me nothing

But instead I’ll go

and help the poor

That would cost me something

I will not offer to God

That which costs me nothing

I will not offer to God

That which costs me nothing

— Leah, King David

Footnotes

61 Galatians 1:16. Back

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