| Self-Examination and Resistance | [Contents] |
Personal Insight |
God's Word |
| The Bible is a virtual textbook on appeals | 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, {17} that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. |
| In the Bible there is a constant conflict between the state and the righteous; between evil and good; between statist domination and Godly dominion; between violence and non-violence. | Galatians 4:29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. |
| The Bible teaches many things about how to make appeals. In it are accounts of servants appealing to masters, citizens to rulers, wives to husbands, and men and women appealing to God. | |
| God is teaching me a vital skill through the necessity to appeal to the State. | |
| The enemies of God persecute the children of God, yet God commands His heirs not to respond to oppression with violence and vengeance, but with love and patience. | Proverbs 25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; {22} For so you will heap coals of fire on
his head, And the LORD will reward you. Isaiah 50:6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. Matthew 5:39-42 "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. {40} "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. {41} "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. {42} "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 1 Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 1 Peter 3:9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. |
| A Godly appeal comes from one who is oppressed and is directed to one who is an oppressor. An appeal is God's way of non-violent resistance and change. It is a gracious, yet prophetic challenge to illegitimate authority. It is respectful, yet ultimately revolutionary; a tool in the hands of the Spirit Who is overthrowing sin and redeeming the earth. | |
| My main goal is not always to change the mind of the one over me. My goal is to gain assurance that I am truly "suffering for Christ's sake" if I must stand alone in obedience to God, by following steps of self-examination. | 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?; unless indeed you are disqualified. |
| The more I see life from God's perspective, the more I will be able to make precise and effective appeals. |
| If I bring an appeal into a court of law, the judge will first determine if I am under the jurisdiction of that court. Only if I am under its authority, and thus in right standing, will my petition be heard. | |
| Similarly, if I bring an appeal before God, I must be in right standing with Him. | |
| Being in right standing with God means that I have repudiated (repented of) autonomy -- my desire to be my own god, deciding for myself what constitutes good and evil -- and have thoroughly and entirely turned to Theonomy -- to follow God's Law; I come not in my own strength and claims to greatness, but in the righteousness of Christ, trusting in His sacrificial blood for my right standing with God. | Genesis 3:4-5 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. {5} "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." |
| The "appeal" which Christ taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13 begins by establishing our right standing with God: "Our father . . . ." | |
| Christ warned that many would make appeals to be spared in the coming judgment, but would be denied because they were not in right standing with Him | Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me,
'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
heaven. {22} "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in
Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' {23}
"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice
lawlessness!' Luke 6:46 But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? |
| The need to be in right fellowship with God cannot be overemphasized if I want my petitions to be heard. | Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. |
| Only as I repudiate violent resistance to the powers will I be in "right standing" for my appeal. | Romans 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. {2} Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. |
| I am following Christ by being in right standing and submitting to evil. | 1 Peter 2:11-24 |
| I am achieving moral purity | {11}Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, |
| My focus is not on self-gratification, but on service for the Common Good. | {12} having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. |
| I do not resist the powers | {13} Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, {14} or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. |
| The servant's spirit that I am developing is part of my argument against the mythology of autonomous archism. | {15} For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; {16} as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. |
| Human beings in every class -- even archists -- are created in the Image of God. My attitude toward them all is not resistance and conflict, but respect and a servant's heart. | {17} Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. |
| Just as I see Christ in "the least of these" | Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. |
| so I respond to powerful and wicked men as unto Christ. | {18} Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. |
| My goal is to suffer (if at all) for righteousness, not because of my own foolishness | {19} For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. {20} For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. |
| Just as Christ responded to evil and wicked men who sought to kill Him, so I respond by following in His steps. | {21} For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: {22} "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; {23} who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; {24} who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. |
| God hears my prayer I have put myself under God's Authority by confessing the Lordship of Christ |
Romans 10:9-13 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. {11} For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." {12} For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. {13} For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." |
| I am in fellowship with God I have confessed my sins to God and entered into Christ's victory over the power and appeal of sin |
Romans 6; Romans 8:1-15 |
| I am under God-ordained authority If someone were to ask my parents whether I was obedient to their authority as I was growing up, they would say I was, or that I had confessed my rebellion and obtained forgiveness, and reconciled myself to their authority. If someone were to ask my present authorities if I was in submission to them they would say I was. |
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| I have a clear conscience I have obeyed God by giving to all authorities |
all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Romans 13:7 |
| I have fulfilled responsibility I have carried out all of the proper responsibilities that the one to whom I am appealing has given me so far as I am able. |
1 Samuel 15:22 Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams." |
| My potential through being in Right Standing As long as I am in right standing with God and with human authorities, I am able to respond properly to oppression -- mistakes and weaknesses in government officials, church leaders, employers, parents. |
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| If my intercession for them and my appeals to them do not correct the problems, God will use any consequences for my ultimate good; He has ordained their actions. | Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. |
| The Consequences of not being in Right Standing If I see failures and deficiencies in human authorities and decide to rebel, resist, overthrow, or if I lust after their power, emulate their lifestyle, adopt their oppressive methods, and autonomously assume their position, I expose myself to the realm and power of the Principalities and Powers. Destructive influences are brought into my life. |
Proverbs 17:11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. |
| If I attempt to resist these new pressures in my life, I will soon realize that God sent them for the purpose of changing wrong attitudes. | Ephesians 6:5-9 Bondservants, be obedient to
those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity
of heart, as to Christ; {6} not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, {7} with goodwill doing service, as to the
Lord, and not to men, {8} knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same
from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. {9} And you, masters, do the same things to
them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is
no partiality with Him. Colossians 3:22-25 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. {23} And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, {24} knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. {25} But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. 1 Timothy 6:1-2 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. {2} And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. Titus 2:9-12 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, {10} not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. {11} For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, {12} teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, |
| An effective appeal grows out of right motives. | Matthew 12:34-37 "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. {35} "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. {36} "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. {37} "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." |
A Godly appeal communicates three vital concerns that we should have for
our human authorities.
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| The ruler who listens to my appeal will quickly discern whether it is prompted by my selfish motives or a genuine concern for his welfare | Mark 8:35 "For whoever desires to save his life will
lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 1 John 3:16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. |
| I am concerned for the Godly goals of my authority. Those who are in positions of authority usually have goals which they want to accomplish. I have undertaken the responsibility to know what the authority's goals are and help him achieve them if they are in harmony with Scripture. Christ emphasized the importance of basing our appeal on the goals of the one whom we are petitioning when He taught us to pray: |
"Thy Kingdom come" (Mat 6:10). |
| I am concerned for his authority | I acknowledge the mystery of AUTHORITY The State is demonic but it claims to be
good. It does many good things, and most people believe that it is good. My conflict with the State is not a rivalry. I do not want any part of the power
of the polis. The one to whom I appeal has his responsibilities to God; I want him to fulfill them. |
| I do not attempt to gain or challenge the authority of the one to whom I am appealing. There can never be too many harvesters | Matthew 9:37-38 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. {38} Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." |
| I acknowledge the evil of the State, and in obedience to Christ, I am in submission to all authority. | |
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| David conquered Goliath after establishing the fact that Goliath was challenging God's authority rather than the armies of Israel | 1 Samuel 17:45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. |
| The importance of relating our petition to the authority of the one to whom we are appealing is emphasized by the following words in the Lord's Prayer: | Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 |
| When I am committed to the success of the authorities I demonstrate a servant's spirit. This attitude is essential if I am to find favor with God and man. | |
| I am concerned for his reputation The reputation of the one in authority is very important to me and my community. |
Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. |
| An authority's ability to lead is damaged or destroyed by a bad name. An authority's ability to use his power for good is crippled when people believe him to be corrupt. My first concern is to warn an authority how a wrong course of action will damage his name. God wants His children to live in such a way that His reputation will not be damaged by His enemies. The second point in the prayer which Christ taught us involves a concern for God's reputation: |
"Hallowed be Thy Name" |
| There is great effectiveness in an appeal when it is based on protecting the name of the authority | |
Great men of prayer in the Bible based their appeals on how God's
reputation would be damaged if those appeals were denied.
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"Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?" Genesis 18:23 |
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Deuteronomy 9:26-28 "Therefore I prayed to the LORD, and said: 'O Lord GOD, do not destroy Your people and Your inheritance whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. {27} Remember Your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; do not look on the stubbornness of this people, or on their wickedness or their sin, {28} lest the land from which You brought us should say, "Because the LORD was not able to bring them to the land which He promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness."'" |
| My personal, immediate goals in this appeal are not as important as the
extension of God's Kingdom. Those to whom I am appealing may be used of God to extend the Kingdom. |
Isaiah 60:10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. |
| The one to whom I appeal has his responsibilities; I want him to fulfill them. | Isaiah 49:23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. |
| God's reputation is damaged when leaders of covenanted nations (such as ours) -- or followers -- violate God's law. | 2 Samuel 12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. |
| I am not concerned that people will point a finger at me, but rather that
they will point a finger at God or at human authorities. I am concerned about the goals of those to whom I appeal and how these goals relate to their deeper desires, such as acceptance, recognition, and security. I am searching to know what responsibilities God has given to the authorities to whom I am appealing. I am basing my appeal on helping the authorities to whom I appeal become successful in God's eyes by being wise leaders, protectors and providers. |
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, |
| As I make this appeal, I am doing it so that these authorities are able to give a good account to God for the way that they have used their authority. | Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. |
| My real concern is to protect their reputation, not my own. |
| A. Is my authority free to concentrate on my appeal B. Will my authority see that I am ready to sacrifice for my appeal C. Will my authority know that I am ready to accept whatever decision is given |
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| A. My authority is free to concentrate on my appeal. | Proverbs 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! |
| B. My authority will see that I am ready to sacrifice for my appeal The court to which I appeal will see that I am ready to sacrifice for my appeal.
A person in authority will often weigh a request by how much the one who makes it is willing to sacrifice for it. The authority to whom I am appealing will know that he has freedom to make the decision. The decision has not already been made for him. |
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| I have come to the place of having no will of my own. | "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). |
| I have balanced expectations. I can see that in God's Providence there are as many benefits to losing the appeal as there are to winning. | |
Information about myself I accurately assess my strengths and weaknesses and discern where these will have a bearing on my appeal. I do not hide my own shortcomings. Information in my appeal I accurately present the sinfulness of the situation; I do not exaggerate the sinfulness of others to make myself or my position appear better. |
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| God has sent the Spirit, and I see the good that has been accomplished by God's grace. I have a realistic optimism. | For we are saved by hope (Romans 8:24-25) |
| When I make my appeal I will have already thought through a solution. | |
| Information about the authority I am learning about the background, interests, and viewpoints of the authority to whom I am appealing. |
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| The more I grow in my knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ, the more effective I will be in making my petitions according to His will. | 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: |
| My appeal has all of the pertinent facts so that I do not wrongly
influence the decision of the authority. My appeal is presented clearly and concisely. I have acknowledged my hesitations about my appeal. |
| I know that more appeals are rejected because of wrong attitudes than for
any other reason. I know that when one under authority makes an appeal with a wrong attitude, the one in authority may not really hear the appeal. He may be more concerned about the wrong attitude than about the merits of the petition. |
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| Christ required that I have a right attitude before I receive my petition when He taught me to pray, | "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." (Mat 6:12) |
| I can successfully nurture the attitudes of reverence, loyalty, and
gratefulness, which are essential to an effective appeal, because I am putting to death
attitudes of rebellion and resignation. Rebellion Resignation Resignation is pessimillennialism. I am growing in Reverence God is already working in the lives of those to whom I make this appeal. God is working in my life through those to whom I make this appeal. I am developing Godly character, and renewing my understanding of the Gospel:
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Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. |
| I am growing in Loyalty I know that people in positions of power look for and appreciate loyalty. I know that loyalty is not based on personal gain, but on a commitment to God and to those whom He has called us to serve. Commitment is a reflection of God's love of community. |
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| I am a model of decentralism and anarcho-communitarianism by my loyalty to archist structures and officials. | Ruth 1:16-17 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 7 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. |
| My attitude of loyalty produces in me a servant's spirit -- an inward,
heartfelt motivation to make the ones to whom I am appealing genuinely (Biblically)
successful; successful in those Godly goals we both share as God's Image-bearers. I know that appeals which grow out of a loyal spirit and a servant's heart have an entirely different tone and reception than those which come from a disloyal, selfish spirit. God has promised to reward a servant's heart when it is used for His glory.
I am growing in Gratefulness I know that human authorities react quickly and
coldly to an ungrateful person. I am searching diligently for things to admire in those to whom I am appealing. I know that lack of gratefulness results in a negative outlook, and that such a negative outlook is interpreted by those in authority as rejection and condemnation of what they have or have not done. I realize that my growth in gratefulness is destroyed by focusing on expectations. |
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| My theme is God's mercy. My daily reminder is | Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. |
| I will communicate my gratefulness to my judges. |
| I know that in the appeals recorded in Scripture extreme care was used in
selecting the right words. My words convey exactly what I mean. I know that the very nature of this appeal is to go against the intentions of the authority. I know that as an anarchist and a follower of the executed Christ, I am likely to be misunderstood. |
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| I know that my lack of support for archism can be threatening to archists. | John 15:18-19 "If the world hates you, you know that it
hated Me before it hated you. {19} "If you were of the world, the world would love
its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore
the world hates you. 1 John 3:13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. |
My words guide the Gospel around the mental roadblocks of my judges.
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Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. |
| My words avoid unnecessary reaction. Right words are gracious words. Powerful words are humble words. My words are free from arrogance. I have given my anarchist Vine & Fig Tree expectations to the Lord, so my words are free of resentment. My goal is to convert, persuade, nurture. My words are tools, polished and honed, which the Spirit can effortlessly use to cut away archist myths and fashion my judges into servants and Patriarchs. |
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning. Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. |
| I am constantly examining myself and meditatating on God's Word, purifying my hears; this produces gracious words in me. | Job 33:3 My words come from my upright heart; My lips utter
pure knowledge. Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant. Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; |
| The more I study great Christians in God's Word the more I become like them and the more my speech becomes gracious and persuasive. | Psalm 45:2 You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is
poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. Luke 4:22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?" |
| The more I meditate on God's Word and develop gracious speech, the more archists are attracted to the Gospel. | Proverbs 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And
they love him who speaks what is right. Proverbs 22:11 He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend. Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone. |
| I do not hide my convictions. I boldly announce the presence of the Kingdom of Christ and Biblical Law as the Standard of Righteousness. The responsibility of the State to be Theocratic is particularly pronounced; thus also is my responsibility to be prophetic. Therefore, I am a prophet of Sovereign Grace. |
Psalm 40:9 I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know. |
| My calling before God and the Godly character He is building in my life is more important than the status, accreditation, certification, and licensure that the State offers. | Psalm 63:3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. |
| My appeal has as many positive statements as I can sincerely make. I seek to avoid offence, and to convert. I seek to have my judges render a just decision, recognizing that they are just tools in the Lord's hand, and may not adopt full-orbed Theonomic anarchist Christianity. I do not condemn the judge, but assume that he is on the same road as I. I am making my appeal from the judge's point of view. I am making it as easy as I can for the judge to do right. I have discerned the darkness of the State and those within it, I need not be judgmental. The judges may be at a point where I was a few years ago, and may not see the convictions I now have. My servant's heart and gracious words will help them see the truth. I am a persuasive siren call, beckoning them to the Promised Land. My appeal is written out and has been double-checked to see that it contains all of the required aspects to make it effective |
| I am in right relationship with the Lord. The Lord chastens me as a son.
The situation from which I appeal is not the chastening of the Lord. I spend time in prayer about the situation. I spend time in prayer about those involved. I have gained victory over the situation in my life, so that I can share God's wisdom, counsel and comfort. I have thought through all of the factors of the situation so that I can direct my appeal to the root cause. Does this situation require an appeal, or could the same results be obtained by a creative alternative? Am I the one who is directly responsible to make the appeal, or should it be made by someone else? Based on my commitment to stand for God's truth whatever the cost and the need to clarify God's truth in our world, I purpose to become the kind of a Christian who is able to make wise and effective appeals. Monday, February 10, 1992, 9:45 pm |