Shade Tree Wisdom 9/27/11

          It was so warm and muggy this morning that the breeze of a passing car felt welcome.  Can one imagine – toward the end of September still.

          St. Paul mentions a common malady when he speaks of people “having itching ears”.  For this is always a very real concern.  One of the favorite expressions of former President Reagan was “Trust, but verify”.  He was concerned that he knew the real reason for this or that action.

          Just that was St. Paul’s concern when he writes to his young co-worker, Timothy.  Remember, St. Paul taught the way of salvation was “by grace you are saved and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2,8.9.  And it is that what it was about. They want to bring in their own philosophy, their own reasoning, their own plan. The moment we do that we are in trouble.

          So this warning, “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 1 Tim. 4,3.4.  The trouble comes when we “dote about questions and strife with words, out of which comes envy, strife, railings, and evil surmising.” 1 T.6,4.

          You noticed how Jesus dealt with questions?  He answered with another question, so there was nothing left for his enemies to debate.

          The message, “Thy Word is Truth” is the truth we must live with always. God bless such living.

GPD 9/27/11