for giving up ...

The giving up of any things for God,

or sacrificing opportunities

of ours for his sake, (unless it's “the lot!”)

will never be enough, for he's who sees

all things - and gave us ev'rything we've got.

He’s looking for a truthful heart and life,

desires that we show mercy where we're not,

compassion to all who have “come to strife”.

This moves me from religious rituals,

and laws external to our inside life,

to  true relationships like with our pals,

our God, & fam'ly, enemies, friends, wife!

But then, as we were talking just last night,

our ritual of manners helps a love-

-er show, & say, & be, & act - not fight.

Yet, if we use the ritu’l as “cov-

er”, loveless action, empty at the heart.

That kind of ritual is no help at all.

But, when love's really there, it's  “clothes” impart

a further act of love*, that is not small.

For freely I’ve received, authority
to let the loving kindness  of this Lord

now be released to others quite freely-

with what that means in terms of hope restored.

The thriving peace and pow-er of his rule,

to set all people free from all that binds.

Oh God make me, like him, a “bloody fool”,

if that will “open up” the shutters/blinds.

---

*Love is not rude” (1Cor.13)

Giving up things for God, or sacrificing things for his sake, is not enough. Jesus desires that we show mercy and compassion to all. This moves me from religion (law) to relationship (heart) with God, and also with others. Matthew 9:13 (PM Version)

Freely I have received, not only forgiveness and salvation, but also the authority of the King. So I must freely release the Kingdom of God to others - all that that means in terms of hope, peace and the power of the Kingdom to set people free from all that binds them. Matthew 10: 8 (PM Version)