STAY BRUTAL (Early release of Shepherd to Sheep)

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

STAY BRUTAL

(Heb 6:11-12) And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, {12} that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

It was one of those rare, lazy and carefree days. You know the kind I’m talking about. Everything is going good and things are flowing for you. You’re feeling fine and life is good and if you have any problems you’re not thinking about them. You’re in the moment. The vibe is relaxed and lighthearted and maybe even celebrative. Things are groovin’ and life is movin’. You’ve got food in your belly and your mind is like jelly. Life has been too serious and possibly delirious. You’re mental downshifts into a comfortable and mellow lane. You wish this mood could always be your atmosphere of choice.

Well, I was in one of those frames of mind one day out in public. I had been through a lot of battles and when this atmosphere descended over me I became absorbed. But something started to tweak. I was getting into it way too much. Without knowing it I was removing my armor. I was looking around and seeing a friendly and inviting world and I wanted to be a part of the society. I was tired and just wanted to go with the flow. I was weary of the fight and just wanted things to stay light. I was coveting an untroubled existence and was ready to join the lazy river of the masses. You know that attitude of “It’s over” and “I’m so done with this” and “Put a fork in it!”

But then something happened. A young man walked by wearing a T-shirt that said “STAY BRUTAL!” on it. That saying hit me hard. It smote my heart. It jolted me out of my laissez-faire attitude. Through it God was saying to be careful. Keep your armor on. Be sober and vigilant. Don’t let your guard down. Stay fierce against sin. Be severe against compromise. Be vicious against fleshly impulses and tendencies. Gird up the loins of your mind. Don’t let your mind get weak. Let God be the peace of your mind and life. Trust Him to strengthen you to carry on in the fight. Heaven is coming and your prize will be eternal. Wait on the Lord and don’t let your heart be weighed down. Rest in the Lord. The reward is coming.

Oh, brothers and sisters…let’s stay brutal against sin! It’s not time to relax into this world. We must persist and resist. We must fight in the night. May our resolve be steel and our steadfastness be unwavering. Never take your armor off. Sleep in it. Wake up with it. Go to work in it. Relax with it. Converse with others fully girded. Don’t give Satan an inch. A centimeter. A moment. A second. Stay brutal. I’m putting a call out to my fellow soldiers. Stay on the battlefield. Be courageous. You’re in a war zone and the fight is to the death. The Captain of our salvation knows when to call it over. It’s sooner than you think! (1 Pet 4:7) But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

Louie