Did Jesus Die in Vain?

Did Jesus Die in Vain?

Did Jesus die in vain?
The Father said: "Not so!"
He found the work to be complete
Which was performed upon the tree;
And gave a royal seat.
Did Jesus die in vain?
The angels did say: "No."
With news of joy they told that morn'
Of Jesus' life and death's door torn.
He's worshiped and adored.
Did Jesus die in vain?
The demons wished it so.
His death was deadly to their cause--
Destroying, smashing, overthrowing all,
Tearing victory from their paws.
Did Jesus die in vain?
His children say: "Oh no!"
His death upon that cruel cross
Redeemed us from our greatest loss
To life. Oh, what a cost!
Did Jesus die in vain?
There are those who yet say "yes."
By ignoring His life, persisting in shame,
Scorning His call, resisting His claim;
For those ones, His death was in vain.

~ Tim Binder ~

Bearing with the Faults of Others

The Sixteenth Chapter


Bearing with the Faults of Others

UNTIL God ordains otherwise, a man ought to bear patiently whatever he cannot correct in himself and in others. Consider it better thus—perhaps to try your patience and to test you, for without such patience and trial your merits are of little account. Nevertheless, under such difficulties you should pray that God will consent to help you bear them calmly.



If, after being admonished once or twice, a person does not amend, do not argue with him but commit the whole matter to God that His will and honor may be furthered in all His servants, for God knows well how to turn evil to good. Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, whatever they may be, because you also have many a fault which others must endure.



If you cannot make yourself what you would

22 wish to be, how can you bend others to your will? We want them to be perfect, yet we do not correct our own faults. We wish them to be severely corrected, yet we will not correct ourselves. Their great liberty displeases us, yet we would not be denied what we ask. We would have them bound by laws, yet we will allow ourselves to be restrained in nothing. Hence, it is clear how seldom we think of others as we do of ourselves.



If all were perfect, what should we have to suffer from others for God’s sake? But God has so ordained, that we may learn to bear with one another’s burdens, for there is no man without fault, no man without burden, no man sufficient to himself nor wise enough. Hence we must support one another, console one another, mutually help, counsel, and advise, for the measure of every man’s virtue is best revealed in time of adversity—adversity that does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.

The Value of Adversity

The Twelfth Chapter

The Value of Adversity

IT IS good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God Who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.

When a man of good will is afflicted, tempted, and tormented by evil thoughts, he realizes clearly that his greatest need is God, without Whom he can do no good. Saddened by his miseries and sufferings, he laments and prays. He wearies of living longer and wishes for death that he might be dissolved and be with Christ. Then he understands fully that perfect security and complete peace cannot be found on earth.