Poetry

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I: Knowing One is Loved By God

When one knows that they're God's object
   they have cause for joy.
They'll truly see that their fear's checked;
   they have Hope to employ.

Since that Love is ever eternal,
   there is reason to have peace.
They will not see the Inferno;
   though flesh destroyed the War has ceased.

They must know this precious truth
   as they know their flesh.
It must be settled with peace as proof;
   their life has gained the spiritual mesh.

Find this joy in the Love
   that loved you unto life.
Trust His name; be borne above;
   find purpose in each strife.

Death will be your way to Him,
   for Love has kept you near.
Debt forgiven, every sin;
   eternal Joy to bear.

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II: Submitting to the Good

When one knows their in God's love
   they soon will see He is all good.
This blessing is for those borne above,
   raised up above all that is rude.

When they see that Goodness reigns,
   all is good no matter the state.
For those belonging to the Name of names
   goodness is their common fate.

This is true through resignation
   to the One all good,
      for all those knowing His salvation
         even when life is rude.
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III: Possessing the Worthwhile

For those so born through God's Spirit,
   they have eternal life,
      (I beg you now, this, please, hear it)
         to know God like a wife.

Faith, trust and love are not words
   bound to a religion.
They are pillars, even girds,
   that speak of a relation.

We are meant to know the Lord
   as we know our friends.
We can know, unlike the horde,
   the One who gives and sends.

Knowing things can make one smart
   and be not the better.
Still corrupt is that man's heart,
   though a man of letters.

But we can know Him, in Him rest;
   that is knowledge O most holy.
He offers Himself to possess,
   own Him now and soley.

Many loves have left us bitter,
   man will leave us shamed.
To love the Good, as in His Letter,
   that's purpose in His name.

His Son's example was given us,
   living to die He showed His style.
This was the Way of our Jesus:
   possessing the Worthwhile.

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IV: Giving the One Thing of Worth

Joy must give way to give itself
   or else it is not joy.
Love with truth and be a help;
   take the Gospel and employ.

Loving God means loving our fellow,
   we relate to his state.
Help him meet God; say to Him, “Hello!”
   and help him clean the slate.

The Father sends out His dear children
   commanding, “Bring some with you.”
Be so friendly as my pilgrim;
   “Through you I'll be true.”

As He gave we must give,
   and give it, O so freely.
Raise the dead, make them live,
   hiding in God's mercy's lee.

Then they'll know that they're God's object,
   that they have cause for joy.
As you they'll see that their fear's checked;
   they've also Hope to employ.

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Implications:

Joy is a gift that must be used
   if it's truly with that person.
It cannot sit and to be bemused,
   or that man's state will worsen.

We must see joy as a tool
   to be used with faith
      or we are the greatest of fools,
         not running in that race.

Some don't use, for they don't have,
   while claiming this good joy.
When they die it will be sad
   they had no Hope to employ.

© Bob Barra, 12-13-2012

Inspired by a chapter, named similarly, found in a book by J. I. Packer, "Hot Tub Religion".

Further back on my list is an article of the same subject; my rendition of what Rev. Packer wrote about.

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