Straight Thinking 123167 Resolved:
Straight Thinking
123167
RESOLVED:
Sunday. TO BE TRUE. “There are those who trust you.” Being able to trust us brings so much satisfaction to people that care about us and place a high value on our character. But the fullest confidence leaves the emptiest feeling if it’s lost. If we have never looked into a face filled with the disappointment of betrayed trust, we never want to; if we have, we will never want to again. (Read Hebrews 13:18.)
Monday. TO BE PURE. “There are those who care.” We should do what’s right whether anyone cares or not, but knowing that others are interested adds incentive to “keep clean.” Let’s never get the idea that no one cares what we do. Christians should not aim to please people particularly, but we should try to please good people and God. (Read Hebrews 12:1-3.)
Tuesday. TO BE STRONG. “There is much to suffer.” If religion doesn’t hurt, it’s no good. Christ prescribed a cross a day for his followers. Other people, recognizing the values of the church, have tried to have its benefits without its pain. But God’s rejection of all designs for a painless cross is symbolized by Christ’s rejection of the wine mixed with gall and myrrh to deaden the sufferings of crucifixion. (Read Matthew 27:33-36.)
Wednesday. TO BE BRAVE. “There is much to dare.” We have to be willing to take a dare. Society dares us to be different; we have to take that dare. When current fashions do not accord with a Christian sense of modesty, when prevalent dating customs do not follow Christian ideals, if the group’s plans for the New Year’s Eve party don’t fit with the principles of decency, we must dare to be an exception (Read Romans 12:2.)
Thursday. TO BE HUMBLE. “You know your weakness,” the secret sin even our friends don’t know about. What they don’t know may not hurt them, but it can hurt us if we are not humbled when we consider that it is known to God and will be revealed to openly someday. Humility is a virtue produced by sin and is that by which sin in turn is overcome. (Read Luke 12:1-3.)
Friday. TO BE PRAYERFUL “You must keep close to God.” A person wonders whether some young people ever pray except at church. Failing to pray shows the lack of feeling dependent on God, and it raises a serious question about a our love for him. (Read Luke 18:1-7.)
Saturday. TO BE FAITHFUL “You must keep the path Christ trod.” Treading the “straight and narrow” is like walking a tightrope—a difficult way to keep and a fatal one to lose. Watch that your step is in line with the will of Christ. Resolve to keep doing the same old things that need to be done, to begin doing what ought to be done, and to quit everything else. (Read Matthew 7:14; 1 John 2:24-29.)
Virgil Warren, Straight, December 31, 1967, p13 christir.org