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 In
Acts 20:27 (A.S.) Paul says, "I shrank not from declaring
unto you the whole counsel of God." Paul was Sanforized —
the same size before, during, and after the wringer. He preached
it the same "in season, out of season" (2 Tim. 4:2).
Cloth
shrinks because 1) In thread making the fibers (wool, cotton,
etc) are stretched. When they are wet they return to their
original length. Or, 2) Water particles in the space of a loose
weave adhere to the fiber, and as the water dries the smaller
water particles draw the weave closer together. If the cloth
could be woven tightly, without stretching fibers; or, if
something is added to prevent water particles from adhering to
the fibers, shrinking is reduced.
Maybe
Paul "shrank not" because he went into Christ at true
face value, no false motives, no stretched character. Then, his
faith and dedication to the Lord were such that he did not allow
outside influences to "cling" to him. The world could
come and go-blow hot or cold, wet or dry — but he was
unaffected, steadfast in faith.
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Loosely
woven brethren seem to consider Christianity as something apart
from their total life. Serving Christ is equated with public
worship, and in between there is plenty of space for worldly
pursuits that cling to or invade their more noble intentions and
shrink them into little caricatures of genuine saints. True
saints meet material obligations "as to the Lord"
(Col. 3:17-f); nor do they forget that "together"
activities help to "close ranks" against Satan.
And
as we incorporate the ideals and examples of Christ into our
life, and He dwells in us through faith, we are less concerned
for fame and fortune in this world. The pleasures of sin lose
their appeal, they cannot cling to us and draw us back. The
Sanforized (Christianized?) person is saturated with his love
for God (active ingredient — God-like love) and there is
little room for other loves.
We,
like Paul, must act with conviction. If we do not have to
"adjust" our size to worship God on Sunday, we will
"shrink not" when the going gets rough on Monday
through Saturday.
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