1 Peter 4:7 New English Translation (NET Bible)

Service, Suffering, and Judgment

7 For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer.

 

Unlikely union

 

Take a thought captive and then interrogate.

Judge its substance and file it or delete.

Don’t let it hang around if it has no value

to glorify the Lord ... just choose to be complete.

 

Set your mind on things above ... your will is deeply involved

in the choices that you make ... and where you will wind up.

From captivity to disposal ... your will is the force

that represents your personality and its contents defines us.

 

Self-control rests on decisions that are based on values known.

If choices are to be made ... there should be no hesitation.

Temptations will present themselves but they should have no effect

on quick and decisive action ... to preserve your known position.

 

Self-control is based on will ... the decision is always yours

unless you forfeit regularly ... the responsibility of your being.

After a certain while ... you will loose the power to choose

and won’t see the difference between ... good or bad, staying or fleeing.

 

“Take my mind” it reasons ... “take my will” just follows.

Not all the time I think ... but when it is convenient.

Then take my feelings ... as they wobble up and down

and so this total mess is not the ”I” ... that I experience.

 

I thought the search was over ... but it appears it just began.

There is nothing now I understand ... that fits into the puzzle.

It seems that some un-searchable ... surfaced for my good

to give me determined exercise ... for truth and its muscle.

 

Oh! How great the difference between tolerance and passive.

They are not related ... and have little in common.

The first is based on love with patience and long-suffering

the second built on sand ... that shifts, swirls and summons.

 

When compassionate and opposite are in a married union.

As the Lord joins it into one ... only halve in each remains.

The span of time will show ... the effects of such union

as compassionate will slowly change ... into the other’s faded stains.

 

Both the Holy Spirit ... and the spirit yours

need a will under self-control ... to execute God’s revelation.

The “I” who disciplines ... and brings into subjection,

is the “I” ... I’m searching for to my own consternation.

 

Jan Wienen