8-19-15 Not One

As it is written,

There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:10 KJV

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How many think they’re good enough for God,

At least are good enough to Heaven dwell?

I tell you, think such things and you’re a fraud,

The only place you’ve earned is down in hell.

You can’t stroll through an operating room

Or roam around within the CIA;

What makes you think you’re good with cheap perfume?

The stench of all your sins gives you away.

Not one of us are righteous, no not one.

A speck of sin keeps you from Heaven’s door.

But covered in the blood of Christ it’s done;

Believe He died for you, your sins He bore.

The grace of God allows this all to be;

Without it there’s no hope for you and me.

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sonnet #441

3-22-15 Straining at Gnats

Now pray you don’t remain a hypocrite!

The blind that lead the blind into a ditch,

Who tells the world you surely will commit

But won’t begin until you strike it rich.

Don’t be the one who points your finger out

To judge the man that breaks the smallest rule,

But when no one is looking goes about

To disregard them all and think you’re cool.

Please don’t continue turning up your nose

As if your toilet smells like baby’s breath.

The stench that comes from you is not a rose;

You think you are alive but reek of death.

I ought to know a hypocrite by now:

I am the first in line to disavow.

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Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat,

and swallow a camel.

Matthew 23:24 KJV

1-26-15 A Friend’s Reproof

You are my friend, and friend you’ll always be

If I say something wrong and you speak up,

For such rebuke from you is wine to me:

First tart then sweet to drink your chiding cup.

I may not like your criticism now

But you speak from a heart of love and care.

Much more from you than others I’d allow;

Their motives may not be sincere and fair.

An enemy may flatter with his tongue

But stab you in the back first chance he gets.

A kiss from Judas, then the armed crowd sprung;

He was no friend of Jesus when they met.

Your admonition, friend, is better than

The stench from some perfume some foe would fan.

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Faithful are the wounds of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Proverbs 27:6 KJV