“4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Suffering as a Christian 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” (1 Pe 4:1–19 ESV)

Timing has a strange way of going Always. Always the time is now. Always, better late than never, rather, just as urgent Today as when it was first sized up. The proud refusal to make the nip and tuck in timely fashion, to make the allotment of Teammates, Team Work, Team Mind, to make the Heave Ho go copacetic, viral, engaged, acted upon: this is an Invite Today to do things differently for once. To see strange to say, a Gospel Experience in submitting to the Imperative: truly, it is a New Man, New Woman, who emerges on the other side of the uncapricious Surrender.

Is this intended to Prescribe Losing? Rather, it’s not that there isn’t love all around, it’s that the Community, Entity, Paradigm is Stronger having cleaned up shop, swept one’s own kitchen, scrubbed one’s own exterior walls. And strange ways, that the head trip of having gone through an ameliorating Coming Together, is stuff Money can’t buy. If indeed our concessions, our surrendering, is towards something Bigger than any one Person, is a surrender unto Divinity, unto Morality, unto Assessed Actions, met with Assessed Recompense.

The recompense, therefore, is mightily Aware, that each hour that goes by Should be an hour of Together war-waging against a Real Enemy; and the fact we are still hemmed in and divided, however, (A) its a tragedy, but (B) the time is still Now.

Not all logical Theologies stand the test of time. Platitudes fall away as we all need Actionable Principles, Directed Thought, Amped Focus, Attitudinal Forays. True, some “logic” must be directly countered: the “logic” that says, “you, as one famously outside the church, must undo everything earned and studied for those years”. Well, Calvinism and church accepted Theology—maybe the judges and pundits aren’t thus aware—says we are no more or less sinful as unbelievers than we are as believers. More, any good doctrine or Sermon, should appeal to people both in and outside. Finally, we are Contrite, but if the good people of said Church will stand by our team, perhaps—just perhaps—we have something Redemptive, some resurrection of all the sad unbelieving jaunts. Some way the Spirit of Christ will intervene and make up for lost time.

We have not Lost, yet. And the black-and-white thinking must accede to a level of Grey. It is still a heave-ho, a football match where every yard counts. No, you can’t just “Accept defeat” and wander rebelliously into whatever Judgment is levied your way. Said judgment… it accumulates still, each and every minute that goes by. Your faith will not save you from the Fact “I have come not to erase one dot, one tittle of the law”. Jesus wants us to know, that though all things will be redeemed, when all is said and done—when you Experience His justice—in truth and for real, in the heart, you will wish you had “surrendered” earlier. It will suddenly be crystal clear and plain as day, that it was no “personal loss” or “surrender”, but a “teamwork” coming to the Table. Around things you yourself needed some tutelage in, some Reminders, some Manners and Mannerisms sublime.