E. Stanely Jones on Face Lifts and Musty Christianity, Genesis 3 compared to Exodus 4

From E. Stanley Jones in 1950:

I glance from my writing, and across the street on a third-rate hotel is a sign with the letters washed out and made dim with age: “Newly Furnished Rooms.” It isn’t convincing! There is no sign of newness. The average church makes you think, not of good news, but of musty news. Nietzsche said: “The Christians must look more redeemed before we can believe in redemption.” The coming of the Holy Spirit gives a face lifting so we look redeemed, gives an inner assurance so we feel redeemed, empowers us at the place of the will so we act redeemed, and reinforces every portion of us so we are redeemed (The Way to Power and Poise 8:3).

General Coutts said, “Sin lies in the will, not the instincts” (The Call to Holiness.)

As witnesses who are filled by the Holy Spirit, we must let that Spirit change our will and "let the redeemed of the Lord say," look, act, talk, makes business deals, make policy decision like we are redeemed.
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From Exodus 4

It is interesting that the Moses’ staff is transformed into a snake and God gives him to the ability to handle the snake. This scene in Exodus is the beginning of the liberation of Israel and then the world, maybe it is the start of the way that God will continue to work through the Israelites and through Jesus to the world so that we can be freed from the bondage that started with snake in Genesis 3. It is only a first glance comparison but it could have preaching fruit.

Another comparison from Exodus 4 to Genesis 4. In Ex 4:9, God says, “But if they not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.” God sais to Cain in Genesis 4:10, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.”

I am not suggesting that these are definite links, but they perked my attention and called me out to compare the Fall with another key moment in Salvation history.

Is your redeemed life reversing the curse today?

Be redeemed.

Forward to the Fight,
Andy Miller III