Greater Passion
March 17, 2011
Permit me to borrow the tale of
Odysseus and the Argonauts from Greek Mythology.
Odysseus captained a ship and a crew of sailors.
He was told of a dangerous island, the many ships which crashed don its
rocky shores, and of the Sirens which lived on the island.
Sirens were creature with bird bodies, female heads, and the gift of
song. So beautiful was their
singing that many sailors suffered shipwreck, they drew near despite the peril.
Odysseus’ strategy
for his departing voyage was to plug his sailors’ ears with cotton and have
himself strapped to the mast.
Odysseus employed a different strategy on his return voyage.
Odysseus had Orpheus, a skilled harpist, play music more beautiful than
the Sirens. Focusing on the harp’s
music, Odysseus and the Argonauts successfully sailed past the island to home.
As Jesus interpreted
the parable of the sower, I shall interpret my parable.
The song of the Sirens is the love of the world.
The music of the harp is the love for God.
Cotton and straps are legalism.
Lessons to be learned:
-
Legalism is a short term fix.
Only the love of God is an effective long term cure.
-
Legalism hampers spirituality.
It’s hard to enter the Kingdom of Heaven bound to a mast.
-
Legalism also hampers fellowship.
Plugged ears make communication difficult.
-
Both strategies resulted in safe voyages,
although the return voyage was more enjoyable.
Legalism is faster
and easier (whether
pastoring a church or
parenting a child), but does not lend itself to spiritual growth.
It’ll keep worldly lusts at bay for a while; but nurturing a greater
passion, a love for God and His word, is a better approach (Pr 2:1-5, 4:23,
9:10). Orpheus, play your harp.
Article
Written by Elder Dolph Painter, Moriah Primitive Baptist Church
pastordolph@aol.com
This site created by Steve McCannon.
This page last
updated 07/25/2011
