Under The Olive Tree

“Virtue Hath Gone Out of Me”

The woman with an issue of blood – came discreetly behind Him – and touched the hem of His garment – and immediately the issue of blood ceased.” – Matthew

And Jesus, turning to the throng – asked his disciples – “Who hath touched me, for virtue hath gone out of me?”

Your virtues are not a limitless resource – and unless you abide in an environment that restores and renews you daily – you will come to a point in time when your resources are at their ebb; and when this occurs you will most surely violate your own boundaries of thought and action.

Some confrontation, some misunderstanding, a missed appointment, a disappointment – some debt called to redemption – a promise unanswered – a responsibility unfulfilled; -these will be the final steps in the course of crossing the line.

People who lose all the restraint of their virtues – and who lose touch with the reality of their surroundings – are capable of anything – any act, however personally abhorred. You cannot predict your own compromise in the face of adversity – “there but for the grace of God go I.”

When you spend the coinage of the realm – in this case – your virtuous life – your gifts of grace – you must have a reservoir of renewal, a crystal pool from which to fill your empty cup.

When you can truly bring all your cares, your challenges, your needs – your heart and soul and mind – and lay them – without guile or subterfuge on the altar of the sacrifice of yourself to God – then you can enter His presence – enveloped in His love and a peace that passes the understanding of your mind.

And as you cast yourself prostrate before your Lord, and Savior – and Sovereign – you find yourself standing in His love. – set free to serve Him.

This is the office of charity – the sanctuary, the holy of holies.

When you enter the office of charity – your labors cease – and if you can remain there – then your life is hid in Christ – who comforts you with these words, “Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” – and the office of charity distributes as surely as it provides, “be ye filled – and freely give.”

It’s no secret – really. Most of the wise of the ages have understood this simple formula – but to live it, to embrace it, to commit yourself to it has been elusive for most, and unattainable for many – simply because they refuse to give themselves and all they possess – and that, being a prerequisite; has prevented them from living out their virtues and graces – and so they compromise for gain.

Then, when the emptiness of plenty assails them – they are fruitful fields for subjugation – “for of whom a man is overcome – of the same is he brought in bondage.” – Peter the Denier

Certainly – as Peter denied Christ at the accusations of a servant girl – he understood the forces and the dynamics involved in such a personal failure – a man who in his moments of closeness and embracing of Jesus had cried out – “Thou are the Christ – the son of the living God.” – to which Jesus had commended – “thou art Petrus – the rolling stone.”

That’s when the church in you begins to be built – when you confess Jesus as Lord and King. Then He calls you out to virtue. It is not a community declaration – it is Jesus Christ, born in you.