All the cities in Alliance met to worship and pray at their weekly gathering, after several weeks they noticed that Mansheart was not in attendance. Representatives from the different cities sent emissaries to Mansheart fearing that the foul smell they had all experienced and the brooding skies above Mansheart were signs of ill-fate for the city. Mansheart’s lack of fellowship with those in the alliance only worried them further. With great compassion, these emissaries pleaded with Mansheart to bow before the Great One and purge himself from the stench and filth coming from where his formerly luscious gardens once wafted delights toward heaven in grateful prayers. But Mansheart rejected the counsel of the other cities, and so they let their city-friend go his way, knowing only the Great One could turn the city back. The other cities did not cease to petition the Great One and his Son for the purging of Mansheart. The Great One was not silent and his Son was on the move. First, He used nature’s means to gain the now lost gaze of the city he had purchased -both good and bad natural means, sun as well as storms. As Mansheart ignored those goodness’s intended to lead them toward repentance, the Great One sent the Tinker once again to the city. Flesh’s chaotic control of the city was just what he had wanted, but it would prove to be his downfall. Since he had taught the inhabitants of the city to allow anyone into the city ever since his perverted and illicit takeover, no one noticed Tinker’s stealthy entrance. Tinker knew where to go immediately. He found the house of Conscience. Conscience was sleeping in the middle of the day. Tinker rushed into his house, up the stairs and thrashed Conscience on the side with a heavy blow! “Awake, you sleeper! Great is your foolishness in resting your eyes while your city burns.” Conscience was so startled, he did not recognize Tinker. Immediately Tinker grabbed Conscience by the collar dragging him out of his house. He dragged him down the street until they reached the center of the city where New-Man resided. Tinker knocked on the door of New-Man’s abode. It took quite some time for New-Man to rise and open the door; and when he did, Conscience was smitten with sorrow and guilt. There New-Man rested upon a staff, the chief of the city, bruised and beaten and hardly able to even utter a word. Tinker’s eyes flamed. Conscience and Tinker sat down across from New-Man as Tinker began to read out the book that he had brought with him. It had been a long time since Conscience had heard those words. It was the familiar story of how the Great One had sent his Only Son to die in order to purchase Mansheart, liberating it from the bondage of All-Depravity and the Great Deceiver’s dominion. As Tinker read the words again slowly and deliberately, Holy Spirit’s presence entered the house. Conscience began to feel deep shame and sorrow, while New-Man began to heal quickly being renewed in the Good News. The words from the book and the presence of Holy Spirit were mending the cuts and bruises on New-Man faster than any medic ever could. Conscience suddenly rose with anticipation when Tinker read the part of the book reminding them both that this city was neither owned by them nor by Flesh and his gang of imposters. They were united to the Son who had killed All-Depravity when dying himself and they owed their allegiance to the Son. Yes, he remembered now! He was alert and awakened to the great betrayal that he and others had engaged in. Mansheart had sinned against the love of their new master and Conscience burned with sorrow and zeal! With Conscience emboldened and New-Man mending quickly, they set out in search of Willing and Pleasure, the other chief men of the city.
As the trio searched the city for the other leading men, Flesh and Lust-Much began to sense something was wrong. Shame’s cries which had been silenced by the mob’s violence and deceit rang clearly once again. In panic Flesh ran through the city looking for Conscience; he found him, but what he found was not the sniveling wreck he had deceived earlier. Conscience appeared powerful and menacing and next to him stood New-Man armed muscles bulging through his garments. Tinker stood with eyes blazing with fury and indignation. Willing too, although aged, looked stronger than ever having been strengthened by Tinker’s reading. Menacingly, these men of the city set upon Flesh and Lust-Much with great earnestness. Always the cowards, Flesh and Lust-Much retreated into the shadows once again licking their wounds…for now.
Light was shining in the city. A raised pulpit was given to Tinker who read out of the book of the great love for the city by her master, and the Good news of the Son’s deliverance was brought to remembrance unto all the citizens. At the sound of the reading, the citizens of Mansheart fell on their faces and began to weep for their sin. They began to confess their foolishness loudly to the Great One, a sound which could be heard for miles around the city of Mansheart. The gang of Immorals heard the strange wailing-a terrible noise to their ears, they ran screaming in terror and anger through the city. Nevertheless, Mansheart’s citizens quickly surrounded the gang who was holding Pleasure captive. They demanded Pleasure’s release, but the Immorals stood firm. As the citizens pleaded with the Great One to strengthen them but to weaken the Immoral’s hold upon Pleasure, the Great One heard their cries and Holy Spirit flew suddenly in the midst of the citizens and with a terrible brightness blinded the Immorals breaking Pleasure free from the bands that had held him captive. Holy Spirit shone even brighter casting his illuminating brightness upon the Son of the Great One who was standing in the midst of the city square in Mansheart. Pleasure, gazing steadfastly upon the brightness of the Son ran and fell at the feet of his Lord, his visage radiating with delight and love for the one who had freed him once again from this band of wicked men. Seeing the whole city beaming in love and gratitude for the Son, New-Man appeared stronger than ever to the Immorals who now seemed so puny and worthless. The Immorals gave an angry howl and ran for the gates of the city. Willing led the charge with New-Man beside him granting him courage, while Holy Spirit lighted the way dispelling the dark clouds that had overspread the city. Soon the Immorals were driven from the city and the other gangs and base persons were purged from the sanctuary of Mansheart’s gates.
Flesh, Lust-Much, Pride, and Selfish hid in the shadows of Mansheart. Though they had not left, they were in no shape to make their whereabouts known. Yet immediately, they began to scheme as to how they might gain control of Mansheart again—they heard news concerning a new gang of thieves that had set up camp outside the city walls, a very powerful gang called Doubters, and as always the Immorals roamed outside the gates still looking for an opportunity to enter once again. For now, however, they must be content to lick their wounds and plot their revenge.
All the citizens gathered in the center square of the city where the once lush gardens grew, and the tenders appointed by Holy Spirit had before offered up sacrifices of worship with delightful aromas to the Great One. Holy Spirit had driven the clouds away, but Tinker had some important words to the city. “Never forget,” he said, “The great defeat and victory that you experienced here today. All-Depravity is dead, but Flesh still roams this city with his band of misfits. Do not give him provision, no room, no food, no drink. But put to death the deeds of Flesh and his comrades. This you can only do through the Son by listening to the leadership of New-Man who communes with the Great One and the Son by the enabling of Holy Spirit and New-Man’s continuous hope in the Great One’s Son. You must gather in this square daily and read out of the book given you, Holy Spirit will illuminate it. You must practice the ordinances given you by order from the Great One’s Son with the other cities of the Alliance.” Then, Tinker turned to Willing, Pleasure, and Conscience. “You, men, chief men in this fair city, you serve not yourselves, but the Great One, His Son, and Holy Spirit. They have empowered New-Man, listen to him. Willing, humble yourself before the decrees of the Great One and only seek to do as he commands. Conscience, daily rehearse the good news and the commands of the Great One, never despise your son, Shame, he is given as a precious one to the whole city. Pleasure, make your home here in the center of this city, where New-Man and Holy Spirit reside, and know well the stewards of the garden. Love them and cherish them.” Tinker closed his discourse with a silent pause, his eyes scanning the citizens of Mansheart, “The Great One will return, but for now he has promised the presence of Holy Spirit who points Mansheart to His Son. Look to the Son and you union with him, he has given you power to repel the enemies beyond you, and among you—be thankful for his Good News.” At the conclusion of his speech, the citizens of Mansheart began to sing a hymn of praise the Great One, and this continued long into the night.
Conclusion
My dear readers, this parable is intended to make you think. If I have accomplished that alone, I have succeeded. Yet, in our world, a non-allegorical world, this story plays out at least ten times a day. For the Holy Scripture teaches, “When I would do good, evil is present with me.” If you are a child of the King, take heart, he has killed your Old-Self – All-Depravity—but your flesh remains (Romans 6). Your union with Christ through the precious Gospel of grace and mercy is the means by which God has ordained that your heart should worship the Great One, Jehovah. Reckon yourselves then dead indeed to sin (Flesh) and alive unto God. Knowing that although every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed, there is no temptation taken you that is not common to man, and you will not be tempted above that you are able, but God is faithful and so with the temptation he makes a way of deliverance. Put to death the deeds of the body since you are dead to the law of sin and self and united to Jesus Christ. The Gospel is not just for justification, but the sole basis of our continued privilege of sanctification, until the day we see him and finally experience glorification.
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