DOWN UNDER

The gaggle of geese was excited as they flew down for the seminar in Australia. Dr. Luke Downs was the keynote speaker and his message was quite liberating: “Present Truth Destroys Archaic Doctrines.”

“A goose under grace is no longer under the law,” Dr Downs said. “There is therefore no condemnation to a goose who wants to cross the road, whether by flying or walking. . . The important thing that we must remember is our core message: God is a God of love, not hate. There is no need to ruffle feathers because Jesus has paid it all-- his cross crosses out all danger of trying to cross the road . . ."

After the first session,the living large and super-charged geese dispersed for the afternoon break. To their horror, they were confronted by a street preacher named Donald, a feather of a different sort.

"The God of love is also a God of justice," Donald preached. "Behold the goodness and the severity of God--"
"Legalism!" the crowd shouted. "He's just honking his own horn . . ."
"Donald continued, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God. If you fly in the Spirit you will not walk in the flesh . . . What killed a goose a hundred years ago still kills a goose today! DO NOT WALK ACROSS THE STREET!"

So much for not ruffling feathers.

"That does it for me," said Goose Gossage, with his dander up. He had hung on to every word Dr. Downs had preached while rejecting all that Donald had said. " I ain't a going to let that legalistic quack put his guilt on me. I'm trading in my frequent flier miles for some Nike walking shoes . . . see you in a bit."
"Where are you going?" asked his wife Millie.
"I'm walking to the store," Goose said. "Don't worry, I'll be --"

"Let no man deceive you with vain words . . ." (Ephesians 5:6).