Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 4:4a, where we read these words:
"For every creature of God is good . . . "This text (above) reveals a refreshingly-delightful doctrine. Every single God-created being and thing is good, (even mosquitos--if you can believe that[!]). Of course, as fallen sinners we have managed to mess-up virtually every good thing God created. But this in no way detracts from the intrinsic good-ness of everything God ever made.
False religion leaves people feeling sick and uneasy. This is because it seeks to gain God's approval through denigration of the good things God created, viz. by requiring people to abstain from them. The True Religion is able to en-joy (in Christ alone) *everything* God made; and to do so to The Holy Trinity's honor and glory.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The Lord gives double pay. He gives great rewards in His service here—and afterwards He refreshes us with the delights of para-dise which are without intermission and expiration.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Fight of Faith Crowned"]
