I am a total Christmas fanatic. Of course, I believe very strongly in the importance of saving my celebration until after Thanksgiving has come, but as soon as it passes, I am all in. I attempt to create as much Christmas whimsy in my life as possible, with snowflakes hanging from my ceiling, trips to see twinkling lights all over town, cheerful Christmas tunes on repeat, and as many Christmas cookie parties as I can handle.
I love taking a break from classes, spending time with my family, and seeing old friends. I love gift giving and receiving. I love Christmas eve candlelit services. I love good food and good naps on Christmas day. I love it all.
But I've been reminded through faithful preaching of the Word this season that there's something a little somber and deeply significant about this time, too. The truth I've been glossing over a bit: that Christmas means first remembering that you and I have a deep-seated need for Christ. That he came because God knew we'd be eternally hopeless and helpless without him and loved us enough to make a way to himself. That ultimately, this Savior who came into the world also died for the sins of the world. My sin and yours.
God is good to have given us the gift of his Son. And I ought to let my desperate need for Christ shake me a little bit more. Humility and true worship ought to arise from the recognition that without Jesus, I'd be lost.
These truths are simple, and I think that's why it's easy for us to forget, misplace, or ignore. But there is nothing more worthy of celebration, no one more worthy of our love, obedience and attention, no gift more glorious or life-giving.
I am prone to distraction, celebrating lesser goods and gifts, but Christ is on my mind tonight. My great need for him, his sufficiency to live blamelessly and cover my sin with his death, the riches of his love, the depths of his grace.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth... For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."
(John 1:14,16)
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
What Wondrous Love Is This?
Recently, during a drive between Kirksville and Columbia after spending a day with my family, I found myself alone on the road for the first time in quite a while. The sky was dark and the car was quiet. I stuck in a c.d., one of many random car mixes in my collection. "What Wondrous Love Is This?" started to play, and I found myself particularly drawn to the song.
It's been a favorite of mine and Mark's ever since he introduced it to me two summers ago. The lyrics are rich and powerful and I let them wash over me with new meaning that night.
What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this.
What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this.
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse.
When I was sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down.
When I was sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down.
When I was sinking down beneath God's righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, to God and to the Lamb.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, to God and to the Lamb.
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I am,
While millions join the theme, I will sing
While millions join the theme.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, and when from death I'm free.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, and when from death I'm free.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and grateful be,
While millions join the theme, I will sing,
While millions join the theme.
What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this.
What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this.
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse.
When I was sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down.
When I was sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down.
When I was sinking down beneath God's righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, to God and to the Lamb.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, to God and to the Lamb.
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I am,
While millions join the theme, I will sing
While millions join the theme.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, and when from death I'm free.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, and when from death I'm free.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and grateful be,
While millions join the theme, I will sing,
While millions join the theme.
I was reminded then just how wonderful and astounding God's love for us is. The fact that He was not content to leave us in the sin and death we deserve, but instead was compelled by love to bear our curse and take our shame is difficult for me to comprehend. He restored us to himself simply because he loves us.
For the past year and a half, I have been learning quite a bit about love. The time I've spent dating (and more recently, engaged) to Mark has taught me so much about what it means to humble myself and set aside my own good or gain for the good of another. Though I have a very long way to go, I continue to grow in an understanding of what it means to model a relationship that is moving toward marriage after Christ's love for the church.
John Piper says that "the wonder of marriage is woven into the wonder of the gospel of the cross of Christ." This relationship between a man and a woman is a shadow of Christ's covenant-keeping love for the church, his bride. He is committed to faithfulness and to the continual giving of grace to her. He laid down his life for her.
It is incredible and painful and beautiful to be beginning this process with Mark. We are both often immature or prideful or selfish. Growing and stretching is hard. But it is good to be reminded that the covenant-keeping love of Christ is enough; that as we continue to be sanctified and learn to better love one another, it is because He loved us first.
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God... Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
-Ephesians 5:1-2, 22-25
For the past year and a half, I have been learning quite a bit about love. The time I've spent dating (and more recently, engaged) to Mark has taught me so much about what it means to humble myself and set aside my own good or gain for the good of another. Though I have a very long way to go, I continue to grow in an understanding of what it means to model a relationship that is moving toward marriage after Christ's love for the church.
John Piper says that "the wonder of marriage is woven into the wonder of the gospel of the cross of Christ." This relationship between a man and a woman is a shadow of Christ's covenant-keeping love for the church, his bride. He is committed to faithfulness and to the continual giving of grace to her. He laid down his life for her.
It is incredible and painful and beautiful to be beginning this process with Mark. We are both often immature or prideful or selfish. Growing and stretching is hard. But it is good to be reminded that the covenant-keeping love of Christ is enough; that as we continue to be sanctified and learn to better love one another, it is because He loved us first.
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God... Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
-Ephesians 5:1-2, 22-25
Monday, September 24, 2012
uncomfortable grace.
Recently the future has been on my mind quite a bit. At this point there are several things up in the air: job, school, etc. And every time my mind goes there, I've allowed it to become a really overwhelming, fear-inducing thing. I have not been offering it up to the Lord or really dealing with it in any kind of healthy way, just churning and worrying and letting that spiral out of control.
This weekend I heard a sermon preached on Mark 6:45-52. (http://www.redeemerkansascity.org/sermons/the-difference-between-amazement-and-faith/)
Essentially, Jesus has told the disciples to get in a boat and head toward Bethsaida while he stays behind to pray. The disciples start making their way across the water and struggle against the wind, making little headway.
The disciples are in this mess because of their obedience to Christ. He takes them where they haven't intended to go in order to produce in them what they cannot achieve on their own-- grace. And in their case this isn't the grace of relief, but the uncomfortable grace of refinement.
As the passage continues, we see the incredible truth that Christ is for them. He meets them on the water and is present with them in their difficulty. And yet, even in the midst of his presence, the disciples are utterly astounded-- they can't believe that Jesus had come to them walking on water; can't believe that he had the power to make the wind cease. Their thoughts of Him were completely and utterly too small. They still didn't understand fully who he was or what that meant. Instead their hearts were hardened and they missed an opportunity to experience his refining grace.
All believers in Jesus Christ have the incredible and uncomfortable grace of God that takes us where we didn't intend to go, walks with us in the midst of difficulty, and refines and produces sanctification in us. I'm learning that I have become satisfied with the work He has done in me so far; that I am content to stay where I am because it's comfortable here. But the Lord refuses to let me go without confronting these areas of my life where he is taking me somewhere new and scary for my good in order that I might trust Him more. In order that I might cast aside small thoughts of Him. That I might see that His refining work in me brings Him much glory, and I would give Him space to do so.
He is worthy of our trust, our hope, our worship, our very lives.
This weekend I heard a sermon preached on Mark 6:45-52. (http://www.redeemerkansascity.org/sermons/the-difference-between-amazement-and-faith/)
Essentially, Jesus has told the disciples to get in a boat and head toward Bethsaida while he stays behind to pray. The disciples start making their way across the water and struggle against the wind, making little headway.
The disciples are in this mess because of their obedience to Christ. He takes them where they haven't intended to go in order to produce in them what they cannot achieve on their own-- grace. And in their case this isn't the grace of relief, but the uncomfortable grace of refinement.
As the passage continues, we see the incredible truth that Christ is for them. He meets them on the water and is present with them in their difficulty. And yet, even in the midst of his presence, the disciples are utterly astounded-- they can't believe that Jesus had come to them walking on water; can't believe that he had the power to make the wind cease. Their thoughts of Him were completely and utterly too small. They still didn't understand fully who he was or what that meant. Instead their hearts were hardened and they missed an opportunity to experience his refining grace.
All believers in Jesus Christ have the incredible and uncomfortable grace of God that takes us where we didn't intend to go, walks with us in the midst of difficulty, and refines and produces sanctification in us. I'm learning that I have become satisfied with the work He has done in me so far; that I am content to stay where I am because it's comfortable here. But the Lord refuses to let me go without confronting these areas of my life where he is taking me somewhere new and scary for my good in order that I might trust Him more. In order that I might cast aside small thoughts of Him. That I might see that His refining work in me brings Him much glory, and I would give Him space to do so.
He is worthy of our trust, our hope, our worship, our very lives.
Monday, September 17, 2012
grace and worship.
My roommates and I started reading through the book of Mark this semester. This week was chapter 2, and I found myself really encouraged by what I found there.
First, (vs. 18-22) the Pharisees are bothered by the fact that Jesus and his disciples do not fast. To their question Jesus is quick to reply that the disciples are with the bridegroom now, experiencing and rejoicing in the presence of God as they spend time with Jesus, and therefore have no need for fasting until he is gone.
Next, (vs. 23-28) the disciples are seen plucking heads of grain in the grain fields on the Sabbath. Again, the Pharisees cannot understand why it would be okay for these men to violate the Sabbath merely because they are hungry. And again, Jesus points them to the truth-- "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
In each of these instances I see really beautiful truths. The Pharisees have come to trust in the Law, using it as the lens by which they see everything. However, in doing so they have completely lost sight of the purpose of both fasting and the Sabbath. According to Christ, fasting is for seeking the presence of God; for focusing one's full heart and attention on Him. But they have turned it into a badge of honor, automatically judging those who don't participate. And not only that, but they are missing out on the personal and tangible presence of Jesus Christ right in front of them. Similarly, the Sabbath is meant to be God's gift to man; a time of spiritual and physical refreshment. Therefore, it ought not confine every action a man takes on that day, but rather to be blessed by quiet, restful time with the Lord.
Ultimately, Christ intends to show these religious people that he is Lord over all, even the Law. And with him comes something completely new, something that cannot be combined with the old (vs. 21-22). We cannot receive full atonement in the death of Christ and still believe that there is some level of righteousness we can achieve by our own efforts. Therefore we see Jesus pointing to the grace that exists in him in each situation, setting us free to worship him with transformed hearts swelling with gratitude for what he has done.
When we get caught up in the "rules and duties", we lose out on the entire heart behind what God asks of us. The truth is, he has made us for worship and delight in Him. The things he calls us to are for our greatest good and His own glory. And if we know Him, sin has no power over us. So why do we allow just about anything (even "religious" things) to get in the way of humbly and passionately seeking the Lord in His Word and in prayer?
My prayer is that I would continue to be transformed by God in such a way that my heart would long for more of Him and the result would be a life of worship.
First, (vs. 18-22) the Pharisees are bothered by the fact that Jesus and his disciples do not fast. To their question Jesus is quick to reply that the disciples are with the bridegroom now, experiencing and rejoicing in the presence of God as they spend time with Jesus, and therefore have no need for fasting until he is gone.
Next, (vs. 23-28) the disciples are seen plucking heads of grain in the grain fields on the Sabbath. Again, the Pharisees cannot understand why it would be okay for these men to violate the Sabbath merely because they are hungry. And again, Jesus points them to the truth-- "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
In each of these instances I see really beautiful truths. The Pharisees have come to trust in the Law, using it as the lens by which they see everything. However, in doing so they have completely lost sight of the purpose of both fasting and the Sabbath. According to Christ, fasting is for seeking the presence of God; for focusing one's full heart and attention on Him. But they have turned it into a badge of honor, automatically judging those who don't participate. And not only that, but they are missing out on the personal and tangible presence of Jesus Christ right in front of them. Similarly, the Sabbath is meant to be God's gift to man; a time of spiritual and physical refreshment. Therefore, it ought not confine every action a man takes on that day, but rather to be blessed by quiet, restful time with the Lord.
Ultimately, Christ intends to show these religious people that he is Lord over all, even the Law. And with him comes something completely new, something that cannot be combined with the old (vs. 21-22). We cannot receive full atonement in the death of Christ and still believe that there is some level of righteousness we can achieve by our own efforts. Therefore we see Jesus pointing to the grace that exists in him in each situation, setting us free to worship him with transformed hearts swelling with gratitude for what he has done.
When we get caught up in the "rules and duties", we lose out on the entire heart behind what God asks of us. The truth is, he has made us for worship and delight in Him. The things he calls us to are for our greatest good and His own glory. And if we know Him, sin has no power over us. So why do we allow just about anything (even "religious" things) to get in the way of humbly and passionately seeking the Lord in His Word and in prayer?
My prayer is that I would continue to be transformed by God in such a way that my heart would long for more of Him and the result would be a life of worship.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Alas and Did My Savior Bleed.
Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die.
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?
His body slain; nailed to the cross
Bathed in his own blood
There received the wrath of God
His soul in anguish stood.
It was for crimes that I had done
That kept him on the tree.
Amazing mercy, matchless grace
And love beyond degree.
When Christ, our own creator died
And took upon our sin
Not even in that darkest hour
Could glory be shut in
My thoughts fixed on His sacrifice –
The cross that draws me near
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt my eyes to tears.
Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die.
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?
Drops of grief cannot repay
The love I owe to you
Lord, I give myself away
Its all that can do.
-hymn by Isaac Watts
Saturday, September 8, 2012
refine me.
"Thou blessed Spirit, author of all grace and comfort, come, work repentance in my soul; represent sin to me in its odious colors that I may hate it; melt my heart by the majesty and mercy of God; show me my ruined self and the help there is in him; teach me to behold my Creator, his ability to save, his arms outstretched, his heart big for me..."
-puritan prayer
-puritan prayer
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
places.
I am a ridiculously sentimental person. I attach images, sounds, words, music, and things to memories. Sometimes they rush back vividly, all at once, and I can almost go back.
I'm not much of a storyteller. But the other night I got going when Mark and I were talking about the perfect summer night, and I couldn't stop. I started telling him every detail I could remember about beautiful days and nights spent in the middle of nowhere (affectionately referred to as "the farm") with my best friends. About picking blackberries in thorny bushes and then making blackberry cobbler, going mudding and ending up in mud-fights and on rope swings, long drives on gravel roads, "Covered in Rain" on repeat, watching thunderstorms roll in and light up a big dark sky, bonfires, burgers, beans, hammocking, sunsets and starry skies, homemade New Years Eve ball drops, quiet mornings with the Lord before my friends woke up and pancake breakfasts when they did.
I don't ever get sick of these stories. If anything, I worry that at some point I won't remember them as well. Life seemed simpler then. We dreamed about the future, seeing only the endless possibilities in front of us. We laughed a lot. We savored our time, making the most of every silly idea or good conversation.
Life is different now. We're all different too. And I get sad thinking that things will never be the way they were. But I'm so thankful for that place and those people. I'm thankful for all the little ways the Lord used that season of my life to reveal to me more of who he is. I'm thankful for the way he orchestrated friendships and brought together people that taught me about real fellowship in him. And I'm thankful that He's not finished with us yet-- that even though my friends and I are all spreading out and moving on, I know he's continuing to mold us and teach us and sanctify us for his glory.
I'm praising God tonight for what he has done, but I'm also praising him because I know that's not all there is.
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
Life is different now. We're all different too. And I get sad thinking that things will never be the way they were. But I'm so thankful for that place and those people. I'm thankful for all the little ways the Lord used that season of my life to reveal to me more of who he is. I'm thankful for the way he orchestrated friendships and brought together people that taught me about real fellowship in him. And I'm thankful that He's not finished with us yet-- that even though my friends and I are all spreading out and moving on, I know he's continuing to mold us and teach us and sanctify us for his glory.
I'm praising God tonight for what he has done, but I'm also praising him because I know that's not all there is.
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
first, sinner.
"When you have tasted the grace of the gospel, no relationship, no matter how wrong or hurtful or annoying looks the same to you. You'll see yourself as 'first, sinner, and second, sinned against,' and when that happens, your entire disposition toward others' offenses toward you will change." -J.D. Greear
How often is this really how I see things? I confess that I find myself easily hurt, offended, and frustrated by others. It is difficult for me to respond with grace and forgiveness. I often forget that God, the HOLY one, is hurt and offended by sin. And I am first and foremost a sinner. I am only able to be called righteous because of the blood of Christ. Only because a holy God who required sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins made the perfect sacrifice in his Son. Only because Jesus bore the full wrath of God so that I wouldn't have to.
And if I truly believe these things to be true, what right do I have to choose not to forgive? Shouldn't I give grace to others in praise of the God who gave the greatest grace in Christ?
And if I truly believe these things to be true, what right do I have to choose not to forgive? Shouldn't I give grace to others in praise of the God who gave the greatest grace in Christ?
I should. And I am learning. First, sinner. Second, sinned against.
First, undeserving. Next, given grace... given life, forgiveness of sins, relationship with the Lord, joy, peace.
Thanks Lord, for refinement. For reaffirming my identity (forgiven sinner). For purpose (to bring you glory by giving grace to others).
Thanks Lord, for refinement. For reaffirming my identity (forgiven sinner). For purpose (to bring you glory by giving grace to others).
Monday, March 26, 2012
boasting.
I was convicted yesterday by a message I heard about boasting. If you have the time, I encourage you to listen: http://www.redeemerkansascity.org/sermons/wisdom-folly-boasting/
I've been allowing myself to feel overwhelmed recently, getting completely caught up in school and feeling like a total failure when my efforts don't translate to favorable results. I've been frustrated with friendships, experiencing insecurity when it seems like people are too busy or have moved on to other friends.
So I've been overwhelmed; frustrated. I've been tired. Self-pitying.
And then it hit me yesterday. I've been trying really hard to have something to boast in. Attaching my worth to school or friendships, hoping that through them I would find value. I'd find something to feel good about.
It doesn't feel like boasting when things aren't going your way. It feels like rock-bottom. But the truth is, if I had been doing well in these areas of my life, what would be coming through in my attitude would be pride. Both self-deprecation and pride stem from a heart that desires to boast in its own value, achievements, etc. And both are futile. Both lead to emptiness, disappointment, a wrong view of self, and a wrong view of God.
Boasting is "that of which one glories or can glory". Here's the beautiful truth I was reminded of yesterday: I have nothing of my own to glory in. All boasting ought to be for the One who is infinitely glorious and who ALONE is worthy. He has given us everything in Christ. ALL glory is due to His name. So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord!
"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
(1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ESV)
I've been allowing myself to feel overwhelmed recently, getting completely caught up in school and feeling like a total failure when my efforts don't translate to favorable results. I've been frustrated with friendships, experiencing insecurity when it seems like people are too busy or have moved on to other friends.
So I've been overwhelmed; frustrated. I've been tired. Self-pitying.
And then it hit me yesterday. I've been trying really hard to have something to boast in. Attaching my worth to school or friendships, hoping that through them I would find value. I'd find something to feel good about.
It doesn't feel like boasting when things aren't going your way. It feels like rock-bottom. But the truth is, if I had been doing well in these areas of my life, what would be coming through in my attitude would be pride. Both self-deprecation and pride stem from a heart that desires to boast in its own value, achievements, etc. And both are futile. Both lead to emptiness, disappointment, a wrong view of self, and a wrong view of God.
Boasting is "that of which one glories or can glory". Here's the beautiful truth I was reminded of yesterday: I have nothing of my own to glory in. All boasting ought to be for the One who is infinitely glorious and who ALONE is worthy. He has given us everything in Christ. ALL glory is due to His name. So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord!
"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
(1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ESV)
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
growing pains.
For the past few months, I have been experiencing growing pains.
I'm not talking about the physical sense of the term; my body doesn't ache as my muscles are stretching and growing. In fact, I think my last growth spurt happened in middle school.
What I am, however, referring to I think is a very accurate description of how I've been thinking/feeling recently.
It's interesting-- I've been noticing that the longer a person walks with Christ, the more sinfulness in them is revealed. I am more aware of my sin this year than I ever have been, and yet I know that even now I don't fully comprehend the depths of that sinfulness.
The word sanctification has been on my mind as of late. To sanctify is "to make holy". After a person has been justified by repenting and believing Christ's death and resurrection, they are saved from the penalty of sin. Christ's righteousness is on them and the Father sees them as holy. However, sin is still present in our lives until we stand before God in heaven. Therefore, sanctification is the process by which we walk with God, seek him, love him, praise him, and learn to delight in obedience to him.
When you put it in those terms, it is easy to romanticize. I've been guilty of rationalizing that if life with Christ isn't great and wonderful, it isn't worth the effort. But the truth is, growing pains are often (if not always) part of the process. I have to be broken of sin and self over and over and over again before I can see God's goodness, before I can delight in his presence. Before he can change me into his likeness.
As I said before, so much of my sinful nature has been revealed to me recently. It's overwhelming. It's convicting. It's hard. But if that is what it takes to draw me nearer to my God, (and it IS), then growing pains are worthwhile. Stretching is required, but growing comes as a result. That is something to rejoice in.
"What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 6:15-23 ESV)
I'm not talking about the physical sense of the term; my body doesn't ache as my muscles are stretching and growing. In fact, I think my last growth spurt happened in middle school.
What I am, however, referring to I think is a very accurate description of how I've been thinking/feeling recently.
It's interesting-- I've been noticing that the longer a person walks with Christ, the more sinfulness in them is revealed. I am more aware of my sin this year than I ever have been, and yet I know that even now I don't fully comprehend the depths of that sinfulness.
The word sanctification has been on my mind as of late. To sanctify is "to make holy". After a person has been justified by repenting and believing Christ's death and resurrection, they are saved from the penalty of sin. Christ's righteousness is on them and the Father sees them as holy. However, sin is still present in our lives until we stand before God in heaven. Therefore, sanctification is the process by which we walk with God, seek him, love him, praise him, and learn to delight in obedience to him.
When you put it in those terms, it is easy to romanticize. I've been guilty of rationalizing that if life with Christ isn't great and wonderful, it isn't worth the effort. But the truth is, growing pains are often (if not always) part of the process. I have to be broken of sin and self over and over and over again before I can see God's goodness, before I can delight in his presence. Before he can change me into his likeness.
As I said before, so much of my sinful nature has been revealed to me recently. It's overwhelming. It's convicting. It's hard. But if that is what it takes to draw me nearer to my God, (and it IS), then growing pains are worthwhile. Stretching is required, but growing comes as a result. That is something to rejoice in.
"What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 6:15-23 ESV)
Sunday, February 19, 2012
perspective.
"A person cannot appreciate the wonder of God's grace until he knows about the perfect demands of God's law, and he cannot appreciate the fullness of God's love for him until he knows something about the fierceness of God's anger against his sinful failure to perfectly obey that law. He cannot appreciate God's forgiveness until he knows about the eternal consequences of the sins that require a penalty and need forgiving."
-John MacArthur
-John MacArthur
Thursday, February 2, 2012
transforming.
"All the doctrines of the Gospel are practical principles. The word of God was not written, the Son of God was not incarnate, the Spirit of God was not given, only that Christians might obtain right views, and possess just notions. Religion is something more than mere correctness of intellect, justness of conception, and exactness of judgment. It is a life-giving principle. It must be infused into the habit as well as govern in the understanding; it must regulate the will as well as direct the creed. It must not only cast the opinions into a right frame, but the heart into a new mould. It is a transforming as well as a penetrating principle. It changes the tastes, gives activity to the inclinations, and, together with a new heart, produces a new life.”
–from Practical Piety (Hannah More), p. 14-15.
Friday, January 13, 2012
righteous.
Do we really understand a God whose nature is all righteous, upright; holy?
Do we know what it means, not just to do righteous deeds, or to think righteous thoughts, but to BE righteous?
This God, the one that spoke a universe to be, is the full and total embodiment of righteousness, the essence of perfection.
Can we even begin to wrap our minds around perfection? Where in this world of sin and decay can we possibly even find it?
There is no goodness apart from him. Every shred of good that does exist came directly from him, by him, for him.
And then we met his Son. All God, all man. All righteous, all holy. Lived sinless, in constant and complete submission to the will of the Father. Died with God’s wrath on him for our sin. Buried, risen, appeared, commissioned, ascended, now he’s sitting at the right hand of Abba.
God’s holiness required that Jesus come, that Jesus show us his holiness, that he’d teach us grace and liberty and obedience, that he’d die so that we’d live. So that HIS righteousness would cover our filthy rags, so that salvation would be ours, so that our lives and hearts would be transformed by his Spirit, so that his name would be glorified.
Believers in Christ have right standing before a righteous God. Therefore, repent of every sin that holds you back from praising, honoring, obeying, glorifying the Lord as he deserves—seek to love him, trust him, follow him more.
