Piper, while recently at Driscoll's church, delivered this message on the text of Romans 8:13.
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
- Romans 8:13
Showing posts with label Life is War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life is War. Show all posts
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Where?
Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap and be faithful even unto death? Where are those who will lose their lives for Christ's sake -- flinging them away for love of him? Where are those who will live dangerously and be reckless in his service? Where are his lovers -- those who love him and the souls of men more than their own reputations or comfort or very life?
Where are the men who say 'no' to self, who take up Christ's cross to bear it after him, who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or mission field, who are willing, if need be, to bleed, to suffer and to die on it?
Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the buccaneers for God, who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise or fall of an empire? Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision?
Where are the men of prayer?
Where are God's men in this day of God's power?
- Howard Guinness, Sacrifice
Where are the men who say 'no' to self, who take up Christ's cross to bear it after him, who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or mission field, who are willing, if need be, to bleed, to suffer and to die on it?
Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the buccaneers for God, who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise or fall of an empire? Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision?
Where are the men of prayer?
Where are God's men in this day of God's power?
- Howard Guinness, Sacrifice
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Life is War!
____________________
Plans are established by counsel;
by wise guidance wage war.
- Proverbs 20:18
____________________
A wise man will solicit counsel and carefully consider the advice thereof. One who develops and engages strategic plans will be more effective than one who does not.
When life and death are on the line wisdom is especially valuable. While living in the valley of the shadow of death strategy, planning, and heeding wise counsel are well advised.
Life is war and the battle is for the affections of your heart. Therefore, with eternal consequences at stake, we must fight this battle and engage in this warfare with all diligence and with all available resources.
Plans are established by counsel;
by wise guidance wage war.
- Proverbs 20:18
____________________
A wise man will solicit counsel and carefully consider the advice thereof. One who develops and engages strategic plans will be more effective than one who does not.
When life and death are on the line wisdom is especially valuable. While living in the valley of the shadow of death strategy, planning, and heeding wise counsel are well advised.
Life is war and the battle is for the affections of your heart. Therefore, with eternal consequences at stake, we must fight this battle and engage in this warfare with all diligence and with all available resources.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Faithful Soldiers
The fierceness of the battle ought not to discourage the faithful soldier. It ought rather to embolden him, to deepen his resolve to fight, to cause him to dig deeper trenches, to plot out well planned strategy for warfare, to engage daily in the life and death battle for souls and for his soul...Life is War! The battle is for the affections of your heart.
Are you fighting? More importantly is the opposition proving to increase your resolve in the battle? Faithful soldiers will never waive the white flag. Never.
He is in the trenches with you, as are your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Contrary to the popular Army recruiting slogan; there is no such thing as an Army of one.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
- Paul, Romans 12:12
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Run For Your Life!
On the Sunday after the terror attack on September 11th, Carter Conlon delivered this powerful message at the Times Square Church in Manhattan. The message was entitled, "Run for your life."
- Carter Conlon
HT: BraveHeartedGospel.com
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Combating Sin
Combating sin is a deadly serious endeavor for those who would follow Christ. The Scriptures repeatedly call the followers of Christ to make war on sin. I recently came across this helpful article by a Randy Alcorn who seems appropriately serious in his battle against sin. We would do well to emulate him in his purposeful watchfulness and deliberate consideration of the dire consequences of sin.
Quoted directly from Randy Alcorn's blog:
Personalized List of Anticipated Consequences of Immorality
• Grieving my Lord; displeasing the One whose opinion most matters.
• Dragging into the mud Christ's sacred reputation.
• Loss of reward and commendation from God.
• Having to one day look Jesus in the face at the judgment seat and give an account
of why I did it. Forcing God to discipline me in various ways.
• Following in the footsteps of men I know of whose immorality forfeited their ministry and caused me to shudder. List of these names:
• Suffering of innocent people around me who would get hit by my shrapnel (a la Achan).
• Untold hurt to Nanci, my best friend and loyal wife.
• Loss of Nanci's respect and trust.
• Hurt to and loss of credibility with my beloved daughters, Karina and Angela. ("Why listen to a man who betrayed Mom and us?")
• If my blindness should continue or my family be unable to forgive, I could lose my wife and my children forever.
• Shame to my family. (The cruel comments of others who would invariably find out.)
• Shame to my church family.
• Shame and hurt to my fellow pastors and elders. List of names:
• Shame and hurt to my friends, and especially those I've led to Christ and discipled. List of names:
• Guilt awfully hard to shake—even though God would forgive me, would I forgive myself?
• Plaguing memories and flashbacks that could taint future intimacy with my wife.
• Disqualifying myself after having preached to others.
• Surrender of the things I am called to and love to do—teach and preach and write and minister to others. Forfeiting forever certain opportunities to serve God. Years of training and experience in ministry wasted for a long period of time, maybe permanently.
• Being haunted by my sin as I look in the eyes of others, and having it all dredged up again wherever I go and whatever I do.
• Undermining the hard work and prayers of others by saying to our community "this is a hypocrite—who can take seriously anything he and his church have said and done?"
• Laughter, rejoicing and blasphemous smugness by those who disrespect God and the church (2 Samuel 12:14).
• Bringing great pleasure to Satan, the Enemy of God.
• Heaping judgment and endless problems on the person I would have committed adultery with.
• Possible diseases (pain, constant reminder to me and my wife, possible infection of Nanci, or in the case of AIDS, even causing her death, as well as mine.)
• Possible pregnancy, with its personal and financial implications.
• Loss of self-respect, discrediting my own name, and invoking shame and lifelong embarrassment upon myself.
At the end of his blog post, Alcorn links to this article by John Piper, highlighting the ever increasing exposure of Christians to immorality. More ammunition for our lifelong battle against sin.
Quoted directly from Randy Alcorn's blog:
Personalized List of Anticipated Consequences of Immorality
• Grieving my Lord; displeasing the One whose opinion most matters.
• Dragging into the mud Christ's sacred reputation.
• Loss of reward and commendation from God.
• Having to one day look Jesus in the face at the judgment seat and give an account
of why I did it. Forcing God to discipline me in various ways.
• Following in the footsteps of men I know of whose immorality forfeited their ministry and caused me to shudder. List of these names:
• Suffering of innocent people around me who would get hit by my shrapnel (a la Achan).
• Untold hurt to Nanci, my best friend and loyal wife.
• Loss of Nanci's respect and trust.
• Hurt to and loss of credibility with my beloved daughters, Karina and Angela. ("Why listen to a man who betrayed Mom and us?")
• If my blindness should continue or my family be unable to forgive, I could lose my wife and my children forever.
• Shame to my family. (The cruel comments of others who would invariably find out.)
• Shame to my church family.
• Shame and hurt to my fellow pastors and elders. List of names:
• Shame and hurt to my friends, and especially those I've led to Christ and discipled. List of names:
• Guilt awfully hard to shake—even though God would forgive me, would I forgive myself?
• Plaguing memories and flashbacks that could taint future intimacy with my wife.
• Disqualifying myself after having preached to others.
• Surrender of the things I am called to and love to do—teach and preach and write and minister to others. Forfeiting forever certain opportunities to serve God. Years of training and experience in ministry wasted for a long period of time, maybe permanently.
• Being haunted by my sin as I look in the eyes of others, and having it all dredged up again wherever I go and whatever I do.
• Undermining the hard work and prayers of others by saying to our community "this is a hypocrite—who can take seriously anything he and his church have said and done?"
• Laughter, rejoicing and blasphemous smugness by those who disrespect God and the church (2 Samuel 12:14).
• Bringing great pleasure to Satan, the Enemy of God.
• Heaping judgment and endless problems on the person I would have committed adultery with.
• Possible diseases (pain, constant reminder to me and my wife, possible infection of Nanci, or in the case of AIDS, even causing her death, as well as mine.)
• Possible pregnancy, with its personal and financial implications.
• Loss of self-respect, discrediting my own name, and invoking shame and lifelong embarrassment upon myself.
At the end of his blog post, Alcorn links to this article by John Piper, highlighting the ever increasing exposure of Christians to immorality. More ammunition for our lifelong battle against sin.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Enemy Tactics
I've been reading in Job again lately. I'm continually struck at Job's persistent (and accurate) attributing of his difficult predicaments to the sovereign hand of God. Job is able to see that although the enemy of our souls is involved in the attack he is not able to run beyond the length of leash permitted him by the Lord.
I recently found a helpful quote on Ray Ortlund's blog. The quote is from William Gurnall on Job and the enemy's tactics:
"Leaving the first kind of fiery darts -- enticing and attractive temptations -- we now proceed to the second kind, those which fill the Christian with fear. It is only the power of faith that can quench these fiery darts.
This is Satan's weapon held in reserve. When alluring temptations fail, he opens his quiver and shoots these arrows to set the soul on fire, if not with sin then with terror. When he cannot carry a soul laughing to hell through the deception of pleasurable temptations, he will try to make him go mourning to heaven by this different kind of attack. It is a sure sign that Satan is losing. . . .
The arrows he shot at Job were of this kind. When God let the devil practice his skill, why did he not tempt Job with some golden apple of profit or pleasure? Surely the high testimony God gave about Job discouraged Satan from these methods. Satan had no tactic left but this."
-William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour
HT: RO
I recently found a helpful quote on Ray Ortlund's blog. The quote is from William Gurnall on Job and the enemy's tactics:
"Leaving the first kind of fiery darts -- enticing and attractive temptations -- we now proceed to the second kind, those which fill the Christian with fear. It is only the power of faith that can quench these fiery darts.
This is Satan's weapon held in reserve. When alluring temptations fail, he opens his quiver and shoots these arrows to set the soul on fire, if not with sin then with terror. When he cannot carry a soul laughing to hell through the deception of pleasurable temptations, he will try to make him go mourning to heaven by this different kind of attack. It is a sure sign that Satan is losing. . . .
The arrows he shot at Job were of this kind. When God let the devil practice his skill, why did he not tempt Job with some golden apple of profit or pleasure? Surely the high testimony God gave about Job discouraged Satan from these methods. Satan had no tactic left but this."
-William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour
HT: RO
Friday, March 20, 2009
Aliens & Strangers...
Mark 13:13a
"And you will be hated by all for my name's sake."
Noah was mocked by those around him. Joseph was despised by his brothers. Moses was troubled by Dathan and his crew. Mordecai was hated by Haman. David was hunted relentlessly by Saul and his army. Many of the Old Testament prophets were killed by the very people they were sent speak to. Jesus was hated by the self-righteous religious people of his day. The disciples of Jesus were hated by those who killed them. Stephen was despised by the furious crowed who stoned him to death. John was hated by those who exiled him. Paul was hated by the religious people of his day, some of whom took a vow to kill him, and others of whom referred to him as a plague.
Hebrews 11:37-38
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-- of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Hebrews 11:13-16
"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."
Mark 13:13b
"But the one who endures to the end will be saved. "
Revelation 2:10b
"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."
"And you will be hated by all for my name's sake."
Noah was mocked by those around him. Joseph was despised by his brothers. Moses was troubled by Dathan and his crew. Mordecai was hated by Haman. David was hunted relentlessly by Saul and his army. Many of the Old Testament prophets were killed by the very people they were sent speak to. Jesus was hated by the self-righteous religious people of his day. The disciples of Jesus were hated by those who killed them. Stephen was despised by the furious crowed who stoned him to death. John was hated by those who exiled him. Paul was hated by the religious people of his day, some of whom took a vow to kill him, and others of whom referred to him as a plague.
Hebrews 11:37-38
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-- of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Hebrews 11:13-16
"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."
Mark 13:13b
"But the one who endures to the end will be saved. "
Revelation 2:10b
"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Smack...
Life is war! The battle is for the affections of our hearts. These are staples in the life of a Christian. Why is it then that when I try to explain this to a friend, who is a Christian by confession, and he looks at me as if I'm speaking Greek?
Have you ever slapped a loved one in the face in order to wake them up? Have you ever shaken somebody by the scruff of the neck and talked to them nose to nose in order to relay the urgency of the situation at hand. Sometimes that is what we need. Sometimes we need a brother in the battle to get our attention and to help us get back in the fight.
Know a brother or sister in the faith who is struggling? Know a loved one battling with apathy and losing? Do them a favor and kick them in the pants, point out the army approaching them that they haven't noticed, and point them to the ultimate Commander in Chief. There is a place in the battle for them, sometimes they just need a little help finding it.
While in the midst of writing this I had another brother call me, expressing his current condition of losing the battle with apathy and feeling hard hearted. A loving smack on the head was what this brother needed. Hey bro, this life is war! Why aren't you fighting? What's that, you don't know any decent battalions (churches) to join? Well then come with me, I'll take you to one. Bro don't be surprised by the fiery trials that are assailing you and remember that our God makes even those trials work for our good. He knows what He's doing, and He's not done with you yet. Put on your armor, grab your weapon, it's time to get back into the fray.
Have you ever slapped a loved one in the face in order to wake them up? Have you ever shaken somebody by the scruff of the neck and talked to them nose to nose in order to relay the urgency of the situation at hand. Sometimes that is what we need. Sometimes we need a brother in the battle to get our attention and to help us get back in the fight.
Know a brother or sister in the faith who is struggling? Know a loved one battling with apathy and losing? Do them a favor and kick them in the pants, point out the army approaching them that they haven't noticed, and point them to the ultimate Commander in Chief. There is a place in the battle for them, sometimes they just need a little help finding it.
While in the midst of writing this I had another brother call me, expressing his current condition of losing the battle with apathy and feeling hard hearted. A loving smack on the head was what this brother needed. Hey bro, this life is war! Why aren't you fighting? What's that, you don't know any decent battalions (churches) to join? Well then come with me, I'll take you to one. Bro don't be surprised by the fiery trials that are assailing you and remember that our God makes even those trials work for our good. He knows what He's doing, and He's not done with you yet. Put on your armor, grab your weapon, it's time to get back into the fray.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Fighting & Being Carried
Sometimes in the battle of life I feel like I'm fighting well. Other times I feel like I'm just being carried by my Father who is strong enough to get me through - kind of like this:
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Training, Striving, Hoping, & Pressing On
Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Injustice of Neglect
When weapons of war are everywhere,
Why in this battle are they neglected?
Forgotten Scripture, and abandoned access to the Throne - from anywhere,
Teamwork with fellow soldiers not taught nor respected
Wasted access to an abundance of Christ-centered preaching
An overlooked profusion of books full of God-glorifying teaching
Friends with phone numbers unused
And liberty for entertainment abused
Means of grace all strewn around
The battlefield radio left upon a shelf
Unused and unconsidered mercies abound
As many succumb to a myopic focus upon self
This life is War!
We battle with that great whore
Of self, the world, and the enemy
Who, in the midst of war, neglects such a vast array of weaponry?
Why all the mess?
Why all this neglect?
When Christ has so blessed,
And when He deserves the utmost respect
Why in this battle are they neglected?
Forgotten Scripture, and abandoned access to the Throne - from anywhere,
Teamwork with fellow soldiers not taught nor respected
Wasted access to an abundance of Christ-centered preaching
An overlooked profusion of books full of God-glorifying teaching
Friends with phone numbers unused
And liberty for entertainment abused
Means of grace all strewn around
The battlefield radio left upon a shelf
Unused and unconsidered mercies abound
As many succumb to a myopic focus upon self
This life is War!
We battle with that great whore
Of self, the world, and the enemy
Who, in the midst of war, neglects such a vast array of weaponry?
Why all the mess?
Why all this neglect?
When Christ has so blessed,
And when He deserves the utmost respect
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Affliction & Awakening
What will awaken and enliven a sleepy and fatted people?
It seems that suffering and affliction are the lonely remedies to such an apathy. The life of the Christian is to be a life of war! And yet the warfare is hardly anywhere to be seen. However, the warfare language of the Scriptures is inescapable, indeed even bordering on outrageously blunt. Here is a mere sampling of such language:
Php 3:11-14 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1Ti 6:11-12 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1Co 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2Co 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Eph 6:11-13 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Rev. 2:10b
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Luk 9:23 And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luk 9:24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
2Pe 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and …
Joh 12:25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Back to the question. What will wake us up and shake us into vibrant Christ exalting life? The Scriptures are not scant on serious language, nor would the reading of such Scriptures lead one to conclude apathetic time wasting is wise nor prudent.
As I ask myself this question I cannot escape the thought that God has arranged many and various wake up calls. In fact it seems that this is one of the main purposes for, if not the main purpose for sufferings and trials. Without them we will simply sleep away and fatten ourselves with comfort upon comfort as we waste our lives into oblivion.
Thank You Lord for granting to us the mercies of sufferings and trials that we might awaken to Christ's glory and to Christ honoring, self-effacing service.
Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
2 Cor 1:8-9
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
"God is kind in ways that will not fit your mind."
- John Piper, The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God
It seems that suffering and affliction are the lonely remedies to such an apathy. The life of the Christian is to be a life of war! And yet the warfare is hardly anywhere to be seen. However, the warfare language of the Scriptures is inescapable, indeed even bordering on outrageously blunt. Here is a mere sampling of such language:
Php 3:11-14 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1Ti 6:11-12 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1Co 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2Co 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Eph 6:11-13 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Rev. 2:10b
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Luk 9:23 And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luk 9:24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
2Pe 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and …
Joh 12:25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Back to the question. What will wake us up and shake us into vibrant Christ exalting life? The Scriptures are not scant on serious language, nor would the reading of such Scriptures lead one to conclude apathetic time wasting is wise nor prudent.
As I ask myself this question I cannot escape the thought that God has arranged many and various wake up calls. In fact it seems that this is one of the main purposes for, if not the main purpose for sufferings and trials. Without them we will simply sleep away and fatten ourselves with comfort upon comfort as we waste our lives into oblivion.
Thank You Lord for granting to us the mercies of sufferings and trials that we might awaken to Christ's glory and to Christ honoring, self-effacing service.
Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
2 Cor 1:8-9
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
"God is kind in ways that will not fit your mind."
- John Piper, The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)