Aug
21
Listening: where caring begins.
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The late Fred Rogers, from PBS’s Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, once said:
“More and more I’ve come to understand that
listening is one of the most important things
we can do for one another.
“Whether the other is speaking or playing or dancing,
building or singing or painting,
if we care, we can listen.
“Listening is where caring begins.”
In the Bible, author James tells us: ”My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19-20)
Here are some more thoughts from God’s Word regarding listening:
“He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame.” (Proverbs 18:13)
”The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15)
”Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.” (Proverbs 4:1)
The Bible also tells us that there are some things to which we should NOT listen:
”A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.” (Proverbs 17:4)
”A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.” (Proverbs 21:28)
We are told that the lips of “an adulteress “drip honey,” and that her speech is “smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.” (Proverbs 5:1-4)
When wondering which voices to which we should listen, we can be like the Apostles, who said:
”We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29)
I will admit that on my own, I am not at all a good listener.
On my own, I care more about me than about listening to others.
Thankfully, through the power given me by Christ, I can be what I would otherwise not be.
[“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13]
Songwriter Keith Getty puts it this way: “This the power of the cross: Christ became sin for us. Took the blame, bore the wrath—We stand forgiven at the cross.” (www.gettymusic.com)
At the cross, we stand forgiven. Because of the work that Christ did on the cross, we are given the ability to do that which we could not otherwise do.
[Not sure about this? click on “Pursuit of Wisdom”/”Do You Know For Sure?” (above)]
When I remember who Christ is, and what He did for me, I can have this ability to become a better listener.
My prayer is that God, by His grace, will enable each of us to listen better to Him through His Word,
to be ‘clothed’ with the compassion that comes from Him (Colossians 3:12),
to become better listeners.
May God help each of us hear the “silent cries” of others in need
(family members, friends, neighbors, and even strangers.)
Because of Christ, each day I can grow to be more “quick to listen …”
Jul
21
Keeping my bearings.
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There are two important questions that we can ask ourselves that may help as we serve Christ in His Kingdom.
It’s good to ask them seriously, honestly, continually.
Then, by God’s grace, in His strength, and with a lot of encouragement from our friends, we can act on what is learned.
The first question is: “Who is the only person whose opinion matters to me?”
The answer to this question is that God is the only person whose opinion of me ultimately matters.
Here are some thoughts for us from God’s Word:
“… there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. ” (Hebrews 4:13)
“[God] made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (II Corinthians 5:21)
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1)
The second question is: “Who is the only person I can control?”
The answer to this question is: “me.” *I* am the only person that I can control.
So, what CAN I do?
Here are a few thoughts to get me started:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:18)
“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” (Romans 14:9)
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” (Hebrews 12:14-15)
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” (James 1:19)
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1)
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” (Titus 3:1-3)
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” (I Peter 3:8-10)
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
“…speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.” (Galatians 6:1)
About Christ Himself, God’s Word tells us: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (I Peter 2:23)
“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (I Peter 4:19)
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
”’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (II Corinthians 12:9)
”…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father…” (Colossians 1:11)
Quite a challenge! But, remember that these thoughts are not studied “once and done.” Just like a compass gives us direction when traveling, these are thoughts to which I need to continually return in order to “take my cue from Christ,” and maintain my true bearings.
by God’s grace, in His strength… to His glory.
Jul
7
Help for hurting hearts
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Wounds really hurt.
Wounds are sometimes physical, such as a broken bone or chronic joint pain.
Some wounds are wounds of the heart.
We may experience wounds of the heart because a loved one is far away (physically or emotionally), and is missed dearly, or because we have suffered great loss. We may also experience wounds of the heart when we are hurt by the actions or words of another.
The Bible reminds us that “Reckless words pierce like a sword…”
(Proverbs 12:18 niv)
The Bible also contains the poignant true story about friends, David and Jonathan. This story, found in the Old Testament book of I Samuel, tells of real hurt of the heart.
David was a faithful servant to King Saul. Saul’s son, Jonathan, and David became very close friends.
The Bible tells us: ”…Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself..”
(I Samuel 18:1 niv)
Sadly, it seemed to David that King Saul was becoming hostile toward him.
When David suspected King Saul’s antagonism and rejection of him, Jonathan made plans to find out if this were true, arranging for a signal between himself and David.
Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon festival. You will be missed, because your seat will be empty. The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone Ezel. I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target. Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I say to him, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them here,’ then come, because, as surely as the LORD lives, you are safe; there is no danger. But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, because the LORD has sent you away.” (I Samuel 20:18-23 niv)
Jonathan discovered that the hostility of Saul was true.
We later read: ”Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the month he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father’s shameful treatment of David. In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David. He had a small boy with him, and he said to the boy, ‘Run and find the arrows I shoot.’ As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. When the boy came to the place where Jonathan’s arrow had fallen, Jonathan called out after him, ‘Isn’t the arrow beyond you?’” (I Samuel 20:34-36 niv)
This was the agreed upon signal between Jonathan and David.
”After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most.” (I Samuel 20:41-42)
David and Jonathan each suffered great loss. Rejection and separation hurt intensely.
Denying the hurt will not make that hurt go away.
The writer of the Psalms seemed to know great pain when he wrote: ”I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.” (Psalm 6:6 niv)
Author Elisabeth Elliot reminds us that each of us is given a choice of what to do when wounded, no matter the cause. She writes:
”Living in a world broken by sin, we suffer wounds of many kinds. Perhaps the most painful are not the physical ones but those of the heart. No one has power to hurt us more deeply than somebody we love, somebody we counted on to understand and support us. But there are two ways to receive wounds. One leads to larger life. The other leads straight to death, that is to destruction–of those we influence as well as of ourselves.
”By grace we can receive the wounds of our friends as our Master received them–in the strength and for the glory of our heavenly Father. Being sinners ourselves, however, we need to be brought low at the cross.
”Nothing will do this better than some piercing heart-wound, provided we seek Christ because of it and pray Him to purify us.
”There is another way–the world’s way. It is anger, resentment, retaliation, retreat into pride and self-justification. These are quite natural, and quite lethal. The choice is ours.”
(Gateway to Joy)
When choosing to receive the wounds “as our Master received them–in the strength and for the glory of our heavenly Father” some thoughts from God’s Word may be helpful as they remind us that there really is a God, that He knows our every heartache, and that He is the healer of our hurts:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction…” (II Corinthians 1:3-4 nasb)
“He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried…” (Isaiah 53:3-4 nasb)
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3 niv)
”Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5 niv)
”…God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17 niv)
May you be comforted, and a comforter to others who are wounded.
Jun
17
What are we waiting for?
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On Sunday as we gathered with God’s people for worship, a hymn that we sang was one written by Joseph Hart in 1759. I find it interesting that the thoughts of which Mr. Hart wrote of so many years ago seem to me just as prevalent today.
Mr. Hart wrote, “Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love and power.”
Mr. Hart may have been remembering the invitation of Jesus Himself, Who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
It seems that Mr. Hart also anticipated a thought that is as prevalent today as it was when he wrote his hymn. He wrote, “If you tarry till you’re better, you will never come at all.”
How many of us feel that we are not ‘good enough’ to seek after or serve God? How many of us think, “When I get myself better, then I’ll follow Christ…”?
An understandable feeling, but one which sadly misses the great news of the gospel, “…that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures …” (I Corinthians 15:3). Jesus Himself said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) In his hymn, Mr. Hart reminds us of this important truth: “All the fitness He requireth is to feel your need of Him.”
A question each of us might ask ourselves: “What am I waiting for?”
The Bible says, “…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (II Corinthians 6:2)
In the Bible we also read: ”…if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Maybe it’s time to give the words of Mr. Hart some thought:
Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity joined with pow’r:
He is able,
He is able,
He is able,
He is willing; doubt no more.
Come, ye needy, come and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Ev’ry grace that brings you nigh,
Without money,
Without money,
Without money,
Come to Jesus Christ and buy.
Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Bruised and broken by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all:
Not the righteous,
Not the righteous,
Not the righteous,
Sinners Jesus came to call.
Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness he requireth
Is to feel your need of him;
This he gives you,
This he gives you,
This he gives you;
‘Tis the Spirit’s rising beam.
Lo! th’incarnate God, ascended,
Pleads the merit of his blood;
Venture on him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude:
None but Jesus,
None but Jesus,
None but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good.
–Joseph Hart, 1759
http://www.opc.org/books/TH/old/Blue393.html
Jun
9
About: Love
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Someone (besides Stevie Nicks in her song “Landslide”) mentioned ‘what is love?’
Here are some thoughts:
Love is an action verb.
The motivation and impetus for love is Christ.
The Bible tells us: “We love because he first loved us.” (I John 4:19)
Love does not depend on the recipient, but on the giver, who is empowered by the love and the cross of Christ.
”For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (I Corinthians 1:18)
“If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (I Peter 4:11)
The Amplified Bible translation of Philippians 4:13 reads:
“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”
Love is an act of the will. It is the fruit that blossoms because of Christ’s great love for me.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22)
Love is an action that is demonstrated.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
My “to do” list always includes the assignment to “love one another.”
”Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (I John 4:11)
This includes those who otherwise might be considered “unlovely.”
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ lend to ’sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:32-36)
After telling the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asked his listeners: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
He received this reply: “The one who had mercy on him.”
To which Jesus gave this directive: “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37)
He also told his followers that they would be “blessed” if they followed his example:
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:14-17)
Jesus summed up God’s law by saying: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-38)
Love is also an gauge that indicates that we are Christ’s disciples:
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
”We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren.” (I John 3:14)
”If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (I John 4:20-21)
Sometimes we might think, “I already tried that, and it didn’t work.” Remember that we do not love in order to change another person. “It” has, in fact, already “worked.” Christ has already done the work. He has provided the love for us, and has told us to go and serve/love others.
If, after reading these thoughts, you (like me) realize how far short of God’s standard we have fallen, remember with me that God’s grace is sufficient for _all_ of my sins. As Tim Keller puts it: “I am more sinful and flawed than I ever dared believe” yet at the same time, because of the cross, “I am more accepted and loved than I ever dared hope.” (II Corinthians 5:21) [For more help with these thoughts, you might click on Evangelism Explosion link to the left.]
Remember, too, that God has given us each other to be encouraged by along the way. (Hebrews 3:13)
Someone once said, ”Insomuch as any one pushes you nearer to God, he or she is your friend.”
If you think that confidential help or encouragement might be of assistance [one in need helping one in need], feel free to get in touch with me via contact link above.
May you be blessed!
May
31
Pursuit of Wisdom
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The top right link on this web page says “Pursuit of Wisdom.”
Why pursue wisdom?
Many years ago, a man named Solomon became king of Israel. At that time, God told Solomon: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
When given this offer by God, Solomon answered, “I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
God granted Solomon’s request. He said, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” (I Kings 3)
It is later said of Solomon, “Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.” (I Kings 4)
Solomon wrote:
”Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.” (Proverbs 4:5 niv)
”Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7 niv)
”How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16 niv)
The first place to find wisdom is in God’s Word, the Bible. Start there to find out about Who God is, what He says about Himself, and how this all applies to “life, the universe, and everything.”
The link above will direct you to other resources to help in the pursuit.
Enjoy the journey!
May
6
The Free Gift of Eternal Life
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At our worship service this past Sunday, the congregation sang a hymn that reminded me of the fact that there is nothing I or any one of us can do to earn God’s love. Days later, I am still thinking about that hymn…
The hymn is “Not What My Hands Have Done” by Horatius Bonar:
Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.
Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;
Your power alone, O Son of God, can all my sin erase.
No other work but Yours, no other blood will do;
No strength but that which is divine can bear me safely through.
Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord, to Thee,
Can rid me of this dark unrest, And set my spirit free.
I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine;
And with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Savior mine.
His cross dispels each doubt; I bury in His tomb
Each thought of unbelief and fear, each lingering shade of gloom.
I praise the God of grace; I trust His truth and might;
He calls me His, I call Him mine, My God, my joy and light.
’Tis He Who saveth me, and freely pardon gives;
I love because He loveth me, I live because He lives.
–Horatius Bonar, Hymns of Faith and Hope, second series, 1861
The Bible reminds us that eternal life is a gift from God:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 nasb)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 nasb)
We might wonder how any one of us can receive this free gift.
The answer comes in remembering something that Mr. Bonar wrote: there is not one thing that I can do to “save my guilty soul.”
I must instead turn to Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. I must rest on Christ alone and what He has done, rather than what I have done to merit the love of God. The life of Christ is one in which He obeyed God’s perfect law perfectly, and died the death I deserved.
Thank you, Mr. Bonar, for reminding me of that _great_ news!
May
3
Run for the Son
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Today is “Run for the Son” day. Each year, on the first Saturday in May, members of Christian Motorcyclists Association chapters from all across the country participate in a 100 mile ride to raise money for CMA home missions, and for three other worthy causes:
Jesus Film Project
Missionary Ventures
and Open Doors Ministry
At 1 PM (Eastern Time Zone), our group gathered at Nockamixon State Park for prayer. At that exact time (12 noon Central Time Zone, 11 AM Mountain Time Zone, etc.), all across the country, members of CMA chapters were also gathering for prayer.
We prayed for our chapters, and for the outreach of the gospel during this riding season. We prayed for the above ministries.
There were about 35 motorcycles on our ride today. The prayer of each of us riders is that God be glorified in all that we do, especially as we begin another riding season.
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31
Apr
29
Pursuit of holiness.
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This past Saturday, I was privileged to gather with several women for the study of God’s Word.
To help us in our study, we are using J. C. Ryle’s book _Holiness_.
Chapter 1 of Mr. Ryle’s book is on the topic of sin. About sin, Mr. Ryle writes: “It is a family disease, which we all inherit from our first parents, Adam and Eve, and with which we are born.”
The Bible tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As I read this verse, I know that it applies to me.
Sin is doing what I should not do, and not doing what I should do. As I read the Bible, it becomes clear to me that there are things that I should do, that I have not done; as well as things I should not do which, sadly, I have done.
For direction here, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) is a good place to start.
Another place is I Corinthians 13, where God tells me that: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
When I consider my thoughts and actions in light of this, I know for sure that I have missed the mark. As I consider the gravity of sin, I wonder more about the love of God. The Bible tells us that “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Ryle writes: “Once we see that sin is far viler and far nearer to us and sticks more closely to us than we supposed, we will be led, I trust and believe, to get nearer to Christ. Once drawn nearer to Christ, we will drink more deeply out of His fullness and learn more thoroughly to ‘live the life of faith’ in Him, as St. Paul did. Once taught to live the life of faith in Jesus, and abiding in Him, we will bear more fruit, will find ourselves more strong for duty, more patient in trial, more watchful over our poor weak hearts, and more like our Master in all our little daily ways. Just in proportion as we realize how much Christ has done for us, will we labor to do much for Christ. Much forgiven, we will love much.”
We were reminded of a hymn written by Robert Murray McCheyne, one stanza of which is written here:
When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart,
Then Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe.
Ryle writes: “I am persuaded that the more light we have, the more we see our own sinfulness; the nearer we get to heaven, the more we are clothed with humility.”
May God continue to bless each of us as we seek to know Him more.
Apr
25
The heart of every one of us.
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