I'm still in the tale end of chapter 3 heading into chapter 4. I'm reading about confession's place in repentance. Here is my first thought toward this passage, with many more following:
Confession is a true friend's task
Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Proverbs 27:9
I have had several good friends. People I just enjoy being around. People that laugh at my stupid jokes, and understand my unique way of venting conflicts. They just like the way I currently am and are patient with me while I become like Him. I bet you, dear reader, have had some of these relationships, too. Life giving, soul refreshing, breaths of life. Cling to these guys and be close so sin won't be. My point: a good friendship will have the elements of light so deeply ingrained in it that there is no shadow in which to hide. Confession will be a part of living life in community with men you trust and love. Page 37 drills this idea home.
Back to the Book
"They who will not confess their sin as David did, that they may be pardoned, shall confess their sin as Achan did, that they may be stoned." (pg. 32) I think this is what will happen on the last day during that "Every knee shall bow..." celebration. Honestly, in my misunderstanding, I always wondered how someone could confess Christ then be sentenced to eternity in Hell. The root of my failed logic lies in my thinking of salvation as a recipe: 2 parts "Jesus is Lord", 2 parts "Jesus is savior" and presto... Christian Lasagna. Watson, I think, is attacking this simplistic view of salvation as well. Not that its complicated, but it is. Make sense? Oh Jesus, help us...
Sin
Katie, like Eve, is responsible for all my failings...Sorry, babe.
In my mind, I extenuate my sins.
I blame shift, mainly towards God.
And I'm a damn good complainer!
I don't speak
My eyes often darken my soul.
I need the light and confession helps it shine through.
I love Watson's usage of gross similes. Confession is like: lancing an abscess, letting out bad blood from a vein, and opening a dung gate.
Confession of sin is agreeing with truth. I can't deny or justify my sin. I can't explain why it happened. There is no logic. Sin is insane; to rationalize it only wounds the victims more, confuses the thinker, and makes a fan of modern psychology. Being a sinner (one who sins) is needing Christ.
I love the promises associated with confession on pages 35&36. If I confess God will be faithful and just to forgive.
"...draw up an indictment against yourself and plead guilty, and you shall be sure of mercy."
Auricular...That's another cool word.
Ok, I hope you worship Christ more through reading this. Thanks, friends.
In Christ Alone,
David
For Katie:
"I love you," said Katie.
"And I love you," replied David, as they snuggled as deep in the covers as they are in love. All of David's days are lovely because of his wonderful wife. He doesn't know how gracious God really has been to him by loaning her to him. All of their troubles are kind of worth it, in the right lighting, and together.
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Friday, January 11, 2013
Saturday, December 29, 2012
The Doctrine of Repentance
Thomas Watson wrote a bunch of good stuff. Really he did. At Katie's prodding, I started looking for a book for us to devour. Nolan, my bro-in-law, was reading The Doctrine of Repentance and Facebooked about it. I took the bait when I considered how difficult it is to weigh true repentance in my life.
I just feel like so many modern authors just aren't as thought provoking as some of these old dead guys. I love that I have to harass my dictionary app while reading most pages. You know... I'm pretty sure his education would have been double of any given modern doctorate degree. Something else: he didn't have TV. Which, through my many hours of observation, has convinced me it is the devil's box.
On to Repentance
My goal in writing this blog is to re-communicate some of the things I'm learning through this book. And secondly: because I mainly learn from regurgitating information.
Observations
I think it is important to note that there is nothing in the Christian life that is an equation. I could conceivably follow every step Watson lays out and never repent. Or I could feel terribly about my sin and again never repent. But, nevertheless, Watson gives an excellent starting point for the deep, soul saving half-act of repentance. The other half is faith in Christ, Amen!
This is probably oversimplified, but I'm thinking repentance is aligning our spiritual vision to view our actions as Jesus views them. Then calling them what they are: sin. Leaving these sin then for the hand of Jesus. Trading dust for living water.
"The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out." (Proverbs 20:5) I'm still learning what this means, but I think it can be said of one who is trying to truly repent.
Chapter 1
12: I love that he isn't going to dive into the "What came first?" argument, and in a short sweet paragraph says what many have said in verbose books. Of course, Watson probably has read all those books. On page 14, he kind of restates this in his two points on how repentance is wrought.
13: "Repentance is a pure gospel grace... The law required personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience."
Chapter 2
16:
It is a great matter to leave a sin. Then Watson says many people would leave a child before some sins. I thought, "No way! I would give anything for AK and Spero!" Then I thought to the times I have failed to perpetual struggles throughout the years. I can see his point. Another thought: How many people in the world have left families and loved ones to chase after romance (lust), money, power, etc. Yeah, we people choose sin first. This is more evidence that page 12 is correct.
"An old sin may be left to entertain a new..." Yeap, this is why many a smoker quits and gains 50 lbs. (I wonder why I have and extra 50 lbs. then!?)
Seriously though, the path is wider on the edge of hell than at the start of life.
17: "True leaving of sin is when the acts of sin cease from the infusion of a principle of grace, as the air ceases to be dark from the infusion of light."
Chapter 3
"Sin must first be seen before it can be wept for." Jesus said it this way, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Lord Christ, will you give us holy sight to see our sin like you see it?
19:
"A woman may as well expect to have a child without pangs as one can have repentance without sorrow." Katie went naturally with Spero. No Tylenol, no epidural, no morphine. Just pressure, pain, and a little screaming. "IT HURTS!" is specifically what she demanded everyone know while Spero was crowning.
Repentance will have sorrow like Katie had Spero.
22:
Fiducial. I like that word. Say it out loud. It means: having the nature of trust. Godly sorrow that leads to repentance has the nature of trust. Sorrow is sorrow, not repentance. Repentance is a mixture of part sorrow, some other good stuff, and part trust in Christ.
Ok, so this is a stretch and a little random, but follow me here. Trust is being sure what you hope in is going to be there, is unchanging, and is powerful enough to be trusted. Therefore you, dear reader, cannot have true trust in something that is not committed, right? You cannot have trust in something that is not powerful, right? This is my point: Marriage has been given these qualities: Commitment and Love based on the truth of the Gospel (Power). And should be a safe place for godly sorrow, then confession, and then repentance to take place without the fear of rejection. Matthew 18 is the standard I'm thinking of here.
That's enough for now! Much love to my singular, soul, at home with the kids while I'm at work typing this, blog follower: Katie.
-David
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Psalm 71
1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.
7 I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together
11 and say, "God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him."
12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.
I was encouraged by this Psalm today. Lord, will you encourage the believers today? Help us to be aware of our need for you. Protect us from materialism and the "American Dream" during the sales push of the holidays. Help our gaze to be fixed on you; grace us to proclaim your name to the next generation. Thank you for proclaiming yourself to us through King David!
In Christ Alone,
-David (a lesser one)
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.
7 I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together
11 and say, "God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him."
12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.
I was encouraged by this Psalm today. Lord, will you encourage the believers today? Help us to be aware of our need for you. Protect us from materialism and the "American Dream" during the sales push of the holidays. Help our gaze to be fixed on you; grace us to proclaim your name to the next generation. Thank you for proclaiming yourself to us through King David!
In Christ Alone,
-David (a lesser one)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Jesus' Narrow Gate
Reflections on Matthew 7
I'm loving the study though Matthew Katie and I are attempting. I can feel the person of Christ coming through these scriptures during the times I read this gospel. This morning Jesus was taking me through multi-faceted corrections and encouragement in my walk with him. He starts with an encouragement to interactions with other believers (with implications to interactions with non-believers), a pushing to trust God, moving then to guidelines for living in righteousness, with a line to walk with cautions about the dangers of falling off either side.
Jesus starts off with an awe striking thought on judgement. Don't judge unless you want to be judged. When I do judge people, I will be judged by God with the same rigor I use. Then Jesus clarifies why; we do the same things we so readily judge in others (see Romans 2 as a cross-reference). How can I so harshly judge when I'm also to blame? Just to emphasize correctly, Jesus doesn't forbid judgement but attacks the heart behind it. He seems to ask the question: Do you really want to crush someone who does the same things you do? Then don't crush them. Help them as one beggar to another. Then Christ wisely adds, "Do not give to dogs what is holy..." (Matt. 7:6). I take from this to wait for teachable moments to share observations in someone's life. Two reasons why: 1. I run the risk of pressuring out performance in believers who aren't convinced by God of their actions. 2. Calling into righteousness is the effect of the Holy Spirit not the effect of judgmental corrections. I'm not going to accomplish my agenda on people; the Spirit is going to accomplish His.
The next section is teaching how to trust God. Just keep asking. Just keep coming to God because he is trustworthy. What a great promise for me as I look to God for where I should go! He will answer with GOOD things! He loves me and will keep me. How good is it that the world has no secrets that will just jump out and get me, but that GOD is in control of it all.
After the trusting God section, I found the narrow path. Narrow: doing to others what I would have them do to me. Narrow: hard. Narrow: faith in God. Narrow: walking in mercy. Narrow: asking God for things, not forcing my wants to happen.
False prophets? What the heck does all this stuff have to do with false prophets? I think Jesus has given me the outlines for holy living in the following section. Holy living defined by him. He doesn't want me to live according to a man's design for me. He tells me I will know false teachers by their fruits. What fruits come from false teaching? Bad ones. Galatians 5 expounds this idea:
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5: 19-25)."
I'm loving the study though Matthew Katie and I are attempting. I can feel the person of Christ coming through these scriptures during the times I read this gospel. This morning Jesus was taking me through multi-faceted corrections and encouragement in my walk with him. He starts with an encouragement to interactions with other believers (with implications to interactions with non-believers), a pushing to trust God, moving then to guidelines for living in righteousness, with a line to walk with cautions about the dangers of falling off either side.
Jesus starts off with an awe striking thought on judgement. Don't judge unless you want to be judged. When I do judge people, I will be judged by God with the same rigor I use. Then Jesus clarifies why; we do the same things we so readily judge in others (see Romans 2 as a cross-reference). How can I so harshly judge when I'm also to blame? Just to emphasize correctly, Jesus doesn't forbid judgement but attacks the heart behind it. He seems to ask the question: Do you really want to crush someone who does the same things you do? Then don't crush them. Help them as one beggar to another. Then Christ wisely adds, "Do not give to dogs what is holy..." (Matt. 7:6). I take from this to wait for teachable moments to share observations in someone's life. Two reasons why: 1. I run the risk of pressuring out performance in believers who aren't convinced by God of their actions. 2. Calling into righteousness is the effect of the Holy Spirit not the effect of judgmental corrections. I'm not going to accomplish my agenda on people; the Spirit is going to accomplish His.
The next section is teaching how to trust God. Just keep asking. Just keep coming to God because he is trustworthy. What a great promise for me as I look to God for where I should go! He will answer with GOOD things! He loves me and will keep me. How good is it that the world has no secrets that will just jump out and get me, but that GOD is in control of it all.
After the trusting God section, I found the narrow path. Narrow: doing to others what I would have them do to me. Narrow: hard. Narrow: faith in God. Narrow: walking in mercy. Narrow: asking God for things, not forcing my wants to happen.
False prophets? What the heck does all this stuff have to do with false prophets? I think Jesus has given me the outlines for holy living in the following section. Holy living defined by him. He doesn't want me to live according to a man's design for me. He tells me I will know false teachers by their fruits. What fruits come from false teaching? Bad ones. Galatians 5 expounds this idea:
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5: 19-25)."
I'll leave it up to you to see the connection between false teaching and fruits. Jesus makes it clear; he's smarter than I am. Let those who have ears hear the Lord's word.
This is the line: Follow Jesus through the narrow gate. Falling off on one side lands me in self-centered sinfulness. Falling off the other lands me in a self-centered pharisaical position. Pharisees are the ones Jesus speaks to in the next section. Depart from me you worker's of lawlessness. Pharisee's through teaching too much law (really their own versions of law) became the thing they were trying to prevent, lawless.
Do you see the line of thought all the way through the chapter? I thought it was cool. Leave a comment, I want to read it!
-David
Monday, May 9, 2011
Public Education
The Demise of Public Education
Recently, I have been reading a ton of articles on public education I gathered up for some research. Honestly, I was discouraged. This slug of a public education system we have is struggling to keep its head above water. While the blame for the failure is placed on the teachers, the real problem is the foundational beliefs driving public education. I am a teacher; I have 3 certifications and I'm working on my Master's degree, but public education may not be the best work in the future. I think it may end up like the US Postal Service, which is slowly grinding to a halt as people figure out how to go purely electronic. Its demise may have began not too long ago.
These things are related because there is a plethora of education materials out there for students of all ages. Just check out wolframalpha.com some time. While you're at it, look at owl.perdue.edu. These are just a couple of sites dedicated to knowledge. Public education mainly follows the Greek philosophy of learning. Simply put this is the idea of an expert imparting knowledge to non-experts. Basically the transition of knowledge is the essence of education. In the schools it is the teachers transmitting knowledge of a subject to a student. This seems like a great idea if the information wasn't already floating around cyber-space ripe for the picking. So my thought is this: we really don't have a need for teachers, just a basic understanding of how to get information (and motivation to do so) and the process is complete. I guess I'm saying my job is useless... You can find what I know by looking for 10 minutes on google! I hope the system doesn't figure this out soon!
The failure of the public education system has been in the spot light for a while now. I know this is an unprovable thought but I think it is because of what God teaches in the Bible. I get this from my recent reading in Proverbs. Chapter 1 says this, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7 ESV). Logically, then it is true to say Fear of God= beginning of knowledge. Then the inverse is true No Fear of God= No beginning of knowledge. Obviously, there is no fear of God in public education, so there is no knowledge, right? Well, there is knowledge at school, but knowledge my point is that it has no real value if it doesn't deal with the fear of Him. I suppose all knowledge is from God, but He is the source of true and valuable (as He defines value) knowledge.
"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—" (1 Corinthians 1:4-5 ESV). I think this teaches in grace through Christ our knowledge is enriched to true knowledge of God. The knowledge of God is the only truly valuable knowledge because it leads to the salvation of one's soul.
For some further reading on some of the problems with Public Education:
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2008/03/004-reforming-education-a-whole-new-world-20
This is just scratching the surface of the gigantic problem of education. I would love to hear some of your thoughts (reader) about it.
Recently, I have been reading a ton of articles on public education I gathered up for some research. Honestly, I was discouraged. This slug of a public education system we have is struggling to keep its head above water. While the blame for the failure is placed on the teachers, the real problem is the foundational beliefs driving public education. I am a teacher; I have 3 certifications and I'm working on my Master's degree, but public education may not be the best work in the future. I think it may end up like the US Postal Service, which is slowly grinding to a halt as people figure out how to go purely electronic. Its demise may have began not too long ago.
These things are related because there is a plethora of education materials out there for students of all ages. Just check out wolframalpha.com some time. While you're at it, look at owl.perdue.edu. These are just a couple of sites dedicated to knowledge. Public education mainly follows the Greek philosophy of learning. Simply put this is the idea of an expert imparting knowledge to non-experts. Basically the transition of knowledge is the essence of education. In the schools it is the teachers transmitting knowledge of a subject to a student. This seems like a great idea if the information wasn't already floating around cyber-space ripe for the picking. So my thought is this: we really don't have a need for teachers, just a basic understanding of how to get information (and motivation to do so) and the process is complete. I guess I'm saying my job is useless... You can find what I know by looking for 10 minutes on google! I hope the system doesn't figure this out soon!
The failure of the public education system has been in the spot light for a while now. I know this is an unprovable thought but I think it is because of what God teaches in the Bible. I get this from my recent reading in Proverbs. Chapter 1 says this, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7 ESV). Logically, then it is true to say Fear of God= beginning of knowledge. Then the inverse is true No Fear of God= No beginning of knowledge. Obviously, there is no fear of God in public education, so there is no knowledge, right? Well, there is knowledge at school, but knowledge my point is that it has no real value if it doesn't deal with the fear of Him. I suppose all knowledge is from God, but He is the source of true and valuable (as He defines value) knowledge.
"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—" (1 Corinthians 1:4-5 ESV). I think this teaches in grace through Christ our knowledge is enriched to true knowledge of God. The knowledge of God is the only truly valuable knowledge because it leads to the salvation of one's soul.
For some further reading on some of the problems with Public Education:
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2008/03/004-reforming-education-a-whole-new-world-20
This is just scratching the surface of the gigantic problem of education. I would love to hear some of your thoughts (reader) about it.
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