Friday, August 07, 2009

Spurgeon moment

A man is very far gone in guilt when he reads grace the wrong way upwards, and
infers, from the longsuffering of the Lord, that he may continue in sin.

Charles Spurgeon

4 comments:

Steve Martin said...

That we will continue in sin is a given (it is our condition - a sickness unto death).

But thinking that it is alright is very wrongheaded and wronghearted indeed.

Jon said...

It's a difficult balance, I think, depending on one's experience and perspective. A child is raised to be a perfectionist, lives by the law, and believes that he is near perfect because he actually does make very few mistakes, due to a lifetime mental, emotional, and physical abuse that trains him accordingly. Another child is raised to understand and embrace grace and learns that mistakes are not only ok, but a necessary part of life. This child appreciates the grace of those around him because he seems to always make mistakes.

The both grow up to be men who learn about the Law and the Gospel. They're both coming from opposite paradigms.

In that illustration I am the first child. I wasn't introduced to grace until I got to college 10 years ago. I didn't understand it until I read Ragamuffin Gospel last year.

I can't tell you how relieved I am that I don't have to be perfect, and I'm always reminding myself to never take God's grace for granted, but oh what a wonderful pillow to land on if I fall!

Ike said...

I said this two posts ago and it's worth repeating...


Ezekiel 36, 24-27......."For "I" will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. (SEPERATION)! Then "I" will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; "I" will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, "I" will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and "I" will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I" will put a new Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

Do you see any "doubt" in these words? This is the God of the Bible and He isn't sitting up there "wrenching" His hands "hoping" someone will co-operate. He is doing a work. He will do a work. And He will finish His work. This isn't about a "works" salvation... but the same power of God that raises a dead sinner to life has the same power to change that life! He doesn't save us and then "we" are on our own. If there is no working of sanctification in your life......you need to examine yourself.....be sure that you are in the faith. We do not once confess and repent but "we" continue a life of confession and repentance. If "anyone" is to be sensitive to sin..........it is "us"!

Chris Geiser said...

Hey brother, thanks for your comments on my blog. I like that Charles Spurgeon quote. Keep it rockin' and rollin' with Jesus.