From time to time one will hear from a professed believer in Jesus what a wonderful job he or she does in combating sin in his or her life. Granted we are given the ability to see some temptation before we fall to it. This is a wonderful gift in we receive by having the Holy Spirit indwelling us. This fruit is goodness, the desire to be good and rejoicing in goodness and truth. As long as the recounting of this is in rejoicing only one thinks it would be an encouragement to others. However, some of the hearers of this perhaps are struggling with nagging sin and cannot, no matter how hard they try, free themselves. This is the way sin of the heart is. The law against covetousness will kill every time. In addition the law against murder and adultery when it comes to the thought life are pervasive indeed.
Matthew 5: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ESV
No matter how the Christian’s life seems to be going it is always necessary to know that we are all bankrupt when approaching God. Even the joy we have in the goodness he grants to us can become pride and arrogance. This perhaps is not the intended outcome to appear to be putting others down but that can be the result.
The radical nature of the Gospel is that we are such beggars we needed a Jesus who lived the life of goodness which was not self centered. A Jesus who bore all our sins on the cross to pay for the deserved eternal separation from our God that our goodness deserves. And a Jesus who resurrected for our justification so we know that God will not hold our good deeds against us. Rather that we rejoice quietly in those victories that God gives us then to parade them before others so not to cause that person to stumble in faith. Keeping our eyes upon our Holy Lord Jesus will always remind us we are all beggars.
Romans 12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. ESV
Thanks be to God. †
1 comment:
St. David,
We are bankrupt! We have absolutely nothing that God will accept towards our righteousness.
But Jesus has it all.
As you have said so eloquently here, time and time again...He has decided to give us a piece of His righteousness..and that is all that we need.
Thanks David!
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