Carnal Christians?
July 14, 2010
|
This Sunday we will hear the apostle Paul address the Corinthian Christians not as spiritual people, but as “people of the flesh” (1 Cor. 3:1). Lamentably, Paul’s words here have been wrongly used by Christian teachers to identify two types of Christians, “spiritual” and “carnal.” These teachers understand spiritual Christians to be true Christians who allow Christ to rule over their lives as Lord, and thus carnal Christians are true Christians who do not allow Christ to rule over their lives as Lord. From this perspective a carnal Christian believes the gospel and is saved, but does not experience transformation. For many reasons this way of thinking is terribly misguided. The Bible simply does not allow for the idea of “carnal,” untransformed Christians. On the contrary, all new Christians receive new hearts (Ez. 11:19), new minds (1 Cor. 2:16), new reasons to live, worship and obey (Rom. 12:1-2), and on the whole they become new creations (2 Cor. 5:17). In other words, you cannot be saved for eternal life in God’s presence without a corresponding love for God and his glorious righteousness. While no Christian is ever perfect in their love and obedience to God in this life, we must also say that no one is ever a Christian who never loves and obeys God. To think of two categories of Christians (carnal and spiritual) does violence to the beautiful biblical truths of regeneration and sanctification. Paul addresses the Corinthians to remind them of the true spiritual reality that they in fact own… and friends, may we be likewise reminded of the same. We are indeed new creations. We have God’s Spirit. We have the very mind of Christ. Therefore, may we live and love accordingly. Below, Augustine speaks this truth profoundly well and his words are worthy of careful reflection.
|
Sin and Self-Examination
July 7, 2010
For every Christian there is, of course, always a temptation to dwell too long over our sin, to sink too deeply in despair, and to re-shackle ourselves to the bondage of the law from which we have been set free. The gospel is hard to believe. It is good news, and we’re not used to good news. It is all grace, and we’re not used to such unmerited favor. By nature we tend to dwell too long over sin and we too easily forget that sin has been dealt a death blow by the gospel of Christ.
There is, however, another temptation in the opposite direction, and that is to dwell too briefly over our sin as if it is of no consequence. Too easily we forget that all sin is, at it’s heart, a direct rebellion against and rejection of God himself. Too often our struggles against sin are no struggles at all. We fight sin with the same zeal we fight mosquitoes… a swat here and there to remove a minor nuisance, all the while forgetting that Jesus fought sin at the cost of his very life.
Because we are prone to both temptations we need both a better grasp of the true weight of sin and of the true wonder of the gospel. Were you alive in Geneva in the mid-1500′s, you may have found yourself worshiping at a church that strove to do just that. The confession of sin below was written by John Knox for use in English speaking congregations in Frankfort and Geneva. The prayer is based on Daniel’s prayer of confession in Daniel 9. In the worship service this confession of sin would follow a period of “self-examination” in which the minister would urge the people to diligently examine themselves that they might join their hearts with the words of the confession. And this confession of sin provides a great remedy against both temptations (dwelling too long or too lightly over sin). It reminds us that sin is deadly serious business (“we are miserable sinners”) and that the grace of God through Christ is infinitely powerful (“nothing is able to remove your heavenly grace and favor from us”).
Beloved in Christ, may we learn both the weight of sin and the wonder of the gospel.
Confession of Sin from John Knox’s Genevan Liturgy
Eternal God, and most merciful Father! We confess and acknowledge here before your Divine Majesty, that we are miserable sinners, conceived and born in sin and iniquity, so that in us there is no goodness. For the flesh evermore rebels against the spirit, whereby we continually transgress your holy precepts and commandments, and so purchase to ourselves, through your just judgment, death and condemnation. Heavenly Father, we are displeased with ourselves for the sins that we have committed against you, and do sincerely repent of them. We most humbly beseech you, for the sake of Jesus Christ, to show your mercy upon us. to forgive us all our sins, and to increase your Holy Spirit in us. That we may acknowledge from the bottom of our hearts our own unrighteousness, and from henceforth not only mortify our sinful lusts and affections, but also bring forth such fruits as may be agreeable to your most blessed will. We pray, not because of our worthiness, but because of the merits of your dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, our only Savior. You have already given him as an oblation and offering for our sins. We are certainly persuaded that you will deny us nothing that we shall ask in his Name according to your will. Your Holy Spirit does assure our consciences that you are our merciful Father, and so love us, your children, through him, because nothing is able to remove your heavenly grace and favor from us. To you, therefore, O Father, with the Son and with the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, forever. Amen.[Adapted from John Knox, originally in the Service for the English congregation at Frankfort, 1554, then the English congregation at Geneva, 1556, and later adopted by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1560]
David Wells on Christian Hope
May 11, 2010
Some good words for today from David Wells about the essence of true Christian hope:
Christian hope is not about wishing things will get better. It is not about hoping that emptiness will go away, meaning return, and life will be stripped of its uncertainties, aches, and anxieties. Nor does it have anything to do with techniques for improving fallen human life, be those therapeutic, spiritual, or even religious. Hope has to do with the knowledge of the “age to come.” This redemption is already penetrating “this age.” The sin, death, and meaninglessness of one age are being transformed by the righteousness, life, and meaning of the other. What has emptied out life, what has scarred and blackened it, is being displaced by what is rejuvenating and transforming it. More than that, hope is hope because it knows it has become part of a realm, a kingdom, that endures. It knows that evil is doomed, that it will be banished.
Dealing With Disappointment in the Church
April 9, 2010
Kevin DeYoung has some wonderful advice at his blog (in 3 parts)…
Part 1. Introduction for all
Part 2. For pastors and elders
Part 3. For members
Back from the Twin Lakes Fellowship
April 9, 2010
Chris and I are back from our annual trip to Jackson, MS and the meeting of the Twin Lakes Fellowship. Traditionally, Ligon Duncan offers a great lecture on what the fellowship is all about, and his talking points have been extremely helpful for our own vision at Calvin. Although this year’s audio is not up, don’t miss Ligon’s talk from 2008 found here.
Update: The audio from this year is now up at the Twin Lakes Fellowship website.
A Prayer for a New Pastor
April 9, 2010
It was a joy for me to hear of the installation of Derek Miller as the Associate Pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church, DuBois, PA. Grace is a new church in an area devoid of a Biblical, Reformed witness, and Derek is a solid man that will be a great addition to the church. (By the way, I’ll be speaking at Grace Reformed on May 8th at their first annual True Spirituality conference. Info can be found here.)
Bill Kriner, an elder at Grace Reformed, prayed the following prayer, a good model of prayer for any who pray faithfully for their pastors.
Father, we gather here together to witness and participate in this installation of Derek as Associate Pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church. We humbly acknowledge that this process was initiated by You alone and that we merely recognize and affirm this Your sovereign work. For this is Your Church called into being by You. We praise you and thank You that you have chosen Derek to be a shepherd of the flock of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church. We further acknowledge that only by Your grace and mercy can we fulfill the promises we have just made. May we be faithful in our prayers for Derek continually seeking grace for him to discharge his duties to Your glory and for the good of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church. May we be faithful in seeking to receive the Word of truth preached with meekness and love and submit to Derek in all matters of discipline. May we always be encouraging and supportive of Derek in his Gospel labor. May we be generous to him with time and treasure so that he may be free of worldly cares in order that he may equip the saints for the work of ministry, building the body of Christ in the unity of faith and the knowledge of You to full Christian maturity. Father, we are the most blessed of people, chosen by You to be a part of Your supernatural work on earth … Your Church. A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of Your own possession; all so that we may proclaim Your excellencies, You Who have called us out of darkness to Your marvelous light. May we be ever mindful of our status as Your people, bought by the blood of Your Son and empowered by the Holy Spirit. And, may this congregation and Derek be always faithful and obedient to You and Your Church by and through Your grace in the Name of the Lord for the sake of Your glory. In the precious Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
A Little Laughter for Monday Morning
April 5, 2010
