Martin Luther said, "When you are confronted by your sin and you go to God, do not presume henceforth to satisfy the law as one who intends to live a better life." Dan says, "Call it sin. Call it forgiven. Call on God to change me." The Bible asks, "After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (foolishness is the assumption of a positive response).
This idea of letting God change me (rather than changing myself) is extremely freeing but at times frustrating; I am free because of the forgiveness in the Gospel, but I want to be free from needing the Gospel! I want to be purified, but I also want to be perfect to the point of not needing to be purified! Why won't God deliver me from all sin?
Repentance is agreeing with God that my sin is bad...and I think we both agree on that point most of the time. The argument with God ensues over which one of us will take care of the mess sin causes in my life. In 15 1/2 years of walking with God no religious formulas, balanced lifestyle, "perfect church," or disciplined quiet time has ever produced an ounce of godliness in my life...any godliness created has come from the Father who has purified me through His Holy Spirit. The rails that the train of the Spirit rides on are repentance and faith, not my empty promises to "do better next time." But I still want to say it and I really feel like I mean it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What I learned from the U.Va./UNC Basketball Game
U.Va. lost to UNC last week by 22 points. Of the points UNC scored, 24 were the result of being fouled. U.Va. tried for 27 3-pointers, connecting only 4 times. IF U.Va. had not fouled as often...or IF they had connected on a few more 3-pointers, the result would have been much different. "IF" is a big word.
The reason UNC was given so many shots at the free-throw line was because U.Va. could not stop them from scoring without fouling them. The reason U.Va. took so many 3-pointers is because they could not penetrate to the basket against UNC's defense. U.Va. was left with no good options against a team that had better shooters, a stronger defense and the ability to capitalize under the basket.
The game is analogous to my struggle against sin:
1. I can't seem to get a hold of it so I end up making stupid decisions (3-pointers) or fouling to make up for my lack of ability. The opponent doesn't miss an opportunity to capitalize on my weakness and is not worried about running up the score.
2. Just as on any given play the difference in the ability levels of the teams was not extremely obvious, my Sin does not appear gross to the casual observer. In the context of the entire game, however, the little mistakes added up to a big loss...my little sins along the way are damaging.
3. I can look good while failing; the appearance of righteousness is not good enough. While the U.Va. players looked great in their uniforms and both coaches were dressed really well, the appearance of the players did not affect the scoreboard.
4. The best player has already won my struggle against sin: Jesus has forgiven me, redeemed me, is sanctifying me and will deliver me one day. My best play is to sit on the bench and watch him "run-up the score" for the team.
I could continue on about the assumption by many that the U.Va. loss was assured prior to the game being started; I could unpack that the loss was a team effort, not falling on the shoulders of any one player. But the most important thought regards the difference between U.Va.'s loss and my struggle with sin and that is simply this: U.Va. vs. UNC was a game, my life is not. And that makes a huge difference.
The reason UNC was given so many shots at the free-throw line was because U.Va. could not stop them from scoring without fouling them. The reason U.Va. took so many 3-pointers is because they could not penetrate to the basket against UNC's defense. U.Va. was left with no good options against a team that had better shooters, a stronger defense and the ability to capitalize under the basket.
The game is analogous to my struggle against sin:
1. I can't seem to get a hold of it so I end up making stupid decisions (3-pointers) or fouling to make up for my lack of ability. The opponent doesn't miss an opportunity to capitalize on my weakness and is not worried about running up the score.
2. Just as on any given play the difference in the ability levels of the teams was not extremely obvious, my Sin does not appear gross to the casual observer. In the context of the entire game, however, the little mistakes added up to a big loss...my little sins along the way are damaging.
3. I can look good while failing; the appearance of righteousness is not good enough. While the U.Va. players looked great in their uniforms and both coaches were dressed really well, the appearance of the players did not affect the scoreboard.
4. The best player has already won my struggle against sin: Jesus has forgiven me, redeemed me, is sanctifying me and will deliver me one day. My best play is to sit on the bench and watch him "run-up the score" for the team.
I could continue on about the assumption by many that the U.Va. loss was assured prior to the game being started; I could unpack that the loss was a team effort, not falling on the shoulders of any one player. But the most important thought regards the difference between U.Va.'s loss and my struggle with sin and that is simply this: U.Va. vs. UNC was a game, my life is not. And that makes a huge difference.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sharing the Gospel
This week's assignment was to share what we have learned about grace and the keeping of the law with someone who is likely not familiar with the good news of God's forgiveness. We were to pray about who we would speak with, asking the Lord to give us courage and humility as we watched Him lead and guide.
On Sunday evening, after my National Guard training was finished, two other soldiers sat down at Starbucks with me as I told the story of the prodigal sons. The older soldier is a good friend with whom the music of the Gospel has been played before; the younger soldier is a testifying believer with an impeccable testimony and no song to sing.
While they listened I explained how in the story (possibly the greatest short story ever told) both sons were seeking joy: the first by "living it up," the second by validating himself through works. Neither son really understood that the joy they sought was to be found in the arms of their father. The younger son repented of "being bad" and the older son needed to repent of "being good" for the wrong reasons; both sons needed to collapse in their father's arms, weep in exhaustion and eat a fattening meal.
Once on the road I reflected that, like the sons in the story, I feel like collapsing, crying and being comforted too. It also occurred to me that the Father wants to hold me, comfort me and feed me food that "will never perish" (John 5).
Pray for my "battle buddies"...that the song will continue. Pray for me that the gospel will continue to become deep music to my heart. I know that our friendship will continue to grow and the song will continue to be sung, but it would be great to sing it together!
On Sunday evening, after my National Guard training was finished, two other soldiers sat down at Starbucks with me as I told the story of the prodigal sons. The older soldier is a good friend with whom the music of the Gospel has been played before; the younger soldier is a testifying believer with an impeccable testimony and no song to sing.
While they listened I explained how in the story (possibly the greatest short story ever told) both sons were seeking joy: the first by "living it up," the second by validating himself through works. Neither son really understood that the joy they sought was to be found in the arms of their father. The younger son repented of "being bad" and the older son needed to repent of "being good" for the wrong reasons; both sons needed to collapse in their father's arms, weep in exhaustion and eat a fattening meal.
Once on the road I reflected that, like the sons in the story, I feel like collapsing, crying and being comforted too. It also occurred to me that the Father wants to hold me, comfort me and feed me food that "will never perish" (John 5).
Pray for my "battle buddies"...that the song will continue. Pray for me that the gospel will continue to become deep music to my heart. I know that our friendship will continue to grow and the song will continue to be sung, but it would be great to sing it together!
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Law and Sin
Through this course I am finding that my sinfulness is reflected in my unholy keeping of the Law (or the laws I choose to keep) as much as in my acts of disobedience.
Neither of the sons in Luke 15 loved their father well or understood His love for them; the first because he left Him, the second because he thought his work made him commendable.
Life in the Spirit is filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control...this is not attained by simply "being good."
I've heard it said that Jesus came to make dead people alive, not to make bad people good (or good people better). When I commend myself to God because I've been a Christian for 15 years, have seen some bad habits broken, am good at my job and go to a good church I miss the point of the cross. On the cross Jesus was showing that for 15 years I've been a bad Christian, have many more bad habits than good, am helpless in my job, and go to a weak church...but He loves me and is redeeming all of that!
So I can cheer up because I am much worse than I think I am, but loved more than I can possibly imagine.
Neither of the sons in Luke 15 loved their father well or understood His love for them; the first because he left Him, the second because he thought his work made him commendable.
Life in the Spirit is filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control...this is not attained by simply "being good."
I've heard it said that Jesus came to make dead people alive, not to make bad people good (or good people better). When I commend myself to God because I've been a Christian for 15 years, have seen some bad habits broken, am good at my job and go to a good church I miss the point of the cross. On the cross Jesus was showing that for 15 years I've been a bad Christian, have many more bad habits than good, am helpless in my job, and go to a weak church...but He loves me and is redeeming all of that!
So I can cheer up because I am much worse than I think I am, but loved more than I can possibly imagine.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Year's Resolution 2009
This year I believe God is going to make me more joyful. Becoming more joyful is a great resolution...
1. Joy is completely in His will; He wants for me to be filled with joy.
2. Joy is the perfume of God in the world. When all of one's circumstances point to depression and joy is found, God is present.
3. Joy is an impossible state to create or maintain without Him...He must create and maintain my joy or it won't happen. My resolution must be met in total reliance/dependence on Him, which is also completely in His will.
Of course, two of the first three verses I come to on joy are in the context of suffering (Heb. 12: 1,2; James 1: 2). This reminder brings me back to the darkest times of my life and how His presence, in the absence of any other comfort, was most real. I'm not looking forward to the pain, but since pain is inevitable I am glad that joy is at the other end of it!
Pray that God makes me more joyful!
Doug
1. Joy is completely in His will; He wants for me to be filled with joy.
2. Joy is the perfume of God in the world. When all of one's circumstances point to depression and joy is found, God is present.
3. Joy is an impossible state to create or maintain without Him...He must create and maintain my joy or it won't happen. My resolution must be met in total reliance/dependence on Him, which is also completely in His will.
Of course, two of the first three verses I come to on joy are in the context of suffering (Heb. 12: 1,2; James 1: 2). This reminder brings me back to the darkest times of my life and how His presence, in the absence of any other comfort, was most real. I'm not looking forward to the pain, but since pain is inevitable I am glad that joy is at the other end of it!
Pray that God makes me more joyful!
Doug
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