Matthew 16:24, Luke 18:18-30

Where is Christ on your List?

It's a fair question, but no one really wants to think about it. Steve Lawson said something that really struck a chord with me, and let me emphasize how harmonious the sound in my heart was. What he said was about half way through a promo video for Resolved 2008. He said:

"One must love Him more than anyone or anything else in life. There can be no competing affections, there can be no competing allegiances, Jesus Christ must be number one in your life, or you cannot get in line, and follow after Christ."

This is a striking statement, especially if it's true, and biblically, it can't be argued against. Instead of going into a biblical defense of that statement, I instead would encourage you to search the scriptures, and see if you come up with something different.

Can you imagine what would happen if this is what was preached consistently from the pulpit of our churches? What an impact that would have if people could hear that, and finally be forced to make a choice between not just the sin they love, but anything above Christ. Would it be unloving to suggest to someone who openly confesses without penitence that although they trust in Christ, there are more important things in life? I would say there couldn't possibly be something more loving.

Whatever you treasure, your God is calling you to something so much greater... Himself.

Matthew 5:48

Respectable Sins and the Holiness of God



So here I am, probably neglecting earthly duties, and normal things I should be doing because my mind is held captive by the Word of God. I haven't figured out whether or not that's a sin, but I sure am thankful for the enjoyment I get out of the Word. May God help me find a balance... and thank God for Marie. A person couldn't ask for a better wife. She is so perfect for me, and I know that sounds cliche, but she is absolutely amazing. She brings solid ground to my life, and takes care of things I so often neglect. I had a little scare yesterday that reminded me of how much I love her. She was feeling light-headed and very sick with some other symptoms. She called the doctor, and they said, "go to the emergency room NOW!" They were very adamant. I got a call about 3:30, and Marie said, all matter-of-factly, "ummm, yeah. I need to go to the emergency room now, so... yeah, just in case you're wondering where I am..." and I was like "I'll meet you there!" On they way there, "not knowing whether God was going to use this as an opportunity to wake me up to something or what, I started thinking about how much she means to me. It was scary to imagine doing anything without her let alone go into ministry. I could go on for hours about how incredible she is, and what a tremendous blessing she is in my life, but just know I am very well taken care of, and God be praised I have a helper of her caliber.


So that was my adventure yesterday, but here is what I wanted to share. I re-read my post on Isaiah 1, and remembered how wonderful it was to study the Word of God. i still am insecure about my lack of Biblical knowledge, but I am quickly learning. I picked up a book yesterday at the emergency room (she's fine, btw. She just needs to follow up with the doctor this week, so prayers would be appreciated.) Marie had in her bag. The book was "respectable sins" by Jerry Bridges. WOW. That's all I can say. WOW. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. I'm through 6 chapters, and I already want to buy a case and start handing them out. I found his chapter on "the disappearance of sin" to be especially enlightening. I have been paralyzed with this understanding of God's holiness, and my sinfulness. It has struck me for some time now, and I wrestle with it constantly, even while people praise me for being such a good chap, I know the vileness of my own heart, and even my own attempts to cover it are sinful and deceiving. Christians deal with their internal sin different ways, but very few rarely confront it. He compares sin to cancer, saying if we allow the "respectable sins" to continue to cultivate in our hearts, it will spread into far worse things, and eventually kill us. (anyone thinking of James 1?) And I can attest for that. I can't understand how anyone can be a Christian, and try to convince themselves they're now good people. As a part an exercise in learning how to be more patient with people, I would strongly recommend concentrating more of your energy in dealing with the sin in your own heart. I know there is enough filth in my own heart to keep me from saying a single word to anyone I would consider the worst of sinners in any circle I am a part of.

Like I said in the post before, I have no other choice but to surrender to scripture my life and my heart, and I feel that is my place right now. For months, a fire burned in my belly about what I would say, if I could only gather a select group of individuals together, or if I could preach to my congregation, or preach open-air in front of hundreds... but there is a cancer in my heart I need to deal with, and I have learned that preaching and teaching opportunities for me will present themselves, or by the influence of the Holy Spirit, I only need to open my mouth and let God's Word speak through Scripture, but it certainly shouldn't be forced by my own desires, because my desires are deceitful and evil. The only way I know how to purify them is to allow the Word of God to purify my heart. I am convinced in my young and inexperienced mind that the death of a preacher (as far as his effectiveness) will occur when he stops focusing on the Word of God's changing power over his own heart, and starts focusing on how his words can change the hearts of those who hear him preach, biblical or not. God, let me always be humbled before Your mighty Word, and never forget who I am, and who You are.

I Corinthians 1:12

"For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you"

I attended the first Desiring God conference session yesterday, and while there are so many things that I learned, and so many things that had a tremendous impact on me I wanted to highlight this one. John Macarthur, a pastor I have a deep respect for, said that one key to a successful ministry is a commitment of personal holiness. He said, and I agree because I can absolutely see how, that allowing a secret sin in your life will destroy you eventually. He said the one defense Paul had against the claims against him by the church in Corinth was a clear conscience. If God has called me to ministry, I can't imagine trying to do anything to impact the kingdom for Christ if I myself have an inner, secret sin that consumes me. I believe that if an individual is committed to this wonderful, saving Gospel, Satan and his demons will do what they can to thwart the impact of whatever that person says, and if we ignore our conscience, and allow a secret sin to consume us from the inside out, we're headed for a ridiculously rude awakening.

For this reason, I am on my face before this Holy God, begging him for mercy daily. I don't see how anyone lives any other way. I wouldn't want to live any other way. This God is so full of grace and mercy, that we tend to forget that every breath we take is an undeserved gift from our Sovereign Lord. I certainly wouldn't say I mope around because of my unworthiness and sinfulness, I don't think that's Biblical at all, but I do know there is no greater joy for me than to bask in the awesome glory and sovereign, saving power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"In Him was light, and the light was the light of men..."