PGM

This is an old drawing from college. I had the opportunity to visit Pacific Garden Mission several times while in college. During a particular visit I had seen an individual on the streets who was huddled into a corner with newspaper scrunched in around his head. Obviously he represented a large population of homeless individuals who for a variety of reasons find themselves wandering the streets of Chicago.

Recently I came across Matthew 25:41-46 which provides a glimpse into the end times where Christ will stand as Judge pronouncing condemnation upon those who failed to serve the 'least of these' and consequently failed to serve Christ.

Now I don't want to leave it there. Also, I have been reading in Luke 7 where Christ is fulfilling the New Covenant by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of people. He is healing. He is raising the dead. He is forgiving sin.

The Prototype of the New Covenant is teaching us well. The picture that I drew shows a hand presenting a Bible which is to say that 'Christ is our only hope'. However, I wish I had incorporated a symbol of physical help as well. The New Covenant did not simply usher in spiritual healing but also physical healing through Jesus.

We should be looking to participate in a foretaste of the spiritual and physical restoration that will one day be completely known providing a glorious cause for worship to the One who will make all things new.

Sinners and the Savior: 'Depart or Deliver'

“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” These were the words of Peter as they, at the request of Christ, had pulled in a miraculous amount of fish. Often times the glory of the Messiah brings about an acknowledgment of our self-sufficiency. God prompts us do something outside of the bounds of our self-sufficientcy and we stand stagnant in unbelief. And when God finally gives us a holy kick in the rear we are amazed at what supernatural plans he had all along. He desires to glorify himself by doing great things through incapable people. In these moments we are made aware of the pride of our unbelief. We are often tempted to respond as Peter did, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man...". However, when Jesus is on the scene there is no need to depart, but rather there is a need for deliverance. Here in Luke 5, the God-Man is dwelling with sinners. He is moving toward them. He is interacting with them. He is teaching them. He is befriending them. He is calling them. He is using them. The infinite condescention of God to man is one of deliverance and mercy. May it not be that we flounder in sin telling God who has drawn near to 'depart'. But rather may we flounder in the mercy that is ours in Christ who has drawn near and shedd his blood for the forgiveness of sins.

All I Have Is Christ from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI), by Jordan Kauflin

Chandler on Sanctification

Once again, Matt Chandler gives a couple glimpses into his own life regarding his walk with Jesus. How intentional are we in our walk with the Lord? What are those 'innocent' activities that can rob us of affections for Christ? What are some disciplines that are helpful to stimulate affections for Christ?

Chapter 8: Repentance and Sharing Christ

"Until we have experienced the breaking down of pride by the Holy Spirit, we do not understand what witnessing is all about...The core problem is that we are inviting men and women to come under the power of the gospel without having first come under its power ourselves."

Jack Miller goes on to say that as we turn from our pride (which is often accompanied by fear) by turning to the Savior we are given love and boldness to share the good news with others. All too often self-righteousness reigns. In view of the unbeliever, we are more concerned about seeing ourselves as the spiritual elite rather than seeing ourselves in them. Seeing ourselves in the unbeliever reminds us of the power of the Gospel that is availed to us and that is sufficient for them. As we acknowlegde that it is only by God's goodness that we have freely received such grace, we can go to the unbeliever as a poor beggar pointing other poor beggars to free bread, that is, the Bread of Life.

'Holy Frustration'

I spoke with a friend a couple weeks ago and simply listened to the situations he was facing. There was a sense of inability, excitement, fear, passion etc. It was a moment where restlessness resided because discontentment, inability, and God's grace pervaded. As the Puritans spoke, it was 'Holy Frustration'. It is not to say that sin did not play a part in the process of discontentment, but it is to say that this discontentment and inability pushes one to God through a variety of struggles. It causes us to pursue God, to look for Him and to assess His plan and His gifting. Holy Frustration is the whirlwind where one finds nowhere to look but up. This is only the means to the glorious end where God breaks through the storm and speaks, 'be still'. It is not that He speaks it to the storm but He speaks it to our heart stirring us to a greater dependence upon and wonder in the Cross.

"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
that thou may'st seek thy all in me."

Repentance:Making the Most of the Cross

Often times repentance is short circuited. This is done by assuming that the forgiveness of sin, via a terse prayer,is sufficient for repentance. However, repentance does not equal forgiveness. Forgiveness is simply a part of repentance. Second, repentance is often short circuited by self-willed change. A self-willed change of behavior does not equal repentance. Third, forgiveness of sin and self-willed change is not sufficient for repentance. This is actually a gross offense to the Cross.

Bruce Ware mentions that true spiritual change involves the head, the heart and the hands. Tim Keller mentions that true spiritual change involves the intellect, affections and will. It is herein that repentance, i.e. biblical change, finds its full expression. Each component will be active for true repentance to occur.

Often the heart is the missing link. The heart is the octagon in which the spiritual battles are waged. As our minds are saturated with the truth of the Gospel our hearts are fueled for war. This is not self-willed warfare. This is Gospel-purchased-grace. This is Holy Spirit empowered skill and ability that over time will be trained and honed for wise living. This becomes the expression of our worship to God; a Gospel-Centered Life.

The Spirit illumines categories of truth to be intellectually established. Our heart's affection is supernaturally aroused for battle. In faith our hands begin to move upon God's enablement.

Hence, repentance is moving from being inactive, or a rebel to God's cause, to seeking forgiveness, claiming the cross, and actively engaging in the fight for faith. What must stand at the center of the octagon? The Cross! Repentance is simply making most of the cross; for it is our fountain of grace, the power to true biblical change.

Marital Intimacy pt. 3