ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

True faith is never found alone; it is accompanied by expectation. - C.S. Lewis

Ouch!

One of my greatest failings as a Christian is my ability to see faults in other people while not recognizing or acknowledging my own. On the rare occasion when I am being honest about my own areas of struggle I usually tell myself that my faults are not on the same level as those other people I know.

While I may find some comfort in this attitude it puts me in direct conflict with my Lord. Jesus addressed this very issue in Matthew 7:3 when he asks the question, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Ouch! But the question is relevant, even if I do not like its directness. Why do I do this? Or maybe even a better question would be, what gives me the right?

Sin is always difficult to discuss because I have become so adapted at rationalizing my own sins while judging the severity or depth of the faults I perceive in others.  This will always put in direct conflict with the faith I profess – with the Christ I claim to follow.

A true recognition of sin starts with the reality that I am a sinner. My faith should encourage me to take a good look at myself, for it is here changes must be made. I must remember the famous words of John Newton, “I once was blind but now I see,” and realize my blindness is caused by my sin but grace has rescued me. I must understand that to acknowledge my own sin is to confirm that the Spirit of God dwells in me.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

The walk of a disciple is gloriously difficult, but 
       gloriously certain. - Oswald Chambers

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

First of all, the evangelical is one who is entirely subservient to the Bible. This is true of every evangelical. He is a man of one book; he starts with it; he submits himself to it; this is his authority. -  D. Martyn Loyd-Jones

The Complete Truth

People love to talk about the importance of truth. We look upon truth as a commodity to be greatly admired and desired in others. However, it is an area of life where our greatest struggles take place. We all know how difficult it can be to open our lives and our hearts up to others, even those we love. Yes truth is something we all greatly seek but it seem so elusive.

Yet here is where I would like to make an observation with regards to the truth we all long to for. It has been my experience that there is no greater realization of truth than when I open my struggles up to God and confess them honestly to him in prayer. In prayer my sins of omission and commission can be laid before him. Here in my embarrassment, my struggle, and my pain, I can rediscover this life's greatest truth. Yes, I know I am a sinner, but the greatest truth is not found in my sin. It is found in the fact that through Jesus Christ I am a forgiven sinner.

God is holy and his holiness brings all my sins into the light. But I must never forget that because of my relationship with Jesus Christ I am forgiven. In prayer, as I open my life up to God, I experience life's greatest miracle, the exposure of my sins and the forgiveness of my God. Forgiveness in the fullest sense because Christ died for me.

So let the struggle for truth continue, let it rage in the deepest recesses of my heart. Yet let not my heart be troubled, for Christ died for me. That is the truth, the complete truth, and it has set me free.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Complete truthfulness is only possible where sin has been
  uncovered and forgiven by Jesus." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

“The soul that feeds on tainted truth cannot grow fat and healthy.”  William Gurnall