Recently I was invited to preach this coming Sunday, 11/30, at a small, rural church outside of Shepherdsville, KY happily named Sunnyside Baptist Church. Being the Sunday after Thanksgiving, it didn't take me long to decide what to preach on. I had been meditating on Psalm 100 (A Psalm for Giving Thanks) before I received the invitation, so when I heard the date I immediately knew my sermon text.
Thanksgiving is a great holiday. I like it because it is much less captive to consumerism, it is outward focused - showing gratitude for life's many blessings, AND it's yummy (oh how I miss my Grandma Rosemary's cinammon rolls)! It gives people an opportunity to contemplate all that they have to be thankful for and hopefully acknowledge that those good gifts come from someone other than themselves. I am always prayerful that those who do not believe might realize that all the wonderful blessings they have received come from a Gracious Giver who showers his gifts on both the righteous and the unrighteous (Acts 14:16-17). I hope that they see that these blessings came from God and that they might turn and respond to him in praise and adoration. After all, that's the purpose of the holiday, is it not?
Thanksgiving Day is a time in which we should show gratitude to our gracious Father, yet if we just stop at thanking God for the blessings we have received from him without worshipping him for who he is, we have not been truly thankful. We must be careful not to relish in the gifts, without glorifying the Giver. This was all to clear to me as I was preparing my sermon on Psalm 100. The entire passage is focused on God, with barely a mention of the gifts received (we are his people, the sheep of his pasture). The Psalmist instructs us that true thanksgiving comes from a recognition that God is king over all, a realization that we belong to Him, and a reliance upon his perfect character. In other words, true thanksgiving comes not from gratitude for his gifts, but from a true knowledge of God. It is a real, intimate, trust-filled knowledge of God that results in genuine gratitude, not in a deep appreciation for his blessings. We are truly thankful when we truly know God and confess him as Lord over our lives. The result of this authentic adoration, according to Psalm 100, is joyful proclamation, glad service, and exuberant praise. Our thanksgiving does not stop at words but results in God-glorifying action. We are pleased to do God's will because we find our delight in him. We trust in his sovereignty and flawless nature and therefore gladly submit ourselves to him, regardless of our current circumstances. Despite pain and sorrow, failure and unmet expectations, we can rejoice because we have received the greatest possible blessing. We have received God.
Do you find yourself unsatisfied? Do you feel joyless and ungrateful? Is it hard for you to whole-heartedly worship God? It may sound simplistic, stony, or stupid, but true thanksgiving comes from a true knowledge of God. Joy and gladness will come if you seek the Lord. Satisfaction cannot be found in our reveling in our gifts. Instead, our hearts are truly happy when we delight in the Giver. It is to this end that we were created.
Please pray for me as I preach this Sunday. To God be the glory!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
True Repentance, part 2: Godly Grief versus Worldly Grief
If we are to know whether or not our repentance is genuine, we must first examine the nature of our sorrow. Is our grief godly or carnal? The passage which gives the clearest demarcation of true remorse and worldly sorrow is 2 Corinthians 7:8-10:
8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it- though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
Grief goes beyond mere emotions. It is not uncommon to feel guilt, shame, or regret when caught in a sin. Yet true grief is identified by one’s response to it. If one is godly, the shame that he experienced will lead him to humble himself before God. He will recognize that he has disgraced God and will earnestly desire to be restored to him. Mourning loss of communion between himself, God and others, he will grow to hate his sin. As William Cowper said “I hate the sin that made thee mourn and drove thee from my breast.” His grief will lead to repentance, which will result in salvation without regret. This occurs because the godly man turns away from his sin and focuses on the pardoning grace of God. He will recognize that he has received God’s mercy and forgiveness of his sin. John Calvin puts it this way:
“The sorrow of the world is, when men despond in consequence of earthly afflictions, and are overwhelmed with grief; while sorrow according to God is that which has an eye to God, while they reckon it the one misery — to have lost the favor of God; when, impressed with fear of His judgment, they mourn over their sins. This sorrow Paul makes the cause and origin of repentance. This is carefully to be observed, for unless the sinner be dissatisfied with himself, detest his manner of life, and be thoroughly grieved from an apprehension of sin, he will never betake himself to the Lord.”
Therefore godly grief is that remorse or sorrow which leads one to humbly repent to God. In the previous example of Peter in part 1, John 21 portrays his intimate restoration to Christ. Peter’s godly grief over denying him three times results in his humble triadic affirmation to shepherd Jesus’ flock.
Conversely, Paul describes worldly grief as leading to death. All emotions of shame and regret do not result in a humble repentance for those who experience ungodly sorrow. Instead, worldly grief leads to death because there is no restoration to God. Stuart Scott says that:
“Shallow remorse can involve: 1) sorrow over getting caught and being found out, 2) sorrow over the consequences in or of getting caught, 3) sorrow over the response of others. 4) The offering of an apology saying, “I’m sorry” without any mention of repentance or change and without asking forgiveness. 5) Trying to do penance by doing unrelated good things to make the consequences go away, to try to cancel out one’s wrong-doing, or to appease God. 6) Making at least some justification for the sin committed. 7) Complaining about the expectation of real change.”
In short, they do not hate their sin or desire to do what is necessary to truly reconcile severed relationships. Therefore, worldly grief is sorrow over the consequences of sin, yet without any remorse over dishonoring God. It leads to a focus on self and away from God. Judas felt great sorrow over his sin, but he never sought reconciliation to God. His grief was not from the recognition of the evil of his sin but from the punishment he would receive as a result of betraying innocent blood.
Another biblical example of worldly grief is King Saul. In 1 Samuel 15, God commanded Saul to go to battle against the Amalekites and to devote all of them to destruction. Saul was not to leave a single man or animal alive. After mustering his troops, Saul went to war with the Amalekites and God granted him victory over them. But Saul failed to keep his vow to God by sparing Agag, king of the Amalekites, and the best of the animals. As Samuel approached Saul, the king lied to Samuel saying that he had fulfilled God’s command. Samuel rebuked him for his disobedience. Saul then attempted to respond with false piety as he said that he saved the choicest animals to offer them as a sacrifice to God (rather than taking away from his own personal flock). Samuel was not convinced and told Saul that God had rejected him as king.
Overwhelmed with grief, Saul confessed his true motive – the people took the spoil rather than destroying it, and Saul feared them (v. 24). His desire to please man was greater than his desire to please God. Saul pleaded with Samuel to pardon his sin and return with him so that he could worship the Lord. Yet he was not truly interested in worshipping God, but being honored by Samuel before the eyes of men. When Samuel refused, Saul seized his robe and it tore. Again Saul begged Samuel to go with him before the people, this time Samuel agreed. His compliance was probably due to the fact that even though Saul was a sinful king, he was still anointed by God. Until another king took his place, he would serve as the spiritual representative of the people. Samuel’s allowance would protect the nation from following Saul’s example further. Saul was able to save face before the people, yet he was not allowed to carry out God’s command to destroy Agag and the remaining flocks. Samuel fulfilled this task.
Unlike his successor, David, he never truly humbled himself and repented to God. As a result of Saul’s worldly grief he was rejected by God and given an evil spirit to torment him. He eventually lost both his throne and his life because he feared man more than God (1 Chr. 10:13-14). This should lead us to ask a few questions of ourselves. Why do you feel sorrow over your sin? Is it because you fear man or consequences? Or is it because you are grieved by knowing that you have offended God? Do you really hate your sin? Are you willing to do what is necessary to be reconciled to God and those whom you have sinned against? In part 3, we'll look at biblical instruction for how we are to repent, but in the mean time may we all be grieved over our sin, leading us to repent and place our trust in the only one who can restore without regret.
8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it- though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
Grief goes beyond mere emotions. It is not uncommon to feel guilt, shame, or regret when caught in a sin. Yet true grief is identified by one’s response to it. If one is godly, the shame that he experienced will lead him to humble himself before God. He will recognize that he has disgraced God and will earnestly desire to be restored to him. Mourning loss of communion between himself, God and others, he will grow to hate his sin. As William Cowper said “I hate the sin that made thee mourn and drove thee from my breast.” His grief will lead to repentance, which will result in salvation without regret. This occurs because the godly man turns away from his sin and focuses on the pardoning grace of God. He will recognize that he has received God’s mercy and forgiveness of his sin. John Calvin puts it this way:
“The sorrow of the world is, when men despond in consequence of earthly afflictions, and are overwhelmed with grief; while sorrow according to God is that which has an eye to God, while they reckon it the one misery — to have lost the favor of God; when, impressed with fear of His judgment, they mourn over their sins. This sorrow Paul makes the cause and origin of repentance. This is carefully to be observed, for unless the sinner be dissatisfied with himself, detest his manner of life, and be thoroughly grieved from an apprehension of sin, he will never betake himself to the Lord.”
Therefore godly grief is that remorse or sorrow which leads one to humbly repent to God. In the previous example of Peter in part 1, John 21 portrays his intimate restoration to Christ. Peter’s godly grief over denying him three times results in his humble triadic affirmation to shepherd Jesus’ flock.
Conversely, Paul describes worldly grief as leading to death. All emotions of shame and regret do not result in a humble repentance for those who experience ungodly sorrow. Instead, worldly grief leads to death because there is no restoration to God. Stuart Scott says that:
“Shallow remorse can involve: 1) sorrow over getting caught and being found out, 2) sorrow over the consequences in or of getting caught, 3) sorrow over the response of others. 4) The offering of an apology saying, “I’m sorry” without any mention of repentance or change and without asking forgiveness. 5) Trying to do penance by doing unrelated good things to make the consequences go away, to try to cancel out one’s wrong-doing, or to appease God. 6) Making at least some justification for the sin committed. 7) Complaining about the expectation of real change.”
In short, they do not hate their sin or desire to do what is necessary to truly reconcile severed relationships. Therefore, worldly grief is sorrow over the consequences of sin, yet without any remorse over dishonoring God. It leads to a focus on self and away from God. Judas felt great sorrow over his sin, but he never sought reconciliation to God. His grief was not from the recognition of the evil of his sin but from the punishment he would receive as a result of betraying innocent blood.
Another biblical example of worldly grief is King Saul. In 1 Samuel 15, God commanded Saul to go to battle against the Amalekites and to devote all of them to destruction. Saul was not to leave a single man or animal alive. After mustering his troops, Saul went to war with the Amalekites and God granted him victory over them. But Saul failed to keep his vow to God by sparing Agag, king of the Amalekites, and the best of the animals. As Samuel approached Saul, the king lied to Samuel saying that he had fulfilled God’s command. Samuel rebuked him for his disobedience. Saul then attempted to respond with false piety as he said that he saved the choicest animals to offer them as a sacrifice to God (rather than taking away from his own personal flock). Samuel was not convinced and told Saul that God had rejected him as king.
Overwhelmed with grief, Saul confessed his true motive – the people took the spoil rather than destroying it, and Saul feared them (v. 24). His desire to please man was greater than his desire to please God. Saul pleaded with Samuel to pardon his sin and return with him so that he could worship the Lord. Yet he was not truly interested in worshipping God, but being honored by Samuel before the eyes of men. When Samuel refused, Saul seized his robe and it tore. Again Saul begged Samuel to go with him before the people, this time Samuel agreed. His compliance was probably due to the fact that even though Saul was a sinful king, he was still anointed by God. Until another king took his place, he would serve as the spiritual representative of the people. Samuel’s allowance would protect the nation from following Saul’s example further. Saul was able to save face before the people, yet he was not allowed to carry out God’s command to destroy Agag and the remaining flocks. Samuel fulfilled this task.
Unlike his successor, David, he never truly humbled himself and repented to God. As a result of Saul’s worldly grief he was rejected by God and given an evil spirit to torment him. He eventually lost both his throne and his life because he feared man more than God (1 Chr. 10:13-14). This should lead us to ask a few questions of ourselves. Why do you feel sorrow over your sin? Is it because you fear man or consequences? Or is it because you are grieved by knowing that you have offended God? Do you really hate your sin? Are you willing to do what is necessary to be reconciled to God and those whom you have sinned against? In part 3, we'll look at biblical instruction for how we are to repent, but in the mean time may we all be grieved over our sin, leading us to repent and place our trust in the only one who can restore without regret.
True Repentance, part 1
Most Christians know who Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot were. Both were apostles of Christ. Both walked with him and were taught by him for years. Both were given authority by Jesus to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons (Mt. 10:5-15). Both appeared outwardly in every respect to be loyal to Christ. Peter, after all was the one who professed Jesus as the Messiah (Mt. 16-13-20), and Judas was given charge over the money bag (Jn. 13:29). Yet both turned their backs on him. Judas betrayed him and Peter denied him. Upon recognition of their unfaithfulness, both showed remorse. Judas, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, “changed his mind” and attempted to return the thirty pieces of silver saying “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Mt. 27:3-4). Peter, after denying Christ three times, ran away weeping bitterly (Mt. 26:65). Yet only one was truly penitent. Judas threw down the silver and went out and hanged himself. Peter, on the other hand, returned to the disciples and afterward was restored to Christ (John 21).
How can it be that both were regretful and yet only one response led to reconciliation? How could Judas, being anguished by his sin to the point of suicide, not have received mercy from God? And if his sorrow did not lead to salvation, how can one be sure of the validity of his repentance?
I wish I could say that questions like these were common, but unfortunately there seems to be much confusion regarding the nature of repentance. Often it is viewed as a one time event of sorrow over sin and confession, but repentance goes far beyond grief and acknowledgment of transgression. Therefore, I thought it might be helpful to pass on a little insight I've been given on the nature of repentance in the hope that it may bolster our understanding and draw us to our knees as we endeavor to "keep to Christ in repentance and faith." To do this, we must first examine the distinction between worldly and godly grief. Second, we must explore the differentiation between penance and repentance. This will become increasingly clear as we identify the fruit of true repentance and then make a few personal points of application. I pray that we may truly mourn over our sin as we look upon the him whom we have pierced (Zech 12:10; John 19:37)and respond as Peter did, in an obedient and continual trust in the only true Savior, Jesus Christ.
How can it be that both were regretful and yet only one response led to reconciliation? How could Judas, being anguished by his sin to the point of suicide, not have received mercy from God? And if his sorrow did not lead to salvation, how can one be sure of the validity of his repentance?
I wish I could say that questions like these were common, but unfortunately there seems to be much confusion regarding the nature of repentance. Often it is viewed as a one time event of sorrow over sin and confession, but repentance goes far beyond grief and acknowledgment of transgression. Therefore, I thought it might be helpful to pass on a little insight I've been given on the nature of repentance in the hope that it may bolster our understanding and draw us to our knees as we endeavor to "keep to Christ in repentance and faith." To do this, we must first examine the distinction between worldly and godly grief. Second, we must explore the differentiation between penance and repentance. This will become increasingly clear as we identify the fruit of true repentance and then make a few personal points of application. I pray that we may truly mourn over our sin as we look upon the him whom we have pierced (Zech 12:10; John 19:37)and respond as Peter did, in an obedient and continual trust in the only true Savior, Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A Song of "WHUP!"
Seeing as how my posts have a tendency to make some people cry (JB), I thought I might try to bring a little humor to your day. So, I present to you my favorite youtube video (though I almost never go to youtube). Here he is, the pride of Peoria, IL, Mr. John Daker! P.S. Keep your eyes on the eyebrows. They'll make you sing, "Ah-ah-AH-ah-ah-ah-ah-aye-ah-ah-OH!"
Monday, November 10, 2008
India update
I found out this weekend that my friend Ani, one of our Regional Coordinators in India, has been beaten up again. This time it was more severe for him. Ani and others (I do not know who they are at this time) were sharing the Gospel within a small Muslim village very close to Ani's home when it happened. Please pray for the following:
- Ani's and the other's physical needs
- The Lord to use the increased persecution throughout India as a means to further His Kingdom.
- The village where the persecution occurred to have soft hearts and ultimately accept Jesus as their Savior.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Pray for India: God's glory in persecution
Please pray for my friends in India. I received an email from Raja, who told me the Christians in his area are facing opposition from some radical Hindu groups. These Hindus are threatening to use whatever means to shut down the churches there. Raja is concerned for the endurance of those who have recently come to faith and asked that we pray for God's work to continue despite this conflict.
This is in a different area than that of my friend Ani who was beaten last month (for a recap of Ani's situation, see Phyll's blog, postings on September 8 titled "Urgent Prayer Request" and September 19 "Updates from India"). Ani's district is on the east side of West Bengal, Raja's is on the west. It appears that persecution from radical Hindu groups is on the rise. This is particularly the case in Orissa, the state immediately south of West Bengal. There, hundreds of churches and thousands of Christians' homes have been destroyed. As many as fifty Christians have been killed. Click here for a recent report of the persecution in Orissa.
It is difficult to stand by while your friends experience suffering for their faith. It's even harder to encourage them to persevere when you know that you have not experienced anything like that. I find it to be a humbling privilege to know, pray for, and encourage these brothers and sisters and I hope that by God's grace, I will have the strength to stand for the faith as they have.
I'm going to include part of my response to Raja in the hope that it will remind us all of God's purposes in suffering, what an honor it is to face affliction for Christ, the hope we have in our Savior, and how much we need to be praying for these dear Christians.
I am continuing to pray for you and the brothers and sisters in this difficult time. Please read 1 Peter 4:12-19 to them for me.
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"1 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
We must remember that Christ is the reward of this life, not prosperity, health, riches or comfort. If we face insults, threats, and persecutions of various kinds we are blessed! The Spirit of God rests upon us to strengthen and embolden us to stand for the truth of the Gospel. He gives us comfort and peace and joy in spite of suffering. And when the lost see our rejoicing, even in the midst of hardship, they are confounded. They wonder "why are they not despairing? Why do they not curse God?" In those times they cannot help but realize that we glorify a God who is truly there and their response can only be to glorify him likewise, or to deny him in hardness of heart. Therefore we ought to entrust our souls to our faithful God. He will grow his church, whether in persecution or in peace. But we have hope because we know that faithfulness to him will result in spiritual blessing now and abundant blessings in heaven. Our obedience will result in his word going forth and it will not be made void. It will accomplish its purpose. Therefore always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:5).
I hope this will be an encouragement to you all. Please hug them for me. Tell them I miss them and that I love them with the affections of Christ.
In life or death may Christ be honored (Philippians 1:20-21)! Grace and peace - Chet
This is in a different area than that of my friend Ani who was beaten last month (for a recap of Ani's situation, see Phyll's blog, postings on September 8 titled "Urgent Prayer Request" and September 19 "Updates from India"). Ani's district is on the east side of West Bengal, Raja's is on the west. It appears that persecution from radical Hindu groups is on the rise. This is particularly the case in Orissa, the state immediately south of West Bengal. There, hundreds of churches and thousands of Christians' homes have been destroyed. As many as fifty Christians have been killed. Click here for a recent report of the persecution in Orissa.
It is difficult to stand by while your friends experience suffering for their faith. It's even harder to encourage them to persevere when you know that you have not experienced anything like that. I find it to be a humbling privilege to know, pray for, and encourage these brothers and sisters and I hope that by God's grace, I will have the strength to stand for the faith as they have.
I'm going to include part of my response to Raja in the hope that it will remind us all of God's purposes in suffering, what an honor it is to face affliction for Christ, the hope we have in our Savior, and how much we need to be praying for these dear Christians.
I am continuing to pray for you and the brothers and sisters in this difficult time. Please read 1 Peter 4:12-19 to them for me.
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"1 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
We must remember that Christ is the reward of this life, not prosperity, health, riches or comfort. If we face insults, threats, and persecutions of various kinds we are blessed! The Spirit of God rests upon us to strengthen and embolden us to stand for the truth of the Gospel. He gives us comfort and peace and joy in spite of suffering. And when the lost see our rejoicing, even in the midst of hardship, they are confounded. They wonder "why are they not despairing? Why do they not curse God?" In those times they cannot help but realize that we glorify a God who is truly there and their response can only be to glorify him likewise, or to deny him in hardness of heart. Therefore we ought to entrust our souls to our faithful God. He will grow his church, whether in persecution or in peace. But we have hope because we know that faithfulness to him will result in spiritual blessing now and abundant blessings in heaven. Our obedience will result in his word going forth and it will not be made void. It will accomplish its purpose. Therefore always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:5).
I hope this will be an encouragement to you all. Please hug them for me. Tell them I miss them and that I love them with the affections of Christ.
In life or death may Christ be honored (Philippians 1:20-21)! Grace and peace - Chet
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Gabe Is Not a Baby!
The boys are growing up way too fast! Gabe turned two on September 29th. I still can't believe it. It seems like he should just be turning one...but he's two! That's half way to preschool, a third of the way to little league. He's almost a sixth of the way to being a teenager, an eighth of the way to a driver's license, and a ninth until he graduates high school. These past two years have been a blur. How fast will the others go?Every time the boys have a birthday, I'm reminded of how little time I have with them. You blink and they grow an inch. They go to sleep and wake up the next day a pound heavier. My time with them is really short (and that is given that the Lord should, in kindness, extend our lives so long).
I am especially reminded of how little time I have to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). On Gabe's birthday I was meditating on Deuteronomy 4:9: "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children." The imperatives are two-fold: Keep your soul diligently and teach your children. I must lead them by example and by word. It is not enough to have one without the other. I must keep my soul diligently AND teach the things of the Lord to my kids.
I cannot focus on my own spiritual life to the neglect of my boys. In working on my own heart, I must work on theirs as well. And if I am lax and fail to take care of my soul, I am not the only one affected. Providentially, a few days after meditating on Deuteronomy 4, I read Andrew Fuller's Causes for Declinsion in Religion and Means of Revival (I commend it to all men, particularly those in or going into ministry). While many applicable quotes could be taken from Fuller, I want to mention only two. In warning in the danger of keeping a spiritual status quo rather than aspiring to holiness, Fuller says: "those who are contented not to do better than other people, generally allow themselves to do a little worse." His point is that if we are happy to compare ourselves to other Christians rather than striving hard after Christ, we will be willing to give ourselves over to temptation. It is just like in a race: If we get lazy, we're going to get beat. We should not run to keep pace with the pack, but instead set the course, lest we fall further and further behind. For my boys, if I am lax about my spiritual life, I do not set the example for them that I ought.
The second Fuller quote builds upon the first. He says, "A single defeat or slip, of which we may think but little at the time, may be copied by our children, servants, neighbors, or friends, over and over again; yea, it may be transmitted to our posterity, and pleaded as a precedent for evil when we are no more! Thus it may kindle a fire which, if we ourselves are saved from it, may nevertheless burn to the lowest hell and aggravate the everlasting misery of many around us, who are flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone!" YIKES! Our subtle sins may be used as a precedent for evil. Fuller is right. Our actions have a lasting impact on those around us. Therefore let us strive all the more to imitate Christ in our words, thoughts, and deeds. Let us pursue him with all fervency, as if not only our lives, but the lives of others depended upon it. But we must do so not by our own effort, but in recognition of our utter need for and desire for Christ.
But we must also remember the second part of Deuteronomy 4:9. We not only set an example for our children by keeping our souls diligently, we must also teach them. I am grateful to the Lord for what he has taught Phyllis and me regarding biblical parenting. We are so indebted to the Word, our church, and the seminary for teaching us more about what it means to raise children who love the Lord. Ladan has been memorizing Scripture and catechism questions, both the boys love church, reading Bible stories from the Big Picture Story Bible or the Jesus Storybook Bible, and prayer. Gabe regularly grabs our hands, tilts his head down with eyes fixed upward on us and says, "Pay!", which means pray. He'll do it over and over again. I am so grateful that the Lord is working on their hearts and I continue to pray that he will lead them to place their trust in Christ as Lord and Savior.
Birthdays are great milestones and opportunities to reflect on what the Lord has done. But they are also much needed reminders that the course is not yet complete. I still have a long way to go in working on my heart so that I might be an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12). I still have much more to learn in leading my family in worship to God. I praise God for these little reminders of how short life is and I pray that by God's grace I will make every day count.
"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." - 1 Timothy 4:16
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