Beautiful, Humbling Words

I am currently reading a "modernized" version of William Wilberforce's book titled Real Christianity. If you want the original title, Google it - it is pretty lengthy. Anyways, I came across this passage in the second chapter, and absolutely had to put it up here...

"It is my opinion that the majority of Christians overlook, deny or, at the very least, minimize the problems of what it means to be a fallen human being. They might acknowledge that the world has always been filled with vice and wickedness and that human behavior tends towards the sensual and selfish. They might admit that the result of these facts is that in every age we can find innumerable instances of oppression, cruelty, dishonesty, jealousy and violence. They might also admit that we act this way even when we know better. These facts are true; we don't deny them. They are so obvious that it is a mystery why so many still believe in the goodness of human nature. But even though the facts might be acknowledged, the source of the facts is often still denied. These things are rationalized as small failures or periodic problems. Other explanations are given that fail to get to the heart of the matter. Human pride refuses to face the truth. Even the majority of professing Christians tend to think that the nature of humanity is basically good and is only thrown off course by the power of temptation. They believe that sin and evil are the exception, not the rule. The Bible paints a much different picture. The language of Scripture is not for the faint of heart. It teaches that man is an apostate creature, fallen from his original innocence, degraded in his nature, depraved in his thinking, prone toward evil, not good, and impacted by sin to the very core of his being. The fact that we don't want to acknowledge these truths is evidence of their veracity" (28).

But, the Question that Plagues My Mind...

"Is grace enough?"

It will never cease to amaze me how much the natural mind fights against the concepts that the Bible promulgates. Ideas like grace are seemingly unfathomable - almost too simple to even grasp. Truly, our Savior has made foolish the wisdom of the "wise."

Peace.

Do Not Try to Go Beyond this Gospel, Brethren

Phil Johnson over at the Pyromaniacs Blog shares the weekly dose of Spurgeon, in which the sermon chosen deals with the importance of substitution in the atoning work of Jesus.

Here's some notable excerpts:

"He was there, on the cross, in our room, and place, and stead; and as the sinner, by reason of his sin deserves not to enjoy the favor of God, so Jesus Christ, standing in the place of the sinner, and enduring that which would vindicate the justice of God, had to come under the cloud, as the sinner must have come, if Christ had not taken his place."

"The modern doctrine of the apostles of 'culture' is that Jesus Christ did something or other, which, in some way or other, was, in some degree or other, connected with our salvation." (I love that one)

"...if you bring me a gospel which can only be understood by gentlemen who have passed through Oxford or Cambridge University, I know that it cannot be the gospel of Christ."

You can read the whole sermon here.

Some Real Gems

Currently Hearing: Rain City Hymnal by Mars Hill Church
Currently Reading: The Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo
Currently Awaiting: Finals Week by Global Vision Christian School

Bored?
Why don't you head on over to Pros Apologian and check out some sweet views on the atonement by some great, godly men.
There's some nice quotes to throw up on the refrigerator...

Peace.

The Definition of Epic

Please enjoy this with me.

Where Do We Draw the Line?

Why is this cool?

And this is not?

Shipwrecked Faith

Sometimes I think about the state of Christianity, and I see all of the positive things. Those positive things make me feel really good and happy and confident.

Other times, like today, I see lots of negative stuff and, simply put, sad things about people that profess to be Christians, and it hurts. In the back of my mind, I have a nagging fear that I am being overly religious or judgmental. But, judging by these feelings, it doesn't seem like a prideful or haughty attitude that is meant to belittle others or make myself look invincible.

Today, I feel hurt.

I look at the lives of several people who say they are Christians, but simply cannot be so. Friends of mine that have just floated to God-knows-where in their beliefs and practices. Maybe you will read this and think that I have no right to say that about people, and that I am missing my own flaws and elevating myself, and that the journey is beautiful, and I agree to some extent. It's hard to speak this way, because it automatically triggers this weird connotation that people just don't like. I am not claiming my own superiority or greatness. In fact, I feel a sense of guilt over my own sin as I write this, knowing that I am more than deserving of devastating punishment for my foolishness.

However, I look out on the horizon of "Christianity" and can't help but see some people who have fed their own ears, minds and passions with ideas, philosophies, and blasphemous claims about God. So much so that they would die for what theologian X said about God or what they would like to believe about Him.

All I can do is have faith in the grace and power of a sovereign God that will shatter false ideologies and blind us with the glorious light of the gospel.

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

- 2 Timothy 3:1-5

I feel like I could keep talking about this for a while, but I don't want you to lose interest in what I am saying...