I posted a quote a few days ago in which Jonathan Edwards, drawing from 2 Corinthians 5, reminds us that we are a "new creation" in Christ. A more modern commentator on the Gospel of Matthew suggests the opening words of The Sermon on the Mount, known as the Beatitudes, are to be "signs of life" in us new creatures. A way of life that, while not yet globally present, should already be found amongst Kingdom people.
"These statements [the Beatitudes], clearly, are not describing 'the way things are.' They are not suggesting that the mourners are already being comforted, despite appearances. They are not trying to teach hidden, timeless truths about a reality which is normally hidden behind a bleak facade. They are announcing a new state of affairs, a new reality which is in the process of bursting into the world. They are declaring that something that wasn't previously the case is now going to be; that the life of heaven, which had seemed so distant and unreal, is in the process of coming true on earth...These qualities - purity of heart, mercy, and so on - are not, so to speak, 'things you have to do' to earn a 'reward,' a 'payment.' Nor are they merely the 'rules of conduct' laid down for the converts to follow - rules that some today might perceive as somewhat arbitrary. They are, in themselves, the signs of life, the language of life, the life of new creation, the life of new covenant, the life which Jesus came to bring."
Showing posts with label Discipleship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Discipleship. Show all posts
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Discipline of the Gospel
In his (very helpful) Romans commentary C.E.B. Cranfield reminds us that when you increase in your knowledge of the gospel you necessarily increase in your awareness of indwelling sin.
“The verses which follow [Romans 7:7-25] depict vividly the inner conflict characteristic of the true Christian, a conflict such as is possible only in the man, in whom the Holy Spirit is active and whose mind is being renewed under the discipline of the gospel. In the man who understands the law not legalistically but in the light of Christ and so recognizes the real seriousness of its requirement, and who truly and sincerely wills to obey it, to do what is good and to avoid the evil, the man in whom the power of sin is really being seriously and resolutely challenged, in him the power of sin is clearly seen. The more he is renewed by God’s Spirit, the more sensitive he becomes to the continuing power of sin over his life and the fact that even his very best activities are marred by the egotism still entrenched within him”
“The verses which follow [Romans 7:7-25] depict vividly the inner conflict characteristic of the true Christian, a conflict such as is possible only in the man, in whom the Holy Spirit is active and whose mind is being renewed under the discipline of the gospel. In the man who understands the law not legalistically but in the light of Christ and so recognizes the real seriousness of its requirement, and who truly and sincerely wills to obey it, to do what is good and to avoid the evil, the man in whom the power of sin is really being seriously and resolutely challenged, in him the power of sin is clearly seen. The more he is renewed by God’s Spirit, the more sensitive he becomes to the continuing power of sin over his life and the fact that even his very best activities are marred by the egotism still entrenched within him”
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
New Birth
After reading 2 Corinthians 5 this morning I was reminded of a great quote (I think I got from Brian) on the new birth. It has been on my mind today and caused me to examine my "internal tempers and disposition" in light of Paul saying my "old [self] has passed away" and I am a "new creation" in Christ. It's my prayer that the Spirit continues changing all of our innermost principles from the very foundation...
"The believer has such a sight and such a knowledge of things that, ever since, he is quite another man than he was before. It has exceedingly altered his internal tempers and disposition. The knowledge that he has is so substantial, so inward, and so affecting, that it has quite transformed the soul and put a new nature into the man, has quite changed his very innermost principles, and has made things otherwise, even from the very foundation, so that all things have become new to them. Yes, he is a new creature, he is just as if he was not the same, but born again, created over a second time." -Jonathan Edwards
"The believer has such a sight and such a knowledge of things that, ever since, he is quite another man than he was before. It has exceedingly altered his internal tempers and disposition. The knowledge that he has is so substantial, so inward, and so affecting, that it has quite transformed the soul and put a new nature into the man, has quite changed his very innermost principles, and has made things otherwise, even from the very foundation, so that all things have become new to them. Yes, he is a new creature, he is just as if he was not the same, but born again, created over a second time." -Jonathan Edwards
Friday, June 17, 2011
Tools for Discipleship
A friend of mine called to tell me he had the privilege of leading someone to Christ and asked what two books I would recommend them read through together. I was excited not only because God was gracious to save someone, but also because my friend had the wisdom to realize the responsibility fell on his shoulders to begin the discipling process with his friend. If you are in the position to read through a book with a new believer, I would recommend these two books to you as well:
The first is The Walk by Stephen Smallman. This book covers the basic elements of the Christian faith and gives a great description of orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right living). To my knowledge, it is the best resource to put in the hands of a new believer.
The second book is Knowing God by J.I. Packer. It is a classic, and I've never met anyone who regretted spending the time to read it thoroughly and thoughtfully.
Of course there are many other great resources for new believers. Scott Hafemann's The God of Promise and the Life of Faith is a great overview of the bible, as is Far as The Curse is Found by Michael Williams. The Enemy Within by Kris Lundgaard is a good intro to sanctification. Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress is helpful, and reading the works of C.S Lewis is a good rule of thumb for believers young and old.
At the end of the day, the Spirit speaking through the Bible is sufficient to feed the sheep of God, but resources such as these can help give us pointers and aid in our task to make disciples of all nations.
The first is The Walk by Stephen Smallman. This book covers the basic elements of the Christian faith and gives a great description of orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right living). To my knowledge, it is the best resource to put in the hands of a new believer.
The second book is Knowing God by J.I. Packer. It is a classic, and I've never met anyone who regretted spending the time to read it thoroughly and thoughtfully.
Of course there are many other great resources for new believers. Scott Hafemann's The God of Promise and the Life of Faith is a great overview of the bible, as is Far as The Curse is Found by Michael Williams. The Enemy Within by Kris Lundgaard is a good intro to sanctification. Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress is helpful, and reading the works of C.S Lewis is a good rule of thumb for believers young and old.
At the end of the day, the Spirit speaking through the Bible is sufficient to feed the sheep of God, but resources such as these can help give us pointers and aid in our task to make disciples of all nations.
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