"If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for."~ Charles Spurgeon
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
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I'm reading your blog way too much, but I find it rather fascinating. How do you think this thought from Spurgeon might actually look in day to day life? Why do you think it's such a rarity to find Christians that even seem to care at all about the people outside their bubble?
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah!
ReplyDeleteI haven't forgotten you! I am sorry that it has taken me so long to respond. The Thanksgiving holiday was lovely but very busy! I spent all of yesterday trying to clean up from all of the fun.
First of all, I must say that I come with trembling to answer your questions. I am not sufficient to answer them but I pray that the Lord Himself will teach you and instruct you.
In regards to your first question about how this quote could be practical in everyday life, I think that it all comes down to having a love for our neighbor as Jesus said. I think it is about pursuing others in love for Christ at the expense of ourselves. I don't think that this quote is talking about condemning others or just blasting them with our Christianity. I do think that the quote does entail speaking the truth even though it might be unpleasant to the other person, such as humbly pointing out their sin and need for a Savior. "Speaking the truth in love" and having our speech "seasoned with grace" are Biblical mandates. So, practically in life, I think that this quote is two sided. You must speak the truth of Scripture to people but you must also show them love and grace. For example, I have a neighbor that I am trying to share the gospel with. We try to speak the truth of the gospel to her but also, at the same time, just have a friendship and show her love. On the speaking the truth part, we have shared the gospel from the Bible with her and continue to speak of Christ's work in our lives. On the showing love part, we have buried her dead horse, brought her meals and baked items, helped her when her niece died, etc. We have tried to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior" by our good works and our gracious but truthful speech. We obviously are not perfect but this is how we try and live out the Bible, especially reaching other who desperately need a Savior.
I think that your second question goes right along with the first. I really think that today we are short on preaching and teaching about the depravity of man and the greatness of God. A few years ago I did not understand the depravity of myself at all. I just had a vague sense of "yes, I am a sinner and sin" but not the utter blackness of my heart. God graciously has taught me my utter need for him through His Word and others who are committed to Biblical truths. Each day, as I discover more and more the greatness of God and His magnificent working in salvation, the more I realize my own utter insufficiency and rebellion. The brilliancy of the gospel shines more brightly when set against the utter darkness of sin and life without Christ. I think that Christians nowdays fail to see their sin as God sees it and fails to see God for who He really is. It would not be possible at all to see completely the awfulness of sin or the greatness of God, but I do believe that Christians really are clueless like I was (and still am!). It is easy to not care about others when you don't understand the horrendous nature of hell and the holy righteousness goodness of God. Diving deep into the doctrines and truths of the Bible are a remedy to this, as well as accurate portrayals of sin. The reality is that all men are depraved- utterly and completely. It is only by the grace of God who restrains us that we are not fully expressing our depraved nature. All men justly deserve eternal punishment in hell forever because of their willful sin and rebellion against the holy, righteous, and good God. But for the grace of God, we would all be in eternal torment forever. But our gracious God loved us and sent His precious and dearly loved Son to take our punishment. God, in His holiness which cannot look upon sin, TURNED HIS BACK on His own precious Son Jesus as the sin of all mankind was laid on His shoulders. Jesus died for our horrendous nature so that we could be reconciled to God. He not only died for our sin but He was our substitute- a great exchange took place. Christ received all of my sin and blackness and I received all of His blamelessness in the eyes of God. When I accept Christ as my Lord and Savior- repenting from my sin and trusting ONLY in Him to save, I am covered with the blood of Christ. God looks at me and because of Christ declares me righteous. What a beautiful and precious message!!! I firmly believe that when we understand more and more of our good and great God and more and more of our own depravity the gospel becomes more beautiful and MUST be shared. The joy of forgiveness just overflows in our heart until we are so burdened for others who are miserable in their sin. Our hearts long to exalt Christ and bring Him glory. A deeper understanding of our own unworthiness and filthiness makes us realize more and more how great God is in saving us. Christ is altogether lovely.
DeleteThis is one of the reason I like "old, dead guys" as they are called and put their writings on this blog. They were not perfect at all but they seemed to have a better grasp on our depravity and God's greatness. Their writings are filled with beautiful expressions of the amazing work God has done on our behalf if we will only trust in Christ alone. There are people who write today as well that also have this understanding. I am learning from all of these men and women and hope that I might honor Christ more.
DeleteWell, I have written a book! I hope that this helps. If you want, I can recommend some books and sermons that will be much more helpful than I am.
Love in Christ (how precious He is!!!),
Lauren