After recuperating from numerous things that needed recuperation from, and getting somewhat caught up on work, I have a moment to share a few more of my innermost thoughts with you all, my faithful blog-reading audience.
I could tell you about what I did today, or I could tell you about what I didn't do. I could tell you about what I thought today, or about what I didn't think, though of course that would be impossible because, of course, I would have to think of something I didn't think to state what I didn't think and I would thence make myself Jim Carrey, or something.
Speaking of "or something," isn't that a great line? I love that line. It's almost the ultimate catch-all vague and ambiguous phrase, only slightly superseded by "that's interesting."
Of course, we all know that maybe it truly wasn't interesting, and the very interest derived from whatever it was came from the deep contemplation of how utterly un-interesting it actually was. Again, we have a terrible anomaly. That which by virtue of being uninteresting becomes interesting. I love thinking about this stuff.
But I digress from the original ideas behind this post. Or maybe I don't. Sometimes I wonder if anyone even reads my posts. I mean, obviously they do, or else I wouldn't write them, right? (See, my logic is impeccable.) Not that I would blame you for not reading my posts. (But, of course, the only people to whom this forgiveness is extended will never know - at least not from reading it here.)
Nevertheless, to again attempt to return to a footing more solidly founded on substantive thoughts and actions, I will make effort.
Lately, I've been reading John MacArthur's book "Ashamed of the Gospel: when the church becomes like the world." It's a great book and highly recommended to all of you. The driving concept behind the book seems to be that the fear of God should be more thoroughly considered and meditated on in our lives individually and as a corporate church. With the modern day church growth movements that encourage "user-friendly" philosophies that stand in clear contradiction to the church growth movements of the early church, there is a definite need for a return to sound doctrine and godliness. No longer is the sinner afraid of the wrath of God, nor does he stand in awe in God's presence. Rather, the sinner is given a watered down version of the Gospel, and his church attendance is quickly noted. In response, MacArthur made a statement that I found profound, yet simple, and which I have been thinking a lot on: "it's not what men think about the severity of God; it's what God thinks about the iniquity of men." The very sinfulness of sin has become almost a joke, even among many professing believers. We have become accustomed to living like the world, and in fact enjoy it. As a result, we are uncomfortable confronting sin as Christ did, but instead work on creating a palatable Gospel and the fear of God is lost on us. However, a proper fear of God must be in our hearts, or we will never truly love Him for his mercy, and without love for Him, we will never serve Him, and if we fail to serve Him, we fail Him and will not hear "well done."
When I realize, to the extent my incredibly finite mind can do so, the infinite majesty of God's power, I stand in awe. What pleasures of this world hold the smallest candle to the pleasure of hearing Him say "well done"? Those who lay up for themselves treasures of this world are bound to the wood, hay and stubble that will certainly burn. May God cut those bonds from each of our hearts, and release us to unfettered devotion to Him.
To whom much is given, much is required. I have squandered much time in the pursuit of fleshly desires, fun, and entertainment. At the risk of plagiarizing Solomon, this too I have found to be vanity. We have been given much. May we fear Him and love Him as He desires.
It is my hope that you have been encouraged by this post. Thanks for reading.
The next post may deal with my thoughts on the majesty of the universe, the grandess of creation, and yet, the recognition that of all God's creation, we are His prize, His truest pleasure, and the only created being with the power to fellowship with Him. If you ask me, that's a humbling thought.
I could tell you about what I did today, or I could tell you about what I didn't do. I could tell you about what I thought today, or about what I didn't think, though of course that would be impossible because, of course, I would have to think of something I didn't think to state what I didn't think and I would thence make myself Jim Carrey, or something.
Speaking of "or something," isn't that a great line? I love that line. It's almost the ultimate catch-all vague and ambiguous phrase, only slightly superseded by "that's interesting."
Of course, we all know that maybe it truly wasn't interesting, and the very interest derived from whatever it was came from the deep contemplation of how utterly un-interesting it actually was. Again, we have a terrible anomaly. That which by virtue of being uninteresting becomes interesting. I love thinking about this stuff.
But I digress from the original ideas behind this post. Or maybe I don't. Sometimes I wonder if anyone even reads my posts. I mean, obviously they do, or else I wouldn't write them, right? (See, my logic is impeccable.) Not that I would blame you for not reading my posts. (But, of course, the only people to whom this forgiveness is extended will never know - at least not from reading it here.)
Nevertheless, to again attempt to return to a footing more solidly founded on substantive thoughts and actions, I will make effort.
Lately, I've been reading John MacArthur's book "Ashamed of the Gospel: when the church becomes like the world." It's a great book and highly recommended to all of you. The driving concept behind the book seems to be that the fear of God should be more thoroughly considered and meditated on in our lives individually and as a corporate church. With the modern day church growth movements that encourage "user-friendly" philosophies that stand in clear contradiction to the church growth movements of the early church, there is a definite need for a return to sound doctrine and godliness. No longer is the sinner afraid of the wrath of God, nor does he stand in awe in God's presence. Rather, the sinner is given a watered down version of the Gospel, and his church attendance is quickly noted. In response, MacArthur made a statement that I found profound, yet simple, and which I have been thinking a lot on: "it's not what men think about the severity of God; it's what God thinks about the iniquity of men." The very sinfulness of sin has become almost a joke, even among many professing believers. We have become accustomed to living like the world, and in fact enjoy it. As a result, we are uncomfortable confronting sin as Christ did, but instead work on creating a palatable Gospel and the fear of God is lost on us. However, a proper fear of God must be in our hearts, or we will never truly love Him for his mercy, and without love for Him, we will never serve Him, and if we fail to serve Him, we fail Him and will not hear "well done."
When I realize, to the extent my incredibly finite mind can do so, the infinite majesty of God's power, I stand in awe. What pleasures of this world hold the smallest candle to the pleasure of hearing Him say "well done"? Those who lay up for themselves treasures of this world are bound to the wood, hay and stubble that will certainly burn. May God cut those bonds from each of our hearts, and release us to unfettered devotion to Him.
To whom much is given, much is required. I have squandered much time in the pursuit of fleshly desires, fun, and entertainment. At the risk of plagiarizing Solomon, this too I have found to be vanity. We have been given much. May we fear Him and love Him as He desires.
It is my hope that you have been encouraged by this post. Thanks for reading.
The next post may deal with my thoughts on the majesty of the universe, the grandess of creation, and yet, the recognition that of all God's creation, we are His prize, His truest pleasure, and the only created being with the power to fellowship with Him. If you ask me, that's a humbling thought.
posted by jph | 10:33 PM
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