Same thing as the other study:
1. Something God revealed to me (what I learned that was new)...
2. Something I need to mull over a bit (and pray through)...
3. Something I was strongly convicted about...
4. Something I can AMEN (or agree with)...
5. Other comments
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5 comments:
Jules,
I need my book!!!!!! :):):):)
Coming your way!!! what a ditz i am!!
I started reading this book this week and it's been very convicting. Lately, the Lord has created in me a hunger to know the true gospel - as I feel that I've held onto a gospel that althought not untrue, has not been truly grounded in the truth. The discipline of grace does go hand in hand with the gospel in that salvation and sanctification go hand in hand. Salvation - as in regeneration is by God's grace as well as the process of sanctification - the ongoing transforming and conforming to Christ by God's grace.
The first area that has me thinking is the problem he calls "refined" sins. Those that don't seem horrendously obvious, those sins of 'nice' people that we regularly commit. Those sins that I shamefully even poke fun of in myself and others - my stubbornness, my sarcasm, my meanness, my ugly attitudes towards others. I admit that I have a very critical and judgmental nature and am quick to bring out negative qualities that I notice. What a hypocrite I am!! I am praying that the Lord would really help me in this area as it is not pleasing to Him and harmful in many ways.
Next, what has hit me is on pg. 46 how many professing Christians live their lives with a poor or partial understanding of the gospel. This really limits the power and the joy the gospel really brings! I see that now. I pray that the Lord would give me a clear and firm grasp on the gospel that when presenting it, I might be focused not only on the 'response' but on the listener being deeply rooted in the gospel. This takes much more time and truth than I'm used to sharing. (hope all this is making sense! I feel like i'm just babbling~~)
I am also contemplating the fact that "the grace that brings salvation to us also disciplines us." "He who began a good work in you will also bring it unto completion until the day of Christ." That is really making sense to me!! Grace is what will transform us in this life and it gives me assurance that because even my spiritual growth is by God's grace, I need not despair when I fail. God initiates and superintends our spiritual growth! That frees me to do all things to please Him but not to wallow when I experience some falling back.
Many other things that have stuck out, but this is where I'll stop for now: Being transformed into his likeness (the process) and being conformed to Christ (the finished product) and Christ is the pattern or mold (form!). I don't know why that struck me - perhaps it's because there is an element of continuous work in me that will result, miraculously, into me conformed to the image of Christ! what a day that will be!
I have been really praying that first of all, the Lord would saturate me with His Word and Truth. That He would give me the faith to truly believe it and act upon it, that I would be moved in the heart and have understanding in my mind, that He would allow love for Him and others to grow. I lack in all these areas - so please pray for me!
Sorry, this is so long!
Love Jules
I just wanted to write that so far this book has been sooooooooo good to read. I am just on chapter 3, but have been enjoying it so much. Chapters 1 and 2 were just SO refreshing. When he talked about how Christians often fall into "good day/bad day" thinking--I SO often fall into that type of thinking! What he says about how we need to focus on Christ and what He did for us and that should be what motivates us to pursue holiness encouraged me so much.
A friend of mine emailed me the following the other day and it encouraged me so much just when I needed it. I hope it's ok to post it here:
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son" Romans 8:29
We are destined to become like Jesus. That's part of God's great a glorious plan for our lives. Jesus was full of humility, peace, full of kindness, full of love and without sin.
Peter tells us that we have everything we need to become like Christ residing within us.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1: 3 - 4
In the process of becoming more like our LORD, more holy and loving, more humble and kind, the LORD will reveal to us areas of our life that need to be cleansed. He shows us by giving us conviction of sin. Conviction from God does not bring feelings of condemnation and defeat. The word conviction means: a belief or opinion that is held firmly.
This is where I see many Christians stumble. They do not realize that their enemy - you know, the roaring lion that seeks to steal, kill and destroy - is intricately involved in trying to trip them up right at this very point. The enemy's plan is to steal your joy and peace, kill your passion for the Lord and destroy your hope, purpose and future.
God has a desire to sanctify you in stages. He is gentle and loving in his shaping of our character. Satan is a ruthless accuser that makes us feel we are worthless and hopeless
Satan makes us feel like the sin is so deeply ingrained that we'll never overcome it. He makes us feel ashamed and defeated. He encourages us to make all kinds of vows and promises, which he then uses against us when we inevitably fail to fulfill them, mocking and condemning us even further. Imagine again the two year old trying to sweep the kitchen or spell her name. Imagine her falling to the floor in despair at her failure. The enemy's purpose is that with all our self effort that yields no results, we'll give up on the Christian life because it's TOO HARD. That's his number one trick for making people either turn away from God or turn to religion and rules over relationship. The most disciplined wins, the least discipline loses. The truth is, they both lose because they have listened to the voice of the enemy and tried to become holy in their own self effort, outside of God's perfect, loving, gentle plan for their sanctification.
God loves you so tenderly. He loves you exactly like you are, with all the unsanctified thoughts and deeds you do. He has a plan to change you that is slow and steady and full of peace and joy. His plan will prevail. YOU ARE PREDESTINED FOR IT. And it's not you that will do it...it's all Him. You don't have to work. God does the work.
Kristy
Kristy!
This is beautiful!!! I didn't read it close enough!! Thank your friend (is it Dawn?) for these words! Was the whole thing a quote from her or were these your own words? so eloquent.
I have to say that I fall into one category or the other so easily. Most discipline wins, least discipline loses... or so I think. And then I try and try or I feel like going the other way and giving up. Thanks for sharing this. I know that I'm not the only one who's benefited from this wisdom.
Jules
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