Let's use the questions that Wendy suggested as starter points for discussion:
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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4 comments:
I just completed this book! Yes, I read to the last word of the last chapter....no forgoing the final part of the book this time. And I'm really glad too because chapter 15 "Holiness & Faith" was my favorite part of the whole book.
I am so convicted by the point that our obedience flows out of our belief. Belief. That word keeps popping up in my life! I'm going to go back & re-read that chapter again just to help it sink in. It's important to read and know, but ohhhhhh, to believe!
This morning I was reminded during the sermon that to "know" is much more than head-knowledge as we would think of "know" today. But, the Bible uses "know" to mean an intimate knowledge/relationship/experience. When we "know" Jesus, we believe Him and His promises and the faith to obey follows as a precious gift from Him!!
There's so much to say so I'll most likely break it up into bite-sized chunks!
I just finished this book as well and really found it an interesting read. Although there were many things that I already knew, there were plenty that I haven't really seen presented in this way.
Speaking about why the church seems to be more conformed to the world than to God he presents several problem areas. The first really got me! "Our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered. We are more concerned about our own "victory" over sin than we are about the fact that our sins grieve the heart of God....God wants us to walk in OBEDIENCE - not victory." Whoops!! I know that often I am more grieved that I've failed again or that a certain sinful habit is so hard to overcome - and yet, not really be as concerned that this sin is an offense against my Heavenly Father.
I agree that so often I categorize sin. I still don't think twice about speeding (illegal) nor driving without a renewed license!! But this was the attitude in the garden - it does seem a little trifle that Eve took a bite of the forbidden fruit doesn't it??? He says, "We cannot categorize sin if we are to live a life of holiness." Does that make you squirm??? "It is only as we see His holiness, His absolute purity and moral hatred of sin, that we will be gripped by the awfulness of sin against the Holy God." That's the first step ...
I won't necessarily go chapter by chapter but there are other thoughts that are so important for me to pray and mull over. In chapter 2, he brings out that "many Christians have ... a "cultural holiness." They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them." To conform to the level of 'holiness' around us is to use a faulty gauge. I know that I used to think that because other Christians demonstrate a certain level of tolerance, I would be uptight and legalistic to raise that standard. However, "holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God." I am challenged by this. This eradicates any excuse I might be tempted to use to compromise or conform where the Holy Spirit is urging me to be set apart. Does that make sense?
It really is hard when we are bombarded by well-meaning friends and family who give advice and opinions on how we are to live our lives - pursuing certain educational standards for my children, chasing after a bigger paycheck, upgrading my lifestyle to fit that paycheck, not being too much of a hardline Christian (fanatic!) etc. etc. I really should constantly ask myself if "there is evidence of practical holiness in my life. Do I desire and strive after holiness? Do I grieve over my lack of it and earnestly seek the help of God to be holy?" That's my gauge.
I like the truth presented in this book that holiness IS something WE have to pursue actively - but it is God who gives us the grace and the faith to carry it out. At first, I was concerned because the emphasis seemed to be on our responsibility alone - what WE have to DO. It is the truth that we are actively playing a role on our path to holiness and it is wise to remember that in order to not be complacent and lazy. However, it's equally important to realize that we are unable to DO anything without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit! That it was because of Christ's work that we have been removed from the realm of sin, into a new realm. But dying to sin - which confuses many - doesn't mean we will not sin anymore, rather that "we have died to the dominion of sin or to the reign of sin." That really helps me to see that even when I fall, Satan does not and CANNOT have a grip on me. The battle is raging within us but as long as we desire holiness, we are still alive to God! So, the solution? Dependence upon the Holy Spirit: first through a "humble and consistent intake of the Scripture" and secondly, prayer for holiness.
Another point so so so important is about how we can grow in the Christian life and as we do we increasingly face the danger of spiritual pride. He says, "We know the correct doctrines, the right methods, the proper do's and don'ts. But we may not see the poverty of our own spiritual character. We may not see our critical and unforgiving spirit, our habit of backbiting, or our tendency to judge others." Ouch. I recognized this this week. That as I'm really trying to understand all that we've been discussing I am more focused on what I know rather than the character issues I need to face. Unless the Scripture and knowledge become applicable and brings me into a clearer view of who God is and who I am, I am falling into the trap of getting a big head and teeny muscles.
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