This week we come to the end of this path, but I think you will find every path, including the one we turn to next week, deals in some way with the power of the Gospel to overcome the
main thing that is wrong with us: idolatry.
Often the most powerful lesson is the review lesson. Let’s stop and reflect, summarize and see what we’ve learned, and let it grow stronger in our hearts. We also have much for which to
give thanks. We have experienced God’s power, and to consider how we can continue to do so, for He is as faithful as the seasons, as faithful as the sunrise.
When we start a new path next week, as Midday Connection airs ten episodes of The God of All Comfort, you will find it related to what we have been doing, for The God of All Comfort is all
about experiencing the power of God in the midst of pain, a time when we are particularly vulnerable to running back to our idols. I have done The God of All Comfort on this Bible study
blog before, but I will keep it fresh, as fresh as the morning, for His mercies are new every morning. Even if you don’t have a Moody Station in your city, you can listen online.
I want to thank each of you for participating on this blog, and I pray you will continue on this next path, for you would be wonderful mentors and you are now my friends, and I do not want
to lose you! You are, indeed, an unusual group of women. My web manager told me to keep these blogs very short and simple, and I didn’t — yet here you are, hungering after God, doing
the study diligently, listening to the sermons, and suggesting songs, sermons, and readings of your own. I thank God upon every remembrance of you.
Anne, of our faithful bloggers, has given me permission to share her picture with her oldest son, Al. I wanted you to see her and her warmth. I feel she has been a mentor on this blog and
her encouragement and contemplative thoughts a gift from God. It seemed appropriate to feature her this week, though in a little different way that I’ve been doing. Anne exemplifies the
depth of the women on this blog. She is continually contemplating the gospel, using her gift of discernment, sharing songs that draw her closer, and living it out. I also see her heart of
compassion. One of the aspects of true worship is caring for the poor, letting justice roll down — every time the prophets rebuke the false worship of God’s people, they call for social justice!
(See for example, Isaiah 58) I see this true worship in Anne. I remember when she got in her car to go out and try to help the people in the SE who had had their lives turned up-side-down
by tornadoes. She went and she listened to their grief, being the heart and ears of Jesus. Anne lives it, and I want to encourage you to take her thoughts to heart. Anne is married with two
sons — this is her oldest son in the picture with her.
Anne wrote this encouraging comment to affirm you and me!
The women on your blog are a group of more than exceptional women and that is largely because of what
you teach. God is doing a great work here.
Indeed, He is! He is using you as well. So many of you, for example, have been reading Tozer’s The Pursuit of
God, and so I pulled mine out and started reading it again. This is how the power of God works through the
body of Christ, spreading like the sunrise to bring warmth and light across the world. Tozer writes something
that reminds me of you. He is writing about how some believers seem to find God in a way others do not.
I venture to say that the one vital quality they had in common was spiritual receptivity. Something in them was open
to heaven; something which urged them Godward. …I shall say simply that they had spiritual awareness and they
went on to cultivate it until it became the biggest thing in their lives. They differed from the average person in that
when they felt the inward longing they did something about it. They acquired the lifelong habit of spiritual response.
This my sisters, is what I see in you, and for which I thank God.
ICE-BREAKER:
Share one time in this study when God spoke to you through His Word, His people, or His Spirit and you responded and experienced His power.
Now let’s review. Tim Keller talks about three ways to approach life. Probably the best scriptural illustration is the story of the prodigal sons.
IR-RELIGION (Like the younger son who rebelled against his father in Luke 15)
RELIGION (Like the older son who “slaved all these years” and expected a pay-off)
THE GOSPEL: (Like the younger son when he repented and returned to his father’s arms)
Tertullian, from the 2nd century, put the above three ways in a word picture. (More about this in the article Elizabeth suggested below.) He said the gospel is
continually being crucified between two thieves: antinominism (against the law) and morality (religion.) Isn’t it interesting that we have the same problem
today? Take,for example, three different approaches to helping a man caught in the vice of internet porn:
Ir-religion or antinomism: Leave him alone. Don’t judge. This may be a good release for him.
Religion or morality: Beat on him, reminding him of the true effects of disobeying the law: demeaning women, destroying relationships,
developing addictions. Tell him to just say no.
The Gospel: There is power in the gospel because it works on our hearts. Sexual immorality is wrong — in fact it is so bad Christ had to die for
him to rescue him from hell. Yet Christ loved him so much that he did go to the cross for him. Therefore he can trust Christ to fill the vacuum in
his heart each time he is tempted to run to internet porn.
As we said in the beginning, the gospel is not a quick fix, but it is the only effective solution. We worshipped our way into idolatry, so we must
worship our way out, by beholding the beauty of Christ and by beholding the complex multi-faceted gospel. Let me ask you some questions that
will require contemplation — but I know this group is up to it!
I’ve given an example of the three approaches that could be used with someone in the vice of internet porn. Now I’d like you to show how these
three approaches might work with someone in a different sin. Choose between gluttony, unforgiveness, or a sin that trips you up.
1. What sin are you choosing, and what would be the approach of ir-religion or antinomisim to it?
2. What would be the approach of religion or morality to it?
3. How might you use the truth of the gospel to melt your heart toward this sin?
I love the example Keller gives of Paul confronting Peter about his racism. Remember when Peter was refusing to eat with the Gentiles? Keller
says that Paul neither overlooks this sin (The approach of ir-religion of antinomisim) nor does he use the law by saying, “Don’t be a racist.”
While it is true that Christians should not be racists, Paul chooses instead to work on Peter’s heart. He says, “Peter, you are not walking in line
with the gospel.” What does that mean?
4. How might contemplating the gospel and what Christ did for Peter at the cross, help to work on his heart and melt his idol and his sin of
racism? (I know this is challenging — but I also know you are amazing.)
5. I hope you will begin to see in the Scripture how often the writers point to using the gospel to overcome sin or to live as Christ called us to live. See, for
example, if you can find it in the following. What are we being called to do in each example, and how is the gospel used to give us the power to do it?
A. Romans 12:1 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
B. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
C. Ephesians 4:32 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
D. Ephesians 5:2 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
E. Ephesians 5:25 What are husbands called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
F. Because we’ve had discussion about submitting to husbands I thought it might be illuminating to see the gospel motivation for this as well.
1) In my studyguide on 1 Peter I show how the key passage is 1 Peter 2:21-25. Look at this and find the gospel in it.
2) Then, throughout this letter, Peter keeps saying “In the same way,” applying the gospel to citizens submitting to government, slaves to masters, and
then in 1 Peter 3, to both wives and then to husbands. Look for the phrases “likewise,” or “in the same way” and find the gospel admonition to first
wives married to men who do not obey the Word, and then to husbands, who might be tempted to take advantage of the vulnerable position of their
wives’ submission.
6. Listen to one or both of the following Keller messages and comment:
First Message:
http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/true-older-brother
Second Message:
7. We have learned that the Gospel is multi-faceted. Can you explain the following?
A. Why is the gospel good news instead of good advice?
B. The gospel is “sonship.” What does this mean, and what does this mean to you?
C. The gospel has a power the law lacks. Why?
8. Elizabeth suggested this article and it is a great summary. Read it, underline it, and then share a few key points.
http://download.redeemer.com/pdf/learn/resources/Centrality_of_the_Gospel-Keller.pdf
9. I’d like you to mediate on the words to When I Survey The Wondrous Cross. Sing them. Find your favorite u-tube version. Explain how you see the power of the Gospel in this song.
10. What would you like to share with the group on something you learned that I haven’t mentioned?
11. Please bless Anne, our blogger of the week!
Thanks to all of you who submitted pictures and stories. We’ll do this again, probably in the fall, to meet new regulars!
Please pray as we begin our new path next week, that God will bring who He wants, and will quicken us all!
220 comments
Dee, I am so happy to open this post this morning because I want to bless you. I am so deeply grateful for what this study has done for me. I know that no other teacher has ever helped me as much as you have. Thank you! It is like a veil has been lifted from my eyes. I can see that the world’s beauty outweighs its burdens and its grace is greater than its grime (that is a quote from Ann Voskamp’s blog). From my gratitude journal this morning I give thanks for the God of gods who smashes my idols. He is Lord of my lords. I celebrate Him this Father’s Day.
Amen–and I agree full heartedly with Anne–no other teacher has ever ministered to me as you have Dee. I was thinking of you the other day as a “girl version” of Keller–a beautiful combination of truth, grace, and humility….and a lot of patience with a slow learner like me! In the beginning this study reminded me of my previously favorite study, Gospel Transformation. But as the weeks progressed, I saw more and more of the heart you bring to the message, and THAT was the piece I had missed. Your tender way of presenting the Gospel over and over in all that you write–it is a GIFT. I am forever grateful and humbled to be among those you share that with.
Bless you today and always, Dee!
Dee, I know this must be a very difficult day for you and your family. I knew Steve and he was the most gentle, soft spoken, tender hearted, God fearing man, I have ever known, and I say that with a honest heart. And that is only through knowing him as my Doctor(since ’83, (He prayed with me, before surgery)) and Employer for 10 years (’87-’97, and the Doctor’s all prayed before each meeting we had)). You and Steve must be of been sent to this world to help and honor other’s and are Angels in disguise, because you are like Steve in every way, also. I am honored to have known you both and so thankful I am in your bible study, here on this blog. It has Blessed me so very much. Thank you for all you do, Dee, for all of us here. (Even for the one’s just reading and not saying anything or much at all.) We are still Blessed. 😀 🙂 🙂 :~)
Joyce,
You have such a sensitive heart towards the feelings of others and you demonstrate empathy time and time again!
Thank you, Susan and Dee, you are too nice.
Thank you so much Anne and Elizabeth for these life-giving words which I will treasure. And Joyce, for your sweet memories of Steve. Susan is so right about your empathy.
Anne–what a blessing to see beautiful you and your son! You have ministered to me in so many ways over these months–your strength, perseverance, your faithfulness towards your sons and husband. As I prayed for you this morning, I immediately thought of thess verses, they remind me so much of you:
Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.”
Thank you Elizabeth. Thank you also for the verses and I sense that they also came from the Lord. They are a great blessing to me.
Icebreaker: Last week’s message on the father of the prodigal son running to him as a picture of how God runs to us with forgiveness wad such an epiphany to me, I keep playing it over in my head. It helps especially when I am feeling more slavish than ever to break free and let my soul run into His Arms! It’s not always a hard habit to break, this slave-like feeling, but it IS possible trough Christ.
Gluttony
1. It’s not so bad, leave them be. There are far worse things than overeating. I used to use this “reasoning”.
2. It’s awful! What a terrible action, you are ruining the temple of the Spirit.
3. I’m sorry you feel so desolate inside that you’re filling the void with food. Christ sets you free from
Being a slave to food. Fill up with Him instead.
4. Christ went to the cross for ALL. We are equal in Him and this makes racism null and void.
5a. Offer yr body as living sacrifice. Because of Christ’s MERCY.
B) Sexual purity bc YOU WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE!
C) Be kind, compassionate and forgiving bc IN CHRIST GOD FORGAVE YOU!!!!!
D) Walk in love bc CHRIST LOVED US/GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR US…FRAGRANT OFFERING AND SACRIFICE TO GOD.
E) love wives in same way CHRIST GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR CHURCH
F.
1) this is the gospel all through, how Christ did not retaliate when enduring pain/hardship/agony for us. To make us righteous in God. All for this reason, none other than that.
2) wives will show God’s love by submitting. Husbands respect wives. This submit/respect is how we relate 2 God.
Tracy, Loving your comments.
The true older brother sermon was great! I never thought of the older brother in this way before. I confess I can be elder brother-ishtic as Keller puts it. I’m not really angry but sometimes miss the delight of prayer and have been “creeped out” by beliefs that are different from mine.
It sometimes confuses me as to where the line is drawn between not being creeped out but not giving approval to beliefs outside of my own. Since Christ is the only way to God, other religions are obviously false. But how do I not turn off people like that? I knew a few people in school who had very nasty spiritual practices — I was scared to death and fled. But should I have gotten closer to share Christ? Should I have stayed away? How do you know?
I’ve learned so much from watching Keller’s videos on The Reason for God where he dialogues with six people who do not know Christ. He treats them with such respect, and yet it so clear in the way he lifts up Christ. I know we are called to love and yet also, not to waver. To be in the world, yet not of it.I think rather than creeped out (which I understand) I would ask God to give me compassion and understanding into their darkness, realizing Satan has blinded them to do his will.
Thanks, Dee, for the helpful advice!
7A) Good news is fact, accomplished in history. Advice is how to.
B) Sonship is a relationship. No way to buy or earn yr way in. It means I can stop seeing life with God as something earned, drink in the grace!!!!
C) It changes our hearts.
Anne,
Your thoughtful answers inspire me, how much you have a heart for Him and such a sweet spirit! I feel a kinship with you with what you post and it makes me feel good to know someone understands when it feels like no one does. But you do, and I hope God blesses you for it.
Love in Christ,
Tracy
Tracy, that is a wonderful compliment. Thank you.
You’re welcome, it’s 100% true!! 🙂
ICE-BREAKER:
There are so many times, it’s hard to choose just one, but I will go with the most recent. Studying the Prodigal Son and seeing for the first time, as Keller said, ‘it’s ALWAYS your move”. That was life-changing for me. As I’ve said before, I have always held out for a sincere apology before granting forgiveness. I’ve even studied the Prodigal Son before, but never has it challenged me like it did last week. I forgive my Dad. And more than that, for the first time I want him to be experiencing true grace. I see how my judging him for his alcoholism, seeing him as weak and undeserving of my forgiveness…it was my standing as the older son in the dark shadows. But seeing now how desperately I must fall on the floor in the position of the younger son—every day—I long to see my dad there as well and believe he is there now in Heaven.
1. What sin are you choosing, and what would be the approach of ir-religion or antinomisim to it?
Sin: unforgiveness
Irreligion says “you have a right to feel anger and hold back forgiveness—remember how badly you were hurt?! And look, they aren’t evevn really sorry. Until they are sorry, they don’t deserve forgiveness.”
2. What would be the approach of religion or morality to it?
Since you are the more godly one, take the high road and forgive (all the while holding the upper hand)—forgiving by word, not heart.
3. How might you use the truth of the gospel to melt your heart toward this sin?
See how desperate I am for my Savior and all that He has done for me. I am so bad myself, He had to die for me, but loved me so much He chose to. I am no different than the one needing my forgiveness. There is no ranking of our sins. But the price has been paid, the debt is canceled! Who am I to hold on to a debt against me when I realize all He has forgive me?
Excellent.
Love the always its your move.
9. I know I’m skipping around but I got a late start today and want to save the article for tomorrow– fresh eyes and mind!
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to his blood
See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were a present far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
To me, this whole song is THE GREAT EXCHANGE, as my previous minister used to say. Christ gives me His righteousness in exchange for my sin. I love each lyric here!
1. I choose alcoholism though it can be complicated because it becomes a physical addiction but I believe God can deliver as He does with other sins. Ir-religion would say, it is a sickness, he can’t help himself. There is no help for him so just let him be.
2. The approach of religion would be to focus on how destructive this sin is. Then to reproach him if he does not get victory over his sin because it is evil.
3a. I think I would assume that this person wants to be free of this sin. He is probably more aware than anyone of the evils of alcoholism. The truth of the gospel is that God loves him and that Jesus died for his sin. Because Jesus paid the penalty for him he is forgiven and free.
3b. I think not walking according to the gospel means not walking in freedom. The sin of pride had entangled Peter when he did not love another brother for whom Christ had also died.
4. If Peter contemplated the cross he would see how much Jesus loves him and the high price that He paid for his sin. He would understand that his sin separates him from full fellowship with God. In light of the love poured out on him the idols just melt like the picture in our last post.
5A. Romans 12:1 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation? We are called to give ourselves body and soul to God, not by our own power but by His mercy, as an act of worship. I love that it says it is done by His mercy, not our ability. I’m not sure what the phrase is but I’m guessing ‘this is your spiritual worship’. Other translations say reasonable sacrifice. It is reasonable since He gave as much for us.
B. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation? We are called to sexual purity because our bodies are His sanctuary. He paid the price of the cross for us, we are His and He wants to dwell in us. We want Him too but we must be pure. Phrase is ‘you are not your own, for you were bought with a price.
C. Ephesians 4:32 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation? We are called to kindness, compassion and forgiveness. The phrase is ‘just as Christ forgave you’.
D. Ephesians 5:2 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation? We are called to love, ‘just as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us as a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God’.
E. Ephesians 5:25 What are husbands called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation? Husbands are called to love their wives, ‘just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her’.
Great at finding gospel motivation.
I would add to the gospel motivation for overcoming alcoholism that knowledge that Christ’s sascrifical love shows He can meet the need that you are trying to meet through alcohol.
ICE BREAKER
It’s so hard to narrow it down to just one! Keller’s sermon on Jeremiah 2 turned lights on for me as he explained that our souls are turbulent, empty arms reaching for something to fill up the emptiness; I understand now why the Israelites ( and me, too ) exclaim: “We must run after them ( our idols ) we cannot help it!” The strong sexual imagery God uses to describe His relationship with us through Hosea; He is the broken-hearted husband and on into Jeremiah, where He laments, as it were, as to what happened to us, His bride, who was so in love with Him and promised to follow Him anywhere? He charges us with what accusation do we bring against Him? Why have we left Him to commit adultery, as it were, with our idols?
Something got through to me here in that I see now that God is good; His intentions toward me are always good even when I am unfaithful; my sin breaks His heart but He still loves me.
I’m still pondering how God spoke to me through Keller’s message of the Prodigal Sons, and Jesus as the true, good elder brother. Just a whole new way to see and worship Jesus.
I found Jeremiah 2 riveting as well, as well as the elder brother.
1. What sin are you choosing, and what would be the approach of ir-religion or antinominism?
Jealousy and Resentment. You have every right to resent him/her; afterall, look what they did to you. Don’t forgive, get even. Withhold love and affection from them; they don’t deserve it.
You should be jealous of him/her; they’re stealing the limelight from you; everyone likes them better than you.
2. What would be the approach of religion or morality to it?
You are sinning with these attitudes of jealousy and resentment. You are a bad person. Read the Bible more and pray more and rid yourself of these attitudes.
3. How might you use the truth of the gospel to melt your heart toward this sin?
Yes, you’ve been hurt. And you feel jealous of this person. Are you looking for affirmation and approval? Trying to feel secure through the people in your life? Turn your eyes to Jesus and see Him leaving heaven for you because He loves you; He died for you. Look at the love He has lavished on you, the riches He has given you! You are trying to manipulate and fight for human love and affection that can in no way fill you up and what’s more, you already have what you’re looking for in Jesus! Trust Him to deal with those who hurt you; you’re no better than they are anyway.
“Peter, you are not walking in line with the gospel.” What does that mean?
I think Paul was encouraging Peter to remember the years he walked with Jesus and observed how Jesus treated others. In his heart, Peter knew that Jesus reached out to Jews and Samaritans, religious leaders and sinners. He loved them all. There was no group of people that Jesus excluded, nor did He teach His disciples to do that. The salvation of Gentiles was more important than dietary laws or old attitudes of discrimination. The gospel had nothing to do with eating with or not eating with Gentiles. It was simply telling them the message of Jesus, the good news of what He had done for them.
All I can say to your answer to #3 is “Wow! That hit me like a bolt of lightning!” Thanks, I needed that!
I second this… what an excellent, stirring response. We do not see that Jesus has all we need and we waste our time looking the world over for satisfaction that will only prove to be hollow because in God we have what will truly hold up in our life and beyond into eternity.
This is all so good, Susan, really helpful to me!
4. How might contemplating the gospel and what Christ did for Peter on the Cross, help to work on his heart and melt his idol and his sin of racism?
Perhaps Peter would remember when Jesus calmed the storm in the boat and Peter told Jesus to go away from him because he was a sinful man. Yet, Jesus did not go away; He called Peter to be one of His closest companions. He showed Peter the full extent of His love when, even after Peter denied knowing Him, Jesus died for him on the Cross. The women, after Jesus was raised, were told to be sure to tell Peter the news. Again and again, Jesus demonstrated His love for Peter, the sinner; yet the friend of Jesus. How then could this not melt the heart of Peter so he would embrace and love the people his Lord and Savior also loved?
Would love all to contemplate Susan’s answer in developing their own gospel motivation toward a sin:
Yes, you’ve been hurt. And you feel jealous of this person. Are you looking for affirmation and approval? Trying to feel secure through the people in your life? Turn your eyes to Jesus and see Him leaving heaven for you because He loves you; He died for you. Look at the love He has lavished on you, the riches He has given you! You are trying to manipulate and fight for human love and affection that can in no way fill you up and what’s more, you already have what you’re looking for in Jesus! Trust Him to deal with those who hurt you; you’re no better than they are anyway.
I write this through my own personal experience with jealousy and resentment! I’m trying to remember how Tim Keller said we must preach the gospel to our own souls. Believe me, I need to keep at it daily.
Anne, I totally agree with Dee on everything she wrote about you. You are compassionate and godly, and well I concur!! I want to thank you for being such a caring and wise mentor in my life. I look forward to your posts and learn so much from them as well as from your responses to others. I also am thankful I can e-mail you with questions and just ponderings I have. You are also very kind and compassionate in how you respond to others who may not have the same views in certain areas as you do. You truly are a model of Jesus. Oh and I have to mention the BOOKS you recommend as well. I mean, wow.. God has really used you in my life with these life giving and freeing books. God used them to help me with my idols-they were GREAT replacements for the temptations to do other things like over eat! Especially the one about parenting. That was so freeing to me and really helped me to release my control idol with my children and run to Jesus instead and trust Him with them. God also used it to take a heavy load of self-imposed guilt off my back. 🙂
I don’t know how to better say this Anne, but it shocked me to meet someone like you online. It is hard to meet godly women who are hungering after God like you in person let alone just out of the blue on a bible study blog. You are a blessing and I think this is a great ministry for you in being a mentor as well. I hope you never leave our studies here, ever!!- Love you sister.
“It is hard to meet godly women who are hungering after God like you in person let alone just out of the blue on a bible study blog. You are a blessing and I think this is a great ministry for you in being a mentor as well.”
Rebecca, you hit it right on the head about, Anne! She is a great mentor and so helpful to me also.
Anne, you are beautiful, inside and out and your son, here in the picture, (and Joey) are blessed to have you for their mother.
Thank you so much Joyce. I am so glad to know you here on the blog!
Dee, When I opened this up this morning and read, “We have experienced the power of God.” I melted. Amen.
Rebecca, that was my experience too yesterday morning! It was a picture worth a thousand words. All words that we have lived. Thank you so much for your kind words. They are more than kind, they melt my heart and bring tears. I love being here and have received so much in my own life. It is my desire to mentor in some way in the lives of others so your words touch a cord with me. As I have mentioned before, my verbal expression is not good. I do so much better in writing. So we will see. The one thing I know is that God is good, beyond my wildest dreams!
Anne, Amen sister! God is good!
ICE-BREAKER:
Share one time in this study when God spoke to you through His Word, His people, or His Spirit and you responded and experienced His power.
I had to think about this one because there have been several. There is one that seems to arch over this whole unit on idolatry. It began with a dream. It was a dream in which I experienced God’s love for me. I wanted so to remember it but did not. What I did remember was the understanding of His great love for me and that all human love is but a shadow and foretaste of. I also understood that I have been trying to cover myself because of my shame, hiding like Adam and Eve did. There is no need for that because His love is so great and Jesus has covered me.
I treasured this dream and knew that it must be understood and applied in my life. It had to move from head knowledge to my heart for me to be changed. This has been happening as we have studied and I see that for me it has been the foundation for melting my idols. I don’t seem to be able to put into words what this freedom has meant for me. It is sort of like being in love, where because love has changed me, the whole word has changed around me.
“I don’t seem to be able to put into words what this freedom has meant for me. It is sort of like being in love, where because love has changed me, the whole word has changed around me.’ Anne, I love this. You ALWAYS inspire me with you words. I’m so thankful I am a sister in Christ with you.
1. What sin are you choosing, and what would be the approach of ir-religion or antinomisim to it? Unforgiveness. They don’t deserve your forgiveness because they didn’t ask for it. It’s ok, you told yourself that you have forgiven them now ignore them and move on with your life. You’ll just get walked on more if you let them get away with it.
2. What would be the approach of religion or morality to it? You know better than that. You have to forgive them because bad things (punishment from God) will continue to happen if you don’t. You don’t want people to think that you are not a “good” Christian.
3. How might you use the truth of the gospel to melt your heart toward this sin? Let God give me forgiveness for them. Trust Him that when He says this is good that it is, even though it is contrary to everything that I am thinking about the situation. What they did is their sin, what I’m doing is mine.
I chose not to read anyone else’s response before I wrote this so that I could really think about what God was saying to me personally. If my answer matches anyone else’s then I guess it is just a confirmation of what I was learning.
Dawn — I think it is really good that you didn’t read other comments. Loved 1 and 2 and you definitely are right on 3 about letting God give you forgiveness, and trusting Him this is best for them — and to take the judgmental part out.
The other part I want you to bathe in is His forgiveness for you and how that should melt your heart in forgiveness for them. Do you know the parable of the Unmerciful Servant? That always speaks to me. I love it that you say “what I’m doing is my sin.”
This is great.
The parable of the unmerciful servant speaks to me as well. How can I hold others hostage in my unforgiveness when God could have so easily and justly held me there? So we have to mirror in the world externally what He has done internally for us in our soul.
ICEBREAKER:
I’m with Elizabeth, it’s hard to choose one. I’m going to choose a comment Dee made in response to my comment about God’s timing of last week’s study. For it to fall the same week that I learned the truth of my marriage was not an accident. For me to be house-sitting during this time is no accident either. This is the first year I have not suffered with PTSD on the anniversary of my bad news.
Dee you wrote:
“But I will pray for you. You are right-it seems God has orchestrated timing of things because of his great love for you.”
Your comment led me back to what I wrote in my prayer journal on Sunday February 13, 2011:
“Lord God I know you are speaking to me because Bro. Vann preached (a sermon titled) on Greatest Love Story. Dee’s blog was on Great Love Story. And even an email from DaySpring was about Greatest Love Story. You have written a love story about your Son and myself and I think I am afraid of such pure love. All I have ever known is violence in my land. How do I learn to live with gentleness?”
He gave me the answer through Keller’s sermon. ‘FORGIVENESS. ABSORB THE LOSS.’
Tammy, that is so wonderful. I’ve seen you change for the better in the past couple years, because of the pain you have endured. I love it when you post.
Thank you Joyce!
Joyce, I too can see this in Tammy.
Anne: I am so happy to see your lovely picture. It is great to put a face to someone who has encouraged me so much. Thank you and bless you Anne. You are a faithful follower. You have helped me numerous times. I love your tender heart for God and the women on this blog.
Share one time in this study when God spoke to you through His Word, His people, or His Spirit and you responded and experienced His power.
There are so many but the one that changed me the most was when God turned the light on for me when through a sermon, I realized how deeply my idol hurt my Savior. I saw for the first time that I was an adulterer. I pained Him as I turned to my friend food, for comfort or happiness. It was a life altering moment for me. Once I understood, I could use it to help me each time I wanted to overeat, calm myself or deal with boredom. I could remember His great love and pass on the food. It is a process but I continue to grow in this area.
Dee, I too thank you for this study and what you have meant to me through the years. God is doing a great work through you. I thought of you too, yesterday and how much you must miss your dear Steve. I prayed a little prayer of comfort for you and those you love.
“I realized how deeply my idol hurt my Savior. I saw for the first time that I was an adulterer. I pained Him as I turned to my friend food, for comfort or happiness. It was a life altering moment for me. Once I understood, I could use it to help me each time I wanted to overeat, calm myself or deal with boredom. I could remember His great love and pass on the food. It is a process but I continue to grow in this area.”
Kim, thank you for putting into words for exactly how I feel and am learning about food and the sins that are hurting my Savior, also. I love having you on here as I can identify so much with you.
Me too, Joyce! Thanks.
1. What sin are you choosing? I choose the sin of turning to an idol instead of God. Ir-religion approach: Now your carrying this spiritual thing too far, God only cares about the big sins. He’s not interested in you eating too many cookies.
2. Approach of religion or morality to it: You need to read your Bible more, pray more and memorize scripture. You need to overcome this by saying no to yourself, have some discipline! What’s wrong with you that you can’t love God as much as food?
3. How might you use the truth of the gospel to melt your heart toward this sin? The gospel says God loves me with the love of a newlywed. He woos me and when I turn to an idol I hurt His heart. I become an adulterer. The gospel reminds me that God loved me enough to sacrifice His beloved Son so that we could enjoy a covenant relationship. He wants nothing to come between us. Walking in harmony with God is richer and more fulfilling than anything this world could offer me.
Love your #3! What a statement of true Gospel love!
Thank you, Tracy. My answer comes from my heart because I lived it. The Gospel is very real to me now.
4.
When we savor the Gospel and let it transform us, it changes our heart, our mind, our eyes. We see that we are all saved by grace alone and there is no superior race. We are saved by no merit of our own but by Christ alone.
5.
A. Romans 12:1 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
We are called to offer our bodies—what we put in (food, media), what comes out (thoughts, words, actions)—all to Him as a fragrant offering of love and gratitude for what He has done. The gospel motivation: in view of God’s mercy—in seeing what all He has done for me, His mercy and grace.
B. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
We are called to run from sexual immorality. Motivation: My body is Christ’s home. He bought me, I am not my own, I belong to Him and no other loves.
C. Ephesians 4:32 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
Called to be kind, compassionate, forgiving of others. Motivation: Christ forgave me.
D. Ephesians 5:2 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
We are called to love others selflessly—dying to self. Motivation: Christ’s love for us and His giving Himself up to death on a cross, for us, to glorify God.
E. Ephesians 5:25 What are husbands called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
Husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially. Motivation: be like Christ, Who loved the church and gave Himself up for her
F. Because we’ve had discussion about submitting to husbands I thought it might be illuminating to see the gospel motivation for this as well.
1) In my studyguide on 1 Peter I show how the key passage is 1 Peter 2:21-25. Look at this and find the gospel in it.
What stuck out first to me is that I was called, chosen. Chosen to follow after Christ, chosen to live a life worthy of this calling I have received. Chosen to die to sin. The Perfect Christ died for me so that I would no longer be bound by the power of sin, but live for righteousness.
I found this from Piper: When the word of the cross breaks into our heart by the power of God’s Spirit (cf. 1:3, 23), and we awaken to the fact that God loves us so much that he takes the life of his own Son in order to bring us under his Shepherd-care and Shepherd-protection and Shepherd-provision and Shepherd-guidance, at that moment we die to the lie of sin. We die to the power of sin’s deceit which tries to persuade us that a better future can be had through sin than through righteousness. What causes our death to sin is the work of the cross convincing us in the depth of our heart that God is committed to us like a mighty Shepherd. We are alive to sin, and believing in sin, and following sin, until the cross unleashes on us the conquering love of God and constrains us to see that we are straying; we are erring; we are self-destructing in the path of sin. And when the cross releases that power in us, we die to sin. And we awaken to the beauty of righteousness in the pasture of our all-satisfying Shepherd.
http://youtu.be/jXET-duSRr8 This is a beautiful song! Cyndi, can you post that song that you put on facebook, about the one’s you love, that are hurting tonight? It is so beautiful too.
ICE-BREAKER:
Share one time in this study when God spoke to you through His Word, His people, or His Spirit and you responded and experienced His power.
I think with me the over-arching thing that God used to speak to me was when He showed me how He is jealous for me in many of the scriptures we used where it showed his love and jealousy for Israel and his ‘lover’s angst’ when she would go after idols and turn from his love. Especially when God said they forsake Him and he is glorious only to turn to something worthless. It seared my heart to know I grieved God this way, yet it comforted me to really grasp that I am not condemned and that I can turn and run to Him. He still wants me. I experienced His power inward first with His peace and joy that surpasses understanding-and then it began to flow outward and He is moving in my family and in my circles of friends around me.
1. What sin are you choosing, and what would be the approach of ir-religion or antinomisim to it?
* Gluttony – Well, you have a lot of stress with four boys and a husband who works two jobs. You deserve to have your time and stuff your face. Besides it is the only way you can get sleep at night so go for it. You deserve a break-you are too busy to deal with the reasons why you overeat so if you get overweight then just buy bigger clothes. It is what it is and you can’t give up the only thing that brings you comfort at night.
2. What would be the approach of religion or morality to it?
* Stop! It is gluttony! No worse than smoking or drinking. Just don’t buy the foods that trip you up and you have to exercise your will to stop and choose to stop now or you will regret it later!
3. How might you use the truth of the gospel to melt your heart toward this sin?
* Jesus Died on the Cross for this sin, and did so, so that He can satisfy that need of comfort-of peace from the storms and stresses of your life. He came to save you from the damage these sins cause and to bring you into His arms-the God who made you, who can heal your soul and satisfy your every inner need wants you to eat and drink of Him. He is the true comforter.
Thank you, Rebecca, your comments help me to contemplate my own issues with food. (gluttony sounds too awful!)
Joyce, I KNOW! Gluttony does sound awful. Last night I was so majorly tempted and I did fail. I fixed Goulosh and believe me this recipe is excellent and it made me not want to stop. It was good actually because God gave me the red flag-body signals last night and I ‘went into it’ and saw what was going on. Another lie layer that “an over abundance of this will ease the stress I am feeling and bring comfort”. Now I am learning to see it through the lens of the Gospel. He wants me to reflect on the Gospel whenever I am tempted rather than condemn myself and feel like a failure. I have noticed when I reflect on the Gospel it brings me to repentance.
While it is true that Christians should not be racists, Paul chooses instead to work on Peter’s heart. He says, “Peter, you are not walking in line with the gospel.” What does that mean?
He is not loving the Gentile and Jesus died for the Gentile too. Peter isn’t reflecting on the heart of Jesus and His passionate love and hence His sacrifice for all men including the Gentiles. Jesus’ death and resurrection basically eliminated the distinction between Jew and Gentile-rich and poor, etc… They are all equal at the foot of the cross and peter needs to have the same kind of sacrificial love for the Gentiles and needs to see them from the inside out as Jesus did.
4. How might contemplating the gospel and what Christ did for Peter at the cross, help to work on his heart and melt his idol and his sin of racism? (I know this is challenging — but I also know you are amazing.)
* If Peter could contemplate the cross and see Jesus who is also God who lowered himself in status and died for the Gentiles-the lowly in status to the Jews. He submitted himself to such agony, humiliation and torture for the Gentiles wrought out of a love-a burning desire for them-to have a deep intimate relationship with Him. He even went to the cross for those who put a thorny crown on him and mocked him as ‘king of the Jews’..The creator of the world-our all powerful God, sustainer of life put Himself on the cross for these ‘low-life’ people-He grafted them into His chosen people the Jews, and gave them an open door to have a relationship with Him. How can we look at this truth-this love, and then look down on anyone who is richer, poorer or of a different race? I am sorry but this just ministered to me now. It is one of those Job moments where my mouth is shut again.
Rebecca — I loved both of these above posts from you. All of us who struggle with over-eating (can’t bring myself to say gluttony! 🙂 need to meditate on your answer c to the first post. And yes, love your “Job” moment too. You minister to us.
Dee, Thank you for your kind words, but I just re-read the first two answers and my, I think I went a bit overboard in expressing myself! I hope I didn’t offend. 🙂 That is how I talked to myself back then. I literally told myself that it was o.k. to have a ‘food party’ at night and eat whatever I wanted and however much I wanted and I to go for it and ‘stuff my face’. Probably not a wise choice of words though but I am thankful that God used it despite me. :0)
I just had a thought..I hope I can articulate it. Peter was acting the part of the older brother toward the Gentile. He wasn’t truly loving. He forgot to reflect on the Gospel and forgot that Jesus can give Him the power to be like the Father who ran to the younger brother and truly love.
You know, I tend to love more like the older brother when I am trying to love in the flesh and not letting God empower me to love them in the spirit. When I see others through God’s eyes I simply see them as people in pain who have run everywhere but to God for fulfillment and are suffering the results regardless of their outward condition. So God enables me to look past the outer and into their inward need.
I have seen this in my life with homosexuals, and others. In the past I guess when a person was flamboyantly homosexual it would freak me out, now it is totally different. I look past them and am endeared to their sensitive spirits and I guess I just see the outward as a result of pain and hurt inwardly as I do in my own life-I am no better than them, and I know that if there is anything righteous in me it is because of what Jesus has done. I am clothed in His righteous robes and Jesus longs for them to be clothed in His righteous robes too. So how can I have disdain for another?
I say this, but I have to admit I have struggled in the past looking past someone who is hard physically to be around. Such as a homeless person who may have body odor and hard to communicate with. I remember being in a plane and a Mormon man set next to me. Oh he had bad body odor. I couldn’t get past that and then he started sharing about Mormonism. I was a newer believer and I just wanted the plane ride to end. I didn’t even want him next to me. I even spoke badly about him later to a pastor friend at my church who kindly said, “So, him being stinky makes him less worthy of hearing the Gospel or of being loved?” I needed to hear that. It stuck with me. That is horrible to admit-I wonder now since God is freeing me from myself if I would respond totally different. Perhaps we need to make a trip to the City Union Mission.
Rebecca, your comment about loving the homosexual resonates with me. I have to be careful with my attitude towards the way women dress. My oldest son once told me it’s hard to be a Christian in church these days the way women dress. The Lord has convicted me of not loving well and being judgmental. I now try to look beyond the cleavage to why the woman needs to draw attention to herself and love the hurting person she is. I have learned, in this study, to look at myself and my sins and imperfections before getting too out of shape over others’ faults.
Oh Kim, I can totally relate. You know, when the dirty truth is revealed to me about the ugliness -the depth of my sin-the reality of my murderous heart, it stops me in my tracks that Jesus looks past that-still loves me and wants me with a depth that goes beyond understanding. His love has given me a totally different perspective toward others, for I know I am bankrupt without Him-therefore it shouldn’t be too hard to look past the outward appearance when I reflect on his love, and especially so because He empowers me to love. I think the way Dee saw through Violet’s outward appearance-she could have been ‘racist’, and also when Violet sinned against her-she loved, it is a perfect example of Jesus’ love for us.
2)
Wives, married to non believers are to submit to their husbands for the purpose of allowing their husband to see godliness lived out, and that they may be won over to Christ—what a high calling! The Message says “they will be captivated by your life of holy beauty”. I spend so much time trying to improve my outward appearance, but it is the inner beauty that reflects the Lord, this is what attracts others to Him. Inner beauty—not nagging, criticizing, complaining, but a humble heart that admits wrong and seeks Christ first.
Reflecting on Rebecca’s wise words about judging others different that us, and I realized how for me I have noticed a change in my heart as well. I’ve noticed little things—like on the phone with a friend and my old ways of subtle gossip & judgement—like “did you know…I’m just surprised she would do that…” I’ve noticed now how if the thought comes, I can’t say it—it’s honestly like an acid feeling in my stomach and mouth! I have stopped my tongue, and that is hard (for me!)..but my point is, I feel “prettier” if that makes sense? Not in a prideful way, but my demeanor, my inside, I feel like the calling to be a fragrant aroma to Him is starting to make some sense to me.
“Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.”
6.
I’ve listened to both 3 times now and I still can’t get enough! Since I commented on the first ones several times last week, I’ll share some of my notes on the 2nd:
The Gospel IS God’s power. It transforms every aspect of my being—my mind, my heart. The gospel means I am accepted through Christ and therefore I obey, our default mode says “I obey, therefore I’m accepted”.
I loved this too—
a) only the gospel gives you the power to admit what’s wrong with you (moralists can’t because their whole identity is based on being good).
b) The gospel gives me the power to understand what’s wrong with me—the root
c) The gospel gives clean motivation to change—common virtue is motivated by fear and pride (I haved LIVED here!), but true virtue is motivated by wanting Him, fellowship with Him.
7. We have learned that the Gospel is multi-faceted. Can you explain the following?
A. Why is the gospel good news instead of good advice?
Good advice is the moralistic approach of a good way to live—it says “it doesn’t really matter if Jesus did this or that…” It is a doctrine of salvation by works—there is no power in that.
The Gospel is Good News because it tells of the event that Jesus died for our sin, we are saved by HIM, by what He has done.
B. The gospel is “sonship.” What does this mean, and what does this mean to you?
I have a new identity! It is a status I receive NOW, not a reward I may receive later, because I am saved by grace, not by how well I’ll do here! Unlike any other religion, we are given assurance of our standing, right now. I love how looking at my own children’s adoption and applying it here gives me a deeper joy in Sonship. I never say my children “are” adopted, I say they “were”…it’s a done deal, a past event, not something in process. I am Christ’s daughter, I have a new heritage, a new lineage, I am under His care, He is my Abba.
C. The gospel has a power the law lacks. Why?
The Law focuses on action—motivated by fear and pride. It may change behavior, though not for long. The gospel has the power to transform our heart, which in turn changes behavior, with a motivation of love. It transforms the way I think, I pray, I live in relationship, I plan…
Because I chose to focus on my sin of unforgiveness, I’ve been reading and listening to other Keller sermons on forgiveness. This is from an article I downloaded by him called “SERVING EACH OTHER THROUGH FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION” I hope I’m not posting too much, but I did find it very helpful for me, and thought some of you may too—here are just a few nuggets:
“In all cases when wrong is done there is a debt, and there is no way to deal with it without suffering: either you make the perpetrator suffer for it or you forgive and suffer for it yourself.”
Forgiveness is always extremely costly. It is emotionally very expensive…
First, you refuse to hurt the person directly; you refuse vengeance, payback, or the infliction of pain…specific things to avoid:
+ making cutting remarks and dragging out past injuries repeatedly
+ being far more demanding and controlling with the person than you are with others, all because you feel deep down that they still owe you
+ punishing them with self-righteous “mercy” that is really a way to make them feel small and to justify yourself
+ avoiding them or being cold toward them
Second, you refuse to gossip, slander or diminish those who have hurt you in the eyes of others.
“Third, when forgiving you refuse to indulge in ill-will in your heart… don’t continually replay the tapes of the wrong in your imagination, in order to keep the sense of loss and hurt fresh…Rather, recognize the common sinful humanity you share with him or her. Don’t root for them to fail, don’t hope for their pain. Instead, pray positively for their growth.”
“Forgiveness, then, is granted before it is felt. It is a promise to refrain from the three things above and pray for the perpetrator as you remind yourself of God’s grace to you. Though it is extremely difficult and painful (you are bearing the cost of the sin yourself!), forgiveness will deepen your character, free you to talk to and help the person, and lead to love and peace rather than bitterness.”
My thoughts–I hung on that line “forgiveness is granted before felt” for a moment because in the past I have labored over the moralistic approach and said “I NEED to forgive, even if I don’t feel it” and have had the superior high road approach of thinking I was more godly for forgiving…and then I’ve had years of sitting in a more legalist tone of they are wrong and I have a right to be hurt…but here Keller says to act in forgiveness before feeling it and for once I can do it not just out of a moralistic obedience, but from true heart change! I KNOW the depths of my ugliness, and I long to have others at His feet with me, rejoicing in His grace, not off suffering in their pain or trying to punish them for hurting me. I really have lived trying the other religious route and it didn’t work…and finally I feel I am on rich soil, growing. Praise!
Elizabeth,
This was so helpful to me, and practical. How often when I am mad at my husband, I call my sister (I have made progress in that I no longer tell my mother!) and tell her all the details, “And he said _____, and he did_____”… and yes, my purpose is to diminish him and justify myself, especially justify my unforgiveness and anger at him.
I also struggle with the “feeling” aspect of forgiveness, and you expressed it above as “forgiveness, then, is granted before it is felt”. I’m one of those people who ‘wear their emotions on their sleeve’; it is very hard for me to hide my true feelings.
So I struggle with ‘not feeling’ feelings of love and forgiveness. I’ve also been taught before that feelings will follow actions, so do the loving, kind actions and your feelings will follow.
But as you point out above Keller’s solution to this – a change of heart brought about by looking at the gospel and knowing the depths of our own sin and how much we’ve been forgiven.
Thank you so much for posting this! I am majorly struggling with this very issue right now. I have been able to forgive others in the past no problem (abuse by alcoholics not an easy thing), but THIS time I didn’t even know what forgiveness would look like. And it looks exactly like what I don’t want it to! These are my co-workers, I see them more than I see my own family. I have continued to avoid them and be cold toward them, diminished them you in the eyes of others, replayed the events and kept all of the hurt fresh in my mind. The truth that I am going to pay the price for this instead of them is what keeps holding me back. My whole being says that they are just going to do it again to someone else, that they didn’t learn anything other than no matter what you do to people they’ll eventually come around and act like nothing happened. My closest friend is a non Christian co-worker and she REALLY isn’t going to understand, she’s going to think that I am stupid and weak. Please pray that Christ’s love will flow through me as I do this.
Dawn M.S.–I will definitely pray for your situation, and I empathize! I just purchased a Keller sermon on the unmerciful servant called Forgiveness and Reconciliation–it’s 2.50 but it looks really good and this has always been a struggle area for me, so I am so ready for it to be carved out!
Dawn M. S.
This is a big price to pay and it is so hard but I am so proud of you. I know God is so pleased with this.
Your non-Christian co-worker may not understand — but if she asks, you can give an answer for the hope within you — that you have been forgiven so much, and the Christ asks you to forgive.
However — that doesn’t mean you can’t draw a boundary for behavior. I don’t know the situation — but does that make sense?
It does make sense. I posted the situation on last weeks study, it’s too long to go into now. I also sent my friend a pre-work email, explaining to her that I was needing to and struggling with forgiveness. She was very understanding and kind (that is why she is my friend). Thanks for the prayers. I haven’t given up yet. I want Christ’s forgiveness to be seen through all of this.
Oh Elizabeth, you have done it again. this is also the sermon that I have listened to 3 times this week! and that is what I got out of it also, the only thing I would add is the COST thing. it costs so much to forgive some times, we have to take on the pain that the other should be feeling and then not make them feel it.
thank you sister for putting this on paper so well, i did not have the time so I can just say dido to you:)
8. Centrality Of The Gospel
I think I’ve just about underlined the WHOLE thing!, but here are my main take-aways:
Loved this :“We are not justified by the gospel and then sanctified by obedience, but the gospel is
the way we grow (Gal.3:1-3) and are renewed (Col.1:6). It is the solution to each
problem, the key to each closed door, the power through every barrier (Rom.1:16-17).” (pg 2)
Of the 2 basic “thieves” of the gospel I default to moralism or religion very easily. He says
religion and irreligion are “ways to avoid Jesus as Savior and keep control of their lives”
“the gospel is the way that anything is renewed and transformed by
Christ–whether a heart, a relationship, a church, or a community”.
In relationships I have been very guilty of the “blame-game” of moralism and “codependency”–
But with the gospel…”we can love the person enough to confront, yet stay with the person when it does not benefit us.”
And this struck a chord with me “Without the gospel, your self-image is based upon living
up to some standards–whether yours or someone’s imposed upon you. …Only in the gospel can you be both enormously bold and utterly sensitive and humble. For you are both perfect and a sinner!”
I have yo-yoed between feeling “pretty good” about how good a job I’m doing (ugh!) and on the flip side, being very self-condemning when I mess up. But to truly start to get it—to get that I am worth a TON, I am worth Christ’s death on the cross, I have a new identity with His righteousness, and to recall what all I have been forgiven and my daily failures…I am humbled, thankful, joy-filled.
Since Sunday, when this post started, God has brought to mind several, several people I need to forgive. Some big, some old I had just stopped relating with. Tonight another one came to mind and as I was thinking about what she had done to me, I remembered something. When I was little I used to dream of winning the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes and then “adopting” as many Compassion kids as we could. I still think about that! And tonight I was thinking that while I am not financially wealthy, I am LOADED in terms of how much grace I have been given—like it’s oozing out and I have to share it. Every person He has brought to mind, it’s like I can’t hold back my forgiveness any more.
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Oh Elizabeth, This was a wonderful testimony of the Jesus’ power in your life! It brought me to tears.
What a great way to end this.. SO PERFECT:
“When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Thank you sweet friend–your answers and thoughts this week, no really this whole time since I’ve “met” you, have ministered to me more than you could ever know. I told you once you remind me of a dear mentor I had years ago named Rebecca.From the first post of yours I ever read, I saw such a depth of passion in your walk with Christ, something I have felt missing since my Young Life leader days…and I longed for it again. God has used you to bring me back there, to remember what that tastes like and to want to stay in the richness of it. Thank you, for all the time you put into your posts, for your open, honest outpouring–you have a ministry going on here–a new way of singing His praises!
Bless you 😉
Elizabeth, Thanks so much for this encouragement! I feel the same way about you sister! You too have ministered to me as well. We are drinking from the well and passing the water for one another to drink! It is awesome! 🙂
I so agree Elizabeth! We are rich! What a beautiful way to look at forgiveness. That is another for the SAVE file.
Publisher’s Clearing House dream — another clue God’s hand was on you! 🙂
1. What sin are you choosing, and what would be the approach of ir-religion and antinomianism?
Since I have trouble with my tongue, I am choosing the sin of destructive criticism. Several years ago I cancelled a Pampered Chef party and the sales rep was offended. She asked me the question, “Do you have a problem with me?” and I answered the question in the wrong way. I proceeded to tell her what I thought were all her faults. I’ve learned since that there are personality types who are super sensitive to everything and you have to know how to gently rspond to them.
Ir-religion would respond with: “You told the truth.”
2. What would be the approach of religion or morality to it?
Morality would respond with: “If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.”
3. How might you use the truth of the gospel to melt your heart toward this sin?
Tammy, Jesus died not only for the penalty of sin but also to break the power of sin in your life. You are a new creature and God’s purpose for your life is to transform you into the image of his son Christ Jesus. How did Jesus speak to people? He told them that he did not come to condemn them. You can’t control how someone speaks to you but you can control your attitude, body language, and tone of voice. When you use your tongue to mar the image of a human creature you are being more like Satan.
Tammy,
This is powerful; “When you use your tongue to mar the image of a human creature you are being more like Satan.”
Wow. You nailed it. I, too, can have a critical tongue, and beyond the obvious hurting their feelings, to see that I mar them, just like Satan tries to mar our image by accusing us before God.
Tammy — this is rich — and since the tongue has tripped us all up, it ministers to all of us. Thank you.
Tammy,
This is an excellent example and totally loved your examples of irreligious and moral responses.
I liked this for the ‘truth of the Gospel’: “Tammy, Jesus died not only for the penalty of sin but also to break the power of sin in your life. You are a new creature and God’s purpose for your life is to transform you into the image of his son Christ Jesus. How did Jesus speak to people? He told them that he did not come to condemn them.”
F1. 1 Peter 2:21-25. Look at this and find the gospel in it. Christ was without sin. When verbally abused He did not return the same. When suffering He did not threaten retribution, which He certainly had the power to do. Instead He committed Himself to the One who judges justly. He bore our sins in His body on the tree so that we, having died to sins might live for righteousness. By His wounding we are healed. I am struck again by the magnitude of this.
F2. Wives should submit to their husbands as Christ submitted and committed Himself to God the Father who judges justly. This will give them inner beauty (that stood out to me) and may bring them into obedience to the gospel if they are not believers. So wives are to concern themselves first with inner beauty.
I had a little more difficulty with the husband’s part. I didn’t understand how wives are weaker. Then I saw what you said Dee about husband’s temptation to take advantage of their wives submission. They must honor their wives as coheirs of grace. This is the statement that makes the ground level at the cross. We are all coheirs of grace. I like the way that is so simply put.
Not all agree with that interp of husbands, but to me it makes most sense in the context.
I so often think of “committed His case to Him who judges justly.” Yes, magnitude.
“Peter, you are not walking in line with the gospel.” What does that mean? and 4. How might contemplating the gospel and what Christ did for Peter at the cross, help to work on his heart and melt his idol and his sin of racism?
Paul, jealous for The Gospel but compassionate, was appealing to Peter and to us today to remember the cross. We must experience Him. Christianity is not just an abstract truth or a mystical experience. It is an experience of truth. The truth became a person-Jesus. We, like Peter, will never be free of our idols until we are ravished with Him! Dr. Keller mentioned John Donne in one of his sermons. I looked it up and found this:
Batter my heart, three person’d God (Holy Sonnet 14)
by John Donne
…Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
I can’t be too hard on Peter. I see myself in him. I must do as Paul admonished and remember the cross, The Gospel, the terrible price, the great love of my Father.
Thank you, Kim…I like that Sonnet by John Donne
Joyce, how are you feeling. I have been thinking about you.
I’m feeling better, but I’m scard, as I feel the ache and have to sit down soon, if I’m standing very long, and have to stand up soon, if sitting too long. I’m praying it is just because I’m still healing. Stitches are out (scar on top of scar about 10″ 🙁
I go in for a MRI thursday so I’m anxious for the report. Thank you for asking, Rebecca. I get to start driving again too! 🙂 I am Praising God for everyday I get to take care of Kendra. I finally was able to shower her yesterday. I know that sounds awful…after 3 weeks! But Maurice was washing her hair in the kitchen sink and I was washing her up best I could each night.
God is so wonderful!!
Joyce, You encourage me! YAY! You get to drive again! So glad you can take care of Kendra now too. I so admire you and how constant you are in giving God praise through it all.
Kim, I love that Sonnet. I snatched it and put it on my f.b. post for today. Thanks for posting it! 🙂
A. Romans 12:1 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
OH MY!!!! I memorized this a LONG time ago, like over twenty years ago and have studied this passage over and over yet missed this.. I AM SO THRILLED..OH my…”In view of God’s mercy” is the Gospel motivation.
We are being called to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God which is how we worship Him, but we can’t truly worship Him with our lives unless we have the Gospel motivation of His mercy toward us. 🙂
If this isn’t our motivation our worship will be on something else and not on God. – Does this make sense? I hope it does. feel free to correct me if I am wrong. If I missed something let me know because this is awesome that God is showing me this now. I am seeing ‘Gospel motivation’ all over scripture lately.
I know — I missed “in view of God’s mercies” for eons too!
I think we are all going to be seeing the gospel everywhere in Scripture now….thanks be to God.
I think of those lines so often — nor ever chaste, unless you ravish me…
Thanks, Kim.
I’m going to ask for help for this next 10 week study. Can you look for the very best u-tube rendition of It is Well With My Soul?
I think my favorite of It Is Well is Chris Rice (hope I’m posting this right–I’m not very you tube savy!):
http://youtu.be/cPPSG_SpojY
(I also liked the David Neuvre instrumental piano one, but this has lyrics)
OK, can I also share my all-time, really maybe if I could only listen to one song forever, this is it–think y’all will like it too!
http://youtu.be/-N3KPA9ltQE
I love how this week is really opening my eyes to the Gospel’s POWER to transform my thinking–in every aspect of life. Last night I was seeing how much my daughter lives already in such a moralistic way–she can admit no error and bases 100% of her self worth on her “being good’, and she is pretty darn good, so I know it will be a long haul for her, to see her sin. BUT, for my part, I was thinking how much of my parenting reinforces this moralistic/behavior-based approval mind set. Now I am asking God to transform the way I parent–any given situation–by really applying and teaching a gospel response.
On another note–I was in Walgreens last night and saw a likely drunk, very smokey, very dirty man buying beer in front of me in line. My first instinct, I’m embarrassed to admit, was to find another check out line. I am highly allergic to smoke and have often used that as an excuse anyway to avoid “such people”–but immediately I remembered Rebecca’s thoughts and I was convicted, then humbled. And prayed for him instead. Baby steps….but it feels so amazing to have this truth. This will sound terrible but like Keller said, I kind of thought I “got it” already– I knew I still struggled with sin, but the gospel message, I had down–memorized the 4 Spiritual Laws, shared it with my kids, the whole bit…but WOW. I feel like I’m almost starting all anew–in a good way! Thank you Dee, thank you for allowing Him to use you to keep preaching the gospel to us.
Yes, Elizabeth, you are spot on. I was the same. I figured at 48, having been a believer most of my life, I was in pretty good shape. (Barney Fife, with thumbs in pockets, nose in the air) The truth is, like you I am starting over too, seeing things clearly now. The Gospel changes everything! Yes, transform us, Lord Jesus. And yes, Rebecca, the gospel motivation is everywhere! May we keep opening our eyes our entire lives.
Yes, Lord!
The picture of Barney Fife speaks volumes to me Kim! How silly I have been.
John Donne
HOLY SONNETS.
Because it is so beautiful, here is the entire sonnet.
Batter my heart, three-person’d God ; for you
As yet but knock ; breathe, shine, and seek to mend ;
That I may rise, and stand, o’erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp’d town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but O, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth’d unto your enemy ;
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
That is one of my very favorite poems. 🙂
Dee or sisters, could you help me understand the fifth line of Donne’s sonnet?
I looked up Viceroy-
A viceroy (play /ˈvaɪs.rɔɪ/) is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province (or state) in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning “in the place of” and the French word roi, meaning king.
There was a great Midday Connection program on this poem explaining that, but can’t remember. You could go on the Midday Facebook (or someone with internet skills could help you 🙂 ) and ask Lori how to find that program….
Okay great, I get posts from them on Facebook. Thank you.
Ladies,
I don’t want to side track, but wanted to ask for prayer. I am starting a blog, or should I say just re-designing the one I started a while ago. Pray for direction as I hope this would be used for His glory..I am getting closer to deciding on a theme-How I am going to write. I am calling it “A New Affection.” 🙂
praying already! Actually when I posted to you above, I silently prayed for Him to lead you to use your gifts in that if He desired you too–pretty cool!
Elizabeth, Thanks! You are so sweet! It will be fun and a great way for me to reflect on Him and worship Him. Time is a huge factor so we will see if I can find that time. 🙂
I will pray!
Love the name! Praying.
Me too!
Praying, Rebecca!
I have been so busy this week! Joey is recovering from surgery, my husband has a hurt shoulder and Al moved back Sunday. I have the week off but still have had no time. This morning Al took Joey to a place where they can have target practice. Then he asked me if I would go too. I wanted so to say no but when boys ask, Mom must say yes. Sometimes I think I missed out not having girls. We could just do our nails and call it a party. Not really, I am so thankful for my boys (I don’t do nails anyway). But they took a picture of me shooting a pistol. I hope it does not turn up on fb.
I listened to the first sermon and part of the second last night. I will try to listen to the second again tonight. It was very deep and I got too sleepy.
As I listened to the first I had such a sinking feeling because I have so many older brother qualities. Not 100% but quite a few. When he explained about the default mode I understood why I keep ending up back in works righteousness. That was helpful to me.
It’s wonderful you enter in with your boys. I pray God will give you daughters-in-law who feel like daughters.
Yes. That is a wonderful prayer. Thanks Dee!
Oh yes, there’s nothing like the sweetness a daughter in law brings to a mom of only boys. Icing on the cake!
7A. Why is the gospel good news instead of good advice? If the gospel were good advice it would mean that it is something that I should do. But there is nothing I can do to save myself. It is good news because it is something that has been done for me that changes everything for me. It moves me from death to life as soon as I accept it and continues to work at changing me. It contains more facets than I can know. I once heard a woman speak about seeing the Hope Diamond. The way she described it was breathtaking and reminded me of God. Now I can see the gospel in the same way. She said that it was on a dais that turned with lights shining on it. You stand before it while it slowly turns. The new facets of the jewel became visible as it turned.
B. The gospel is “sonship.” What does this mean, and what does this mean to you? To me the sonship of the gospel means that I have been adopted as a child of God. I was a slave with a price on me and He paid it taking me as His own. There is relationship because the son is loved and loves the father. The father teaches him and nurtures him until he is made perfect. Under the law I was a slave, I could never keep it so I was continually condemned by it. A son is loved, even when imperfect.
C. The gospel has a power the law lacks. Why? The gospel has the power to change hearts. In it guilt is removed and a person is reborn (again I am reminded of the younger son’s head in the painting). The law only changes behavior. It has no power to remove guilt or renew a person. I think the law is more like a barometer, showing us how far short we fall and how we continually need God. It was never intended for salvation.
Love the Hope Diamond and the Gospel analogy.
7A. Why is the gospel good news instead of good advice?
I love Anne’s answer and her example of the Hope Diamond. I can add nothing to her answer, she wrote my understanding of it.
B. The gospel is “sonship.” What does this mean, and what does this mean to you?
For me, it is that He accepts me radically and unconditionally and will never cast me off. His love and sacrifice for me, His daughter causes me to see sin as terrible and turn from it-not b/c He might throw me into hell but b/c I love Him and want to please Him and not hurt Him. When I sin the gospel drives me toward God. I want to stop b/c I want Him back, the fellowship back. I am in relationship with Him.
C. The gospel has a power the law lacks. Why?
In Romans 1 Paul says: I am not ashamed of the gospel for IT IS the power of God unto salvation. The gospel is God’s power in verbal form. To the degree I get it, it releases the power of God in my life! There is an aspect of the gospel, an application of the gospel, reflection of the gospel with my problem’s name on it. This is good news sister’s.
I gleaned a great deal from the sermons, especially the second one. I am going to listen again before I comment.
B. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
We are being called to flee from sexual immorality and honor God with our bodies. The gospel motivation is That our bodies our not our own because we have been bought at a price.
C. Ephesians 4:32 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
We are being called to be kind and compassionate to one another by forgiving one another. The Gospel motivation is ‘just as in Christ God forgave us.’
D. Ephesians 5:2 What are we being called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
We are being called to love. Gospel motivation is just as Jesus Christ loved and gave himself up as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
E. Ephesians 5:25 What are husbands called to and what phrase illuminates the gospel motivation?
Husbands are called to love their wives. The Gospel motivation is ‘just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.’