If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1Jn 1:8)This is not only true of all men, as they come into the world, being conceived in sin, and shapen in iniquity, and of all that are in a state of unregeneracy, and of God’s elect, while in such a state, but even of all regenerated and sanctified persons in this life; as appears by the ingenuous confessions of sin made by the saints in all ages;
by their complaints concerning it,and groans under it;by the continual war in them between flesh and spirit;and by their prayers for the discoveries of pardoning grace,and for the fresh application of Christ’s blood for cleansing;by their remissness in the discharge of duty,and by their frequent slips and falls, and often backslidings:
“What do you have—that you have not received?” 1 Cor. 4:7
What grace do you have—that you have not received?
All the light,
and all the life,
and all the love,
and all the joy,
and all the fear,
and all the faith,
and all the hope,
and all the patience,
and all the humility, etc.,
that you have—are all grace gifts—they are all from God.
What is there about the cross of Christ which angers the world and stirs them up to persecute those who preach it?
Just this: Christ died on the cross for us sinners, becoming a curse for us (Gal. 3:13).
So the cross tells us some very unpalatable truths about ourselves, namely that we are sinners under the righteous curse of God’s law and we cannot save ourselves. Christ bore our sin and curse precisely because we could gain release from them in no other way. If we could have been forgiven by our own good works, by being circumcised and keeping the law, we may be quite sure that there would have been no cross.
Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to say to us, ‘I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying.’
“Yes, He is very precious to you who believe!” 1 Peter 2:7
The sense we have of our continual and absolute need of Christ, has a tendency to engage our affections to Him. At our first conversion, when we were turned from darkness to light—we saw ourselves lost—and that none but Christ could save us. We felt the wounds of a guilty conscience—and we knew that He alone could heal them. We trembled before the offended Majesty of God—and we were persuaded that He alone could deliver us from the wrath to come. We saw that there was no remission of sin, no reconciliation with God, no salvation—but through Jesus. Hence He became, at that period—all in all to us.
We still see the absolute necessity of this precious Savior in every respect, so that without Him we can do nothing, as He Himself has told us. We have need of Him . . .
“You are not your own! For you are bought with a price—therefore glorify God in our body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19
Your eyes are not your own—that you may feed your lusts, that you may go about aping, and gazing, and looking into every shop window to see the fashions of the day—learn the prevailing pride of life—and thus lay up food for your vain mind—either in coveting what must be unfitting to your profession—or applying your money to an improper use—or being disappointed because you cannot afford to buy it.
Your ears are not your own—that you may listen to every foolish tale—drink in every political, worldly, or carnal report which may fall upon them—and thus feed that natural desire for news, gossip, and even slander —which is the very element of the carnal mind.
Your tongue is not your own—that you may speak what you please, and blurt out whatever passes in the chambers of your heart, without check or fear.
It’s a bit of a strange word picture, the kind that causes you to wonder and to feel just a bit uncomfortable. But it says volumes about what you need and about what it is that God is doing.
If you’re confused about what God’s agenda is in your life, or if it doesn’t always seem like his promises are being fulfilled, then this strange little prayer from Psalm 51 is helpful and clarifying. In his psalm of repentance after his sin against God, Bathsheba, and Uriah, David writes this provocative little prayer, “Let the bones that you have broken rejoice.” What in the world is he talking about and how in the world can it give perspective and hope to you and me?
Let me begin to answer with a personal confession. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I have a low tolerance for difficulty. I confess that I am a project-oriented person. I tend to have a specific agenda for each day. I awake knowing exactly what I want to accomplish and what a successful day will look like. I don’t want to have to deal with interruptions or obstacles. I want the people, circumstances and locations to willingly submit to my sovereignty and participate in my plan. All of this means that it’s counterintuitive for me to view difficulty as something beneficial. I have little time or tolerance for “broken bones.”
“My Father!” Jeremiah 3:4
This is a child’s cry! It is full of meaning. It is full of love. It is full of comfort.
It is a title which the Lord loves to hear us use!
Believer!
To whom will you repair in trouble? To whom will you look in difficulty?
To whom will you cry in danger? From whom will you ask when in need?
Surely I hear you say, “My Father!”
Who speaks to you in the Bible? Who tries you by His providence?
Who chastens you with His rod? Who purifies and cleanses you? Who humbles and reproves you?