By Pastor Jon
We haven’t been on this specific jive turkey for some time, so it was about now to give you another reason for some Kiwi thanksgiving.
The following two short quotations are out of Timothy and Kathy Keller’s most excellent daily commentary with the wisdom literature, and especially through the Book of Proverbs, God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs.
This is one of the resources we make-the-most-of, in family devotions.
There is so much quality encouraging commentary that it is easy to simply say, “read the whole thing,” but we have identified through the following words, which initially and literally, leapt off the page, and particularly the second sentence of the first:
Self-deception is not the worst thing you can do, but it’s the means by which we do the very worst things. The sin that is most distorting your life right now is the one you can’t see (Page 84).
If that didn’t just part your hair, you may have a killer-combover.
This could read like some ninja-theology, but just consider the ramifications, if you wouldn’t mind; at least for a split-second, between website page-loads or social media comment breaks?!
Now, you may be thinking, “If I can’t see the sin, I won’t be able to deal!” That is initially fair. I say, initially, because this statement presupposes something about the child of God. It positively presumes they will respond to its contention into their own life, and personally process through prayer, as one key outworking. It is not intended as some theoretical proof-text to stay perched on your life’s mantlepiece. This further puts the onus on our daily process and life engagement, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and a Gospel-refining humility that realises we are more broken than we give ourselves credit for.
What to actually do then?
It should not surprise the Gospel is the solution. After all, God planned this, and I just followed His lead, by typing it for your good pleasure. And, if you still think this confession amounts to the merely theoretical; is not concrete enough for your practical, think again.
The following is hunting for experiential integration:
The gospel so assures us of God’s love that we are finally capable of admitting the worst about ourselves. In his love, based on Christ’s work, not ours, it is finally safe to do so (Page 84).
Yes, we need a good process. But, this process must have the right starting point on perpetual repeat for our applicational critique.
Gospel depth into existential width.
RELOVUTIONARY intends to be the positive living expression of the dripping tap.
For the Fame of His Name