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Pastor's Blog June 18, 2020
"The Test of Discipleship III"
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There are probably a few times in every believer's life when they get discouraged about their spiritual growth, and consequently are tempted to rethink their whole pursuit of the Christian life. What do we do in this situation? How are we supposed to understand the intersection of our sinfulness and our endeavor to live the Christian life?
Our friend Ellen gives us some really encouraging perspective on this matter in "Steps to Christ." Ellen highlights three points for those who are despondent about the development of their relationship with God and despair that their lives will never become aligned with God's character and holiness.
First, remember the experiences God has already given you: you "have known the pardoning love of Christ," you "really desire to be children of God," and your "hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit" (43; 1977 edition). You have not experienced falsities, Ellen is suggesting, but truths - and these have all come from the triune God!
Second, don't focus on your sinfulness, but do recognize this truth about sin and a relationship with Jesus: "The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes" (44). Fixating on our sin will only cause us to stay in sin, whether out of love for it or despair over it. But being honest with ourselves about our sinfulness will lead us to focus on our friend Jesus' intercession for us at the right hand of God (43-44), the Father's own love for us, and the fact that the Holy Spirit has exercised "vivifying influence" on our hearts to awaken us to our need of a Savior (44). Notice the Trinitarian shape which these first two points take in our relationship with God. It is the triune God, Father, Jesus, and Spirit, who are constantly at work in our relationships with them.
Finally, remember that "no deep-seated love for Jesus can dwell in the heart that does not realize its own sinfulness" (44). Only those who see their imperfections and turn to Jesus will "pray more fervently; believe more fully" (44). In short, only those who see their sinfulness for all its malevolence and repulsiveness (rather than merely its illegality and badness) will see Jesus' character and grace for all its beauty.
Friends, I encourage you to keep going to Jesus with your sin and trusting the Savior to take care of your sinfulness.
(*) Steps to Christ, Chapter 7—The Test of Discipleship, 1977 edition
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
