(This is the second part of my previous post.)
To recap, I was totally disoriented until God's wisdom came to me. Not that I really deserved it, or that any wisdom I currently possess is really my own doing. I knew then, as I know even more clearly now, that if there is anything at all I know, I owe that knowledge to God, not to my own efforts. But anyway, I understood the main principle is Know God.
That focus, which was the focus of David, Peter, Paul, Moses and many others, led me once and again to the Cross. I had read the story of redemption many times. But hadn't really understood it. Until I knew who I was (how miserable, selfish, foolish and a long etcetera of not-too-nice adjectives) I couldn't understand who Jesus is or what He did at Mount Calvary.
And then, when I saw my ugliness, He became my beauty. He became everything I wasn't (good, forgiving, tender-hearted, long-suffering, empathetic, loving...) and didn't have.
I just love Paul's descriptions of the Gospel. He really got it! One of my favorites:
1Co 1:18-31 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
This passage is too rich for me to attempt a commentary. I want to linger on the last couple of sentences. Christ Jesus is our wisdom. On the Cross He became our righteousness. It is by looking at Him (and not a passing glance, but rather an admiring gaze that is fixed on the Beloved, Admired Teacher) that we grow in holiness and wisdom.
More to come...
"Until I knew who I was (how miserable, selfish, foolish and a long etcetera of not-too-nice adjectives) I couldn't understand who Jesus is or what He did at Mount Calvary.
ReplyDeleteAnd then, when I saw my ugliness, He became my beauty. He became everything I wasn't (good, forgiving, tender-hearted, long-suffering, empathetic, loving...) and didn't have."
Beautiful, Cari...I have no comment...this says it all!!!
Hugs!
If I had to mention one of the most important marks of conversion and new birth, I'd say repentance is the key. I know we're saved by grace, through faith, of course, but that faith comes with repentance as part of the package, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I've seen loads of people come forward at an altar call, repeat the words of a prayer someone else says, maybe cry one or two tears AND right after that, continue with business as usual. And perhaps do not attend church ever again, but are somehow convinced they are saved because someone told them "If you said this prayer with all your heart, you are saved." But the heart is deceitful...
I know I'm not here to judge and condemn people. Only God knows the heart with 100% accuracy. Perhaps that person who seems so cold after that coming forward will at some point understand what he or she said maybe 20 years before. Repentance can come without tears and at first sight may not be obvious.
It's a process. But if you've been attending church for 30 years and you're exactly the same arrogant, selfish, self-seeking person as in the beginning (or a worse person!) the chances are that you are still in your trespasses and sins.
May the Lord have mercy on every single person who has a FALSE sense of assurance regarding salvation and truly bring them DOWN on their KNEES.
And may people who DO have salvation, find the comfort of true, Holy-Spirit-given assurance. There is such joy when that conviction comes to you. You can almost feel Jesus hugging you. You can see (in the spirit) Him smiling at you. And there is no greater joy than that sense of acceptance.