Wallowing in sin?
Recently my wife Glenda has been reading (wading!) her way through a biography/diary of a remarkable Christian missionary of the 18th century. He was one of those men captured and captivated by Christ who spent his short life in the service of the gospel far from his home country.
Typical of his diary entries is this:
“Wednesday, Feb. 22. In the morning had as clear a sense of the exceeding pollution of my nature, as ever I remember to have had in my life. I then appeared to myself inexpressibly loathsome and defiled; sins of childhood, of early youth, and such follies as I had not thought of for years together, as I remember, came now fresh to my view as if committed but yesterday, and appeared in the most odious colours; they appeared more in numbers than the hairs of my head; yea, they `went over my head as a heavy burden.’ — In the evening, the hand of faith seemed to be strengthened in God; my soul seemed to rest and acquiesce in him; was supported under my burdens, reading the 125th Psalm; and found that it was sweet and comfortable to lean on God”.
What do you think?
It’s always been the temptation for believers to make too little or too much of sin in our lives. Not really understanding our sin and that even as disciples of Christ we still sin, will lead to trivialising the cross of Christ. Being more and more aware of sin in our lives so easily tips over into self-loathing so that we think we are not forgiven or cannot be forgiven –in a strange way this also makes light of the cross.
As J.C Ryle, first bishop of Liverpool in the UK wrote famously, a person “may commit sin and yet be ignorant of it, and fancy themselves innocent when they are guilty”. God says to us: “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 John 1:5-6)
And if our tendency is to wallow in our sin and so not really allow the glorious truth of the gospel testify to us that “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Roman 8:1) we need to hear Ryle’s gospel wisdom: “we should not be afraid, indeed we must, “if we only look at the same time at the almighty medicine provided for us in the salvation that is in Jesus Christ”
Have you thought about your sin lately? Too little? Or Too much? There’s only one reference point for the answer – the cross, the death of the Lord Jesus our Saviour and King.
Opportunities for outreach and community.
While church life is so unnatural at the moment it may seem like there’s no way we can still keep proclaiming the Lord Jesus to our family, neighbours, friends and community. This is mostly because we are used to running programs so people can hear of Him. Church itself, exploring Christianity courses, special events etc. are only one kind of way to proclaim Jesus. Now we can’t do things in those ways – and others – have we come to a full stop?
Not if the feedback I am hearing is correct! If you have found a way or ways of sharing your knowledge of the Lord with another, or other people, please let us know. I’d love to be able to join in thanking God with you for such opportunities, no matter how unexpected. “Stories of grace” such as these are a terrific encouragement and strong reminder that the gospel is God’s and he is not dependent on us to save people or have them hear about Jesus.
Our ministry staff are continuing to discuss and plan our move(s) forward in getting back to gathering for church. Please continue to pray for them – and any concerns you have, please bring them straight to me.
PS. Please continue to pray for and encourage our Year 12’s.
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
Deryck
Acting Rector