This week we are focusing a bit on joy and so we'll start again with a portion of a Puritan Prayer that is titled Joy.
O Christ,
All thy ways of mercy tend to and end in my delight.
Thou did weep, sorrow, suffer that I might rejoice. For my joy thou has sent the Comforter,
multiplied thy promises, shown me my future happiness, given me a living fountain...
If I weep at night, give me joy in the morning. Let me rest in the thought of thy love,
pardon for my sin, my title to heaven, my future unspotted state.
I am an unworthy recipient of thy grace, I often disesteem thy blood and slight thy love,
but can in repentance draw water from the wells of thy joyous forgiveness.
Let my heart leap towards the eternal sabbath, where the work of redemption, sanctification, preservation, glorification is finished and perfected forever,
where thou wilt rejoice over me with joy...
The Valley of Vision, 1975
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Here is the attachment for you to download and/or print of this weeks information and assignments: Philippians Study Mo.1 Wk.2
The amount of reading is much shorter this week. I hope that by focusing on just a few verses our study is richer and we can really dedicate time to more reflection because, I believe, Paul's message to the Philippians has so much power for us today.
This week's discussion question (which I've answered below!) is:
In Tim Keller's commentary on the gospel he says it is, "the way we make all progress in the kingdom." How do you believe the truth of the gospel affects our sanctification?
Praying for you. Please don't hesitate to contact Sarah or I with any prayer requests or needs you may have.
In Christ,
Megan
I'll start out with my response to this weeks discussion question. In my mind, the answer is two-fold. Firstly, in a very real and theological sense the gospel is the literal means of our sanctification. Without Christ's spotless sacrifice, His imputed righteousness to us and, consequently, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we would not have the ability to grow in holiness. But I also think that the truth of the gospel helps us mentally and emotionally as we go through the challenges of life. It is because I know that my salvation rests in Christ's work alone I can live in the freedom of knowing that it is neither my good nor my bad days that save me. I don't have to live in despair of my sin because God's Spirit resides within me and enables me to live obediently. There is a power in knowing that I am no longer a slave to sin but to righteousness. And there is a peace in knowing that Jesus has made me His and that He is mine and therefore my desire to grow in holiness is an overflow of my love for Him, rather than out of a fear of God's approval (or disapproval).
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that, Megan. I had similar thoughts. I think the truth of the gospel affects our sanctification by how seriously we know, understand, and believe the whole truth of God’s word. What I mean is if I know that God draws me to him (Phil. 1:6), never stops changing me to be more like him (v.6), and continuously fills me with fruit of righteousness (Phil. 1:11), then it makes accepting and keeping my sin uncomfortable. That is a good thing! I remember when I learned that God’s spirit was sealed in me and how that changed how I viewed sanctification. God is the one who starts it and finishes it. Since that is a promise in Scripture, I can come to God every time I mess up and know that he is never going to stop changing me and making me blameless for the day of Christ.
ReplyDeleteI love this! Thank you so much for sharing Carly!
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