Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...Scotty Smith on Conduits of Compassion

"We are redeemed to become conduits, not merely receptacles of God's love and compassion. The river of his affections will not only flow into all of our relationships, but it will also take us into the dark places where poverty, ignorance, racism, oppression, hunger, nakedness, homelessness, and hopelessness thrive--or as the hymn writer has said, 'far as the curse is found.' It is God's plan to use you and me to give his fallen world a significant taste of what it is going to be like when "no longer will there be any curse' (Revelation 22:3). Indeed, our merciful and mighty Father boldly proclaims, 'I am making everything new!' (Revelation 21:5)."

Scotty Smith
Objects of His Affection: Coming Alive to the Compelling Love of God

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...Owen on Union with Christ

"Let us consider the justice of God in forgiving sins. All of God's elect are sinners. How can God be just, then, if he allows them to go unpunished, seeing he did not spare the angels who sinned, nor Adam when he sinned at the first? The answer is in the union between Christ and the church. Because Christ represents him for all their sins so they are all freely and graciously pardoned (see Romans 3:24-26). At the cross, God's holiness and justice meet with his grace and mercy. This is the glory which delights the hearts and satisfies the souls of all who believe. How wonderful for them to see God rejoicing in his justice and yet at the same time showing mercy by giving them everlasting salvation! In the enjoyment of this glorious truth let me live, and in this faith let me die."

John Owen
The Glory of Christ

You Don't ALWAYS Have To Correct Them

I am person who holds very strongly to certain convictions (especially those of a theological nature).  Beyond this, I have always been of such a personality that I truly enjoy a good debate.  If you are anything like me, then Michael Patton has some really good advice for us both.

In this blog post, he wisely points out that there is no biblical mandate to ALWAYS correct people when they are wrong.  Sometimes we are far better off to let others' theological errors go uncontested (at the very least for the time being) and simply listen to what they have to say.

Isn’t this the apologist’s mandate? Be ready . . . to give an answer . . . to everyone . . . who asks you. . . with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). Many of us lack the gentleness and respect part, but I am beginning to think that what we lack even more is the waiting for someone to ask!

Ninety-five percent of the time, people don’t really care what you have to say. It is during this time that we sit, listen, and love the person. If we do, then the five percent of the time that opportunity is truly present, we will be ready.

This is why I tell young theologians who are so passionate about theology to be passionate, yet calm down. Let about ninety-five percent of what you hear roll off your back.

Is it any coincidence that on the same day that I am preparing a Sunday school lesson on Jesus' words from Matthew 5:7, ("Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."), I came across this blog entry? Perhaps the Lord is trying to teach me something.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

"If mercy is true, you must therefore bear the true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We, however, says Peter (2 Peter 3:13), are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign. It suffices that through God's glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard for you are quite a sinner."

                               Martin Luther