I’ve been reading the book, “Spurgeon Gold: Pure. Refined.”, compiled by Ray Comfort. To appreciate the noteworthiness of this statement you must understand that there are not too many books beside the Bible that I have begun to read and have delighted to keep reading. And if you don’t believe me, just ask my parents -bless their hearts- who homeschooled me for nearly a decade! Anyway, the reason for mentioning this great read is that I would like to share with you a snippet from the passage, “The Reason Sinners Live”:
“Remember that by a glance, we may commit adultery; by a thought, we may be guilty of murder; by a desire, we may steal. Sin is any want of conformity to perfect holiness, and that want of conformity is justly chargeable upon ever one of us…Instead of destroying offending [or sinning] man from off the face of the earth, the Lord comes near to us in loving condescension, and pleads with us by His Spirit, saying, ‘You have sinned, but My Son has died. In Him, I am prepared to deal with you in a way of pure mercy and unmingled grace’…Apart from the blood of atonement, you would now be past hope, shut up forever in the place of doom. But see how the Great Father bears with you! He stands prepared to hear your prayer, to accept your confession of sin, to honor your faith, and to save you from your sin through the sacrifice of His Dear Son.”
You may want to reread that. Astounding, right?!? We are undeniably sinners but not hopeless sinners BECAUSE Jesus Christ is undeniably Salvation!
Last week’s post, “What Kind Of People?”, largely emphasized our responsibilities to live in perfect holiness- distinct from the world and consecrated unto God. And if you are like me, you have come to learn that attempting to do so strictly and solitarily in and of ourselves is just not possible. Reiterating Charles H. Spurgeon, remember that perfect holiness may be compromised by a glance, a thought, or even a desire! Don’t get me wrong, the descriptions of holy living very much remain responsibilities for us, yet it is ONLY through Jesus Christ that such a life of holiness is possible…
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, though whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:1-2, NIV84).
“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven” (Colossians 1:21-23, NASB95).
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His Glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24-25, NASB95).
-Victoria