Live to See Lust Dead at Your Feet

John Owen's counsel on how to mortify sin:

"Set faith at work on Christ for the killing of your sin. His blood is the great sovereign remedy for sin-sick souls. Live in this, and you will die a conqueror; yea, you will, through the good providence of God, live to see your lust dead at your feet."

Overcoming Sin and Temptation, p. 131.

Make this your Business

Chapter 1 of John Owen's Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers contains a fantastic outline and meditation on Romans 8:13: "If you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body you shall live."

Here is Owen's outline:

-A duty prescribed: “Mortify the sins…”
-The persons to whom it is prescribed: “if YOU mortify."
-A promise annexed to the duty: “You shall live.”
-The cause or means of the performance of this duty: “if through the Spirit.”
-The conditionality of the whole proposition: “IF you…”

Thesis:
"The choicest believers,
who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin,
ought yet to make it their business all their days
to mortify the indwelling power of sin."

Owen says:
"The vigor, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life
depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh."

10 Reasons We Need to be Reminded of the Gospel Everyday (about ourselves)

The gospel is the good news that Christ died for our sins and rose victoriously from the grave. Our sins have separated us from God and God has drawn us to Himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We need to remind ourselves of this message everyday. Here are 10 reasons about ourselves that make constantly reminding ourselves of the gospel a necessity.

1. We quickly forget the gospel.
2. We doubt the power of the gospel to transform us.
3. We think of ourselves more highly than we ought.
4. We are easily distracted.
5. We need the gospel just as much today as we did yesterday.
6. We hope in the wrong things.
7. We are hard-hearted and stiff-necked.
8. We are suspicious of God's intentions.
9. We are stingy.
10. We are full of idols.

Broken-Down House

I really enjoyed reading Broken-Down House by Paul Tripp. The metaphor of the broken-down house is a helpful one. Tripp compares this fallen world to a house that is under renovation. We have to learn to live productively in a world gone bad. Tripp helps us live with the balance of seeing ourselves as sinners and yet children of grace.

I love to read books by the Tripp brothers because they always have a way of exposing what is in my heart. They have a way of putting their finger on the things that I struggle with.

For example, I was very convicted by Tripp's discussion on learning to wait on God. He says, "Waiting will always reveal where you have placed your hope. Your heart is always exposed by the way that you wait." He also says, "Waiting is one of God's most powerful tools of grace. God doesn't just give us grace for the wait. The wait itself is a gift of grace. You see, waiting is not only about what you will receive at the end of the wait. Waiting is about what you will become as you wait."

And, the "poems" at the beginning of each chapter are worth the price of the book.

Who We Are Apart From Christ

In chapters 3 and 4 of Finally Alive, John Piper lists and explains who we are by nature. He says, "The aim of this list is to give us an accurate diagnosis of our disease so that when God applies the remedy at great cost to himself, we will leap for joy and give him some measure of the glory he deserves."

Apart from the new birth...

1. We are dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1-2).
2. We are by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3).
3. We love darkness and hate the light (John 3:19-20).
4. Our hearts are hard like stone (Ezek. 36:26; Eph. 4:18).
5. We are unable to submit to God or please God (Rom. 8:7-8).
6. We are unable to accept the gospel (Eph. 4:18; 1 Cor. 2:14).
7. We are unable to come to Christ or embrace him as Lord (John 6:44, 65; 1 Cor. 12:3).
8. We are slaves to sin (Rom. 6:17).
9. We are slaves of Satan (Eph. 2:1-2; 2 Tim 2:24-26).
10. No good thing dwells in us (Rom. 7:18).

Friends, I am The Greatest Problem in the Universe!

"Our problem is not just in what we do but in what we are. Apart from new birth, I am my problem. You are not my main problem. My parents are not my main problem. My enemies are not my main problem. I am my main problem. Not my deeds, and not my circumstances, and not the people in my life, but my nature is my deepest personal problem."

-John Piper, Finally Alive, p. 49.

*Title of this post is dedicated to my friend, Dan.

CJ on Phelps

EXCELLENT post by CJ Mahaney on Michael Phelps' recent stupidity and the nature of sin and the wonderful cross of Jesus Christ.

Deep Depravity

"We can never get to the bottom of our sinfulness. If our forgiveness depended on the fullness of the knowledge of our sins, we would all perish. No one knows the extent of his sinfulness. It is deeper than anyone can fathom."

-John Piper, Finally Alive, p. 46.

The Sin of Murmuring

Very challenged by this:

"The greater and more abundant the mercy we enjoy, the greater and the viler is the sin of murmuring."
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, p. 170.

How much mercy have I recieved?

Spectacluar Sins and their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ

24 hours after John Piper's new book landed on my door step, I am reflecting on its content. This is an extremely helpful and needed book. I've never heard anyone say these kind of things before.

Basically, the point of the book is that sin and evil (no matter how spectacular) exist ultimately for the glory of Christ. Sin and evil serve God's purposes to make much of Jesus Christ. All things exist for Jesus Christ, including sin. God did not just know that sin would exist, He ordained it in order to fulfill His purposes.


Piper does a fantastic job of proving this Biblically. He leaves no doubt that this is the consistent teaching of God's Word.

Piper's aim is a pastoral one. He seeks to help us to be strong and stable whenever we face spectacular sin and evil in our lives.

He says, "I am writing this book to build a vision of God into our lives that will not let us down in the worst of times" (p. 14).

"The aim of this book is not to meet felt needs, but to awaken needs that will soon be felt, and then to save your faith and strengthen your courage when evil prevails" (p. 16).

"As a pastor, I do not think it is my job to entertain you during the last days. It is not my calling to help you have chipper feelings while the whole creation groans. My job is to put the kind of ballast in the belly of your boat so that when these waves crash against your life, you will not capsize but make it to the harbor of heaven--battered and wounded, but full of faith and joy" (p. 28).

"My prayer is that as these great historical vistas of God's sovereignty over sin take their place in your mind, they would have a profoundly practical effect in making you strong in the face of breath-stopping sorrows and making you bold for Christ in the face of dangerous opposition--Christ-exalting strength in calamity and Christ-exalting courage in conflict. I pray that the Lord will weave cords of steel and silk into the fabric of your soul" (pp. 97-98).

After stating his purpose and point, Piper walks through about 6 particular Biblical sins showing how they served God's ultimate purpose. The chapter titles and subtitles are worthy of pondering deeply.

The only critique I would offer is that I wish Piper would have included a discussion regarding the balance between being deeply grieved by sin and being firmly resolved that God ordains sin for His glory. How do we see sin as infinitely ugly and offensive to God and yet rejoice that sin serves God's purposes?

You can read the table of contents, the introduction, and chapter 1 at the WTS site. I would highly recommend this new book. It is just 120 pages, but packs a powerful punch.

Never Have I Heard Anyone Talk LIke This

Piper's new book, Spectacular Sins, arrived on my door step yesterday. Here is just a taste of what you can expect when you read it. Never have I heard anyone talk like this.

"My aim is to show that sin and evil, no matter how spectacular, never nullify the decisive, Christ-exalting purposes of God. No, my aim is more than that. These spectacular sins do not just fail to nullify God's purpose to glorify Christ, they succeed, by God's unfathomable providence, in making his gracious prupose come to pass" (p. 17).

The Gravity of Sin

"Nothing reveals the gravity of sin like the cross."

"It is impossible for us to face Christ's cross with integrity and not feel ashamed of ourselves."

"Apathy, selfishness and complacency blossom everywhere in the world except at the cross."

From chapter 3 of The Cross of Christ by John Stott.

2 Nuggets from Chapter 2

2 nuggets to chew on from The Cross of Christ chapter 2:

"Nobody is ever envious of others who is not first proud of himself."

"Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us."

"Mommy, I have a wonderful plan for your life!"

Moms, here is a great article about original sin that will help you in parenting.

This is also chapter 24 of Whiter than Snow by Paul David Tripp.

The Battleground is My Heart

I was helped by this meditation in Paul Tripp's Whiter than Snow:

I wish I would live with You in view;
Eyes to Your glory
Ears for Your wisdom
Heart for Your grace.
But I live with me in view.
Eyes to my kingdom
Ears for my opinion
Heart captured by my will.
I know I was made for You,
I know that Hope
Meaning
Purpose
Identity
My agenda for everyday,
Is to be found in You.
But I want my own kingdom
I love my own glory
I define my own meaning
I delight in my control.
There's a war that never ends;
The battleground is my heart.
It's a moral skirmish
Between what you have ordained
And what I want.
So I don't find pleasure in Your glory,
I don't delight in Your law.
But my heart doesn't rest,
I know there's a better way.
I know you are God
And I am not.
My sin is more than
Bad behavior
A bad choice
Wrong words.
My sin is a violation of the relationship
That I was meant to have with You.
My sin is an act
Where I replace You
With something I love more.
Every wrong thing I do
Reflects
A lack of love for You,
Reflects
A love of self.
Help me
To see
To acknowledge
To weep
And say,
"Against You, You only have I sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight."
And then help me to rest
In Your mercy
In Your tender mercy
In Your faithful love,
Even as the war goes on.

Forsake Your Righteousness

"Before you can ever make a clean and unamended confession of your sin, you have to first begin by confessing your righteousness. It's not just your sin that separates you from God; your righteousness does as well."

"Each one of us needs grace that's not only big enough to forgive our sin, but also powerful enough to free us from the self-atoning prison of our own righteousness...Resting in God's grace isn't just about confessing your sin; it's about forsaking your righteousness as well."

Paul David Tripp, Whiter than Snow.

God Orders Sin for My Good

From the conclusion of Bunyan's autobiography, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:

I find to this day seven abominations in my heart:
1. Inclinings to unbelief.
2. Suddenly to forget the love and mercy that Christ manifesteth.
3. A leaning to the works of the law.
4. Wanderings and coldness in prayer.
5. To forget to watch for what I pray for.
6. Apt to murmur because I have no more, and yet ready to abuse what I have.
7. I can do none of those things which God commands me.

These things I continually see and feel, and am afflicted and oppressed with; yet the wisdom of God doth order them for my good.
1. They make me abhor myself.
2. They keep me from trusting my heart.
3. They convince me of the insufficiency of all inherent righteousness.
4. They show me the necessity of flying to Jesus.
5. They press me to pray unto God.
6. They show me the need I have to watch and be sober.
7. And provoke me to look to God, through Christ, to help me.

Off the top of my head:
1. I "feel" each of Bunyan's abominations in my own heart (particularly #6).
2. How often do I forget to expect what I ask God for?
3. Did he just say that God uses his sin to get him to look to Christ? God orders sin for my good? He actually believes Romans 8:28?
4. Fly to Jesus...

Whiter Than Snow

Paul Tripp has a new book out about sin called Whiter than Snow. It contains 52 meditations on Psalm 51. Since I sin often and need a lot of mercy, I'm getting this book. I'm praying this will be a mighty tool to use in my battle to treasure Christ.

We All are Monsters

Along with the rest of the world, I was horrified by the story of the Father who locked his daughter and kids (grandkids?) in a basement for over 24 years. 24 years is a long time.

I have been waiting to hear something of his explanation of his life. Today, CNN has an article in which a little of his thinking can be seen.

The article says that they are allowing him to watch television coverage of his case (which seems unbelievable to me but I'll resist further comment). With obvious displeasure, he said, "I'm only being portrayed as a monster and not as someone who committed monstrous acts."

As a Christian, we must think deeply about this statement. Notice how this guy views himself and wants others to view him: Not as a monster but as a person who acted like a monster. This view is hauntingly common today.

A person who commits a sin is acceptable. However, a sinner is not acceptable. It is one thing to sin; it is quite another thing to be a sinner.

We are not good people who sometimes sin. We are depraved sinners who act according to our nature. The reason we do monstrous things is because we are monsters. The reason we sin is because we are sinners. There is a fundamental problem with us, our nature is corrupted.

The only hope for Josef Fritzl is to acknowledge that he is a monster, repent of his monstrous acts, and embrace Christ as his only and all-sufficient Savior and Lord.

4 Ways to Study The Bible

Christians should love to study God’s Word. It is a sad testimony to our remaining sin that we are often bored with the Bible and resistant to study it. One of the means and effects of pursuing maturity is a deeper desire to study God’s Word. Here are four practical helps to assist you in studying the most precious book on earth:

1. Study the Bible repentantly.
James 1:21 says, “Put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” The reason we aren’t transformed by Scripture as we should be is mainly because our own wickedness keeps us from receiving and applying the Bible to our lives. This is the point of the parable Jesus told about the different kinds of soils. The seed is the same for each type of soil. In the first three types of soil, the Word is kept from thriving because of thorns, weeds, and rocks. So, when you come to God’s Word, spend some time confessing and forsaking your sin and freshly embrace Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. As you read, identify specific ways in which you have rebelled and find yourself rejoicing in Christ.

2. Study the Bible prayerfully.
Ephesians 4:18 says that, apart from Christ, we are darkened in our understanding. On our own, we will never be able to understand and apply God’s Word. We need God’s help to open our eyes and allow us to see His glory. Thus, the Psalmist prayed, “Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things in Your word” (Psalm 119:18). The Psalmist understood that he needed God’s help and so he asked God for supernatural assistance. Our constant plea should be, “Help” as we read God’s Word. Charles Spurgeon said, “If you would understand the Word of God in its difficult points, if you would comprehend the mystery of the gospel of Christ, remember, Christ’s scholars must study upon their knees.”

3. Study the Bible constantly.
Psalm 1 encourages us to meditate on God’s Word “day and night.” We are to not just study the Bible every now and then. We are to study the Bible all the time. This makes sense doesn’t it? Maximum exposure to God’s Word will lead to maximum transformation in our lives. Donald Whitney wrote, “Little Bible intake will result in little resemblance to God’s Son.” Let’s figure out ways to maximize our intake of Scripture.

4. Study the Bible purposefully.
What should be our purpose in studying the Bible? I propose that we should not study Scripture merely to gain information (although that will certainly happen), but to study the Bible in order to encounter Jesus Christ. Every page, chapter, story, command, and event is meant to reveal the glory of the Savior. The Bible is not merely a manual for how to live successfully. The Bible reveals God’s sovereign purposes to center everything in the universe on Jesus Christ. John Calvin said, “The scriptures should be read with the aim of finding Christ in them.” Whenever we lose sight of the hill of Calvary, we have lost our way.

Thankful for God’s Word,
Pastor Justin