Friday, December 16, 2005

God's Grace

Had a great meeting on Sunday - got me thinking about how I've been feeling recently. I decided that guilt can get in the way of God. We can get so caught up with self flagellation for the things that we do wrong, that that feeling stops us spending time with God - it becomes an idol. As the speaker (Dan Dowman - great young preacher) on Sunday night said, if we feel that we can't get close to God because of our sin, we're actually saying that God's Grace isn't enough for our sin - which of course isn't the case (I'm sure I've read similar arguements in a book before, but can't remember which - answers on a postcard...). The incredibly freeing reality is:

Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God. Romans 6:14 - The Message

"The strongest motives against sin, and to enforce holiness, are here stated. Being made free from the reign of sin, alive unto God, and having the prospect of eternal life, it becomes believers to be greatly concerned to advance thereto. But, as unholy lusts are not quite rooted out in this life, it must be the care of the Christian to resist their motions, earnestly striving, that, through Divine grace, they may not prevail in this mortal state. Let the thought that this state will soon be at an end, encourage the true Christian, as to the motions of lusts, which so often perplex and distress him. Let us present all our powers to God, as weapons or tools ready for the warfare, and work of righteousness, in his service. There is strength in the covenant of grace for us. Sin shall not have dominion. God's promises to us are more powerful and effectual for mortifying sin, than our promises to God. Sin may struggle in a real believer, and create him a great deal of trouble, but it shall not have dominion; it may vex him, but it shall not rule over him. Shall any take occasion from this encouraging doctrine to allow themselves in the practice of any sin? Far be such abominable thoughts, so contrary to the perfections of God, and the design of his gospel, so opposed to being under grace. What can be a stronger motive against sin than the love of Christ? Shall we sin against so much goodness, and such love?"
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary