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Friday, June 28, 2019

The Deity of the Spirit

God is one but a triune one made up of the Father, Son, and Spirit.  Each member of the trinity is fully God yet each member has their distinctive roles.  Here is a quote from a Systematic Theology book I am reading this year as part of my devotional reading explaining why less is said about worship of the Spirit . . .

The reason why less is said in Scripture respecting the adoration and worship of the third person than of the others is that in the economy of redemption it is the office of the Spirit to awaken feelings of worship, and naturally, therefore, he appears more as the author than the object of worship. But a person who by an internal operation can awaken feelings of worship is ipso facto God.  Shedd, W. G. T, Dogmatic Theology,  p. 269–270.

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

The Importance of Feeding our Imagination with the Right Stuff

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. Matt 5:27–30 (ESV)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:8–9 (ESV)

I was reading D.A. Carson's commentary on Matthew alongside my bible reading and this sentence stuck out to me concerning my own battle with sin.  All sin, not least sexual sin, begins with the imagination. Therefore what feeds the imagination is of maximum importance in the pursuit of kingdom righteousness. I was not thinking of sexual sin so much as distractions that are not useful to my own spiritual growth and development.  In the same way that unhealthy eating habits negatively impact my physical health, so to unhealthy life habits negatively impact my spiritual health.  Unhealthy life habits can be anything from the time I waste on social media or entertainment to letting my mind wander down paths that undermind my own spiritual desires and appetites.  Not only do I need to take every thought captive to the Lordship Christ, but I also need to take every activity and habit captive to the Lordship of Christ.


Monday, June 24, 2019

You Need to Be Inconvenienced for Your Church

Great article, well worth reading . . .
You Need to Be Inconvenienced for Your Church: God is calling us to make adjustments in the areas of our lives that are hindering us from costly participation in the mission of the church.