Rescuing Ambition

Passivity is evident in a person where there are two many distractions and a lack of godly ambition. Dave Harvey has written a great book on ambition and how humans crave glory and recognition in their lives. Harvey talks about how a sports fan will center their lives around a sporting event and live to see their team win. And if the team doesn’t win, the fan is left in what seems like inconsolable melancholy. I believe a lack of ambition also stems from idolatry. Humans are made for worship. We might not always think we are worshiping, but the fact we spend our time and resources lets us know we are putting hope in something other than the Triune God, who sent His Son Jesus to die for sinners and to rise again for their justification.

I am grateful for the Holy Spirit. For the first time , I am seeing how sin has caused separation between God and other interpersonal relationship. Like King David, I recognize that I have ultimately sinned against God alone. He deserves all praise and glory. His love endures forever. Psalm 51 has been comfort to my soul as I meditate on God’s Word and rest in the gospel.  We preach Christ crucified, and Him alone for salvation.

I confess that I have spent innumerable hours thinking about what my calling is in life. I have made it an idol, looking for identity in what I do. What tomfoolery! It’s not what I do, but rather what Christ has done for me on the cross. In addition to this, Harvey points out the comforting truth of Christ’s active obedience; he lived a perfect life without sin and by faith He reckons that righteousness to me. It s a righteousness outside myself. In Latin the phrase is extra nos. No this is not some octane boost inside, infused within, but it is the work of Christ on my behalf.

I pray that I’ll learn more from Harvey’s book and lean on the promises of God revealed in His Word.

Holiness

Lately I have been reading J.C. Ryle’s marquee work simple entitled “Holiness” I have learned a lot thus far about two important theological topics: justification and sanctification. Issiah came undone in the sixth chapter of his commission and proclaimed ” Woe is me, I am undone.” This is the clarion response of all the stories in the Bible and reveals the unfathomable holiness of God. Too often, God is seen as the “Big man or a Buddy” in the evangelical milieu, and as Christians, we are sinners in need of God’s grace through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God sent His Son to redeem sinners and to give them new life. To neglect the doctrine of justification is to confuse sanctification. Ryle wrote brilliantly and succinctly about this distinction, and I pray that I find my identity in the finished work of Christ, who obeyed, died and rose for my justification.  Christians are called to be holy as our heavenly father is perfect, but we easily confuse what the law reveals with what the gospel does to free us from the condemnation of the law.

Another book that first awakened me to this all important theme in the Bible was R.C. Sproul’s book “The Holiness of God.” In my early years as a Christian I didn’t have much exposure to this doctrine of Scripture. At times, the reign of sin seems inescapable. The good I want to do is marred by the evil that is right beside me. Yet the Good news is that Jesus took upon Himself that egregious and hell-worthy sin on the cross.  We proclaim Christ and Him crucified for sinners, and trust that He who began a good work will bring it to completion in Christ Jesus.  Paul fought the good fight of faith, and reckoned himself the chief of all sinners. He had nothing to boast in except our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Ryle also addressed growing in grace and assurance. i encouraged by this book and pray that I put on the whole armor of God to resit the wily machinations of the devil, the world and the flesh.

The Pomodoro Technique

In a sound bite culture, one that we face today with many distractions, information comes to us from many sources, i.e. internet, books, TV, etc. God is gracious to us in that he gives us time, time to spend either for His glory or to dawdle away in vain pursuits. I saw a video about how to practically use time for greater productivity. This technique is rather simple: take 25 minutes and spend that time focused only on one task. I love to read, but have found it very difficult recently. I get distracted so easily and wander from one thing to another without really focusing; thus my ability to retain information is severely diminished.  I pray that as Christians we use time wisely and for God’s glory. We are stewards of all He has given us, and time is short. God knows every hair that will say or fall from one’s head.  For those of us who struggle with stewardship and merely paying attention, a focused shorter time frame of study is much better than taking in information at DSL speed.

Why is Rest so Tiring?

Too often I notice a rhythm of life that ebbs and flows in a mercurial, seamless way, and that to enter rest as a Christian becomes far more difficult than I expect or want it to be.  I am grateful for God’s inerrant Word that shows sinners their true state and the true remedy for their souls- our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul uses the familiar phrase in his epistles “in Christ” to present the truth of the gospel and where his true identity lies. Because we live in a fast paced world, it is exceedingly difficult to meditate on God’s word and to grow in holiness. As I examine my wicked heart and look to Christ for the forgiveness of sins, I am troubled by my sin and hate that I think evil thoughts and judge others unfairly, often because I hate the same thing in myself.

In regrd to meditation and spiritual disciplines, I am intrigued by the recent interest in what is called “spiritual formation” I used to think this was important (Don’t get me wrong–growing in grace and trusting the gospel is of paramount importance) but there is an emphasis on hearing from God and centering on certain words and phrases.  God has revealed His Word for the Christian life and practice. This is the sole basis for our knowledge of God and what He has done in Christ, applied by the Holy Spirit.  I have also read on various blogs that the New Calvinism movement has delved into this type of practice, promoting key authors and medieval Roman Catholic proponents — a strange relationship indeed.

I pray that the gospel, the person and work of Christ is made known, and that the church learns more about what it means to find our rest in Christ and to proclaim His excellencies.  “Come unto me and I will give you rest…”

New Home

I recently moved to the College Area near SDSU, and I am grateful for the opportunity God afforded me to live closer to church and fellow believers. God is good and He sent His Son Jesus to rescue sinners from their bondage to sin, taking all of it on the cross and rising agian on the third day for sinner’s justification. I thank God for His grace and mercy to pursue a wretched sinner as me and that I receive His benefits by faith alone, by grace alone and in Christ alone.

Sometimes a change of locale can be a good thing, but I am convinced that only the gospel produces heart transformation, resting in the promises of God. My pursuit of sin has been deliberate and evil, and I pray that I fight the good fight of faith, not being content with any appearance of sin or evil. To believe I can hide from God and to live life in a duplicitous manner is utter folly.  I am glad to have a new place to live and I pray that God’s gospel moves throughout the community and in our church.

It’s been awhile since I lasted posted, but this is a start.

May God bless