Thursday, March 30, 2017
The Bible-Presbyterian structure is based on the Puritans of the past, it's quite incongruent with the styles of worship today. Yet there is a beauty to it. In its strict, systematic structure, which one may misconstrue as pharisaical, there is a strong reason why sin is often brought to the forefront during sermons; a topic less talked about in its full brunt in many of today's sermons.
The first reason is that the talking of sin brings us down to reality. We are brought face to face with how depraved the world is, and how we as fallen humans, are equally twisted. It brings to mind that we, as we are, have nothing to boast about, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9. It brings forth humility, and it brings about reliance upon God for salvation, for cleansing, for direction in all the big and small decisions we make daily. It brings us to obedience to the infinite Good of this reality. It allows us to have the mind of David, a person whom God called "a man after my heart". A godly mind, a godly perspective, and a greater capacity to forgive, love, and be patient.
The second reason on why speaking of sin is important, and I daresay this is the more important reason, is that we can understand God's love in its full beauty. If we only knew how depraved we are, and how abhorrent it is in the sight of a holy and just God, we would understand, that it was IN SPITE of this, that Jesus hung on the cross and died for us. This love that transcends condemnation, bringing us from the deepest unfathomable depths of hell, all the way up to the highest lofts of heaven, is the love that God has for us, for me. This is the power of His love, in its full perspective.
Understanding this allows me to be truly grateful that He knows me as special, as unique out of the 7 billion people that live in this world. It allows me to have that wonderful peace and restedness in Him.
Dear reader, when you come face to face with the reality of sin, do not shy from it. Instead, acknowledge and confess it, and understand that God has the power to clean you every whit of that terrible sin, and in doing so, God is displaying His uttermost love to you. || posted by Kuan Hui
The first reason is that the talking of sin brings us down to reality. We are brought face to face with how depraved the world is, and how we as fallen humans, are equally twisted. It brings to mind that we, as we are, have nothing to boast about, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9. It brings forth humility, and it brings about reliance upon God for salvation, for cleansing, for direction in all the big and small decisions we make daily. It brings us to obedience to the infinite Good of this reality. It allows us to have the mind of David, a person whom God called "a man after my heart". A godly mind, a godly perspective, and a greater capacity to forgive, love, and be patient.
The second reason on why speaking of sin is important, and I daresay this is the more important reason, is that we can understand God's love in its full beauty. If we only knew how depraved we are, and how abhorrent it is in the sight of a holy and just God, we would understand, that it was IN SPITE of this, that Jesus hung on the cross and died for us. This love that transcends condemnation, bringing us from the deepest unfathomable depths of hell, all the way up to the highest lofts of heaven, is the love that God has for us, for me. This is the power of His love, in its full perspective.
Understanding this allows me to be truly grateful that He knows me as special, as unique out of the 7 billion people that live in this world. It allows me to have that wonderful peace and restedness in Him.
Dear reader, when you come face to face with the reality of sin, do not shy from it. Instead, acknowledge and confess it, and understand that God has the power to clean you every whit of that terrible sin, and in doing so, God is displaying His uttermost love to you. || posted by Kuan Hui
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