I had a very difficult time writing anything this week. First I found out some people actually read these the second thing is I discovered people actually read these. With both of those come unbearable responsibility. I pray for those that read it, but more so for myself that I proclaim no new doctrine, but that which is the revealed truth of God as it is in Christ Jesus. That my message may be Christ alone, grace alone, scripture alone.
Extra Credit: The worse thing I remember ever saying when someone ask me once to explain what I believe (meaning doctrine) my answer was (well it is complicated). I still am convicted and sorry I said that. It seems head knowledge can lead to the same hell that the ignorant go to.To myself and others take heed from this one from Charles Spurgeon on Sound Theologians. May we be not puffed up but like Mary find ourselves at His feet humbled to hear His word.
Jhn 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
Jhn 11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
Jhn 11:35 Jesus wept.
- Why did He weep for that which was not final?
Many unbelieving Jews were among the crowd and were weeping in sorrow for the lose of Lazarus. They limited the death and travailed over that which sin had brought in. Christ groan may have been in much indignation. Agitated by the righteous detestation of what evil had wrought in the world. Mary also, whom He loved, laid at His feet in sorrow. Lazarus had now been dead four days. And for them He may have been moved at that which sin had bore on those He loved. For the tears of His elect, Jesus felt the burden of sickness before He removed it and at this moment in that pain Jesus wept. (Matt 8:17).
When disasters hit and trouble falls many children of the devil complain and travail over that which sin had brought in. I have visited churches where Christ was absent and heard self-righteous professed Christians blasphemy Christ. For these lost, for those separated from the grace of God, I groan. Unfortunately we see also saints faced with trails and tribulations and look away from their shepherd and their resolve fall short. We may see men of faith bend to temptations and their faith waver. I have visited churches where the gospel is preached and still hear brothers and sisters in Christ ripe at each other and forsake the fellowship and gathering together. For those with grace filled hearts that the flesh and sin still bore on, I weep.
I Cor 11:17-18
