A few years ago I read a book that really pointed my eyes to the cross called The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee. I was just becoming aware of having a life centered on the cross thanks to my introduction to Sovereign Grace Ministries but I was still struggling to figure out how trusting in the cross and growing in godliness went together. I have now come to realize that this may be a lifelong struggle to remind myself of the gospel in light of my own sinfulness.
Last week I was skimming my old prayer journals in search of some requests that I had made that God had answered. I came across this quote from The Normal Christian Life that I had written down that I would like to share.
"The temptation to so many of us when we try to approach God is to think that because God has been dealing with us – because He has been taking steps to bring us into something more of Himself and has been teaching us deeper lessons of the Cross – He has thereby set before us new standards, and that only by attaining to these can we have a clear conscience before Him. No! A clear conscience is never based upon our attainment; it can only be based on the work of the Lord Jesus in the shedding of His blood."
Oh to truly grasp this reality! We must tell ourselves this daily, even moment by moment. This goes perfectly with the verses I am meditating on today. Perhaps some of the most familiar (and neglected) verses in the Bible, Proverbs 3:5&6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.
I understand my weaknesses and failures. Will I walk today in that reality or trust in Jesus and rest in his finished work? No more attaining to secure his favor – just trusting in who he is and what he has already accomplished on my behalf.
As I head into this day there are other things that I understand right off the bat. I understand the temperaments of my children and the fact that we were up too late last night at a super bowl party. I understand my children’s lack of desire to learn and my impatience, frustration, and inadequacy in teaching them. Will I head into this day with my own understanding and pre-determined thoughts of how the day will go or will I trust the Lord? Will I trust that he died for my children? That he desires to work in them and me? Will I accept all from his hand today as his divine sovereign plan for our lives for our good and his glory?
One more quote from The Normal Christian Life: "What is faith? Faith is my acceptance of God’s fact. It always has it’s foundations in the past. What relates to the future is hope…although faith often has it’s object or goal in the future as in Hebrews 11. Faith always says God has done it."
Today, I hope, by God’s grace to remember and rest in what God has done for me through Christ and have that infiltrate every aspect of this day.
Comments
Feb. 4, 2008 - All too often...
Posted by baronsgirl
...I DO lean on my own understanding. Interesting...I have never really looked at this in this way. Thank you, once again, for your wisdom! (Thank You, Lord, for her wisdom!!!) Over the course of many years when people have asked for my favorite or "life verse," this was usually the segment that entered my mind first - Prov. 3:5-6. (Now it's usually Galatians 2:20.) I think that those verses have become so "familiar" that I have forgotten to truly think on them. To study them. To ask the Lord to teach me what they really mean. How I should be changed by His Word in that passage.
I love your use of the word "infiltrate." Yes, Lord, that's what we LONG for! For You to help us to have these things that You're teaching us truly INFILTRATE every moment of every day. And we know that can only happen by your grace!
Thanks again, dear sister and kindred spirit, for your honesty. For sharing, teaching, ministering...being used by the Lord to bless us all.
Much love,
Jodie
Apr. 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by The Rahc
I'm addicted. It's April 8th and I've been checking for a new post since the 1st. Don't you know this is where I go when I need a little lift? No pressure or anything.