Tuesday, June 17, 2008

GOSPEL CENTERED LIFE
...never separate the benefits of our redemption from the Benefactor of our redemption

declaring the good news of the gospel of graceby Sinclair Furgeson
This first thing to remember, of course, is that we must never separate the benefits (regeneration, justification, sanctification) from the Benefactor (the Lord Jesus Christ).

The Christians who are most focused on their own spirituality may give the impression of being the most spiritual ... but from the New Testament's point of view, those who have almost forgotten about their own spirtuality because their focus is so exclusively on their union with Jesus Christ, and what He has accomplished, are those who are growing and exhibiting fruitfulness. Historically speaking, whenever the piety of a particular group is focused on OUR spirituality that piety will eventually exhaust itself on its own resources.

Only where our piety forgets about ourself and focuses on Jesus Christ will our piety nourished by the ongoing resources the Spirit brings to us from the source of all true piety, our Lord Jesus Christ

5 comments:

Brian @ voiceofthesheep said...

Excellent thoughts by Ferguson.

lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Heb. 12:1-2

Our gaze should not be on ourselves, but on the author and perfecter of our faith, and what HE has already done in our stead. That will produce true sanctification, not persistent personal introspection.

gigantor1231 said...

It is all about Him;

2 Peter 1: 3, 4

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (2 Pe 1:3-4). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

It is the knowledge of Him that gives us all that we need pertaining to life and Godliness, and that knowledge comes from knowing the Word! Don't just read it, know it.

SJ Camp said...

brian @ vos
Our gaze should not be on ourselves, but on the author and perfecter of our faith, and what HE has already done in our stead. That will produce true sanctification, not persistent personal introspection.

Bingo!

SJ Camp said...

G..
It is the knowledge of Him that gives us all that we need pertaining to life and Godliness, and that knowledge comes from knowing the Word! Don't just read it, know it.

Bingo again!

You guys are spot on here. Thank you.
SJ

donsands said...

Humble words from a humble servant of our Lord to take to heart.

Thanks.