“Wretched man that I’m! Who will ship me from this physique of loss of life?” (Romans 7:24).
SORROWFUL. PENITENT. CONTRITE. These don’t sound like constructive phrases. But when we’re taking a look at life from the angle of the Scriptures, they’re a few of the most constructive phrases within the dictionary — not as a result of they’re snug however as a result of they’re conducive to our salvation. Ponder with me their significance.
There are a handful of texts within the Bible (I name them “elementary” texts) that describe the center of the one who is actually turned in God’s path. We’d assume, for instance, of Micah 6:8 or Deuteronomy 6:4,5. Out of all of the texts like these, none is extra useful to us than David’s cry in Psalm 51:17: “The sacrifices of God are a damaged spirit; a damaged and contrite coronary heart, O God, you’ll not despise.” I imagine this primary reality would have been the background of Jesus’ assertion of blessing in Matthew 5:3,4: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the dominion of heaven. Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Godly sorrow is just not an finish in itself; it is part of the trail that leads us again to God (2 Corinthians 7:8-11). With out sorrow for our sins, we is not going to search salvation with any deep ardour or fervent want. And ultimately, it’s this kind of seeker who will probably be rewarded. It isn’t the one excited about mental data or theoretical philosophy, however the seeker of salvation who will discover the article of his want. And as typically as not, it’s our tears that present what’s most necessary to us in regard to God (Luke 7:36-50).
If we’re in search of salvation, we’ll naturally be desirous to expertise the enjoyment God has promised to us. We lengthy to be reconciled to Him. There’s, nonetheless, no shortcut to salvation. The trail to heaven passes by means of the territory of repentance, and as anybody is aware of who has been there, it’s a painful place to be. However the horror of our sins has to change into actual to us. If that doesn’t occur, the Promised Land is not going to appear significantly better than the wilderness. “Till sin be bitter — Christ is not going to be candy” (Thomas Watson).
Ah! joyful they whose hearts can break
And peace of pardon win!
How else might man make straight his plan
And cleanse his soul from sin?
How else however by means of a damaged coronary heart
Could the Lord Christ enter in?
(Oscar Wilde)
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
