Am I a New Creation?

2Co 5:17  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

“My brethren, it was more difficult, if such terms are ever applicable to Omnipotence, it was more difficult to create a Christian than to create a world. What was there to begin with when God made the world? There was nothing; but nothing could not stand in God’s way - it was at least passive. But, my brethren, in our hearts, while there was nothing that could help God, there was much that could and did oppose him. Our stubborn wills, our deep prejudices, our ingrained love of iniquity, all these, great God, opposed thee, and aimed at thwarting thy designs . . . Yes, great God, it was great to make a world, but greater to create a new creature in Jesus Christ.” (Spurgeon)

“Beloved, if you have no more religion than you have worked out in yourself, and no more grace than you have found in your nature, you have none at all. A supernatural work of the Holy Ghost must be wrought in every one of us, if we would see the face of God with acceptance.” (Spurgeon)

This Thursday morning I am looking forward to a lively discussion concerning the “new creation.” Please plan to join us in person at 9:30 in the church foyer, or by Livestream.

Distinguishing Truth and Error

We find it painful, yet hopeful, when some pattern of thinking or doing that we have always held comes up against undeniable correction. Generally people don’t want to do things that are wrong. However, our world overflows with error that is so common and accepted that no one notices the problem. A huge problem our society promotes cannot be supported by the source of truth—God’s word. You have heard the “love yourself” mantra. Keep in mind that everything God tells us to do, or not do, supports a flourishing life for us and great glory for Him.

Consider what God says. “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self,…” 2 Timothy 3:1-2a

David Guzik comments on this amazing verse. Men will be lovers of themselves: This is certainly characteristic of our present age, when men and women are encouraged to love themselves. People are told to love themselves unconditionally and that such self love is the foundation for a healthy human personality.

i. We don’t need to be encouraged to love ourselves; we naturally have such a love. Neither should we be taught to hate ourselves, but as Paul said in Rom 12:3: For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. We must see ourselves as we really are - both the bad of what we are in the flesh and the glory of what we are in Jesus Christ.

ii. This love of self is the foundation for all the depravity that follows in Paul’s description: “But readers should note that lovers of themselves, which comes first, can be regarded as the source from which all the others that follow spring.” (Calvin) 

iii. “It is no accident that the first of these qualities will be a life that is centred in self. The adjective used is philautos, which means self-loving. Love of self is the basic sin, from with all others flow. The moment a man makes his own will the centre of life, divine and human relationships are destroyed, obedience to God and charity to men both become impossible. The essence of Christianity is not the enthronement but the obliteration of self.” (Barclay) 

iv. “‘Lovers of self’ aptly heads the list since it is the essence of all sin and the root from which all the other characteristics spring. The word is literally ‘self-lovers’ and points to the fact that the center of gravity of the natural man is self rather than God.” (Hiebert)

Please join us this Thursday morning 9:30 as we discuss truth and error and encourage one another in the pursuit of God’s ways in everything concerning our lives.

We will also be Livestream at 9:30. We are meeting in the new foyer of our building with lots of room for spreading out, so don’t be afraid to join us.

Know Your Salvation

“…as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,…”

2 Peter 1:3a

When Peter wrote the above words he addressed them to Gentiles who had already come to believe with that souls that Jesus died and rose to life again for them. 2 Peter 1 encourages everyone who embraces this truth to go on to know God better because He has told us everything we need that pertains “to life and godliness.” Real richness of life and vigor of soul comes out of knowing and obeying God more every day; and this can only happen as we spend focused time in His precious Word.

“ …the greatest need God’s people have is to understand God’s Word and to apply it to their lives.” Dr. Sean Lucas

Please plan to join us this Thursday morning in person at DBC or by Livestream at 9:30 as we begin studying 2 Peter. We are meeting in the foyer of the church where there is plenty of space for anyone concerned about Covid crowding :).