John Owen here points to the glory of Christ being seen in how God made man. In man, the particular honor was bestowed with the ability to glorify God in a way in which none of His other creations could do. It’s as if man was the mirror in which God could look into to view and behold His divine image. This is why, ‘man was fit and able to glorify him as God.’

This is the glory of the Christian religion—the basis and foundation that bears the whole superstructure—the root whereon it grows. This is its life and soul, that wherein it differs from, and inconceivably excels, whatever was in true religion before, or whatever any false religion pretended unto. Religion, in its first constitution, in the state of pure, uncorrupted nature, was orderly, beautiful, and glorious. Man being made in the image of God, was fit and able to glorify him as God.

…..And whereas God in that state had given man dominion “over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth,” (Gen. i. 26,) it was all but an obscure representation of the exaltation of our nature in Christ—as the apostle declares, Heb. ii. 6-9. (The Works of John Owen; Vol. 1, page 48)-(click here to read a scanned image of the book)

With the beat up knee, it has been more than a little difficult for me to post anything here lately, but things are getting better!  I saw an orthopaedic surgeon this past week and the general consensus is that I definitely have a Grade 2 sprain of my MCL (medial cruciate ligament), and may have torn my right medial meniscus.  The knee is more than a little sore on occasion, but I’ve been able to start walking again under my own power without the assistance of crutches or a cane, so I’m quite pleased!

I’m still not able to sit at my computer to write for long, so I’m going to hold off on completing any more of the Holiness series until I can write for longer stretches.  That series is still percolating in my brain, as well, so the lay off has been good for me in that regard.

Since my lovely girlfriend, Miss Cricket, will be out-of-town for Christmas, we did our Christmas early, and her gifts where amazing.  Of course, with my reading habit, it consisted of a good amount of reading material:

1. Recalling The Hope of Glory, by Allen P. Ross.  I have only read about the first 1/3 of this so far, but I have been so amazed both at the quality and the content of Dr. Allen P. Ross’ writing that I am considering buying multiple copies of this book to just give away to some pastor’s that I’m friends with.  Here’s a quick quote from the first page of the Introduction: “If we could grasp the incongruity of speaking so casually about God, we would be overwhelmed and could never again worship comfortably in the same ways.  We would think it too demeaning for God, and too flattering for us.” This book will likely become a standard reference work for me.
2. A Display Of Arminainism, by John Owen.  Owen is by far a theologians theologian.  His works are dense and ponderous, and he writes in a style that many find inaccessible.  To be frank, if find most of his writing to be nearly inaccessible, and reading it to be hard work.  But reading his work is always worth the effort.  This work is his first, published in 1642, and while it doesn’t reflect some of his more mature thought found in his immense 7 volume Commentary on Hebrews, he writes here with the zeal of a young man confronting the great foe of the Reformation.  Great reading.
3. The Unity of The Bible, by Dr. Daniel P. Fuller.  As Dr. Fuller is the one who is the fountain of my exegetical method, arcing, I wanted to read this book as it is based on the same method of exegesis.  He has some…interesting…ideas about the relationship between Law and Gospel.  I’m very interested to see how he fleshes all of this subject out.

God willing, I will start writing some more of the Holiness series soon.  I hope to be back in my usual form by New Years, so thanks for sticking with me!

Since the Synod of Dort till this very moment the Calvinism vs. Arminianism debate still goes on. I believe the current resurgence of the monergistic school of thought has occured because there are christians out there coming to the biblical understanding of what the gospel is truly saying. I recently read J.I. Packer’s introduction to a reprint of John Owen’s book The Death of Death in the Death of Christ and I have to say that it is one the best concise explainations of what Calvinism teaches in contrast to Classical Arminianism. If anyone wants a good understanding of what both schools of thought teach, especially if you want a proper understanding of Limited Atonement, click the link below and read. Another reason why I would recommend the read is because of the misconceptions there are about Calvinism and its adherents. Packer also gives great insight into how modern day preachers have strayed away from preaching sound doctrine and the true biblical gospel. Here is a powerful excerpt “There is no doubt that evangelicalism today is in a state of perplexity and unsettlement. In such matters as the practice of evangelism, the teaching of holiness, the building up of local church life, the pastor’s dealing with souls and the exercise of discipline, there is evidence of widespread dissatisfaction with things as they are and or equally widespread uncertainty as to the road ahead. This is a complex phenomenon, to which many factors have contributed; but, if we go to the root of the matter, we shall find that these perplexities are all ultimately due to our having lost our grip on the biblical gospel. Without realizing it, we have during the past century bartered that gospel for a substitute product which, though it looks similar enough in points of detail, is as a whole a decidedly different thing. Hence our troubles; for the substitute product does not answer the ends for which the authentic gospel has in past days proved itself so mighty.”

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/packer_intro.html

Questions on this subject are welcomed.

“When God planned the great work of saving sinners, he provided two gifts. He gave his Son and he gave his Spirit. In fact each person of the Trinity was involved in the great work of salvation. The love, grace and wisdom of the Father planned it; the love, grace and humility of the Son purchased it; and the love, grace and power of the Holy Spirit enabled sinners to believe and receive it.

“The first great truth in this work of salvation is that God sent his Son to take our nature on him and to suffer for us in it. The second great truth is that God gave his Spirit to bring sinners to faith in Christ and so be saved.”

—John Owen, The Holy Spirit, ed. RJK Law (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1998), 1

(HT: Of First Importance)

I was listening to something the other day, and it reminded me that I had read Spurgeon liked reading through Pilgrim’s Progress every year.  That in turn got me thinking about books that would be worth reading every year (besides the Bible), as well as about books that I keep as “ready reference” on or near my desk all the time.

So, here are my books.  I’d love to hear from any readers on what their picks would be!

Always on my desk (or close by)

• For the Love of God (2 volumes) by D. A. Carson
  
• The Bible Panorama by Gerard Chrispin
• Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament by G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson
• Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
• The Loveliness of Christ by Samuel Rutherford
• The Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett
• Operation World by Patrick Johnstone

Books I could/should read every year

• Knowing God by J. I. Packer
• The Mortification of Sin by John Owen (N.B. This edition has an excellent introduction by Packer)
• The Soulwinner by C. H. Spurgeon
• Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor by D. A. Carson

Believers hear the voice of Christ calling them to come to him with their burdens (Matt. 11:28). So they come to him and lay their guilt upon him. They lay down their sins at the cross of Christ and he bears them on his shoulders. They stand at the cross and say, ‘He was bruised for my sins, and wounded for my transgressions, and the chastisement of my peace was upon him. He was made sin for me. So he is able to bear my sins. He calls me to lay the burden of them on him.’ This is the believer’s daily work. This is what it means to know Christ crucified.

There is nothing that Jesus Christ is more delighted with than that his saints should always hold communion with him by giving him their sins and receiving his righteousness. This greatly honors him and gives him the glory that is his due. What great dishonor we do to Christ to try and get rid of our sins in any other way. ‘Lord, this is your work. This is what you came into the world to do. You call for my burden which is too heavy for me to carry. Take it, blessed Redeemer, and give me your righteousness.’ Then Christ is honored. The glory of his mediation is given to him when we walk with him in this way.

-John Owen, Communion with God (Banner of Truth, 144-45).

J.C. Ryle: Bishop of Liverpool

1.  Holiness by J.C. Ryle  [y, l, e, p, s]

Put your helmet and pads on because you are gonna get trucked.  This is probably the most convicting book I have ever read.  I got to visit Ryle’s grave in Liverpool, England, he was very tall and had a large beard.

2.  Pensees by Blaise Pascal  [y, l, e, p, s]

Most do not think of Pensees as a devotional work.  I do.  Read it slow and meditate, it will warm your soul.

3.  Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer  [c, y, l, e, p, s]

Chapters 1-3 alone are worth the price of the book.  Tozer wrote this one night on a train ride!  He gets at the root of sin.

4.  Pursuit of Man by A.W. Tozer  [y, l, e, p, s]

Almost no one has read this gem.  In my view it is almost as good as Pursuit of God and better than Knowledge of the Holy.

5.  Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards  [y, l, e, p, s]

Edwards makes sense of our emotion and affection for God.  He was also instrumental in reuniting the Presbyterians who were divided on what to think about the First Great Awakening.

6.  Desiring God by John Piper  [y, l, e, p, s]

This book can be slow and awkward at times but it is well worth the read.  He defines and defends the idea of Christian Hedonism, borrowing heavily from Jonathan Edwards and #5 on this list.

7.  Devotional Classics by Foster and Smith  [c, y, l, e, p, s]

This book is on this list for the wide variety of authors/traditions you get to read over the course of church history.

8.  The Call by Os Guinness  [y, l, e, p, s]

Guinness covers systematically God’s calling on the Christian and employs several vignettes into the lives of wonderful Christians through church history.

9.  Knowing God by J.I. Packer  [c, y, l, e, p, s]

Packer has written a wonderful look at the attributes of God.  If you enjoy this one check out also Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer and The Attributes of God by A.W. Pink

10.  Puritan Paperbacks by Various:  Most notably – The Christians Great Interest, The Valley of Vision, Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices, Doctrine of Repentance, All Loves Excelling, The Sinfulness of Sin, The Bruised Reed, The Mortification of Sin, and Guide to Christ.  Entire set can be found at monergism books.  [y, l, e, p, s]

The Puritans are a treasure chest of wisdom and keen insight on the human condition.  They require patience to read but can be very rewarding.

(c=children; y=young adult; l=lay leader; e=elder; p=pastor; s=scholar)

“This is a duty wherein it is most evident that Christians are but little exercised – namely, in holding communion with the Father in love. Unacquaintedness with our mercies, our privileges, is our sin as well as our trouble. We hearken not to the voice of the Spirit which is given unto us, “that we may know the things that are freely bestowed on us of God.” This makes us go heavily, when we might rejoice; and to be weak, where we might be strong in the Lord. How few of the saints are experimentally acquainted with this privilege of holding immediate communion with the Father in love! With what anxious, doubtful thoughts do they look upon him! What fears, what questionings are there, of his good will and kindness!” Communion With God (Works of John Owen, Volume 2).

SDG, Ezra

John Owen

I shall add no more on this head but that, whereas the only inconvenience wherewith our doctrine is pressed is the pretended difficulty in reconciling the nature and necessity of our duty with the efficacy of the grace of the Spirit, I have been so far from waiving the consideration of it, as that I have embraced every opportunity to examine it in all particular instances wherein it may be urged with most appearance of probability.

And it is, I hope, at length made to appear, that not only the necessity of our duty is consistent with the efficacy of God’s grace, but also, that as, on the one hand, we can perform no duty to God as we ought without its aid and assistance, nor have any encouragement to attempt a course of obedience without a just expectation thereof, so, on the other, that the work of grace itself is no way effectual but in our compliance with it in a way of duty: only, with the leave of some persons, or whether they will or no, we give the pre-eminence in all unto grace, and not unto ourselves.

The command of God is the measure and rule of our industry and diligence in a way of duty; and why anyone should be discouraged from the exercise of that industry which God requires of him by the consideration of the aid and assistance which he hath promised unto him, I cannot understand.

The work of obedience is difficult and of the highest importance; so that if anyone can be negligent therein because God will help and assist him, it is because he hates it, he likes it not.

Let others do what they please, I shall endeavour to comply with the apostle’s advice upon the enforcement which he gives unto it: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his own good pleasure.”

Source

Monergism.com ha puesto a disposición algunas obras de John Owen que son de suma importancia para nosotros. Este es uno de los más grandes teólogos puritanos, por lo cual debemos leer y aprender de él. Aprovechen esta lectura,

1. The Nature of Apostasy (La Naturaleza de la Apostasía)
   por John Owen
2. Remainders of Indwelling Sin in Believers (Remanentes del Pecado en los Creyentes)
   por John Owen
3. The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (La Muerte de la Muerte en la Muerte de Cristo)
   por John Owen
4. A Display of Arminianism (Una Muestra del Arminianismo)
   por John Owen

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“Do you mortify? Do you make it your daily work? Be always at it whilst you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin, or it will be killing you.”

- John Owen, The Mortification of Sin, p.26

Mortificar el pecado

La palabra mortificar ha sido traducida al español como “matar”, “hacer morir” y “amortiguar”. La palabra es usada en distintas formas en el español, por ejemplo, a veces significa: Negarse a gratificar (cumplir) un deseo. En su uso simbólico significa molestar, fastidiar o amargar la vida. En su uso bíblico, esta palabra significa: Quitar la fuerza, la vitalidad y el poder de algo a fin de que muera. La palabra incluye la idea de debilitar por falta de alimento o hacer morir de hambre; o privar de la comida o alimento. Esta es la idea que vemos en Romanos 13: 14 que dice: “no proveáis para los deseos de la carne”, en la Versión actualizada se traduce como: “No hagáis provisión para satisfacer los malos deseos de la carne”, En otras palabras, debemos acabar con cualquier cosa en nuestras vidas que sirva como “comida” para alimentar la naturaleza pecaminosa. No debemos proporcionarle ninguna cosa que le fortalezca o que le ayude a tener fuerza, poder y vitalidad.

En el Nuevo Testamento la mortificación del pecado se describe en términos de una crucifixión. (Romanos 6:6; Gálatas 2:20, 5:24 y 6: 14). La figura es la de una muerte lenta, gradual y dolorosa provocada por la privación. También la mortificación es descrita en términos de violencia, la idea es de hacer “violencia santa” contra el enemigo de nuestras almas. Las palabras de Cristo en Marcos 9:43-47 “córtalo” y “sácalo” corroboran esta idea. También las palabras de Pablo en I Corintios 9:26-27, “pongo mi cuerpo bajo disciplina y lo hago obedecer” nos hablan no de violencia física sino espiritual en contra del pecado. Además, las palabras en I Pedro 2:11 también nos hablan de violencia espiritual: ”Amados, yo os ruego como á extranjeros y peregrinos, os abstengáis de los deseos carnales que batallan contra el alma”. El pecado lucha y pelea para preservar su propia vida. La frase “violencia espiritual” es muy apropiada porque no es fácil matar a un enemigo que lucha y se encuentra en peligro. “Todos aquellos que piensan acabar con el pecado con unos cuantos ‘golpes ligeros’ se equivocan, porque fracasarán y terminarán siendo muertos por este enemigo.”

La regeneración asegura que los creyentes no pueden continuar viviendo bajo el control del pecado, pero no significa la  aniquilación o la destrucción de las raíces del pecado en su corazón. La regeneración no aniquila ningún pecado sino que más bien produce un cambio en nuestra relación con todo pecado. El apóstol Pablo es un ejemplo de esta realidad. Vemos en su vida que algunos pecados fueron mortificados en el momento de su nacimiento nuevo (por ejemplo, su odio hacia los gentiles y cristianos). Otros pecados fueron debilitados por la regeneración (Romanos 7:15-25) y algunos permanecieron con mucha fortaleza (II Corintios 12:7-10 su lucha continua contra el orgullo)

Aunque la muerte del creyente al pecado fue comprada y asegurada por la muerte de Cristo en su lugar (Romanos 6:2), sin embargo, la mortificación del pecado sigue siendo todavía el deber cotidiano del creyente. Aunque hemos recibido la promesa de una victoria completa cuando fuimos convertidos al principio, (a través de la convicción de pecado, humillación por pecado y la implantación de un nuevo principio de vida que es opuesto y destructivo para el pecado) el pecado permanece en el creyente. El pecado es activo en todos los creyentes, aún en los mejores creyentes mientras que vivan en este mundo. Por lo tanto, la mortificación continua, día tras día, es esencial a lo largo de toda su vida.

El mal de no tomar en serio el pecado

Una persona puede hablar acerca del pecado y decir que es algo muy malo; no obstante, si esa persona no mortifica diariamente su propio pecado, quiere decir que no lo está tomando en serio. La causa principal de la falta de mortificación del pecado es que el pecado sigue adelante sin que la persona se percate de ello.

Alguien que sostiene la idea de que la gracia y la misericordia divinas le permiten pasar por alto sus pecados cotidianos, está muy cerca de convertir la gracia de Dios en un pretexto para pecar, y de ser endurecido por el engaño del pecado. No hay una evidencia más grande de un corazón falso y podrido que esto. Lector, tenga cuidado de tal rebelión. Esto solamente puede conducirle al debilitamiento de su fortaleza espiritual, si no es que a algo peor: la apostasía y el infierno. La sangre de Cristo es para purificarnos (I Juan 1:7; Tito 2: 14), no para consolarnos en una vida de pecado. La exaltación de Cristo debería conducirnos al arrepentimiento (Hechos 5:31) y la gracia de Dios debe enseñarnos a decir no a la impiedad (Tito 2:11-12).

La Biblia habla de personas que abandonan la iglesia porque nunca pertenecieron realmente a ella (I Juan 2:19). La forma en que esto ocurre a muchas de estas personas es más o menos como sigue: Ellas estaban bajo convicción por algún tiempo y esto les condujo a hacer ciertas obras y a profesar la fe en Cristo. Ellos se apartaron de las contaminaciones del mundo por el conocimiento del Señor y Salvador Jesucristo (II Pedro 2:20). Pero, después de que conocieron el evangelio se cansaron de sus deberes espirituales. Puesto que sus corazones nunca habían sido realmente cambiados, ellos se permitieron a sí mismos, descuidar varios aspectos de la enseñanza bíblica acerca de la gracia. Una vez que este mal hubo atrapado sus corazones, fue solamente cuestión de tiempo hasta que se hundieron en el camino que conduce al infierno. (Es decir, se convirtieron en apóstatas.)

Una influencia que endurece a otros

Una persona que no mortifica en sí misma el pecado no puede ser preservada de caer abiertamente en la apostasía, y no obstante al mismo tiempo ejerce una influencia doble sobre otras personas:

Cuando los inconversos pueden ver tan poca diferencia entre sus propias vidas y la de una persona que profesa el cristianismo pero que no mortifica sus pecados, entonces no ven ninguna necesidad de ser convertidos. Ellos observan el celo religioso de dicha persona, pero también observan su impaciencia con aquellos con quienes no está de acuerdo. Ellos observan sus muchas inconsistencias. Ellos ven que en algunas cosas se separa del mundo, pero se fijan más en su egoísmo y su falta de esfuerzo para ayudar a otros. Ellos escuchan su conversación espiritual y sus reclamos de tener comunión con Dios; pero todo es contradicho por su conformidad a los caminos del mundo. Ellos escuchan su jactancia de que sus pecados han sido perdonados, pero también se fijan en su falla de no perdonar a otros. Entonces, observando la pobre calidad de vida de tal persona, se endurecen en sus corazones contra el cristianismo y concluyen que sus vidas son tan buenas como las de cualquier “creyente”.

Por otro lado, otros pueden tomar a tal persona como un ejemplo de un cristiano y asumir que, debido a que pueden imitar su ejemplo o mejorarlo, por lo tanto ellos también podrían considerarse como cristianos. En esta forma tales personas son engañadas y piensan que son cristianos cuando en realidad no poseen la vida eterna.

Apartes tomados del libro LA MORTIFICACIÓN DEL PECADO del puritano JOHN OWEN

“It is a throne of grace that God in Christ is represented to us upon; but yet is is a throne still whereon majesty and glory do reside, and God is always to be considered by us as on a throne.” – John Owen

“The choicest believers who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin, should also make it their business all of their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin.”

- John Owen, The Mortification of Sin, p.2

O Sumo sacerdote do Velho Testamento, após fazer os sacrifícios que eram exigidos, no dia da expiação, entrava no lugar santo com as suas mãos cheias de incenso perfumado que ele colocava no fogo diante do Senhor. Da mesma forma, o grande Sumo Sacerdote da Igreja, o nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo, tendo se sacrificado pelos nossos pecados, entrou no céu com o doce perfume de Suas orações pelo Seu povo. O seu eterno desejo para a salvação do Seu povo é expresso por João: “Para que vejam a minha glória” (Jo 17.24). José pediu a seus irmãos que contassem a seu pai sobre toda a sua glória no Egito (Gn 45.13), não para dar uma amostra ostensiva daquela glória, mas para dar a seu pai a alegria de saber a sua alta posição naquela terra. Da mesma forma, Cristo desejava que Seus discípulos vissem a Sua glória para que pudesse estar satisfeito e usufruir a plenitude de Suas bênçãos para todo sempre.

Uma vez tendo conhecido o amor de Cristo, o coração do crente estará sempre insatisfeito até a glória de Cristo ser vista. O clímax das petições que Cristo faz a favor dos Seus discípulos é que possam contemplar a sua glória. É por isso que eu afirmo que um dos maiores benefícios para um crente no mundo e no porvir é considerar a glória de Cristo.

Desde que o nome do cristão é conhecido no mundo, não tem havido tanta oposição direta à singularidade e glória de Cristo como nos dias atuais. É dever de todos aqueles que amam o Senhor Jesus de testificar, conforme suas habilidades, da singularidade de Sua glória.

Eu gostaria, portanto, de fortalecer a fé dos verdadeiros crentes ao mostrar que ver a glória de Cristo é uma das maiores experiências e privilégios possíveis neste mundo ou no outro. “Mas todos nós, com a cara descoberta, refletindo como um espelho a glória do Senhor, somos transformados de glória em glória na mesma imagem, como pelo Espírito do Senhor” (2 Co 3.18) Na eternidade seremos como Ele, porque O veremos como Ele é (1 Jo 3.2).

Este conhecimento de Cristo é a via contínua e a recompensa de nossas almas. Aquele que tem visto a Cristo também tem visto o Pai; a luz do conhecimento da glória de Deus é vista apenas na face de Jesus Cristo (Jo 14.9; 2 Co 4-6).

Há duas maneiras de ver a glória de Cristo: mediante a fé, neste mundo, e, por meio da fé, no céu eternamente. É a segunda maneira que se refere principalmente a oração sacerdotal de Cristo – que seus discípulos possam star onde Ele está, para contemplar sua glória. Mas a visão de Sua glória pela fé, neste mundo, também está incluída e eu dou as seguintes razões para isso:

1. Nenhum homem jamais verá a glória de Cristo no futuro se ele não tiver alguma visão dela, pela fé, no presente. Devemos estar preparados pela graça para a glória, e pela fé para a visão. Algumas pessoas, que não tem fé verdadeira, imaginam que verão a glória de Cristo no céu; porém estão apenas se iludindo. Os apóstolos viram a Sua glória, “e vimos a sua glória, como a glória do unigênito do Pai, cheio de graça e de verdade” (Jo 1.14). Essa não era uma glória deste mundo como a dos reis… Apesar de ter criado todas as coisas, Cristo não tinha onde reclinar a cabeça. Não havia glória ou beleza incomum em Sua aparência como homem. A Sua face e Suas formas se tornaram mais desfiguradas do que as de qualquer homem (Is 52.14; 53.2). Não era possível ser vista neste mundo a glória total da Sua natureza divina. Como então os apóstolos viram a sua glória? Foi pela compreensão espiritual da fé. Quando eles viram como Ele era cheio de graça e de verdade e o que Ele fazia e como falava, eles “o receberam e creram no seu nome” (Jo 1.12). Aqueles que não tinham essa fé não viram nenhuma glória em Cristo.

2. A glória de Cristo está muito além do alcance de nossa presente compreensão humana. Não podemos olhar diretamente para o sol sem ficarmos cegos. Semelhantemente, com nossos olhos naturais não podemos ter nenhuma visão verdadeira da glória de Cristo no céu; ela apenas pode ser conhecida pela fé.

Aqueles que falam ou escrevem sobre a imortalidade da alma, sem ter conhecimento de uma vida de fé, não podem ter convicção daquilo que dizem… O entendimento que vê apenas através da fé é que nos dará uma idéia verdadeira da glória de Cristo e criará um desejo para um completo desfrute dela.

3. Entretanto, se quisermos ter uma fé mais ativa e um maior amor para com Cristo, que dêem descanso e satisfação às nossas almas, precisamos ter um maior desejo de compreender melhor a Sua glória nesta vida. Isto significará que cada vez mais as coisas deste mundo terão menor atração para nós até que se tornem indesejáveis como algo morto. Não deveríamos procurar por nada nesta vida. Se estivéssemos totalmente convencidos disso estaríamos pensando mais nas coisas celestiais do que normalmente estamos.

Vantagens que surgem de pensarmos sempre na glória de Cristo:

A. Seremos moldados por Deus para o céu. Muitos pensam que já estão suficientemente preparados para a glória, como se eles a pudessem alcançar. Mas não sabem o que isso significa. Não há o menor prazer na música para o surdo, nem nas belas cores para o cego. Da mesma forma, o céu não seria um lugar de prazer para as pessoas que não tivessem sido preparadas para ele nesta vida pelo Espírito. O apóstolo dá “… graças ao Pai que nos fez idôneos para participar da herança dos santos na luz…” (Cl 1.12). A vontade de Deus é que devemos conhecer as primícias da glória aqui e a sua plenitude no futuro. Porém, somos feitos capazes de receber o conhecimento dessa glória pela atividade espiritual da fé. O nosso conhecimento atual da glória é nossa preparação para a glória futura.

B. Uma visão verdadeira da glória de Cristo tem o poder de mudar-nos até que nos tornemos semelhantes a Cristo (2 Co 3.18).

C. Uma meditação constante sobre a glória de Cristo dará descanso e satisfação ás nossas almas. Trará paz às nossas almas que tantas vezes estão cheias de medos e pensamentos perturbadores. “Porque a inclinação da carne é a morte; mas a inclinação do espírito é vida e paz” (Rm 8.6). As coisas desta vida nada são quando comparadas com o grande valor da beleza de Cristo, como Paulo disse: “E, na verdade, tenho também por perda todas as coisas, pela excelência do conhecimento de Cristo Jesus, meu Senhor; pelo qual sofri a perda de todas as coisas, e as considero como esterco para que possa ganhar a Cristo” (Fl 3.8).

D. O conhecimento da glória de Cristo é a fonte de nossa bem-aventurança eterna. Vendo-O como Ele é, seremos feitos em semelhança a Ele (1 Ts 4.17 – Jo 17.24; 1Jo 3.2).

Puritan writer John Owen famously declared, “Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.”

Porn is a serious struggle for many teens and college-aged men (and for all other ages too… but especially for young men).  It’s taboo to talk about and no one wants to admit their struggle to anyone else, especially if you’re a Christian.

Parents, here are some ways you can help:

1. Don’t let your teen have a computer with internet access in his bedroom… especially at night!
2. Install non-override filters with secure firewalls on all computers in your home.
3. Fathers, talk to your sons about pornography.  Yes, it will be an uncomfortable conversation, but if you really want your son to walk with Jesus faithfully he should be able to come to you for support.
4. Don’t add to the shame!  Don’t make him feel gross or like a freak… he already feels that way and needs to know that what he’s struggling against (sexual temptation) is normal, even though it’s not right or healthy.

Check out the link to “Teens Against Porn” under links on this site.  Boundless (a ministry of Focus on the Family) also has a number of helpful articles devoted to helping people overcome their struggles against pornography while helping others better understand this struggle at all… you can find those articles here.

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”  -Romans 8:13

How to mortify sin:
“Set faith at work on Christ for the killing of your sin. His blood is the great sovereign remedy for sin-sick souls. Live in this, and you will die a conqueror; yea, you will, through the good providence of God, live to see your lust dead at your feet.”

John Owen, Overcoming Sin and Temptation, p. 131.

(via Justin Childers)

“They know nothing of the life and power of the gospel, nothing of the reality of the grace of God, nor do they believe aright one article of the Christian faith, whose hearts are not sensible of the love of Christ.”

–John Owen, “A Declaration of the Glorious Mystery of the Person of Christ,” in The Works of John Owen, ed. William Goold, 24 vols. (Edinburgh: Johnson & Hunter; 1850-1855; reprint by Banner of Truth, 1965), Vol. 1:166-167.

This is a great little video all about John Owen, the theologian I am studying in Cambridge.

The Modern Mystery crew currently has Headlight’s fever over here! Not only is the band playing three shows at CMJ next Friday and Saturday in  Brooklyn, but they are also embarking on a lengthy U.S. tour that kicks off tomorrow in Iowa City, IA. To give fans a taste of what is coming (and what Wildlife is sounding like live), Headlights are doing a special Webcast performance from their rehersal studio, TONIGHT AT 9PM EST TIME (6PM PAC). 

Be sure to catch the whole performance at their WEBSITE ! This is something you won’t want to miss!

In other Headlights’ news, the band is premiering their first music video off of Wildlife for “Get Going” over at Spin Earth. Check out Headlight’s tour dates below and in case you missed it the first time, give our interview with front woman Erin Fein a read!

10/15 Iowa City, IA The Mill
10/16 Dekalb, IL The House
10/17 Chicago, IL Apple Store on Michigan Ave. 2pm
10/17 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle *#
10/18 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room *#
10/19 Rochester, NY Bug Jar *#
10/20 New London, CT The Oasis *#
10/21 Allston, MA Great Scott *#
10/23 Brooklyn, NY Knitting Factory *
10/23 Brooklyn, NY The Bell House / Polyvinyl CMJ Showcase $
10/24 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg / AAM CMJ Party 1:45pm
10/24 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie *#
10/25 Washington, DC DC9 *#
10/26 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 *#
10/27 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn #
10/28 Orlando, FL Will’s Pub #
10/29 Birmingham, AL Bottletree #
10/30 Memphis, TN Hi Tone Cafe #
10/31 Urbana, IL The Iron Post #
11/04 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room #%
11/05 Denver, CO Hi Dive #%
11/06 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court #%
11/07 Boise, ID Neurolux #%
11/08 Seattle, WA Sunset Tavern #%
11/10 Portland, OR Berbati’s Pan #%
11/12 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord #%
11/13 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland #%
11/14 San Diego, CA Soda Bar #%
11/15 Tucson, AZ Plush #%
11/17 San Antonio, TX Rock Bottom #%
11/18 Austin, TX Emo’s #%
11/19 Denton, TX Rubber Gloves #
11/20 Hot Springs, AR Maxine’s Pub #
11/21 St. Louis, MO Firebird #
12/11 Milwaukee, WI Bay View Brew Haus
12/12 Madison, WI Der Rathskellar at Univ. of Wisconsin

* = w/ The Shaky Hands
# = w/ Pomegranates
% = w/ Anni Rossi
$ = w/ Japandroids, James Husband, Cale Parks