Now and again I return to the theme of self-examination in the life of the Christian, and today I was thinking about the same subject again. Please forgive me if I seem to be beating the same old drum - but I do believe, as I have said before, that we simply don't do this in the church.
As I thought about this this morning, I began wondering WHY professing Christians spend so little time (if at all) in self-reflection and contemplation of their walk with God. Part of the answer, I believe, lies in a very simple and effective ploy by the evil one. We have become deceived about our own abilities, and about the nature of the evil of sin. Self-reflection and contemplation has become too much work, and makes us feel bad about ourselves as we recognize that we sin directly in the face of God's grace.
My wife and I were talking last night about the lack of discernment in the church - the encroaching world-centeredness of many in it... and in that conversation, I began thinking about how easily people become ensnared in ways of thinking that the world promotes. How subtle is that evil! We have forgotten that sin ensnares and entraps, and makes blind! How prone we are to take refuge in the comfort of "going with the flow"! We simply put on our blinders to sin, and walk blithely along, thinking we're just fine, thank you - we'll know when we have to stop. Frankly, as soon as you start thinking along those lines, I wonder if it's not too late. You've been deceived enough to dabble in sinful ways.
We don't recognize that sin is a deadener as well as destroyer. In "A Man for All Seasons", I remember a great quote, in which Richard Rich, a rival to Sir Thomas More, was told not to be concerned about his apprehensions in turning over false testimony against More... "this time it was hard for you, but next time will be easier." Indeed, sin does get easier to commit, the more you commit it. It has a deadening effect to us, as we become more used to it.
Why do we reject the clear calls of the Scriptures to WATCH and PRAY? We are lazy, I'm afraid. A comfortable and lazy people. May we be saved from our power of self-deception, and and from our slothful ways.
Posted by toddpedlar at April 30, 2004 05:08 AM | TrackBackA good tool for self-examination is our Larger Catechism. The folks at Doorposts have come up with a "Checklist For Parents" drawn from the Larger Catechism; its questions probe deeply. Here's the description of this booklet ($3.50) from their website:
A Checklist for Parents
A series of 25 questions designed to help parents examine themselves in light of God’s Word. Organized under 6 areas of responsibility (love, prayer, instruction, protection, provision, and example), each question is followed by Scripture verses which explain what God requires of us as parents.
Be brave! Use this checklist to help you:
* Evaluate your obedience to God’s instructions for parents
* Pinpoint areas of weakness, sin, negligence, or laziness, with the intention of growing toward greater maturity.
* Memorize Scripture that will equip you for your job as parent.
* Discuss your relationship with your children.
* Explain your responsibility to your children.
* Pray
* for direction in your role as parent. Prepare your teenagers
for their future job as parents.
Sample question: "Did I, with my words and actions, train my child to obey God’s law and His delegated authorities, or did I, by my neglect or laziness, allow him to develop habits of disobedience?"
It is available at http://www.doorposts.net/checklist.htm
Posted by: John Owen Butler at May 1, 2004 08:45 AM