. Mike clearly articulates this tough subject. Looking forward to follow on parts.
Category: Westminster Larger Catechism Study
Shame and a tender conscience
Mike makes a good point while looking at one of the characters in Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress:
“ Here we have more that Shame has a problem within the genuine Christian walk. In our time, the Liberal leaders, Seeker-Sensitive leaders, and the “outlaw preachers” (whatever that is) leaders are telling all who listen to them that the Christian’s focus needs to be on the here and now to work to make this world a better place as the main focus of Christianity. In this passage, however, the Holy Spirit via the Apostle Peter tells us to be be aliens (παροικους) and strangers (παρεπιδημους) in this world. This is a call to righteous life in a hostile world. We must live in this world, but must be foreigners in secular society. Why? Our citizenship is in Heaven. The word translated strangers, παρεπιδημους, is also a word for ‘pilgrim.’ This is exactly how we should look at our life here in the temporal. We are pilgrims who are in the world, but not part of it. We will have a problem with all of the commands given here in this passage unless we take to heart our true role in God’s Kingdom, which is given to us in v16. Peter used the word δουλοι, which is translated in the NASB as “bondslaves of.” This word is best translated as “permanent slaves of.” Who is our master? We are slaves of θεου (God). If we live as such then we will not struggle with Shame as much as those who believe that they can call the shots and have their own way.”
by Mike Ratliff
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it…
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Monthly Reader – June 2022
June 23rd Mike Ratliff concluded his series earlier this week. Well worth reading, and check out the two Paul Washer sermon links in Part 4. The Compromised Church Part 5 – Self-Deceived Godliness June 9th - It’s worth spending the hour watching the Jason Lisle video in Elisabeth Prata’s post yesterday! It’s June 2nd, and… Continue reading Monthly Reader – June 2022
Sunday, May 29, 2022 This Evening’s Meditation C. H. Spurgeon
A tough word from Spurgeon…
“Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho.”—Joshua 6:26.
SINCE he was cursed who rebuilt Jericho, I much more the man who labours to restore Popery among us. In our fathers’ days the gigantic walls of Popery fell by the power of their faith, the perseverance of their efforts, and the blast of their gospel trumpets; and now there are some who would rebuild that accursed system upon its old foundation. O Lord, be pleased to thwart their unrighteous endeavours, and pull down every stone which they build. It should be a serious business with us to be thoroughly purged of every error which may have a tendency to foster the spirit of Popery, and when we have made a clean sweep at home we should seek in every way to oppose its all too rapid spread abroad in the church and in…
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Rainbow Trout 