Posted on 11/16/2005 3:54:05 PM PST by sionnsar
Another REC preacher who I continue to find impressive is the Rev. Benjamin Bernier of Providence REC in Corpus Christi, Texas. His latest sermon, Bound for Glory, is based on verses 1-8 of Chapter 3 of the First Epistle of John. Rev. Bernier makes some very good points in this sermon, including this one:
If we are bound for glory, to be with him and like him at the end for ever, it is our duty to prepare for that, to live accordingly.In a world and a culture where we are constantly told that we have no need for repentance and that Scriptural standards of holiness are outdated or even "intolerant", this is a message that needs to be heard. We must indeed strive for our sanctification and growth in holiness, leaving sin behind and having Jesus as our master, not sin. I believe Bishop Ryle would approve this sermon!
What defines our lives is not what we have been, miserable sinners, but what we shall be at the end, children of God, renewed in the perfect image of Christ.
There are two ways of going through life, one with our lives being defined by what we have done, and from the point we come from, which is sin, the other by the end to which we have been appointed by God's mercy, by the victory Christ won for us that will be fully manifested in the future, a new and renewed life, citizenship in heaven.
That is the defining factor of our existence because that is the reality which will endure forever.
We are creatures with a finite past looking towards an infinite future. Although we cannot ignore the past, its failures do not define us any more. We are approaching an eternity of purity and holiness, and the more we approach it the farther we are removed from our sinful past.
That is why whoever embraces this hope, who ever learns to live according to it, changes his relationship with sin, and with his past. Sin is not the master anymore. Our past does not hinder us, Sin is 'left behind', while we continue walking by faith, in hope purifying ourselves as he is pure, renouncing more and more our sins.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. What defines our lives is not what we have been, miserable sinners, but what we shall be at the end, children of God, renewed in the perfect image of Christ.
There are two ways of going through life, one with our lives being defined by what we have done, and from the point we come from, which is sin, the other by the end to which we have been appointed by God's mercy, by the victory Christ won for us that will be fully manifested in the future, a new and renewed life, citizenship in heaven.
That is the defining factor of our existence because that is the reality which will endure forever.
... Although we cannot ignore the past, its failures do not define us any more. ....
That is why whoever embraces this hope, who ever learns to live according to it, changes his relationship with sin, and with his past. Sin is not the master anymore. Our past does not hinder us, Sin is 'left behind', while we continue walking by faith, in hope purifying ourselves as he is pure, renouncing more and more our sins.
Thank you, Sionnsar, for the ping. This is well put! Sadly, not very many christians live this kind of life because they are not being tought this truth. If more of us lived as though Glory were really our tomorrow, this world could not contain the contagion. Our challenge as followers of Christ is to spread this good news to every creature.
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