The problem I have is that we all struggle with some sin that seems to be a particular weakness for us.
*The sin that so easily besets us*.
Now, I can not do the sin in my flesh, in the body. I have the self-control, but the thought life???
That’s another matter. And Jesus teaches that even thinking some things is the same as doing them. Hating = murder. Lust = adultery.
So the outside can be clean and the inside not.
He comes perilously close to advocating a works based salvation. I honestly think that it’s that kind of severity what has driven people away from churches.
I know how this is coming across sounding, but I do think there needs to be more coming along side someone who is struggling. Not to condone the sin but to encourage. It’s the speck and the log thingie.
Encourage the weak.
Excellent post. You have loads of company with struggling.
I will confess you are all taking this sermon like angels compared to how I reacted the first time I heard it.
We have to remember the title is examine ourselves. Your own admission of struggling and hating your sin is what JM is pointing out in the Gospels and epistles.
I think the overarching point is if the inside is dirty one won’t care what the outside looks like.
Yes, encouraging those who are weak among us and not being a stumbling block to them, either. Sometimes we do that in the name of legalism. The part where we are exhorted to not be a cause of someone tripping up had to do with the liberty we have in Christ (i.e., drinking wine, eating the meat that had been offered to false gods, etc.) in I Corinthians 8, but also in Romans 14, we are told:
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. (Romans 14:1)
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:13-19)
There comes a time where we have to just trust the Holy Spirit to work what needs to happen in a brother or sister in the Lord's life. We can only take our discipling responsibilities so far and then step back, pray for them, be a good example and be there when they need you, and trust that God has them in the palm of His hands, never to lose them, cast them away, forsake them or let them be plucked out - even if they try to themselves.