Posts
As Spurgeon once wrote, salvation is "all of grace". Yet, we need to be reminded also, that sanctification - the Christian life - is all of grace too. I'm more and more convinced that the evidence of sanctification is not primarily victory over sin, but an ever brightening realization of the depths of sin in one's own heart, and at the same time, an ever leaning trust in the life and death of Christ on our account.
Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.
"That he (God) is ready to forgive appears in this yet more glorious fact, that what God demands of man by the gospel he also works in him by his spirit; as for confession of sin he puts the words into the sinner's mouth, repentance he works in the sinner's heart, and saving faith his own Spirit creates in the sinner's soul. Is he not ready to forgive when even what might be called the condition of pardon in one light is under another aspect a gift of free grace?" - C.H. Spurgeon
2 comments:
I've been noticing that for many assurance is the fruit of sanctification. Yet I think you have a good point in noticing that recognizing our depths of sin is an integral part to our sanctification. As I told one gentleman, a person who suffers because they know that they have sin is more of a sign of the Christian life than any victory.
Sojourner,
Amen. Thank you for your comment. If in justification, we are looking outside ourselves to an alien righteousness, should this not be our life's goal (sanctification) as well? Ironically, this practice creates assurance, an assurance based not so much on our progress, but on His finished work.
I think it was Augustine(?) that said, "for every one look at yourself there must be ten looks at Christ."
"Do not plead your goodness, but plead your badness to God" - Jonathan Edwards
Post a Comment