As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
“The pride of life, then, could be described as an arrogant pride that one places in one’s possessions or overall situation in this present life. It is a satisfaction in temporary possessions and the benefits they afford instead of satisfaction in knowing, loving, and obeying God” - P&D
“God’s desire is that his love for us, and ours for him, would generate a deep and lasting joy that would make worship a pleasure more than an obligation and make obedience a delight more than a duty… ” - Challies
Review: ‘The Saints’ Everlasting Rest’ by Richard Baxter - “Paul calls us to set our ‘minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth’ (Col 3:2). How can we learn to do that? Richard Baxter, an English Puritan, wrestled with the same question nearly 400 years ago.” - TGC
“Psalm 27 unveils David’s heart for God in the midst of danger and the threat of death…. By both example and exhortation, David kindles our Godward longing to enflame our Godward pursuit. In short, David calls us to be on the Beauty hunt.” - Desiring God
“Paul commands us to set our minds on things above (Col. 3:1–4), and one reason for this instruction is that it’s so much easier not to. All sorts of diversions come more naturally.” - TGC
(Originally posted in 2015.)
I don’t think I’ve ever heard a sermon against gluttony, and I’ve attended Bible-preaching services multiple times per week for—well, a long time. Maybe I heard a sermon on it so long ago I don’t remember?
On the other hand, I’ve seen writers depict gluttony as one of the greatest evils of our time and the lack of preaching against it as the greatest failing of the modern church.
That seems over the top, but are they right that it’s a neglected topic?
Maybe. Here are some factors that have shaped my thinking on that.
“Worship is not simply right thinking, which computers can do. Worship is right feeling about God. That’s really crucial, unless we begin to think that artificial intelligence can take the place of human beings in accomplishing the divine purpose in the universe.” - John Piper
When Contextualization Becomes Compromise - TGC
“God wants us to live. He wants us to make our own decisions. He provides the boundaries of his will in those matters the Bible makes clear, but then leaves it to us to operate according to wisdom and desire.” - Challies
The use of the term passion has seen a huge uptick in conservative evangelical life in the past 25 years or so, roughly paralleling the sharp rise in influence of Reformed Charismatism in conservative evangelical theology and hymnody. The term passion is used in an overwhelmingly positive sense as the antidote to lethargy and ambivalence toward God and spiritual things—a problem that young, restless Christians seem perpetually to discover in previous generations.
Discussion