I think Selwyn makes two good points in today’s study.
One: ‘[Confrontation] must enable the person being counselled to understand the damage and devastation caused by sin, but be done in a way that shows deep respect for the person.’
The second point: is that the arguments of sin involves the rationalisation of sinful desire – ’standards change from age to age, no one can blame me for just onelapse‘; and, ‘everyone does it’. This type of rationalisations reduces our will-power to meet the standards which God has set. It causes over time, a reduction of the out-pouring of our faith, and allows Satan a foothold into our lives.
The verses set for reading and meditation, cover one aspect of Selwyn’s second point very well (James 1:12-18): “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”
In summary, we cannot appreciate what Selwyn is saying (or James, for that matter) unless we have a good understanding of what is sin and its consequences. Sadly, I feel, many don’t have much of an idea – at all. Do you agree?
‘The arguments of sin’
I think Selwyn makes two good points in today’s study.
One: ‘[Confrontation] must enable the person being counselled to understand the damage and devastation caused by sin, but be done in a way that shows deep respect for the person.’
The second point: is that the arguments of sin involves the rationalisation of sinful desire – ’standards change from age to age, no one can blame me for just one lapse‘; and, ‘everyone does it’. This type of rationalisations reduces our will-power to meet the standards which God has set. It causes over time, a reduction of the out-pouring of our faith, and allows Satan a foothold into our lives.
The verses set for reading and meditation, cover one aspect of Selwyn’s second point very well (James 1:12-18): “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”
In summary, we cannot appreciate what Selwyn is saying (or James, for that matter) unless we have a good understanding of what is sin and its consequences. Sadly, I feel, many don’t have much of an idea – at all. Do you agree?