Categories: uncategorized
Date: 28 October 2005 11:24:05
The title of a wonderful book sent to be by Anderson at baranabas. Anderson is an ordinand and his blog is well worth a read, both for the insights he gives, the discoveries he is making and the great joy he has for God. I find it a great encouragement.
The book sets out to inform us of how important it is to examine ourselves in terms of "our hearts ... and our position before God." (p. 3) The need to search out sin, repent and make a serious attempt to amend our lives so we may forever grow in holiness. As the author Andrew Atherston writes, "Christians do not become holy be accident. Rather we need to fight against sin in our lives constantly and consciously, earnestly seeking the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work, and self-examination is part of that process." (p. 3) And "fight" is the necessary and proper term for it is, at least for me, a constant struggle.
I was particularly taken by a quote supplied by a Victorian clergyman, which spoke to me very clearly, especially as I often focus on learning about rather than living the Christian life:
O, fellow Christians! Let us cease to wonder why our heads are so full, and our hearts so cold -- why our doctrine is so correct, and our experience so low -- why our privileges are so highly estimated in words, and so little enjoyed in the heart -- why our code of Christian morality is so good, and our tempers so unmortified -- why the way to heaven is so clearly known, but our growth in the divine life so low ... Let us cease to wonder, while we search not, probe not, sift not, and penetrate not more into the quick of our selfish, back-sliding and unhumbled hearts.
And thank you Anderson for the books. I pray I get much from the wisdom therein.