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Ive been a Christian for 7 years. Ive learned, Ive grown, Ive wondered. I came to believe a lot of things that I took for granted, but never thought too much about. But less than a year ago, God showed me something. There is a solid Christianity that has been fought for, that people have died for. There have been Church councils, and controversial men, who stood up to revolt against corrupt practices, and unbiblical doctrines. We arent left in the dark to figure Christianity out all over again. The truth has been opened to, and passed down to us by, Saints past. Not only has reformed theology opened my eyes to new things, but its cleared up so many thing that I believed, but I never really understood.
10. My Sin
I knew I was a sinner. I knew I needed to be forgiven. But just how much of a sinner, I had no idea. Sometimes I would say, Wow, I didnt sin much this week.. Now I know that its quite possible that I have never, for a second, obeyed the command Love the Lord, your God, with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength.. I never took seriously Jesus words that looking at a woman with lust is to commit adultery, or that hating a man in your heart is murder. I ignored the fact that Jesus said You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. -Matthew 5:48 I finally understand that I sin every day, every hour on some level I sin every moment of my life. This is how sinful I am. But God! Oh how merciful He is to such a sinner.
11/30/2010 Ten Things I Didnt Understand Before This seemed like a nice idea, God works stuff out in the end. I dont need to worry too much, because God can clean up the messes and put it back together.
But once I understood sovereignty, it all changed. God doesnt just react to what people are doing, or the messes that pop up in life. He is working all things for the good of His people. He orchestrates everything, and my life isnt left to chance for a split second. Nothing surprises Him, not because He knows it all, but because Hes actually in control.
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1. WGJake Dec 11th, 2009 Similar lessons Ive learned. But I must admit that I still struggle with praying. I hate the fact that I dont want to pray as I should. Im definitly praying for God to give me that desire. If u remember me in your prayers please that I would desire to spend more time with my Father. Lovin the blog man.
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11/30/2010 Ten Things I Didnt Understand Before Brother Les, this is absolutely amazing. Great work, Praise God for what He has done in your life. Such clarity, such passion, Solia Deo Gloria! -Mike
3. Nathaniel Watts Dec 11th, 2009 hey man, reading up on your post. thank you for your regular words of faith and encouragement on twitter i am writing to you about your #7. [there is no condemnation] here is some scripture the jumped to my mind when reading it: (Heb 10:26) If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left (Matthew 12:31) And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. what are your thoughts? thanks! they do more than you know.
4. Les Dec 11th, 2009 Nathaniel. Good stuff. These are texts that can seem to point to a losable salvation, and if theyre all we had to clarify the issue, Id say it is losable. But there are amazing entire chapters in scripture that talk about the security of a believer. Romans 8 should be the first place we look when wondering if we can lose our salvation, not because it says what I want it to say, but because its actually the topic being discussed. Paul is spitting venom at the idea that we can fall from grace, the list of things that cant separate us is unbelievable. You couldnt make something up that wasnt covered. So what do these other verses mean in light of that clear declaration. Hebrews 10:26. Someone receives the knowledge of the gospel and in some way believes it. Were cool so far, as the parable of the sower demonstrates, people can understand it without a saving faith, right? The person goes on sinning, unrepentant and demonstrates that they arent saved. 1 John makes it clear that people can claim Christ but not be in Him, and the lack of fruitswill bear them witness. Now, there does seem to be a doctrine to be found there, although Id need more scriptural support to claim it as clearly Biblical. He goes on to say that the person who does that, claims Christ as savior and pretends to be a Christian, but doesnt change, cant be saved after that. Harsh yes, but doesnt discredit clearer scriptures. As far as Matthew 12:31 I would go into detail but lets just do this: Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy. -Jude 1:24 God is able to keep us from stumbling. Since He also promises that no one can pluck us out of His hands, were pretty much closed in on all sides. So how does this apply to Matt 12:31? If there is an unpardonable sin, which there is, God can keep His people from committing it, and He will keep us from doing it, and He will keep His promise to us of eternal life.
5. Kim
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Les, Great Blogwhat a spot on break down.I love the prayer destroy their will, Make them love you, so they can be saved from hell. so true in my case too. Another wretched, snatched from the fire! Praise God he is an invader! Great to meet another reformed Christian creative too.
6. Eddie Eddings Dec 17th, 2009 Stumbled onto your blog today. Very nice! I have not seen anything quite like it. Love the logo also. I will be stopping by this site often. Therejust bookmarked it. Keep up the God work!
7. Les Dec 17th, 2009 are you really mr. Calvinistic Cartoons? thats so cool.
8. Joshua Parker Dec 31st, 2009 I think many of us can fall into those things I did not know, unless one has been taught the Scriptures rightly from their youth. Great points.
9. Arlene Jan 3rd, 2010 Such a great post. I can relate exactly to the points you mentioned. Before I was reformed I lacked understanding and just took a lot of things for granted, especially His grace, though often times without meaning to. But now I appreciate more His sovereignty and grace with a passion for His glory. A sad fact, though, is a lot of people are allergic to Calvinism because some Calvinists leave a bitter after taste when they witness.Theres a stereotype that reformed believers are arrogant and exclusive. I pray that we will be able to witness to them with love, that they may also see the beauty of the Truth!
10. Tanner
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Good post, just now got around to reading it. You should put it on regenerated.us : )
11. Cory D. Jones Jun 24th, 2010 Great post! As you did, so many things began to make so much MORE sense when I let scripture interpret scripture, not whoever took the pulpit that week. Weird. I have one suggestion though Number 9 I have to disagree God works everything for HIS glory, not necessarily my (or your) good. Several Christians have been persecuted for the gospels sake. While not good for them (besides falling into the blessed are those who are persecuted because of me category) God will always use it (as it is predestined) to further His glory, whether we see the benefits or not. I personnally like #10 I think many Christians are guilty of the If I just sin less mentality. Im not sure what part of in bondage to sin or dead in sin they dont understand. I echo your sentiment, Oh, how sinful I am. Praise God that he continues to use imperfect people in His perfect plan.
12. Les Jun 24th, 2010 thanks for the feedback. As for #9 its a Biblical quote. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28 I would argue that the whole point of this text, as Paul is talking about suffering and tribulation, is that even those things ARE for our good. Of course the plan of God is ultimately for His glory (see #1 in my list), but we can rest in the beautiful providence of God as He works all things for the good of His people for His glory. Not health and wealth. Something much better: painful, lesson-learning sanctification.
13. Cory D. Jones Jul 7th, 2010 Agreed. And to think, all I have left to do is fall down and thank Him for using me.
14. Karsten Sep 10th, 2010 This is the post that God used to open my eyes to His sovereignty according to Himself (His Word) and not my flawed reasoning. soli Deo gloria!
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15. Bill Sep 10th, 2010 Awesome post. I can relate brother 16. Ten Things I Didnt Understand Before I Was Reformed | Truth Proclaimed Sep 12th, 2010 [...] at Killer Robot Ninja, Les has created a list of ten things he didnt understand before coming to Biblical doctrine. Ive gotta say, the list is pretty dead on for [...]
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Resources
Alpha and Omega Ministries James Whites Christian Apologetics Organization Fighting for the Faith Chris Rosebrough Compares Whats Being Said in the Name of God to the Word of God Monergism Classic Articles and Resources of the Historic Christian Faith Recover the Gospel One of the most urgent tasks facing Evangelicalism today is the recovery of the gospel. The Gospel Coalition A group of (mostly) pastors and churches in the Reformed heritage focusing on Christ and the gospel. White Horse Inn Know What You Believe and Why You Believe It
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Sanctified Blogs
Albert Mohler Dr. Mohler is a theologian and an ordained minister. Camp On This Steve Camp Shares The Treasures of the Gospel Lane's Blog Lane Chaplins Collection of All Things Reformed regenerated.us Young Reformed Friends Learning and Sharing Transformed by Grace Roger Servin and Sonny Burrell blog about the doctrines of Grace while providing great resources, videos, and articles. Turretin Fan Reformed Apologetics Underdog Theology Jesus Christ Increases, Warren Cruz Decreases 2009 Killer Robot Ninja. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Wordpress.
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