I thought that as Clayton’s name was all over this blog and it claimed to be from “two guys”, I, the silent partner, had better speak up.
I have been working on “lust” this week – to be precise, before I get buried under your pastoral concern, I have been working on what Jesus says about it [Matthew 5.27-30] and why it is NOT GOOD. Funny enough, the Basement group last night looked at the same passage last night.
What struck me this week was that sin can kill ‘Christians’.
Many of us love the great doctrines of grace, atonement, predestination – and we rest our assurance on the work of Christ for us alone. I stand ONLY on what Jesus did and NEVER on what I do. But Jesus tells us that unless we are radical [in the sense of getting to the root] in dealing with our sin our eternal fate may be a bit hotter than we anticipate. Does Jesus expect perfection – well [the good Anglican answer] yes and no. Yes – “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”. No – this is a goal we will not reach this side of judgement. BUT IT MUST BE OUR GOAL
I think that what Jesus is saying, “If we think that the cross gives us an excuse go soft on our sin”…watch out.
To be continued… tomorrow morning at 10am or tomorrow evening at 5pm. Looking forward to seeing you all.