In John Owen’s Mortification of Sin, he notes that one key way the Spirit helps us put sin to death is by working more and more of His fruit in us. Owen famously said, “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.” And he was right. But we often forget that the leading way the Spirit kills our sin is by turning into a chef and cooking up all sorts of good things inside of us. He cooks up joy, the aroma of which suffocates our depression. He bakes peace that kills that vaporizes that aroma of stress and anxiety. Love sizzles on the skillet in our hearts and that judgmental and selfish spirit that would rest in our flesh gets crowded out.

Keep these things in mind as you go through life in general and as you confess your sin in particular. Sometimes, when you kneel, there is that big stinker of a sin to own before the Lord. If that is the case today, then go right ahead and confess that one. His grace and favor toward you abounds and whatever that sin, it cannot match the blood of Christ’s cross.

But at other times, you might not have that big one staring you in the face, so what are you to confess? Well, confess that your kindness hasn’t been what it ought to have been. Your patience hasn’t abounded. Your self-control could have filled the house like a pleasing aroma.

Every time of confession is an opportunity to admit that our hearts aren’t as large as they ought to be. And it is a time to ask our Father to enlarge them so that there simply wouldn’t be any more room sin. They’re looking to find a room in which to lodge. But the Spirit has taken up so much space there is now that neon sign shining out front, saying, “No vacancy.” 

Jared Longshore – March 10, 2024

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There are many in the church today who know and hate their sin but find themselves still stuck in their guilt and shame. They know that God is holy, that they are not, and do not struggle to say so. But a key ingredient is missing in their attempts at repentance. 

Full repentance is not just owning what you have done, but it is also owning, or apprehending, what God has done on your behalf. You could say that there are two movements or parts to repentance. The first is true confession – identifying and naming your sin as God names it, with contrition and no euphemisms or excuses. But you must not stop there. The second part of repentance is then owning what God has done – turning to Christ in faith and receiving His forgiveness, graciously extended to you. Without both of these pieces, repentance is incomplete. 

If all you have done is name your sin but have not yet turned in humble faith to the One who is faithful to forgive and cleanse you of all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:9)—then it is no wonder that you keep finding yourself stuck in the same hole of despair. Without forgiveness, without cleansing, you are still left in the mess you dug yourself into. 

Sure, you can see clearly that it is dark and dirty, and that you cannot climb out on your own. But you have not yet grasped onto the nail-scarred hand reaching down to pull you out. You have not yet apprehended God’s forgiveness and grace extended to you so that you may walk in the light.

Now note, this is not the same thing as “forgiving yourself.” Forgiveness is not extended from yourself to yourself – it comes from God – the one you have offended and sinned against. 

He freely offers forgiveness to all who turn to Him; you must only exercise faith and take hold of it. Or perhaps for a more accurate illustration, if His forgiveness was a sea of refreshing water, all you must do is fall in. And when you do, you will most certainly be washed clean.

Shawn Paterson – March 3, 2024

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Millions of advertising dollars are spent every year on enticing you to embrace the vice of hastiness. What at first blush might look like a road to greater liberty, ease, and comfort, is instead a quicksand pathway which will quickly bog you down into the swamp of discontent, greed, and lust.

Porn is not a shortcut to sexual fulfillment, although that is what it disguises itself as. Sports betting is an alluring cheat code to generating fat stacks of cash, but the House always wins. Pinterest boards present a minimalist mirage of tidiness, but underpinning (pun intended) that minimalism is often an avoidance of diligence. Every other Silicon Valley start up is aimed at trying to part you from your money with the enticing promise of shortcutting hard work.

Proverbs, in particular, warns us of the sinister nature of haste. Hasty feet are described as sinful (Pr. 19:2). Hastiness in wealth building is unlikely to be paired with moral innocence (Pr. 28:20). Hasty speech is not just foolish, it makes you worse than a fool (Pr. 29:20). Starvation follows hastiness like ash follows fire (Pr. 21:5).

These warnings against a “get out over your skis” hastiness are not set in contrast to slothfulness. Rather, the virtue which stands opposite of this vice of hastiness is that of steady steps of diligence and faithfulness. According to biblical wisdom this is how you build a lasting foundation. Persistently ordering your steps to walk in the ways of God’s Covenant is how you enjoy the good life.

However, apart from Christ our feet our cinder blocks when it comes to obedience, and jet packs when it comes to gratifying our lusts. So, God freely offers to you, through Christ, a new heart which transforms your entire moral framework. By faith then, your feet can plod away at faithfulness.

Ben Zornes – March 3, 2024

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Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not foreswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by the head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea: Nay, nay, for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Matthew 5:33-37

Jesus words here can appear hard to understand. Is He condemning oaths? If so, then that would contradict the instruction on vows in Deuteronomy 23. What about marriage vows? Is the church in sin when we ask the head of household to make membership vows? No Jesus is not condemning oaths. He is condemning man in his pride and arrogance. 

You have given your word to do something. Good. But that is all you can do. If your word is not good on it’s own than extra promising won’t help. You cannot back your word up by swearing it by heaven or by earth or even by swearing upon your own head. Your own life cannot guarantee your word because you don’t have control over even that. Can you keep your hair from turning gray? No. Can you keep your hair from falling out? No. Then stop acting like you have control over all of life. Yes, be honest, all the way down to your toes. When you say you will do something, do it. Keep your word. Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Parents, this is incredibly important for you. Never allow the word “maybe” to become codeword for “no”. Don’t say “I’ll do it in a little bit” with the knowledge that you will run out of time and then never do it. Protect the value of your word at all costs. But combine truthfulness with the humble knowledge that you are just a man. You will wake up tomorrow morning only if it is the Lord’s will. Check your pride. Check your promises. You are not God. Your days are like grass and your plans are a vapor. 

Zach Browning – March 3, 2024

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