I made a remark earlier in the week that concerned my husband. I said something to the effect about how I felt like I didn't have God's favor on my life. Why would I say something like that? Simple. God wasn't answering a request I have been praying about for several months. I know, I realize how selfish this is, but it's the sad truth nonetheless. Several hours later as we were lying in bed, Ben brought up my comment. He said it concerned him for two reasons:
1. It is arrogant to think I deserve anything from God.
2. I am short-sighted because I am disregarding all of the wonderful blessings I have just because God has not given me this one thing.
Now before you think my husband is a jerk for confronting me like this, let me just say, it's what I needed to hear! I am thankful and blessed to have a husband who lovingly corrects me. I was convicted and took it to the Lord. The next evening Ben gave me this book, The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing, and told me he wanted me to read it within the next week. I finished it today. I am glad Ben told me to read it.
In his book, C.J. Mahaney explains how every aspect of our life needs to be centered around the cross. We need to constantly remind ourselves of the great gift Christ gave us on the cross of Calvary. I don't deserve salvation. I don't deserve His grace. I am blessed beyond measure. My relationship with Christ is not dependent upon whether or not I follow all of the man made rules. There are religious groups who would think I am not godly because I don't wear a skirt, I don't read the right Bible, and I enjoy a variety of music. However, this is not what the cross centered life is about! My holiness or godliness is not based on such trivial things. I don't have to try and win brownie points from God. I am completely justified because of what Christ did on the cross. It's not about me, it's about Him! I live under grace and how liberating and wonderful that truth is! I have been declared righteous. Do I need to still go through the process of sanctification? Certainly. I still need to be conformed to the image of Christ. But my sanctification has nothing to do with my justification. I think most Christian groups would believe these statements, but so many people are blinded. They know they're "saved" but still think they need to follow the "list". If things don't go their way and life isn't always peachy, they think somehow God is not pleased with them. This is the trap I have found myself in numerous times - as recently as this last week.
Mahaney says, "What joy the gospel gives me. I can approach the throne of God with confidence. Not because I've done a good job at my spiritual duties, but because I'm clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ." He also suggests this prayer:
"Lord, I ask for your grace and strength as I seek to serve you today. I thank you that all your blessings flow to me from your Son's work on my behalf. I am justified by your grace alone. None of my efforts to obey you and grow in sanctification add to your finished work at the cross."
How thankful I am that God's grace has been extended to me. I have more blessings in my life than I will ever deserve. God doesn't owe me a single thing!
12 comments:
Kelly,
You are very fortunate to have such a loving husband, and it is awesome that you were able to respond correctly to his loving rebuke. I found your post especially interesting because I have been convicted this week about how I respond to rebuke. I was reading a book on Titus 2 and I realized that if "older women" tried to confront me about areas in my life that I need to work on, specifically those listed in Titus 2, I would probably be offended and put up walls unless I had asked them for advice. Then as I read your post I realized that I don't always take rebuke from Jonathan as well as I should either. I do want his counsel, but sometimes I still get defensive:)
Anyway, I know the purpose of your post was more about our relationship to the cross (something I constantly need reminded of as well!), but I wanted to thank you for challenging me in more than one area!
P.S. Bible reading is going great, thanks for asking! How about you? I am actually listening to the passages being read online each day as I read along. I have found this helps to keep my attention. You can pause to write notes, etc. Here is the link if you are interested
http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/
chronological/?date=2007-01-01
Christine,
My Bible reading is going great as well. I am thoroughly enjoying it! Although I have to say that I am looking forward to being done with Job. What book on Titus 2 are you reading? It would happen to be Feminine Appeal would it? I can totally relate to you. I don't know how I would handle an older woman confronting me. Although, I think it would be great if one would! Unfortunately I don't see that happen much in the church. Don't be fooled, I can certainly get defensive at correction too. Sometimes I feel bad for Ben. He will correct me on something and I will go through this great explaination about why I am right. He will listen . . . and then I often discover than I am wrong. It is wonderful to have counsel from a man you can trust. They are great at separating their emotions from reality!
Wow, that sounded a bit harsh to me as I read how Ben confronted you but if that method works for you guys, then more power to you both! Praise the Lord for the way He works through our husbands to make us more like Christ. And thank the Lord for the grace He gave you to respond humbly to Ben's loving correction! I'm more sensitive when Matt corrects me so I really admire the grace God gave you in this instance!
I know it sounds like Ben was being harsh, but I think that's because you can't hear his tone. He is actually VERY loving in how he confronts me. I don't think I would respond too well if he was harsh. Honestly, I believe I am able to respond well to him because he is so kind in how he deals with me. Maybe Ben deserves more of the credit for how I respond than I do. :)
Kelly,
Thanks for your transparency. One thing I appreciate about the blogging world, is being reminded by others of the blessings and goodness of God, and at times the rebukes. Thanks for sharing this post. I am sure this has been a good growing time between you and your Savior AND you and your husband!
Nicki,
I agree with you in that I am often spiritually challenged when I read other blogs. It's great way to "spur one another on" - which is the verse that I put at the top of my blog for this very reason. It's one of my main reasons for blogging - though it's also fun to just keep in touch with friends. When I go to your blog it says you haven't posted since February of 2006. I know I have seen a more recent post. How do I get to your blog?
Kelly,
When is Ben going to start a blog?
Sarah
Sarah,
Who knows? Ask him. When are you going to update yours? :)
I am have blogger issues like you are. MY husband started his own "personal" blog a while back, and our name link connects you to that one, which he hasn't done anything on for some time. We are trying to get rid of that one and put our family one in place of it, but there is nothing that shows you how to do that. Anyway, our blog address is
www.four-toes.blogspot.com
It's mostly just pictures of our kiddos. Thanks for responding.:)
That seems like a very interesting book. It is very ironic how some of the "strongest" Christians are the ones who are very legalistic - you know, the ones who "stick to the list." It's always comforting to know that God accepts us as we are and reassuring that we are to please God rather than man.
Traci,
I know that it appears that the "strongest" Christians are the ones who are legalistic, but I can't help but think just the opposite is true. Perhaps it is really the weak believer who is legalistic because he is immature in Christ and he doesn't totally grasp his liberty in Christ. I wonder it is the young, or weak, who feel like they need all of the standards and rules in order to feel justified by God. It's just a thought.
Post a Comment