While
attacks on the deity of Christ are significant, they are usually obvious and
predictable. Because of that they should not be allowed to overshadow a more
serious peril.
Jesus
explained that the agenda of the Holy Spirit in the world was to bring
conviction concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. When Paul appeared
before the Roman Governor, Felix, he spoke of righteousness, self control and judgment to come. The subject matter is similar with the exception of the
reference to sin in the first statement and self-control in the second. Jesus’
use of “sin” has to do with the big picture of man’s rebellion. Paul’s use of
self-control has to do with how sin manifests itself.
Although
both remarks dealt with the unsaved world, the New Testament is clear that they
have a bearing on the one whose convicted heart has brought him to faith in
Christ. Such a person ought to have a Spirit-driven character of self-control –
a “God-forbid” response to sin or sin-friendly issues in life.
Not
surprisingly self control is itemized as a grape on the cluster of spiritual fruit. As such, it seems to have withered recently, and if it has withered there are reasons.
Unlike
the frontal attacks on the deity of Christ, the withering of self-control within
the community of faith has created a fifth-column culture of self-indulgent
carnal security.
In
almost any circles where you find yourself you will hear strident resentment of legalisms
of the past and celebrations of liberties in the present. On the other hand,
rarely (if ever) will you hear personal commitments to bring anything under
control, to set aside something liked or to engage in something difficult for the
sake of the cause of Christ. It is as though the warning against using our freedom as an opportunity for the flesh to gain a foothold in our lives has
become an anachronism.
Oooh, convicting!
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