Afterwords -- running the race
"Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne." (Hebrews 12:1-2 CSB)
March 1, 2024
Dear friends,
We enjoyed special meetings this week at our church, learning about "Running the Race to the End" with Dr. Tom Schreiner. (See below for links.)
I was encouraged to take more seriously the various warning passages in the New Testament, especially Hebrews, though we looked at quite a few passages in all. It was reinforced to us, as well, that the Lord loses not one of all whom the Father gives him (John 6:37-40; Rom 8:29-39). The admonitions are necessary to keep us on the path to glory. They are there not to make us insecure, but to motivate us to keep going. God has ordained the means as well as the ends. It's not about being perfect, but rather, making progress in our obedience to the Lord. Tom concluded with an extended quotation from Herman Bavinck. Here it is in part:
The admonitions of Scripture are "...the way in which God himself confirms his promise and gift through believers. They are the means by which perseverance in life is realized. After all, perseverance is also not coercive but, as a gift of God, impacts humans in a spiritual manner. It is precisely God's will, by admonition and warning, morally to lead believers to heavenly blessedness and by the grace of the Holy Spirit to prompt them willingly to persevere in faith and love." (Herman Bavinck) The rest of the quote is here.
ON READING.
I was asked today how much time I spent reading, since it looks like I read a lot of books. Please be assured that when I list books, I may not have read them all, or at least, read them with the same speed, breadth, or depth. Some books I sample or skim, but don't read in their entirety. I read IN them but not all OF them. This is true especially of many reference books. Some books I start but do not finish. Francis Bacon said, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few are to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.” (Francis Bacon, Essays) Full disclosure: I have not read Francis Bacon -- I got that quote from Goodreads!
LINKS.
-- BCF Spiritual Life Conference (2024) audio messages here. Recommended!
-- Much of the material in Tom's messages can be found in Run to Win the Prize: Perseverance in the New Testament, by Thomas Schreiner (Crossway, 2010),
-- I've recently subscribed to Dan Fischer's excellent newsletter, "The A La Carte Scholar." Here's the most recent post.
-- I'm loving this song: "The Everlasting Love of God," by the three Matts.
-- Was reminded how gifted a composer and worship leader is James Ward. For many years he served as Minister of Music at New City Fellowship, a church plant in inner-city Chattanooga. Listen to his rendition of "Rock of Ages."
IN OTHER NEWS.
The daffodils around here seem to think it's spring. I enjoyed a good hike up Price mountain yesterday and took the picture below of a little pine tree surrounded by much larger trees, mainly hardwoods. And, as of today, it is spring break in Blacksburg. So, I guess spring must not be too far off!
FINAL QUOTE.
"Did Christ finish his work for us? Then there can be no doubt but he will also finish his work in us." (John Flavel)
That's it for this week!
Sandy
Image credit. Photo above by Gary Butterfield on Unsplash. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
