We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Hungering and Thirsting After Righteousness


I can never make myself like Jesus Christ, but I can stop walking in the gutters of life.  That is a part of hungering and thirsting. …  I suggest that if we are truly hungering and thirsting after righteousness we shall not only avoid things that we know to be bad and harmful, we shall even avoid things that tend to dull or take the edge off our spiritual appetites.  There are so many things like that, things that are quite harmless in themselves and which are perfectly legitimate.  Yet if you find that you are spending much of your time with them, and that you desire the things of God less, you must avoid them.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “Studies in the Sermon on the Mount,” volume 1, p.91

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Our "pastors" are bringing in worldliness into the church and now even making the sanctuaries look like rock concert venues (complete with wild backdrops, fancy colored lights, and most of all, removing the cross!). That makes us have to work harder to avoid the gutters of life... because these "leaders" are bringing the world into the very church where we're trying to find some rest and safety!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh don't bother rebuking this, either, they'll just tell you that you're the problem when you're hungering and thirsting for righteousness and purity in the church.

Hanging out in the well with Jeremiah,

-Carolyn

Martha said...

The Word of God states that our bodies are the "temples" of God, the Holy Spirit, not the synagogues or sanctuaries. So then, how many people are abusing their bodies, which is true temple of His Spirit?

Not worried about what is going on in the buildings, Jesus said that that buildings would be coming down and the Body of Christ would worship Him in spirit and truth. We can easily do that beside a lake, in our own homes, in our vehicles, in our hospital beds, etc. We don't need a building built with human hands to worship our LORD and King, Jesus.