True Spirituality (Lk 18:9-17)
Intro: Having a proper spirit in self-examination
Ps 139:23-24
9. Gracious affections soften the heart & bring a tender spirit
Those who seek Christ to be a savior OF sin (not FROM sin) become like those in Ez 33, "When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness & commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die" (Ez 33:13, see Jude 4, 2Pe 2:18-22).
But the Spirit of Christ renews our conscience & makes us tender of spirit, like little children (Mt 10:42, 18:3, Jn 13:33).
10. Gracious affections are beautifully balanced.
False affections are characterized by a "monstrous disproportion in gracious affections." Ex: 1Jn 4:20-21, Hos 7:8, Mt 5:45-46.
We must seek true Christ-like balance: Mk 6:34 & 8:2, Mt 5:4, Jer 17:7-8
11. Gracious affections are not self-satisfied but produce a longing for more holiness.
Unlike Pharisaical religion which is self-satisfied (Lk 18:9-17), we who are MATURE need to have the spirit of the apostle (Phil 3:12-15, see Mk 9:24, 1Pe 2:2-3)
"Satisfying longings?" Yes:
- We never grow weary of these joys
- They live up to our expectations
- They're perfectly adapted to our soul's wants
- Spiritual joys are soul-expanding
Conclusion: Let us all be SEEKERS in the Biblical sense (Ps 69:32, Ps 70:4, etc).
Ps 81:10, "Open your mouth wide, & I will fill it." |
