The Subtle Beginnings of Self-Indulgence!

J.R. Miller 90x115by J.R. Miller

We do many things which to our own eyes appear innocent and harmless–but which have in them a hidden evil which we cannot see.

We indulge ourselves in many things which do not appear sinful to us–but which leave on our soul a touch of blight, and a soiling of purity–of which we do not dream!

We permit ourselves many little habits in which we see no danger–but which are silently entwining their invisible threads into a strong cable which may some day bind us hand and foot!

We spare ourselves self-denials and sacrifices, thinking there is no reason why we should make them, unaware that we are lowering our standard of holy living, and permitting the subtle beginnings of self-indulgence to creep into our hearts!

"Blessed is the man who does not . . . walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers!" Psalm 1:1

by J.R. Miller

February 6th, 2013

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Change Occurs Within Time But Is Not Caused By It

A.W. Tozer 90x115by A.W. Tozer

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands. Psalm 31:14-15a

Saul the Persecutor became Paul the servant of God, but time did not make the change. Christ wrought the miracle, the same Christ who once changed water into wine. One spiritual experience followed another in fairly rapid succession until the violent Saul became a gentle, God-enamored soul ready to lay down his life for the faith he once hated. It should be obvious that time had no part in the making of the man of God. My purpose in writing this little piece is not to engage in an exercise in semantics but to alert my readers to the injury they may suffer from an unfounded confidence in time. Because a Moses and a Jacob lost the impulsive, headstrong sins of their youth and in their old age became gentle, mellow saints we tend to take it for granted that time wrought the transformation. But it is not so. God, not time, makes saints. Human nature is not fixed, and for this we should thank God day and night. We are still capable of change. We can become something other than what we are. By the power of the gospel the covetous man may become generous, the egotist lowly in his own eyes. The thief may learn to steal no more, the blasphemer to fill his mouth with praises unto God. But it is Christ who does it all. Time has nothing to do with it.

by A.W. Tozer