From the Pastor’s Pen – April 2007

Sunday I stated: “the longer I preach the more convinced I am of the truth that man is totally helpless when it comes to spiritual things, but at the same time I am surprised at how many people reject this teaching and seek to make exceptions.” The 1689 Confession of Faith states: “By this sin (they willfully broke the law under which they had been created) our first parents lost their former righteousness, and their happy communion with God was severed. Their sin involved us all, and by it death appertained to all. All men became dead in sin, and totally polluted in all parts and faculties of both soul and body…They are utterly in-disposed to, and, indeed, rendered opposite to, all that is good.” Man in this lost state is in bondage, unable to do anything good, totally helpless. This week I have again seen this truth played out in real life. I know of a man who has been given many opportunities to improve his life but he continues to live an undisciplined life which brings with it many problems. Why would a person continue to live such a life? Why did Esau sell his birthright for a bowl of soup? Man’s inability to control the flesh is often very evident to others but not to himself. It is only by the Spirit of God that one is able to truly conquer the flesh. As Jesus told Nicodemus: “That which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of Spirit is spirit.” Therefore unless the Spirit of God comes upon a person’s life he will continue to walk in the flesh doing those things which please the flesh for he is in bondage to the flesh. Yes, you can make someone outwardly obey for a while by rules and punishment but inwardly they are corrupt and defiant; and when given the right occasion they will reveal their true nature. So what can we do? How do we deal with such a person? First, we must tell them about their corrupt heart and how they are inclined to do all kinds of evil. Second, tell them that they must avoid evil at all cost and that if they do not they will suffer the consequences. Third, tell them of their inability within themselves to please God and do good; they need to know why they are inclined to always disobey. It is important that we do not accept the idea that all teenagers will sow their wild oats and they will get it out of their system. This is a dangerous lie from Satan. We must press upon them what sin will do, scars that it will leave for life and that sin will never be satisfieduntil it actually takes them to Hell! Sin is a deadly reality that affects all people. Finally, we must tell them that their only hope is found in knowing God. In having a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit. But because of their sinful disposition to do their own will rather than God’s, they are incapable of submitting their own will to His. Therefore they must pray that God’s Spirit would blow on them as described in John chapter 3. We too must be faithfully praying for this work of the Spirit. All is vain unless the Spirit comes!

Praying for you. Pastor Thomas Winn