Torrey Gazette is the combined work of everyday Christians blogging on books, family, art, and theology. So pull up a seat and join us. Family Table rules apply. Shouting is totally acceptable.
It's time for a personal inspection. Though we do not want legalism in our evaluation, one must be honest about their Sabbath activities. Are they done to proclaim God's word and its testimony to our rest, relaxation and fellowship? Or do we use the Lord's Sabbath to provide for ourselves like the rest of the world?
This petition can seem very difficult. For since “all have sinned” (Rom 3:23) there are many debtors. Many people will hurt us and take things from us. But like God’s forgiveness, our forgiveness must be unearned. Thus Paul instructs us to forgive just as Christ (Eph 4:32).
I've re-discovered a love for moments. Yes, as your typical Type A person, I prefer accomplishing tasks that can be scratched off a "to-do" list - but that doesn't happen to be my life at the .... moment!
This part of the petition is difficult for some people. We are only forgiven when we forgive. Forgiving others doesn’t earn us forgiveness. But it is a sign that we have understood our forgiven state when we forgive others.
Though we know to pray for our forgiveness, it is important to full understand why. As God’s creation we are supposed to obey Him. When we don’t we “steal” His glory (Rom 3:23) by exalting ourselves.
To focus on others before ourselves is to relegate to secondary the major issue of this petition, our unmerited forgiveness. The pious sinner remains in sin when his own confession is forgotten (Luke 18:9-14). We must pray with our forgiveness first most on our hearts.
The highlights come when Piper’s pastoral and missional passion is most evident. This has a way of elevating some chapters beyond their mere content and placing the reader in a state of genuine fellowship.
After earthly provision, Christ taught the petition of spiritual restoration. Man is to consider himself from God’s prospective: a sinner working sins (Isa 64:6; Rom 3:23). With this perspective we recognize our need for forgiveness.
These are the types of polarizing questions that I love. Not that I enjoy polarization in general. Surely there are better things to do with ones time. But if you're in the corner, reporting that you're in the corner is hardly wrong. If theology is truly going to be practical, then occasionally our practices will be different. Today's questions most certainly will highlight some of the distinct features of my theology and its application to civil legislation and moral integrity.
Though certainly material and physical, this pray is also a reflection of our need for Jesus Christ. He is the true bread of life (John 6:35, 48). He is the new manna that God gives us daily to satisfy our eternal life (John 6:30-33, 49-51).
