The Perils of Introspection

Great post by Trevin Wax:

Too many times, we dress up our introspection with flowery terms like “accountability” and “mortification” and “gospel-centered change.” Even if all these terms and concepts are good and needed, if our gaze is constantly inward-focused, then we are as self-centered as the Christian who is consumed with seeking personal pleasure apart from God.
We can avoid this type of introspection by avoiding the pitfalls of some of the Puritans. Though the Reformers sought to emphasize the assurance we can have because of God’s grace in election and salvation, their descendants sometimes undercut the beauty of assurance by stressing the fruit of sanctification more than the fact of justification. Self-examination was a “descending into our own hearts” to root out every possible sinful tendency and desire.
Beware the paralysis that comes from this type of introspection. If our goal is to discover, analyze, and root out every aspect of sinfulness in our hearts, then we will never come to the end of the task.

Read the whole thing here

Implications of Jesus' Active Obedience

Great tweets from Paul Tripp today (11/20/2012) on the implications of Jesus' active obedience:

Jesus not only bore the penalty for our sin, he satisfied the requirement of our righteousness so we would be accepted with God forever.

Every thought, desire, choice, word and action of Jesus was lived on your behalf so you could stand before God with a record that is clear.

Jesus did it all so that in your failure to do what God commands you would be greeted with mercy and not judgment.

Chapter 1: The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

A basic outline of C.1 of The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, by Jeremiah Burroughs.

Definition of contentment: "Christian contentment is that sweet inward quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition."

What is contentment? Definition of contentment explained.

I. Contentment is a sweet, inward heart-thing. It is a work of the Spirit indoors.

II. Contentment is a gracious frame of spirit 

What is a gracious frame of spirit not opposed to?

• To acknowledging and feeling the pain of affliction
• To lamenting suffering with God and friends
• To getting help or seeking deliverance by lawful means.

What is this gracious frame opposed to?

• Murmuring at the hand of God
• Vexation and worry
• Tumultuousness of spirit
• An unsettled and unstable spirit that distracts us from Christian duty
• Distracting, heart-consuming cares
• Sinking discouragements
• Sinful shiftings and shirkings to get relief and help
• Desperate risings of the heart against God by way of rebellion

What is a "gracious frame of spirit"?

• A grace that spreads itself through the whole soul
• It comes from the disposition of their hearts
• It's a consistent contentment of soul--not just a good mood

Distinguishing a gracious frame of spirit from natural causes of inner peace.

A gracious frame of spirit is not :

• Natural quietness, by temperament
• A determined, self-sufficient inner resolve
• Natural, unsanctified reason (i.e. Socrates)

III. Contentment is freely submitting to and taking pleasure in God's disposal

The contented soul freely submits to God's disposal.

• The contented soul believes God has ordained his/her afflication and quickly submits to God's will in their affliction.
• They submit freely not by force.
• They submit rationally. They having a thinking, rational faith in God.

The contented soul freely submits to God's disposal.

The contented soul takes pleasure in God's disposal

The contented soul takes pleasure in God's disposal

IV. True contentment is steadfast contentment

• The truly contented person will remain content even when trials of the kind they most fear come upon them.
• The truly contented person will joyfully bear up under trails at any time and for any length of time
• The truly content person will remain content even as life circumstances change, for better or for worse.