Prideful Penitence – Gary Thomas

To maintain a correct focus throughout Lent, it’s very important that we keep in mind there’s a proper solution to be penitent and a fallacious manner. Prideful penitence can really take us backward in our religious life. This devotion makes use of the insights of sixteenth century priest Lorenzo Scupoli to assist maintain us on observe.

In all honesty, I’m undecided what share of Christians this explicit Lent devotion applies to. Throughout us on the planet we see folks sinning with out regret, with out even a tingle of their conscience. Guilt is seen as absurd and even unhealthy in some quarters. Mentioning sin appears to some like one thing the “outdated” church bought fallacious. The “loving” church speaks of grace, welcome, and forgiveness completely.

However some Christians, for whom this devotion is written, get slowed down in guilt and despair once they enter right into a time of penitence. That’s not wholesome both.

I as soon as offended a youthful couple when interviewing one among them for baptism, and it got here out that they have been dwelling collectively. I requested the younger man whether or not he was conscious of the Bible’s educating on intercourse being reserved for marriage, or whether or not he knew that’s what the Bible teaches however, for no matter purpose, wasn’t following it. We are able to’t take this with no consideration. Premarital sexuality is so frequent that it’s very attainable a pair could by no means have heard that the Bible has one thing to say about it. Pastorally, we have to strategy that differently.

However this younger man admitted that he knew, however had determined, for no matter purpose, to reside the life he was dwelling. I mentioned we might marry them, assist them discover a separate place to reside, or discover different choices for them, nevertheless it was too quickly for them to be baptized till they addressed this ongoing sin. The biblical language is “repent and be baptized,” (Acts 2:38) which implies we intend to depart our sin behind. Although we are going to by no means reside good lives, our intent at baptism is to declare that Jesus isn’t simply Lord, however our Lord, which is troublesome to do if you happen to get baptized understanding you’ll go residence that night time to share the mattress of a person or girl you’re not married to.

We by no means heard from them once more. Two of us reached out to them for follow-up—we wished to stroll via this with them; we weren’t rejecting them—however they apparently have little interest in a church like ours. I hope they arrive again.

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