by Pastor John Kim

Greetings to the LBC family and friends from very cold Minneapolis, Minnesota!

Jonathan Edwards Resolution #39
Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

Have you ever regretted doing something wrong AFTER you have already done it? We typically don’t have a problem in considering if something is “unlawful” as Edwards calls it when we examine what we have done and see clearly that the conduct or behavior or attitude that was displayed was sinful before God. But we need to be consistent in how we view these things. We need to do a better job of questioning the lawfulness of our actions and attitudes before we intend to follow through and look at it in the same way as if it was after the fact. We are often good at justifying our sins because we minimize the wrongfulness of what we do beforehand, often trying to find ways to make it really less that what it is. We then feel so guilty after the fact because deep in our hearts we knew better but instead of submitting to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, we will desensitize ourselves with fleshly feelings so as to distract ourselves or even just smother the conscience so that w e don’t feel bothered.

It would do us well to simply THINK and examine what we plan to do and see it in reflection of God’s truth. We really do need to look at the mirror of God’s Word, both before and after we do all that we do so that we can ask ourselves if we are being consistent in how we live. Now we will never be perfect of course, but the goal of our spiritual lives is to grow in consistency and maturity in Christ.

Now there might be the rare occasion that we might do something that in reflection we look back and realize that it might have been something that we should not have done but we had not given as much attention as we should have. This can honestly happen as we are all in the process of still having our hearts and minds exposed to the truth and we wrestle with ignorance in many areas of our lives. That’s why we need wisdom, so that we don’t stay the fool.

This really just takes hard work. You can’t let up. There are so many times when we feel we deserve a break and that we just can’t always be on guard for every little thing. But we must. It only takes one slip up and you could end up making a decision that you will regret for the rest of your life. Consider 1 Peter 1:13-16

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

We can’t afford to be using the excuse of ignorance all the time. Let’s renew our minds with God’s truth and stay sober for the battle.

In His grace,
Pastor John