Sanctifyingly Specific - GBC Bulletin Column #1

Suppose you had a disease. You wouldn’t like it if the doctor was vague or made generalizations about it. Vagueness doesn’t give a clear picture, and so can be unhelpful. Generalizations don’t give the full picture, and so can be unfair. Vague generalizations are an intolerable double whammy of unhelpful unfairness. Sadly, what we don’t like in other aspects of life, we often tolerate spiritually. We nod as Scripture is read, and agree with the words, but secretly we harbour our own self-centred interpretation of those words so when they are faithfully explained and practically applied, we disagree. Many just find teachers who will say only what they want to hear.

Paul writes to Christians, “If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonourable, he will be a vessel for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21). This should be done in the context of a local church: “Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Tim. 2:22). This is why we meet together to hear God’s word preached. The Word is the Spirit’s sword not only to defend us, but to discipline us. It is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16). A sword is not useful when waved over people’s heads. It is only  useful when it makes contact with people’s heads and penetrates their hearts. For example, it is not good enough to speak simply against “sin.” Everyone would agree! But when specific sins are called out, that’s when it gets personal.

Being specific when speaking God’s word to man gives a picture that is all too clear and one that is very full – so full as to tell us what God thinks and says about who we are, and who we should be. That can be painful. But it is sanctifying - it “sets us apart as holy.”

This was printed in the worship bulletin of Grace Baptist Church (Wood Green) 28/04/2013 and is the  the first of a new column I will be writing on a weekly basis for the congregation.