May 11, 2010
Little Treasures
At NWA some of us might remember Richard Cunningham talking about the ‘soft skills’ of Christian living. We often think the Christian life is all about ‘getting into heaven’, and write off ‘living well’ as very OT, pre-Kingdom stuff. But the Gospel isn’t as small as ‘where are you going when you die?’. It isn’t less than life-after-death, but it is most definitely more.
I am currently studying ‘The Dynamics of Biblical Change’, which is a pretty challenging topic and has also been quite productive so far. In no particular order here are some interesting little nibbles of wisdom that have challenged me recently. I present them with no explanation or reasoning, just see what strikes you. If I get organised enough at some point I may comment on some of them, however as always I’ll probably get distracted by something new before I get the chance.
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we might gain a heart of wisdom”
Psalm 90:12
“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees
Psalm 119:71
“A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but delights in airing his own opinions”
Proverbs 18:2
“The good man brings good things our of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks”
Luke 6:45
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.”
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
“Here is the truly Christian life, here is faith really working by love, when a man applies himself with joy and love to the works of that freest servitude in which he serves others voluntarily and for nought, himself abundantly satisfied in the fullness and riches of his own faith.”
Martin Luther – The Freedom of the Christian
“It would be a good contest amongst Christians, one to labour to give no offence, and the other to labour to take none. The best men are severe to themselves, tender over others.”
Richard Sibbes – The Bruised Reed
