In Agreement!

Someone has said, “You can always tell a well informed man -- his views are the same as yours.” [source: calendar quote] Is that our means of determining the wisdom of others; their agreement with us? Though we can be greatly encouraged in the company of those of kindred spirit, if we only seek association with those who agree with us, how can we learn where we might be wrong? On most any point we can probably find someone who will agree with us. However, simply making a comparison of ourselves with others is neither a wise nor a consistent standard. (note 2 Corinthians 10:12)

We are certainly in trouble if we are only seeking where God agrees with us. The aim needs to be the other way around. What we need is to have God helps us SEE AS HE SEES and so be in agreement with Him!

When Paul talked about the benefit He had under the Law, he wrote…
“(7) What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN SIN. I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’” ( Romans 7:7 ESV)

Down a few verses he went on to state…
“(13) Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order THAT SIN MIGHT BE SHOWN TO BE SIN, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.” ( Romans 7:13 ESV)

The Greek reads, “sin that it might shine sin”; the word “phaino” meaning to shine or be brought forth into light in the sense of appearing or becoming evident. That is why those who persist in sin love darkness rather than light, because the light exposes them. (note John 3:19-20) What we need is to remain in the light so that the sin in our life may be SEEN AS GOD SEES IT; utterly sinful! When sin is not seen AS GOD SEES it, it becomes rationalized and trivialized or even re-categorized as something else. (note Isaiah 5:20) Such is being wise in one’s own sight, rather than God’s ( Isaiah 5:21)

Unless we agree to SEE AS GOD SEES we will never be able to acknowledge sin’s sinfulness, distastefulness, ugliness, or costliness so that we will be suitably compelled to fully turn from it. May we sincerely seek to agree with God’s views of sin so that through confession and repentance we can receive the blessing of forgiveness He is faithful to provide. ( 2 Corinthians 7:10 and 1 John 1:9) Then as we live in His light we will be enabled to clearly see that our deeds are being carried out in Him. ( John 3:21)

Have a great day BLESSED IN LIVING A GOD INFORMED LIFE!
Carl

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