Friday, April 23, 2010

Ezekiel 6

6 comments:

Unknown said...

very full day yesterday and didn't get a chance to get on here and comment on my notes... can't even remember what they were now! Running off to Alberta and won't be back till tomorrow night, will post some thoughts when I get the chance.

Mac an Rothaich said...

"A remnant of Israel should be left; at length they should remember the Lord, their obligations to him, and rebellion against him. True penitents see sin to be that abominable thing which the Lord hates. Those who truly loathe sin, loathe themselves because of sin. They give glory to God by their repentance.

Whatever brings men to remember Him, and their sins against him, should be regarded as a blessing.

It is our duty to be affected, not only with our own sins and sufferings, but to look with compassion upon the miseries wicked people bring upon themselves. Sin is a desolating thing; therefore, stand in awe, and sin not. If we know the worth of souls, and the danger to which unbelievers are exposed, we shall deem every sinner who takes refuge in Jesus from the wrath to come, an abundant recompence for all contempt or opposition we may meet with."

From a M. Henry commentary

Jude said...

v end of 9 and 10 "--how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and fro all their detestable practices. ANd they will know that I am the Lord; I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them. "

Thsi reminds me of my pre-Christian state but I did not realize why I did not like my self and even that was not changed immediately by giving my heart to God...it required some lifestyle change as well...dropping the sin out of life and what a hard struggle that is. I thinkn th at many in our society have a similar experience and I pray that our contemporaries would in deed see that He is the Lord...and yearn for his freedom.

MaR--The author you quoted is not holding out loathing themselves as a positive, is he? Perhaps it discourages this later on but it just seems disturbing in light of some groups who wish to follow God but go to the extent of self-mutilation...I am confident that God would not want us to do that to "his temple".

Unknown said...

good stuff. the "loathing" self.... it's complicated! We have been crucified with Christ and thus it is no longer US that live, but Christ in us, and that sanctifies us in the eyes of God. And yet we still fight with this body of death that is loathsome in itself, but if we hav a proper view of redemption we won't focus on self hatred, but worship of the one who redeemed us and a desire to bring Him glory and pleasure. I think?

Mac an Rothaich said...

I am not totally sure how far his doctrine goes but after spending some time struggling with self hatred I have learned (through my husbands encouragement) that once we are changed in Christ it isn't ourselves we should hate because Jesus treasures us.

Like Paul said we will continue to fight with this nasty sin within us but to remember it is no longer who we are if we are living in and for Christ.

I don't believe in harming oneself physically because this is a spiritual battle and war for the spirit of man, not the body.
Also, I have learned that hating ones self often leads to selfish depression and you become little use in your relationship with Christ.

I do however believe we need to remember the danger of sin and constantly examine our hearts even once Christians to make sure we are not letting the old nature take a new hold.

It has been a battle in my life not to be eaten up by guilt but that is why I don't believe in it (guilt), because it blinds me to what Christ has and wants to do with my life.

I understand the deep loathing that comes that this chapter touches on and so I guess that is why I shared the quote... I can identify...

Make any sense? I often feel like I really loose my way in making a point when I am typing on here!

Mac an Rothaich said...

Prairie Chick

Yes I totally agree with your comment. AMEN!

I have learned it is all about focusing on Christ and not my self. Even the church will often teach you should do this and do that and do do do and I have walked in to that trap and focused on fixing myself for Christ instead of letting him fix me:)