The first one is honesty. For those who go to AA, it is about an honest admission of being powerless to control a drinking problem. For everyone, it is an honest admission of being powerless over the power of any sin, over the desire to run my own life and ignore or reject what God wants for me.
MacArthur has focused on the character and benefits of God’s Word, and points to the bottom line: it is the way that He trains us to be righteous, to live the way He intended. This will involve doing good as well as being good, actions as well as attitudes.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and 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 Timothy 3:16–17)
A twelve-step person told us that the hardest part is admitting their own rottenness. For this, the Holy Spirit gives us a hand-up by convicting us of sin and encouraging confession. God’s involvement is like that of a parent who disciplines an erring child. This is painful but necessary and an act of love on His part.
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:5–11)
Just as He disciplines, God also feeds me. My part is to go to Him with my hunger, acknowledging that Scripture is my spiritual nourishment. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) and Peter added that I need to “put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:1–3)
James added the same thing: “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21) and MacArthur notes that trying to feast on Scripture without confessing sin is like attempting to eat a meal while wearing a muzzle.
It is true that the Word of God will keep me from sin, or sin will keep me from opening God’s Book. I need to keep short accounts and not lose my appetite so that He can speak to me, refresh me, and remind me of all that He is and does.
PRAY: Lord, I’ve faced temptation already today, but remembered truth from Your Word and walked away. You are an awesome, gracious and loving God who wants the best for me. Thank You for nourishing my spirit and giving me an appetite for more!
PONDER: These two passages give me two thoughts:
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. (Philippians 3:1)
It should never be a bother to remind others of spiritual truth. It is for their protection and success.
Therefore, I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (2 Peter 1:12–15)
It is good to be reminded of things I already know so that I can recall them when the need arises. Do not ever excuse learning with, “Oh, I already know that” but meditate on repeated lessons; the repetition indicates that they are important now and in the future.