This post, by Ray Ortlund, provided a clear picture of every sinner’s heart–of my heart–apart from God’s marvelous, matchless grace. Since I found it so convicting and praise-inspiring, I decided to share it with you:
“When we take the history of a child of God, compressed within the short period of a single day — mark what flaws, what imperfections, what fickleness, what dereliction in principle, what flaws in practice, what errors in judgment and what wanderings of heart make up that brief history — how we are led to thank God for the stability of the covenant, that covenant which provides for the full redemption of all believers, which from eternity secures the effectual calling, the perfect keeping and certain salvation of every chosen vessel of mercy!”
Octavius Winslow, Personal Declension and Revival of Religion in the Soul (London, 1962), page 169.
Praise God for His cleansing, covenant-keeping love that is steadfast despite our wandering hearts that stray from His grace. We are beggars hungry for bread, and so often, we are willing to eat the rottenness of this fallen world rather than enjoy the soul-satisfying Bread of Life that has already been served up for us! Oh, that we might finally learn to taste and see that He is good!!
HT: Thanks, Dr. Ortlund for the scrumptious quote.
Thank you for reminding me, that despite the direction of my heart, Christ’s grace to the glory of God leads us to salvation.
You are most welcome, my friend!! We serve such a patient, loving God. In fact, after being cut to the heart for his sin of adultery and murder, David cries out to God for mercy. He doesn’t ask God to be merciful on the basis of his [David's] own character, but on the basis of HIS character–lovingkindness: (Psalm 51:1-2 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”). May we never forget the beauty of this grace–we could never earn it, but Christ did and He gives it freely to us by faith. Thanks for your encouraging comment… and may the grace and mercy of our Lord lift your heart toward eternal praise for His everlasting love!! Blessings in Christ, Gabe Tribbett