Dr. Russell Moore on "Christful Peace"

On the 19th of this month Dr. Moore reminded us that sometimes in our talk of "peace" we are not thinking of a biblical peace but a worldly peace.  In other words, there is such thing as a "Satanic peace" in contrast to a "Christful peace".  In his blog post provocatively titled "Christlessness is Peace" Dr. Moore comments:

"I find that, too often, I want a satanic peace, the kind that comes with Christlessness. I just want tranquility, to be left alone with the path in which I want to go. That’s the kind of peace that comes with slavery, and it’s attractive (Gal. 4:9). After all, peace with Pharaoh simply means making more stray bricks. Peace with the flesh simply means watching out for your own tribal loyalties. Peace with Satan simply means marching in rhythm with your desires toward a bloody grave (Eph. 2:1-3).

You can have a Christless pseudo-peace, for a little while.

But true shalom doesn’t leave us alone, as though we were orphans (Heb. 12:8). Christful peace prompts us to struggle (Heb. 12:4), to scream out for deliverance (Rom. 8:15), to be nailed down in execution (Mt. 10:38)."

Great thoughts from Dr. Moore.  A Christian's peace, true peace, is found by means of war; war on the world, the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride in possessions (including tranquil, undisturbed, lonely peace). 

Reflections on Micah 7:8-10: Christians, the Indignation of God toward Sinners, and the Gospel of Victory

Micah 7:8-10:
Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;
when I fall, I shall rise;
when I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be a light to me.
I will bear the indignation of the Lord
because I have sinned against him,
until he pleads my cause
and executes judgment for me.
He will bring me out to the light;
I shall look upon his vindication.
Then my enemy will see,
and shame will cover her who said to me,
“Where is the Lord your God?”
My eyes will look upon her;
now she will be trampled down
like the mire of the streets.


Concerning the Micah 7:8-9, I believe that we can relate to Micah in the seriousness of our sin, the judgment it incurs from God, and faith in God's character to vindicate the covenant people while judging the unrighteous.  Micah did not lose hope because he knew that God had indignation toward him but instead had faith that God would deal with it justly and also plead his case and vindicate him.  He took sin seriously before God and also reveled in his mercy that he would bring him from the darkness into the light.  God would raise him up and he would be victorious over his enemies.

Don't Waste Your Life

The phrase "Don't Waste Your Life" has echoed in the reformed circles of the Christian world, mostly because of John Piper's book by the same title. In it Piper calls us to evaluate American individualistic values and compare them to the biblical values. Language betrays us here because the very discussion of values is a very American concept. The Bible speaks of moral virtues in connection to God such as righteousness, faithfulness, godliness, integrity, and honor. The Bible also gives values to persons and not merely ideas or beliefs, the most valuable treasure being the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

The Lord has been counseling me through many means this past dark night.  I have been struggling with indwelling sin: frustration, condemnation, and the fear of man.  He has used many a means of grace…brotherly accountability, fellowship, circumstances, but mainly the ministry of his word and the ministry of my wife.  In this night I have been wallowing in my self-absorption, my pride, and my pretense.