Antipas_14
Puritan Board Freshman
Hi everyone,
I have been reading Martin Lloyd-Jones book "Spiritual Depression", which I have been thoroughly enjoying, but have stumbled upon an issue of assurance that I want to better understand.
In the book, Martin Lloyd-Jones says this specifically about individuals who may not feel as if they have disciplined (or chastised as he puts it):
"If, therefore, you are not aware of something of this kind of dealing, I can but urge you to go back and examine yourself and make sure that you are a Christian at all because: ‘Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth’. Blessed be God Who has undertaken our salvation and our perfection and Who, having started the work will go on with it, and Who so loves us that if we will not learn the lessons voluntarily, will chastise us in order to bring us into conformity with the image of His dear Son." (Spiritual Depression, pg. 245)
He is discussing Hebrews 12:5-11, but particularly verse 8:
"If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons." (ESV)
I converted from a passive Roman Catholic background about 2 years ago, and as I reflect on my life since then I am not sure that I see discipline in my past. Since I have converted, I have felt very close to God, I truly enjoy studying His Word, reading books about church doctrine, church history, and sharing my faith with my wife who converted about a year and a half ago. It's all been a joyous experience this far.
With that said, I do know of times that I had struggled emotionally with various things, but I am trying to discern when I may have been disciplined in my life.
Lloyd-Jones speaks of examples like health issues, loss of money, hardships that are very trying to an individual, etc. as being forms of discipline. But as I reflect on my life, aside from occasional anxiety issues, or things not necessarily going how I would like them to whether at home or at work, I am not sure of what I could qualify as discipline at this point, which based on Hebrews 12:8 and Lloyd-Jones' statement, is scary to me. Is a Christian's life full of discipline, which as Lloyd-Jones explains, is ultimately our spiritual training, or are there seasons of it? Am I understanding discipline wrong or not applying it correctly?
Does anyone have any additional insight, or resources on this topic that might be beneficial for me to reference so I can further apply this to my life? I was hoping that Lloyd-Jones would elaborate a bit more on this!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Luke G
I have been reading Martin Lloyd-Jones book "Spiritual Depression", which I have been thoroughly enjoying, but have stumbled upon an issue of assurance that I want to better understand.
In the book, Martin Lloyd-Jones says this specifically about individuals who may not feel as if they have disciplined (or chastised as he puts it):
"If, therefore, you are not aware of something of this kind of dealing, I can but urge you to go back and examine yourself and make sure that you are a Christian at all because: ‘Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth’. Blessed be God Who has undertaken our salvation and our perfection and Who, having started the work will go on with it, and Who so loves us that if we will not learn the lessons voluntarily, will chastise us in order to bring us into conformity with the image of His dear Son." (Spiritual Depression, pg. 245)
He is discussing Hebrews 12:5-11, but particularly verse 8:
"If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons." (ESV)
I converted from a passive Roman Catholic background about 2 years ago, and as I reflect on my life since then I am not sure that I see discipline in my past. Since I have converted, I have felt very close to God, I truly enjoy studying His Word, reading books about church doctrine, church history, and sharing my faith with my wife who converted about a year and a half ago. It's all been a joyous experience this far.
With that said, I do know of times that I had struggled emotionally with various things, but I am trying to discern when I may have been disciplined in my life.
Lloyd-Jones speaks of examples like health issues, loss of money, hardships that are very trying to an individual, etc. as being forms of discipline. But as I reflect on my life, aside from occasional anxiety issues, or things not necessarily going how I would like them to whether at home or at work, I am not sure of what I could qualify as discipline at this point, which based on Hebrews 12:8 and Lloyd-Jones' statement, is scary to me. Is a Christian's life full of discipline, which as Lloyd-Jones explains, is ultimately our spiritual training, or are there seasons of it? Am I understanding discipline wrong or not applying it correctly?
Does anyone have any additional insight, or resources on this topic that might be beneficial for me to reference so I can further apply this to my life? I was hoping that Lloyd-Jones would elaborate a bit more on this!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Luke G
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