Bloghardt's Reflector

Normally people tell me that I'm too Gospelly and that I don't know the Law.  When they want to slander me, they even call me an antinomian! But, to truly get the Gospel right, you have to know the Law.

Today's Law is the pride of "playing Luther."  Uh oh.  Don't go there, Bloghardt.  Oh yes, I'm gonna go there...(smile)

Every one seems to want to be Dr. Luther standing before the Diet of Worms saying, "Here I stand, God help me."  The difference between what happened with Dr. Luther and the rest of us, is that Dr. Luther wasn't doing it for his own glory, but for the Gospel of Christ Jesus. 

We'd love to have done the same!  We even are right like Dr. Luther was!  Our normal target lately is the false teaching around us - wherever we think it might be (coughs - our church body - coughs).  Some very pious pastors (coughs - Peperkorn - coughs) do this solely for the glory of God. 

Then, there's me... (smile)  If given the opportunity, I'll do something for my own glory.  This is the work of the devil, the world, and my sinful flesh who target me even when I'm doing something that is seemingly good.  How often is it not for Jesus' sake that I do what I do but for my own glory - to be seen by men.  I am even gotten by sinful pride when I'm confessing Jesus.

You know what I mean, don't you?  It happens to you too, doesn't it?

The question is "why are you doing what you are doing?"  Are you doing it for Him or for yourself?  Are you standing there boldly speaking against false doctrine for the sake of the truth of the Gospel or are you doing it to seek the glory of men?  Did you start by wanting to the confess the faith, then got caught up in what you were doing?  Now, are you so important (whether really or in your own eyes) that you feel you must confess?  Doesn't feel good to be confessing in front of people, with them looking at you, giving you props?

That Old Man is a good swimmer, isn't he?  You drown him and he goes popping back up again.  Pride comes, sin comes, where we least expect it.  Seeking the glory of men comes when we absolutely think it would never come - when we stand up to confess Christ crucified.

That's why I don't, won't, and can't take "pride" in my confession of the Gospel, preaching, or writing.  It's why I do my absolute best to deflect everything that is me.  I know me.  I'm no Luther.  I know my own concupiscence.  I'm the worst sinner alive today.  I seem to get worse every time I look at me.

What am I saying?  "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." (Rom. 7:18-19)

What hope is there for someone as rotten as me?   "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 7: 24-25.

No more boasting in how bold you are!  No more boasting in how you are sinning boldly for the sake of the Gospel.  No more grabbing Dr. Luther's words to make yourself feel bold when you hit "submit" on your post! 

Thank God for Bob Waters who reminded me in his post yesterday that the only One who actually could boast before God deflected boasting and humbled Himself to be born of a woman.  He took upon Himself our pride and arrogance and died.  He alone is our hope.  He alone is our salvation.

So, am I saying don't confess?  No, confess Christ crucified for you.  Am I slamming folks that confess?  Nope.  I'm saying, "Turn from everything that is you - sanctified pride, regular pride, or whatever-you-wanna-name-it-pride. Confess Christ." 

Do it boldly but fearful realizing the danger of your own pride.  Know your sinful desire to seek the glory and praise of men.  Do it knowing that Jesus won't hold your good confession against you on the Last Day.  He died for sinners, even ones like me who sin even when they are trying to do something good.

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Gal. 6:14)