Wednesday, February 29, 2012

3/1/12- We Reap What We Sow

9- 3/1- WLC- 28-30
LCQ. 28. What are the punishments of sin in this world?
A. The punishments of sin in this world are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections; or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sakes, and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself.
Q. 29. What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
A. The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever.
Q. 30. Does God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
A. God does not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works; but of his mere love and mercy delivereth his elect out of it, and brings them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Gal. 6:7,8)
Thoughts: Even during Lent, it is hard to think of what we deserve for our sins.  In fact, our pride makes us think we continually deserve better than we actually get.  We think we deserve eternal life simply because we have been given life and that God loves us.  But such an attitude cheapens life and faith as well as the cross of Christ, eliminating holiness and the striving to be better.  However, we reap what we sow.  If we sow to please the flesh we will reap the consequences of it.  The Larger Catechism leaves nothing out.  Part of appreciating Christ is thinking on where we would be without them.  I often tell my wife how I would miss her if she never came in my life, and how much better a person I am because God brought us together.  Christ has come.  Those who are reading this are invited to remember where they would be without Him.  If we leave Christ out of our life, we reap the loneliness and desertion of God's blessing. 
Prayer: My misery is great and I have no hope without you, Lord.  Give me grace to be grateful that you have saved me from so many miseries and punishments. 

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