::Earth-Shattering Distinctives::

:: Friday, June 03, 2005 ::

From Total Depravity to Glorification

Even though the doctrine of Total Depravity is offensive to many Christians in our day of "rugged individualism" and the Arminian doctrine of "God helps those who help themselves", it's so much more beautiful to know that I have been called forth from death, than simply healed from a sickness, as taught by the doctrine of Semi-Pelagianism. Healings from sickness, cuts, bruises and colds happen all the time. Of course, this is also the work of the Lord, but when we realize that it is He who calls us forth to make us alive, and in addition to healing our sicknesses, loving Him means so much more. I think about why He would even want to change my heart from that of stone hardened against Him to one of flesh for His service. We should ponder this miracle of our regeneration continually, especially in a generation that is constantly looking for a sign.

I read Joni Eareckson Tada's biography for the first time the other day. I've read some of her later works, but for some reason I never read her first book. I guess it was because I wanted to avoid reading about the tragedy of her accident and subsequent quadriplegia. I was a young girl myself and didn't want to have to think about the fragility of my own body. So, I avoided it. At the time, I also didn't understand the doctrine of the resurrection of the body, and its incorruptibility. I had a gnostic idea that our bodies are prisons of our souls, and that in heaven we'll be floating around like ghosts. Of course I didn't want to read it. That philosophy makes doing anything depressing.

God's promises are just too much for my tiny brain. We are actually going to get new bodies! Incorruptible flesh. Wholeness through and through. We can't imagine that kind of wholeness anymore than a baby in the womb can imagine having an adult sculpted, athletic body. I always remind my mother as she ages with so much difficulty that her body will be made anew. And as I get more wrinkles and gray hair whether I want to or not, I have to remind myself that we won't have gray hair in heaven. If we do, it will be pure silver, maybe. Won't it be nice to not have any more colds or flu? No more wheelchairs? No more mosquito bites? No more scars? No more tummy aches? I mean, the fact that there won't be the presence of sin is amazing enough, but God just keeps giving more gifts. Salvation = health. That is the meaning of the word, salvation. If salvation doesn't mean health, it means nothing. Thank you, Lord, for our health, indeed, our salvation.

:: Mal du siecle 5:20 AM |