Both The Rebuke and The Encouragement Are Free
"The principle charge against the human race, the world's deepest guilt, the all-inclusive cause of judgment, is idolatry." -Tertullian, Early Latin Theology, text: Idolatry pg83.
I find this so very true, unfortunately, within my own heart. Outside the comedic relief of Michael Scott at the "Office" arogance is ugly. May God wash it from us.
I will bless you with the words whereby I was blessed. The words of Saint Augustine:
"Stand with him and you will stand firmly rooted. Rest in him and you will have true rest. Why do you continue to go along these rough paths? Where are you going? The good things that you love come from him, and as long as the good is from him, it is good and enjoyable. But it will justly become bitter if that which comes from his is loved instead of him. Why then do you continue to walk farther and farther along these difficult and wearying paths? There is no rest where you are searching for it. It is right that you should seek rest, but the rest is not to be found where you are seeking it. You are looking for a pleasant life in the land of death, but it is not to be found there. How can there be a happy life where there is no life at all?
Our True Life came down to earth, and bore our death. He slew our death out of the abundance of his own Life. He thundered forth, and cried out to usto return with him to that secret place from which he had come forth to us."
Augustine's Confessions, pg 29
Be Blessed Brothers
I find this so very true, unfortunately, within my own heart. Outside the comedic relief of Michael Scott at the "Office" arogance is ugly. May God wash it from us.
I will bless you with the words whereby I was blessed. The words of Saint Augustine:
"Stand with him and you will stand firmly rooted. Rest in him and you will have true rest. Why do you continue to go along these rough paths? Where are you going? The good things that you love come from him, and as long as the good is from him, it is good and enjoyable. But it will justly become bitter if that which comes from his is loved instead of him. Why then do you continue to walk farther and farther along these difficult and wearying paths? There is no rest where you are searching for it. It is right that you should seek rest, but the rest is not to be found where you are seeking it. You are looking for a pleasant life in the land of death, but it is not to be found there. How can there be a happy life where there is no life at all?
Our True Life came down to earth, and bore our death. He slew our death out of the abundance of his own Life. He thundered forth, and cried out to usto return with him to that secret place from which he had come forth to us."
Augustine's Confessions, pg 29
Be Blessed Brothers
posted by adam at 5:43 PM
2 Comments:
Reminds me of Phil. 2. Christ is the ultimate example of humility. Yet I tend to forget or be ashamed of his acts of humility in the incarnation and atonement. How arrogant is it to be an idolator!!?? There is rest found in true worship.
Adam,
C.S. Lewis said we are "half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
I think that falls under the category of idolatry. Since God is infinitely satisfying and desirable, to not totally desire him is falling short of his glory. I like to think of it as wanting to eat a Big Mac at McDonald's when there is the Outback Special available.
Oh God, may we desire you more than anything this world has to offer!
Thanks for the advice in your posting on my blog. I left a response with a few more questions for whenever you get a chance.
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