Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avisandum. All human beings have flaws, struggles, disappointments, and problems to face.
We live in a fallen world. All of us sometimes act selfishly and struggle with self-absorption.
Furthermore, some people are raised in abusive and troubled homes. They've experienced little love, little compassion. In these homes they may have been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused and traumatized. Growing up in many homes is difficult and painful. Even those who are raised in loving and caring homes still have issues to face.
Family life can be problematic, distressing, and hurtful. There is also the human tendency to compare ourselves with others. Girls and young women may struggle with their self image. young men may look at others who are stronger, taller, and more athletic and accomplished. All of this, plus living in a world of disease, natural disasters, pain, and death, makes life Difficult.
What's the solution? In our therapeutic world, many people view themselves as victims. traumatized, oppressed, and have difficulty coping. Therapy is often seen as an answer. And in some cases therapy is helpful for those who have been abused and traumatized.
But I've known people to be in therapy for many years, which has been costly and time consuming. and there often seems to be little progress. When the therapy comes to an end, such people tend to run back to the therapist to work through their feelings, desperately trying to find direction, peace. Stability. Freedom.
Now I'm not a psychologist or a psychiatrist or a therapist, but it does concern me that followers of Jesus Christ sometimes give more credence to their therapists than to the clear teaching of Scripture. The promise of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that through trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. we are cleansed, we receive eternal life, we are adopted into the family of God, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This is our radical, supernatural transformation. Yes, it's a new birth, a new beginning.
and that radical transformation is beautifully illustrated by the baptism of the believer. The old is gone, the new has come. We are now resurrected with our Lord Jesus Christ to walk in newness of life. We have not only been justified, that is declared righteous by Holy God, we now begin the process of our sanctification, which has at its core becoming more and more like Jesus. Our sanctification is begun at our justification when we're saved by the grace of God.
Our sanctification will be completed at our glorification when we see Jesus. God's living Word sanctifies us. We are set apart from sin and set apart to serve our Lord Jesus. God's Word is truth, and daily cleanses us as we read it. Psalm 119, verse 9, reminds us that the ways of a young man are cleansed by taking heed to the word of God.
When difficulties blow into our lives, it's essential that we who are following Jesus keep our eyes on him. While it may be helpful to talk about our feelings with another person, fundamentally we need to read and to understand and appropriate the truth of God's Word. Many people believe that their personal feelings and opinions are the source of truth and are the center of gravity of their lives. There's a denial of absolutes. This is disastrous.
God, who made us in His image, set a path for us to follow. And the Lord Jesus will guide us even when others treat us badly. and when we suffer what therapists call relationship burnout, we will continue to look to Jesus, who is the truth, and who promises to lead us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. When professing believers turn from or neglect the means of grace which God has provided and turn to a secular therapist, I am not surprised their difficult situation does not change. It may get worse.
Instead of talking so much about ourselves and our feelings and our hurts, let us get on our knees and cry out to God for His help and for His healing. Read his word every day. Humbly look to him for your spiritual food and for direction. Meet with your brothers and sisters in your church community for worship, fellowship, prayer, the ordinances, and to hear the exposition of the living word of God. This is the divine antidote.
God in His grace will do His supernatural work through the Holy Spirit and through the Word of truth. Avizando. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is senior pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms.
For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
