1st May 2025

1st May 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (1 John 1v8)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


The old story goes that if we just change course by one small step per day, eventually our lives will have moved to a radically different place. What is it that we often see on Facebook? Every journey begins with the first step. To be honest I don’t really dispute this. If your goal is to run a marathon then at some point you’re going to need to start running. But spiritually speaking we need to realise that we are never going to be perfect this side of glory.


I once knew a man who was a fine Christian and yet he believed that he had grown so much in his Christian walk that he was now able to keep God’s law fully. He quoted the golden rule and boldly stated that he kept God’s command perfectly. We argued back and forth and I could not shift him from his assertion that he loved his God and neighbour spotlessly. Let me stress that I am convinced the man was truly saved but he was also truly misguided.


Am I saying that progress isn’t possible in the Christian walk? By no means. Progress (sanctification) is a sure and certain work which is taking place each day as the Spirit moves. The Lord has begun this work and He will certainly complete it at the day of Christ, but this work will not be completed on this side of heaven.


Why is this important? The catechism asks “Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?” The answer given tells us that no man can keep God’s commandments perfectly either by himself or by any grace received in this life. In other words it doesn’t matter how much growth the Christian experiences, no one is able to walk rightly before the Lord.


There can be no room for arrogance in the Christian life. I have met some incredibly holy people over the years and yet all of them needed the grace of God on a daily basis. I’ve also met others dripping with self-righteousness whose attitude suggested they were faultless in every way.


Brothers and sisters, we should desire holiness without which none of us will see the Lord but we should never put our trust in our own obedience. There will be days that you will win and days that you will lose - always remember that you are but an unprofitable servant who even on your best day falls far short of what is required. Even so, perhaps you and I will pray as Robert Murray M’Cheyne once did, “Lord, make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be.” May it be so.  


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q72 What is forbidden in the seventh commandment? The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.
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