Friday, November 12, 2010

The Most Necessary Part of Our Wisdom

Yesterday I said another word from Owen was forthcoming.  And I said it would address the charge that maintaining the soul in a frame a "self-abasement, condemnation, and abhorrency" (Owen's wording) does not tend toward morbid introspection.  Well, here is Owen's take on this issue:
To keep our souls in a constant frame of mourning and self-abasement is the most necessary part of our wisdom with reference unto all the ends of the life of God; and it is so far from having any inconsistency with those consolations and joys which the gospel tenders unto us in believing, as that it is the only way to let them into the soul in a due manner.  It is such mourners, and those alone, unto whom evangelical comforts are administered (Isa. 57:18).
Can anyone tell me that their deepest Christian experience in walking with God does not bear this out?  I cannot for the life of me see how this is out of step with Scripture and the Spirit.  It certainly fits my own experience walking with God.  Like hand in glove.

"Blessed/Happy are the poor in spirit. . . . Blessed/Happy are those who mourn. . . ." (Mt. 5:3-4).  And blessed are those who are "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Cor. 6:10).

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