Scripture reminds us that we are to think of others in a way that is very difficult to do. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Phil. 2:3). Now the sense of this is not that we are to pretend … [Read more...]
Being Made Wince-Worthy
Another area where self-control is greatly needed is in the area of mockery and scoffing. The reason this is needed is because mockery is a deadly weapon, and a lot depends on where it is aimed. This is important because mockery is inescapable—it is not whether you mock, but what … [Read more...]
A Singing Christ
When the Lord instituted this meal, it was in the context of a Passover supper with His disciples. We are told that at the conclusion of the meal they sang a hymn, and then went out (Matt. 26:30). It is almost certain that they followed the Jewish custom of singing the Hallel … [Read more...]
Luke and Elizabeth
We cannot think about marriage rightly unless we learn to think about aesthetics rightly. Aesthetics is the study of beauty—what is it that makes something lovely? The elements are many, and include things like simplicity, balance, form, and so on. God has fashioned the world in … [Read more...]
The Sinful Rave
We have been emphasizing the relationship of personal self-control to the larger political issues related to self-governance. If a people are enslaved to their own passions and desires, then it will not be long before their enslavement takes on a larger and more sinister … [Read more...]
A Meal That Means
As we gather repeatedly for this meal, one of the things you may have noticed is that the portions are small. You all receive a morsel of bread, and you receive a small communion cup of wine, a bit larger than a thimble. In one respect this is simply a function of what is … [Read more...]
Load the Right Truck
Self-control involves much more than simply refraining from taking one more cookie. It is easy to relegate self-control issues to sins and peccadilloes of the flesh, strive to above average respectable in that department, and call it self-control. Now of course it is important to … [Read more...]
The Necklace of the Church
The neck of the Church is that which attaches her to her Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. And what is it that brings us into union with the Lord? Is it not our faith? Living and evangelical faith is therefore the neck of the bride, without which there can be no bride at all. We … [Read more...]
Thoroughly Gay
As we continue to meditate on the importance of self-control, and its relationship to other forms of free governance, we have to do more than consider control of appetites and emotions that we know to be a problem. We also need to exercise self-control when it comes to … [Read more...]
Each Morsel Contains Worlds
When we partake of this meal we are partaking of both the Lord’s disgrace, and His promised glory. “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonied at thee; His visage was so marred more than any man, and his … [Read more...]
Shadows of the Pyramids
We have been considering the importance of self-control, and how it is the key to responsible governance in every larger societal grouping. Slaves to vice individually do not deserve liberty on a larger scale, and whether they deserve it or not, they do not know how to defend it, … [Read more...]
No Perplexity At All
We know that when we sit down to partake of this meal, we are partaking of our forgiveness. The broken body and blood of Christ are the meal, and our resurrected and forgiving Lord is seated at the head of the Table. We also know that when we partake of this meal we are partaking … [Read more...]
Whoa and Giddyup
Self-control is not a virtue that can be tucked away in one small portion of our lives. We have seen that it applies everywhere, and that when a people are self-governed, they are in a position to enjoy free government. It should be self-evident to us that a huge collection of … [Read more...]
Host, Guest, Food
In this meal we eat family style. We both receive the food and we pass the food. In addition to this, because it is a covenant meal, we consume the food that is made up for all the others, and we offer ourselves to be consumed to all the others. We are enabled to do this because … [Read more...]
Ben and Alex
Everyone seems to know that a marriage should look like love, but what does love look like? As with everything that is valuable and precious, there are many counterfeits and knock-offs. No one counterfeits worthless things, but they do want to copy things of great value. This is … [Read more...]
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