Possessive Pronoun Savior-> Humble Servant

With so much spiritual trial protruding into my life from so many different angles, i have been trying to focus solely on loving God and loving people (which is really where my focus should be ALL the time). I have failed miserably time and time again. Praise God that because of the Gospel i am free to make the mistake, repent, be forgiven, learn and move forward. Although lately, it seems i am learning the same lesson over and over again, each time God revealing another layer of the lesson.

As a new believer there have definitely been times when i wasn't aware of my sin. I knew i was a sinner but didn't see my sin. Now i know to get on my knees and pray when i seem sinless to myself or when i feel i have been sinned against with no fault of my own. Scott just recently blogged about some thoughts on knowing yourself from "one of the most insightful of Puritan theologians", John Owen.

• "The man that understands the evil of his own heart, how vile it is, is the only useful, fruitful, and solid believing and obedient person. Others are fit only to delude themselves, to disquiet families, churches, and all relations whatever." (Works of John Owens, vol. 6)

Once we have a better understanding of who we are and who God is, we begin our own private journey to Troas. We are prideful people so the path to humility is a rugged, painful tearing from our flesh. Yet this pain is worth it as you compare it to what is to be gained in Christ. It is then that you have a clearer view of from what you have been saved. We have all been saved from the same depravity, but how much of that depravity are you aware of? As Luke says, "He who has been forgiven little loves little" (Luke 7:47).

• If you have little experience of or confidence in the life changing power of God's grace, you will likely be ungracious in your demands of others. A critical spirit and negative expectations will dominate your relationships. Forgiveness and the desire to restore and build up others will be far from your mind. In general you will have little patience with the weaknesses of others, especially those close to you. When tensions arise, you will leap to your own defense while trying to pin the blame on others. You will tend to keep a safe distance from Christians whose lives reflect true love and holiness, lest they uncover your inner unworthiness. You might even go on the attack and find fault in them to soothe your conscience. This negative spirit generates further tensions and distrust, so as to invite others to strike back. In such an atmosphere, trusting and joyful relationships, creativity, and loving ministry cannot flourish (Forgive! As the LORD Forgave You, Patrick H. Morison pg 5).

This is something difficult for anyone to examine once accepting the Gospel. You are reluctant to admit that you doubt God's grace. Perhaps even more so for the career Christian and/or when those in your community see you as a 'holy' person strong in faith. It takes a humble and honest heart before God. Otherwise you will be subject to your pride. So examine your heart, seriously. Are you really certain Christ died for you? Could these observations by J.C. Ryle pertain to you?

• They never come to a point of actually laying hold on Christ by faith, and becoming one with Christ by faith, and becoming one with Christ and Christ in them. They can say, He is a Savior, but not “my Savior” - a Redeemer but not, “my Redeemer” - a Priest, but not, “my Priest” - an Advocate, but not “my Advocate”: and so they live and die unforgiven! No wonder that Martin Luther said, “Many are lost because they cannot use possessive pronouns” (Ryle, Practical Religion, pg. 7).

With every finger we loosen on our pride, we take that much more hold to our Savior. This begins with loving God and loving others more than we love ourselves, thus becoming humble servants to OUR great and glorious God - The Father that loves us.