Central Truth

Christian living is a lifelong process of coming, confessing and repenting; we all have "books" we need to "burn."

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Reflections

Those who know me well know that Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest is my favorite devotional. Original English version only please! Mr. Chambers explains some of the most difficult concepts of Christian theology simply, practically, biblically and as completely as someone like me will ever need.
 
Concerning repentance Mr. Chambers says, "When I repent, I realize that I am utterly helpless; I know all through me that I am not worthy even to bear His shoes." He also says, "Repentance always brings a man to this point: 'I have sinned'. The surest sign that God is at work is when a man says that and means it. Anything less than this is a remorse for having made blunders, the reflex action of disgust at himself."

Have I repented like that? Or is there some lingering suggestion of standing up for myself? Unfortunately much of my repentance is simple remorse. When I am unloving to my wife, I suspect I am remorseful as opposed to knowing I am sinful. When I covet my neighbor's truck or house or bank account, I often am not even remorseful.
 
The disciples Paul found in Ephesus had been baptized with John's "baptism of repentance" but were not really able to repent until they were convicted by the Holy Spirit. I suspect my trouble is exactly the same.
 
Trying to repent on my own will at best lead to remorse and will often not even allow me to really see my own sin. Only by the light of the Holy Spirit can I really recognize my own sin. The Holy Spirit led the disciples in Ephesus to true repentance. "And many who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone." (Acts 19:19a)
 
True repentance produces more than regret or disgust over past blunders.  True repentance leads us to actively confess and reject our former sinful ways, "burning our books" - things that held us in captivity to sin - as we pursue new life in Christ. 

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Discussion Questions

1. What "books" do you need to "burn"?
2. Are you really "burning your books" or simply laying them on the top shelf where they can be retrieved later on?

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