Sunday Scriptures – Semper Reformanda

LX

We need to remember, first, that impatience is a manifestation of pride. We are impatient because we want to “be like God” (Gen. 3:5), who alone gets everything done all the time. God speaks, and it always happens. Nothing frustrates His will; nothing limits His accomplishments. He always accomplishes everything that He wants to accomplish, and He always does so at the precise moment that He wants it to be done. We are impatient because we are not like that, and we so desperately want to be. And since pride really is “the great sin,” as C.S. Lewis has said, we ought not to tolerate it or to turn a blind eye to it in any of its manifestations.

Guy Richard, Impatience

LVIX

… righteousness is precious to God and is, in fact, required — not as the ground of our justification (which is the righteousness of Christ only), but as an evidence of our being truly justified children of God. This is what Paul prays for, and we should pray for. He prays in Philippians 1:10–11 “that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

John Piper, Dirty Rags No More

LVIII

It seems likely that Peter’s usefulness for God was forged on that dark night of failure, when he finally realized what he was apart from Christ. Up to that point, Peter continued to try and be self-sufficient: “I can fix this! I can do this! Even if they all go, I’m your man!” But when Peter’s gaze met Christ’s and he realized the depths to which relying on his own strength had sunk him, then he was emptied in order that he might be filled; he was broken in order that he might be mended; he was brought to tears in order that he might know the joy of forgiveness.

Alister Begg, A Lesson on Running from Failure