Quick to Complain, Slow to Praise

Louisville, as well as the entire region of Southern Indiana to Tennessee, experienced some
particularly violent weather last night. It hit East-side Metro Louisville around 11:00 PM, and lasted for about 15 minutes. Trees swayed almost-horizontal as Tornado/Air-raid sirens blared in the distance. My roommate John and I sat on the couch as we watched the weather man show all of the small pockets in the viewing area that had tornado warnings (and we received a great light-show courtesy of the Almighty). We also had some very small hail. After the storm passed over us a tornado warning was finally issued for Jefferson County.

Despite the bad weather in Kentucky, we did not see the brunt of the storm. Tyler came home and reported that some flower pots were blowing around at work, some funnel clouds were spotted in KY, and there were some roofs blown off houses, etc. But other states really had it bad. The last that I heard 27 people died and there was much devastation. God deserves all praise for sparing us and our possessions.

But today, I did not wake up in a spirit of exultation for God's faithfulness. Rather, with the water off until 2:00 PM, I was quite irritated. I was unable to take a shower or brush my teeth
(and, since I showered so late, I forgot to shave before work), and I was therefore unable to go out and accomplish what I desired to do. So what did I do? Did I praise God for my circumstances? (If you read the title, my next sentence will come as no surprise.) No. Rather than being content in for my lot, I grumbled about it. I did not consider the fact that this was allowing me to talk to a friend online with whom I had not spoken much for a couple of years, nor that I was able to look up many books that I need for some upcoming papers. I was not outwardly upset (punching holes through walls and tearing my clothes), but I was inwardly irritated and complained that I could not take a shower and do what I planned to do.

I did not consider that I still had an apartment--which many people could not say after last night's storms. I gave little thought to the fact that I and my loved ones are still alive. I did not rejoice that our electricity had not gone out (some are still without electricity in the Louisville area). Hard-hearted Lenny complained. Even at work I found myself a little irritated when residents needed assistance, keeping me from homework and sermon prep--that is, what I want to do. I don't thank God that I am given the opportunity to assist people and serve them (cf. Gal. 6:10,
Philippians 2:14 (sermon text), Col. 3:17), or that I have a job that pays my bills +.

I know that I am not alone--this is the problem of all of humanity except one Man. I continue having a self-centered attitude (for I dwell in the age in which the Spirit is in me--and thus He
puts light upon my sin/transgressions, bringing them to my attention that I may confess them and work on the problem, Philippians 2:12-13--another part of the sermon text--yet though I have the Spirit, the 'already,' I still dwell in the 'not yet,' in which sin is being eradicated but is and will continue to be (sorry Wesleyans) present in me during this age). So what am I (and you, and everyone else) to do?

There is only one solution: take the sin to the cross. But alas, how trite of an answer (if you go
to any Evangelical church, the answer to sin is 'leave it at the foot of the cross'). But this
answer is more profound than I just made it.

(Digression: When counseling a theologian on issues he/she may be having, please do not just give trite Biblical answers and quotations. This happens so often. Not to be arrogant, but theologians know the Bible--we study it. You probably aren't going to tell us something we do not know, nor give us citations we have not already considered. Please listen to us as we speak and only offer advice if asked for it or there is a major blind-spot. By offering advice, you're probably doing more harm than good. Be a friend, not a hero.)

So why take sin--such as grumbling--to the cross? Because the Christian life is one of repentance. When the Spirit sheds light upon your heart-condition, don't shove the problem back into the darkness and try to feign the Christian life (i.e. don't be a Pharisee). Your emotions are valid--they are from your heart. Don't try to sugar-coat them (though I'm not saying to blow up at people, or always even to show them). Acknowledge your sinful attitudes to God--confess them, for the Spirit has graciously made you aware of them. Walk in the light and seek to put to death these deeds by letting God work in you and by considering the positives of the situations--which have all been finely orchestrated and sovereignly predestined by God (it should humble us that we complain against what God has brought our way--that is pure, unadulterated unbelief--i.e. sin!).

Taking our sin to the cross acknowledges that we can do nothing about it on our own. Only God, in Jesus Christ the Lord, has defeated sin and cancelled the debt/IOU that plagued us--and the shame that we still feel because we hold onto sin rather than letting Christ take care of it. Confess to yourself, "That sin has been atoned for already," and conscientiously turn from it. Your heart is enslaved to sin; you cannot defeat it. Humble yourself, acknowledge that you cannot fight sin on your own power, and praise God that He does and cares for you enough to draw you out of it (Phil. 2:12-13). But do not continue in sin, for you are not a member of this age, but a child of God. You have died to sin in Christ--live like it (Rom. 6). And the next time you grumble, don't put on a happy face; fight the fires of sin with the ocean of the cross--confessing it and praising God for His forgiveness at Christ's expense, the Spirit's grace to bring it to your attention, and the power of God's grace that changes you. Only then might you learn to be content in all things.