The Highway Forums General Discussion Devotional Struggle With Sin – A Sign of Regeneration

This sounds like someone who has been ensnared, to one degree or another, by Mysticism. Some of the more foul individuals who promoted this and who's influence still has a crushing effect on many poor souls, are J.C. Philpot and William Huntington. There are others who came out of the R.C. Church, certain sects and cults as well. They promoted morbid introspection which they themselves rarely if ever experienced which has no biblical basis whatsoever. One is bound by fear and not joy and thanksgiving. Salvation becomes like the proverbial 'carrot on a string'; within reach but never able to be grasped. Why? Because the victims of this devilish teaching are preoccupied and obsessed with self-examination of the soul asking such questions as, "Have I been convicted ENOUGH? Have I repented ENOUGH? Is my repentance REAL? Do I love God ENOUGH? Do I believe ENOUGH? Is my faith REAL?, etc., etc,. ad nauseam. It's a never ending pursuit that crushes the soul and is dishonoring to God. All the signs of regeneration are dismissed as genuine and probably self-induced. The glory and miraculous transformation of regeneration is not recognized nor owned leaving the individual to ponder nothing more than one's self and the weight of sin becomes the dominating focus.

There has never been nor ever will be a true Christian who looks to their accomplishments, growth in grace, the manifestation of holiness nor anything else and is satisfied and thus rests in total assurance. Sanctification is a life-long process that too often is rarely recognized by one's self because remaining sin is ever present to obscure the reality of the Spirit's transforming work. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus for He is our righteousness and hope of eternal life. He came to redeem SINNERS from their sin and destruction not the righteous nor those who pursue to be righteous. Paul in his best days proclaimed that he was "the chief of sinners" yet it did not diminish his pursuit of the "prize", to "run the race" and do the work which the Lord Christ commissioned him to do. Biblical self-examination is a good thing but it is never to be the principle of life above all else.

Have you ever read John Owen's The Glory of Christ? This writing will doubtless bring tears to one who loves Christ and solace and joy to the living soul. It focuses upon HIM and HIM alone and leaves no room for one's despair or doubts of His love for us who have been given eyes to see, a mind to comprehend and a yearning to be like HIM. The end goal is not intended to be fully reached on this earth but in the New Earth to come where all our sorrows, doubts, fears, failings and sin will be no more. Now, we can only "see through a glass darkly" but then "face to face". Don't become bogged down by Satan's heavy influences which only destroy the soul.