It is hard to persuade men to believe what they are not willing to find true; they are ignorant, in many cases, because they are willing to be ignorant, and they do not knowbecause they do not care to know.
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I was recently reminded of this quote from Matthew Henry's commentary on 2 Peter 3. I had posted it 4 years ago on social media, and then promptly forgot about it. Thankfully, it resurfaced and led me again to a piercing question:"Where are my stubborn, self-serving blindspots?" This question, in turn, reminded me of our church's corporate confession of sin from this past Lord's Day. The confession was in response to our reading of Mark 2:15–17, and it is adapted from the book, The Valley of Vision —Searcher of hearts, it is a good day to me when you give me a glimpse of myself.Sin is my greatest evil, but you are my greatest good. I have reason to loathe myself, and not to seek self-honor, for no one commends his own dunghill. Let me not take other good men as my example, and think that I am good because I am like them, for all good men are not as good as you desire. Show me how to know when a thing is evil, which I think is right and good. Give me grace to recall my needs. And let me not lay my pipe too short of the fountain of your steadfast love. Amen.Next step: the delightful reminder that God answers that prayer as we look to Christ with faith, according to the Scriptures, and in dependence upon the Spirit."For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:12–16)I'm not able to see my blind spots on my own; but praise God! — He sees me.
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