Preaching Sabbatical

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

So I'm taking a break from preaching through Colossians on Wednesday nights, possibly for the duration of the summer. I've preached through Colossians before at another church, and was ready to do so again in much the same way, but I've hit a snag. As I recently read Charles Leiter's new book, Justification and Regeneration, (foreword by Paul Washer,) my understanding of some key themes relating to regeneration and sanctification were challenged.

It's hard to summarize my new questions in a brief blog post, but they have to do with the Christian's "death to sin" (Rom. 6:11) and "freedom from sin" (Rom. 6:18, 22); the "old man" and "new man" (Col. 3:9-10; Eph. 4:20-24); the "basic principles [or "elements"] of the world" to which the Christian has died (Gal. 4:3, 9; Col. 2:8, 20); the nature of the famous "wretched man that I am!" passage (Rom. 7:14-25); and "sin that dwells in me." (Rom. 7:17, 20)

I already had what I considered to be a biblically consistent, though basic understading of these things. Yet Leiter argues a different perspective which is by no means new or unorthodox within conservative evangelicalism, and which, if accurate, would reshape my thinking of the nature of sanctification--not dramatically, but enough to make me pause.

So I'm pausing. I dare not stand before the assembly of God's saints with open Bible in hand and declare "thus says the Lord," without first diligently studying His Word and seeking the guidance of His Spirit until I am convinced that He has indeed "spoken thus." God created all things by His Word. He preserves the heavens and the earth by His Word. (2 Peter 3:7) At His return, Jesus will slaughter His enemies by the Word of His mouth. (Rev. 19:21) "The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." (Heb. 4:12) I'm terrified of misrepresenting that Word.

In addition to studying the passages listed above and others, I've already begun reading Indwelling Sin by John Owen, (the third but most foundational of his three classic works on Overcoming Sin and Temptation) and Finally Alive by John Piper. I hope to read all of Owen's trilogy and maybe re-read The Complete Green Letters by Miles Stanford. Let me know if you'd recommend other good books on regeneration, sanctification, and the Christian's union with Christ.

Please pray for me as I seek to grow in the knowledge of God and to faithfully exhort God's people toward biblical sanctification. Soli Deo Gloria.