missio

In wrapping up his book, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners (link), he leaves us with the top seven abominations in his heart. Very interesting stuff.

1. An inclination to unbelief.
2. Forgetfulness of the love and mercy that Christ manifests.
3. A leaning to works of the law
4. Wanderings and coldness in prayer
5. To forget to watch for what I pray for
6. Aptness to murmur because I have no more, and readiness to abuse what I do have
7. Thinking I can do none of the things that God commands me because of the corrupt nature of my heart

Awesome stuff. I know I’ve been there on multiple occasions. But Bunyan also lists seven things that these abominations do for us:

1. Make us abhor ourselves.
2. Keep us from trusting our heart.
3. Convince us of the insufficiency of inherent righteousness.
4. Show us the necessity of flying to Jesus
5. Press us to pray to God
6. Show us the need we have to watch and be sober
7. Provoke us to pray unto God and Christ and to take what we learn into the world.

Up next on the reading list? Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever.