I have been convicted for several days now for having said how "clear" it was to me that Spurgeon was guilty of gluttoney in the exchange with Joe of a few weeks ago. I sent Joe an email asking for his forgiveness yesterday and I do the same to you now who I know rightly loves Spurgeon as do I, and to Pete who told me that what I said wan't clear to him, and to all on the Board, that I offended by my words in this regard.
I spoke carelessly, and then tried to defend my remarks rather than just to admit my error. It has occured to me in the time since this thread that when one is considering such an honored servant of Christ as Spurgeon, it is far wiser to avoid the kind of remarks I made.
As I said in another place, I have been reading J. Adams for guidance in regard to this incident, particularly with respect to confession of sin and other aspects of it. He stresses that one, while confessing his sin to those involved (and first to God) should also not confess, in an emotional response, that which he is not convicted of.
As such, I must in all honesty say that I am not convicted of the things I said about smoking being a sin, at least to me, it is clearly so. Perhaps to Spurgeon it was not. But be that as it may, I am convicted of the unkind and defensive way I responded to Joe's points and I have gone to him to ask his forgiveness and I do so now to you and the board also.
One of the verses that has gone through my mind repeatedly in regard to this whole affair with respect to the sore on my tongue and confessing it all publically, is "many shall see it and fear". If my situation is a correct application of the verse which is from the following from Is 40 as follows, then I do indeed praise Him for His faithfulness, again:
Quote
40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: [color:"FF0000"]many shall see it, and fear[/color] , and shall trust in the LORD. 40:4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and [color:"FF0000"]respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies[/color]. 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
If I have applied those words correctly then I have reason to praise Him for correcting my error and leading me to confess it, and to have brothers and sisters in Christ who have the love, and patience, to correct me.
In Him,
Gerry
Last edited by acts2027; Sat Feb 07, 200410:06 AM.
