Spiritual Depression: The Cure
“Therefore
we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the
law” (Romans 3:28)
There’s a book called, “Spiritual
Depression, Its Causes and Its Cure”, by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
The book is a collection of twenty-one sermons the author delivered at
Westminster Chapel, In London, England.
He said, “Christian
people too often give an appearance of unhappiness and lack of freedom
and absence of joy. There is no question at all but that this is the
main reason why large numbers of people have ceased to be interested in
Christianity.” Amen, Rev. Lloyd-Jones. I ask about the Church
today: Where is the joy?
It’s so easy to fall into the habit
of focusing on our limitations and problems. The other day, I responded
to an email, this way:
An important Scripture for me has been Psalm
139:14, where David cried out, "I am fearfully
and wonderfully made..." What this has meant, is - everything!
For me, it includes:
-
Years in hospital
beds and wheelchairs.
-
Failure as a
student.
-
Feelings of
inadequacy as a man and as a person.
-
A conviction I fell
short as a Christian.
-
He chose my
parents. He carefully selected them, with the idea, "This will be
perfect for him." And it was.
-
He selected my
genetic structure, including the things I don't like about myself.
-
He carefully chose
my ancestry, even though I might not agree with His choices. It was
important to Him that I needed glasses at 11 years old. He picked the
place where I was to be born. The year and setting was important. He
selected my height and appearance.
He does
this with every person on earth. We can never be sufficient in
ourselves, and are to see our need of Him in our limitations. The whole
point in life is not to feel good about what I am, but instead to see my
need, and trust Him with all my being. He knows what He is doing and He
utterly loves you and me.
"I
am fearfully and wonderfully made" - not by my standards or
expectations - but by His. His plan will bring honor, glory, wonder,
love, peace, hope and faith to your life and mine. My plans and my
attitudes, must be put back on the shelf. If we steer the ship, it
heads for the rocks, every time. When we give Him the wheel, we reach
the heavenlies in Christ Jesus.
"I
am fearfully and wonderfully made" - in Him.
And that’s Lloyd-Jones’ point: It’s
not about our limitations or problems, it’s about Him - Jesus, who died
for our sins. Our losses toughen us for His service, and they can open
a highway of faith that leads to ETERNITY; not just some shortsighted
goal on earth.
We are reminded of the Apostle Paul
who told the Philippians, “Do all things
without murmurings and disputings” (Philippians 2:14-16). Rev.
Lloyd-Jones commented, “What a tragic thing
that Christians can be miserable and murmuring instead of rejoicing in
Christ Jesus. It is an outcome of the fact that they have forgotten
that everything is of grace!” Everything we have and are is
because of the GRACE of GOD! We are not limited – we are FREE to
worship and love our Lord.
He continued, “it
(religiosity without grace) leads to…
a contempt for others… and jealousy of others… it is the principle of
the elder brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son… and most terrible
of all, a feeling in their heart that the Householder was unjust.”
Paul said, “If
any man be in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17),
and Lloyd-Jones said, “in the Kingdom of God,
everything is essentially different from everything in every other
kingdom… all my thinking has to be different… we must realize we have no
right to anything at all... even the rewards of the Christian life are
of grace.” He commented on his
ministry, “That is God’s method of
accountancy. I enter the pulpit in weakness and I end with power. I
enter with self-confidence and I am made to feel a fool. He is always
giving us surprises.” Always.
The one who has had a Christian
experience, but is “bored”, or “sick and tired of life”, or has contempt
for others and jealousy of them, must ABANDON themselves to the grace in
Christ, and soar to the heavenlies with our Lord.
Lloyd-Jones commented, “faith
is steadily looking to Him… Faith says, ‘What He has begun to do He can
and will continue to do… Cry out in your desperation… Keep on looking at
Him.”
Charles Wesley was a man of faith in
Jesus, and he wrote, “Faith, mighty faith,
the promise sees, and looks to that alone, laughs at impossibilities and
cries: It SHALL be done!” Do you lack faith? Ask the Lord – He
has all you need – and more.
“Therefore
we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the
law” (Romans 3:28). God’s GRACE, through faith, is given
abundantly to you and me. Trust in Jesus, and you are given –
EVERYTHING!
Lord, we do trust in You now. We
are tired of murmuring, complaining, and feeling that somehow, life has
let us down. We give up our “rights” and we look to You. In Jesus
Name. Amen.
Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
ron@fridaystudy.org
P.O. Box 92131
Long Beach, CA 90809-2131
"While
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
