Book Review: Diehard Sins

Witt, Rush. Diehard Sins: How to Fight Wisely Against Destructive Daily Habits. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2018.
https://www.amazon.com/Diehard-Sins-Wisely-Against-Destructive/dp/1629954853

Rush Witt has written an excellent book instructing Christians on how to fight those diehard sins that won't seem to go away. Many books have been written about fighting and overcoming sin, but Witt's is helpful for several reasons:

1. Witt writes with a pastoral heart. He seeks to make his instruction accessible to the average Joe sitting in the pew. This isn't a book for scholars or theologians, though they can definitely benefit from it. Rather, regular churchgoers can gain insight and skills to the daily struggles with ongoing sins they face.
2. This book is gospel-saturated. I have read books before that do a great job of tying our practice and progress in holiness to the good news that Jesus died and rose again for us, but Witt connects every concept with the gospel. One of the greatest strengths of this book is that Witt helps you connect with the gospel in every part of the battle with sin, whether it's seeing the needs of our heart or utilizing God's resources for the battle.
3. Witt gives good practical advice for the journey as we seek to overcome sin. He reminds us that God has given us Himself, His Word, His Church, and His sacraments to utilize in the battle. The appendices contain helpful tools to put it all into practice in our every day lives. This isn't a "five steps to breaking free" book, but rather a book to equip us for the long battle that lies ahead.

All in all, this book is a must-read for Christians. We all struggle with those sins that just won't let go. Thank God for this book giving us help and hope for the battle, and may God bless Witt's efforts for the good of His church.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Longing for Egypt

Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” (Numbers 11:4–6)

I used to read the story of the Exodus and wilderness wanderings and think, "Oh these stupid people! Look at all that God has done and they still complain about everything!" Now when I read it, I say, "Oh Charles, how stupid you can be! Look at all that God has done and you still complain!" I am not so different from the people of Israel.

Longing for Egypt's Meat, Forgetting Egypt's Servitude
In the passage above, the people of Israel are tired of God's provision of manna and start wanting meat to eat. They start reminiscing of their time in Egypt, where they apparently had fish, vegetables, and fruits to eat that they didn't have to pay for. The menu was more appealing than God's graciously provided manna from heaven. But there's a curious note missing from the dirge they sing about Egyptian memories: they forget why they were in Egypt to begin with.
They weren't getting free food in Egypt, they earned it with their own blood, sweat and tears. They were slaves of Egypt, forced to build cities to an empire devoted to keeping them oppressed. Was the menu really worth their freedom?

Facing Egypt's Temptation
That's how temptation works: it doesn't show you the whole picture. It focuses on the "delightful" part, while failing to spotlight the heavy cost. Its lure is the pleasure, not on the prison. It is deceitful in its shrouding of the big picture.
Recently, the Holy Spirit has shown me my own longing for Egypt - a "pet sin" if you will that I am for some reason fighting to hold on to. I know the course of this sin well, but I have somehow remained blind to its pull and the destruction it will bring about. Thanks to the mirror of God's Word, I'm beginning to see it for what it is. But still the pull is there, wanting me to overlook the cost for the fleeting pleasure it seeks to offer.

Feasting on the True Manna from Heaven

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. (John 6:35–36)

Jesus is speaking to the crowd who came for more food after His miraculous feeding of the 5,000. After bringing up Moses and the manna in the wilderness, Jesus reveals to them the true bread from heaven that will satisfy the longing soul: Himself. The Israelites missed the meaning of manna. This crowd also missed it. And we miss it whenever we are not satisfied in Jesus. I have missed it in hanging on to my "pet sin." I have been longign for Egypt's meat when the soul-satisfying Son of God offers Himself as the true delight.
So I must pursue Him. I must forsake Egypt's "pleasures" in order that I may savor Christ alone. I must pursue the Bread of Life and find my delight in Him even as the world offers me the steak of sin and death. In Christ, there is life. And we must all fight for life.

Don't Miss the Savior

Matthew 2:1–12 

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:    “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,         are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;    for from you shall come a ruler         who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 

We are probably familiar with the three kings that came to see Jesus at His birth. Except there may or may not have been three of them. And they probably weren't kings. And they likely weren't at the manger. But still, the story of these wise men who came from the east to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh is familiar to the Christmas narrative. These men, who were likely not acquainted with the Jewish Scriptures, followed a star that led them to the one born as King of the Jews. How they knew the significance of this star is unknown, but obviously the Holy Spirit was drawing them to Christ. 

They come to Herod with the news, and in response Herod summons the priests and scribes to figure out where Jesus has been born. These are the priests and scholars who should be eagerly expecting and looking for the Messiah's coming. And here they have evidence that He has come! So what do they do? Nothing. They don't immediately accompany the wise men to Bethlehem. They don't go to see if it's true at all. In fact, we don't hear from this team again. 

Now perhaps there are reasons for their not going. Maybe they were afraid of Herod, who was a blood-thirsty and power-hungry ruler. Maybe Herod didn't tell them why he had summoned them to ask (although that seems unlikely, since the text says the city was troubled with him). Whatever the case, these guys – the ones who should have been the first in line to welcome the Messiah – just disappear in the narrative. They don't pursue their Savior. They missed Jesus' coming in their own back yard, while the wise men traveled from far away to see.  

Today, in the continued hustle and bustle that follows the holiday season, let us not fail to pursue Christ. Let us seek to follow Him, to search for Him diligently, regardless of what our circumstances may be. Pursue Jesus at any cost! 

Supernatural Vision

Luke 2:22–38 

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,    “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,         according to your word;     for my eyes have seen your salvation         that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,     a light for revelation to the Gentiles,         and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 

Israel's long-awaited Savior had arrived. But we know from history that many missed it – missed Him. They couldn't see who He was or what He came to do. Even his birth went largely unnoticed by many. Yet not everyone missed the Savior's arrival. This scene shows us that even in the temple, those who had eyes to see didn't miss Jesus. 

Simeon knew he would see the Christ before his death. So as he performed the necessary purification rituals with each child coming in, he must've been looking with anticipation. Could this child be the one? Is this the Messiah God has promised His people? At last, he sees Jesus. And supernaturally, he knows. He knows that God has fulfilled His promise. He knows that salvation has come, not only to the Jews, but to Gentiles as well! He even sees in God's glorious plan the humiliation and execution of Jesus by His own people. Nevertheless, salvation is at hand, and he praises God for it! 

The prophetess Anna likewise begins praising in this hour. The text is unclear if she sees Jesus or is witness to Simeon's pronouncement. But what is clear is that she praised God and declared Jesus' coming to the people. She had eyes to see – perhaps not physical sight, but for sure supernatural sight. 

Would that God would grant us greater supernatural sight into the fulfillment of His promises in the person and work of Jesus! May we see, and as a result of spiritual sight, give God the glory and proclaim Christ to the world around us! 

The Savior Is Born!

*my apologies for never getting a post written for yesterday. It was a bit of a crazy day!

Luke 2:1-21

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
               “Glory to God in the highest,
                              and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

In July, our first daughter was born. Yes, I cried when I first heard her, and then when I saw her, and then when I got to hold her. A little bit later, I got to press the button that plays a lullaby throughout the hospital to let everyone know a baby was born. As Brahms Lullaby played, I was beaming with joy. The whole hospital knew that a precious life had entered the world.

When Jesus was born, all of heaven rejoiced. An angelic host proclaimed the Christ, the Savior had been born in Bethlehem. The host appeared to a group of shepherds, who didn’t have the highest place in society. These shepherds wasted no time to examine the news, and found it to be true. Jesus, the Christ, had been born. They praised God and they told everyone what they’d heard. They couldn’t help it! This was good news for everyone, and they had to share this joyous news!

The good news about Jesus, who saves His people from their sins, demands to be shared. Not out of begrudging duty, but out of overwhelming joy. Christ has come to set us free. He died for our sins and rose for our justification, that we might walk in new life, knowing Him and knowing God. Hallelujah! Spread the news this Christmas!

When John Met Jesus

Luke 1:39–56

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
And Mary said,
               “My soul magnifies the Lord,
                              and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
               for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
                              For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
               for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
                              and holy is his name.
               And his mercy is for those who fear him
                              from generation to generation.
               He has shown strength with his arm;
                              he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
               he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
                              and exalted those of humble estate;
               he has filled the hungry with good things,
                              and the rich he has sent away empty.
               He has helped his servant Israel,
                              in remembrance of his mercy,
               as he spoke to our fathers,
                              to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

This time last Christmas, my wife and I knew we are expecting, and we found out right before Christmas that we were having a girl. Our family was quite ecstatic to say the least. We were excited as well. So when Mary greeted Elizabeth on their visit, we probably shouldn’t be surprised that there was joy. But we should be surprised at who expressed they joy.

The text tells us that John leaped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. It speaks volumes. Yes, the unborn child is alive. Yes, the Holy Spirit can work even in the womb. Implications abound from these realities. But let’s not get caught up there. It’s not about John jumping for joy, but why he jumped for joy. Elizabeth articulates it well Even before Jesus is born, she acknowledges that He is her Lord. It is the presence of the Lord Jesus that brings the joy.

This leads Mary to break out in song celebrating God’s work. His upside-down work. He visits the lowly and passes over the proud. Think about it: Jesus wasn’t born among royalty in a palace. He was born to common citizens with no fancy lodging.

O what joy that God reaches the humble and the lowly, and o how this should drive us to humility this Christmas. Jesus came to us as sinners to bring us salvation. Hallelujah! Leap for joy!

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Bearing Shame for Jesus

Matthew 1:18–25 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:     “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,         and they shall call his name Immanuel”     (which means, God with us). [24] When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, [25] but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. 

Shame is a powerful tool. In biblical times, the honor/shame dynamic plays an important part in cultural life. Often times we think of the story of Joseph in simplistic ways, that he thought about breaking his engagement to Mary because she was pregnant until the angel told him it was okay. But there's much more going on than that. 

The common society would have only one explanation for Mary's pregnancy. Since virgins don't get pregnant, her pregnancy would point to immorality. So what does this have to do with Joseph? Well if Mary had been unfaithful to Joseph, then she would bear the shame, and Joseph would call off the engagement publicly, thus sealing the shame on her head. But if he stayed, people would assume that they had committed immorality together thus resulting in her pregnancy. So if Joseph stays, his honor is tarnished by accusations and assumptions of immorality. This would affect his standing I the community among colleagues, friends, and relatives. Joseph, in staying, bears that shame. 

Those of us who follow Christ will face shame of some sort. Either through name-calling or derision, rejection or even persecution, the world tells us that we should be ashamed for following Christ. But Paul tells us, citing the Old Testament, that we who trust in Christ and confess Him will never be put to shame (Romans 10:11). Think about it – we trust in the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16), the one Whom will one day be confessed Lord of all by every tongue and every nation (Philippians 2:11). There is unspeakable honor for those of us who have aligned ourselves with Jesus, honor that no shame heaped upon us by the world can ever tarnish.  

So we can bear the shame of following Christ. We can bear relatives who might think we are ridiculous for our commitment to faith in His name. Stay faithful, and bear the world's shame!