Please remember that this evening we are looking at chapters five and six of the Seven Capital Sin – Gluttony and Sloth. As part of his discussion on gluttony, ++Sheen looks at the interplay between the physical and spiritual dimensions of gluttony. As he says, we are called to physically fast in order to make the body pliable in the hands of the soul. Just as Jesus fasted in the desert, so he expects that his followers will do likewise. (Matt 6:16-18, 9:14-15). Or as Paul says, we should discipline our body to keep it under control. 1 Cor. 9:27. Gluttony is the first step in allowing the desires of the flesh to overtake the spirit. For in order to follow Christ, we are called to deny ourselves. Matt. 16:24. A good discussion of a contemporary application of the sin of gluttony is a recent article from the Gospel Coalition, which I would commit to you. (From Farms to Garbage Cans – 5/2/14)
In many ways, sloth is the other side of gluttony, since in satisfying our desires we neglect our duties to others. For we are to deny ourselves and pick up our cross. Matt. 16:24. As ++Sheen points out, to have faith and to know Christ, we must work. For as James says “faith by itself, if it has no work is dead . . . . For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.” James 2:17, 26. Although we are saved by grace through faith, that faith is demonstrated in doing, since, as Jesus teaches, at the final judgment, the sheep and goats are separated based on their actions. Matt. 25:31-46. As ++Sheen further teaches, because it is the faith that drives the action, the purpose of those actions ultimately must serve the same purpose of our faith which is to glorify God. 1 Cor. 10:31.
Dinner is at 6. Discussion at 6:45. Menu is BBQ. Hope to see you here.
O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is:
Psalm 34:8-10 (1662 BCP)
blessed is the man, that trusteth in him.
O fear the Lord, ye that are his Saints:
for they that fear him, lack nothing.
The lions to lack, and suffer hunger:
but they, who seek the Lord, shall want no manner of thing, that is good.