Augustine and Grace

The following are quotes from Augustine on the absolute necessity and exclusivity of God's grace in our salvation and sanctification.  After the quotes is an excerpt from an on-line article summarizing Augustine's view on grace. SDG

‘Can we possibly, without utter absurdity, maintain that there first existed in anyone the good virtue of a good will, to entitle him to the removal of his heart of stone? How can we say this, when all the time this heart of stone itself signifies precisely a will of the hardest kind, a will that is absolutely inflexible against God? For if a good will comes first, there is obviously no longer a heart of stone.’


'The grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord must be understood as follows: grace is the only thing that delivers human beings from evil; without it, they do absolutely nothing good, whether in thought, or in will and emotion, or in action. Grace not only makes known to people what they ought to do, but also enables them to perform with love the duty that they know.'


'For them [the Pelagians], grace means the knowledge with which the Lord God helps us, by which we can know what our duty is. The true meaning of grace, however, is the love that God breathes into us, which enables us with a holy delight to carry out the duty that we know.'


'It is not enough simply to have choice of will, which is freely turned in this direction and that, and belongs among those natural gifts which a bad person may use badly. We must also have a good will, which belongs among those gifts which it is impossible to use badly. This impossibility is given to us by God; otherwise I do not know how to defend what Scripture says: ‘What do you have that you did not receive?’ (1 Cor.4:7) For if God gives us a free will, which may still be either good or bad, but a good will comes from ourselves, then what comes from ourselves is better than what comes from God! But it is the height of absurdity to say this. So the Pelagians ought to acknowledge that we obtain from God even a good will.'


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Augustine on the New Life in Christ

Dr. N.R. Needham

Augustine’s theology of the new life in Christ was really just a way of saying, ‘It’s not up to us.’ Our new life in Christ comes from Christ. From its first stirrings to its final consummation, it comes from Christ. Faith, repentance, the softened heart, and any other virtue that can be named, they all come from Christ. Our conversion comes from Christ. Our regeneration comes from Christ. Our spiritual illumination comes from Christ. Our desire for Christ comes from Christ. Our seeking after Christ comes from Christ. As that great Italian Augustinian, Thomas Aquinas, was to teach 800 years after Augustine’s death, nothing comes before grace. All the things that we might think make us ready for grace are themselves the work of grace. If we insist on talking about ‘accepting grace’, even the acceptance of grace is created in us by grace.

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/augustinenewlife.html

Grace in the Old Testament

Have you ever been caught thinking that God had two plans of salvation?  One plan for the Jews in the Old Testament and another for the Church in the New Testament.  I think this way of thinking is easy to fall into.  Thankfully, however, God has given us clear sign posts in the Old Testament that His plan of salvation is consistent for all of His children. Here are just a couple of examples I ran across recently.  SDG


Psalm 40:2-3 (English Standard Version)

²He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
   out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
³He put a new song in my mouth,
   a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
   and put their trust in the LORD.

Psalm 40:11 (English Standard Version)

 ¹¹As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain
   your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
   ever preserve me!

Psalm 79:9 (English Standard Version)

⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation,
   for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
   for your name’s sake!

Psalm 80:3 (English Standard Version)

 ³ Restore us, O God;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Thoughts on Philemon

I like Philemon.  Its just a short little book tucked between Titus and Hebrews.  It does, however, pack sum punch.  Here are just a few of the verses that caught my attention today.

v6 - "I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ."

vv8-9 - "Though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you."

v14 - "But I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will."

v20 - "Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ"

There is more here than I can comment on, but I would ask one thing.  Look at Paul's heart, both toward Christ and the gospel and toward Philemon.  Paul wants the gospel spread and the love of Christ to affect the life of Philemon.  He also wants Philemon to "do what is required", but not out of compulsion (i.e. works righteousness and / or the law) but rather as a loving response to the even greater love lavished upon him by Christ.

Where are we in this equation?  Do we view our obedience to God in terms of love rather than commands?  Do we appeal to others so that their goodness might be out of love rather than compulsion?  Do we see Christ's love not only as what drives us but as the model we should be striving to emulate?

I pray the love of Christ may dwell richly in our hearts through faith.

SDG

The Steadfast Love of God - Ps 36

Psalm 36:5-10 (English Standard Version)

 ⁵Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
   your faithfulness to the clouds.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
    your judgments are like the great deep;
   man and beast you save, O LORD.
 ⁷ How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
   The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
⁸They feast on the abundance of your house,
   and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
⁹For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light do we see light.
 ¹⁰Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
   and your righteousness to the upright of heart!

Titus 3 and Spurgeon

Titus 3:4-7 (English Standard Version)


4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.


"It is a very surprising thing,—a thing to be marveled at most of all by those who enjoy it. I know that it is to me even to this day the greatest wonder that I ever heard of, that God should ever justify me. I feel myself to be a lump of unworthiness, a mass of corruption, and a heap of sin apart from His almighty love; yet I know, by a full assurance, that I am justified by faith which is in Christ Jesus, and treated as if I had been perfectly just, and made an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ; though by nature I must take my place among the most sinful." - C.H. Spurgeon

Footsteps of Providence

God is providentially steering all to the port of  His own praise and His people's happiness, while the whole world is busily employed in managing the sails and tugging the oars with a quite opposite design and purpose. They promote God's design by opposing it, fulfill His will by resisting it, and enlarge His church by scattering it. They make the saint's rest sweeter by making their condition so restless in the world.

What a history we might compile, as we trace the footsteps of providence along the way.  Here it prevented, and there it delivered.  Here it directed, and there it corrected.  Here it grieved, and there it relieved. Here was the poison, and there, the antidote. This providence dispelled a dismal cloud. This one straitened, and that one enlarged.  Here a want, and there a supply.

Words cannot express the delight we may find in such employment.  O reader, what a life of pleasure you might live by noticing the ways of providence towards you!  What a heaven upon earth you may have! Taste and see the glory of the study of providence.  - John Flavel

Is God Sovereign Over My Anxiety? - Mt 6:25-34

I know this is a classic text and that for most of us, the lesson has always been: "Trust God. You are more valuable than birds and flowers.  God will care for you.  Just seek His kingdom and his righteousness."  I would not dispute that reading of Mt 6:25-34, since it is the most straightforward view of the text and is clearly true, especially if God is sovereign over all things.

My question comes from a different angle.  I am not anxious about my food nor my clothes nor anything else at that basic level.  Is it because my trust in God is that strong and secure?  Or has my trust shifted to the security of my job and the American infrastructure (government, economy, society) that necessitates my job's existence? I have no anxiety regarding the basics because I assume (or presume) that they are already covered by something I have achieved.

However, a closer reading of the Sermon on the Mount, (Mt 5-7) reveals an interesting progression.  Chapter 5 sets the stage by showing that the marks of the kingdom of God are opposite of what we would expect.  Next, we are challenged to observe the heart of the law, not just the letter.  The final challenge of chapter 5 is for us to extend our love to our enemies.  This is followed by a call to give, pray and fast.  In context, I would say the implication is to give to our enemies (or at least people can never pay us back), pray for strength to do this as well as live up to the heart of the law and that in our fasting we seek to pursue the oppositeness of Christ's kingdom.  Immediately after this, Jesus says don't lay up treasures on earth, but rather store treasures in heaven (back to giving and not getting anything back).  This is followed by...  Don't be anxious about life or food or clothes.  Why would I be anxious about this stuff? Again, in context, its because I gave away my food and my clothes and perhaps my means to people who hate me or at least can never pay me back.  Interestingly Jesus moves on to another call to prayer and encourages us to ask and to seek and to knock.  For what?  I think its for more ability to give stuff away.  And now, as I ponder this even as I write, the Golden Rule, and measurement of the fruitful tree and whether Christ knew us all fit into this idea of giving ourselves and our stuff wholly to God.

My apologies for the heaviness.  I'm not sure I started with that intent.  I pray God will use this for His honor and your good.  SDG

The Nature and Basis of Assurance - Part 2

The Nature and Basis of Assurance

by A.W. Pink

He who is really honest with himself and has had his eyes opened in some degree to see the awful sinfulness of self, and who is becoming more and more acquainted with that sink of iniquity, that mass of corruption which still indwells him, often feels that sin more completely rules him now than ever it did before. When he longs to trust God with all his heart, unbelief seems to paralyze him. When he wishes to be completely surrendered to God’s blessed will, murmurings and rebellion surge within him. When he would spend an hour in meditating on the things of God, evil imaginations harass him. When he desires to be more humble, pride seeks to fill him. When he would pray, his mind wanders. The more he fights against these sins, the further off victory seems to be. To him it appears that sin is very much the master of him, and Satan tells him that his profession is vain. What shall we say to such a dear soul who is deeply exercised over this problem? Two things.


First, the very fact that you are conscious of these sins and are so much concerned over your failure to overcome them, is a healthy sign. It is the blind who cannot see; it is the dead who feel not—true alike naturally and spiritually. Only they who have been quickened into newness of life are capable of real sorrow for sin. Moreover, such experiences as we have mentioned above evidence a spiritual growth: a growth in the knowledge of self. As the wise man tells us, "he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow" (Eccl. 1:18). In God’s light we see light (Ps. 36:9). The more the Holy Spirit reveals to me the high claims of God’s holiness, the more I discover how far short I come of meeting them. Let the midday sun shine into a darkened room, and dust and dirt which before were invisible are now plainly seen. So with the Christian: the more the light of God enters his heart, the more he discovers the spiritual filth which dwells there. Beloved brother, or sister, it is not that you are becoming more sinful, but that God is now giving you a clearer and fuller sight of your sinfulness. Praise Him for it, for the eyes of the vast majority of your fellows (religionists included) are blind, and cannot see what so distresses you!

Second, side by side with sin in your heart is grace. There is a new and holy nature within the Christian as well as the old and unholy one. Grace is active within you, as well as sin. The new nature is influencing your conduct as well as the old. Why is it that you so desire to be conformed to the image of Christ, to trust Him fully, love Him fervently, and serve Him diligently? These longings proceed not from the flesh. No, my distressed brother or sister, sin is not your complete master; if it were, all aspirations, prayers, and strivings after holiness would be banished from your heart. There are "as it were the company of two armies" (Song of Sol. 6:13) fighting to gain control of the Christian. As it was with our mother Rebekah—"the children struggled together within her" (Gen. 25:22)—so it is with us. But the very "struggle" shows that the issue is not yet decided: had sin conquered, the soul would no longer be able to resist. The conqueror disarms his enemy so that he can no longer fight back. The very fact that you are still "fighting" proves that sin has not vanquished you! It may seem to you that it soon will: but the issue is not in doubt—Christ will yet save you from the very presence of sin.

Having sought in the above paragraphs to heed the injunction found in Hebrews 12:12, 13 to "lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees," and to make "straight paths" for the feet of God’s little ones, "lest that which is lame be turned out of the way," let us again direct our attention unto those who "have not a doubt" of their acceptance in Christ, and perhaps feel no personal need for what has been said above. The Lord declared that a tree is known by its fruits, so there cannot be anything wrong in examining the tree of our heart, to ascertain what kind of "fruit" it is now bringing forth, and discover whether it be such as may proceed from mere nature, or that which can only issue from indwelling grace. It may at once be objected, But nothing spiritual can issue from ourselves. From our natural selves, No; but from a regenerated person, Yes. But how can an evil tree ever be any different? Christ said, "Make the tree good, and his fruit good" (Matt. 12:33). This is typed out by engrafting a new slip on an old stock...

In considering the basis of the Christian’s assurance we must distinguish sharply between the ground of his acceptance before God, and his own knowledge that he is accepted by Him. Nothing but the righteousness of Christ-wrought out by Him in His virtuous life and vicarious death—can give any sinner a perfect legal standing before the thrice holy God. And nothing but the communication of a new nature, a supernatural work of grace within, can furnish proof that the righteousness of Christ has been placed to my account. Whom God legally saves, he experimentally saves; whom He justifies, them He also sanctifies. Where the righteousness of Christ is imputed to an individual, a principle of holiness is imparted to him; the former can only be ascertained by the latter. It is impossible to obtain a scriptural knowledge that the merits of Christ’s finished work are reckoned to my account, except by proving that the efficacy of the Holy Spirit’s work is evident in my soul.

- A.W. Pink, Studies on Saving Faith http://www.monergismbooks.com/Studies-on-Saving-Faith-A-Biblical-Response-to-Easy-Believism-p-18990.html

The Nature and Basis of Assurance - Part 1

The Nature and Basis of Assurance


by A.W. Pink

At the commencement of Matthew 5 we find the Lord Jesus pronouncing blessed a certain class of people. They are not named as "believers" or saints," but instead are described by their characters; and it is only by comparing ourselves and others with the description that the Lord Jesus there gave, that we are enabled to identify such. First, He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." To be "poor in spirit" is to have a feeling sense that in me, that is, in my flesh, "there dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. 7:18). It is the realization that 1 am utterly destitute of anything and everything which could commend me favorably to God’s notice. It is to recognize that I am a spiritual bankrupt. It is the consciousness, even now (not years ago, when I was first awakened), that I am without strength and wisdom, and that I am a helpless creature, completely dependent upon the grace and mercy of God. To be "poor in spirit" is the opposite of Laodiceanism, which consists of self-complacency and self-sufficiency, imagining I am "rich, and in need of nothing."

"Blessed are they that mourn." It is one thing to believe the theory that I am spiritually a poverty-stricken pauper, it is quite another to have an acute sense of it in my soul. Where the latter exists, there are deep exercises of heart, which evoke the bitter cry, "my leanness, my leanness, woe unto me!" (Isa. 24:16). There is deep anguish that there is so little growth in grace, so little fruit to God’s glory, such a wretched return made for His abounding goodness unto me. This is accompanied by an ever-deepening discovery of the depths of corruption which is still within me. The soul finds that when it would do good, evil is present with him (Rom. 7:21). It is grieved by the motions of unbelief, the swellings of pride, the surging of rebellion against God. Instead of peace, there is war within; instead of realizing his holy aspirations, the blessed one is daily defeated; until the stricken heart cries out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Rom. 7:24).
"Blessed are the meek." Meekness is yieldedness. It is the opposite of self-will. Meekness is pliability and meltedness of heart, which makes me submissive and responsive to God’s will. Now observe, dear reader, these first three marks of the "blessed" consist not in outward actions, but of inward graces; not in showy deeds, but in states of soul. Note too that they are far from being characteristics which will render their possessor pleasing and popular to the world. He who feels himself to be a spiritual pauper will not be welcomed by the wealthy Laodiceans. He who daily mourns for his leanness, his barrenness, his sinfulness, will not be courted by the self-righteous. He who is truly meek will not be sought after by the self-assertive. No, he will be scorned by the Pharisees and looked upon with contempt by those who boast they are "out of Romans 7 and living in Romans 8." These lovely graces, which are of great price in the sight of God, are despised by the bloated professors of the day...

He who is really honest with himself and has had his eyes opened in some degree to see the awful sinfulness of self, and who is becoming more and more acquainted with that sink of iniquity, that mass of corruption which still indwells him, often feels that sin more completely rules him now than ever it did before. When he longs to trust God with all his heart, unbelief seems to paralyze him. When he wishes to be completely surrendered to God’s blessed will, murmurings and rebellion surge within him. When he would spend an hour in meditating on the things of God, evil imaginations harass him. When he desires to be more humble, pride seeks to fill him. When he would pray, his mind wanders. The more he fights against these sins, the further off victory seems to be. To him it appears that sin is very much the master of him, and Satan tells him that his profession is vain. What shall we say to such a dear soul who is deeply exercised over this problem?

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Full article: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/naturebasis.html

Consider Christ

Can one underestimate the value of Jesus?  I almost feel blasphemous for raising the question, but I think we can get complacent and dulled to the extreme worthiness of our Savior.  Maybe its because He has become a means to an end (i.e. Heaven) rather than the means and the end.  I simply raise these questions today to challenge us to consider Christ in all of His awesome, glorious majesty.

I am beginning what will probably be, by God's grace, a two year journey through the book of Hebrews.  Step one on that journey is verses 1-4 of chapter 1.  Would you pause with me and reflect on these verses?  There is enough there for several sermons (or blog entries), but  I would humbly ask that you prayerfully, thoughtfully, worshipfully absorb what God has to say about His Son.

SDG

Hebrews 1

 ¹Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. ³He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The Strength of our Faith - Horatius Bonar

   With a weak faith and a fearful heart, many a sinner stands before the altar.  But it is not the strength of his faith, but the perfection of the sacrifice, that saves; and no feebleness of faith, no dimness of eye, no trembling of hand, can change the efficacy of our burnt-offering.  The vigor of our faith can add nothing to it, nor can the poverty of it take anything from it.  Faith, in all its degrees, still reads the inscription, 'The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin;' and if at times the eye is so dim that it cannot read these words, through blinding tears or bewildering mist, faith rests itself on the certain knowledge of the fact that the inscription is still there, or at least that the blood itself (of which these words remind us) remains, in all its power and suitableness, upon the altar unchanged and unaffected.  - from The Everlasting Righteousness pg 23

Quote - Christian Living

Do not be content with easier and cheaper work. Every morning in the planning of your affairs, acknowledge your own disability and commend yourself to the work of God's grace in desire and action. Entreat him for help that Christ may live through you. - Samuel Ward

Quote - Bible Reading

Leave not off reading the Bible till you find your hearts warmed... Let it not only inform you, but inflame you. - Thomas Watson

Tax Day - 2010

Matthew 22:17-21 (English Standard Version)

¹⁷Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" ¹⁸But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? ¹⁹Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. ²⁰And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" ²¹They said, "Caesar’s." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s."


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My question is not, should I pay my taxes, although I have pondered at what point a government (e.g. Hitler's Germany) no longer warrants a Christian's allegiance.  Rather, my question is: Am I rendering "to God the things that are God's"?

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I've been in Leviticus as part of my daily reading plan and have been praying for God to help me see Him as He's painted in and through this, um, challenging book.  There are some grand pictures of God's grace and justice, especially in the description of the Day of Atonement (Lev 16).  But today was special because there is this small, easily missed by skim reading, snapshot of God's tenderness in Lev 19:9-10.  Interestingly, that section ends with a verse we are very familiar with, but maybe didn't know its context: Lev 19:18 "You shall love your neighbor as yourself".

SDG

Quote

"...what an audacious thing it is for man to strive with his Maker. What poor creatures are you, that you should set up yourselves for judges over the Most High; that you should take it upon you to call God to an account; that you should say to the great Jehovah, what dost thou? and that you should pass sentence against him!" - Jonathon Edwards

The Supremacy of Christ in Suffering - Piper

This is a link to the mp3 file of a message I heard today from John Piper's podcast.  It is not currently linked on the Desiring God web site, but I have loaded it here http://www.4shared.com/audio/hLrv6x56/The_Supremacy_of_Christ_in_Suf.html for anyone who cares to listen.  It is vintage Piper and more importantly, it is vintage gospel.  It is entirely Christ-exalting although some of the truths may difficult.  If you have trouble with the link and want me to e-mail the file (~18 MB), please let me know, via a comment or an e-mail.


SDG

One mediator

There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all - 1 Tim 2:5-6

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.  But  I received  mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. - 1 Tim 1:15-16

The aim of our charge is love that issues  from a pure heart a good conscience and a sincere faith - 1 Tim 1:5

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One mediator, Jesus, gave his life for mine.  Because of his sacrifice, applied by God to my life, I am saved.  I'm saved not just to go to heaven, but also to be God's example to others.  In some way or another, we are all part of the God's "PR campaign", especially toward those who believe. (see 2 Cor 2:15-16)  But our salvation also has life implications: we are called to love, not as the world does (i.e. selfishly) but rather in an agape, Christ-like manner flowing from our new hearts, cleansed consciences and Spirit bolstered faith.

May the grace of God, the mercy of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit go with you this day!

SDG

Seeing God as He is

This may be an on going topic, but I have been challenged lately to view God more as a person and less as an idea or theory.  While this may sound basic and obvious on the surface, I have found that it has some radical implications both personally and for the church.  For example:

Prayer:  If God is a person (especially an omniscient one) how is my "laundry list" praying honoring to Him? If not, how am I to relate to Him through prayer?

Bible study:  If God is a person, isn't Bible study really my chance to get to know Him, not just how He wants me to behave (See Phil 3)?

Salvation:  If God is a person, isn't salvation His means of permanently restoring a relationship that was irreparably damaged by both my heritage (Adam) and I may sinful actions?

Sin:  If God is a person (especially a holy and just one), doesn't sin hurt Him?  Not that my (our) sins lessen Him or detract from His deity, but rather in some sense we really do grieve Him when we sin.

Evangelism:  If God is a person, shouldn't evangelism be less about what's in it for me (as great as that is!) and more about God's fervent desire to restore what our sin and rebellion has destroyed.  See Luke 15. In each of these parables, God is the main character, earnestly seeking to find the lost and give life to the dead so that His relationship with us  (and us with each other) may be restored.

My prayer, self oriented first and foremost, is that we begin to see God more as He is.  Awesome, Holy and Transcendent, but also Personal, Loving and Compassionate. Most of all, I pray that grasp what it really means to call the Creator and Sustainer of the universe "Abba" (daddy).

SDG

Prayer – A Holy Occupation

From “Prayer – A Holy Occupation” by Oswald Chambers

• Prayer requires            Boldness
• Prayer requires            Childlikeness
• Prayer requires            Communion
• Prayer requires            Concentration
• Prayer requires            Desire
• Prayer requires            Discipline
• Prayer requires            Faith
• Prayer requires            Honesty
• Prayer requires            Intimacy
• Prayer requires            Obedience
• Prayer requires            Patience
• Prayer requires            Power
• Prayer requires            Purpose
• Prayer requires            Silence
• Prayer requires            Simplicity
• Prayer requires            Wonder
• Prayer requires            Work
• Prayer requires            Worship

Anticipating the Return

I'm not sure how best to describe it, but there is a real sense in which the early church, the New Testament writers in particular, had a strong, overwhelming anticipation for Christ's return. I have to honestly say that my life does not reflect that same excitement and passion; the real, palatable hope that today might be the Day!  Rather Christ's return, while real and essential to my faith and theology, seems to have become more of an event on a timeline instead of a homecoming of epic proportions.

Maybe today's the day that 1) my anticipation can be refocused not just on Christ, but on his imminent return and 2) He may in fact return!

SDG

Quote

There is something inexpressibly pleasing to a justified mind 
   to know that God has all the honor in our salvation, and we have none; 
   to know that God's honor is not violated, but on the contrary, shines more illustrious; 
   to know that God's law is not injured, but magnified and made honorable, 
   to know that we are safe, and God has all the glory.

M'Cheyne, Robert Murray

Rock of Ages

Note:  I heard a modern version of this hymn (by Glad) yesterday.  I was struck (again) by the Christ-exalting, sinner-humbling imagery.  I pray that we can reflect on the gospel truth of what Toplady has to share with us.  SDG


Rock of Ages -- Augustus M. Toplady, 1770

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.

2. Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.

4. While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

Temptation - Part 2

"In every promise there are three things to be considered: the faithfulness of the Father, who gives the promise; the grace of the Son , who is the content of the promise; and the power and efficacy of the Holy Spirit, who puts the promise into execution.

The faithfulness of God accomplishes the promise (1 Cor 10:13). Though we are tempted, it shall not grow too strong for us.  That which comes upon us we shall be able to bear, and that which would be too hard for us, we shall escape. What security do we have for this? The faithfulness of God (Heb 10:23). His faithfulness consists in the discharge of his promises, 'He remains faithful for he cannot deny himself' (2 Tim 2:13). So, being under a promise, we have the faithfulness of God engaged for our preservation.

There is also in every promise of the covenant, the grace of the Son. He is the subject of all promises. He said, 'I will keep you.' How? 'By my grace with you.' The soul that has a part in this promise shall enjoy assistance from the grace of Christ in the hour of temptation.  Paul's temptation grew very powerful, but he 'pleaded with the Lord' for help (2 Cor 12:18).  The answer he received from the Lord was 'My grace is sufficient for you' (verse 9).

The efficacy of the Spirit also accompanies God's promises.  The Spirit is called 'the Holy Spirit of promise' -- not only because he was promised by Christ, but also because he effectually makes good the promises of God, and givens them accomplishment in our souls. The Spirit also, then, is engaged to preserve the soul's walking according to the rules laid down (see Is 59:21).

Thus, whenever we find a promise of God, we have this assistance: the faithfulness of the Father, the grace of the Son, and the power of the Spirit.  All three are engaged for our preservation." -- John Owen

Temptation - Part 1

Note:  This is the bad news part, but I felt it best to be shared separately to wake us to the reality that temptation is always crouching at the door  - SDG

"The greatest folly of the hearts of men is shown by a cursed boldness and neglect of the warnings of God, and before their very eyes they watch others run and put themselves under the power of temptation. All who do not seriously consider the danger of entering into temptation do not realize how poor their soul is and how strong the enemy.  They walk over the slain who have fallen on this path without regard or trembling.  But we are weakness itself, with no power to withstand.

If a castle or fort is very strong and well fortified, yet there is a traitor on the inside who is ready to betray at the first opportunity, that fort is not secure from the enemy.  We have a traitor in our very heart, who is ready to unite against us.  He will argue for us to give up in the assault; yea, he will solicit and bribe the temptation to do its work. Do not flatter yourselves that you can hold out.

There are secret lusts that lie dormant, lurking in our hearts, temporarily quiet, waiting for the opportunity of temptation to bewail you. It will then rise, argue, cry, disquiet, and seduce, with perseverance, until either they are killed or satisfied.  He that promises himself that the frame of his heart will be the same under the power of the temptation as it was before, will be woefully mistaken.  He whose heart currently abhors the thoughts of a particular sin, will be powerfully inflamed towards it when he enters into temptation.  All contrary reasonings and objections will be overpowered and silenced. He will deride his former fears, cast out his scruples, and condemn his former convictions.

Little did Peter ever think he could so easily deny his Master.  When the hour of temptation came, all resolutions were forgotten and the love to Christ was buried.  The present temptation untied with Peter's carnal fear and carried him away" -- John Owen

Prayer

"The criterion for our intercessory prayer is not our earnestness, nor our faithfulness, nor even our faith in God, but simply God Himself. He has taken the initiative from the beginning, and has built our prayers into the structure of the
universe. He then asks us to present these requests to Him that He may show His gracious hand." -- Charles H. Troutman (1914-1990)

Your life is a mist. - James 4:14

The last section of James 4 has always been challenging to me.  I am still young (and foolish) enough to picture my life as going on indefinitely.  God, through James, says this attitude is arrogant and that I (we) should remember that our lives are like a mist, which can quickly be gone.

I was reminded yesterday, on Easter of all days, just how real the "mistiness" of life is.  I found out that a person who has attended the Sunday School class that I co-teach for the first time two weeks ago, died unexpectedly the next Wednesday.  Did he know Christ?  I'm not sure.  Did he hear the gospel in our class?  I want to hope so, but when I teach I can get focused on the text and topic at hand.  Did God use that time to plant the seed of His Word or water the seed someone else planted?  I don't know.  Did this gentleman get assurance, encouragement or conviction?  Its not clear.  Did I squander an hour of that man's life of which he had so precious few remaining?  I pray not.

So, how do I keep from wasting this wake up call from God?  By God's strength, I will never assume someone knows the gospel just because they're in a church.  By God's wisdom, I will never disconnect a lesson (or a blog post) from the foundational reality that Jesus died so that we might live and that we must embrace this reality by faith. By God's mercy, I will endeavor to be quick to listen and slow to speak in order that I may not waste anyone's final hours.  And by God's grace, I will be an ambassador of Jesus Christ to anyone God brings in my life.

Will you join me?

Giving

"The only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. Our charities should pinch and hamper us. If we live at the same level of affluence as other people who have our level of income, we are probably giving away too little."

Lews, C. S.

He is risen!!!

I had to choose between Psalm 22 and Revelation 5 and probably a dozen other worthy passages.  I will leave Revelation 5 and the others for another day.  Today, I'm praying that you read Psalm 22 from this side of the resurrection.  The Father did for forsake his Son because of our sin (v1), yet "You who fear the Lord praise Him! Glorify Him and stand in awe of Him! For He has not despised or abhored the affliction of the afflicted and He has not hidden His face from Him but has heard when He cried to Him." (vv23-24)  Jesus is both slaughtered lamb and reigning king! May Christ be praised!  SDG



Psalm 22 (English Standard Version)

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
   Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
   and by night, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are holy,
   enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 In you our fathers trusted;
   they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried and were rescued;
   in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,
   scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
   they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
8 "He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;
   let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"

9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
   you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.
10 On you was I cast from my birth,
    and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
11 Be not far from me,
   for trouble is near,
   and there is none to help.

12 Many bulls encompass me;
   strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
   like a ravening and roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water,
   and all my bones are out of joint;
   my heart is like wax;
   it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
   and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
   you lay me in the dust of death.

16 For dogs encompass me;
   a company of evildoers encircles me;
   they have pierced my hands and feet—
17 I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
   and for my clothing they cast lots.

19 But you, O LORD, do not be far off!
   O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
   my precious life from the power of the dog!

21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!
   You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;
   in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
   All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
   and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred
   the affliction of the afflicted,
   and he has not hidden his face from him,
   but has heard, when he cried to him.

25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
   my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
   those who seek him shall praise the LORD!
   May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
   and turn to the LORD,
   and all the families of the nations
   shall worship before you.
28 For kingship belongs to the LORD,
  and he rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
   before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
   even the one who could not keep himself alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him;
   it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
   that he has done it.

Thoughts on Salvation

"When Scripture speaks to us of our salvation it proposes to us three aims. One is that we recognize the inestimable love God has shown toward us, so that He may be glorified by us as He deserves. Another, that we hold our sin in such detestation as is proper, and that we be sufficiently ashamed to humble ourselves before the majesty of our God. The third, that we value our salvation in such a manner that it makes us forsake the world and all that pertains to this frail life, and that we be overjoyed with that inheritance which has been acquired for us at such a price. This is what we ought to fix our attention upon and apply our minds to when it is mentioned to us how the Son of God has redeemed us from eternal death and has acquired for us the heavenly life. We ought, then, in the first place to learn to give God the praise He deserves. In fact, He was well able to rescue us from the unfathomable depths of death in another fashion, but He willed to display the treasures of His infinite goodness when He spared not His only Son. And our Lord Jesus in this matter willed to give us a sure pledge of the care which He had for us when He offered Himself voluntarily to death. For we never shall be keenly touched nor set on fire to praise our God, unless on the other hand we examine our condition, and see that we are as sunk in hell, and know what it is to have provoked the wrath of God and to have Him for a mortal enemy and a judge so terrible and appalling that it would be much better if heaven and earth and all creatures would conspire against us then to approach His majesty while it is unfavorable toward us. So it is very necessary that sinners should be broken-hearted with a feeling and an understanding of their faults, and that they should know themselves to be worse than wretched, so that they may have a horror at their condition, in order that in this way they may know how much they are indebted and obligated to God, that He has pitied them, that He sees them in despair, and that He has been kind enough to help them; not because He sees in them any dignity, but only because He looks upon their wretchedness.

"And that is why it is here narrated to us that not only our Lord Jesus Christ has been willing to suffer death and has offered Himself as a sacrifice to pacify the wrath of God His Father, but in order that He might be truly and wholly our pledge, He did not refuse to bear the agonies which are prepared for all those whose consciences rebuke them and who feel themselves guilty of eternal death and damnation before God. Let us note well, then, that the Son of God was not content merely to offer His flesh and blood and to subject them to death, but He willed in full measure to appear before the judgment seat of God His Father in the name and in the person of all sinners, being then ready to be condemned, inasmuch as He bore our burden. And we need no longer be ashamed, since the Son of God exposed Himself to such humiliation. It is not without cause that St. Paul exhorts us by his example not to be ashamed of the preaching of the Cross; however foolish it may be to some and a stumbling-block to many. For the more our Lord Jesus abased Himself the more we see that the offenses on account of which we are indebted to God could not be abolished unless He were abased to the last degree."  -- John Calvin

Good Friday?

Why is it called "Good" Friday?  That's the question I used to ask my mom occasionally as I was growing up.  As best as I can recall, her response usually was: "Because that's when Jesus died".  In my young, unchristian but deeply religious mind, my silent comeback was 'Wouldn't that make it "Black" Friday instead?'  It seems clear to me now that my mom & I each had a part of the truth, but neither of us had the whole truth.

In my mom's case, she saw the reality the Jesus did in fact die.  And, she knew that His dying was a divine necessity.  Yet somehow she missed (or never probed) the question: "Why did He have to die?"  Or, "Why is this death 'good'?"

For me, I saw the tragedy of it all.  But, I was not able get beyond the loss: a great man, the God-man, is dead.  The plan is ruined; mankind is left to itself.  In a sense, my mindset was a lot like the disciples leading up to and following the betrayal, trial, torture, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus.  I didn't see the bigger picture, the bigger plan, that God was executing.

So, the question remains: Why Good Friday?  I would submit it is good for at least 3 reasons.

1)  Christ died so that we might live. (1 Cor 15:3; Eph 1:7; Heb 9:26; Rom 8:31-39)  We each owe a debt to God that we can never pay.  In fact, I'm fond of using the illustration of trying to make my mortgage payment with confederate money.  Even $1 million in confederate money would not pay off the the debt I owe to the bank.  It is simply not worth anything, although it is (or was) really money.  Likewise, all the stuff we think we can do for God, to earn His favor or to pay Him back, has no value in reducing our debt to Him. It is simply and only the perfect sacrifice of Jesus that covers our debt and covers it completely.

2)  Christ died to create a people for himself. (1 Pet 2:9-10; Eph 2:19-22; 3:10-11; 5:25-27; Rev 7:9-12) The new life we have in Christ is not about millions of individuals running around worshiping God.  Rather it is about Jesus creating for himself a new community, dedicated to God and each other.  Even in the Trinity, there is the this bond of love. Our worship and our service, both today and for eternity, is done in the context of this new community.

3)  Christ died to perfect all of creation. (Rom 8:19-23; 1 Cor 15:50-57; Eph 1:9-10; Rev 21-22) There is an cosmic battle raging around us.  From shortly after God pronounced that His work was very good until the last battle has been won, this war surges on.  And yet at the cross on "Good" Friday the pivotal battle was fought in this cosmic struggle. Like D-Day in World War II or Gettysburg in the Civil War, the decisive battle has been won.  In either case, was the war over?  No, and each opponent continued to fight and even win major victories (e.g. the Battle of the Bulge).  Yet the tide had turned and victory was simply a matter of time.  So it is with Christ.  Jesus has triumphed!  His children have been redeemed!  His people have been established and one day soon, Satan and death itself will be eternally vanquished.

Today we can mourn and rejoice.  Mourn for the sin that sent Jesus to the cross.  Mourn for the pain, agony and spiritual separation Christ had to endure.  Mourn for all who will go through another Good Friday and not know why it is so, so good.  But also rejoice.  Rejoice over the willing sacrifice of Jesus, the sinless, holy eternal Son of God.  Rejoice over the sin payment Jesus made for each of us who believe, a payment we could never make.  Rejoice over the love Jesus has for his Father that He would submit Himself to the Father's plan and purpose.  And rejoice that now we are no longer aliens and strangers, but we are children of God and brothers and sisters with Christ.

SDG

Re: The Bible

"Read and read again, and do not despair of help to understand the will and mind of God though you think they are fast locked up from you. Neither trouble your heads though you have not commentaries and exposition. Pray and read, read and pray; for a little from God is better than a great deal from men." -- John Bunyan

"Depend upon it, it is God's Word, not our comment upon it, that saves men's souls" -- Robert Murray M'Cheney