For awhile now Churches have reduced the amount of talk about sin
why - because sinners don't like being told they're sinners
and Churches don't want to offend and scare off seekers
(seekers- totally an unbiblical idea Rom 3 no one seeks for God)
which has now led to Post-modernism - people who don't think
they're sinners so they don't need a Savior.
people don't think of themselves as sinners, and because the Church
has feared Men instead of God and not told them they're sinners in
need of Mercy, people who don't think they're sinners
don't need a Savior.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
This is the Gosple - Cancelling our Debt!
Col 2:13-14 And you, who were dead in your trespasses ... God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
A titulus was a sign hung above a crucified person that explained that persons crime. In Jesus' case this said, "King of the Jews." But God also placed a titulus above the cross of Christ and that sign said, "the record of debt with its legal demands" explaining that everyone whom Christ died are now no longer sinners. How so, you'll ask. In this way, all of the sins of everyone Christ died for where a debt that Christ paid for, therefore no more debt for those people. He set this record of debt aside (removed it) by "nailing it to the cross."
This brings us to one of the strongest understandings of limited (or I prefer Particular) atonement. As False Teachers must deny this by saying either: Everyone is saved because Christ atoned for the sins of every human being (a heresy known as Universalism) or that Christ died for every sin except the sin of unbelief. Which is why they have to challenge us to "grasp" or "earn" or "work for" our salvation because God only cancelled 99% of the debt and we have to cancel the last little bit. Mainly this is exemplified by a Multi-step path to attaining salvation.
Whether you're taught to earn salvation in any of a hundred ways: make a free-will decision (which you cant, simply because the will is not free), pray a special prayer (that magically removes your sins), walk an aisle (thankfully works righteousness is easy in lazy America), fasting, travel to a holy site, convert a sinner (this is the pyramid scheme system - convince 6 others to make a false profession of faith and you'll be saved as well), confess every sin (which you cant because you don't know 2/3rds of them), get baptized (God only loves wet people and if your not wet then even if you're a genuine believer God doesn't want you, you haven't done enough for Him- Satire), read the whole Bible, volunteer to work in the nursery (many churches imply this simply because otherwise no one would volunteer in the nursery), tithe (if you don't give your 10% gift, why would God want to gift you Eternal life) or many conservative churches will say not do this but their good works are all - we don't do this: don't drink, don't watch secular movies, don't listen to secular music, don't dance - I've been in the Church for 25 years so I could do this all day I've seen all the traps of works righteousness. - just know that 100 verses state salvation is by genuine faith in the Biblical Christ and His work done for you. If you add to or take away from that then simply you don't understand Salvation.
A titulus was a sign hung above a crucified person that explained that persons crime. In Jesus' case this said, "King of the Jews." But God also placed a titulus above the cross of Christ and that sign said, "the record of debt with its legal demands" explaining that everyone whom Christ died are now no longer sinners. How so, you'll ask. In this way, all of the sins of everyone Christ died for where a debt that Christ paid for, therefore no more debt for those people. He set this record of debt aside (removed it) by "nailing it to the cross."
This brings us to one of the strongest understandings of limited (or I prefer Particular) atonement. As False Teachers must deny this by saying either: Everyone is saved because Christ atoned for the sins of every human being (a heresy known as Universalism) or that Christ died for every sin except the sin of unbelief. Which is why they have to challenge us to "grasp" or "earn" or "work for" our salvation because God only cancelled 99% of the debt and we have to cancel the last little bit. Mainly this is exemplified by a Multi-step path to attaining salvation.
Whether you're taught to earn salvation in any of a hundred ways: make a free-will decision (which you cant, simply because the will is not free), pray a special prayer (that magically removes your sins), walk an aisle (thankfully works righteousness is easy in lazy America), fasting, travel to a holy site, convert a sinner (this is the pyramid scheme system - convince 6 others to make a false profession of faith and you'll be saved as well), confess every sin (which you cant because you don't know 2/3rds of them), get baptized (God only loves wet people and if your not wet then even if you're a genuine believer God doesn't want you, you haven't done enough for Him- Satire), read the whole Bible, volunteer to work in the nursery (many churches imply this simply because otherwise no one would volunteer in the nursery), tithe (if you don't give your 10% gift, why would God want to gift you Eternal life) or many conservative churches will say not do this but their good works are all - we don't do this: don't drink, don't watch secular movies, don't listen to secular music, don't dance - I've been in the Church for 25 years so I could do this all day I've seen all the traps of works righteousness. - just know that 100 verses state salvation is by genuine faith in the Biblical Christ and His work done for you. If you add to or take away from that then simply you don't understand Salvation.
Monday, May 30, 2011
John 15
As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine,
neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (Jesus died not for strangers that may or may not one day come to him but he died for his friends)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (Jesus died not for strangers that may or may not one day come to him but he died for his friends)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
John 10
The sheep hear his voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.
When He has brought out all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
I came that they (the sheep) may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (notice not for both the sheep and the goats).
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep (notice not for both the sheep and the goats).
And I have other sheep that are not of this fold (Elect Gentiles). I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd (the Church and the Church's Head).
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe.
The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them (the sheep) eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
I and the Father are one.
(These are the Sheep) And many came to him.
And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”
And many believed in him there.
When He has brought out all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
I came that they (the sheep) may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (notice not for both the sheep and the goats).
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep (notice not for both the sheep and the goats).
And I have other sheep that are not of this fold (Elect Gentiles). I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd (the Church and the Church's Head).
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe.
The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them (the sheep) eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
I and the Father are one.
(These are the Sheep) And many came to him.
And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”
And many believed in him there.
John 6
Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
But I said to you that you have seen me and yet you do not believe.
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me.
And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.
This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.
Did I not choose you, the Twelve?
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
But I said to you that you have seen me and yet you do not believe.
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me.
And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.
This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.
Did I not choose you, the Twelve?
Helmut Richard Niebuhr AD 1894 - 1962
On theological Liberalism (the majority of American Churches today):
A God without wrath, brought men without sin, into a kingdom without
judgement, through the administrations of a Christ without a cross.
A God without wrath, brought men without sin, into a kingdom without
judgement, through the administrations of a Christ without a cross.
The Lord Reigns!
That the God of Israel is king of the cosmos is certainly one of the most prevalent teachings in the whole of Scripture. Even the Law teaches us God is Sovereign: earthly lords enact legislation for their people, how much more will the Lord of the Universe?
When reflecting on His reign, God's total sovereignty is one of the foremost topics of the Bible. Nothing happens apart from His sovereign decree, not even the smallest detail.
That God is completely sovereign remains unbelievable to the unregenerate as they see finitely (and without the eyes of faith) and without God's overview toward fulfilling His ultimate ends.
In Adam, all were with him (our first father) choosing to exert ourselves selfishly - chasing after our own desires - to remove Him from His throne and place ourselves in His place.
When reflecting on His reign, God's total sovereignty is one of the foremost topics of the Bible. Nothing happens apart from His sovereign decree, not even the smallest detail.
Prov 16:33 The lot (or die) is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
There is no plan or scheme of Man that can thwart His will.Job 42:2 I know that God can do all things, and that no purpose of His can be thwarted.
Ps 135:6 For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
All humans (even the best acting humans) rebel against His reign yet He knows their intent and actions before they do (before they're even born) and intends even their actions to shape His Story of Redemption.That God is completely sovereign remains unbelievable to the unregenerate as they see finitely (and without the eyes of faith) and without God's overview toward fulfilling His ultimate ends.
In Adam, all were with him (our first father) choosing to exert ourselves selfishly - chasing after our own desires - to remove Him from His throne and place ourselves in His place.
Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—Rom 5:15-17 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Only once the Lord has set His grace on us, can we recapture the obedience of Eden (before the fall) and start living a life of good works toward our biological families, fellow believers (our new family) and among our neighbors of this world. Much like the good kings of the Old Covenant with Israel they were not to lead men to dwell on their own glory but to point to the Glory of God in Heaven.
David says, 1 Chron 16:31,34 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;for His steadfast love endures forever!
That God is Sovereign over us (and over all) is a comfort to the believer, especially in temptations and trials.
Friday, May 27, 2011
The Final Judgement!
When I stand before the Great White Throne of Judgement will God see all the good works I've done and declare me just or righteous and worthy of Heaven?
By works? Never! Here is how the bible determines who goes to heaven:
Rev 20- And if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (that is Hell).
So you will ask what can I do to get my name written in the Book of Life? Nothing, because the Book according to Rev 13 - the names were written before the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb - the Book of Life was written before Creation and cannot be altered.
This mirrors Eph 1 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world.
And again Matthew 25 - Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world
By works? Never! Here is how the bible determines who goes to heaven:
Rev 20- And if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (that is Hell).
So you will ask what can I do to get my name written in the Book of Life? Nothing, because the Book according to Rev 13 - the names were written before the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb - the Book of Life was written before Creation and cannot be altered.
This mirrors Eph 1 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world.
And again Matthew 25 - Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world
Acts 13
And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the Word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
The common teaching today, since most Evangelical teaching is not Biblical exposition, is that all who decide in and of themselves to believe are appointed to Eternal life. That is wrong! We see it specifically here; it is those and only those who initially are appointed to Eternal life that end up with genuine belief or faith.
The common teaching today, since most Evangelical teaching is not Biblical exposition, is that all who decide in and of themselves to believe are appointed to Eternal life. That is wrong! We see it specifically here; it is those and only those who initially are appointed to Eternal life that end up with genuine belief or faith.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
False Teaching
The verses from the last post reveal the Truth from one
of the most common False Teachings in American Churches:
It goes a little something like this:
God in Heaven is trying so hard to save everyone on the planet from Hell;
He is doing everything He can to convert every single person so that
no one will be exposed to the suffering of the next life.
You will ask of course, if God is doing all He can to save us
why aren't we all saved? And the answer of course is Man is more
powerful than God. How so, you may want to know. In this way,
God struggles and strains, toils and laments in vain - wringing His
hands in Heaven He cries "Why oh why did I create Man with so much
power, Free-will that cursed word! That try all I might to save all men,
I can not! The best I can do is make a path for man to choose to travel
himself without any influence or interference from Me; so that man in
effect can save himself, by following My Five Steps to Eternal Salvation.
I sure hope someone chooses to accept my gracious offer of salvation.
I'll just keep wait and hoping someone does."
of the most common False Teachings in American Churches:
It goes a little something like this:
God in Heaven is trying so hard to save everyone on the planet from Hell;
He is doing everything He can to convert every single person so that
no one will be exposed to the suffering of the next life.
You will ask of course, if God is doing all He can to save us
why aren't we all saved? And the answer of course is Man is more
powerful than God. How so, you may want to know. In this way,
God struggles and strains, toils and laments in vain - wringing His
hands in Heaven He cries "Why oh why did I create Man with so much
power, Free-will that cursed word! That try all I might to save all men,
I can not! The best I can do is make a path for man to choose to travel
himself without any influence or interference from Me; so that man in
effect can save himself, by following My Five Steps to Eternal Salvation.
I sure hope someone chooses to accept my gracious offer of salvation.
I'll just keep wait and hoping someone does."
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Is anything too difficult for the Lord? - Gen 18:14
- Psalm 115:3, "But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases."
- Psalm 135:6, "Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps."
- Isaiah 46:9-10, "For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;"
- Jer. 32:27, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
- Dan. 4:35, “And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’"
- Matt. 19:25-26, "When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
- Luke 1:37, "For nothing will be impossible with God."
One of the best sermons -ever?
Its funny, but I've heard 2 different Reformed preachers use Father Mapple's Sermon on Jonah as a basis for there own this last week. Father Mapple is a fictional pastor in the classic Moby Dick, and while it is heavily influenced with sailing and nautical references and imagery it is a very good sermon.
But all the things that God would have us do are hard for us to do - remeber that - and hence, He is more often to command us than endeavoring to persuade us. And if we obey God, we must disobey ourselves; and it is in this disobeying ourselves, where the hardness (or difficulty) in obeying God lies.
The best part of the sermon may be the description of Jonah on the wharfs fleeing like a criminal and the sailors suspicion of him.
He feels that his dreadful punishment is just. He leaves all his deliverance to God, contending himself with this, that spite all his pains and pangs, he will still look towards His holy temple. And here is true and faithful repentance; not clamorous for pardon, but grateful for punishment. And how pleasing to God was this conduct in Jonah, is shown in the eventual deliverance of him from the violent sea and the whale. I do not place Jonah before you to be copied for his sin, but I do place him before you as a model of repentance. Sin not; but if you do, take heed to repent of it like Jonah.
The other more awful lesson of Jonah is this, as a Preacher of the living God, or a speaker of true things, and bidden by the Lord, to teach unwelcome truths to the ears of wicked sinners. Yet despite the fact that Jonah did not want to, Jonah did do the Almighty's bidding. And what was that? To preach the Truth to the Face of Falsehood! That was it!
And Eternal delight and deliciousness will be his, who coming to lay him down, can say with his final breath, here I die. I have striven to be Thine, more than the world's, more than mine own!
But all the things that God would have us do are hard for us to do - remeber that - and hence, He is more often to command us than endeavoring to persuade us. And if we obey God, we must disobey ourselves; and it is in this disobeying ourselves, where the hardness (or difficulty) in obeying God lies.
The best part of the sermon may be the description of Jonah on the wharfs fleeing like a criminal and the sailors suspicion of him.
He feels that his dreadful punishment is just. He leaves all his deliverance to God, contending himself with this, that spite all his pains and pangs, he will still look towards His holy temple. And here is true and faithful repentance; not clamorous for pardon, but grateful for punishment. And how pleasing to God was this conduct in Jonah, is shown in the eventual deliverance of him from the violent sea and the whale. I do not place Jonah before you to be copied for his sin, but I do place him before you as a model of repentance. Sin not; but if you do, take heed to repent of it like Jonah.
The other more awful lesson of Jonah is this, as a Preacher of the living God, or a speaker of true things, and bidden by the Lord, to teach unwelcome truths to the ears of wicked sinners. Yet despite the fact that Jonah did not want to, Jonah did do the Almighty's bidding. And what was that? To preach the Truth to the Face of Falsehood! That was it!
And Eternal delight and deliciousness will be his, who coming to lay him down, can say with his final breath, here I die. I have striven to be Thine, more than the world's, more than mine own!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Matthew 11
All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
John 5
For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.
Just as the Father has the power to raise whom he chooses from the physically dead.
Ezekiel 37 - The Valley of Dry Bones
The Christ also has the power to raise whom he chooses from the spiritually dead.
John 15 - You did not choose Jesus, but Jesus choose you.
Just as the Father has the power to raise whom he chooses from the physically dead.
Ezekiel 37 - The Valley of Dry Bones
The Christ also has the power to raise whom he chooses from the spiritually dead.
John 15 - You did not choose Jesus, but Jesus choose you.
Psalm 78:26 - 05/23/11
He {God} caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
My wife and I both grew up in and most of our family still live
in Joplin, MO the town that was destroyed this weekend by
a large tornado.
I just wanted to say that our thoughts and prayers are with the
people of Joplin and if National Guard allows I'm gonna try to
head down and spend a day helping out- soon. Please keep those families
in mind throughout the week.
and by his power he led out the south wind;
My wife and I both grew up in and most of our family still live
in Joplin, MO the town that was destroyed this weekend by
a large tornado.
I just wanted to say that our thoughts and prayers are with the
people of Joplin and if National Guard allows I'm gonna try to
head down and spend a day helping out- soon. Please keep those families
in mind throughout the week.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Summa Theologica - St Thomas Aquinas AD 1265-1274
1) Whether predestination is suitably attributed to God?
Yes - basically it is God aim of His Providence for your life. The arrow does not aim itself (you are the arrow) the Archer (God) directs the flight of its path.
Yes - basically it is God aim of His Providence for your life. The arrow does not aim itself (you are the arrow) the Archer (God) directs the flight of its path.
(2) What is predestination, and whether it places anything in the predestined?
Predestination is a kind of the ordering of some persons towards eternal salvation.
No, it is God's direction of their lives (through His Providence) not something set in those Elect.
(3) Whether to God belongs the reprobation of some men?
Thus, as Predestination is a part of His Providence- in regard to those ordained to eternal salvation (the Elect), so Reprobation is a part of His Providence in regard to those who turn aside from that end.
Therefore, as Predestination includes the His Will to confer grace and glory; so also Reprobation includes the His Will to permit a person to fall into sin, and to impose the punishment of damnation on account of that sin.
(4) On the comparison of predestination to election; whether, that is to say, the predestined are chosen?
The Predestination of some to eternal salvation presupposes that God wills their salvation; and to this belong both His election and love:---love, inasmuch as He wills them this particular good of eternal salvation. It is clear that His love precedes election in the order of reason, and election precedes predestination. Hence all the predestinate are the objects of His election and love.
(5) Whether merits are the cause or reason of predestination, or reprobation, or election?
We cannot assign any cause to the divine will (in Election) on the part of the act of man's willing; nobody has been so insane as to say that merit is the cause of divine predestination as regards the act of the predestinator (the one who is Predestined). Wherefore it cannot be said that anything begun in us can be the reason of the effect of predestination. Actually Thomas Aquinas, that is exactly what most mainline American Churches teach today - Merit (or man's good works) or Man's will is the cause for God's Predestination, that is supposing that American Churches teach Predestination at all.
(6) of the certainty of predestination; whether the predestined will infallibly be saved?
Predestination most certainly and infallibly takes effect and in noways is left up to chance or possibility. He knows how many will be saved; by reason of His deliberate choice and determination.
(7) Whether the number of the predestined is certain?
The number of the predestined is certain. It is, however, better to say that, "to God alone is known the number for whom is reserved eternal happiness."
(8) Whether predestination can be furthered by the prayers of the saints?
In no possible way can predestination be furthered by the prayers of the saints; for it is not due to their prayers that anyone is predestined by God. Predestination is said to be helped by the prayers of the saints, and by other good works only because providence, of which predestination is a part, does not do away with secondary causes but so guarantees the results, that the order of secondary causes falls also under providence.
John Calvin AD 1509-1564
When God Elects one and rejects another, it is owing not to any respect to
the individual, but entirely to His own mercy which is free to
display and exert itself when and where He pleases...in order
to humble the Pride of the Flesh.
Since God places your salvation in Himself alone,
why should you descend to yourself?
Since He assigns you His own Mercy alone,why will
you recur to (return to or continue to rely on) your own merits?
the individual, but entirely to His own mercy which is free to
display and exert itself when and where He pleases...in order
to humble the Pride of the Flesh.
Since God places your salvation in Himself alone,
why should you descend to yourself?
Since He assigns you His own Mercy alone,why will
you recur to (return to or continue to rely on) your own merits?
William Tyndale AD 1494-1536
When Christ is ...preached...the hearts of them which are Elect
and Chosen, begin to wax soft and melt at the bounteous
Mercy of God.
and Chosen, begin to wax soft and melt at the bounteous
Mercy of God.
Ulrich Zwingli AD 1484-1531
We agree with Paul that Predestination is the free disposition of God
concerning us, independent of any consideration of our works, good or bad.
I would that the word "free-will" had never been invented; neither is it
(its meaning) in Scripture, and might be better called self-will, which is
of no use.
concerning us, independent of any consideration of our works, good or bad.
I would that the word "free-will" had never been invented; neither is it
(its meaning) in Scripture, and might be better called self-will, which is
of no use.
Martin Luther
No man can be thoroughly humbled until he knows that his salvation is utterly beyond his own powers, devices, endeavors, will, works, and depends entirely on the Choice, Will and Work of another, namely, of God alone. For as long as he is persuaded that he himself can do even the least thing toward his salvation, he retains some self-confidence and does not altogether despair of himself, and therefore he is not humbled before God, but presumes that there is - or at least hopes or desires that there may be - some place, time, and work for him, by which he may at length attain to salvation. But when a man has no doubt that everything depends on the Will of God, then he completely despairs of himself and chooses nothing for himself, but waits for God to work; then he has come close to Grace, and can be saved.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
John Hus AD 1372-1415
Hence neither is the pope the head nor are the cardinals
the whole body of the holy, universal, catholic church.
For Christ alone is the head of the Church, and His
Predestinate (or the Predestined) are the body and
each is a member.
the whole body of the holy, universal, catholic church.
For Christ alone is the head of the Church, and His
Predestinate (or the Predestined) are the body and
each is a member.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Servant Works
Matt 20
The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for (not all, but) many.
It has been said that everyone wants to serve, but no one wants to be treated like the servant.
Through the Gospel, the Spirit enables all true believers to endure even ill treatment and continue serving, because ultimately believers serve others not for the World's recognition but out of our love and gratitude to Him. Service is one of those things that unless it is controlled with discipline and intention tends to lead one to self-exaltation or self-justification. Let us remember that service to our God through service to our neighbors and Brothers-in-Christ is not a substitute for knowing and believing the Gospel. While it is true that Jesus is our great example for servant-hood, He did not come to Earth, live a sinless life, and die for our sins just to teach us to be more servant-hearted. No one makes themselves acceptable to God by trying to emulate Jesus' example of service. No one can serve so much or so well as to become sufficiently righteous before God. We must understand and believe the Gospel of God to be right with God.
Has the Gospel you believe in given you a servants heart?
Is your service coming from gratitude to God for His mercy in your life?
Are you sure you believe The Gospel of Scripture or just a "gospel" you've been told?
The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for (not all, but) many.
It has been said that everyone wants to serve, but no one wants to be treated like the servant.
Through the Gospel, the Spirit enables all true believers to endure even ill treatment and continue serving, because ultimately believers serve others not for the World's recognition but out of our love and gratitude to Him. Service is one of those things that unless it is controlled with discipline and intention tends to lead one to self-exaltation or self-justification. Let us remember that service to our God through service to our neighbors and Brothers-in-Christ is not a substitute for knowing and believing the Gospel. While it is true that Jesus is our great example for servant-hood, He did not come to Earth, live a sinless life, and die for our sins just to teach us to be more servant-hearted. No one makes themselves acceptable to God by trying to emulate Jesus' example of service. No one can serve so much or so well as to become sufficiently righteous before God. We must understand and believe the Gospel of God to be right with God.
Has the Gospel you believe in given you a servants heart?
Is your service coming from gratitude to God for His mercy in your life?
Are you sure you believe The Gospel of Scripture or just a "gospel" you've been told?
The Revealed Mystery
Eph 3
The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
This mystery "was made known" to Paul, which is just another way of emphasizing the passive nature of the apostles calling from God. In other words, God and God alone chose Paul as His Chosen tool or instrument for service, and Paul could not attribute this divine choice to anything in himself as he was a persecutor, murderer and accomplice of murders done on the members of The Way (the early Church) prior to his conversion. This divine Election was due to nothing other than the good pleasure of Paul's Creator-God. Paul (like all sinners) require divine revelation to understand this mystery - The Holy Spirit had to open his eyes and instruct him, he never on his own could have come to an understanding of the ways of God in salvation apart from this special work of Grace. Being (like all men) naturally spiritually dead in his sin, he could never have understood either his desperate need of a Sovereign Savior or the redemptive work of Christ apart from divine Election and the opening of his heart which was/is/and always will be the work not of ourselves but the work of the Spirit
Titus 3
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He 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, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being Justified by His Grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
John 3
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind (like the Holy Spirit) blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
This mystery "was made known" to Paul, which is just another way of emphasizing the passive nature of the apostles calling from God. In other words, God and God alone chose Paul as His Chosen tool or instrument for service, and Paul could not attribute this divine choice to anything in himself as he was a persecutor, murderer and accomplice of murders done on the members of The Way (the early Church) prior to his conversion. This divine Election was due to nothing other than the good pleasure of Paul's Creator-God. Paul (like all sinners) require divine revelation to understand this mystery - The Holy Spirit had to open his eyes and instruct him, he never on his own could have come to an understanding of the ways of God in salvation apart from this special work of Grace. Being (like all men) naturally spiritually dead in his sin, he could never have understood either his desperate need of a Sovereign Savior or the redemptive work of Christ apart from divine Election and the opening of his heart which was/is/and always will be the work not of ourselves but the work of the Spirit
Titus 3
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He 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, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being Justified by His Grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
John 3
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind (like the Holy Spirit) blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
"Not-my-will-be-done" is the motto of Justification
The main problem I have with mainline evangelicals obsession with "Free will" is not only the problem of it springing from old church Heresies like Pelagianism, Semi-Pelagianism and Armininism but that God has refuted both of the ideas repeatedly in Scripture: that the will is "free" from the influence of God and that the "will" is the primary tool of man in attaining salvation.
Just a few verses as reminder to you today:
John 1
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Romans 9
For God says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
In comparison to God
Philippians 2
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
And what is God's will and purpose?
Eph 1
God predestined us for adoption as sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of God's will, to the praise of God's glorious grace, with which God has blessed us in the Beloved (JC). In Jesus we have redemption through Jesus' blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of God's grace, which God lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of God's will, according to God's purpose, which God set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in God, things in heaven and things on earth.
Just a few verses as reminder to you today:
John 1
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Romans 9
For God says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
In comparison to God
Philippians 2
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
And what is God's will and purpose?
Eph 1
God predestined us for adoption as sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of God's will, to the praise of God's glorious grace, with which God has blessed us in the Beloved (JC). In Jesus we have redemption through Jesus' blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of God's grace, which God lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of God's will, according to God's purpose, which God set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in God, things in heaven and things on earth.
Monday, May 16, 2011
God's Chosen People
The ancient Israelites were forbidden to walk in the
sinful ways of the surrounding pagan nations (Lev 18:1-4),
but they were never to wall themselves off from the outside world.
Instead, Israel was commissioned to be a light unto the world.
Witnesses of God's saving and electing Grace so that Gentiles
might understand their sinfulness, then turn, and seek the Lord
and find the blessing He has always promised to deliver to
them through Abraham's Seed (JC).
Isa 42:6
I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
sinful ways of the surrounding pagan nations (Lev 18:1-4),
but they were never to wall themselves off from the outside world.
Instead, Israel was commissioned to be a light unto the world.
Witnesses of God's saving and electing Grace so that Gentiles
might understand their sinfulness, then turn, and seek the Lord
and find the blessing He has always promised to deliver to
them through Abraham's Seed (JC).
Isa 42:6
I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
My religious beliefs teach me to feel as safe in battle as in bed,
God has {already} fixed the time of my death. I do not concern
myself with that, but to be always ready whenever it may overtake
me. That is the way all men should live, and all men would be
equally brave.
*Living with absolute assurance in the Providence of God.
God has {already} fixed the time of my death. I do not concern
myself with that, but to be always ready whenever it may overtake
me. That is the way all men should live, and all men would be
equally brave.
*Living with absolute assurance in the Providence of God.
Gen. Robert E Lee
God's will ought to be our aim;
and I am quite content that His designs
should be accomplished and not mine.
*and His design was accomplished
when the South lost the Civil War
as the Lord had always intended.
and I am quite content that His designs
should be accomplished and not mine.
*and His design was accomplished
when the South lost the Civil War
as the Lord had always intended.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
John Wycliffe
We are predestined, that we may obtain divine acceptance,
and become holy; having received that Grace through Christ's
taking human nature, whereby we are rendered finally pleasing
to God. And it appears that this Grace, which is called the Grace
of Predestination, with the charity of final Perseverance, cannot
by any means fail.
and become holy; having received that Grace through Christ's
taking human nature, whereby we are rendered finally pleasing
to God. And it appears that this Grace, which is called the Grace
of Predestination, with the charity of final Perseverance, cannot
by any means fail.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
By Grace Alone-Through Faith Alone!
This was the Cry of the Reformation; the theological point that Martin Luther said by which either The Church (as a whole, not just one congregation) stood strong or fell into apostasy.
All the false man-made religions of this world reveal that without the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, sinners always think that they are generally good and can contribute something to their salvation. This way of thinking steals glory owed to God and makes Man a co-redeemer along with God. For if we could do even one thing to merit salvation then we are owed some of the credit. All false teachings & false belief systems except Historic Biblical Christianity encourage us to believe that we contribute to our salvation, even if they deceitfully declare that they don't.
It should be clear when reading Eph 2 that God owes us nothing but His just wrath (this is taught throughout Sacred Writ - Gen 6, Deut 7, Ps 51, Rom 1-3, James 2). But in case we missed all those points Paul lists it clearly here again, We bring nothing with us to our redemption, and that any good works we perform are not the basis of our Justification before God, instead it is the result of believers being Chosen and Gifted with our Salvation.
Eph 2:8
By Grace you have been Saved through Faith. And this is not of your own doing {work, will or ability}; it is the Gift of God.
Grace, by definition, excludes any bit of merit which would contribute to our righteous standing before God, but faith, which declares our inability to help ourselves and relies wholly on another (our Christ Jesus) for salvation. This proves that our works have no power to to atone for our wickedness. John Calvin writes, "If, on the part of God, it is Grace alone, and if we bring nothing but Faith {which He gives us - we do not generate it ourselves} , this strips us of all commendations, it follows that salvation does not come from us."
Paul mentions in this Chapter (Eph 2) - Salvation, Grace and Faith. It is true that we are the ones who puts our faith into Christ, but Yahweh (God the Father, the great I-Am-Who-I-Am) gives us our faith and guarantees that we will exercise it unto salvation. If the Holy Spirit has changed our hearts, we will not refuse the call to trust in Christ. If He has Chosen to place His love & grace on us, then we will certainly believe - For all whom the Father has given to the Son must come to the Savior. (John 6, 10, 15)
All the false man-made religions of this world reveal that without the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, sinners always think that they are generally good and can contribute something to their salvation. This way of thinking steals glory owed to God and makes Man a co-redeemer along with God. For if we could do even one thing to merit salvation then we are owed some of the credit. All false teachings & false belief systems except Historic Biblical Christianity encourage us to believe that we contribute to our salvation, even if they deceitfully declare that they don't.
It should be clear when reading Eph 2 that God owes us nothing but His just wrath (this is taught throughout Sacred Writ - Gen 6, Deut 7, Ps 51, Rom 1-3, James 2). But in case we missed all those points Paul lists it clearly here again, We bring nothing with us to our redemption, and that any good works we perform are not the basis of our Justification before God, instead it is the result of believers being Chosen and Gifted with our Salvation.
Eph 2:8
By Grace you have been Saved through Faith. And this is not of your own doing {work, will or ability}; it is the Gift of God.
Grace, by definition, excludes any bit of merit which would contribute to our righteous standing before God, but faith, which declares our inability to help ourselves and relies wholly on another (our Christ Jesus) for salvation. This proves that our works have no power to to atone for our wickedness. John Calvin writes, "If, on the part of God, it is Grace alone, and if we bring nothing but Faith {which He gives us - we do not generate it ourselves} , this strips us of all commendations, it follows that salvation does not come from us."
Paul mentions in this Chapter (Eph 2) - Salvation, Grace and Faith. It is true that we are the ones who puts our faith into Christ, but Yahweh (God the Father, the great I-Am-Who-I-Am) gives us our faith and guarantees that we will exercise it unto salvation. If the Holy Spirit has changed our hearts, we will not refuse the call to trust in Christ. If He has Chosen to place His love & grace on us, then we will certainly believe - For all whom the Father has given to the Son must come to the Savior. (John 6, 10, 15)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
God's mercy/God's wrath
Eph 2:3-5
Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.
The most terrifying name by which Paul calls the unbeliever is "children of wrath;" in writing this, the apostle is stating that those in Adam - all unregenerate human beings - deserve divine punishment, they can expect love and mercy from God but they will only get His wrath and ultimately eternal judgement. Rom 1-3, Jude, Rev 20
BUT {yes its true; there are glorious but's in the Bible} thankfully our Creator has not left humanity alone to its miserable fate, but has chosen to rescue a People for Himself (Chosen, Set apart, Elect, Predestined) -those chosen from the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3-6)
He comes to His people - who were all born dead spiritually in Adam and unable to respond to His call and performs a spiritual resurrection so that they both have the desire to be saved and believe (Eph 2:8-10) This is God's initiative; He takes the decisive step, for those whom He regenerates certainly come to believe in the gospel of Christ and follow Him in a life of repentance and faith.
So why (you will scream at me) doesn't He do this for everyone? The full answer will remain a mystery until Glory, however we know it is His mercy, love, grace and kindness that does it for anyone; and it is to the praise of His glorious grace (Eph 1:6) and according to His good pleasure and purposes.
Mercy - or unexpected love and generosity - cannot be given to us as something owed, because mercy that is owed is no longer mercy but obligation - as in, God has to forgive that's His job! It can only be given to those who are desperate - and cannot help themselves - there is no way better to describe our situation apart from Christ than utter hopeless despair.
Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.
The most terrifying name by which Paul calls the unbeliever is "children of wrath;" in writing this, the apostle is stating that those in Adam - all unregenerate human beings - deserve divine punishment, they can expect love and mercy from God but they will only get His wrath and ultimately eternal judgement. Rom 1-3, Jude, Rev 20
BUT {yes its true; there are glorious but's in the Bible} thankfully our Creator has not left humanity alone to its miserable fate, but has chosen to rescue a People for Himself (Chosen, Set apart, Elect, Predestined) -those chosen from the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3-6)
He comes to His people - who were all born dead spiritually in Adam and unable to respond to His call and performs a spiritual resurrection so that they both have the desire to be saved and believe (Eph 2:8-10) This is God's initiative; He takes the decisive step, for those whom He regenerates certainly come to believe in the gospel of Christ and follow Him in a life of repentance and faith.
So why (you will scream at me) doesn't He do this for everyone? The full answer will remain a mystery until Glory, however we know it is His mercy, love, grace and kindness that does it for anyone; and it is to the praise of His glorious grace (Eph 1:6) and according to His good pleasure and purposes.
Mercy - or unexpected love and generosity - cannot be given to us as something owed, because mercy that is owed is no longer mercy but obligation - as in, God has to forgive that's His job! It can only be given to those who are desperate - and cannot help themselves - there is no way better to describe our situation apart from Christ than utter hopeless despair.
Galatians
Paul's purpose in writing Galatians is clear - to expose the false gospel
preached by the Judaizers and unfold the gospel of salvation - by grace alone through faith alone (Gal 1-3).
Gal 2:16
Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified
Gal 3:5-6
Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
Gal 3:10-14
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
preached by the Judaizers and unfold the gospel of salvation - by grace alone through faith alone (Gal 1-3).
Gal 2:16
Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified
Gal 3:5-6
Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
Gal 3:10-14
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
C H Spurgeon
Calvinism did not spring from Calvin. We believe that it
sprang from the great Founder of all Truth.
sprang from the great Founder of all Truth.
John Owen
When the Holy Spirit intends to regenerate a person,
He removes all obstacles, overcomes all resistance and opposition,
and infallibly produces the results He intended.
He removes all obstacles, overcomes all resistance and opposition,
and infallibly produces the results He intended.
Charles H Spurgeon
I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing
as preaching Christ and Him crucified unless we preach
what is nowadays called Calvinism...Calvinism is the
gospel and nothing else.
as preaching Christ and Him crucified unless we preach
what is nowadays called Calvinism...Calvinism is the
gospel and nothing else.
C H Spurgeon
The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached,
that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach today, or
else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape
the truth. I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges
of a doctrine. John Knox's gospel is my gosple; that which
thundered through Scotland, must thunder through England again.
that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach today, or
else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape
the truth. I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges
of a doctrine. John Knox's gospel is my gosple; that which
thundered through Scotland, must thunder through England again.
Jonathan Edwards
Those who have received salvation are to attribute it to
sovereign grace alone, and to give all the praise to Him,
who makes them to differ from others.
sovereign grace alone, and to give all the praise to Him,
who makes them to differ from others.
Edwin H Palmer
Calvin did not invent a new teaching any more than Columbus
invented America or Newton the law of gravity. As Columbus
and Newton merely discovered what had existed all along,
so Calvin uncovered truths that had been in the Bible all
the time.
invented America or Newton the law of gravity. As Columbus
and Newton merely discovered what had existed all along,
so Calvin uncovered truths that had been in the Bible all
the time.
James Montgomery Boice
The doctrines known as Calvinism are not something that
emerged late in church history, but rather are that which
takes its origins in the teachings of Jesus.
emerged late in church history, but rather are that which
takes its origins in the teachings of Jesus.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Must Read -Church Fathers #3
J. C. Ryle's Holiness
I just finished this book Friday
And I can say its the best book on Sanctification
that I'm aware of in all of Church History
the Moody Classics edition that I read is still very
readable; despite the original being from 1820- I think.
defined-
Sanctification is the act or process of acquiring sanctity, of being made or becoming holy. To sanctify is literally "to set apart for special use or purpose" [By God], figuratively "to make holy or sacred," [By God] and etymologically from the Latin verb sanctificare which in turn is from sanctus "holy" and facere "to make"
3 common errors with Sanctification in American Churches today:
Since Americans love being lazy instead of learning about God- they reject formal Theological terms. Are terms inerrant? No; but its the knowledge of the term that resists these common errors.
1- Mainline Evangelicals: confusing or combining with Justification (being declared righteous by God; Salvation) with Sanctification (growing in Righteousness or being made more Holy; not completed till Heaven - with Glorification) this Historically leads to the Heresy of Salvation by Good Works.
2- Reformed: being so hardened against error #1, "obedience to law earns salvation: legalism or works righteousness," that they veer to Antinomianism (refusing to obey any law even God's or Christ's)
3- Liberalism: redefining biblical terms to mean the exact opposite of what they originally mean or intend (ex. Predestination, Creation, Atonement, Propitiation, Expiation, Slavery, Election, Miracles, ... etc. are all biblical terms that are not allowed in a Liberal version of Christianity)
Basically there is a place for your Good Works, not in Salvation (Justification) but in Sanctification (your Holiness making) - If your a Christian you need to get to work; if you're not a Christian you need to become one BEFORE you start trying to do good works or like its says in Holy Writ - all your good works are as filthy as used tampons and shit! (Is 64:6, Phil 3:8)
I just finished this book Friday
And I can say its the best book on Sanctification
that I'm aware of in all of Church History
the Moody Classics edition that I read is still very
readable; despite the original being from 1820- I think.
defined-
Sanctification is the act or process of acquiring sanctity, of being made or becoming holy. To sanctify is literally "to set apart for special use or purpose" [By God], figuratively "to make holy or sacred," [By God] and etymologically from the Latin verb sanctificare which in turn is from sanctus "holy" and facere "to make"
3 common errors with Sanctification in American Churches today:
Since Americans love being lazy instead of learning about God- they reject formal Theological terms. Are terms inerrant? No; but its the knowledge of the term that resists these common errors.
1- Mainline Evangelicals: confusing or combining with Justification (being declared righteous by God; Salvation) with Sanctification (growing in Righteousness or being made more Holy; not completed till Heaven - with Glorification) this Historically leads to the Heresy of Salvation by Good Works.
2- Reformed: being so hardened against error #1, "obedience to law earns salvation: legalism or works righteousness," that they veer to Antinomianism (refusing to obey any law even God's or Christ's)
3- Liberalism: redefining biblical terms to mean the exact opposite of what they originally mean or intend (ex. Predestination, Creation, Atonement, Propitiation, Expiation, Slavery, Election, Miracles, ... etc. are all biblical terms that are not allowed in a Liberal version of Christianity)
Basically there is a place for your Good Works, not in Salvation (Justification) but in Sanctification (your Holiness making) - If your a Christian you need to get to work; if you're not a Christian you need to become one BEFORE you start trying to do good works or like its says in Holy Writ - all your good works are as filthy as used tampons and shit! (Is 64:6, Phil 3:8)
ELECTION - J.C. Ryle
*a suggested article; read the whole paper here:
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/ryle/ryle_election.html
There is another Election, which is of far higher importance than any election to Parliament, — an Election whose consequences will abide, when Queen, Lords, and Commons have passed away, — an Election which concerns all classes, the lowest as well as the highest, the women as well as the men. It is the Election which the Scriptures call "the Election of God."
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/ryle/ryle_election.html
There is another Election, which is of far higher importance than any election to Parliament, — an Election whose consequences will abide, when Queen, Lords, and Commons have passed away, — an Election which concerns all classes, the lowest as well as the highest, the women as well as the men. It is the Election which the Scriptures call "the Election of God."
I ask the readers of this paper to give me their attention for a few minutes, while I try to set before them the subject of this Election. Believe me, it affects your eternal happiness most deeply. Whether you are in Parliament or not, whether you vote or not, whether you are on the winning side or not, all this will matter very little a hundred years hence. But it will matter greatly whether you are in the number of "God’s Elect."
In handling the subject of Election, there are only two things which I propose to do.
I. Firstly, I will state the doctrine of Election, and show what it is.
II. Secondly, I will fence the subject with cautions, and guard it against abuse.
II. Secondly, I will fence the subject with cautions, and guard it against abuse.
If I can make these two points clear and plain to the mind of all who read these pages, I think I shall have done their souls a great and essential service.
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says: —
"For the Elect’s sake the days shall be shortened." (Matt. xxiv. 22.)
"If it were possible they should deceive even the Elect." (Mark xiii. 22.)
"He shall send His angels, and they shall gather together His Elect." (Matt. xxiv. 31.)
"Shall not God avenge His own Elect?" (Luke xviii. 7.)
Hear what St. Paul says: —
"Whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified." (Rom. viii. 29, 30.)
"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s Elect?" (Rom. viii. 33.)
"God hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world." (Ephes. i. 4.)
"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." (2 Tim. i. 9.)
"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." (2 Thess. ii. 13.)
Hear what St. Peter says —
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter i. 2.)
"Give diligence to make your calling and Election sure." (2 Peter i. 10.)
ELECTION - J.C. Ryle
* a suggested article: read the whole article at:
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/ryle/ryle_election.html
There is another Election, which is of far higher importance than any election to Parliament,
— an Election whose consequences will abide, when Queen, Lords, and Commons have passed away, — an Election which concerns all classes, the lowest as well as the highest, the women as well as the men. It is the Election which the Scriptures call "the Election of God."
I ask the readers of this paper to give me their attention for a few minutes, while I try to set before them the subject of this Election. Believe me, it affects your eternal happiness most deeply. Whether you are in Parliament or not, whether you vote or not, whether you are on the winning side or not, all this will matter very little a hundred years hence. But it will matter greatly whether you are in the number of "God’s Elect."
In handling the subject of Election, there are only two things which I propose to do.
I. Firstly, I will state the doctrine of Election, and show what it is.
II. Secondly, I will fence the subject with cautions, and guard it against abuse.
II. Secondly, I will fence the subject with cautions, and guard it against abuse.
If I can make these two points clear and plain to the mind of all who read these pages, I think I shall have done their souls a great and essential service.
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says: —
"For the Elect’s sake the days shall be shortened." (Matt. xxiv. 22.)
"If it were possible they should deceive even the Elect." (Mark xiii. 22.)
"He shall send His angels, and they shall gather together His Elect." (Matt. xxiv. 31.)
"Shall not God avenge His own Elect?" (Luke xviii. 7.)
Hear what St. Paul says: —
"Whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified." (Rom. viii. 29, 30.)
"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s Elect?" (Rom. viii. 33.)
"God hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world." (Eph. i. 4.)
"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." (2 Tim. i. 9.)
"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." (2 Thess. ii. 13.)
Hear what St. Peter says —
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter i. 2.)
"Give diligence to make your calling and Election sure." (2 Peter i. 10.)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Redeemed by His blood
One major theme of redemption in the Bible is the idea of captivity.
The idea that we are trapped, enslaved, kidnapped, or held
captive, and so a price must be paid or a sacrifice made
in order to rescue us.
When it comes to our redemption through Christ, we
were in a similar situation to Israel. As Israel was
enslaved in Egypt, we were enslaved to sin and death.
Sin is not just an action, but also a tyrannical master (Rom 6:16)
The Bible says we are to glorify the One who has purchased us (1 Cor 7:23, 6:20)
Let us remember those old words:
Redeemed - how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.
The idea that we are trapped, enslaved, kidnapped, or held
captive, and so a price must be paid or a sacrifice made
in order to rescue us.
When it comes to our redemption through Christ, we
were in a similar situation to Israel. As Israel was
enslaved in Egypt, we were enslaved to sin and death.
Sin is not just an action, but also a tyrannical master (Rom 6:16)
The Bible says we are to glorify the One who has purchased us (1 Cor 7:23, 6:20)
Let us remember those old words:
Redeemed - how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.
George Whitefield
I embrace the Calvinistic scheme, not because of Calvin,
but Jesus Christ has taught it to me.
I am more and more convinced that [the doctrines of grace]
are the truths of God; they agree with the written Word, and
with the experience of all the saints in all ages.
but Jesus Christ has taught it to me.
I am more and more convinced that [the doctrines of grace]
are the truths of God; they agree with the written Word, and
with the experience of all the saints in all ages.
Martin Luther
I believe that by my own reason or strength I cannot believe
in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come unto Him. But the Holy
Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me
with His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in true faith.
in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come unto Him. But the Holy
Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me
with His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in true faith.
John MacArthur
God is the decider and the determiner of every man's
destiny, the controller of every detail in every individual's
life, which is another way of saying, "He is God"
destiny, the controller of every detail in every individual's
life, which is another way of saying, "He is God"
A W Pink
Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent;
God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He
pleases. None can thwart Him, none can hinder Him.
God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He
pleases. None can thwart Him, none can hinder Him.
Bernard of Clairvaux AD 1090-1153
For you have not chosen Me, but I have chosen
you {John 15:16}; not for any merits that
I found in you did I choose you, but I went
before you. Thus have I betrothed you to Myself
in faith, not in the works of the law.
you {John 15:16}; not for any merits that
I found in you did I choose you, but I went
before you. Thus have I betrothed you to Myself
in faith, not in the works of the law.
Anselm of Canterbury AD 1033-1109
For in whose power is hell, or the devil?
Or whose is the Kingdom of heaven, if it be not
His who created all things? Whatever things,
therefore, you dread or hope for, all lie subject
to His will, whom nothing can oppose.
Or whose is the Kingdom of heaven, if it be not
His who created all things? Whatever things,
therefore, you dread or hope for, all lie subject
to His will, whom nothing can oppose.
Gottschalk of Orbais AD 805-869
God the immutable, immutably predestined
before the foundation of the world all His elect
by His free grace to eternal life.
before the foundation of the world all His elect
by His free grace to eternal life.
Isidore of Seville AD 560-636
Some are predestined to His most gracious mercy...
and made vessels of mercy; others however,
who are considered reprobate and predestined to punishment,
{are} condemned, and are made vessels of His wrath...
just as through the prophet God Himself says:
"Jacob I have loved, and Esau I have hated."
and made vessels of mercy; others however,
who are considered reprobate and predestined to punishment,
{are} condemned, and are made vessels of His wrath...
just as through the prophet God Himself says:
"Jacob I have loved, and Esau I have hated."
The Seal of the Spirit
God does have proof that He owns His people!
In Pilgrims Progress and Revelations this is seen as something actually written on the forehead like a divine cattle brand, Slave-mark or forehead tattoo (now that would be a funny church requirement for membership - all right kids lets line up for the forehead tattoos!)
This proof is the seal of the Holy Spirit, as described in the passage below. Knowing that we have the Spirit assures us that God owns us (like a Slave), and that He possesses a love for us as His people. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom 8:16). The Father and the Son gift Him (the Spirit- is a "Him" not an "It") to all believers at conversion, for the sealing happens when we hear - heed- the gospel of salvation (EPH 1:13-14).
The Holy Spirit gifted at the moment of faith is our money back guarantee that we will make it to heaven- no genuine faith, no Spirit, no Spirit, no entrance to Heaven. Like a down payment is a promise that the loan will be paid; the Spirit is God's promise that you will see the day of Glorification.
His promise never fails! The blood of Jesus cannot fail to purchase those for whom it was shed, and the Spirit helps us see that His blood has been shed for all believers. Let us pray that we would, by God's Spirit, recognize that we belong to Him forevermore.
EPH 1;13-14
In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.
In Pilgrims Progress and Revelations this is seen as something actually written on the forehead like a divine cattle brand, Slave-mark or forehead tattoo (now that would be a funny church requirement for membership - all right kids lets line up for the forehead tattoos!)
This proof is the seal of the Holy Spirit, as described in the passage below. Knowing that we have the Spirit assures us that God owns us (like a Slave), and that He possesses a love for us as His people. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom 8:16). The Father and the Son gift Him (the Spirit- is a "Him" not an "It") to all believers at conversion, for the sealing happens when we hear - heed- the gospel of salvation (EPH 1:13-14).
The Holy Spirit gifted at the moment of faith is our money back guarantee that we will make it to heaven- no genuine faith, no Spirit, no Spirit, no entrance to Heaven. Like a down payment is a promise that the loan will be paid; the Spirit is God's promise that you will see the day of Glorification.
His promise never fails! The blood of Jesus cannot fail to purchase those for whom it was shed, and the Spirit helps us see that His blood has been shed for all believers. Let us pray that we would, by God's Spirit, recognize that we belong to Him forevermore.
EPH 1;13-14
In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.
Divine Inheritance
In the Old Testament the Inheritance was often seen as the land promised to God's Chosen People. Hebrews 9:15 and other passages show us that now eternal life is called our "inheritance".
Likewise God also gives unto Himself an inheritance; the passage below in the original Greek would be better written as "We have been made an inheritance {by God and for God}." In Psalms this is seen as the God-man JC receives the Nations as His inheritance (PS 2:8). Isaiah 19:25 calls Israel God's inheritance. Zephaniah 3:17 describes the Lord rejoicing over His people as one would a great inheritance.
The thought that God, by His grace, would make us into His inheritance is a grand thing. He does this "according the the council of His will." (EPH 1:11) This is the eternal decree of His divine Providence - the One who is all powerful, who has created all things, also steers all events down to the smallest detail, as it is clear in Scripture that all things great and small, good and evil, are included in our God's sovereign ordination of history. Such a truth comforts us greatly, as it guarantees that He will use everything that happens in our lives to make us finally fit to be regarded as His inheritance (ROM 8:28).
EPH 1 :11-12
In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined
according to the purpose of Him who works all things according
to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope
in Christ might be to the praise of His glory.
Likewise God also gives unto Himself an inheritance; the passage below in the original Greek would be better written as "We have been made an inheritance {by God and for God}." In Psalms this is seen as the God-man JC receives the Nations as His inheritance (PS 2:8). Isaiah 19:25 calls Israel God's inheritance. Zephaniah 3:17 describes the Lord rejoicing over His people as one would a great inheritance.
The thought that God, by His grace, would make us into His inheritance is a grand thing. He does this "according the the council of His will." (EPH 1:11) This is the eternal decree of His divine Providence - the One who is all powerful, who has created all things, also steers all events down to the smallest detail, as it is clear in Scripture that all things great and small, good and evil, are included in our God's sovereign ordination of history. Such a truth comforts us greatly, as it guarantees that He will use everything that happens in our lives to make us finally fit to be regarded as His inheritance (ROM 8:28).
EPH 1 :11-12
In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined
according to the purpose of Him who works all things according
to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope
in Christ might be to the praise of His glory.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
B B Warfield AD 1851-1921
The Calvinist is the man who has seen God, and who, having seen God in his Glory,
is filled on the one hand with a sense of his own unworthiness to stand in God's sight
as a creature, and much more as a sinner, and on the other hand, with adoring wonder
that nevertheless this God is a God who receives sinners.
is filled on the one hand with a sense of his own unworthiness to stand in God's sight
as a creature, and much more as a sinner, and on the other hand, with adoring wonder
that nevertheless this God is a God who receives sinners.
Salvation by the Godhead
Godhead meaning "the Trinity"; the Reformers preferred the term Triune God over Trinity because in Latin Triune literally means 3-1 as in The 3-in-1 God, not 31 gods. More and more "American Christians" today speak in confusion regarding the Godhead as if Christians did in fact worship 3 different deities (that's a heresy folks be careful).
Often critics of the Trinity will point to the fact that the word itself is not in the Bible despite the fact that the teaching of the Godhead if not the word itself is often mentioned in Scripture. As we'll see here in EPH 1:3-14 which demonstrates the truth, as Paul presents clearly the working of all 3 members of the Godhead:
First - (v 3-6) God the Father planned redemption, having predestined a people for Himself to eternal life in Christ (some Jews and some Gentiles -John 10)
Second - (v 7-12) God the Son (or Word or God-man) carried out the work necessary to secure the salvation our Father planned and promised. He shed His blood for us to bring us forgiveness; guaranteeing everlasting honor and exaltation for Himself (Expiation, Propitiation, Atonement, Justification, Emancipation from Slavery to Sin-Satan-Death-and Self-worship)
Third - (v 13-14) God the Spirit seals the work of Christ to us, applying the benefits of salvation and marking us off as our Creators special possession. (Regeneration, Sanctification)
Each Person in the Godhead works specifically to bring about salvation, yet also in harmony. All members of the Godhead work toward one end and never stand opposed or in discord of one another.
Often critics of the Trinity will point to the fact that the word itself is not in the Bible despite the fact that the teaching of the Godhead if not the word itself is often mentioned in Scripture. As we'll see here in EPH 1:3-14 which demonstrates the truth, as Paul presents clearly the working of all 3 members of the Godhead:
First - (v 3-6) God the Father planned redemption, having predestined a people for Himself to eternal life in Christ (some Jews and some Gentiles -John 10)
Second - (v 7-12) God the Son (or Word or God-man) carried out the work necessary to secure the salvation our Father planned and promised. He shed His blood for us to bring us forgiveness; guaranteeing everlasting honor and exaltation for Himself (Expiation, Propitiation, Atonement, Justification, Emancipation from Slavery to Sin-Satan-Death-and Self-worship)
Third - (v 13-14) God the Spirit seals the work of Christ to us, applying the benefits of salvation and marking us off as our Creators special possession. (Regeneration, Sanctification)
Each Person in the Godhead works specifically to bring about salvation, yet also in harmony. All members of the Godhead work toward one end and never stand opposed or in discord of one another.
John Calvin Commentary on Eph 1
It is all too easy to forget the ugliness of our sin before God; that the One who is too holy to look upon sin (Hab 1:13) yet set His loving gaze upon us in the misery of our impurity and willful profaning of all that is good and right in order to make us a new creation. He adopted us unto holiness even thought we were unholy, for as many commentators note, the fact that God chose us to be holy and blameless presupposes that we are, in and of ourselves, no different from the rest of the fallen human race. What motivated Him to love only some in this way and not every man, woman and child who will ever live? This is a great mystery indeed, but we know that it is certainly not because we are inherently better than those who have not been chosen in love for holiness and adoption. Scripture only states that His choice to love His people is according to the purpose of His will.
Calvin speak of Adoption this way, "God does not inquire what we are, and is not reconciled to us by any personal worth. His single motive is the eternal good pleasure, by which He predestinated us."
The wonder of Divine Election is not that God loves us because we are lovely but that He loves us even though there is nothing lovely in us. But in choosing us, He loves us in order to make us holy in His sight. Those whom He chooses will certainly become more lovely over the course of their walk with Christ, and will be completely pure only in glory (Glorification- in heaven). May we humbly remember that there is nothing in us to make God love us.
Eph 1:5-6
In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.
Calvin speak of Adoption this way, "God does not inquire what we are, and is not reconciled to us by any personal worth. His single motive is the eternal good pleasure, by which He predestinated us."
The wonder of Divine Election is not that God loves us because we are lovely but that He loves us even though there is nothing lovely in us. But in choosing us, He loves us in order to make us holy in His sight. Those whom He chooses will certainly become more lovely over the course of their walk with Christ, and will be completely pure only in glory (Glorification- in heaven). May we humbly remember that there is nothing in us to make God love us.
Eph 1:5-6
In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.
John Calvin Commentary on Eph 1
"The name of Christ excludes all merit, and everything which men have of their own; for when He says that we are chosen in Christ, it follows that in ourselves we are unworthy." May we never think it was anything good in us that motivated the Father to choose us for salvation, for we in ourselves are undeserving of His favor. His choice is wholly of grace, based on His own good pleasure, and so we should be thankful always.
Eph 1:4
He choose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
Eph 1:4
He choose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Augustine of Hippo AD 354-430
God "chose us in" Him "before the foundation of the world, predestining us unto the adoption of children," not because we were going to be holy and spotless through ourselves, but He chose and predestined us that we become so.
Basil of Casarea AD 329-379
Now perfect and complete glorying in God is this: not to exult in one's own righteousness,
but being aware that one is lacking in true righteousness, to be justified by faith alone in Christ.
but being aware that one is lacking in true righteousness, to be justified by faith alone in Christ.
Athanasius of Alexandria AD 298 -373
Nor let the words "before the world" and "before He made the earth" and "before the mountains were settled" disturb any one ... For though the grace which came to us from the Saviour appeared, as the Apostle says, just now, and has come when He sojourned among us; yet this grace had been prepared before we came into being, nay, before the foundation of the world.
EPH 1 : 3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
EPH 1 : 3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Tertullian of Cathage AD 165-220
For, who can know truth without the help of God?
Who can know God without Christ?
Who has ever discovered Christ without the Holy Spirit?
And who has every received the Holy Spirit without (first) the gift of faith?
EPH 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Who can know God without Christ?
Who has ever discovered Christ without the Holy Spirit?
And who has every received the Holy Spirit without (first) the gift of faith?
EPH 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
James Smith (Puritan)
We forget that evil human nature is essentially the same in all. We forget that education, circumstance, providence and the Grace of God - make the only difference between us and the vilest of men that ever lived!
My nature is the same as in the harlot, drunkard, the murderer; and if left to myself -- I would have been as depraved as they are! Humbling consideration this!
"For who makes you different than anyone else? What do you have - that you did not receive?"
1 Cor 4:7
Am I vile? Let me take the blame and shame to myself.
Am I saved and holy? Let Sovereign Grace have all the glory and praise!
from the Power of Penitence 1856
My nature is the same as in the harlot, drunkard, the murderer; and if left to myself -- I would have been as depraved as they are! Humbling consideration this!
"For who makes you different than anyone else? What do you have - that you did not receive?"
1 Cor 4:7
Am I vile? Let me take the blame and shame to myself.
Am I saved and holy? Let Sovereign Grace have all the glory and praise!
from the Power of Penitence 1856
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Predestination & John Wycliffe
John Wycliffe’s understanding of predestination is confined to those who are the true members of the Church and what the Church actually consists of. He distinguished between the visible and invisible Church as all evangelical believers do. The invisible Church is the true Church, and Christ only is the head of that body, not the pope. As for the visible Church, he wondered which pope, Urban or Clement, who were warring over the papacy at the time, was considered to be the head of the visible Church. He believed that no pope (or any man) had the right to such a position. The reformer described the Church of Christ as consisting only of those who have been predestined to enjoy Heaven. Non-elect men and women may indeed be part of the visible Church but that does not automatically qualify them as members of the true or invisible Church.
His Biblical starting point for promoting predestination, like all reformed theologians, is Romans 8:28-30, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.” In commenting on this passage of Scripture he writes,
“This predestination is the principle gift of God, most freely given, since no one can merit his own predestination. Since it cannot be present without being present at the first moment of existence of the predestinate, it follows what is commonly said of grace that this is the principle grace. It can never be lost, since it is the basis of glory and bliss, which equally cannot be lost.” Therefore such predestination is a divine decree rather than the personal choice of any man.
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