Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Where do you stand on the Calvinism and Arminianism debate, and what resources do you recommend?
I came to Christ in a church that was Arminian, so that was naturally my early leaning. I went to a Bible college and seminary that were both middle of the road where neither hard core Calvinism nor Arminianism often surfaced in class, though on a continuum, some faculty would lean more toward one than the other.As the years went by, struck by the power of God's sovereignty and grace, I became increasingly closer to what is called a Calvinist rather than an Arminian (though I dislike both labels). As I say in other articles on the EPM website, I believe that Christ died for all, not just the elect, which is the one and only major tenet where I depart from Calvinism (not for logical reasons, but simply because after studying the passages they still seem to me to be saying Christ died for everyone.) So I am what might be called a four point Calvinist, though many 5-point Calvinists hate that term, believing it all stands or fall together. Logically, I see what they mean, it's just my understanding of biblical passages that gives me pause. (It's not because I haven't read extensively and discussed the matter with many people I respectfully disagree with.)
Interesting to reflect back on how my perspective changed over the years. I will never forget the horror I felt when I read Romans 9-10 as a young Christian, and the confusion I felt when reading passages speaking of election and predestination. Ironically, many of the same passages that once plagued me are now my greatest source of comfort. God's sovereign grace is precious to me...as I know it is also to many who see things a bit differently when it comes to election and God's work in our lives.
Though he was an outspoken Calvinist, Charles Spurgeon--a man whose theology I love--was opposed by both Arminians and hyper-Calvinists. He said some things that I think are important in this whole debate, including this: "My love of consistency with my own doctrinal views is not great enough to allow me knowingly to alter a single text of Scripture. I have great respect for orthodoxy, but my reverence for inspiration is far greater. I would sooner a hundred times over appear to be inconsistent with myself than be inconsistent with the word of God." I assembled some of Spurgeon's thoughts that pertain to this at Spurgeon's Theology: Embracing Biblical Paradox.
The one systematic theology I love most and use most is Wayne Grudem's. Wayne is a Calvinist, but I like the fact that be seems always to seek first to be a biblicist. I get the feeling he doesn't take a position because that's what Calvinists are supposed to do, but because he thinks Scripture teaches it. If you are looking on a book that capably explains and defends the five points of Calvinism, here's one option.
Other resources regarding Calvinism and Arminianism, and I am deliberately trying to give you a wide variety here, not just those that reflect my own position:
An interesting book is Norm Geisler's Chosen But Free: A Balanced View of Divine Election. Then, The Potter's Freedom, by James R. White, is mainly a response to Geisler's book, which White views not as balanced but mostly a restatement of the Arminian position and a rejection of the major tenets of Calvinism. The most recent versions of Geisler's book include an appendix with his response to White's critique.
Another interesting book is Beyond Calvinism and Arminianism: An Inductive, Mediate Theology of Salvation, by C. Gordon Olson. Olson also thinks he is taking a balanced view, reconciling the two theologies. Once again, most Calvinists will conclude that he is simply a moderate Arminian, and that there isn't much of a real middle ground between camps. But he raises some interesting points.
An unapologetic and fur-raising rebuke of Calvinism is Dave Hunt's What Love Is This? Calvinism's Misrepresentation of God. I usually disagree with the author, though if points were given for feeling deeply about issues, he'd score high. The publisher of that book invited a Calvinist to take on Dave Hunt in debate form in a subsequent book. The Calvinist is James R. White (who wrote The Potter's Freedom). Dave Hunt and James White's debate is laid out in what I think is a fascinating book entitled Debating Calvinism: Five Points, Two Views.
This is an interesting book in that it is a true written debate, full of sparks and fire. In each chapter one man presents his own position, his opponent responds, the original writer defends, the opponent gives his final remarks, then the original presenter gets the last word. In the first half of the book the Calvinist, James White, is the presenter. Then, in the second half of the book Dave Hunt is the presenter in each chapter of some aspect of the Arminian position, with the same format of response, defense, and final remarks.
The book is insightful and sometimes lively and entertaining, especially when these men start getting under each other's skin (and boy, do they; even though they and their editor kept it in check, you have the feeling that they would like to slap each other sometimes). Though I found myself agreeing with White way more than Hunt, sometimes I disagreed with White and agreed with Hunt. (Okay, not all that often.)
In all fairness to the Arminian position, Dave Hunt is not its finest advocate. He seems often not to answer his opponent and just keeps repeating statements such as "God is love," as if that proves Arminianism. (Of course, some people imagine it also proves universalism, that there is no Hell, etc.) But because of the energy involved in the two men going at each other, the book is as entertaining as any theology book I've read. And though no hard-boiled Calvinist or Arminian will likely change his mind as a result of the book, many Scripture-searchers who are undecided may find it helpful.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Help Lord!
"Help Lord!" --Psalm 12:1The prayer itself is remarkable, for it is short, but seasonable, pointed, and suggestive. David mourned the fewness of faithful men, and therefore lifted up his heart in supplication - when the creature failed, he flew to the Creator.
There is much of directness, clearness of perception, and distinctness of utterance in this petition of two words - much more, indeed, than in the long rambling outpourings of certain professors.
The Psalmist runs straight forward to his God, with a well-considered prayer - he knows what
he is seeking, and where to seek it.
Lord, teach us to pray in the same blessed manner.
The occasions for the use of this prayer are frequent - In providential afflictions how suitable it is for tried believers who find all helpers failing them.
Students, in doctrinal difficulties, may often obtain aid by lifting up this cry of "Help, Lord," to the Holy Spirit, the great Teacher.
Spiritual warriors in inward conflicts may send to the throne for reinforcements, and this will be a model for their request.
Workers in heavenly labor may thus obtain grace in time of need.
Seeking sinners, in doubts and alarms, may offer up the same weighty supplication.
In fact, in all these cases, times, and places, this will serve the turn of needy souls.
"Help, Lord" will suit us living and dying, suffering or laboring, rejoicing or sorrowing.
In Him our help is found, let us not be slack to cry to Him.
The answer to the prayer is certain, if it be sincerely offered through Jesus. The Lord's character assures us that He will not leave His people; His relationship as Father and Husband guarantee us His aid; His gift of Jesus is a pledge of every good thing; and His sure promise stands - "Fear not, I WILL HELP YOU."
Today, let us ask that the Scripture we have read, and our devotional exercises, may not be an empty formality, but a channel of grace to our souls.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Afflictions Of The Righteous
"God had one Son on earth without sin—but never one without affliction." - Augustine
"Afflictions are the theology of Christians." - Luther
"Without adversity grace withers." - Mason
"God may cast down—but he will never cast off true believers." - Case
"Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions." - Dodd
"Time is short; so if your cross is heavy, you have not far to carry it." - Anonymous
"Afflictions are blessings to us, when we can bless God for afflictions." - Dyer
"Christian, has not God taught you, by his word and Spirit, how to read the short-hand of his providence? Do you not know that the saints' afflictions stand for blessings?" - Gurnall
"No righteous man would, in his right mind, be willing to make an exchange of his sharpest afflictions for a wicked man's prosperity, with all the circumstances attending it. It cannot therefore be bad with the righteous in the worst condition." - Charnock
"This winter-weather shall be useful to destroy and rot those rank weeds, which the summer of prosperity bred." - Flavel
"The school of the cross is the school of light." - Anonymous
"God's people have often been carried to heaven in the fiery chariot of affliction." - Mrs. Savage
"Winter leads the sap down into the roots, while summer calls it up into the branches, and displays it in the blossoms and fruit." - Jay
"The tree of the cross being cast into the waters of affliction, has rendered them wholesome and medicinal." - Owen
"Our departed Christian friends cannot descend to share with us in our sorrows; but by holy contemplation we may daily ascend, and partake with them in their joys." - Howe
"In times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of God's love." - Bunyan
"As no temporal blessing is good enough to be a sign of eternal election; so no temporal affliction is bad enough to be an evidence of reprobation." - Arrowsmith
"What unthankfulness is it to forget our consolations, and to look only upon matter of grievance—to think so much upon two or three crosses as to forget a hundred blessings." - Sibbes
"Every man has a heaven and a hell. Earth is the sinner's heaven; his hell is to come. The godly have their hell upon earth, when they are vexed with temptations and afflictions by Satan and his accomplices; their heaven is above in endless happiness. If it be ill with me on earth, it is well that my torment is so short and easy; I cannot be so unreasonable as to expect two heavens." - Hall
"All is well that ends everlastingly well." - Anonymous
"It is a blessed thing for the afflicted to wait God's time and determination." - Lightfoot
"When temporal evils are effectual means to promote our everlasting happiness, the amiableness and excellency of the end changes their nature, and makes these calamities that in themselves are intolerable, to become light and easy." - Anonymous
"Crosses and afflictions are God's call to examine our hearts and our lives." - Richardson
"Too much honey does turn to gall; and too much joy, even spiritual joy—would make us wantons. Happier a great deal is that man's case, whose soul by inward desolation is humbled, than he whose heart is through abundance of spiritual delight lifted up and exalted above measure. Better it is sometimes to go down into the pit with him, who beholding darkness, and bewailing the loss of inward joy and consolation, cries from the bottom of the lowest hell—My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? than continually to walk arm in arm with angels, to sit as it were in Abraham's bosom, and to have no thought, no cogitation, but—I thank my God it is not with me as it is with other men." - Hooker
"Through Christ's satisfaction for sin, the very nature of affliction is changed, with regard to believers. As death, which was, at first, the wages of sin, is now become a bed of rest (Isaiah 57:2); so afflictions are not the rod of God's anger, but the gentle corrections of a tender father." - Crisp
"That is always best for us, which is best for our souls." - Phillip Henry
"Afflictions are sent to stir up prayer. If they have that effect, and, when we are afflicted, we pray more, and pray better, than before, we may hope that God will hear our prayer, and give ear to our cry; for the prayer, which, by his providence, he gives occasion for, and which, by his Spirit of grace, he indites, shall not return void." - M. Henry
"If we have the kingdom at last—it is no great matter what we suffer on the way to it." - Manton
"To the poor, humble, and despised believer—the kingdom of heaven exclusively belongs; there his best desires will be eternally satisfied, his tears will be changed for triumphant songs of joy, and his reward will be great in the blessed society of the holy prophets and apostles; and in that of the incarnate Son of God, who passed the same way to his glory." - Thomas Scott
"No cloud can overshadow a true Christian—but his faith may discern a rainbow in it." - Anonymous
"He, who is prepared in whatever state he is therewith to be content, has learned effectually the art of being happy: and possesses the magic stone, which will change every trial into gold." - Dwight
"I have never met with a single instance of adversity which I have not afterwards seen to be for my good." - Anonymous
"I have never heard a Christian on his deathbed complaining of his afflictions." - Anonymous
"All the sufferings of the believer are not hell—but they are all the hell he shall suffer." - Mason
"Christians ought neither to expect nor wish to have suffering with Christ, disconnected with their being glorified with him. The former is a preparation for the latter." Romans 8:17. - Hodge
"Oh, what must Christ be in himself, when he sweetens heaven, sweetens Scriptures, sweetens ordinances, sweetens earth, and even sweetens trials!" - John Brown of Haddington
"It is happy for us if we have suffered enough to make us desire a better country, that is a heavenly one; but surely all the painful experiences we have hitherto met with have not been more than sufficient to bring us into this waiting posture." - John Newton
"God denies a Christian nothing—but with a design to give him something better." - Cecil
"If the blessed Jesus, who had no sin of his own, bore the wrath of his heavenly Father for a world of sinners; how willingly ought I to endure all the pain I suffer, if my dying example might be but the means of the salvation of one soul." - David Rice
"There is really much more real satisfaction to be found in a crucified world—than in an idolized world." - Witherspoon
"Afflictions are the theology of Christians." - Luther
"Without adversity grace withers." - Mason
"God may cast down—but he will never cast off true believers." - Case
"Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions." - Dodd
"Time is short; so if your cross is heavy, you have not far to carry it." - Anonymous
"Afflictions are blessings to us, when we can bless God for afflictions." - Dyer
"Christian, has not God taught you, by his word and Spirit, how to read the short-hand of his providence? Do you not know that the saints' afflictions stand for blessings?" - Gurnall
"No righteous man would, in his right mind, be willing to make an exchange of his sharpest afflictions for a wicked man's prosperity, with all the circumstances attending it. It cannot therefore be bad with the righteous in the worst condition." - Charnock
"This winter-weather shall be useful to destroy and rot those rank weeds, which the summer of prosperity bred." - Flavel
"The school of the cross is the school of light." - Anonymous
"God's people have often been carried to heaven in the fiery chariot of affliction." - Mrs. Savage
"Winter leads the sap down into the roots, while summer calls it up into the branches, and displays it in the blossoms and fruit." - Jay
"The tree of the cross being cast into the waters of affliction, has rendered them wholesome and medicinal." - Owen
"Our departed Christian friends cannot descend to share with us in our sorrows; but by holy contemplation we may daily ascend, and partake with them in their joys." - Howe
"In times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of God's love." - Bunyan
"As no temporal blessing is good enough to be a sign of eternal election; so no temporal affliction is bad enough to be an evidence of reprobation." - Arrowsmith
"What unthankfulness is it to forget our consolations, and to look only upon matter of grievance—to think so much upon two or three crosses as to forget a hundred blessings." - Sibbes
"Every man has a heaven and a hell. Earth is the sinner's heaven; his hell is to come. The godly have their hell upon earth, when they are vexed with temptations and afflictions by Satan and his accomplices; their heaven is above in endless happiness. If it be ill with me on earth, it is well that my torment is so short and easy; I cannot be so unreasonable as to expect two heavens." - Hall
"All is well that ends everlastingly well." - Anonymous
"It is a blessed thing for the afflicted to wait God's time and determination." - Lightfoot
"When temporal evils are effectual means to promote our everlasting happiness, the amiableness and excellency of the end changes their nature, and makes these calamities that in themselves are intolerable, to become light and easy." - Anonymous
"Crosses and afflictions are God's call to examine our hearts and our lives." - Richardson
"Too much honey does turn to gall; and too much joy, even spiritual joy—would make us wantons. Happier a great deal is that man's case, whose soul by inward desolation is humbled, than he whose heart is through abundance of spiritual delight lifted up and exalted above measure. Better it is sometimes to go down into the pit with him, who beholding darkness, and bewailing the loss of inward joy and consolation, cries from the bottom of the lowest hell—My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? than continually to walk arm in arm with angels, to sit as it were in Abraham's bosom, and to have no thought, no cogitation, but—I thank my God it is not with me as it is with other men." - Hooker
"Through Christ's satisfaction for sin, the very nature of affliction is changed, with regard to believers. As death, which was, at first, the wages of sin, is now become a bed of rest (Isaiah 57:2); so afflictions are not the rod of God's anger, but the gentle corrections of a tender father." - Crisp
"That is always best for us, which is best for our souls." - Phillip Henry
"Afflictions are sent to stir up prayer. If they have that effect, and, when we are afflicted, we pray more, and pray better, than before, we may hope that God will hear our prayer, and give ear to our cry; for the prayer, which, by his providence, he gives occasion for, and which, by his Spirit of grace, he indites, shall not return void." - M. Henry
"If we have the kingdom at last—it is no great matter what we suffer on the way to it." - Manton
"To the poor, humble, and despised believer—the kingdom of heaven exclusively belongs; there his best desires will be eternally satisfied, his tears will be changed for triumphant songs of joy, and his reward will be great in the blessed society of the holy prophets and apostles; and in that of the incarnate Son of God, who passed the same way to his glory." - Thomas Scott
"No cloud can overshadow a true Christian—but his faith may discern a rainbow in it." - Anonymous
"He, who is prepared in whatever state he is therewith to be content, has learned effectually the art of being happy: and possesses the magic stone, which will change every trial into gold." - Dwight
"I have never met with a single instance of adversity which I have not afterwards seen to be for my good." - Anonymous
"I have never heard a Christian on his deathbed complaining of his afflictions." - Anonymous
"All the sufferings of the believer are not hell—but they are all the hell he shall suffer." - Mason
"Christians ought neither to expect nor wish to have suffering with Christ, disconnected with their being glorified with him. The former is a preparation for the latter." Romans 8:17. - Hodge
"Oh, what must Christ be in himself, when he sweetens heaven, sweetens Scriptures, sweetens ordinances, sweetens earth, and even sweetens trials!" - John Brown of Haddington
"It is happy for us if we have suffered enough to make us desire a better country, that is a heavenly one; but surely all the painful experiences we have hitherto met with have not been more than sufficient to bring us into this waiting posture." - John Newton
"God denies a Christian nothing—but with a design to give him something better." - Cecil
"If the blessed Jesus, who had no sin of his own, bore the wrath of his heavenly Father for a world of sinners; how willingly ought I to endure all the pain I suffer, if my dying example might be but the means of the salvation of one soul." - David Rice
"There is really much more real satisfaction to be found in a crucified world—than in an idolized world." - Witherspoon
Friday, October 23, 2009
Why We Love the Doctrines of Grace
Unconditional election delivers the harshest and the sweetest judgments to my soul.That it is unconditional destroys all self-exaltation; and that it is election makes me his treasured possession.
This is one of the beauties of the biblical doctrines of grace: their worst devastations prepare us for their greatest delights.
What prigs we would become at the words, “The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6), if this election were in any way dependent on our will. But to protect us from pride, the Lord teaches us that we are unconditionally chosen (7:7-9). “He made a wretch his treasure,” as we so gladly sing.
Only the devastating freeness and unconditionality of electing grace lets us take and taste such gifts for our very own without the exaltation of self.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
He Does Whatever He Pleases!
"He does whatever He pleases!" - Job 23:13
Ah, my reader, the God of Scripture is no make - believe monarch, no mere imaginary sovereign; but King of kings, and Lord of lords! To countless thousands, even among those professing to be Christians, the God of the Scriptures is quite unknown.
The god of this twentieth century no more resembles the Supreme Sovereign of Holy Writ, than does the dim flickering of a candle, the glory of the midday sun! The god who is now talked about in the average pulpit, spoken of in the ordinary Sunday School, mentioned in much of the religious literature of the day, and preached in most of the so-called Bible conferences, is the figment of human imagination, an invention of mushy sentimentality!
The heathen outside of the pale of Christendom form gods out of wood and stone; while the millions of heathen inside Christendom manufacture a god out of their own carnal mind! In reality, they are but atheists, for there is no other possible alternative between an absolutely supreme God, and no God at all. A god whose will is resisted, whose designs are frustrated, whose purpose is checkmated, possesses no title to Deity; and so far from being a fit object of worship, merits nothing but contempt!" - Arthur Pink
"Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases." - Psalm 115:3
"I know that You can do anything, and no plan of Yours can be thwarted." - Job 42:2
"The Lord does whatever He pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths." -Psalm 135:6
"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!" - Revelation 19:6
Ah, my reader, the God of Scripture is no make - believe monarch, no mere imaginary sovereign; but King of kings, and Lord of lords! To countless thousands, even among those professing to be Christians, the God of the Scriptures is quite unknown.
The god of this twentieth century no more resembles the Supreme Sovereign of Holy Writ, than does the dim flickering of a candle, the glory of the midday sun! The god who is now talked about in the average pulpit, spoken of in the ordinary Sunday School, mentioned in much of the religious literature of the day, and preached in most of the so-called Bible conferences, is the figment of human imagination, an invention of mushy sentimentality!
The heathen outside of the pale of Christendom form gods out of wood and stone; while the millions of heathen inside Christendom manufacture a god out of their own carnal mind! In reality, they are but atheists, for there is no other possible alternative between an absolutely supreme God, and no God at all. A god whose will is resisted, whose designs are frustrated, whose purpose is checkmated, possesses no title to Deity; and so far from being a fit object of worship, merits nothing but contempt!" - Arthur Pink
"Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases." - Psalm 115:3
"I know that You can do anything, and no plan of Yours can be thwarted." - Job 42:2
"The Lord does whatever He pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths." -Psalm 135:6
"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!" - Revelation 19:6
Saturday, October 17, 2009
We Need To Re-Study Our Bibles
"We need to re-study our Bibles, and learn what real Christianity is - how holy, how heavenly, how spiritual, how loving, how morally and socially excellent a matter it is. What separation from the world, what devoutness, what intense earnestness, what conscientiousness, what enlarged benevolence, what unselfishness, what zealous activity, what unearthliness, what seeds of celestial virtue - our profession of godliness implies.
Having examined this, and obtained an impressive idea of it, let us survey our own state, and ask if we do not need, and ought not to seek, more of the prevalence of such a piety as this, which, in fact, is primitive Christianity.
Is our spiritual condition what it ought to be, what it might be, what it must be - to fulfill our high commission as the salt of the earth and the light of the world? A Christian, acting up in some tolerable measure to his profession, walking in the holiness of the Gospel - is the strongest and most emphatic testimony for God to our dark revolted world, next to that of Christ Himself."
- John Angell James
Having examined this, and obtained an impressive idea of it, let us survey our own state, and ask if we do not need, and ought not to seek, more of the prevalence of such a piety as this, which, in fact, is primitive Christianity.
Is our spiritual condition what it ought to be, what it might be, what it must be - to fulfill our high commission as the salt of the earth and the light of the world? A Christian, acting up in some tolerable measure to his profession, walking in the holiness of the Gospel - is the strongest and most emphatic testimony for God to our dark revolted world, next to that of Christ Himself."
- John Angell James
Friday, October 16, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Search The Scriptures
"All men by nature are lost by Adam's fall. No man either will or can come to Christ except the Father draw him.God, before all worlds, chose to himself a people, whom no man can number, for whom the Savior died, to whom the Holy Spirit is given, and who will infallibly be saved.
Every elect child of God must assuredly be brought by converting grace from the ruins of the fall, and must assuredly be "kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation," beyond the hazard of ever totally falling away.
Every man who is converted will lead a holy life, and yet at the same time will put no dependence on his holy life, but trust only in the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ."
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Friday, October 09, 2009
This Little Inch Of Time
"Time is short." - 1 Corinthians 7:29
Time is precious - though misspent, though thought little of. Oh! what great things are to be done in this little inch of time!
Think much on death - that you may not be too much charmed with the 'vanities of life'.
Remember the deceitfulness and uncertainty of riches - so shall you neither be puffed up with their possession, nor pained at their loss.
Think much on the unseen world, and let the certainty of that which is to come, dispel the 'delusion of the present' - which so quickly passes away.
Eye God's glory in everything, and prefer the approbation of God and your own conscience, to the applause of men. Better be the object of man's ridicule, than the subject of God's wrath.
Beware that you live not for yourself, or the world. But live above the world, for eternity, and to God.
"So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16
- By James Meikle
Time is precious - though misspent, though thought little of. Oh! what great things are to be done in this little inch of time!
Think much on death - that you may not be too much charmed with the 'vanities of life'.
Remember the deceitfulness and uncertainty of riches - so shall you neither be puffed up with their possession, nor pained at their loss.
Think much on the unseen world, and let the certainty of that which is to come, dispel the 'delusion of the present' - which so quickly passes away.
Eye God's glory in everything, and prefer the approbation of God and your own conscience, to the applause of men. Better be the object of man's ridicule, than the subject of God's wrath.
Beware that you live not for yourself, or the world. But live above the world, for eternity, and to God.
"So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16
- By James Meikle
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Monday, October 05, 2009
Are You Ready?
Although I do not find the "rapture" anywhere in Scripture; I still like this video.
Regardless if you believe in the rapture or not, we must be ready...
Regardless if you believe in the rapture or not, we must be ready...
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Full Of Grace
"The only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.""The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Christ has done that for me which none but a God could do. He has subdued my stubborn will, melted a heart of adamant, opened gates of brass, and snapped bars of iron.
He has turned my mourning into laughter, and my desolation into joy; he has led my captivity captive, and made my heart rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
And he is full of grace. Ah! had he not been I should never have been saved. He drew me when I struggled to escape from his grace; and when at last I came all trembling like a condemned culprit to his mercy seat he said, 'Your sins which are many are all forgiven you: be of good cheer.'
I bear witness that never servant had such a master as I have; never brother such a kinsman as he has been to me; never spouse such a husband as Christ has been to my soul; never mourner a better comforter than Christ hath been to my spirit; never sinner a better Saviour.
I want none beside him. In life he is my life, and in death he shall be the death of death; in poverty Christ is my riches; in sickness he makes my bed; in darkness he is my star, and in brightness he is my sun; he is the manna of the camp in the wilderness, and he shall be the new corn of the host when they come to Canaan.
Jesus is to me all grace and no wrath; all truth and no falsehood; and of truth and grace he is "full"-- infinitely full.
My soul, this night, bless with all thy might 'the only Begotten.'
Friday, October 02, 2009
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