"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (1Timothy 1:15).
The saying that it was to "save sinners" that Christ Jesus came into the world is a faithful one, and worthy of all acceptation. And that means that it is not the primary function of Christianity in the world to educate men, though we shall not get along without teaching; or to ameliorate their physical and social condition, though we shall not get along without charity; but to proclaim salvation from sin. It exists in the world not for making men wise, nor for making them comfortable, but for saving them from sin. That done and all is done—each result following in its due course. That not done, and nothing is done. All the wisdom of the ages, all the delights of life, are of no avail so long as we are oppressed with sin. The core of the gospel is assuredly that Christ Jesus came to save sinners.
We need, however, once more to adjust the emphasis more precisely in order to gain the whole message of our passage. What Paul declares to be a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, is that Christ Jesus came to save sinners. Put the emphasis now on the one word "save"—Christ Jesus came to save sinners.
Not, then, merely to prepare salvation for them; to open to them a pathway to salvation; to remove the obstacles in the way of their salvation; to proclaim as a teacher a way of salvation; to introduce as a ruler conditions of life in which clean living becomes for the first time possible; to bring motives to holy action to bear upon us; to break down our enmity to God by an exhibition of His seeking love; to manifest to us what sin is in the sight of God, and how He will visit it with His displeasure. All these things He undoubtedly does. But all these things together touch but the circumference of His work for man. Under no interpretation of the nature or reach of His work can it be truly said that Christ Jesus came to do these things. For that we must penetrate deeper, and say with the primitive Church, in this faithful saying commended to us by the apostle, that Christ Jesus came to save sinners.
We must take the great declaration in the height and depth of its tremendous meaning. Jesus did all that is included in the great word "save." He did not come to induce us to save ourselves, or to help us to save ourselves, or to enable us to save ourselves. He came to save us. And it is therefore that His name was called Jesus— because He should save His people from their sins. The glory of our Lord, surpassing all His other glories to usward, is just that He is our actual and complete Saviour; our Saviour to the uttermost.
(From The Person and Work of Christ; Presbyterian and Reformed, c.1950; some emphasis mine cw)
On the other side of the island, wooden poles had been washed out by the torrents of flood water, now rising menacingly ever higher, so we were sent to dig new holes and set up the poles again. It was now 24th December. We worked in icy, rapidly flowing water up to our waists to retrieve the floating poles and load them on to a raft.
Having loaded one raft I climbed aboard it and began to punt it back to the shore. I was in the middle of the flooded river, when suddenly the raft simply came apart beneath me and I was deposited in the freezing water. I was a half-mile from the shore, caught up in the swollen, raging river with a heavy coat and boots on and so frozen that I couldn’t move. I was dragged downstream by the current and went under several times, but somehow managed to come up again. I was frozen through by the icy water, the boots dragged me down, the swift current pulled me along.
There was no human way out of this. Death was as certain as it could be. My arms, my legs, my whole body were numb from the icy water. The swift current, the heavy boots and coat were dragging me under again and again. Still I fought my way back to the surface, only to go under again.. My strength was completely gone. I gave up struggling. Death had its embrace around me.
With a final breath I cried out, “Lord, help me!” Suddenly a surge of strength shot through my frozen, exhausted body. I began swimming towards the shore with powerful strokes. Incredibly, I was able to pull myself along, heavy, sodden boots and all. It was truly God’s strength for I had none left. A strong swimmer would have had trouble making it, much less I in my condition. Yet, I could see I was making progress. I said over and over “Thank You, Lord.” Later, I remembered that beautiful hymn:
“Though sometimes He leads through water deep.
Trials fall across the way.
Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep.
See His footsteps all the way.”
Those watching from the shore had already written me off as dead and had turned away and gone about their work. After all, life was so cheap, one prisoner more or less meant nothing. We had seen so many die, death was commonplace.
I struggled closer and closer to the shore. Finally, I could see the shore and saw two figures in black. They were nuns. At that time a trial against Catholic priests and nuns had just concluded, and they, too, had been convicted of espionage. More than fifty priests and nuns were condemned to prison and two Bishops and two priests were executed. The two nuns before me were floundering in the mud on the river bank while a woman guard commanded them to keep going. The guard brutally kicked one of the nuns, causing her to fall flat where she sank into the soft, oozing mud. She pulled herself up with great effort.
The village of Belene was about a mile and a half from us. It was Christmas. The bells of the church began to ring out with the glad tidings of the Christian faith. At the moment the bells began pealing, the two nuns down at the river bank were floundering and sinking in the mud without anyone to help them and I, an evangelical pastor, had just used my last ounce of strength to swim ashore and lay exhausted. The bells seemed to be saying, “God is born in the form of a man. God is revealing Himself through His Child.”
I’ll never forget that Christmas. I was lying exhausted and the two nuns were sinking deeper into the mud. We stopped our struggling and listened. It was dark and freezing cold. I was almost a solid block of ice. The bells could be heard faintly far off in the distance ringing out the message of the Saviour’s birth.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I lay there. They were tears of joy because I had not drowned and tears of sorrow because neither the nuns nor I were here for any crimes we had committed. We were here for His sake – He who was born in a stable on that night so long ago.
The author, Haralan Popov, a Protestant pastor in Bulgaria, spent 13 Christmases in prison. This is taken his book, Tortured for His Faith, which was published by Zondervan in 1970, and currently is out of print, but used copies are available online at Amazon. A new expanded edition is available for a donation at Door of Hope, Box 303, Glendale, CA91209. See web site for information; http://www.dohi.org/index.asp
Some preachers in our area don't believe you should consult any books but the KJV Bible. Some, although perhaps much fewer now than yesteryear, don't believe that church members should bring their own Bible to church. My former pastor, many years ago was harassed and practically attacked for bringing his own Bible to the pulpit in a church he was visiting.
My view is that the Bible is number one. That is what must be preached. However, books can be consulted, even quoted, as helps to preaching a rounded message. I certainly do not have as many as Mr. Spurgeon had. He made good use of thousands, including many Puritans.
Being informed of current events is also good. The apostles were. Later preachers such as Spurgeon and Lloyd-Jones were. We must use every legitimate tool available to get the true message of Christ to the people. That is what we are doing with these blogs and Sermon Audio and Twitter. "Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
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Okay, Okay, by now, if you are reading my blogs, my other writings, or listening to my sermons at Sermon Audio, you realize that I am very fond of the Puritans. There have been many bad things said about them, mostly untrue. You see, they were not perfect but most genuinely strived to follow God's word. I won't say I agree with every one of them on everything. If you know anything about them, you know that there were differences among them. Some were Anglicans, some Presbyterians, some Baptists, while most were Congregationalists. One common thing among them. They had a love for the word, they were diligent students, gifted teachers, and passionate preachers. We would do well in our apostate day to read them more often. Now, I wouldn't want to live in their day. I like modern conveniences like electricity, automobiles, airplanes, central heat and air, refrigeration and many other things the 16th and 17th century Puritans could not have dreamed of. But they definitely had us on the word of God, brothers and sisters. If we could focus our attention on that; the word of God, we could yet see great things for God. On two out of my three blogs currently are my favorite Puritans; Thomas Brooks, and here, Thomas Watson. Give these short excerpts a careful read, will you please?
"The discontented person thinks everything he doth for God too much, and everything God doth for him too little. The way for a man to be contented is not by raising his estate, but by bringing his heart lower. Whatever trouble a child of God meets with,it is all the hell he shall have. Death begins a wicked man's hell, but it puts an end to a Godly man's hell. A contented spirit is never angry, unless it is with himself for having hard thoughts of God. Shoulds't thou have no evil about thee, who hast so much evil in thee? Thou art not fully sanctified in this life,how then thinkest thou to be fully satisfied? If we have not what we desire, we have more than we deserve."
"The torments of hell abide for ever.... If all the earth and sea were sand, and every thousandth year a bird should come, and take away one grain of this sand, it would be a long time ere that vast heap of sand were emptied; yet, if after all that time the damned may come out of hell, there were some hope; but this word EVER breaks the heart."
"If mercy is not a magnet to draw us nearer to God, it will be a millstone to sink us deeper into hell."
(Thomas Watson lived between 1620-1686, but being dead yet speaketh).
"Let us muse upon the fact that Jesus was [brought outside] the gates of the city. It was the common place of death. That little rising ground, which perhaps was called Golgotha, the place of a skull, from its somewhat resembling the crown of a man's skull, was the common place of execution. It was one of Death's castles; here he stored his gloomiest trophies; he was the grim lord of that stronghold. Our great hero, the destroyer of Death, bearded the lion in his den, slew the monster in his own castle, and dragged the dragon captive from his own den. Methinks Death thought it a splendid triumph when he saw the Master impaled and bleeding in the dominions of destruction; little did he know that the grave was to be rifled, and himself destroyed, by that crucified Son of man." — from "The Procession of Sorrow," delivered on March 1, 1863, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington
"He will not suffer thy foot to be moved" (Psalm 121:3).
If the LORD will not suffer it, neither men nor devils can do it. How greatly would they rejoice if they could give us a disgraceful fall, drive us from our position, and bury us out of memory! They could do this to their heart's content were it not for one hindrance, and only one: the LORD will not suffer it; and if He does not suffer it, we shall not suffer it. The way of life is like traveling among the Alps. Along the mountain path one is constantly exposed to the slipping of the foot. Where the way is high the head is apt to swim, and then the feet soon slide; there are spots which are smooth as glass and others that are rough with loose stones, and in either of these a fall is hard to avoid. He who throughout life is enabled to keep himself upright and to walk without stumbling has the best of reasons for gratitude. What with pitfalls and snares, weak knees, weary feet, and subtle enemies, no child of God would stand fast for an hour were it not for the faithful love which will not suffer his foot to be moved.
Amidst a thousand snares I stand
Upheld and guarded by thy hand;
That hand unseen shall hold me still,
And lead me to thy holy hill.
“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:16-18).
The apostle Paul praised God that he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, really more than once. He was the greatest preacher of the gospel other than our Lord Jesus Christ. He had absolute confidence in his redeemer who met him on the Damascus road and changed his life forever. He is near the end of his earthly life as he writes to Timothy, and to us, under inspiration of the Holy Ghost. For 2000 years these words have served the people of God. They are timeless.
I’ve had the great privilege in my life to meet and have fellowship with a number of Christians who were delivered out of the “lion’s mouth”. Some I met in the USSR and Eastern Europe, and some I met when they got to the west. There wasGeorgi Vins from Ukraine, Richard Wurmbrand from Romania, Janis Smits from Latvia, Haralan Popov from Bulgaria, John Noble from the USA (via Germany and Russia), andSimion Motzfrom Romania. One thing all these had in common; they suffered imprisonment for their Christian faith. Their families also suffered very much while they were imprisoned.
We in America can never really grasp what a price they paid there. We have lost some freedoms here in recent years that we have perhaps taken for granted. Two examples: the “right to die” advocates have gained ground, as well as the recent ruling on “eminent domain”, which can be, and is, in some cases, used to take America’s private property away without just and constitutional cause. Yet with these disturbing trends, and remembering that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” we still have far more freedom than they had under communism.
A Missionary Pastor friend I have known for many years reminded me of something Brother Simion often said to me and others. After visiting a prison gospel service with a church group in Kentucky ( or maybe Ohio, I can’t remember), Simion was astonished that the prisoners had a game room, TV and radio, a lounge, a gym, a library and even a swimming pool! He said “In prisons of America you have more luxury and freedom than they have outside the prisons in Romania”! I never forgot that, nor how amazed he was at our supermarkets. In communist countries usually you bought bread in one store, meat in another, vegetables in markets, other goods other places, assuming you could find the available goods! When you did there were often long lines.
I remember trying to buy a railway ticket in Budapest, Hungary to Arad, Romania right on the Hungarian border (Simion’s home town). I had to traverse three different long lines just to buy a ticket!Probably realizing I was an American (not savvy about the Hungarian system), people kept breaking in front of me very boldly. They did that until I “fought back” by crowding close to the person ahead of me. Otherwise, I would have likely been there all day!
Living in a system like that had much worse problems than just waiting in line. Simion often told me of how difficult it was to provide for his family. He was an accountant and the salary was fairly good, but goods were scarce, and the more he got involved in preaching in various churches, the more difficult his life became.
Our pastor was reflecting tonight in our church meeting on the value of good Christian biographies. It was a stimulating meeting and he asked for input from the congregation on biographies recently read. There were a number of responses. One had read the story of John G. Paton, the faithful Scottish missionary to the New HebridesIslands (now Vanuatu in the South Pacific). These islands were inhabited by cannibals. He was warned by one cheerful soul” These people will probably eat you”! His answer was “Well, our bodies will ALL be eaten of worms one day. Better to be eaten of cannibals while serving God than to die disobedient and be eaten of worms anyway”. Not an EXACT quote- can’t find my copy of his autobiography.
Another spoke of Corrie ten Boom and her biographical story, The Hiding Place, and what a wonderful testimony she gave during the Nazi occupation of Holland. (Amazon.com has it).
Another spoke of Pilgrim’s Progress and John Bunyan’s Autobiography
(Several editions in print, even a free online edition; search at google.com).
Another spoke of Charles Spurgeon’s Autobiography. The two volumes are fascinating reading. (Also Banner of Truth). I highly recommend it if you are a good reader. Excerpts also available online at spurgeon.org
I mentioned that some years again I read the complete two volume biography of George Whitefield by Arnold Dalimore. Over 1200 pages but well worth the reading. (Still in print at Banner of Truth).
Also, what a blessing to read Tortured for His Faith by Haralan Popov. (Published by Zondervan). When I first obtained it I was looking for Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand (also excellent and soul stirring, can be obtained from several sources including persecution.com website). The lady at the local bookstore said “We are out of Mr. Wurmbrand’s book, but we have Mr. Popov’s book.” So I bought it. Little did I know that his biographical account of 13 years and 2 months in Bulgarian communist prison would change my direction and that within two years I would be working with him for nearly ten years.
Of course, in Popov’s ministry, ECL/Door of Hope I later met Brother Simion Motz. When the mission published Simion’s book On the Way of the Cross in the King’s Service, it also was added to my list of favorite biographical accounts. We hope his book will be back in print before long. I only have two personal copies. You can find used copies online.
It was a real joy in my life to travel frequently with these two soldiers of the cross, Haralan Popov, and Simion Motz. There is much I could recount of both men and will from time to time, D.V... I was a little part of their lives, their continuing biographies, and I am much the richer for it. You see, they came from a place that caused them to appreciate freedom (perhaps much more than we native born Americans do. They valued the things that really count. Their faith had been tried by fire!
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:7-9).
Originally written December 14, 2005 A.D... In Memory of my son Chuck (December14, 1962- February 13, 2004), whom we still miss very much. He loved Bro. Popov and Bro. Motz. I am confident these three are in heaven now together waiting for the resurrection of the body
The Apostle reminds us that at a time of apostasy, at a time of gross godlessness and irreligion, when the very foundations are shaking, one of the most striking manifestations of the lawlessness is "disobedient to parents" (2Ti 3:2)...When will the civil authorities learn and realize that there is an indissoluble connection between godlessness and a lack of morality and decent behavior?...The tragedy is that the civil authorities—irrespective of which political party is in power—all seem to be governed by modern psychology rather than by the Scriptures. They all are convinced that they can deal with unrighteousness directly, in and by itself. But that is impossible. Unrighteousness is always the result of ungodliness, and the only hope of getting back any measure of righteousness into life is to have a revival of godliness. That is precisely what the Apostle is saying to the Ephesians and to ourselves (Eph 6:1-4). The best and the most moral periods in the history of this country, and every other country, have always been those periods that have followed mighty religious awakenings. This problem of lawlessness and lack of disci pline, the problem of children and of youth, was just not present fifty years ago as it is today. Why? Because the great tradition of the Evan gelical Awakening of the 18th century was still operating. But as that has gone, these terrible moral and social problems are coming back, as the Apostle teaches us, and as they have always come back throughout the running centuries.
Present conditions therefore demand that we should look at the Apostle's statement. I believe that Christian parents and children, Christian families, have a unique opportunity of witnessing to the world at this present time by just being different. We can be true evangelists by showing this discipline, this law and order, this true relationship between parents and children. We may be the means under God's hand of bringing many to a knowledge of the Truth. Let us therefore think of it in that way. Free Grace Broadcaster; Summer 2008. Originally from Life in the Spirit in Marriage, Home & Work: An Exposition of Ephesians 5:18 to 6:9: Baker Book House, 1975
It is John Calvin's 500th birthday year, so we will give the great commentator a viewing. I chose a Philippian passage because I am preparing to preach a series on the book. At least we can say that Calvin on this passage will make us think. He has a view that is different here, but he backs it up with scholarship. So we have to at least be thorough if we take an opposing view. Calvin, born 1509, was like that. He worked diligently for Christ, and he will make you work also.
Philippians 1:21:"For to me to live." Interpreters have hitherto, in my opinion, given a wrong rendering and exposition to this passage; for they make this distinction, that Christ was life to Paul, and death was gain. I, on the other hand, make Christ the subject of discourse in both clauses, so that he is declared to be gain in him both in life and in death; for it is customary with the Greeks to leave the word prosto be understood. Besides that this meaning is less forced, it also corresponds better with the foregoing statement, and contains more complete doctrine. He declares that it is indifferent to him, and is all one, whether he lives or dies, because, having Christ, he reckons both to be gain. And assuredly it is Christ alone that makes us happy both in death and in life; otherwise, if death is miserable, life is in no degree happier; so that it is difficult to determine whether it is more advantageous to live or to die out of Christ. On the other hand, let Christ be with us, and he will bless our life as well as our death, so that both will be happy and desirable for us. (From Calvin on Ephesians-Jude; AP&A Edition, 1972).
How we need men like the blessed Whitefield todayin our wretched day of apostasy! I would like to write about him, but I feel unworthy. Besides, if you are a good reader, one of the greatest biographies of a Christian ever written (IMHO), is the late Arnold Dallimore's two volume set George Whitefield; published by Banner of Truth, and also Crossway. You can find it at Christian booksellers online such as Monergism, ChristianBook.com and even at Amazon.com. If you feel you can't possibly read 1200 plus pages just now, or cannot find a reasonable price on the set, try Dallimore's own condensation of 224 pages also published by Crossway. I think it will whet your appetite for more. As Principal G.A. Adams of Toronto Baptist Seminary said: "This condensation of the author's classic two-volume edition contains 23 fast-moving chapters of highly interesting material. A powerful rendering of a life wholly consecrated to God."
Here are two pleading paragraphs from one of George Whitefield's sermons: Genesis 5:24, "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." "And now, what shall I, or, indeed, what can I well say more to excite you, even you that are yet strangers to Christ, to come and walk with God? If you love honor, pleasure, and a crown of glory, come, seek it where alone it can be found. Come, put ye on the Lord Jesus. Come, haste ye away and walk with God, and make no longer provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lust thereof. Stop, stop, O sinner! Turn ye, turn ye, O ye unconverted men, for the end of that way you are now walking in, however right it may seem in your blinded eyes, will be death, even eternal destruction both of body and soul. Make no longer tarrying, I say: at your peril I charge you, step not one step further on in your present walk. For how knowest thou, O man, but the next step thou takest may be into hell? Death may seize thee, judgment find thee, and then the great gulf will be fixed between thee and endless glory for ever and ever. O think of these things, all ye that are unwilling to walk with God. Lay them to heart. Show yourselves men, and in the strength of Jesus say, Farewell, lust of the flesh, I will no more walk with thee! Farewell, lust of the eye, and pride of life! Farewell, carnal acquaintance and enemies of the cross, I will no more walk and be intimate with you! Welcome Jesus, welcome thy word, welcome thy ordinances, welcome thy Spirit, welcome thy people, I will henceforth walk with you. O that there may be in you such a mind! God will set his almighty fiat to it, and seal it with the broad seal of heaven, even the signet of his holy Spirit. Yes, he will, though you have been walking with, and following after, the devices and desires of your desperately wicked hearts ever since you have been born. 'I, the high and lofty One', says the great Jehovah, 'that inhabiteth eternity, will dwell with the humble and contrite heart, even with the man that trembleth at my word.' The blood, even the precious blood of Jesus Christ, if you come to the Father in and through him, shall cleanse you from all sin.
But the text leads me to speak to you that are saints as well as to you that are open and unconverted sinners. I need not tell you, that walking with God is not honorable, but pleasant and profitable also; for ye know it by happy experience, and will find it more and more so every day. Only give me leave to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, and to beseech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, to take heed to yourselves, and walk closer with your God than you have in days past: for the nearer you walk with God, the more you will enjoy of him whose presence is life, and be the better prepared for being placed at his right hand, where are pleasures for evermore. O do not follow Jesus afar off! O be not so formal, so dead and stupid in your attendance on holy ordinances! Do not so shamefully forsake the assembling yourselves together, or be so niggardly or indifferent about the things of God. Remember what Jesus says of the church of Laodicea, 'Because thou art neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth'. Think of the love of Jesus, and let that love constrain you to keep near unto him; and though you die for him, do not deny him, do not keep at a distance from him in any wise." (from Walking With God.) This, and other Whitefield sermons can be found online, in their entirety, at: http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/Whitefield.html
This brazen altar was a type of Christ dying to make atonement for our sins. The wood had been consumed by the fire from heaven, if it had not been secured by the brass; nor could the human nature of Christ have borne the wrath of God, if it had not been supported by a divine power. Christ sanctified himself for his Church, as their altar, John 17:19; and by his mediation sanctifies the daily services of his people, who also have a right to eat of this altar, Hebrews 13:10; for they serve at it as spiritual priests. To the horns of this altar poor sinners fly for refuge when justice pursues them, and there they are safe in virtue of the sacrifice there offered.
Presbyterian theologian Loraine Boettner gave us 12 volumes (perhaps more), of excellent, reflections on theological subjects. Most are still in print in 2009. His work called RomanCatholicism is a classic. Mr. Boettner, while living in Washington, DC from 1937- 1948 attended the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church where the famous future Senate Chaplain, Dr.Peter Marshall was pastor. Though I do not adhere to Loraine Boettner's view on the millennium, his book titled The Millennium is well worth reading to help grasp the standard Post-Millennial view. He was a very generous man who lived the last 32 years of his almost 89 years near his birthplace in Rock Port, Missouri. I fondly remember ordering the book Studies in Theology, a hardback which he sold "at cost". He wrote to me a nice short letter in the 1980's which I still have. (cw)
"Concerning this doctrine the Westminster Confession says:'...Wherefore they who are elected being fallen in Adam, are redeemed in Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by His power through faith unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified and saved, but the elect only' (Westminster chapter 3, section 6.)
"It will be seen at once that this doctrine necessarily follows from the doctrine of election. If from eternity God has planned to save one portion of the human race and not another, it seems to be a contradiction to say that His work has equal reference to both portions, or that He sent His Son to die for those whom He had predetermined not to save, as truly as, and in the same sense that He was sent to die for those whom He had chosen for salvation. These two doctrines must stand or fall together. We cannot logically accept one and reject the other. If God has elected some and not others to eternal life, then plainly the primary purpose of Christ’s work was to redeem the elect." (Reformed Doctrine of Predestination; Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, Philadelphia; sixteenth printing, 1971, pages 150, 151. Used by permission of author)
(Dr. Boettner had more to say in a later, small book more focused on the atonement itself).
When we speak of the atonement as "limited" we do not mean that any limit can be set to its value or power. Its value is determined by the dignity of the person making it; and since Christ suffered as a Divine-human person the value of His atonement is infinite. It is sufficient for the salvation of the entire race, and might have saved every member of the race if that had been God's plan; but it is efficient only for those to whom it is applied by the Holy Spirit. It is limited only in the sense that it was intended for, and is applied to, particular persons, namely, for and to those who actually are saved. It is indifferently as well adapted to the salvation of one man as to that of another, thus making objectively possible the salvation of all men. But because of subjective difficulties arising out of the inability of fallen men either to see or appreciate the things
of God, only those who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit respond to it and are saved. God could change all human hearts by His mighty regenerating and convincing power if He chose to do so. He wrought mightily in the heart of Saul of Tarsus and made him into a new man, as He has wrought mightily in the heart of every other member of this fallen race who has been translated from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. But for reasons which have not been fully revealed He does not apply this grace to all.
The Gospel is, nevertheless, to be offered to all men, with the assurance that it is exactly adapted to the needs of all men, and that God has decreed that all who place their faith in Christ shall be saved by Him. No man is lost because of any deficiency in the objective atonement, or because God has placed any barrier in His way, but only because of subjective difficulties, specifically, because of his own evil disposition and his freely exercised wicked will prevent his believing and accepting that atonement. God's attitude is perhaps best summed up in the parable of the marriage feast and the slighted invitations, where the king sends this message to the invited guests who, he foresees, will reject and never take part of the feast: "I have made ready my dinner; my oxen and my failings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast," Matt. 22:4.
In reality Arminians do limit the atonement as certainly as do Calvinists. For while Calvinists limit its extent in that they say it is not applied to all persons (although they believe that much the greater portion of the human race will eventually be saved), Arminians limit its power or inherent value; for they say that in itself it does not save
Limited Atonement; Eerdmans Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 1941; pages 92, 93, now out of print.
"Reader, remember this: if thy knowledge do not now affect thy heart, it will at last with a witness afflict thy heart; if it do not now endear Christ to thee, it will at last provoke Christ the more against thee; if it do not make all the things of Christ to be very precious in thy eyes, it will at last make thee the more vile in Christ's eyes." Thomas Brooks
George Muller was a man with a reputation. It was a good reputation. His reputation was that he trusted God. In all the years of his orphanage in Britain, this brother, who was a Prussian immigrant, trusted in Christ. How did he know God's will? This is what he said:
1.I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that
it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter.
Nine-tenths of the trouble with people is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
2.Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling of simple impression. If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
3.I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will
do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
4.Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with his Word and Spirit,
5.I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
6.Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best
of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and
continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accord- ingly.
In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective.
What is it to truly preach the gospel? This question is asked by each new generation, and rightly so. So the question is now being asked again here, and we wish to give you the forthright answer from the infallible Word of God. It really comes down to mainly five things, all delineated plainly in Scripture: (1) The Cross, (2) God's Kingdom, (3) The Word, (4) Heartfelt Assurance, and (5) God's Grace. Look at these wonderful truths with us, remembering "What is true is not new." So here is the old, old story of Jesus and his love, "the not new gospel."
The Cross of Christ is central to all gospel preaching. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18). "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men" (v. 25). The Cross is the good news of God's gospel. It is the only hope for all bankrupt sinners. The gospel is for sinners only, and if you do not feel guilty of sin, there is nothing but "bad news" for you. "Being NOW justified by his blood" (Romans 5:9). The blood of Christ effectually saves and justifies all of the elect of God. What glorious news this is! Nothing ever told or heard by mortal man equals or surpasses this news. Christ's blood alone "redeems" us (Ephesians 1:7), and God has "made peace" between himself and sinners "through the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20). "Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). There is forgiveness of sin no other way, but "the way of the cross." None, never!
The Kingdom of God (the domain of the King) is loudly proclaimed in gospel preaching. "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him" (Acts 28:30-31). It is God's Kingdom that we emphasize, not the kingdoms of men, which are sure to perish. Christ is truly Lord of his church, and King in Zion, with no rivals or vice-regents. All saints bow to Christ's holy authority! "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power" (I Corinthians 4:20). We enter this spiritual kingdom by a new birth from above (John 3:3).
If the word of God is ever sent to us "in power, and in the Holy Spirit," it will also bring us "much assurance" (I Thessalonians 1:5). In true gospel preaching, "the word" (2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 4:12) is brought forth, and in clear language we learn that Christ Jesus is the only Saviour of sinners, the Holy Spirit is our Convincer and Comforter, and God's grace alone has sovereignly sought us, bought us, and taught us! "Chosen in Christ." "Bought with a price." "And they shall be all taught of God." "To the praise of the glory of his grace." We only know these things from the revealed fountain of all truth, the inspired Scripture, which must never be added to, or nothing taken from.
At the close of Revelation, it is no wonder that John"heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God" (19:1). By grace alone, may we humbly join in singing the same to the worthy Lamb of God, "declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4). This is "the gospel of God," and our only desire is to proclaim it in all its fulness, in all its sweetness, and in all its power. All hail King Jesus!
"It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, l will hear" (Isaiah 65:24).
Quick work this! The LORD hears us before we call and often answers us in the same speedy manner. Foreseeing our needs and our prayers, He so arranges providence that before the need actually arises He has supplied it, before the trial assails us He has armed us against it. This is the promptitude of omniscience, and we have often seen it exercised. Before we dreamed of the affliction which was coming, the strong consolation which was to sustain us under it had arrived. What a prayer-answering God we have! The second clause suggests the telephone. Though God be in heaven and we upon earth, yet He makes our word, like His own word, to travel very swiftly, When we pray aright we speak into the ear of God. Our gracious Mediator presents our petitions at once, and the great Father hears them and smiles upon them. Grand praying this! Who would not be much in prayer when he knows that he has the ear of the King of kings? This day I will pray in faith, not only believing that I shall be heard, but that I am heard; not only that I shall be answered, but that I have the answer already. Holy Spirit, help me in this! (From Faith's Checkbook for August 13th)
My dear friend in Arkansas has many years under his belt, serving the Lord. You can email this gentleman, and he will put you on his email list. He rounds up some very good material, and writes a lot of his own. Recommended cw.
From time to time all wise believers in Jesus Christ will want to review these basic, fundamental truths about the eternal, preexistent second Person of the holy trinity aka as the triune Godhead: God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit. (Ephesians 1:3-14)
1. His virginal (supernatural) conception 2. His virtuous (sinless) life 3. His vicarious (substitutionary) death 4. His victorious (sensational) resurrection 5. His vigilant (strengthening) intercession 6. His visible (spectacular) return
Let's Tell others
Jesus Christ came and (I Timothy 1:15-17) that He is coming again. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Most believe neither of these truths ... I believe both and hope you do, too.
Forwarded to Help You Help Others Charles Wayne Rosson - Serving Jesus Christ Since 1953 Pastor / Evangelist / Chaplain / Bible Teacher / Friend of Sinners 1323 West Stultz Road / Springdale, AR 72764 USA 479-750-3636
“I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren”(1 Thessalonians 5:27)
What did Paul mean by this statement? Did he believe that what he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit should be read aloud in the Church? Evidently so, for it is reported that it was done much more frequently in the early church. It wasn’t just sing a hymn; pray; sing another hymn; pass the offering plate; then preach a message on social issues or world events or whatever. The word of God had the pre-eminence.
These words from Thomas Scott, 1747-1821, say it very nicely:
The original is "I adjure you"---The solemn charge implies likewise a most decided claim to divine inspiration: for it evidently places this, and consequently the Apostles other epistles, on the footing of the ancient scriptures: The oracles of God. (Note: Colossians 4:15, 16). It likewise shews that both that oaths and adjurations are in some cases lawful; and that the subject, concerning which the apostle wrote, was considered by him, as peculiarly important.
This is worthy of the most serious consideration of all those, even among protestants, who do not make the reading of the scriptures a part of the service, when they meet in the worship of God; and of those who read them in so careless and indistinct a manner, that the congregation cannot hear or understand them. The advantage to illiterate people, to the multitude who cannot read, or who can read but imperfectly, of an audible, distinct, and emphatical reading of the scriptures in public, can scarcely be calculated. It will soon render even the best preaching more fully understood;and it will in some degree supply the deficiency , in other cases.
(From Scott’s Commentary on the Whole Bible; now sadly out of print). In his lifetime Scott wrote enough material so that it was published by his son in 12 volumes, not counting the six volume commentary. The only thing in print by him now is the excellent The Force of Truth In this book he speaks about his friendship with John Newton in nearby Olney, England.. This friendship led to Scott’s conversion written in 1779. The modern printing of The Force of Truth is published by Banner of Truth. cw
"For your Father knoweth what things you have need of before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:8).
At first sight it might appear as if this thought makes prayer less needful. If God already knows what we need, then why pray at all? But as we gain a deeper insight into what prayer really is, this truth will help much to strengthen our faith. It will teach us that we do not need the multitude and urgency of our words to compel an unwilling God to listen to us. It will lead to a holy thoughtfulness and silence in prayer as it suggests the question: Does my Father really know that I need this? Yes, He does! Therefore, let us sometimes in our prayers, when we are in danger of being so occupied with our fervent, urgent petitions, as to forget that the Father knows and hears, let us hold still and just quietly say: My Father sees, my Father hears, my Father knows; it will help our faith to take the answer, and to say: We know that we have the petitions we have asked of Him.
I hope this meditation by our beloved brother Charles Spurgeon speaks to as it did to me. I need this message today. Pray for me. cw
“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never
suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22
It is a heavy burden, roll it on Omnipotence. It is thy burden now, and it crushes thee; but when the Lord takes it, He will make nothing of it. If thou art called still to bear it, “he will sustain thee.” It will be on Him, and not on thee. Thou wilt be so upheld under it that the burden will be a blessing. Bring the Lord into the matter and thou wilt stand upright under that which in itself would bow thee down.Our worst fear is lest our trial should drive us from the path of duty; but this the Lord will never suffer.If we are righteous before Him, He will not endure that our affliction should move us from our standing. In Jesus He accepts us as righteous, and in Jesus He will keep us so.What about the present moment? Art thou going forth to this day’s trial alone? Are thy poor shoulders again to be galled with the oppressive load? Be not so foolish. Tell the Lord all about thy grief, and leave it with Him.Don’t cast your burden down, and then take it up again; but roll it on the Lord, and leave it there. Then shalt thou walk at large, a joyful and unburdened believer, singing the praises of thy great Burden-bearer.
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"He must increase, I must decrease" (John 3:30). My name is Charles Woodruff. I am 74 years old, and my desire is to serve God the rest of my days, preaching the old evangelical gospel that Paul and Peter preached, that Calvin preached, that Whitefield preached, that Spurgeon preached, and that Isaac Watts wrote about in his hymns. You are welcome! I hope you like our blogs.Your comments are also welcome. Please feel free to comment.
