(The Christian in Roman 7 written by Arthur W. Pink)
Augustus Toplady joins the cry with Apostle Paul — "oh wretched man that I am!"
Augustus Toplady (1740-1778) (author of "Rock of Ages"), wrote in his private diary under Dec 31, 1767 — "Upon a review of the past year, I desire to confess that my unfaithfulness has been exceeding great; my sins still greater; God's mercies greater than both." And again, "My short- comings, and my mis-doings, my unbelieve and want of love, would sink me into the lowest hell, was not Jesus my righteousness and my Redeemer."
A short review on Mrs. Hutchinson's work and Her Teaching
Mrs. Hutchinson regarded as a Puritan born in the reign of James 1, 1620. She wrote 2 books called “On the Principles of the Christian Religion” and “of Theology”. The 1st of these was written specifically for her daughter, and for a most practical purpose. She gave instruction that women should take particular care lest they be led away into errors.
Mrs. Hutchinson wrote her book, rather than simply recommending others to her daughter, because she wanted it to stand as a personal witness of all she regarded as of vital importance if her daughter was to lay a foundation of “sound knowledge for the building of a holy practice.”
While ever seeking to direct her daughter’s gaze upward to dwell on the majesty of God and the glory of Christ, Mrs. Hutchinson is equally concerned that she shall always do this through Scripture, the authority of which is unequivocally stated; and the book contains a solemn warning that “Christ is, in the Gospel, held forth to men to be received as their life and salvation, and they that seek a Christ anywhere but where God exhibits Him, that is, His own authorised Word, may find Christ of their own inventions, but shall never find the Christ of God, the alone Saviour of men.”
The book includes a number of warnings, and among these are admonitions against people who would reject the Old Testament as of no use to believers, or who would preach that anyone once justified can fall into an unjustified state. In the controversy over the order of justification and sanctification, we are told neither can be without the other though “justification is perfect and complete, being by faith received and given us in Christ; but sanctification, being derived from Christ to us, and wrought in our souls, is perfected in the body by degrees, and admits of growth and remissions and intentions.” Mrs. Hutchinson disputes with ministers who deny the preparatory work of convincing men they are sinners and who preach only the love of Christ, the grounds of her objection being that Scripture shows “that Christ and His apostles used the other method.” Consideration of the biblical meaning of faith also leads to a further warning that “he that receives Christ by a true saving faith, receives whole Christ in all His offices, and as well submit to Him as a King, as embraces Him as a Saviour. . . .”
Love is the last vital truth which the book presents, and it is declared that none truly love God but those who love God only; and constantly; and for Himself more than for His blessings. He that loves God loves all things that are His, all those that love Him, and all His ordinances and His word. But although this consideration of “love” concludes the “foundation truths” of the book, Mrs. Hutchinson goes on at once to enumerate what she regards as the most essential principles for Christian living since, as she reminds her daughter, “to know all the truths and mysteries of Godliness, without living in and according to that knowledge, will be less excusable than ignorance.”
…
She accuses the Greek poets in particular of mingling traditions with their own fables, and vestiges of truth concerning God with the worship of false gods, until it was impossible for men with blinded minds to pick out one from another, and they were led into all sorts of pernicious errors and abominations, and to worship a multitude of gods.
By these means, therefore, Mrs. Hutchinson maintains that all men’s efforts to arrive at true knowledge of God not only proved hopeless, but led them to catastrophe. But, she declares at last, “God, from the foundation of the world, determined that, in His appointed time, a light should break forth to the Gentiles that sat in darkness. . . .”
Her work in this book also explains clearly how natural theology gives the knowledge of creator in 1st place (that they are without excuse Rom 1) and how it deviates them to create and worship multitude of gods. She stressed the importance of written Word of God (The Bible) through which only we can come to the knowledge of God.
Puritan Papers (Vol 1) - J.I. Packer (Pp 82-95)
Feed my Sheep || Sunday Worship || R C Sproul
A faithful ministry doesn't entertain goats; it feeds the sheep.
The sad reality is that many churches today are valuing entertainment over exegesis, results over regeneration, and peace with the world over the proclamation of the word.
Yet, Christ is clear: the church's mission is to make disciples. That is, to evangelize the lost and encourage and edify the saints. Too many have lost sight of this in the name of growing a bigger church. But, it is not a big church that pleases Christ, but a faithful one. May we all turn back to the word and, as Luther said, let it do its work. For, where the word is faithfully preached, the Holy Spirit faithfully attends with all of His graces, causing the dead to live and further strengthening the faith of the redeemed.
"The saints, the holy ones, those called out from the world assemble together on Sunday mornings to be fed. We are to do evangelism, engage in outreach, and be involved in ministries of mercy, but Sunday morning belongs to the sheep. It is the task of the pastor and of the church to feed the sheep. If someone who is not a sheep comes in, that's fine, but we're not going to change the menu and give the sheep goat's food... Babies have almost no influence in a culture. Before they can turn the world upside down, they have to grow up, they have to become mature, and that happens as they are fed the Word of God. Nothing less will do. Notice that when Jesus spoke to Peter, He did not say, 'Peter, if you love Me, feed the goats.' Neither did He say, 'Peter, take care of your flock; feed your sheep.' He said, 'Feed My sheep, feed My lambs, tend My sheep.'"
— R.C. Sproul
Undeserved Blessing Deuteronomy 9
Deut 9:4–5
4 “You shall not say to yourself when Yahweh your God is driving them out before you, saying, ‘Because of my righteousness Yahweh brought me to take possession of this land’; but because of the wickedness of these nations Yahweh is driving them out before you. 5 It is not because of your righteousness and because of the uprightness of your heart that you are coming to take possession of their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations Yahweh your God is driving them before you, and in order to confirm the promise that Yahweh swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
HE now more plainly warns the people not to exalt themselves in proud and foolish boasting.
"Speak not thou in thine heart" is equivalent to reflecting or conceiving an opinion.
Wherefore Moses not only reproves the boasting of the lips, but the hidden arrogance, wherewith men are puffed up, when they take to themselves the praise which is due to GOD. Moreover, he not only prohibits them from ascribing it to their own valour, that they had rooted their enemies, and gained possession of the land, but also from imagining that this was the just recompense of their merits.
Moses does not forbid the people from thinking that they had themselves acquired the land without GOD's aid; nay, he takes it for granted that they themselves will acknowledge that it was by GOD's help that they were victorious; but he is not contented with this limited gratitude unless they at the same time acknowledge that they had deserved nothing of the kind, and therefore that it was a mere and gratuitous act of HIS bounty.
Note the reason given in the second clause, the nations were driven out (of Caanan) on account of their own wickedness;
HE transferred the Land from the Reprobate to those whom HE had chosen graciously (unconditional election). There remains nothing to boast but to say "For by Grace, we are saved".
Total Depravity - They don't desire GOD. They were naturally perverse and rebellious. They don't choose GOD. For they are 'Stiff-necked' people.
'Stiff-necked' - this metaphor is taken from 'oxen', which are useless unless untill they are accustomed to bend their necks; it is then the same as saying that they were not only unsubmissive, but that in their obstinancy they shook off the yoke.
Hence, it sufficiently appears that there was no room for merits. If so, then GOD's covenant would have been nullified. (Promise given to their forefathers were found on mere grace of GOD.)
Now if in regard to an earthly inheritance GOD so greatly exalts HIS mercy, what must we think of the heavenly inheritance? HE would have it attributed to HIMSELF alone, that the children of Israel possess the land of Canaan; how much less, then will HE tolerate the obtrusion of men's merits in order to the acquisition of Heaven? Nor is there anything in the pretense of the Papists that they attribute the first place to GOD's bounty; because HE claims altogether for HIMSELF what they would share with HIM.
But if any object that this was only said to HIS ancient people, I reply, that we are no better than they. Let each retire to HIMSELF, and HE will not excuse the hardness of the neck.
But they who are regenerated by GOD' SPIRIT, know that they are not naturally formed unto obedience; and thus that it is only mercy which makes them differ from worst of men.
Deut 9:6-7
“So you should understand that it is not because of your righteousness that Yahweh your God is giving you this good land to take possession of it, because you are a stubborn people. Remember, do not forget, that you provoked Yahweh your God in the desert, and from the day that you went out from the land of Egypt until you came to this place you were rebelling against Yahweh.
(Selected from John Calvin's Complete Commentary)
Matthew Poole’s English Annotations on the Bible on Deuteronomy 9:4 ~
Neither for thy upright heart, nor holy life, which are the two things which God above all things regards, 1 Chron. 29:17 , Ps. 15:1–2 ; and consequently he excludes all merit. And surely they who did not deserve this earthly Canaan, could not merit the kingdom of glory. That he may perform the word which he sware; to show my faithfulness in accomplishing that promise which I graciously made and confirmed with my oath. By which words it is implied, that this land was not given to them for the righteousness of their fathers, though they were righteous and holy persons, and much less for their own righteousness, which they had not, as it follows.
Immortal Till Work Done
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. (Psalm 118:17)
A fair assurance this! It was no doubt based upon a promise, inwardly whispered in the psalmist's heart, which he seized upon and enjoyed. Is my case like that of David? Am I depressed because the enemy affronts me? Are there multitudes against me and few on my side? Does unbelief bid me lie down and die in despair-a defeated, dishonored man? Do my enemies begin to dig my grave?
What then? Shall I yield to the whisper of fear, and give up the battle, and with it give up all hope? Far from it. There is life in me yet: "I shall not die." Vigor will return and remove my weakness: "I shall live." The Lord lives, and I shall live also. My mouth shall again be opened: "I shall declare the works of Jehovah." Yes, and I shall speak of the present trouble as another instance of the wonder-working faithfulness and love of the Lord my God. Those who would gladly measure me for my coffin had better wait a bit, for "the Lord hath chastened me sore, but he hath not given me over unto death." Glory be to His name forever! I am immortal till my work is done. Till the Lord wills it, no vault can close upon me.
THE MIGHTY MAGNET
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” John 12:32
Come, ye workers, be encouraged. You fear that you cannot draw a congregation. Try the preaching of a crucified, risen, and ascended Saviour; for this is the greatest “draw” that was ever yet manifested among men.
What drew you to Christ but Christ? What draws you to Him now but His own blessed self? If you have been drawn to religion by anything else, you will soon be drawn away from it; but Jesus has held you, and will hold you even to the end. Why, then, doubt His power to draw others? Go with the name of Jesus to those who have hitherto been stubborn, and see if it does not draw them.
No sort of man is beyond this drawing power. Old and young, rich and poor, ignorant and learned, depraved or amiable — all men shall feel the attractive force. Jesus is the one magnet. Let us not think of any other.
Music will not draw to Jesus, neither will eloquence, logic, ceremonial, or noise. Jesus Himself must draw men to Himself; and Jesus is quite equal to the work in every case. Be not tempted by the quackeries of the day; but as workers for the Lord work in His own way, and draw with the Lord’s own cords.
Draw to Christ, and draw by Christ, for then Christ will draw by you.
“On mine arm shall they trust.”
— Isaiah 51:5
In seasons of severe trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust to, and is therefore compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When his vessel is on its beam-ends, and no human deliverance can avail, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God. Happy storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this! O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone! There is no getting at our God sometimes because of the multitude of our friends; but when a man is so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn, he flies into his Father’s arms, and is blessedly clasped therein! When he is burdened with troubles so pressing and so peculiar, that he cannot tell them to any but his God, he may be thankful for them; for he will learn more of his Lord then than at any other time. Oh, tempest-tossed believer, it is a happy trouble that drives thee to thy Father! Now that thou hast only thy God to trust to, see that thou puttest thy full confidence in him. Dishonour not thy Lord and Master by unworthy doubts and fears; but be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Show the world that thy God is worth ten thousand worlds to thee. Show rich men how rich thou art in thy poverty when the Lord God is thy helper. Show the strong man how strong thou art in thy weakness when underneath thee are the everlasting arms. Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant exploits. Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord thy God shall certainly, as surely as he built the heavens and the earth, glorify himself in thy weakness, and magnify his might in the midst of thy distress. The grandeur of the arch of heaven would be spoiled if the sky were supported by a single visible column, and your faith would lose its glory if it rested on anything discernible by the carnal eye. May the Holy Spirit give you to rest in Jesus this closing day of the month.
C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: Daily Readings (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1896).
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