Note to Self (1st day of 2015): Am I living in submission to God's sovereign will (Providence)? Am I living in submission to God's revealed will (Word)?
'Paul an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God to the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.' (Ephesians 1:1-2)
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Friday, August 22, 2014
Faithful Afflictions
Do you and I have the firm conviction that God only sends His children hardship, trials and suffering in order to fulfill His promises to us in Jesus? God's Word says, 'I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.' - Psalm 119:75
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Charles Simeon's Caution and Example
Many there are who cannot see these truths [the doctrines of God's
sovereignty], who yet are in a state truly pleasing to God; yea many, at
whose feet the best of us may be glad to be found in heaven. It is a
great evil, when these doctrines are made a ground of separation one
from another, and when the advocates of different systems anathematize
each other. . . . In reference to truths which are involved in so much
obscurity as those which relate to the sovereignty of God mutual
kindness and concession are far better than vehement argumentation and
uncharitable discussion (Horae Homileticae, Vol. 15, p. 357).
Conversation between Charles Simeon and John Wesley:
Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions.
Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought of turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?
Yes, I do indeed.
And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?
Yes, solely through Christ.
But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?
No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last.
Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?
No.
What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother's arms?
Yes, altogether.
And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?
Yes, I have no hope but in Him.
Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election, my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things wherein we agree. (Moule, 79f)
Conversation between Charles Simeon and John Wesley:
Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions.
Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought of turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?
Yes, I do indeed.
And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?
Yes, solely through Christ.
But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?
No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last.
Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?
No.
What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother's arms?
Yes, altogether.
And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?
Yes, I have no hope but in Him.
Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election, my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things wherein we agree. (Moule, 79f)
Friday, January 18, 2013
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