More about Christ, Less about You

During Saturday bible study last weekend a brother shared something about being a witness to the truth that I thought was very helpful, straightforward, and profound.

Suppose someone asks you "Why do you believe what you believe?" What would your answer be?

His point was that while it's not wrong to appeal to supernatural experiences you may have had at your conversion, it is usually more appropriate to appeal to the glory of God that is continually day by day before your eyes, as revealed by God himself. The difference is that one approach means allowing supernatural experiences to teach you what is and isn’t true, whereas the other means accepting the totally self-evident and self-attesting truth that you now see after God opened your eyes.

The problem with the first approach is that it could be understood to mean that unless or until a person has a grand experience, there is really no legitimate reason for them to believe the bible. And suppose some Mormon claims to have a much grander experience than your own. What then?

The second approach however is based on having your eyes open to see what is true, and right in front of you. You know something is glorious because it shines. So then what would be helpful for the other person to hear is all of the glorious things about Christ that you have been learning, and all of the powerful truth of the gospel and the kingdom of God that has gripped you since the day of your conversion and continues to grip you to this day. So what's probably more important is your ongoing testimony and belief in God, and not so much initial experiences.

After all, let's face it; not everyone has the same experiences at conversion. And if it's the experience that matters most, then only people rivaling the apostle Paul with his Damascus Road experience would really be worth listening to. But we know that’s not right, because the message itself has weight and glory. After all, did not Jesus say, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” We can share the truth no matter how inconsequential our experiences may seem.

(Not to mention there is a real danger of casting pearls before swine in this kind of situation.)

Suffice it to say that people usually need to hear more about the glory of God in the face of Christ, and not as much about your own experiences. . . . more about Christ, less about you . . .

Particular Atonement in Romans 8

I agree with the five points of Calvinism, even "Limited Atonement." I have tried to be thoughtful and unbiased about these beliefs, but much to the chagrin of other brothers and sisters along the way, I still think a "particular" or "definite" view of the atonement makes the most sense and more correctly summarizes all of what Scripture says about the death of Christ.

It's not as if I'm still under the false assumption that four-pointers are less committed to God's sovereignty, or somehow less bold. Sadly, I used to believe that. Now I know better. Believers that hold to an unlimited view of the atonement (that is, in terms of recipients, not efficacy) usually do so out of strong convictions. I no longer look down my nose at four-pointers (actually I try not to look down my nose at anyone, but sometimes that's hard when you're 6'3''). ;)

Anyways the reason I'm blogging is to say that I was present to hear a really excellent sermon last Sunday from Charles and learned that Romans 8:32 teaches the idea of "limited" or particular atonement. The sermon can be heard at lakeroad.podcastspot.com. If you plan on listening to the sermon, just keep in mind, it was only one point in the sermon, so you'll have to be patient until you get to it.

The passage says:

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?"

Here is what I hadn't thought about before. Think about who the "us" is in verse 32. Who was Christ "delivered over for?" Us. That is, those who are called of God, "called according to his purpose" (8:28). So here is a verse that specifically mentions the death of Christ in the context of predestination. Christ was delivered over for the predestined.

The more you think about it, the more the logic begins to solidify. Is he really saying Christ died for those called of God? Could he not be saying that God does call only some, but Christ still dies in the same way for all? Answer: no. Think about it, if Christ here is pictured as dying in the same way for all, then Paul's argument totally unravels. He is saying that because Christ died for you, you can be sure that you will given everything you need to make it to heaven, and that nothing will separate you from the love of Christ. But how does the fact that Christ died for me secure that? I can think of a lot of people that Christ "died for" (in the general sense) that still went to Hell! How is that comforting?!

But that's just it, Paul is not talking about the death of Christ in the general way that sometimes the bible does, as an offer available to all men. He is talking about something special for the elect.

His whole purpose so far is to explain to the Romans what Charles has been calling the "golden chain" of salvation. First, God foreknows or (sets his love on) a people, then he predestines that group to be like Christ, then he calls them out and draws them to salvation, then he justifies them, then he glorifies them. That's the chain. And his whole point is this. In this unbreakable chain of salvation that God has put together, he has already done the hardest part. He has already delivered over his Son on behalf of this chosen people. The great sacrifice has already been made. Therefore, if God would be willing to go this far to bring about our salvation, he will certainly not fail to follow through with any of the minor details that are needed to bring you into glory!

So here, God's loving act of delivering over Christ, must specifically be in reference to his doing so for the sake of the elect, and not for everyone generally, because Paul is definitely saying that these people that Christ died for will be saved. Romans 8:32 then, is yet another verse clearly referring to the special purpose of God in Christ dying for the elect. It fits the use of the pronoun "us" and it totally fits his argument of the security of our salvation from the chain that God has purposed to complete.

- - - - -

I'm told Murray makes a big point of this in his Redemption Accomplished and Applied. I've never read it though.

Anyways, as much pressure I get being a five-pointer sometimes, it's nice to have another verse to help people come to see the whole counsel of God, when it comes to the truth about our Lord's atonement.

Surely, as a guilty, fallen sinner, if there is one thing to know and pursue knowing more, it's the redemption found in Christ.

The Devil Breaks his Tools

I was shocked and saddened again reading Acts 12:19, "When Herod had serched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution." How mean and unfair. After all, the guards were loyaling serving Herod. How were they supposed to help it if God sent an angel to rescue Peter?


It made me think of how C. S. Lewis portrayed serving the Devil:

"In fighting those who serve devils... their Masters hate them as much as they hate us... the moment [they become] useless to Hell, their own Masters finish the work for us. They break their tools."

- That Hideous Strength (pg 317)

Though men are indeed wicked and deserving of judgment (Acts 13:10 - Elemas, a "son of the Devil"), the condition of men is still pitiable. How sad to think of the fate of men and women living and dying serving the devil and not knowing the graciousness of the true Lord, Christ. I thought of this Sunday as I sat in the coffee shop watching people come and go.

It makes me think of 2 Chron. 12:8 - "But they will become his slaves so that they may learn the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries." Just like with the Lord and the kings of the earth, so it is in the spiritual realm. There is a big difference between serving the Lord and otherwise. You may be a "son of the devil" or a "friend of the world," but you won't be treated like a son or a friend. The devil and the world are not your friends. They break their tools.

Off To Asia

Dear Friends,

I will be traveling to India, Bangladesh, and Imphal for the next two weeks. The trip will entail various ventures, so I would appreciate prayer for wisdom, discernment, clearness of communication, and the power of the Spirit. I will be returning, Lord willing, on 1/25.

Your brother,
Mason

C.L. Culpepper on the Shantung Revival

This is a wonderful account of a revival in Shantung. You may find the account here.

Thoughts from RMM on his reading plan

Daily Bread,
being a calendar for reading through
the Word of God in a year
by Robert Murray McCheyne

"Thy Word is very pure; therefore thy servant loveth it."

MY DEAR FLOCK,—The approach of another year stirs up within me new desires for your salvation, and for the growth of those of you who are saved. "God is my record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ." What the coming year is to bring forth, who can tell? There is plainly a weight lying on the spirits of all good men, and a looking for some strange work of judgment coming upon this land. There is need now to ask that solemn question— "If in the land of peace wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?"

Those believers will stand firmest who have no dependence upon self or upon creatures, but upon Jehovah our Righteousness. We must be driven more to our Bibles, and to the mercy-seat, if we are to stand in the evil day. Then we shall be able to say like David—, "The proud have had me greatly in derision, yet have I not declined from thy law." "Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart standeth in awe of thy Word."

It has long been in my mind to prepare a scheme of Scripture reading, in which as many as were made willing by God might agree, so that the whole Bible might be read once by you in the year, and all might be feeding in the same portion of the green pasture at the same time.

I am quite aware that such a plan is accompanied with many

DANGERS.

1. Formality. We are such weak creatures that any regularly returning duty is apt to degenerate into a lifeless form. The tendency of reading the Word by a fixed rule may, in some minds, be to create this skeleton religion. This is to be the peculiar sin of the last days— "Having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." Guard against this. Let the calendar perish rather than this rust eat up your souls.
2. Self-righteousness. Some, when they have devoted their set time to reading the Word, and accomplished their prescribed portion, may be tempted to look at themselves with self-complacency. Many, I am persuaded, are living without any Divine work on their soul — unpardoned, and unsanctified, and ready to perish — who spend their appointed times in secret and family devotion. This is going to hell with a lie in the right hand.
3. Careless reading. Few tremble at the Word of God. Few, in reading it, hear the voice of Jehovah, which is full of majesty. Some, by having so large a portion, may be tempted to weary of it, as Israel did of the daily manna, saying—, "Our soul loatheth this light bread;" and to read it in a slight and careless manner. This would be fearfully provoking to God. Take heed lest that word be true of you— "Ye said, also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of Hosts."
4. A yoke too heavy to bear. Some may engage in reading with alacrity for a time, and afterwards feel it a burden grievous to be borne. They may find conscience dragging them through the appointed task without any relish of the heavenly food. If this be the case with any, throw aside the fetter and feed at liberty in the sweet garden of God. My desire is not to cast a snare upon you, but to be a helper of your joy.
If there be so many dangers, why propose such a scheme at all? To this I answer, that the best things are accompanied with danger, as the fairest flowers are often gathered in the clefts of some dangerous precipice. Let us weigh

THE ADVANTAGES.

1. The whole Bible will be read through in an orderly manner in the course of a year. The Old Testament once, the New Testament and Psalms twice. I fear many of you never read the whole Bible; and yet it is all equally divine. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect." If we pass over some parts of Scripture, we shall be incomplete Christians.
2. Time will not be wasted in choosing what portions to read. Often believers are at a loss to determine towards which part of the mountains of spices they should bend their steps. Here the question will be solved at once in a very simple manner.
3. Parents will have a regular subject upon which to examine their children and servants. It is much to be desired that family worship were made more instructive than it generally is. The mere reading of the chapter is often too like water split on the ground. Let it be read by every member of the family beforehand, and then the meaning and application drawn out by simple question and answer. The calendar will be helpful in this. Friends, also, when they meet, will have a subject for profitable conversation in the portions read that day. The meaning of difficult passages may be inquired from the more judicious and ripe Christians, and the fragrance of simpler Scriptures spread abroad.
4. The pastor will know in what part of the pasture the flock are feeding. He will thus be enabled to speak more suitably to them on the Sabbath; and both pastor and elders will be able to drop a word of light and comfort in visiting from house to house, which will be more readily responded to.
5. The sweet bond of Christian love and unity will be strengthened. We shall be often led to think of those dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, here and elsewhere, who agree to join with us in reading these portions. We shall oftener be led to agree on earth, touching something we shall ask of God. We shall pray over the same promises, mourn over the same confessions, praise God in the same songs, and be nourished by the same words of eternal life.

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The original article may be found here. And special thanks to Mona Leiter who sends most of the quotes which appear on this blog; at least the quotes which appear from me.

The Loneliness of the Christian

Thoughts from A.W. Tozer:

The loneliness of the Christian results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of good Christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His God-given instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorption in the love of Christ; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share his inner experiences he is forced to walk alone.

The unsatisfied longings of the prophets for human understanding caused them to cry out in their complaint, and even our Lord Himself suffered in the same way.

The man [or woman] who has passed on into the divine Presence in actual inner experience will not find many who understand him. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest, so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk. For this he earns the reputation of being dull and over-serious, so he is avoided and the gulf between him and society widens.

He searches for friends upon whose garments he can detect the smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces, and finding few or none he, like Mary of old, keeps these things in his heart.

It is this very loneliness that throws him back upon God. His inability to find human companionship drives him to seek in God what he can find nowhere else.

Update

I hope everyone had a wonderful time during the holidays. Due to an unexpected surgery (the removal of my appendix) and a semi-unexpected death (my aunt), I haven't been posting for a while. I did, however, want to remind those interested that today you will be reading your first installment for the Robert Murray McCheyne reading plan. My advice is to simply read the chapters. You won't be able to mine and assimilate the contents of every verse. However, a plan such as this is designed for the simple enjoyment of fellowship with the Holy Spirit. May God direct in all things.

Q&A With ML-J

I've been wanting to share this for some time now, but wasn't sure of the best way to do it; I trust this will be sufficient. Anyhow, this is a question and answer session that Martyn Lloyd-Jones participated in at a conference dealing with medicine and the supernatural in 1971. This is one of my absolute favorite Lloyd-Jones audio files, and I would highly encourage you to take the time to listen to it. It is unique in that the Doctor addresses some controversial and oft-neglected issues (e.g., healing, demonology, spiritual gifts) in a very balanced and Biblical way. I hope his answers encourage you to think harder about some of these difficult issues, and drive you back to search the scriptures to see if these things are so.

You can listen to the file using the audio player below:

boomp3.com

If you wish to download the file for future listening, you may do so using this link. The file is large (about 55MB), as I was afraid to compress it down any further at the risk of making the already low quality of the recording even worse.

I hope this is a blessing to you. As always, any feedback is appreciated.