Comments for In Weakness, Grace Abounds

Comment on …the unforgivable… by Barbara

Barbara — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:44:47 +0000

This is one of many areas where I appreciate the 1689:

Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

1._____ Although temporary believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.
( Job 8:13, 14; Matthew 7:22, 23; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:14, 18, 19, 21, 24; 1 John 5:13; Romans 5:2, 5 )

2._____ This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel; and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God; and, as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble and holy.
( Hebrews 6:11, 19; Hebrews 6:17, 18; 2 Peter 1:4, 5, 10, 11; Romans 8:15, 16; 1 John 3:1-3 )

3._____ This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it; yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of means, attain thereunto: and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; -so far is it from inclining men to looseness.
( Isaiah 50:10; Psalms 88; Psalms 77:1-12; 1 John 4:13; Hebrews 6:11, 12; Romans 5:1, 2, 5; Romans 14:17; Psalms 119:32; Romans 6:1,2; Titus 2:11, 12, 14 )

4._____ True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God’s withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light, yet are they never destitute of the seed of God and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due time be revived, and by the which, in the meantime, they are preserved from utter despair.
( Canticles 5:2, 3, 6; Psalms 51:8, 12, 14; Psalms 116:11; Psalms 77:7, 8; Psalms 31:22; Psalms 30:7; 1 John 3:9; Luke 22:32; Psalms 42:5, 11; Lamentations 3:26-31 )

Comment on …the unforgivable… by Ron

Ron — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:47:57 +0000

Haven’t read Grace Abounding yet, though there have been seasons when I did identify with that yo-you thing. I still wrestle with issues of the faith, the walk…..perhaps not necessarily issues of assurance anymore, but I still wrestle. Can be exhausting at times. I guess that is why I can never connect with that ‘don’t let the devil steal your joy’ rhetoric. It ain’t necessarily the devil that steals your joy. Reading Lamentations 3 recently, and I think God Himself sometimes purposes times of depression and hurt to mold, chastise, and conform us to His desire and teach us to wait….wait…and…wait…for the joy that will dawn. The Bible is full of narratives of saints who struggle with their fallen humanity, who worry, who despair at times.

Though we probably shouldn’t put too little weight on the intellectual components, and I know that is not your intent, I do whole-heartedly agree that it is the Holy Spirit that ultimately bears witness of our redemption and security in Christ. Sometimes, as you have said it just takes some longer than others to reach that point. I think, too, those that struggle more….will eventually savor more.

Comment on …the unforgivable… by Barbara

Barbara — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:24:26 +0000

By any chance have you read John Bunyan’s autobiography, Grace Abounding? He spent four years battling with the horrible thought that he might have committed the unforgiveable sin. He details the yo-yo that he was on in some detail and the Scriptures that, when applied to his heart, gave him great assurance. He also then details the events leading up to and including the battles he dealt with and the sweetness of Christ involved in his 12 year imprisonment during which he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress.

It’s worth noting, I think, that many of those who we consider giants of the faith, spent years wrestling with the question of their own assurance. Ultimately, it has to come not from intellectual understanding, not from working to convince ourselves, but as a testimony of the Holy Spirit Himself.

Comment on …a fill in the blank god… by mike daniels

mike daniels — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:35:23 +0000

i am coming to believe that it is these “almost correct” teachings and leaders who pose the greatest threat to the church. they are just close enough to be dismissed as “splitting hairs” and yet they completely miss the mark.
definition of the word heresy easily encompasses these guys, and yet we are castigated as judgemental dogs if we say they may be heretics.

The visible leadership of American hristianity to the average schmoe (even those honest enough to dismiss the TBN crew) starts with PDL pastor, these guys, and all the rest of the attractional WC groupies.

if persons were to state that they knew and loved my wife, then went on to misrepresent her and make her look cheap and arbitrary, i would assume that i would be allowed a portion of displeasure.

Why are we not all angry at the pitiful portrayal of our Lord and Savior?

Ron,
I only recently found this blog, but much of what you say affects me strongly. thanks

Comment on Almost beyond belief… by …for further validation… « In Weakness, Grace Abounds

…for further validation… « In Weakness, Grace Abounds — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:10:19 +0000

[...] flock, here you find a demonization of those who seek to hold a teacher accountable to the Word. Where have we seen this before? Quite frankly, this inappropriate playing of the Pharisee card is [...]

Comment on …a fill in the blank god… by Barbara

Barbara — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:51:07 +0000

It’s tragic. Spurgeon is noted for saying that the definition of discernment is knowing the difference between what is true and what is almost true. This clip is a classic example of saying a lot of true things while missing the Truth completely. He hit on a lot of trees, but he missed the rest forest and indeed, the forest itself. Tragic.

Comment on Evidence of an exercise in marketing a tepid “Gospel” by mike daniels

mike daniels — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:49:22 +0000

Ron,
Your post 12-16, was what i would hope to have written, but struggle with wanting to choke some of the blind guides just a bit and would not have been as gracious as you were.

Ian appears (we don’t really know him from this bit, and who knows, maybe he wrote ambiguous sarcasm and he really does agree with you) to be the true result of the theology and teaching that the sign and T shirt come from.
The jesus (small j intended) is an imaginary being, conjured in the minds of men. He is part santa claus, part robin hood, part benevolent philanthropist, part boy friend, and a tiny bit of biblical Christ.
This is a being to be loved, possibly “followed”, but not to whom one surrenders in repentant contrition. Lord of every moment and thought, whose commandments are to be obeyed. And the only doorway through which rebellious sinful man can come to right relationship with the Holy triune God.
This jesus’ cross is humanistically good news to all men, and certainly not the point of condemnation and judgement to all who do not believe.
This “good news” is not good at all. It will get trees planted, shoes and sandwiches delivered, and some shelters built. It will also provide a false sense of salvation to many, and hinder the true gospels delivery to others.

Comment on Evidence of an exercise in marketing a tepid “Gospel” by Ron

Ron — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:55:12 +0000

Hi Ian,

Thank you for your ‘thoughtful’ reply. Quite frankly, I am open to criticism, but upon rereading my post, I honestly do not read evidence in this post of my whining and self-righteousness. Do I struggle with self-righteousness sometimes? Yes. In this post, no. Do you disagree with my theology or theology behind those examples of cheap grace? Fine. We can talk about that, but your questioning my motives is a bit over the line.

Comment on Evidence of an exercise in marketing a tepid “Gospel” by Ian

Ian — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:39:59 +0000

Stop whining and get over your self-righteousness. They’re all just expressions of a person’s love for Christ.

Comment on Almost beyond belief… by Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:45:07 +0000

I didn’t say we be “peace loving and tolerant”, I said we’re called to defend and contend, but not to be meddlers. It’s one thing to be able to give an answer when something comes up, it’s another thing entirely to go looking for trouble. As Paul told Timothy, “Have nothing to do with them”. He didn’t say to hound them and pick apart their every word. He said to come out from them, and have nothing to do with them. Proclaim the truth, which in and of itself exposes the error when people have eyes to see and ears to hear; dwell on that which is good and of virtue; be salt and light. You don’t have to go on the offensive in order to offend the world; all you have to do is live faithfully according to the Truth; for it is that which is folly to the world which will shame the worldly-wise.