Filed under: General
After 49 years of opposition laden ministry:
“My dear brother, we must not mind a little suffering for
Christ’s sake. When I am getting through a hedge, if my
head and shoulders are safely through, I can bear the pricking
of my legs. Let us rejoice in the remembrance that our
holy Head has surmounted all His suffering and triumphed
over death. Let us follow Him patiently; we shall soon be
partakers of His victory.”
When speaking to John Wesley about his Calvinistic Tendencies:
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.”
Concerning Controversy and Debate:
“I know you will forgive me if I say that the very account
you give of yourself in relation to controversy is a dissuasive
from embarking in it. Let a man once engage in it,
and it is surprising how the love of it will grow upon him;
and he will find both a hare in every bush, and will follow
it with something of a huntsman’s feelings.”
Making mention of the need for Humiliation:
“With this sweet hope of ultimate acceptance with God, I
have always enjoyed much cheerfulness before men; but I
have at the same time labored incessantly to cultivate the
deepest humiliation before God. I have never thought that
the circumstance of God’s having forgiven me, was any
reason why I should forgive myself; on the contrary, I
have always judged it better to loathe myself the more, in
proportion as I was assured that God was pacified towards
me (Ezekiel 16:63). . . . There are but two objects that I
have ever desired for these forty years to behold; the one,
is my own vileness; and the other is, the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ: and I have always thought that they
should be viewed together; just as Aaron confessed all the
sins of all Israel whilst he put them on the head of the
scapegoat. The disease did not keep him from applying to
the remedy, nor did the remedy keep him from feeling the
disease. By this I seek to be, not only humble and thankful
but humbled in thankfulness, before my God and
Savior continually.”
On Repentance:
“Repentance is in every view so desirable, so necessary, so
suited to honor God, that I seek that above all. The tender
heart, the broken and contrite spirit, are to me far
above all the joys that I could ever hope for in this vale of
tears. I long to be in my proper place, my hand on my
mouth, and my mouth in the dust. . . . I feel this to be safe
ground. Here I cannot err. . . . I am sure that whatever God
may despise . . . He will not despise the broken and contrite
heart.”
(All quotes come from John Piper’s Book ‘Roots of Endurance’ from the Chapter on Charles Simeon)
Faithfulness is not the path to Biblical Success…
Faithfulness IS Biblical Success.
(Pastor Tim Jordan; 6/28/2009)
It was encouraging to hear the Pastor of the Church last night stand up and level with the Congregation. His message was a structured Testimony with a point and by the time he reached the end, the point was quite sharp.
This was not the first time in the past month that this sort of concept has come up. Along with my personal musing, the idea of Faithfulness was also the topic of a Wednesday Night Bible Study.
The head of the study asked the question – What does the life of faith [faithful life] look like?
When most of us hear this question we think of fruit, blessing, and success in some form as a reward for or as a sign of Faithfulness. Likewise, we have the tendency to view the opposite of all of these as signs of Unfaithfulness.
The Study on Wednesday Night focused in on Hebrews 11:32-38.
Looking at the first have of the passage (v. 32-35a) we see that through faith…
“…conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.”
This would seem to be the true marks of Faithfulness. You have great deeds accomplished by and for Men and Women of Faith. Blessing, Fruit, Success!
Yet, you read on in the passage (v. 35b-39) to see that some through faith…
“…Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised…”
Were it not for the inclusion of this section with the previous and the ending statement of the Author (not to mention a basic understanding of Christian History) we would be tempted to see this section as the outcome of sinful choices, disobedience, or straying.
At least, that is how we typically view bad outcomes and circumstances with our modern minds.
I have fallen prey time and time again to the errant concept that good life, good actions leads to comfortable and enjoyable circumstances. I follow the incorrect assumption that a Faithful life leads to “perfect” life. I use Faithfulness to fulfill my fleshly desire for comfort over God’s commendation for pleasing Him by submitting to His Will and Plan.
What I so often miss throughout all of this is - comfort does not compare with the satisfaction of knowing that faithfulness pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). With that in mind, the temporary discomforts and anxiety give way to peace and joy. The fears and sleepless nights give way to rest and comfort. It honestly is amazing how that works.
So… I will continue to “chew” on these thoughts. I will continue to strive to be Faithful. Though failures will come and situations may arise, may my God in the end say:
“Well Done… My good and Faithful Servant…”
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world
…and forfeits his soul?
Or what shall a man give
…in return for his soul?”
(Matthew 16:26)
Prior to yesterday evening I viewed this verse differently. The concept of gaining the World seemed like a hyperbolic statement. Really, who could gain the whole world? The acceptance, the adjure, the respect? Who, after they take their final breath, would be mourned by cultures?
As we all know by now, Michael Jackson passed away. What followed the announcement of his death was amazing, if not a little frightening. Crowds gathered, the news stations had special reports, and vigils were held. This was not limited to our Country.
Michael Jackson, in essence, gained the World. His name is known globally, his Music is viewed as being some of the most respected across cultures, and today the world is mourning. Yet, by most accounts, we would say that he lost his own Soul. That which lasts, that which is timeless will eternally face the requirement of Righteous Justice.
So, the question can now be asked – What would he give in return for his Soul?
I daresay, he would have given the World.
Things are Changing… Not only around me as we are getting ready to have a Baby… But inside as I look around and see situations over which I have no control.
To say that I have been unaffected would be far from the truth. To say that I have responded correctly throughout would be far fetched. There has been tears, frustration, impatience, questions. There has been countless hours spent wondering “why” and “how.”
And throughout all of this - God knows. He is not removed from trials and struggles, but He is there with me throughout. He has Compassion, Sympathy… Empathy as He, in the form of Jesus, has experienced similar and far more. He, as my Creator, remembers my frame and knows that I am dust.
The issue, that has become perfectly clear, is not that God has forgotten or does not understand, but that I do not remember God. Those Characteristics listed… they often slip from my memory. His promises for His Children are so easily forgotten by my frail mind. The grace He gives each day and the Mercy He shows each morning remains neglected.
God is still God. It is “I” that change and forget.
