Sex and the Supremacy of Christ December 31, 2007
Posted by brian in : John Piper , 1 comment so far
Happy New Year!!! December 30, 2007
Posted by Eddie in : Blog, Jonathan Edwards, Holiness , add a comment
Every year’s end, most of us begin to reflect on things that we would like to improve upon in our lives. We think about a new beginning with a clean slate. We think about the highs and lows, joys and regrets, things that we want to change, and things that we wouldn’t change for the world.
If you are like me, you think about how true Romans 7 is and you plead for help in the coming year to do less of the things you don’t want to do and the strength and grace to do more of what you should and to put the wretched man to death. Each year reminds me of just how fast the previous one flew by and the reality of the truth that life truly is a vapor and a mere breath (Psalm 39:5. Job 7:7,16), which in turn reminds me to ask God to help me to number my days rightly so that I can live wisely. (Psalm 90:12)
We make promises to ourselves (and others), resolutions, commitments… we break out the “bible-in-a-year” reading plans, we start new accountability groups, we join gyms and all by January’s end we see our failures and are discouraged.
Remember that your own fortitude won’t do it. Your ingenuity won’t do it. Your will-power definitely won’t do it. Take time to heed the wisdom of Peter. Use the strength that God provides.
“whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” -1 Peter 4:11
Jonathan Edwards made some resolutions (Not just because it was December 31st like we do in our culture today!). He resolved to fight to be more set apart for Christ. And whenever he saw a need to make one, he resolved in his heart from that very day to fight against the things that would detract from Christ getting maximum glory from his life. It didn’t matter if it was as simple as eating or sleeping. He truly did not want to waste his life. John Piper would be proud!
Below are his resolutions. They are humbling, challenging, and while I’m at words ending in I-N-G, I’ll add downright intimidating! Which ones (if any) would you like to implement? If you are making up your own, a good question to ask yourself may be “How do I intend to do these good deeds in a way where God the Father gets the glory and not me?” (Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12, 4:11)
Have a Christ-Treasuring new year.
(2 Corinthians 4:7, 12:9, Ephesians 3:7,16,20, 6:10, Philippians 4:13, Colossians 1:11,29, 1 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 2:1, 4:17)
BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD’ S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST’ S SAKE.
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Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’ s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’ s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’ s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’ s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.
44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.Š June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those ‹groanings which cannot be utteredŠ (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those‹breakings of soul for the longing it hath,Š of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton’ s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.
Why it is Important to Know How God Converts the Human Soul (Mark Kielar) December 28, 2007
Posted by Lane in : Cross TV, Free Will, Mark Kielar, Born Again , add a commentUnder Grace December 20, 2007
Posted by brian in : John Piper , add a commentFree from Sin, Slaves of Righteousness Part 2
“Under Grace,” so Sin Is not Your Master
So the question today is: Why does being “under grace” ensure – guarantee – that sin will not be master over those who are under grace? Verse 14: “Sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” What is it about being under grace that guarantees that sin will not be master over us?
I will mention three things, two from the wider context of Romans, one from the immediate context.
1. When we are under grace the wrath of God is entirely removed from us, so that all God’s action toward us is saving action.
All his power flows in the service of his mercy, and not the service of his wrath or punishment. He is for us and not against us. Therefore our chief enemy, sin, will not defeat us.
Romans 8:1 says, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” – that is, for those who are “under grace.” And what does this imply about our future? Let Romans 8:31-32 answer: “If God is for us, who is against us? 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?” In other words, if God did the hardest thing in justifying us – putting us under grace – at the cost of his Son, then he will do everything necessary to save us, including not letting sin be master over us.
Being “under grace” means being out from under wrath. And when we are out from under the wrath of God, all his power stands in the service of his mercy to help do whatever it takes to get us to glory (Romans 8:30). So the first answer is: being under grace guarantees that sin will not be master over us because being under grace means being out from under wrath, and having all the power of God on our side and not against us.
2. Second, when we are “under grace,” paralyzing guilt that makes us hopeless in the fight with sin is taken away.
This was my argument from Romans 6:6b-7. So I will not dig into it again here. Notice the last phrase in verse 6: “. . . so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.” That’s the goal we are after in this chapter: real freedom from sinning. Then comes the foundation of this liberty in verse 7: “For he who has died is freed [literally: “justified”] from sin.” Which is the same as saying, “For he is under grace, not under law.”
In other words, justification by faith alone is the foundation for not being a slave of sin. Which is another way of saying that being “under grace” is the foundation for not being a slave of sin. And the point I made some weeks ago was that one reason that some people are enslaved to sin is that they feel so hopeless they won’t even make the effort to change. That is what the teaching and the reality of justification by faith alone is meant to overcome. So the second reason we see that being “under grace” guarantees that sin will not be master over us is that being under grace means being out from under the kind of guilt that is so paralyzing and hope-defeating, we don’t even take up the fight with sin.
3. Now, finally, when we are under grace, God is at work in us to will and to do his good pleasure.
That’s a quote from Philippians 2:13, but let me show it to you from the immediate context of Romans 6:14-19. The key verse on this point is verse 17: “But thanks be to God . . .” Notice that carefully. What is he going to thank God for? What has God done? “Thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed (literally: to which you were handed over).” What is he thanking God for? He is thanking God for their obedience to the teaching of the apostles. And it is not mechanical, but “from the heart.”
This is what happens under grace. When the wrath of God is removed, and paralyzing guilt is taken away, the saving work of God is sanctifying work. That is, God inclines your heart to obey the form of teaching to which the apostles handed you over. “Thanks be to God that you became obedient” from the heart!
You see this again in the wording of verse 18. Notice the passive verbs. Who is doing the acting in these verbs: “And having been freed from sin, you became slaves of (literally: were enslaved to) righteousness”? Here again it is God at work. God “freed” you from sin. God “enslaved” you to righteousness.
So there are two supports for this third point. When we are “under grace,” God works in us to do his will. That is why sin will not be master over us if we are under grace. We see it first in the words of verse 17: “Thanks be to God that you became obedient.” And we see it secondly in the words of verse 18: We “were freed” (by God!) from sin and we “were enslaved” (by God!) to righteousness. This was God’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.
To sum up, then, we’ve been asking why being “under grace” guarantees that sin will not be master over us. Reason one: because under grace, the wrath of God is entirely removed and the power of God flows to us in saving, helping, keeping mercy, not punishment. Reason two: because under grace, paralyzing guilt is taken away and we are given hope that it is worth it to fight sin. Reason three: because under grace God himself comes into our lives and inclines our hearts away from sin and toward righteousness.
O satisfy me! December 19, 2007
Posted by brian in : John Piper , 5commentsPsalm 90:14
14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
I am going through such a dark period for my soul. I feel like I am hanging on by a thread.
I am so tired of not doing the good I want to do but rather the evil that I hate!
So I am going back to some of the basics for myself. To satisfy my soul with the Gospel
