2007·10·02
“Be ye transformed”
Luther's Commentary on Romans · Martin Luther
I’m not a preacher, but I have occasionally played one when asked to fill in. Of the few times I have done so, there is really only one that I can look back on with any satisfaction that I did right with that responsibility. On that occasion, I chose Romans 12:1–2 for my text.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Since then, I have always been interested in seeing how real expositors handle that text. I am always gratified to find that I didn’t botch it completely, and in fact agreed almost entirely with those who know far better than I. However, I am also severely humbled to see how much I missed. (Would you believe my “exposition” was only twenty-five minutes long? I missed a lot.) Luther heaps more shame upon me:
Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (12:2). In this way the Apostle describes (Christian) progress; for he addresses those who already are Christians. The Christian life does not mean to stand still, but to move from that which is good to that which is better. St. Bernard (of Clairvaux) rightly says: “As soon as you do not desire to become better, then you have ceased to be good.” It does not help a tree to have green leaves and and flowers if it does not bear fruit besides its flowers. For this reason — (for not bearing fruit) — many (nominal Christians) perish in their flowering. Man (the Christian) is always in the condition of nakedness, always in the state of becoming, always in the state of potentiality, always in the condition of activity. He is always a sinner, but also always repentant and so always righteous. We are in part sinners, and in part righteous. No one is so good as that he could not become better; no one is so evil, as that he could not become worse.
This (fact) the Apostle expresses very nicely by saying “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” He adds “By the renewing of your mind” to stress that renewal of the mind, which takes place from day to day and progresses farther and farther, according to the words, II Corinthians 4:16: “The inward man is renewed day by day”; of Colossians 3:10: “Be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind” or “Put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”
—Martin Luther, Commentary on Romans, trans. J. Theodore Mueller (Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1954), 151–152.
What a rich passage this is! Maybe I’ll live long enough to thoroughly appreciate it. I have long said that being a Christian is not a matter of doing, but of being. I think I’ll have to replace being with becoming.
2007·10·03
Matthew 7:3–5
This is one of those reactionary posts that I try to avoid. But I’m not avoiding this one. While I will refer to a particular blog post and blogger, I have refrained from identifying any individual because this is really addressed to a number of people who like to pit the pursuit of doctrinal precision against “what Christians are really supposed to care about”—the poor, etc.
You could say I got up on the wrong side of the bed today. The irritation actually began some time ago, and came to a head a couple of weeks ago when a blogger I used to enjoy reading wrapped up the claims and insinuations of several others in one succinct, sanctimonious post. As much as I have tried to put it out of my head—after all, his screed was nothing new, just more abrasive than previous similar attacks—I woke up thinking about that post today. The point? That those who debate theology and are committed to doctrinal fidelity are really only interested in theoretical Christianity, that our religion goes no farther than the head, never reaching our hands.
The following assertions—entirely unsupported—were made: We don’t pray for those who disagree with us. We don’t care for the sick, lonely, or widowed. We don’t evangelize. We don’t give to material needs. We are not hospitable. We don’t, in fact, make any difference for Christ in anyone’s life. We just sit around arguing.
In the interest of honesty, the author claimed to be intentionally provocative in order to make a point. However, those assertions were the sum total of his post. They were not subtle insinuations. While I have condensed and slightly paraphrased them, he wrote exactly what you see here.
And so I admit, I am angry. I’m not angry because I’ve taken this personally. I could, but that’s none of your business. I have enough trouble keeping from my right hand what my left hand is doing (Matthew 6:3) without putting it down in writing. Being accused of not doing those things doesn’t help keep me from thinking about it, either, thank you very much.
I’m angry because these charges are patently false; because they distort the Gospel and the purpose of the church; they belittle the Biblical charges to “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1Timothy 4:13), to “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (4:16), to “keep that which is committed to thy trust” (6:20), etc.; they slander a multitude of brothers and sisters who have demonstrated otherwise on countless occasions throughout my life.
I’ve experienced some hard times the likes of which few of you will ever know. Through those times, God has been faithful to provide for me and my family, and he has done it through people, some of them being willing also to contend for sound doctrine. They visited me in the hospital. One of them even argued with me in the hospital, God bless him. They cared for my family in my absence. Some people, I know, made significant sacrifices for us. I couldn’t possibly remember all the kindnesses we’ve received, let alone list them here.
I received the Gospel from teachers for whom doctrinal fidelity was paramount. I will never forget the day when a man who is now the head of a seminary took the time to come out to the backyard where I was playing, kneel in the dirt with my trucks and tractors, and talk to me about Jesus.
I know that not everyone does what they ought. In fact, I know that no one does all that they ought. But I’m very tired of the kind of people who seem to think it is their calling to go about as self-appointed prophets, denouncing left and right, nagging others as though they know exactly what God wants them to do and when.
There are Christians all over the world—yes, even among us evil American capitalists—who contend for sound doctrine, pray for those who disagree with them, evangelize, and care for the needs of those around them. They aren’t rare. They just aren’t writing blog posts bragging about it. So take your sanctimonious diatribes and—just for kicks—apply them to yourselves.*
2007·10·05
I Deny All Charges
Humor?
My dear wife has been pestering asking me to post this; so, to get her off my back because I’ll do anything for her, here it is. Please bear in mind that she has been under a great deal of stress lately and may not have been thinking clearly.
Thirsty caught cheating
Yes, as terrible as it is to have your illusions shattered, it is true.
The Thirsty Theologian has been caught red handed, in the act, hand-in-the-cookie-jar caught! I, Mrs. Thirsty, was casually strolling by the office tonight and happened to stop in only to see a computer page quickly disappear and be replaced by another scholarly looking page with writing and computer language that we novices don’t understand. It was only through my superior powers of observation that I noticed a minimized tab at the bottom of the computer that read DVD Player. Then the jig was up. I knew that he was guilty. That’s right, guilty.
We had recently been watching the first season of The Andy Griffith Show, and it was a family event. Once in a while, when the work was done, we would gather round and watch an episode or two. Then, today the second season arrived in the mail and that’s all it took. While I was slaving away making tater-tot hotdish (tater-tots were on sale), he was on the computer with the sound turned down low, sneaking a few episodes while I thought he was working industriously at his blog. All I can say to those wives out there who have husbands who blog is, “Beware! This could happen to your man, too. It is a good thing to be on guard. Sin could be crouching at the door.”
It’s not like it sounds. I was doing research.
2007·10·06
Funny Spam
Bloggage
A comment apparently left by the Russian mafia:
If you want do delete your site from our spam bases - just email us with domain of your site:
abuse-here@inbox.ru
thank you!
I ain't no fool. I wasn't born yesterday. I also didn't just fall off the turnip truck. That happened years ago.
2007·10·07
Lord’s Day 40, 2007
John Newton · Lord’s Day · Olney Hymns
I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. Psalme 122:1 (Geneva Bible)
HYMN I 8,6,8,6
ADAM. Gen iii. 9.
by John Newton (1725-1807)
 n man, in his own image made,
How much did God bestow?
The whole creation homage paid,
And owned him Lord, below!
He dwelt in Eden’s garden, stored
With sweets for every sense;
And there with his descending Lord
He walked in confidence.
But O! by sin how quickly changed!
His honor forfeited,
His heart, from God and truth, estranged,
His conscience filled with dread!
Now from his Maker’s voice he flees,
Which was before his joy:
And thinks to hide, amidst the trees,
From an All–seeing eye.
Compelled to answer to his name,
With stubbornness and pride
He cast, on God himself, the blame,
Nor once for mercy cried.
But grace, unasked, his heart subdued
And all his guilt forgave;
By faith, the promised seed he viewed,
And felt his pow’r to save.
Thus we ourselves would justify,
Though we the Law transgress;
Like him, unable to deny,
Unwilling to confess.
But when by faith the sinner sees
A pardon bought with blood;
Then he forsakes his foolish pleas,
And gladly turns to God.
From Olney Hymns. Book I: On select Passages of Scripture.
 salme 52 (Geneva Bible)
To him that excelleth. A Psalme of Dauid to giue instruction. When Doeg the Edomite came and shewed Saul, and saide to him, Dauid is come to the house of Abimelech.
1 Why boastest thou thy selfe in thy wickednesse, O man of power? the louing kindenesse of God indureth dayly.
2 Thy tongue imagineth mischiefe, and is like a sharpe rasor, that cutteth deceitfully.
3 Thou doest loue euill more then good, and lies more then to speake the trueth. Selah.
4 Thou louest all wordes that may destroye, O deceitfull tongue!
5 So shall God destroy thee for euer: he shall take thee and plucke thee out of thy tabernacle, and roote thee out of ye land of the liuing. Selah.
6 The righteous also shall see it, and feare, and shall laugh at him, saying,
7 Beholde the man that tooke not God for his strength, but trusted vnto the multitude of his riches, and put his strength in his malice.
8 But I shall bee like a greene oliue tree in the house of God: for I trusted in the mercie of God for euer and euer.
9 I will alway praise thee, for that thou hast done this, and I will hope in thy Name, because it is good before thy Saints.
Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lorde Jesus Christ.
2007·10·08
Fleeing wrath, or Seeking Glory?
What is your aim as you study the Bible? Is it to know God, or something less?
Is our most pressing spiritual ambition simply to “flee the wrath to come” (Lk. 3)? Or is it much more? Is it also to seek the glory of the One who is to come (1 Thess. 1)? If mostly the former, then why should we be surprised that Sunday Schools, for example, are far more intent on discussing Biblical solutions to day-to-day survival issues than exposing students to the successes of a sovereign who, right now, is saturating the nations with the triumphs of His grace?
—David Bryant, Christ Is All!.
2007·10·10
“Satan temps . . . when God pleaseth”
The Christian in Complete Armour · William Gurnall
Satan temps not when he will, but when God pleaseth, and the same Holy Spirit which led Christ into the field, brought him off with victory. And therefore we find him marching in the power of his Spirit, after he had repulsed Satan, into Galilee, Lu. iv. 14. When Satan temps a saint he is but God’s messenger, 2 Co. xii. 7. ‘There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger Satan to buffet me.’ So our translation. But rather as Beza, who will have it in [the nomination case] the messenger Satan, implying that his was sent of God to Paul; and indeed the errand he came about was too good and gracious to be his own, lest I should be exalted above measure. The devil never meant to do Paul such a good office, but God sends him to Paul, as David sent Uriah with letters to Joab; neither knew the contents of their message. The devil and his instruments, both are Gods instruments, therefore the wicked are called his sword, his axe; now let God alone to wield the one and handle the other. He is but a bungler that hurts and hackles his own legs with his own axe; which God should do, if his children should be the worse for Satan’s temptations. Let the devil choose his way, God is for him at every weapon. If he will try it by force of arms, and assault the saints by persecution, as the Lord of hosts he will oppose him. If by policy and subtlety, he is ready there also. The devil and his whole council are but fools to God. Nay, their wisdom, foolishness, cunning and art, commend everything but sin. The more artificial the watch, the picture, &c., the better; but the more wit and art in sin the worse, because it is employed against an all-wise God, that cannot be outwitted, and therefore will in the end but pay the workman in greater damnation. ‘The foolishness of God is wiser that men;’ yea, than the wisdom of men and devils, that is, the means and instruments which God opposeth Satan withal. What weaker that a sermon? Who sillier that the saints in the account of the wise world? Yet God is wiser in a weak sermon, than Satan is in his deep plots, wherein the state heads of a whole conclave of profound cardinals are knocked together—wiser in his simple ones, than Satan in his Ahitophels and Sanballats. And truly God chooseth on purpose to defeat the policies of hell and earth by these, that he may put such to greater shame, 1 Co. i. 21. How is the great scholar shamed to be baffled by a plain countryman’s argument? Thus God calls forth Job to Wrestle with Satan and his seconds—for such his three friends showed themselves in taking the devil’s part—and sure he is not able to hold up the cudgels against the fencing-master, who is beaten by one of the scholars. God sits laughing while hell and earth sit plotting, Ps. ii. 4; ‘He disappointeth the devices of the crafty,’ Job v. 12, he breaketh their studied thoughts and plots, as the words import, in one moments pulling down the labors of many year’s policy. Indeed as great men keep wild beasts for game and sport, as the fox, the boar, &c., so doth God Satan and his insturments, to manifest his wisdom in the taking of them. It is observed, that the very hunting of some beast affords not only pleasure to the hunter, but also more sweetness to the eater. Indeed God, by displaying of his wisdom in the pursuit of the saint’s enemies, doth superadd a sweet relish to their deliverance at last. He brake the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gave him to be meat to his people. After he had hunted Pharaoh out of all his forms and burrows, now he breaks the very brains of all his plots, and severs him up to his people, with the garnishment of his wisdom and power about.
—William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour(Edinburgh, Banner of Truth Trust, 2002), 101–102.
2007·10·11
“The Lord searches your heart”
David: Man of Prayer, Man of War · Walter Chantry
I love Banner of Truth! My bookshelves have filled to overflowing, and Banner of Truth is largely to blame. They are fast becoming the dominant publisher in my library. With works from the Reformers and Puritans to great Reformed authors still living today, Banner is one of the very few publishers today who really publish no bad books. I have just recently received my first Banner publication written by a living author, David: Man of Prayer, Man of War by Walter J. Chantry. Here is the first of what I am sure will be several quotes:
It was the Lord who chose David to be king, not Samuel nor the people of Israel. Nothing that we can observe was decisive with God. He chose David for the unseen qualities of the inner man. God finds his servants in unexpected places: Joseph in a prison, David in a sheep pen, Luther in a miner’s cottage. At the lowest point of his life David was to cry, ‘Behold, you delight in truth in the4 inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart’ (Psa. 51:6). In Psalm 66:18 the Psalmist of Israel wrote, ‘if I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.’ David’s son by Bathsheba wrote ‘Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life’ (Prov. 4:23). The Lord searches your heart. What does he find?
—Walter J. Chantry, David: Man of Prayer, Man of War (Edinburgh, Banner of Truth Trust, 2007), pp. 13-14.
Correction: I don't know why I said this was my first Banner publication by a living author. I've read a few by Iain Murray, and even quoted them here. Maybe it's because Murray's books are about dead people.
2007·10·12
". . . if the campaign is protracted . . ."
Some advice for the President, Secretary of Defense, and Joint Chiefs:
When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men's weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be damped. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength.
Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the State will not be equal to the strain.
—Sun Tzu, The Art of War
2007·10·13
Where's My Nobel Prize?
Humor? · Politics
So Al Gore wins a Nobel prize for "raising awareness about global warming."
I've spread countless loads of manure—beef, dairy, swine—on fields from Wisconsin to North Dakota. What do I get? A big, fat nothing.
Is that fair?
2007·10·14
Lord’s Day 41, 2007
John Mason · Lord’s Day · Worthy Is the Lamb
I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. Psalme 122:1 (Geneva Bible)
Communion With God
by John Mason (1646–1694)
 las, my God, that we should be
Such strangers to each other;
Oh, that as friends we might agree,
And walk and talk together.
Thou knowest my soul does dearly love
the place of Thine abode;
No music drops so sweet a sound,
As these two words—My God.
I long not for the fruit that grows
Within these gardens here;
I find no sweetness in their rose,
When Jesus in not near.
Thy gracious presence, O my Christ,
Can make a paradise;
Ah! What are all the goodly pearls
Unto these pearl of price?
May I taste that communion, Lord,
The people have with Thee?
Thy Spirit daily talks with them,
Oh, let Him talk with me.
Like Enoch, let me walk with God,
And thus walk out my day,
Attended by the heavenly guards
Upon my King’s highway.
When wilt Thou come to me, O Lord?
Oh, come, my Lord most dear;
Come near, come nearer, nearer still,
I’m well when Thou art near.
When wilt Thou come to me, O Lord?
I languish for Thy sight,
Ten thousand suns, if Thou art strange,
Are shades instead of light.
When wilt Thou come to me, O Lord?
For till Thou doest appear,
I count each moment for a day,
Each minute for a year.
Come, Lord, and never from me Go,
This world’s a darksome place;
I find no pleasure here below,
When Thou dost veil Thy face.
There’s no such thing as pleasure here,
My Jesus is my all;
As Thou dost shine or disappear,
My pleasures rise or fall.
Come, spread Thy savor o’er my frame;
No sweetness is so sweet,
Till I get up to sing Thy name,
Where all Thy singers meet.
—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).
salme 59 (Geneva Bible). To him that excelleth. Destroy not. A Psalme of David on Michtam. When Saul sent and they did watch the house to kill him.
1 O my God, deliuer mee from mine enemies: defend me from them that rise vp against me.
2 Deliuer me from the wicked doers, and saue me from the bloody men.
3 For loe, they haue layd waite for my soule: the mightie men are gathered against me, not for mine offence, nor for my sinne, O Lord.
4 They runne and prepare themselues without a fault on my part: arise therefore to assist me, and beholde.
5 Euen thou, O Lord God of hostes, O God of Israel awake to visit all the heathen, and be not merciful vnto all that transgresse maliciously. Selah.
6 They goe to and from in the euening: they barke like dogs, and goe about the citie.
7 Behold, they brag in their talke, and swords are in their lips: for, Who, say they, doeth heare?
8 But thou, O Lord, shalt haue them in derision, and thou shalt laugh at all the heathen.
9 He is strong: but I will waite vpon thee: for God is my defence.
10 My mercifull God will preuent me: God wil let me see my desire vpon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, least my people forget it: but scatter them abroad by thy power, and put them downe, O Lord our shield,
12 For the sinne of their mouth, and the words of their lips: and let them be taken in their pride, euen for their periurie and lies, that they speake.
13 Consume them in thy wrath: consume them that they be no more: and let them knowe that God ruleth in Iaakob, euen vnto the ends of the world. Selah.
14 And in the euening they shall go to and from, and barke like dogs, and go about the citie.
15 They shall runne here and there for meate: and surely they shall not be satisfied, though they tary all night.
16 But I wil sing of thy power, and will prayse thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast bene my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Vnto thee, O my Strength, wil I sing: for God is my defence, and my mercifull God.
Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lorde Jesus Christ.
2007·10·15
“Of whom the world was not worthy”
Polycarp · The Early Church Fathers
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. —Hebrews 11:32–40
THE MARTYRDOM OF POLYCARP
CHAP. IX — POLYCARP REFUSES TO REVILE CHRIST.
. . . And as he was brought forward, the tumult became great when they heard that Polycarp was taken. And when he came near, the proconsul asked him whether he was Polycarp. On his confessing that he was, [the proconsul] sought to persuade hem to deny [Christ], saying, “Have respect to thy old age,” and other similar things, according to their customs, [such as], “Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent, and say, Away with the Atheists.” But Polycarp, gazing with a stern countenance on all the multitude of the wicked heathen then in the stadium, and waving his hand toward them, while with groans he looked up to heaven, said, “Away with the Atheists.” Then, the proconsul urging him, and saying, “Swear, and I will set thee at liberty, reproach Christ;” Polycarp declared, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”
CHAP. X — POLYCARP CONFESSES HIMSELF A CHRISTIAN.
And when the proconsul yet again pressed him, and said, “Swear by the fortune of Caesar,” he answered, “Since thou art vainly urgent that, as thou sayest, I should swear by the fortunes of Caesar, and pretendest not to know who and what I am, hear me declare with boldness, I am a Christian. And if you wish to learn what the doctrines of Christianity are, appoint me a day, and thou shalt hear them.” The proconsul replied, “Persuade the people.” But Polycarp said, “To thee I have thought it right to offer and account [of my faith]; for we are taught to give all due honour (Which entails no injury upon ourselves) to the powers and authorities which are ordained of God. But as for these, I do not deem them worthy of receiving any account from me.”
CHAP. XI — NO THREATS HAVE ANY EFFECT ON POLYCARP.
The proconsul then said to him, “I have wild beasts at hand; to these will I cast thee, except thou repent.” But he answered, “Call them then, for we are not accustomed to repent of what is good in order to adopt that which is evil; and it is well for me to be changed from what is evil to what is righteous.” But again the proconsul said to him “I will cause thee to be consumed by fire, seeing thou despiseth the wild beasts, if thou wilt not repent.” But Polycarp said “Thou threatenest me with fire which burneth for an hour, and after a little is extinguished, but art ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and the eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. But why tarriest thou? Bring forth what thou wilt.”
—from The Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. 1.
So Polycarp, disciple of the Apostle John, went to his death. Others continue to suffer for their faith today. A testimony sent to The Voice of the Martyrs from a believer in Myanmar (Burma):
One day we were sitting at the temple entrance receiving collections from the people, one of the Christians passing by gave me a tract. I kept it to take home with me and read it later. When I read this tract it spoke of receiving the gift of eternal life when believing in Jesus Christ. I started to question and wonder, ‘How can we know eternal life? What is this eternal life the tract spoke of?’
I asked my wife and children about the matter of eternal life, and they simply joked about it saying, ‘Father you are a good man, you will surely be a rich man in your next life.’ But the thought would not leave me, I felt it deeply as I was growing older, When I die, will there be a place that I go to? So I kept thinking about this over and over in my heart and mind, until finally at midnight I called on Jesus, ‘Lord Jesus I believe, please give me eternal life.’ The Lord Jesus heard my prayer and answered my call.
Then the light shone into my soul, light in my heart which was great joy. Simply stated, I am at peace, a real peace in my heart which I had never experienced before, which is difficult to put into words.
Early the next morning I knew in my heart that I must throw out the image of Buddha, which I had previously worshipped every day. Without speaking to my wife, I took the image and threw it into a small river near my village.
. . .
Please pray for me as I have been forced to leave my village, my wife and my two children who I love dearly. I pray that I may soon be able to return back to them. I love them but I cannot do what they have asked me to do—curse my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, come back to Buddha and my family.
May our Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on my family and my fellow-villagers.
And I was thinking the other day about one time when I was lightly ridiculed for my faith and how well I had taken it, almost proud of myself.
2007·10·16
John Calvin’s Work Ethic
John Calvin
I picked up Steve Lawson’s little book The Expository Genius of John Calvin late last night and got about half-way through it before falling asleep. Calvin’s life is a monument to God in many ways. One of the things that impresses me about him is his incredible work ethic, driven by his passion for his calling to preach the Word.
[Calvin’s] drivenness can been in his letter to one Monsieur de Falais in 1546: “Apart from the sermons and the lectures, there is a month gone by in which I have scarce done anything, in such wise I am almost ashamed to live thus useless.” It should be noted that Calvin had preached a mere twenty sermons that month and given only twelve lectures. He was hardly the idle servant he imagined himself to be.*
It can hardly be disputed that Calvin drove himself harder than was wise, and his health suffered for it. Yet such was his passion for preaching and teaching the Word that he simply could not do nothing, even when bedridden. Theodore Beza wrote of him, “He had no expression more frequently on his lips than that life would be bitter to him if spent in indolence.”† Lawson writes:
Eventually, Calvin did become an invalid, but he had himself carried to church on a stretcher in order to preach.‡
Think of that the next time you’re tempted to call in sick!
This is a great little book that could easily be read in one or two sittings, and I encourage every pastor to read it. However, this is not just a book for pastors. We all need encouragement and inspiration to be passionate and diligent in our pursuit of God and his Word.
2007·10·17
“None can drive him from his work”
The Christian in Complete Armour · William Gurnall
And now, Christian, may be their confidence, together with the distracted state of Christ’s affairs in the work, may discompose thy spirit, concerning the issue of these rolling providences that are over our heads; but be still, poor heart, and know that the contest is not between the church and Satan, but between Christ and him. These are the to champions. Stand now, O ye army of saints, still, by faith, to see the all-wise God wrestle with a subtle devil. If you live not to see the period of these great confusions, yet generations after you shall behold the Almighty smite off this Goliath’s head with his own sword, and take this cunning hunter in the toil of his own policies; that faith which ascribes greatness and wisdom to God, will shrink up Satan’s subtlety into a nigrum nihil—a thing of nothing. Unbelief fears Satan as a lion, faith treads on him as a worm. Behold therefore thy God at work, and promise thyself that what he is about, will be an excellent piece. None can drive him from his work.
—William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour (Edinburgh, Banner of Truth Trust, 2002), 110.
2007·10·18
“Fall in step with the Spirit”
David: Man of Prayer, Man of War · Walter Chantry
How is it that some tell us the saints did not possess the Spirit in the Old Testament era? Is true that they did not possess the fullness of the revelation objectively given, nor did they have the fullness of the Spirit’s inward operations upon the least in the kingdom of God, as would be given in the New Covenant. Yet, as we observe David’s zeal for the glory of the living God, his sterling faith in the Almighty, and his wisdom beyond human years, who would not stand amazed at the heights to which the Holy Spirit carried him? And, as we read and ponder the Psalms, which of us does not yearn to draw near to David’s inward levels of spiritual exercise?
The same Holy Spirit who was operative at the creation is operative in the work of new creation before Christ came. Exploits of the saints before our Lord’s coming can be explained in no other way than this, ‘The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon’ them. Let us not make a folk-hero or a super-human figure out of David. He is another of the saints of Hebrews 11. The Spirit of the Lord was with them all.
As David left Saul’s tent [to face Goliath], the youth, soon to be the new hero of Israel, had his eye confidently fixed upon his God. The once-popular leader of God’s people had lost God’s Spirit, God’s favor, God’s prophet, and God’s word for his guidance. With these losses came the loss of courage, joy, peace, and a sound mind. It is a stunning contrast.
Rather, let us crave in our lives the presence of the Holy Spirit, producing the same qualities to be found in David. Let us ask the Father for the Holy Spirit daily. Let us beware of quenching, grieving, and sinning against the Holy Spirit. Saul stands as a monument of warning.
Jesus once said with eloquent brevity, ‘Remember Lot’s wife.’ it would be well to say, ‘Remember Saul.’ the Spirit of the Lord departed from him. That too is a reality.
Others since his day have shared his experience. Sensitively welcome the Spirit as the holy Guest he is. Fall in step with the Spirit.
—Walter J. Chantry, David: Man of Prayer, Man of War (Edinburgh, Banner of Truth Trust, 2007), 31-32.
2007·10·19
Divine Providence and War
David: Man of Prayer, Man of War · Walter Chantry
We live in a day in which multitudes believe that God’s only interest in violent warfare is to express disapproval of it. Many suggest that the God of the Old Testament is discredited and that he has been replaced by the New Testament God on only love and peace. Such a view ignores the positive teaching of Romans 13:1–7. There we are told that rulers, bearing the sword in just causes and in defense of the good, are God’s agents of justice.
Many pacifists refuse to recognize the depths of evil in the hearts of those rogues who rule aggressive and oppressive states. Others, with the same devotion to no aggression, are relatives who are angered to hear anyone label one cause ‘evil’ and another ‘good’. The hand of divine providence is not withheld from any war. At times the design of neither combatant is accomplished, but a third design (in the secret will of God) is established. All warriors may be left with ‘unintended consequences’, to their way of thinking.
—Walter J. Chantry, David: Man of Prayer, Man of War (Edinburgh, Banner of Truth Trust, 2007), 35-36.
2007·10·20
Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say
Miscellaneous
I already linked to this in the sidebar, but this is too good to leave there. I don't know who this guy is, but he's, like, totally . . . you know? Yeah.
Like, You know?
(HT: PyroManiacs)
2007·10·21
Lord’s Day 42, 2007
Lord’s Day · The Valley of Vision
I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. Psalme 122:1 (Geneva Bible)
LOVE LUSTRES AT CALVARY
My Father,
 nlarge my heart, warm my affections,
open my lips,
supply words that proclaim ‘Love lustres
at Calvary.’
There grace removes my burdens and heaps them
on thy Son,
made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;
There the sword of thy justice smote that man,
thy fellow;
There thy infinite attributes were magnified,
and infinite atonement was made;
There infinite punishment was due,
and infinite punishment was endured.
Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
cast off that I might be brought in,
trodden down as an enemy
that I might be welcomed as a friend,
surrendered to hell’s worst
that I might attain heaven’s best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed,
athirst that I might drink,
tormented that I might be conformed,
made a shame that I might inherit glory,
entered darkness that I might have eternal light.
My Savior wept that all tears might be wiped
from my eyes,
groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pains that I might have unfading health,
bore a thorny crown that I might have
a glory-diadem,
bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive
welcome,
closed his eyes in death that I might gaze
on unclouded brightness,
expired that I might for ever live.
O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou
mightest spare me,
All this transfer thy love designed and
accomplished;
Help me to adore thee be lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
my every step a buoyant with delight, as I see my
enemies crushed,
Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
hell’s gates closed, heaven’s portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me
the cross, mighty to subdue, comfort and save.
—from The Valley of Vision, Arthur Bennett, editor (Banner of Truth Trust, 2002).
salme 66 (Geneva Bible)
To him that excelleth. A song or Psalme.
1 Rejoice in God, all ye inhabitants of the earth.
2 Sing forth the glory of his name: make his praise glorious.
3 Say vnto God, Howe terrible art thou in thy workes! through the greatnesse of thy power shall thine enemies be in subiection vnto thee.
4 All the worlde shall worship thee, and sing vnto thee, euen sing of thy Name. Selah.
5 Come and beholde the workes of God: he is terrible in his doing towarde the sonnes of men.
6 He hath turned the Sea into drie land: they passe through the riuer on foote: there did we reioyce in him.
7 He ruleth the worlde with his power: his eyes beholde the nations: the rebellious shall not exalt them selues. Selah.
8 Prayse our God, ye people, and make the voyce of his prayse to be heard.
9 Which holdeth our soules in life, and suffereth not our feete to slippe.
10 For thou, O God, hast proued vs, thou hast tryed vs as siluer is tryed.
11 Thou hast brought vs into the snare, and layed a strait chaine vpon our loynes.
12 Thou hast caused men to ryde ouer our heads: we went into fire and into water, but thou broughtest vs out into a welthie place.
13 I will go into thine House with burnt offrings, and will pay thee my vowes,
14 Which my lippes haue promised, and my mouth hath spoken in mine affliction.
15 I will offer vnto thee the burnt offerings of fat rammes with incense: I will prepare bullocks and goates. Selah.
16 Come and hearken, all ye that feare God, and I will tell you what he hath done to my soule.
17 I called vnto him with my mouth, and he was exalted with my tongue.
18 If I regard wickednesse in mine heart, the Lord will not heare me.
19 But God hath heard me, and considered the voyce of my prayer.
20 Praysed be God, which hath not put backe my prayer, nor his mercie from me.
Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lorde Jesus Christ.
2007·10·22
“. . . founding our hopes on his promises.”
John Calvin · Steve Lawson · The Expository Genius of John Calvin
Let us learn, therefore, not to become drunk on our foolish hopes. Rather, let us hope in God and in God’s promises, and we will never be deceived. But if we base our hopes on our own presumptuousness, God will strip everything away. This is one of our most essential doctrines, since human nature is so driven by presumptuousness. For we are so influenced by insupportable pride that God is forced to punish us harshly. We think we are so much higher than God that we ought to be more powerful than God. Consequently, seeing how inclined we are toward this vice, all the more ought we to pay heed to what Micah says here: that we must not rest content with the thought that whatever happens will happen. Rather, we must realize that so long as God’s hand is upon us, we are condemned to be miserable. For there is no other cure shy of our returning to God and founding our hopes on his promises. Therein lies our surest remedy, equal to any and all disasters that might befall us.
—John Calvin, as quoted by Lawson in The Expository Genius of John Calvin (Reformation Trust, 2007),106–107.
2007·10·24
“Keep you heart with all vigilance”
David: Man of Prayer, Man of War · Walter Chantry
This romance [of David and Michal] pleased Saul. It pleased him because he had been able to bring pain to David once; now he may destroy him. The selfish tyrant cared nothing about the destruction of his daughter’s heart and life in the process. Saul again purposed to give a daughter to David as the means in inciting Philistines to kill him,. He gave David a second opportunity to be his son-in-law. This time, as a dowry he asked proof of David’s having personally slain one hundred Philistines. He salivated at the anticipation that one heathen man of war would have the better of the son of Jesse. With what a dark countenance must he have greeted the news that David had quickly killed twice the number of foes requested!
It is an irony of history and of the Scripture record that Saul’s is not the only heart so black with evil motive and deceit. David in the this scene was done an enormous injustice. When David sat upon the throne, many years later, he used precisely the same devices to slay Uriah as were employed by Saul against himself. David could be a Saul toward a soldier loyal to his king. Where, through the good providence of God, Saul failed, David succeeded in the deed of murder. Little do we realize that the same seeds of wickedness, which in the hearts of other men, bring stabbing pain to us, lie within our own fallen nature. What a great business is to ‘Keep you heart with all vigilance’! (Prov4:23).
—Walter J. Chantry, David: Man of Prayer, Man of War (Edinburgh, Banner of Truth Trust, 2007), 45–46.
2007·10·25
Ouch!
Humor?
I know I'm a sucker for providing free advertising like this, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to pass on this bit of encouragement to my fellow bloggers.
I think I know what I'm getting for Christmas.
2007·10·28
Lord’s Day 43, 2007
Isaac Watts · Lord’s Day · Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts
I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. Psalme 122:1 (Geneva Bible)
HYMN 13. (L. M.)
The Son of God incarnate. Isaiah ix. 2, 6, 7.
by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
 he lands that long in darkness lay
Now have beheld a heav'nly light;
Nations that sat in death's cold shade
Are blessed with beams divinely bright.
The virgin's promised Son is born,
Behold th' expected child appear:
What shall his names or titles be?
“The Wonderful, the Counsellor.”
[This infant is the mighty God,
Come to be suckled and adored;
Th’ eternal Father, Prince of Peace,
The Son of David, and his Lord.]
The government of earth and seas
Upon his shoulders shall be laid;
His wide dominions still increase,
And honors to his name be paid.
Jesus, the holy child, shall sit
High on his father David's throne;
Shall crush his foes beneath his feet,
And reign to ages yet unknown.
—from The Psalms & Hymns of Isaac Watts . Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Book I: Collected from the Holy Scriptures.
salme 73 (Geneva Bible)
A Psalme committed to Asaph.
1 Yet God is good to Israel: euen, to the pure in heart.
2 As for me, my feete were almost gone: my steps had well neere slipt.
3 For I feared at the foolish, when I sawe the prosperitie of the wicked.
4 For there are no bandes in their death, but they are lustie and strong.
5 They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued with other men.
6 Therefore pride is as a chayne vnto them, and crueltie couereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stande out for fatnesse: they haue more then heart can wish.
8 They are licentious, and speake wickedly of their oppression: they talke presumptuously.
9 They set their mouth against heauen, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people turne hither: for waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, Howe doeth God know it? or is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Lo, these are the wicked, yet prosper they alway, and increase in riches.
13 Certainely I haue clensed mine heart in vaine, and washed mine hands in innocencie.
14 For dayly haue I bene punished, and chastened euery morning.
15 If I say, I will iudge thus, beholde the generation of thy children: I haue trespassed.
16 Then thought I to know this, but it was too painefull for me,
17 Vntill I went into the Sanctuarie of God: then vnderstoode I their ende.
18 Surely thou hast set them in slipperie places, and castest them downe into desolation.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed, perished and horribly consumed,
20 As a dreame when one awaketh! O Lord, when thou raisest vs vp, thou shalt make their image despised.
21 Certainely mine heart was vexed, and I was pricked in my reines:
22 So foolish was I and ignorant: I was a beast before thee.
23 Yet I was alway with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou wilt guide me by thy counsell, and afterward receiue me to glory.
25 Whom haue I in heauen but thee? and I haue desired none in the earth with thee.
26 My flesh fayleth and mine heart also: but God is the strength of mine heart, and my portion for euer.
27 For loe, they that withdrawe themselues from thee, shall perish: thou destroyest all them that goe a whoring from thee.
28 As for me, it is good for me to draw neere to God: therefore I haue put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy workes.
Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lorde Jesus Christ.
2007·10·29
Wanted: Luthers & Calvins
Charles Spurgeon · Steve Lawson · The Expository Genius of John Calvin
We want again Luthers, Calvins, Bunyans, Whitefields, men fit to mark eras, whose names breathe terror in our foemen’s ears. We have dire need of such. Whence will they come to us? They are the gift of Jesus Christ to the church, and will come in due time. He has power to give back again a golden age of preachers, and when the good old truth is one more preached by men whose lips are touched as with a live coal from off the alter, this shall be the instrument in the hand of the Spirit for bringing about a great and thorough revival of religion in the land. . . .
I do not look for any other means of converting men beyond the simple preaching of the gospel and the opening of men’s ears to hear it. The moment the church of God shall despise the pulpit, God will despise her. It has been through the ministry that the Lord has always been pleased to receive and bless His churches.
—John Calvin, as quoted by Lawson in The Expository Genius of John Calvin (Reformation Trust, 2007),132–133.
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