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The Cross Providences of God by Thomas Brooks

January 2, 2010 by ADMIN

By working the soul to make false inferences from the cross actings of providence. Saith Satan, “Dost thou not see how Providence crosses thy prayers, and crosses thy desires, thy tears, thy hopes, thy endeavors?” Surely if his love were towards thee, if his soul did delight and take pleasure in thee, he would not deal thus with thee.

Remedy (1). The first remedy against this device of Satan is, solemnly to consider, That many things may be cross to our desires that are not cross to our good. Abraham, Jacob, David, Job, Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah, and Paul met with many things that were contrary to their desires and endeavors, that were not contrary to their good; as all know that have wisely compared their desires and endeavors and God’s actings together. Physic [medicines] often works contrary to the patients’ desires, when it doth not work contrary to their good.

I remember a story of a godly man, who had a great desire to go to France, and as he was going to take shipping he broke his leg; and it pleased Providence so to order it, that the ship that he should have gone in at that very same time was cast away, and not a man saved; and so by breaking a bone his life was saved. Though Providence did work cross to his desire, yet it did not work cross to his good.

Remedy (2). The second remedy against this device of Satan is, solemnly to consider, That the hand of God may be against a man, when the love and heart of God is much set upon a man. No man can conclude how the heart of God stands by his hand. The hand of God was against Ephraim, and yet his love, his heart, was dearly set upon Ephraim: “I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus: Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. Turn thou me, and I shall he turned; for thou art the lord my God. Surely, after that I was returned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh; I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still. Therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord” (Jer. 31:18-20).

God can look sourly, and chide bitterly, and strike heavily, even where and when he loves dearly, The hand of God was very much against Job, and yet his love, his heart, was very much set upon Job, as you may see by comparing chapters 1 and 2, with 41 and 42. The hand of God was sore against David and Jonah, when his heart was much set upon them. He that shall conclude that the heart of God is against those that his hand is against, will condemn the generation of the just, whom God unjustly would not have condemned.

Remedy (3). The third remedy against this device of Satan, is, to consider, That all the cross providences that befall the saints are but in order to some noble good that God doth intend to prefer [confer] upon them. Providence wrought cross to David’s desire in taking away the child sinfully begotten, but yet not cross to more noble good; for was it not far better for David to have such a legitimate heir as Solomon was, than that a bastard should wear the crown, and sway the scepter?

Joseph, you know, was sold into a far country by the envy and malice of his brethren, and afterwards imprisoned because he would not be a prisoner to his mistress’s lusts; yet all these providences did wonderfully conduce to his advancement, and the preservation of his father’s family, which was then the visible church of Christ. It was so handled by a noble hand of providence, that what they sought to decline [injure], they did promote. Joseph was therefore sold by his brethren that he might not be worshipped, and yet he was therefore worshipped because he was sold.

David was designed to a kingdom, but oh the straits, troubles, and deaths that he runs through before he feels the weight of his crown! And all this was but in order to the sweetening of his crown, and to the settling of it more firmly and gloriously upon his head. God did so contrive it that Jonah’s offense, and those cross actings of his that did attend it, should advantage that end which they seemed most directly to oppose. Jonah he flies to Tarshish, then cast into the sea, then saved by a miracle. Then the mariners, as it is very probable, who cast Jonah Into the sea, declared to the Ninevites what had happened; therefore he must be a man sent of God, and that his threatenings must be believed and hearkened to, and therefore they must repent and humble themselves, that the wrath threatened might not be executed.

Remedy (4). The fourth remedy against this device of Satan is, seriously to consider, That all the strange, dark, deep, and changeable providences that believers meet with, shall further them in their way to heaven, in their journey to happiness. Divine wisdom and love will so order all things here below, that they shall work for the real, internal, and eternal good of them that love him. All the rugged providences that David met with did contribute to the bringing of him to the throne; and all the rugged providences that Daniel and the “three children” met with did contribute to their great advancement. So all the rugged providences that believers meet with, they shall all contribute to the lifting up of their souls above all things, below God. As the waters lifted up Noah’s ark nearer heaven, and as all the stones that were about Stephen’s ears did but knock him the closer to Christ, the cornerstone, so all the strange rugged providences that we meet with, they shall raise us nearer heaven, and knock us nearer to Christ, that precious cornerstone.

Remedy (5). That all the troubles and afflictions that you meet with in a way of righteousness shall never hurt you, they shall never harm you. All the afflictions that attend men in a way of righteousness can never rob them of their treasure, of their jewels. They may rob them of some slight things, as the sword that is by their side, or the stick in their hand, or of the flowers or ribbons that be in their hats. The treasures of a saint are the presence of God, the favor of God, union and communion with God, the pardon of sin, the joy of the Spirit, the peace of conscience, which are jewels that none can give but Christ, nor none can take away but Christ.

Now why should a gracious soul keep off from a way of holiness because of afflictions, when no afflictions can strip a man of his heavenly jewels which are his ornaments and his safety here, and will be his happiness and glory hereafter? Why should that man be afraid, or troubled for storms at sea, whose treasures are sure, his grace is safe, his comfort is safe, and his crown is safe in the hand of Christ. “I know him in whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him until that day,” saith the apostle (2 Tim. 1:12). The child’s most precious things are most secure in his father’s hands; so are our souls, our graces, and our comforts in the hand of Christ.

Excerpted and edited from Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices.

The current formatting and editing is copyrighted by Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International

Posted in Thomas Brooks |

A Divine Cordial by Thomas Watson

January 2, 2010 by ADMIN

A Divine Cordial

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Introduction

If the whole Scripture be the feast of the soul, as Ambrose said, then Roman. 8 may be a dish at that feast, and with its sweet variety may very much refresh and animate the hearts of God’s people. In the preceding verses the apostle had been wading through the great doctrines of justification and adoption, mysteries so arduous and profound, that without the help and conduct of the Spirit, he might soon have waded beyond his depth. In this verse the apostle touches upon that pleasant string of consolation: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Not a word but is weighty; therefore I shall gather up every filing of this gold, that nothing be lost.

In the text there are three general branches: First, a glorious privilege–All things work for good. Second, the persons interested in this privilege. They are doubly specified. They are lovers of God–they are the called. Third, the origin and spring of this effectual calling, set down in these words, “according to his purpose.”

First, the glorious privilege. Here are two things to be considered.

1. The certainty of the privilege–“We know.” 2. The excellency of the privilege–“All things work together for good.”

1. The Certainty Of The Privilege.

“We know.” It is not a matter wavering or doubtful. The apostle does not say, We hope, or conjecture, but it is like an article in our creed, We KNOW that all things work for good. Hence observe that the truths of the gospel are evident and infallible.

A Christian may come not merely to a vague opinion, but to a certainty of what he holds. As axioms and aphorisms are evident to reason, so the truths of religion are evident to faith. “We know,” says the apostle. Though a Christian has not a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel, yet he has a certain knowledge. “We see through a glass darkly” (I Cor. 13:11), therefore we have not perfection of knowledge; but “we behold with open face” (I Cor.. 3:18), therefore we have certainty. The Spirit of God imprints heavenly truths upon the heart as with the point of a diamond. A Christian may know infallibly that there is an evil in sin, and a beauty in holiness. He may know that he is in the state of grace. “We know that we have passed from death to life” (I John 3:14).

He may know that he shall go to heaven. “We know that if our earthly tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (I Cor. 5:1). The Lord does not leave His people at uncertainties in matters of salvation. The apostle says, “We know.” We have arrived at a holy confidence. We have both the Spirit of God, and our own experience, setting seal to it.

Let us then not rest in skepticism or doubts, but labor to come to a certainty in the things of religion. As a martyr-woman said, “I cannot dispute for Christ, but I can burn for Christ.” God knows whether we may be called forth to be witnesses to His truth; therefore it concerns us to be well grounded and confirmed in it. If we are doubting Christians, we shall be wavering Christians. Whence is apostasy, but from incredulity? Men first question the truth, and then fall from the truth. Oh, beg the Spirit of God, not only to anoint you, but to seal you (2 Cor. 1:22).

2. The Excellency Of The Privilege.

“All things work together for good.” This is as Jacob’s staff in the hand of faith, with which we may walk cheerfully to the mount of God. What will satisfy or make us content, if this will not? All things work together for good. This expression “work together” together refers to medicine. Several poisonous ingredients put together, being tempered by the skill of the apothecary, make a sovereign medicine, and work together for the good of the patient. So all God’s providences, being divinely tempered and sanctified, work together for the best to the saints. He who loves God and is called according to His purpose, may rest assured that every thing in the world shall be for his good. This is a Christian’s cordial, which may warm him make him like Jonathan who, when he had tasted the honey at the end of the rod, `his eyes were enlightened.” (I Sam. 14:17). Why should a Christian destroy himself? Why should he kill himself with care, when all things shall sweetly concur, yea, conspire for his good? The result of the text is this: all the various dealings of God with His children do by a special providence turn to their good. “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant” (Psalm 25:10). If every path has mercy in it, then it works for good.

The current formatting and editing is copyrighted by Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International

Posted in Thomas Watson |

The Security of Sovereignty by Jim Ehrhard

January 2, 2010 by ADMIN

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Every one of us experiences times in our lives when we wonder where God is and how He could let us go through such a situation as we are presently facing. During such times, many are tempted to ask wonder, “How could anything good come out of this?” Often we express our frustration: “If you really love me God, how could you let anything like this happen to me?”

In such times, we need to return to Romans 8:28 and meditate upon its meaning. Romans 8:28 is one of the best loved and most often memorized passages in the Bible. But far too frequently we have quoted the verse without really understanding the truths contained in it.

To begin with, every blessing and comfort in this verse is contingent on one thing: Is God sovereign over all that happens? I emphasize the word “all” because every Christian acknowledges the sovereignty of God in a general way, or over certain things, but most are not so sure that what is happening to them in their difficult moment is part of God’s sovereignly orchestrated plan for their lives. Romans 8:28 depends on the sovereign control of God over all things. If He is not sovereign of even one thing, how can we be sure of this great promise? Might it not be possible for one thing to not “work together for good”? This passage provides comfort for only one reason: God is in control of all that happens to us. He has a plan, He has a purpose, He is at work and will bring all things to work for good in our lives. Who but a sovereign God could ever accomplish us a complicated task?

1. God’s Promise

This passage comes to us as a promise from God of which every believer can be certain. Paul begins, “And we know.” Modern Christianity has a “watered-down faith” because it is dependent on experience rather than on truth. The great tendency today is to look at our experiences and wonder if God is really at work in them. Yet NT Christianity is not experience-based; it is truth-based.

In the experiences of life, we may be tempted to doubt God’s love for us in difficult situations, but we know. We may have serious questions about the outcome of our difficulty, but we know. Our faith is not dependent upon what we can see now; it is dependent on who God is and what He has promised. Paul had reminded the Romans just a few lines earlier that their hope was not based on what they could see–not on their present sufferings, but on God’s promise of future glory (see Romans 8:18-25). You will never experience victory over your circumstances as long as your eyes are on what you presently see. Such a vision can only cause discouragement and frustration. We must keep our eyes and our confidence on the promise of God. He keeps His promises (Numbers 23:19). He will work all things together for good. We have His promise on that.

2. God’s Project

Often the English rendering, “all things work together for good,” is misleading. Things do not work. Obviously the emphasis of this passage is that God is at work. Douglas Moo notes this distinction: “it is the sovereign guidance of God that is presumed as the undergirding and directing force behind all the events of life.” Even the order of the words in the Greek lean toward a translation emphasizing God’ active work in all things: “An we know that for those who love God all things he is working.”

This passage shows us the activity of God. He is not passive in the events of our life merely sitting back waiting to decide if He should intervene or not. Instead, God is at work orchestrating everything in our lives for His glory and for our good. We are His project! Or as Paul says in Ephesians 2:10: “We are His workmanship.” We can have confidence when facing difficulties because we know God is at work in every aspect and detail of our lives. Jesus reminded his disciples of the Father’s intimate care: “Not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge of it. . . . every hair on your head is numbered . . . . how much more does He care for you, O ye of little faith?” We are God’s project–He is at work in every detail of our lives!

3. God’s Plan

God’s plan is that “all things” that come into our lives work for good. This includes “good” things and “bad” things. Nothing that happens to a believer is outside of God’s plan. Donald Grey Barnhouse used to say, “Nothing can touch us unless it is first sifted through the will of God. In our lives, God allows both the good and the bad to happen as part of His overall plan for our lives. He is at work in everything that happens to us.

Far too often, we are ready to praise God for the good things that happen to us. But rarely do we recognize that even the bad things are just as much a part of God’s plan for accomplishing His will in and through us as are the good things. When Job’s wealth and family were all lost on one day, he “fell to the ground and worshipped.” When his wife told him to “curse God and die,” he responded, “Shall we indeed accept good from God and shall we not accept adversity?” He did not know what God was doing, he did not know how God could bring good out of it, but he knew that “all things” that happened to him were according to God’s plan for his life.

The problem is that we see the part, while God see the whole. We understand only the present, while God knows the future. We may feel the pain of the moment, but God knows the ultimate product He is producing in our lives. As believers, we can be confident that we are in His hands, and in His hands, nothing can touch us except it is ultimately according to the plan of God.

4. God’s Purpose

Finally, Romans 8:28 gives us confidence because God has a purpose in everything that happens in our lives. In verse 28, the apostle says all things work for good. In verse 29, he explains what God’s purpose is: that we might be conformed to the image of His son. To accomplish this, God uses many instruments: some to sharpen us, some to teach us patience; others to discipline and correct; but all to bring us to be more like His son.

Many images of this are found in the Bible. Jeremiah uses the idea of the potter working with his clay. To accomplish his task, the potter must spin, pound, poke, and take away much to produce a beautiful vessel. In Malachi 3:1, we find another image: the smelter sitting and watching over the ore as it is heated. This presents a beautiful picture of God’s watchfulness as He takes us through the process of purification. Just as the smelter sits and watches so that the ore might not be scorched by the fire, so God watches over everything that comes into our lives. In the smelting process, the heat causes the impurities to rise to the top so the smelter can skim them off of the surface. Only when he can see his own reflection clearly in the ore can the smelter be sure that the impurities have been removed from the ore. Likewise, when uses adversity in our lives to bring the impurities to the surface so He can remove them. That process will also continue until He sees His own image reflected in us.

Copyright Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact

Posted in Jim Ehrhard |

From Our Hearts by Jim & Debbie Ehrhard

January 2, 2010 by ADMIN

Perhaps no doctrine is of greater importance than justifying faith. Should we fail to properly understand what faith is and on what it rests, we might mislead many into an eternity apart from Christ. The Reformers placed great weight on a proper understanding of faith. They declared that justification by faith alone was the doctrine on which the church stands or falls. They defined faith carefully so that what the faith which they preached and taught might not be confused with the faith that was normally taught by Rome.

They labored to make certain that “faith” could never be construed as a “work” that one performed or as a “merit” whereby one gained forgiveness of sins. Conversely, they argued against Roman claims of antinomianism by teaching that true faith was accompanied by good works. In other words, those who had faith were changed in their lives.

Today there is a need to be especially clear in our teaching about faith. Most view faith as an act they do. Wrapped up in such an assumption is the idea that “a profession of faith” is identical with faith. If they have made a “decision,” that’s all that matters, even if there is no change in their lives. Biblical faith, however, is different. It is evidenced by a trusting Christ, a following Christ, and a new love for Christ. One who has true saving faith is not the same—he is new, he is changed.

It is our hope that the articles in this issue might help you to sharpen your thinking about “faith.” Read each carefully, repeatedly, and always in light of the Scriptures. Included are articles by Thomas Watson, a 17th century puritan; Solomon Stoddard, and Joseph Bellamy from 18th century America, Jonathan Edwards, C. H. Spurgeon from 19th Century England, and A.W. Pink from 20th England. Although their writing span four centuries, their teachings on faith are in accord. We pray that each will provide insights to increase your understanding of faith that saves.

Also, we have included another article about three characters found in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Thank you for your prayers for us and for your support of this ministry. Jim will be teaching mainly in the Ukraine this year (3 times) and once in Belgium. Continue to pray for his effectiveness in teaching and preaching.

By His Grace, Jim & Debbie

Copyright Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International

Posted in Uncategorized |

Three Men in Fetters by Jim Ehrhard

January 2, 2010 by ADMIN

John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress provides a wonderful contrast between true and false faith. Christian, possessing true faith, flees to the cross of Jesus where the burden on his back rolls away. His great joy at the ocassion reveals that Christian has trusted in Christ alone as payment for his sins:

Thus far did I come laden with my sin;

Nor could ought ease the grief I was in,

Till I came hither: what a place is this!

Must here be the beginning of my bliss?

Must here the Burden fall from off my back?

Must here the strings that bound it to me crack?

Blest Cross! Blest Sepulchre! Blest rather be

The Man that there was put to Shame for me!

As he comes the the bottom of the hill, Christain sees three men asleep with fetters on their feet. One was called Simple, another Sloth, and the third, Presumption. Out of his love and concern for them, Christian tries to awaken them and warns them of the danger that awaits them. Each of these men portray many in our age. They have a belief of sorts, but their belief does not stir them to go to the cross—each delays for different reasons.

Many today are like Simple. When Christian warns him, he responds, “I see no danger.” Simple may depict those who take a simple approach to life and eternity. They believe what they can see and what they have experienced. What could be simplier than that? To them, there might be a God or there might not be. In either case, they have a simple view of God—He is love and He forgives, so no matter what they do, everything will be okay. They don’t want their life confused by theologies that tell them about God’s wrath or God’s holiness. It’s easier to believe in a God of love. It’s just that simple. Their simple view holds them like chains on their feet from coming to Christ.

Others are like Sloth. When Christina warns him, he replies, “Yet a little more sleep.” These people believe, they really do. They know there is a God, they know that Jesus died for sins, they know they need to repent and put their trust in Jesus to be saved. And they will—some day—but not now. They prefer to rest awhile. They prefer to enjoy the pleasures of this world a little longer. But one day (yawn), they intend to trust Christ—but not now. Their desire to delay until another day shackles them and keeps them from the cross which liberates for eternity.

Still others are like Presumption. He responds to Christian’s pleadings with a common proverb: “Every tub must stand on his own bottom.” Rather than trusting Christ, Presumption is being lured to sleep because he believes that each man should help himself. He is the self-made-man. He certainly intends to get to heaven, but he will do so through his own good deeds and good life. He will stand on his own bottom—he does not need to rely on anyone else.

Many are kept from heaven through such presumptions. Jonathan Edwards once surmised: “Every man flatters himself, thinking that he shall escape hell, by what he has done, or is doing, or one day intends to do.” That is an apt description of Presumption and his kin. Those who are presumptious flatter themselves. They think they are better than God declares then to be. They think they have no need of a Savior.

Oh, they will quickly agree that others might need one. “If believing in Jeus helps you, that’s fine,” they say. But in reality, they pity you that you are not strong as they are. They will pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. Since they boast on earth about their own deeds, there will be no place for them in heaven because “no one will boast before the Lord.” The presumptous are chained from the cross by their exalted views of themselves. They will not come to Christ because they do not see the depths of their sin.

As the three returned to their slumbers, Christian walked on, puzzled by their harshness to him and his desire to help. Bunyan records:

Yet he was troubled to think, that men in danger should so little esteem the kindness of him that so freely offered to help them, both by the awakening of them, counselling of them, and offering to help them off with their Irons.

So it is with those who are simple, slothful, and presumptous. Even when believers seek to share the truth with them, they become angry and upset for having their sleep disturbed.

Are you in one of these conditions? Is your view of God and eternity simple or is it based on biblical truth? Do you plan to repent “one day,” but now you see no hurry? Do you think that each person has to do the best he can and God will accept that? Then your faith is not true faith. True faith sees the seriousness of the danger of eternal destruction of which God warns, sees the death of Jesus as sufficient to pay for all sins, and clings to Him alone for salvation. Don’t be chained away from the cross through simple beliefs, slothful attitudes, or presumption. Jesus says, “He that cometh to me I will never turn away.”

Copyright Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International

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