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Satisfied? by Jim Ehrhard

December 30, 2009 by ADMIN

When the question of our need of revival in our lives comes, many feel that we are doing okay. But perhaps the most telling sign that we need revival is what someone has called our “attention deficit.” According to Deuteronomy 8, the time of our greatest danger as a people is whenever we forget God in the midst of our prosperity. Whenever we come to the place when “we have eaten and are satisfied,” we are in desperate need of revival.

Churches in times of difficulty are zealous for the Lord. They live near to Him because they know that, apart from Him, they “can do nothing.” Such is not the case for churches in times of ease. In times of ease, we tend to be satisfied with far less than God’s desires for our lives. Amazingly, churches in times of ease seem to be marked by the following characteristics: (1) though they have more free time than ever before, they have less time to serve God; (2) though they have more financial resources than ever before, they wantonly spend their excesses on themselves rather than giving for the sake of the kingdom; and (3) though they should look back on all they have with gratitude for God’s provision, they tend to forget God, and rather than living a life controlled by gratitude, they rarely think of God and their worship is more a matter of going through the motions than truly worshipping God.

Is this not the case in our lives? Have we come to the place where we are satisfied with our relationship with God even though we know it is not what is was years before? Are we selfish with our time, talents and financial resources, wanting more and more for ourselves though God has abundantly blessed us? Are we satisfied with our present state of affairs or will we cry out to God in repentance for our laziness toward Him?

An old hymn asks the question we all need to be asking: “I am satisfied, I am satisfied, But the question comes to me as I think of Calvary, Is my Master satisfied with me?”

In Isaiah 6, we see what ought to be our response when we are confronted with the presence of God. There Isaiah begins to care about some things about which he had not previously been concerned. We need revival because of the following reasons:

1. We care so little about God’s holiness (Isaiah 6:1-4). Even the heavenly creatures are especially sensitive about protecting God’s holiness. Yet we often treat God and His holiness as common. We need revival whenever we are casual in God’s presence rather than coming before Him in holy fear.

2. We care so little about our own sinfulness (Isaiah 6:5-7). Isaiah’s response to God’s holiness was to fully see his own sinfulness. Sure, we all admit that we are sinners, but we’ve gotten to the point where we don’t really care about our sinfulness. Whenever we treat sin in our own lives lightly, we are in need of revival.

3. We care so little about our calling (Isaiah 6:8). After God’s cleansing of his sin, Isaiah hears the call, “Who shall I send? Who will go for us?” Isaiah eagerly respond, “Here am I; send me!” What is your response to God’s call on your life? Do you find yourself saying, “I wish they’d get someone to….” instead of responding from the heart, “Send me, Lord, send me”? We care so little about God’s calling on our lives that we are always asking God to get someone else to do the work of His kingdom. We are satisfied to be saved — but is the master satisfied with us?

4. We care so little about our world (Isaiah 6:9-11). God’s call to Isaiah was not an easy one. He makes it plain to him that his calling was to keep preaching even though the people would not respond. As Isaiah hears this, his heart for His people is broken. “How long, O Lord?” he cries. Our response is strangely different because we care so little about our world. Rather than cry out with concern for those that are perishing, we cry out for relief for ourselves. Rather than continuing to reach out to a world that not only rejects our message but also rejects us, we have decided that it is easier to keep silent rather than risk the ridicule and frustration of sharing the gospel with a world that will not respond.

Why have we given up? Because we’ve become selfish; we’ve forgotten all that God has done for us; we’ve not been daily near to God’s heart to gain His compassion for this world; we’ve forgotten that He saved us that we might be His “ambassadors” to spread His message everywhere. We’ve been given so much and we’ve forgotten that “to whom much is given, much is required.” We’ve been satisfied with far less than God’s best for our lives. But — the question comes to me, as I think of Calvary, is my Master satisfied with me?

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 Jim Ehrhard |

Pilgrim’s Progress: An Apology by Jim Ehrhard

December 30, 2009 by ADMIN

One section of Pilgrim’s Progress that nearly everyone skips is Bunyan’s “Apology” that begins the book. Bunyan begins his work with this apology for a variety of reasons. First of all, imaginative literature was not well thought of in Bunyan’s day. This was especially true of the dissenters who encouraged writers and preachers to “speak thy mind.” In other words, they feared any use of allegory that might lead readers away from the “solidness” of plain truth.

John Bunyan changed all that with his Pilgrim’s Progress. But his attempt was not without apology to his readers who might be tempted to avoid any allegorical writing. Just to be sure, Bunyan allowed others to read his work before letting it be published. Their opinions were divided, so he decided to let the work speak for itself.

Well, when I had thus put mine ends together,

I shew’d them others, that I might see whether

They would condemn them, or them justify:

And some said, let them live; others said, Not so.

Some said, John, print it; others said, Not so.

Some said, It might do good, others said, No.

Now was I in a straight, and did not see

Which was the best thing to be done by me:

At last I thought, Since ye are thus divided,

I print it will; and so the case decided.

Throughout his apology, Bunyan makes various appeals to common sense, analogy and the Scriptures to support his use of allegory to put forth Scriptural truth. He points to the great variety of methods used by the fisherman and the hunter (the fowler) to catch their prey. He argues that we ought to use all methods at our disposal to present the gospel to men. Listen to his example of the fisherman:

You see the ways the Fisher-man doth take

To catch the Fish; what engines doth he make?

Behold how he engageth all his wits;

Also his Snares, Lines, Angles, Hooks, and Nets:

Yet Fish there be, that neither Hook, nor Line,

Nor Snare, nor Net, nor Engine can make thine;

They must be grop’t for, and be tickled too,

Or they will not be catch’t, what e’re you do.

Such is Bunyan’s appeal: that the message of the Scriptures must go out and that we, as wise fishers of men, ought to employ a variety of methods in our fishing.

However, lest Bunyan be thought to be suggesting any method man might imagine, he also carefully demonstrates that a variety of methods are employed in the Scriptures themselves:

The Prophets used much by Metaphors

To set forth Truth; Yea, whoso considers

Christ, his Apostles too, shall plainly see,

That Truths to this day in such Mantles be.

Am I afraid to say that holy Writ

Which for its Style and Phrase puts down all Wit,

Is every where so full of all these things,

(Dark Figures, Allegories) yet there springs

From that same Book, that lustre, and those rays

Of light, that turn our darkest nights to days.

Thus, convinced that his approach would be both Biblical and effective at reaching the hearts of men, Bunyan proceeded to publish his Pilgrim’s Progress. But what makes Bunyan’s work so enduring is not simply his use of allegory. What makes it lasting are two things: (1) his ability to keep clear the connection between his allegory and the truth of Scripture and (2) his ability to paint such vivid pictures that the characters and their actions are forever impressed upon the minds of his readers. Indeed, that was Bunyan’s intention. At the end of his apology, he speaks of this desire to leave such impressions on the minds of his readers:

Art thou forgetful? wouldest thou remember

From New-year’s-day to the last of December?

Then read my fancies, they will stick like Burs,

And may be to the Helpless, Comforters.

Whether you or are a believer or a seeker, I highly commend Pilgrim’s Progress to you. If you are not a Christian, Bunyan has written this book with you in mind:

This Book it chalketh out before thine eyes

The man that seeks the everlasting Prize;

It shows you whence he comes, whither he goes,

What he leaves undone; also what he does:

Till he unto the Gate of Glory comes.

If you are a Christian, this book has much to teach you about the Christian life. It is full of practical admonitions and doctrinal truth. To you, Bunyan promises:

This book will make a Traveller of thee,

If by its Counsel thou wilt ruled be;

It will direct thee to the Holy Land,

If thou wilt its Directions understand:

Yea, it will make the slothful, active be;

The Blind also delightful things to see.

Pilgrim’s Progress has much to offer to every reader. Its characters will encourage and admonish you. In the concluding words of his apology, Bunyan encourages those desiring to learn and grow to: “come hither, And lay my Book, thy Head, and Heart together.”

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 Jim Ehrhard |

The Sovereign Ruler by John Ryland

December 30, 2009 by ADMIN

Sovereign Ruler of the skies, Ever gracious, ever wise,

All my times are in Thy hand, All events at thy command.

His decree, who formed the earth, Fixed my first and second birth;

Parents, native place, and time, All appointed were by Him.

He that formed me in the womb, He shall guide me to the tomb.

All my times shall ever be, Ordered by His wise decree.

Times of sickness, times of health; Times of poverty and of wealth;

Times of trial and of grief, Times of triumph and releif.

Times the tempter’s power to prove, Times to taste the Savior’s love;

All must come, and last, and end, As shall please my heavenly Friend.

Plagues and death around me fly; Till He bids, I cannot die;

Not a single shaft can hit, Till the God of love sees fit.

O Thou Gracious, wise and just! In Thy hands, my life I trust:

Have I something dearer still? I resign it to Thy will.

May I always own Thy Hand; Still to the surrender stand;

Know that Thou art God alone; I and mine are all Thy own.

Thee at all times will I bless; Having Thee I all possess;

How can I bereaved be; Since I cannot part with Thee?

John Ryland

1753-1825

Posted in John Ryland |

Assurance is not for Arminians by Thomas Brooks

December 30, 2009 by ADMIN

This precious truth thus proved, looks sourly and wishly upon all those that affirm that believers cannot in this life attain unto a certain well-grounded assurance of their everlasting happiness and blessedness–as papists and Arminians: all know that know their writings and teachings, that they are in arms against this Christ-exalting, and soul-cheering doctrine of assurance. “I know no such thing as assurance of heaven in this life,” saith Grevinchovius the Arminian.

Assurance is a pearl that they trample under feet; it is a beam of heaven that hath so much light, brightness, and shining glory in it, that their bleary eyes cannot behold it. Assurance is glory in the bud, it is the suburbs of paradise, it is a cluster of the land of promise, it is a spark of God, it is the joy and crown of a Christian; greater is their impiety and folly that deny assurance, that cry down assurance under the name or notions whatsoever. They are rather tormenters than comforters that say, poor souls may know that there is a crown of righteousness, but they must not presume to know that they shall have the honor to wear that crown.

Arminians are not ashamed to say, that God may crown a man one hour, and uncrown him in the next; they blush not to say that a man may be happy and miserable, under love and under wrath, an heir of heaven and a firebrand of hell, a child of light and a child of darkness, and all in an hour. Oh what miserable comforters are these! What is this but to torment the weary soul? Ah! How sad it is for men to affirm that wounded spirits may know “that the Sun of righteousness hath healing in his wings,” Mal. 4:2; but they cannot be assured that they shall be healed. The hungry soul may know that there is bread enough in his Father’s house but cannot know that he shall taste of that bread, Luke 15:17. The naked soul may know that Christ hath robes of righteousness to cover all spots, sores, defects, and deformities of it, but may not presume to know that Christ will put these royal robes upon it, Rev. 3:18. The impoverished soul may know that there be unsearchable riches in Christ, but cannot be assured that ever it shall partake of those riches, Eph. 3:8.

All that these men allow poor souls, is guesses and conjectures that it may be well with them. They will not allow souls to say with Thomas, “My Lord, and my god,” John 20:18; nor with Job to say, My Redeemer lives,” Job 19:25; nor with the church, I am my beloved’s, and his desire is towards me,” Solomon’s Song 7:10. And so they leave souls in a cloudy, questioning, doubting, hovering condition.

What more uncomfortable doctrine than this? What more soul-disquieting, and soul-unsettling doctrine than this? Thou art this moment in a state of life, thou mayest the next moment be in a state of death; thou art now gracious, thou mayest the next hour be graceless; thou art now in the promised land, yet though mayest die in the wilderness; thou art to-day a habitation for God, thou mayest to-morrow be a synagogue of Satan; thou hast to-day received the white stone of absolution, thou mayest to-morrow receive the black stone of condemnation; thou art now in Thy Savior’s arms, thou mayest to-morrow be in Satan’s paws; thou art now Christ’s freeman, thou mayest to-morrow be Satan’s bondman; thou art now a vessel of honour, thou mayest suddenly become a vessel of wrath; thou art now greatly beloved, thou mayest soon be as greatly loathed; this day thy name is fairly written in the book of life, to-morrow the book may be crossed, and thy name blotted out for ever. This is the Arminians’ doctrine, and if this be not to keep souls in a doubting, trembling and shivering condition, what is it?

Christians, remember this is your happiness and blessedness, that “none can pluck you out of your Father’s hand,” John 10:29; that you are “kept,” as in a garrison, or as with a guard, “by the power of God through faith unto salvation,” 1 Peter 1:5. “That the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but the kindness of the Lord shall not depart from you, neither shall the covenant of peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on you,” Isa. 54:10. “That Christ ever lives to make intercession for you,” Heb. 7:25; and that men and devils are as able, and shall as soon, make a world, dethrone God, pluck the sun out of the firmament, and Christ out of the bosom of the Father, as they shall pluck a believer out of the everlasting arms of Christ, or rob him of one of his precious jewels, Deut. 33:26, 27. I shall close up this chapter with an excellent saying of Luther: “The whole Scripture,” saith he, “doth principally aim at this thing, that we should not doubt, but that we should hope, that we should trust, that we should believe, that God is a merciful, a bountiful, a gracious, and a patient God to his people.”

From Thomas Brooks, Heaven Made Sure.

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 Conversation on Assurance by A. W. Pink

December 30, 2009 by ADMIN

Doubtless not a few of our readers wish they had the opportunity for a personal conversation on the subject, so that they could state their difficulties and ask questions on anything that is not yet clear to them. We have therefore decided to write two further articles in the form of dialogues, introducing widely different characters, who express a desire to discuss the subject. The first is,

Mr. Carnal Confidence. Good morning, Mr. Editor, I wish to have a talk with you about those articles on “Assurance” which you published in last year’s “Studies.”

The Writer: Be seated, please. First of all, may we courteously but frankly inform you that our time is already fully occupied in seeking to minister unto God’s dear children, yet we are never too busy to do all in our power to help a needy soul.

Carnal Confidence: O, I am not seeking help, my purpose in calling is to point out some things in your articles where I am quite sure you erred. I consider that in your articles you have made a very difficult and complicated matter out of what is really very simple. According to your ideas, a person has to go to a lot of trouble in order to discover whether or not he is saved, whereas if a man believes God’s Word he may be sure in a moment.

The Writer: But are all those who believe God’s Word really saved? Did not the Jews of Christ’s day believe implicitly in the Divine authorship of the Old Testament? Does not the Devil himself believe the same?

Mr. Carnal Confidence: That is not what I meant: my meaning is that, if I rest upon some verse of Holy Writ as God’s promise to me, then I know He cannot disappoint me.

The Writer: Saving faith is not faith in the authenticity of any verse of Scripture, but rather faith in the Person of Him who gave us the Scriptures, faith in the Christ who is made known in the Scriptures.

Mr. Carnal Confidence: Yes, I know that, and I do believe in God and in His Son, and I know that I am saved because He says so.

The Writer: Where in Scripture does God say that you are saved?

Mr. Carnal Confidence: In John 5:24, in Acts 16:31, and many other places.

The Writer: Let us turn to these passages please. In John 5:24 the Lord Jesus describes one who has “passed from death unto life.” He tells us two things about that individual, which serve to identify him. First, “he that heareth My word.” That is definite enough. But of course it means far more than simply listening to His Word with the outward ear. Returning to John 5:24; the one who has passed from death unto life, says Christ, “is he that heareth My word” Let us turn then to other passages where this term is found: “they are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refuse to hear My words” (Jer. 11:10); “because ye have not heard My words, behold I will send and take all the families of the north” etc. (Jer. 25:8,9); and see 35:17, Zechariah 1:4, Matthew 7:24, John 10:27. In all of these verses, and in many others which might be given, to “hear” means to heed what God says, to act upon it, to obey Him. So he who “hears” the voice of Christ heeds His command to turn away from all that is opposed to God and become in subjection to Him.

Mr. Carnal Confidence: Well, let us turn to Acts 16:31, that is simple enough. There is no room allowed there for any quibbling. God says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved:” God says that to me; I have believed on Christ, and so I must be saved.

Writer: Not so fast, dear friend. How can you prove God says that to you? Those words were spoken under unusual circumstances, and to a particular individual. That individual had been brought to the end of himself; he was deeply convicted of his sins; he was in terrible anguish of soul; he had taken his place in the dust, for we are told that he “came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas” (Acts 16:29). Now is it fair to take the words of the Apostles to such a man and apply them indiscriminately to anybody? Are we justified in ignoring the whole setting of that verse, wrenching it from its context, and giving it to those who have not any of the characteristics which marked the Philippian jailer?

Mr. Carnal Confidence: I refuse to allow you to browbeat me, and move me from the simplicity of the Gospel. John 3:16 say, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Now I have believed on the Son, and therefore am fully assured that I possess eternal life.

Writer: Are you aware of the fact that in this same Gospel of John we are told, “Many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them” (John 2:23, 24)? There were many who “believed” in Christ who were not saved by Him: see John 8:30 and note verse 59! John 12:42, 43! There is a believing in Christ which saves, and there is a believing in Him which does not save; and therefore it behooves every sincere and earnest soul to diligently examine his “faith by Scripture and ascertain which kind it is. There is too much at stake to take anything for granted. Where eternal destiny is involved surely no trouble can be too great for us to make sure.

Mr. Carnal Confidence: I am sure, and no man can make me doubt. I don’t claim to be perfect, but I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.

Writer: We didn’t ask if you were perfect; but have you been made a new creature in Christ, have old things passed away, and all things become new (2 Cor. 5:17)? Are you treading the path of obedience, for God’s Word says, “He that saith I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar; and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). It is not the adulation of our lips, but the affection of our souls, which He requires; it is not an intellectual assent, but the heart’s surrender to Him which saves.

Mr. Carnal Confidence: You are departing from the simplicity of the Gospel; you are making additions unto its one and only stipulation. There is nothing that God requires from the sinner except that he believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Writer: You are mistaken. The Lord Jesus said, “Repent ye, and believe the Gospel” (Mark 1:15).

Mr. Carnal Confidence: That was before the Cross, but in this dispensation repentance is not demanded.

Writer: Then according to you ideas God has changed the plan of salvation. But you err. After the Cross, Christ charged His disciples, “That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations” (Luke 24:47). If we turn to the book of Acts, we find that the Apostles preached repentance in this dispensation. On the day of Pentecost, Peter bade the convicted Jews to “repent” (Acts 2:38). Reviewing his ministry at Ephesus, Paul declared that he had testified both to Jews and also to the Greeks “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21); while in Acts 17:30 we are told that God “now commandeth all men every where to repent.”

Mr. Carnal Confidence: Then do you insist that if a person has not repented, he is still unsaved?

Writer: Christ Himself says so: “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5). So too if a man has not been converted, he is yet unsaved: “Repent ye therefore and be converted, that you sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). There must be a right-about-face: there must be a turning from Satan unto God, from the world unto Christ, from sin unto holiness. Where that has not taken place, all the believing in the world will save no one. Christ saves none who is still in love with sin; but He is ready to save those who are sick of sin, who long to be cleansed from its loathsome foulness, who yearn to be delivered from its tyrannizing power. Christ came here to save His people from their sins. It is obvious that if the Holy One indwells me that His presence must have wrought a radical change both in character and in conduct. Unless this be the case with us, then our profession is vain, and all our talk of trusting in Christ’s finished work is but idle words.

Mr. Carnal Confidence: I consider all you have said to be but the language of a Pharisee. You are occupied with your own fancied goodness and delighting in your own worthless righteousness.

Writer: Pardon me, but I rather rejoice in what Christ’s Spirit has wrought in me, and pray that He will carry forward that work of grace to the glory of His name. But we must bring our discussion to a close. I would respectfully urge you to attend unto that exhortation addressed to all profession Christians, ‘Give diligence to make your calling and election sure’ (2 Peter 1:10).

Mr. Carnal Confidence: I shall do nothing of the sort: I hate the very word ‘election.’ I know that I am saved, though I do not measure up to the impossible standard you want to erect.

Writer: Fare thee well; may be please the Lord to open your blind eyes, reveal to you His holiness, and bring you to His feet in godly fear and trembling.

Excerpted and edited from A. W. Pink, Studies in the Scriptures, September, 1932.

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 A. W. Pink |

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