Thanksgiving Thoughts

Happy Thanksgiving!

1 You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. 2 "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.4 And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.  - Isaiah 12:1-5

Here we are reminded that God’s WRATH was upon us and has been turned away from Jesus’ followers by His death on our behalf and this has been confirmed by His resurrection from the dead. He SAVED us by FAITH alone. We are FREED FROM FEAR, have endless JOY, GIVE THANKS continually, and CALL ON HIM because of this. We want to TELL ALL THE WORLD what HE HAS DONE, and it is FOR HIS GLORY ALONE! 

For all of this and so many blessings and gifts of His grace, we give thanks today.

A Discussion of the Ordo Salutis

In case anyone is interested, I am having an interesting conversation with some Arminian brothers here:

http://arminianperspectives.wordpress.com/2015/05/29/interesting-comments-from-john-macarthur-on-the-nature-of-preveninet-grace-the-ordo-salutis/

Pretty interesting stuff.

Here is my attempt to describe a Biblical Ordo Salutis:

http://theoparadox.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-biblical-ordo-salutis-for-biblical.html

Sinners and the Savior - Encouragements and Exhortations

A healthy Christian is never far from the knowledge that he is a sinner. We often pass through the trials, struggles and frustrations of Romans 7. This is normal. The more closely we walk with the Lord, and the longer we live under the light of His Word, the more our sin will be exposed. However, if we are going to progress in sanctification we need to continuously apply and re-apply the principles of Romans 6 and the promises of Romans 8.


We must never allow our own sinfulness to become the focus of our faith. That is a sure path to trouble. Instead, we must focus intently on Christ as Savior - particularly in relation to these questions:

• How Christ saves
• Why Christ saves
• When Christ saves
• Where Christ saves
• Whom Christ saves
• What Christ saves us from
• What Christ saves us to
• What Christ saves us for

Focus on these things. Consider each one in detail. The questions appear simple, but the answers are gloriously complex (and totally encouraging). Explore them. Chew on them. Revel in them. Each will lead you to the Gospel as the power of God for all who believe!

Saved by Works

I recently came to the realization that I am saved by works. This realization did not result from a change in my theology, nor did it result in a theological change. It actually reinforced the Biblically-grounded "Sola Fide" and "Sola Gratia" convictions I have long held. Believe me, this is a core Reformed conviction.
 
I'll say it again another way: all who have been saved have been saved by works. No one can be saved apart from works. I know, it sounds like heresy, but take a moment to read the rest of this article before passing judgment on the idea.
 
Can we be saved by works and still hold to Sola Fide and Sola Gratia? Yes, absolutely!
 
The question is not whether we are saved by works, but whose work saves. We can only be saved by the work of Christ. We cannot be saved by our own works. This is just another way of saying we must be saved by faith alone. All we bring to the equation is faith. God brings the rest, and He does the work. Saving faith, of course, can never be produced from within ourselves. It is granted us from God, and Christ is the Author of it. Saving sinners is His work. Granting repentance and faith is His work. Bearing sin is His work. Dying for unworthy wretches is His work. Raising the dead is His work. Forgiving the guilty is His work. Justifying the ungodly is His work. Sanctifying and keeping and glorifying believers is His work.
 
So if you are saved, it is by works! God's works. 
 
And when we recognize that we are the sinners, the ungodly, the weak fools who have proudly turned from God's mercy, we cannot imagine that there would ever be any work we could do that could possibly save us. Not in a million years. Not in an eternity.

John 4:34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work."

John 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."

Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

 
To be saved by grace through faith is to be saved by good works - but not by our own works. We are saved by the works of Christ Jesus our Lord alone.
 
Thus we say . . .

Sola Fide!
Sola Gratia!
Solus Christus!
Soli Deo Gloria!
 
And all of that is a consequence of this:
 
Sola Scriptura!

Editor's Note: I wrote this article a while back, and had decided not to post it. However, when I saw this post from Eddie Eddings, I changed my mind. I guess we were on the same page.

Election and Atonement - A Few Key Differences

A recent article by David Ponter got me thinking about some of the differences between election and atonement in God's sovereign plan of salvation. Here are a few important distinctions that came to mind . . .


Time

Election is supra-historical (it took place outside of time as we know it, or what we call "history"). 

Atonement is a historical event (it happened at a specific time in history)

Place

Election happened outside the world, in eternity, before the creation of the world. 

Atonement happened in the world.

Role in Salvation

Election is essentially a plan and a decision to save

Atonement is the means by which the plan is executed

Relation to Sin
Election does not prevent sins or remove guilt
Atonement is the remedy for sin that has been committed (or will be committed) and the means of removing the resulting guilt.

Visibility

Election took place in secret and outside the possibilities of empirical verification

Atonement took place in public and was verifiably witnessed

Human Involvement
Election is totally free of human involvement, being God's choice alone
Atonement occurred through a compatibilistic action of God's will through the sinful choices of fallen humans, and by the righteous act of the incarnate God-Man.


Relation to the Incarnation
Election occurred independent of the incarnation, however it rendered the incarnation necessary
Atonement could not occur apart from the incarnation

Beneficiaries

Election only benefits believers

Atonement benefits everyone, and especially believers

Intended Audience
Election is preached primarily to believers
Atonement is preached to everyone


Intended Effect of Preaching
The preaching of election is meant to encourage, edify and comfort believers
The preaching of the atonement is meant to induce initial repentance in unbelievers, and to edify believers


Primary Revelatory Purpose
Election reassures believers of God's eternal love
Atonement tells the whole world of God's love and justice


Relation to Human Will
Election is not offered, but decreed from eternity, and cannot be accepted or rejected
Atonement is offered to all people, to be accepted or rejected.
*Note that apart from the effectual call, the offered atonement is always rejected.


Relation to the General Call of the Gospel
Election has no bearing on the the general call of the Gospel, except that it guarantees that call will reach all of the elect
Atonement is the essential subject matter of the general call


Relation to the Effectual Call
Election determines who will receive an effectual call, and thus respond to the general call
Atonement is the essential subject matter of the effectual call, the fountain of irresistible grace


Relation to God's Will (Part A)
Election reflects God's specific choice to save particular sinners
Atonement reveals God's general desire to save sinners, by telling all sinners a way has been made for their salvation, yet it is also the means by which His particular will to save the elect is put in to effect


Relation to God's Will (Part B)
Election is a hidden decree of God
Atonement expresses God's revealed will to offer salvation to all, and is the means by which He fulfills His hidden decree to actually save some.


God is perfect in planning and in executing the plan.

The Terror of Sin, The Power of Grace, The Tragedy of Distraction

God created Adam with freedom to choose sin or blessing, obedience or disobedience, life or death. Adam freely chose sin. Sin killed Adam's soul, corrupted his mind and enslaved his will.


Imagine how terrible sin is: that every child of Adam is likewise killed, corrupted, and enslaved by it. All of the pains, sorrows and injustices in this world - and all of the torments experienced in hell - can be traced back to the basic reality of sin. How awful sin must be! It is a destroyer.


Now, consider the immense and almighty power of grace: that God revives, restores and reclaims sinners by it! By grace He liberates the sin-slave, eliminates the condemnation, and delivers the captive! By grace He restores rebels, turns hearts from destruction, justifies the ungodly and establishes holiness where there was only toxic filth.


Adore the greatness of the mercy that delays judgment and provides a remedy for the helpless!
Stand in awe of the sacrifice that redeems and raises dead souls, heals corrupted minds, and renews a willing spirit in us! 


Bless the God who makes all things new!

II Corinthians 5:16-21 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The trouble is, too many of us have forgotten, neglected, trivialized or discounted the very simple and awe-inspiring facts of the Gospel. Thus it is no wonder we need more and more light shows, dancers, multimedia presentations, huge crowds, superstar worship leaders, and Hollywood sermons filled with provocative, morally questionable content. We have lost the ability to worship God in the simple yet infinitely mystifying reality of WHO He is and WHAT He has done. Yet the mighty cherubim adore Him eternally and without distraction, never having been redeemed, reconciled, restored or liberated  from misery. They only have God, as Creator and King, and they worship unceasingly on that basis alone. He is their light show. He is their star. He is their hero. He is their drama. He is their crowd. He is their display of greatness. He is all the pageantry and excitement they need. They are fully satisfied in Him, and He is glorified in them.

Today's worship services might just be too distracting. All the trappings of our "worship" are useful only as they lead us to a fresh appreciation of the simple Truth of the Gospel.

The Gospel in Isaiah 26

Editor's Note: I haven't posted much lately because I've been busy wrestling with the implications of Isaiah 53:5 while preparing for the next installment in the Suffering Servant series. That post should be ready for presentation soon. After we finish our study of Isaiah 53, I plan to present a series of articles from a devotional book on Biblical paradoxes (the author - a like minded preacher from a Plymouth Brethren background - has graciously granted me permission to re-publish his material on this site, which is very exciting!). After that, I plan to discuss some key theological concepts related to the goodness of God - particularly Augustine's theodicy and its relation to Calvinism and Christian faith in general). So, while I continue to struggle joyously through the implications of Isaiah 53:5, I have decided to publish the following brief doctrinal/devotional on Isaiah 26. Hope it's encouraging!

The book of Isaiah has been called "The Gospel according to Isaiah." Let's take a quick look at Isaiah 26 to find out why.

1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
“We have a strong city;
he sets up salvation
as walls and bulwarks.
2 Open the gates,
that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.

Here is the doctrine of justification by faith. What a strong city this doctrine is. What a welcoming gate of entrance it opens to those who trust in Christ. The word "nation" in verse 2 is the usual word for Gentiles, so for the Jews there was a great irony here. Could be read: "The righteous Gentile that keeps faith may enter in."

3 You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

Here are the doctrines of reconciliation, sanctification and preservation. He reconciles us to Himself and keeps us and protects us. We trust in Him and fix our minds on Him and flee to Him.

5 For he has humbled
the inhabitants of the height,
the lofty city.
He lays it low, lays it low to the ground,
casts it to the dust.
6 The foot tramples it,
the feet of the poor,
the steps of the needy.”

7 The path of the righteous is level;
you make level the way of the righteous.

Here is a continuation of the doctrine of progressive yet militant sanctification, with emphasis on God's work of humbling the proud and then exalting the humble. His triumph is our victory! His conquering "army" is a band of blessed, triumphant, ragged beggars. Sanctification is the pathway in which we walk - humbly, by faith - never losing sight of our poverty and neediness. The meek shall take the land.

8 In the path of your judgments,
O LORD, we wait for you;
your name and remembrance
are the desire of our soul.
9 My soul yearns for you in the night;
my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.

Here are the results of the doctrine of regeneration. Only a regenerated heart can have these holy desires and worshipful yearnings. You must be born again.

For when your judgments are in the earth,
the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
10 If favor is shown to the wicked,
he does not learn righteousness;
in the land of uprightness he deals corruptly
and does not see the majesty of the LORD.
11 O LORD, your hand is lifted up,
but they do not see it.

Here are the doctrines of total depravity, common grace and reprobation. The unregenerate man militates against the things of God, even in a godly environment. God's favor is shown to all, but those who do not believe cannot "learn righteousness" by grace. They are blinded by sin.

Let them see your zeal for your people, and be ashamed.
Let the fire for your adversaries consume them.

Here is the doctrine of divine wrath and judgment. Make no mistake, God reserves fiery wrath for His enemies. But He has a great saving zeal for those who are His.

12 O LORD, you will ordain peace for us,

for you have indeed done for us all our works.

Here is the doctrine of man's entire dependence upon God. No "free will" here, but a bold affirmation of the divine decree and compatibilism. "For it is God who works in you . . ."

13 O LORD our God,
other lords besides you have ruled over us,
but your name alone we bring to remembrance.

14 They are dead, they will not live;

they are shades, they will not arise;
to that end you have visited them with destruction
and wiped out all remembrance of them.

15 But you have increased the nation, O LORD,

you have increased the nation; you are glorified;
you have enlarged all the borders of the land.


Here are the doctrines of confession and repentance from sin, divine sovereignty and the glory of God. We are natural idolaters, but the one Lord of all has captivated our hearts. He is jealous over us for our good and His glory. Soli deo gloria.

16 O LORD, in distress they sought you;
they poured out a whispered prayer
when your discipline was upon them.
17 Like a pregnant woman
who writhes and cries out in her pangs
when she is near to giving birth,
so were we because of you, O LORD;

Here is the doctrine of God's discipline. God loves us enough to humble us and bring us to the end of ourselves through suffering. Isaiah has just finished saying that God "increased" and "enlarged" the nation. Now he explains how it was done: by the pruning that leads to greater fruitfulness.

18 we were pregnant, we writhed,
but we have given birth to wind.
We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth,
and the inhabitants of the world have not fallen.

Here is the doctrine of man's inability to save himself. Apart from effectual grace, all our works and efforts and strivings accomplish nothing of value. God's hand of discipline leads us to this realization - so that we may learn to trust in Him rather than ourselves.

19 Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise.
You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!
For your dew is a dew of light,
and the earth will give birth to the dead.

Here, combined, are the doctrines of regeneration and the resurrection of the dead.  As a new day dawns, bringing fresh dew and light from above, the regenerated heart joyfully praises God. The night has passed! There is new birth! Death itself is overcome!

20 Come, my people, enter your chambers,
and shut your doors behind you;
hide yourselves for a little while
until the fury has passed by.
21 For behold, the LORD is coming out from his place
to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity,
and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it,
and will no more cover its slain.

Once again, here is the doctrine of divine wrath and judgment, along with the doctrine of atonement for sin. These verses call to mind the first Passover, when the righteous were covered and hidden away from God's judgment because an unblemished lamb was slain for them. And One has been sacrificed for us, too.

Our Redeemer

Isaiah 47:4 Our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts is His name, is the Holy One of Israel.

A Redeemer is one who saves others at his own expense.

Thus this word implies and pre-figures the Gospel, wherein God saves us and brings us into covenant relationship with Himself, by paying the greatest price. He is almighty enough to do it - yet He had to become weak (and even die) to accomplish it. He is our very own God, our Holy One, and we are His very own people. Blessed be the name of our great Redeemer.

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Salvation & Salvage

This week, business has taken me to Tampa, Florida. Yesterday I spent some time at a scrap metal yard.

Behind me is a 4-story metal shredder that can vaporize a bus in a matter of seconds. That's impressive, but our God can do ever better things. Safety equipment is highly recommended.

This fascinating business takes items that are generally considered worthless and grinds them into twisted chunks of valuable material which can be used to build new items.

It strikes me that God is in the salvage business . . . and for this my soul will praise Him always!

The Gulf Oil Spill as an Illustration of Sin

The Gulf Oil Spill is a horrific disaster. It calls to mind an even greater tragedy which affects each of us in much more significant ways. Let's look at some of the parallels . . .

The Gulf Oil Spill started with the catastrophic fall of something that was created good . . .

Just as mankind fell catastrophically from original innocence when Adam and Eve sinned.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned . . . (Romans 5:12)

The problem with the Gulf Oil Spill is not just what is on the surface, but the gushing well in the depths below . . .

Just as sin is not a mere behavioral issue, but a deeply rooted condition flowing from an evil and corrupt heart.

And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." (Mark 7:20-23)

The significance of the Gulf Oil Spill has been minimized, discounted and treated lightly . . .

Just as sin is taken lightly and not approached with the seriousness and severity it deserves.

For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. They have healed the brokenness of my people superficially, saying, 'Peace, peace,' but there is no peace. (Jeremiah 6:13-14)

There have been repeated unsuccessful attempts to fix the Gulf Oil Spill . . .

Just as there have been repeated unsuccessful attempts to save mankind from the effects of sin.

For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. (Romans 10:2-3)

The Gulf Oil Spill will carry an immense price tag, with environmental effects, lost jobs and bankrupted businesses . .
Just as sin has cost mankind all of his spiritual riches, leaving every one of us spiritually dead and entirely bankrupt.

What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; (Romans 3:9-10)

The most hopeful remedy for the Gulf Oil Spill is a relief well that will draw the polluting oil into an alternate path and make a complete capping of the broken well achievable . . .

Just as the only remedy for human sin is the substitutionary atonement of Christ, leading to the ultimate redemption and final righteousness of His people. (NOTE: Whereas the relief well is not a guarantee, the atoning work of Christ is a guarantee of salvation for all who come to Him in faith).

. . . Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession . . . (Titus 2:13-14)

Even with a successful relief well, the Gulf Oil Spill cleanup will be a long term process . . .

Just as sanctification is a progressive work that requires time, effort, and ongoing faith.

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. (Colossians 2:6-7)

In the time of the New Heavens and New Earth, when the creation itself has been redeemed, all the effects of the Gulf Oil Spill will be completely remedied . . .
Just as the effects of sin will be completely remedied when we see Jesus face to face.

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (I John 3:2-3)

Isaiah 53:1 - The Arm of the Lord

. . . and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

The "arm of the Lord" indicates God's decisive and powerful action, effecting the salvation of His people or bringing judgment upon His enemies. It is decidedly God's own action, accomplished entirely by Himself and not through a creature as His instrument. Consider these examples from the book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 30:30 And the LORD will cause His voice of authority to be heard, and the descending of His arm to be seen in fierce anger, and in the flame of a consuming fire In cloudburst, downpour and hailstones.

Isaiah 40:10-11 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

Isaiah 48:14 Assemble, all of you, and listen! Who among them has declared these things? The LORD loves him; he will carry out His good pleasure on Babylon, and His arm will be against the Chaldeans.

Isaiah 51:5 My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, and My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait for Me, and for My arm they will wait expectantly.

Isaiah 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake as in the days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not You who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon?

Isaiah 52:10 The LORD has bared His holy arm In the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see The salvation of our God.

Isaiah 59:16 And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, and His righteousness upheld Him.

Isaiah 63:5 I looked, and there was no one to help, and I was astonished and there was no one to uphold; so My own arm brought salvation to Me, and My wrath upheld Me.

 
The question, "to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" would seem to have two possible meanings: either a saving work, or a work of judgment. Since the cross is both, it is difficult to ascertain which meaning is most intended by the prophet. Adding to this complication is the fact that "to whom" could properly be translated "upon whom." Further, "revealed" could refer to the uncovering of the arm (i.e., "rolling up the sleeves") in preparation for a decisive act of judgment, or it could refer to a saving revelation of Who or what the "arm" is. The Hebrew text seems to leave some options open. However, in this verse two seemingly opposite truths can be seen and known with certainty:

1. The cross reveals God's fierce arm of judgment against unbelief and sin.

2. The cross reveals Gods mighty arm of salvation for sinners who believe.

The greatest revelation of God's saving strength is found in the cross, and the most terrifying revelation of His awesome wrath is found in the cross. Judgment and mercy are potently and paradoxically displayed here. Let us never lose sight of TWO equally weighty messages declared in picturesque form by the cross: first, that GOD HATES AND JUDGES ALL SIN; second, that GOD LOVES AND SAVES SINNERS WHO TRUSTINGLY TURN TO HIM ON THE BASIS OF CHRIST'S SUFFERING IN THEIR PLACE.

The cross unveils both hell and heaven, sin and salvation, judgment and mercy, truth and grace, love and hatred, despair and joy, abject hopelessness and unconquerable optimism . . . all brought together in one place, in one historic event, as one finite bit of time folded inextricably into the eternal and timeless moment, one apparently contingent and changeable human circumstance united with the supra-chronological and eternally settled divine purpose, linking the soul of One Man to the entire human race, drawing spiritual poison into Himself and transferring life-giving Spirit back across the divide, demonstrating spiritual death in physical death, displaying spiritual life in physical resurrection, and through incalculable sacrifice purchasing everything that would ever be needed for dirty wretches to be brought into the favor of a pure and righteous Father.

The Gospel is God showing forth His mighty strength, saving His chosen ones, making known His great power through apparent weakness. It is the power of mercy to love the unlovely. It is power of grace to overcome sin. It is power of God's Spirit to effect repentance and draw faith from human hearts as water was drawn from the rock in the desert. It is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.