Reformers and Puritans

Josh October 20th, 2007

Recently, it was asserted that I am living too much “under the Law.” But the assertion does not cease there. Pitted against me living too much “under the Law” was the presumption that I was not living enough “in the Holy Spirit.” Now all of this was, to be honest, confounding and news to me. How one who does not know me could, with any intellectual honesty whatsoever, impute such sentiments to my state of being left me with only two logical possibilities.

Either:

1. Said person has obviously not taken the time to read even just a small portion of my blog entries of substance, thus appreciating the greater context in which I discuss God’s Law.

Or:

2. Said person has textual evidence from my own hand (keyboard) by which he could expose and indict me, proving such allegations to be, in fact, true.

Since no evidence was laid forth, I suppose I will opt for the first. It is apparent that whilst I have put many an emphases in my blog concerning God’s Law, portions in which I have discussed the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration, the Gospel of Grace’s saving power, et al have been selectively passed over. However, before addressing the neglect of my accuser in considering the exhaustive context of my writings, let us briefly examine a role/some roles in which God’s Law ought to act in the life of a believer. I feel this is necessary because I believe that said person’s allegations stem from a misunderstanding of what it means to be “under the Law.” Respectfully, though I believe his intentions positive, I fear he has fallen prey to the idea that those of us who are under grace can only be out from “under the Law” by casting it aside. Such a belief is unfounded in Scripture and, I believe, a revolt against God’s provision of goodness He has given us in the Law.

First, what does God’s Word say about God’s Law? Many things. My personal favorite follows thus from Psalm 19:

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

I am certain that Biblical Christians would all agree that we can trust Scripture, no? Not only can we trust in Scripture, we can love and obey it wholeheartedly, without fear of it leading us astray. Thus, it follows we can also believe in and trust what the Psalmist says here. Let us consider a few of the Psalmist’s descriptors of the Law.

1. God’s Law is Perfect (v.7)

Hebrew: תמים –Transliteration: tamiym — which means:

1) complete, whole, entire, sound
a) complete, whole, entire
b) whole, sound, healthful
c) complete, entire (of time)
d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact

Accidental is certainly no way to characterize the Psalmist’s placing of perfect as the first descriptor of God’s Law in this passage. Rather, it lays the foundation for all those which proceed thereafter. Because God’s Law is perfect, we can be confident that to the “revived soul” it:

-is sure, bringing wisdom to the simple
-is right, rejoicing the heart
-is pure, enlightening the eyes

So not only is the Law all these perfect things, but it does and brings good things! Wisdom, Joy, Illumination, and Rewards. That doesn’t sound scary, nor is it something I mind living “under.” Now, considering the given definition of perfect, I believe we are safe to proclaim that God’s Law is perpetual. If it is perfect (and it is), how could one even imply that it is bad, deficient, or whatever one wishes to say, enough that we need to be finished with it? I mean, it is complete, not lacking in anything, sound, etc., thus it has no need to be abolished. Next, allow me to quote that Esteemed Apostle, when he writes:

So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. - Romans 7:12

Having briefly touched the surface, let me say that I, in no way, think my accuser would disagree thus far with what I’ve said. “So, then, what is the purpose, Josh?” To point out that when the Apostle says “you are not under law but under grace,” he does not mean that the Law is bad, or that it is no longer in effect. Granted, there are certain Mosaic, Ceremonial, and Judicial laws which are no longer in effect, but not without reason. Those very things no longer have any typological use, having been fulfilled in Christ. No, what I speak of is God’s Moral Law.

What was Paul saying, then? The same thing that is true for every believer in all times in all ages ranging from Adam to present. That, before God so graciously regenerated and justifies a sinner, he is condemned by the Law. Not because the Law is in any way deficient. NO! Because men are deficient. The Law stands as a condemnation against those who have not been saved by the Law Giver. However, once the sinner is graciously brought into the Law Giver’s family, he is no longer condemned by that Law, but saved by the Law Giver’s grace.

Therefore, since it is nothing inherent within the Law that is condemnable, deficient, etc. Paul does not mean that the Law is no longer authoritative, binding, or  important for the Christian. We know that the Law is perfect, good, holy, just, rewarding, etc. How, then, could we say it is abolished? The Law, for the unbeliever, serves one of two purposes: Either, his condemnation unto everlasting hell, or his conviction unto repentance, conversion and everlasting glory.

For the Christian, though, the Law is still authoritative, binding, and important. It cannot condemn the Christian, for there is now no condemnation for those in Christ. Why is that? Because Christ took the condemnation, not because of some magical pixie dust that is applied to believers when they are converted. The Law is a measure for the Christian. The Law ought to be a delight for the Christian. The Law serves as a means unto holiness (not perfectionism, mind you). Thus, it is not the Law that is bad, but men. The Law is not a Boogey-Man.

So, as I have said before time and again here, man is justified by grace alone (sola gratia) through faith alone (sola fide) in Christ alone (soli Christo) according to Scripture alone (sola Scriptura) to the glory of God alone (soli Deo gloria). Sinners are not, I repeat, are not salvifically justified by the Law. Thus, in light of what I have written concerning justification and man’s salvation, the burden of proof is on my accuser to show wherein I have asserted any sentiment that I am living under the Law, or that I think such is somehow right, and that I am not living enough “in the Holy Spirit.”

• From the Study , Justification , Theology General
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Josh March 18th, 2007

I was in McDonald’s one morning, enjoying a nice warm breakfast consisting of an Egg McMuffin, Hash Brown, and a Cinnamon melt. I was hooked up to the internet on my laptop by way of my Wi-Fi technology. As I finished my morning feast, I perused through some of the Puritan prayers found in The Valley of Vision, thanking God for His graciousness to me. I then began to read through my daily Bible reading as appointed by the plan I was using. This I also accessed from the internet, in the comfortable setting of this quiet little McDonald’s.

I was thoroughly enjoying this refreshing time when all of a sudden a stench filled the immediate vicinity. It had the smell of “old” and mold. A figure passed by in my peripheral vision. It was a man dressed very shabbily, his clothes tattered and having the appearance of having been caught in a dust storm. I made the assumption that this man was a bum…and this BY CHOICE. I mean, come on, we’re in America. Anyone can get a job in this country. Sure, one may not like the job they’re doing, but anyone - disabled or not - is capable of finding employment.

This guy walks in, has ruined my time of rejuvination, and hasn’t even purchased anything from McDonald’s! No, from some of the money he’s scrunged up somewhere he went and bought a 44 oz drink from EZ Mart. However, the setting in EZ Mart ain’t exactly EZ. So he brings it to McDonald’s and sits in a remote corner where he’s unfettered by party-poopers who might ask him to leave the premises. As I tried to regain focus on the passage I was reading he was making looks in a few different directions. I supposed by the manner in which he was glaring, that people (like me) had been watching him and he was repaying their looks with dissatisfied looks of his own.

Who was this guy who had the nerve to come into McDonald’s, having paid for nothing, even having brought a drink from somewhere else, and yet who was going to use McDonald’s time and space to sit for a while and get out of the cool morning air? I kept trying to read through Galatians 2 but kept glancing back at this man with contempt and indignation. Out of his dingy coat he pulled out a pair of glasses, like he was going to actually use them for something. It was pathetic. As he put them on his face, I noticed there was only one lens. On the other side, the frame had been broken and was missing the rim on the bottom part as well as a lens.

Not only did this man stink, ruin my morning, and loiter at McDonald’s, but he also looked ridiculously foolish wearing these glasses he’d probably found on the street somewhere. He wasn’t even reading anything! Who was he trying to fool? I know these types. They came on hard times once, possibly fell into a deep depression, and have just never picked themselves up from it. Instead of finding work they wallow in their self-pity and beg their way through life. BY CHOICE. I considered all this and I couldn’t even focus on my reading:

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:15-16)

Instantly my heart was CRUSHED. Just as Nathan the prophet told the King of all Israel - the one who lived in lavished riches, carefree from the things of the world, reigning and ruling from his throne - just as he told King David, “YOU ARE THAT MAN!”, I realized I was once just like this bum toward whom I was holding great contempt and unjustified indignation. I had no ‘works’ that ‘justified’ me before God.

I was once a God-hater BY CHOICE. I once loitered God’s creation, my sin bringing a great stench that invaded my surrounding vicinity. Everything I did was BY CHOICE. I was a fool. I enjoyed God’s creation, all the while never giving Him credit or praise for anything (I didn’t have anything to give. It was all filthy, dingy, and without merit). I was a pathetic, shabbily dressed, and drifting soul, befitting of only being left to myself…deserving no one’s help. And yet God in His wonderful mercy and saving grace, and despite my hatred toward Him, took captive my darkened heart. He gave me a ring and He robed me with His righteousness. And He did this BY CHOICE.

Back to that morning at McDonald’s. My heart broke and I began to cry, asking God to forgive my foolishness. Sure, I still thought this man was a beggar and bum by choice. I still truly believe that anyone who wants a job in this land is able to get one, regardless of their circumstances…it just may not be the one they want. But I was the same as a filthy sinner before the eyes of God…choosing my circumstances, blinded to His light. But he saved me. I repented of my ungrounded attitude toward this man, and approached him asking him if I could buy him something to eat. He politely said, “No thanks, but if you could leave me a couple of bucks, I’d be grateful.” This was expected, as I knew what he probably wanted it for. I told him I had no cash, only a debit card. He again expressed his gratitude and I wished him a good day.

God was merciful to me as a dead sinner, and He’s merciful to me now as a Christian who still struggles with hypocrisy…BY CHOICE. Blessed be the Name of the Lord Who saves sinners.

• Devotional Thoughts , From the Study , Justification , Pilgrim's Progress , Theology General
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Josh March 10th, 2007

A friend asked,

“If God is sovereign, then He can change His mind. Is that right?

To which I respond:

No. Think about it. If this were true in theory, the moment He changed His mind (in a true sense), He would then cease being God because that means there was something He’d actually need to change, which would deny His perfection. If God is perfect (and He is), then He needs to change nothing.

If the Bible says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (and it does), then we may also know that the other 2 persons of the Trinity are unchangeable as well. As has already been touched upon, when we see instances in Scripture where it appears that God has “changed” His mind, we must take into account that the Lord is so lofty and incomprehensible that, at times, the Holy Spirit-inspired writers of Scripture had to use anthropromorphisms to convey a concept to the readers that could not otherwise be conveyed.

The Lord is unsearchable. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God.” His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts, just as the heavens are higher than the earth (Isaiah 55). One thing, though, has been made abundantly clear in Scripture: God is thoroughly, completely, and fully sovereign. He works all things according to the counsel of His will.

Let us look at Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning God” No one else. Nothing else. God alone. We may deduce both logically and scripturally that all creation and its order have thus proceeded from God, Who alone is Creator. He spoke all of it into existence. In Colossians we read that Christ holds all things together and that in Him all things consist. I would say, my friend, that is sovereignty if ever a fellow knew it.

Consider with me, if you will, the hardening of Pharoah’s heart. God hardened it during the plagues, then He’d soften it, but harden it back again. Why? We’re not necessarily privy to that information. But we know God said this to Pharoah in Exodus 9, “For this very purpose, I have raised you up…that my Name may be known.” We have here several things to be noted. God uses the term purpose. Then He points out that He has done the raising of Pharoah to power and prestige, that He might humble Him by using Him, against His own desires, to free Israel from bondage. Then, because Scripure tells us, we’re given a bit of a why. God says, “That my Name may be known!” Wa-la! It is His own glory which with God is concerned.

Consider later, when the Children of Israel are crossing the Red Sea. God says several times that He’s going to pass Israel through, and then throw the Egyptians into the sea, and their horses and chariots, that they would know He is God. Again, it is for His glory.

The considerations could go on and on exhaustively, because every book in Scripture screams of God’s absolute sovereignty over the affairs of men and, PRAISE GOD, especially in light of salvation. If God were not sovereign, no man could ever be saved. I repeat, if God could not sovereignly intervene to save us men from our natural states, we never would nor could be saved.

The book of Job, the book of Isaiah, the book of Lamentations, the book of Amos (literally every book could be mentioned here). If it’s needed to be broken down to remind folks: Matthew 13 (Cross reference Luke for the same parable explanation); John 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 17; Acts 13:48 (Not to mention the work of God in the acts of the Apostles and the Church throughout the whole book therein); Romans 8, 9; 1 Cor 2; Eph 1, 2; so on, so forth. These references are just off the top of my head, but the truth is that all of Scripture is replete with the fact of God’s sovereignty in all things. Man is unable to get around this fact, so they just supress the truth in unrighteousness because of their pride.

Thus, the question ought not be, “If God is sovereign, then He can _______, right?”

Rather, it should be, “Since God is sovereign, then whatsoever He ordains is right and I am commanded to worship Him and believe His Word even when I cannot quite fully grasp it all with human, limited, finite mind. O, Lord I believe, help my unbelief!”

• Devotional Thoughts , From the Study , Justification , Pilgrim's Progress , The 5 Points , Theology General
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Josh February 19th, 2007

Exodus 2:24:

…and God remembered his covenant with Abraham

If this doesn’t speak volumes of the multitudes of mercies God has shown men, what does? If you belong to Christ, remember, God has not covenanted with His elect in vain. He remembers His promises and He keeps them. One of my favorite verses (out of the multitudes) is John 14:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

 Praise God for His infinite love. Amen.

• Covenant Theology-Baptism , Devotional Thoughts , From the Study , Justification , Pilgrim's Progress , Scripture Verses
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Josh February 18th, 2007

Job 1:1, 5 (my emphasis and parentheses added):  

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil…and when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them (that is, his children) all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

Earlier, I told you I wanted to address the subject of the sovereignty of God in the context of this book of Job, so let us begin. Here we read of this “blameless and upright” man of God. Not only do we see his personal holiness via its proclamation thereof in Scripture, we see the effects of his holiness making waves in his family dealings. As an aside, we see Job’s actions here being a far cry from the ways in which the majority of fathers in this day and age have utterly failed to exercise headship, culpability, and responsibility for their families. 

More over, we see that the text immediately notes the godliness of Job, and his concern for his family. Mixed in amongst these mentions is that of his great wealth. It’s funny, though, how his wealth does not give Job the security to live in sin and licentiousness. No, he is “blameless” and is much concerned with the holiness of not only himself, but his family. Thus, it is established…Job’s a man of God, not harboring sin, or pride, or greed, or envy, etc. Now we read this (Job 1:6-12, my emphasis added):

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up anhe d down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

We may deduce several thoughts from this passage. I will consider a few. Number 1, this book, as shown in this passage, is not primarily about suffering, or even Job’s suffering. This book is about God’s sovereignty over all things. Secondly, Satan is not equal in power, stature, or grandeur with God Almighty. There are folks in this world who go for the idea of a balance between good and evil that is in perpetual warfare against one another. I believe it’s the ying yang that tries to symbolize this foolish concept. No, it is plain that Satan is subject to God just like any other creature. Consider the fact that Satan does not address the Lord, until he himself is called to do so. You will also note that Satan doesn’t ignore God’s spoken word, nor does he lie (for he knows the futility therein) to him as to treat the Lord’s question with indignity. So it is as it has always been…God-Almighty, Satan-not even close.

Thirdly, though Satan is the accuser of the brethren, in this particular case, it is not Satan who brings up God’s loyal subject, Job. Rather, it is the Lord Himself who initiates the conversation and its subject matter. Next, Satan acknowledges God’s goodness by proclaiming what God has done for and given to Job. Herein we see that demons and devils do not deny God or Jesus’ existence, they do not even deny is goodness, holiness, sovereignty, etc. They believe these things about God (as they should), but they do not care. This would be why James notes that mere faith that God is true is not necessarily saving faith.

Lastly, Satan shows his absolute powerlessness apart from God’s granting. In somewhat understanding the natural heart of man, he says that Job doesn’t fear God for no reason. He then, as I have already noted, talks about the kindness God has shown Job, and implies that this is why he serves so faithfully. But Satan has failed to recognize the reborn heart of man, one regenerated by the Holy Spirit, so he continues with his foolishness and asserts that if God takes all these materialistic things, and family, away, that Job will surely curse Him. But it’s important to note that Satan, by saying “stretch out your hand”, is admitting that God is the One Who ordains, has power over, and permits affliction in Job’s life. This is further recognized when God gives Satan the authority to take away Job’s things, but limits it when it comes to Job’s life.

And so, we see that God is sovereign in not only the giving of gifts, riches, and family, but he’s also sovereign in the initiation, planning, and execution of affliction in the lives of men. In light of this, we ought to remember the first chapter of James’ epistle. James spends the first several verses speaking of trials, afflictions, and temptations. Then, in verse 17 he notes that every good and perfect gift is given by our Father in heaven. The sentence before that starts with “Do not be decieved, brethren”, noting that these folks, because of their current trials and hardships, begin to question the goodness of God. But he reminds them that these afflictions, though they don’t appear to be so, are really perfect and good gifts from God above, he is molding us according to the good pleasure of His will.

So, then, let us echo Job while facing trial, hardship, temptation, or affliction and proclaim that the Lord gives and He takes away, BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!

• Devotional Thoughts , From the Study , Justification , Theology General
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