What should a preacher do when preaching the Gospel to the lost? Is it to be something that is of pure love, or something that warns them of their sin and exhorts them to come to Christ?
This is something I have personally struggled with tremendously throughout my later childhood and now. I read in the Gospels where Christ preached meekly, “And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.” (Luke 5:31) - in Matthew 5:5 we see Jesus giving the sermon on the mount, saying that "blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth!"
What is it then? Is it the job of a Christian to preach meekness, and meekness alone, without a tint of any condemnation? Was Jonathan Edwards, the 18th century preacher who sparked the second great awakening in America, and who God used to convert 500 souls to Christ the day he gave his sermon 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God' in error for mingling meekness with judgment?
Though Christ in the Gospels did preach love and meekness, he also preached condemnation and justice! 5 chapters after the sermon on the mount, Jesus says "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34) - after John 3:16, the 'verse of God's love', Jesus tells Nicodemus that: "He that believeth on him [Jesus] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18) and, again, in verse 36: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Paul writes in Ephesians 5:11: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
What is my point?
Plainly, that a Christian ought to take the effort to understand the Scriptures, and know when to preach with meekness, and when not to preach with meekness.
This is something that takes much time and study... Something I need to work on.
I recommend 'The Bruised Reed' by Richard Sibbes to anyone interested in this topic. Sibbes understood this topic very well.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Contemplating on the Caribbean Sea
Contemplating on the Caribbean Sea
Penned between March 30 and 31, 2016 as I was meditating upon the Glory of God and His Word while sailing the Caribbean on a cruise-ship.
Forward: upon much thoughtful meditation, I have determined upon one thing; that is, to live forever for the Glory of Christ, and to do and to write those things which insist upon my love of God's Word, and continuously embark on my endeavors to see spiritual growth and the love of the Gospel to grow in and around other believers. To find where I derived all these contemptlations, search the Scripture, or do a quick Google search of the main-themes that I write about, and you should find them.
Forward: upon much thoughtful meditation, I have determined upon one thing; that is, to live forever for the Glory of Christ, and to do and to write those things which insist upon my love of God's Word, and continuously embark on my endeavors to see spiritual growth and the love of the Gospel to grow in and around other believers. To find where I derived all these contemptlations, search the Scripture, or do a quick Google search of the main-themes that I write about, and you should find them.
Conclusion 1, that sin is the transgression of the law, whereas love is the fulfillment of the law. Therefore, to love is to transgress sin, and to sin is to transgress love.
Conclusion 2, that there are many transgressions that are mistakenly thought of as being loving, such as fornications.
Conclusion 3, God is love. In Him is no darkness at all.
Conclusion 4, that though there be many things that Christians are called to do and not to do, Christian piety ought also to consist of unwavering and ever-growing humility and humbling of oneself. More importantly, to love God and to love your neighbor.
Conclusion 5, Christians ought to love the things of God more than man, and ought also to make the effort to live for God rather than for themselves. Trusting in God will bring about those things that are necessary for our earthly bodies.
Conclusion 6, that Scripture is the ultimate rule of faith and practice for a Christian, and that no measure of carnal-minded worship, oral tradition, or popery can in any wise usurp or replace that infallible rule of faith.
Conclusion 7, that Christ is the head, first fruit, physician, mediator, teacher, guide, instructor, and husband of the Church.
Conclusion 8, that the Church is the whole body of believers, chosen elect and regenerated saints who put their entire hearts to the great caretaker and shepherd who died on the cross in their place, taking upon Him their transgressions and raising them up for the last day.
Conclusion 9, that no form whatsoever of postmodern or 21st century culture can change, alter, add to, or diminish from the Word or the triune nature of God. Nor can any decisions made by any legal authority on earth change or take away from the Gospel or the Law. In conclusion: God does not change, He is the same God of the creation, Old Testament, New Testament, and today. In conjunction, His opinion on all matters doth not change.
Conclusion 10, that to rightly follow and obey God is to completely and utterly deny all self interests, desires, and opinion that do not conform to the image of Christ and to base ones mind only upon Scripture. And that, a desire to love God means that one must learn to love what God loves, and hate what God hates.
Conclusion 11, that it is comely and expedient for a Christian to strive for continual community, fellowship, and like-mindedness with other Christians. Also, that the fellowship of the saints ought not to be chiefly for gainsay and good feeling, but also shall be that of continuous and effectual exhortation, godly correction and uplifting assurance to that which pertains to heavenly things and to Scripture.
Conclusion 12, that as daily feeding of food nourisheth the body and sustains life, so does daily reading of God's Word, meditation upon His glory, and self evaluation sustain spiritual fruit and life.
Conclusion 13, that daily prayer and repentant humility is necessary for a healthy Christian living.
Conclusion 14, that Christians are the salt and light of the world, and it's their duty to expose, renounce, and reprove evil while solidifying, exhorting and endorsing Christ-like holiness.
Conclusion 15, that reproving and rebuking evil must be done in a spiritual mindset, and no form of carnal conclusions or emotion shall persuade Christians as they reprove it.
Conclusion 16, that personal opinion or notions that are not wrought by God or approved by continuous mediation in Scripture has no place whatsoever in a Christian's decision making process or theological foundation.
Conclusion 17, a wise man is open to correction. A wise man will love those who rebuke him.
Conclusion 18, it is a shame and folly to answer a man or his inquiry before hearing it first.
Conclusion 19, it is foolishness to be double minded, or be carnal-minded and spiritually minded at the same time.
Conclusion 20, affliction and persecution are part of our calling, and without them there would be no trial and building up of our endurance toward Christ.
Conclusion 21, pride comes before the fall.
Conclusion 22, we were all once dead to sin and trespasses, what could we have possibly done to be saved without that undeserving grace of God!
Conclusion 23, God can use bad for good.
Conclusion 24, those who call good things bad and bad things good shall expect great and terrible punishment.
Conclusion 25, the Sciptures define what is good and bad, and so canst no man say nay to God.
Conclusion 26, it is important not to let the sun come down upon your wrath. Rather, be angry and sin not.
Conclusion 27, children are a dear blessing from God, and so likewise all children, born or unborn, are made in the image of God.
Conclusion 28, marriage, which God hath plainly expressed to be between one man and one woman, is likened unto a covanent made between the husband and wife. A marriage can in no wise be kept if the husband is unloving, or the wife swallowed up in her own ways.
Conclusion 30, husbands, love thy wife as Christ loveth the Church. Wives, submit to thy husband. A man doth not own his own body, but his wife. A woman doth not own her own body, but her husband. Above all, God created all.
Conclusion 2, that there are many transgressions that are mistakenly thought of as being loving, such as fornications.
Conclusion 3, God is love. In Him is no darkness at all.
Conclusion 4, that though there be many things that Christians are called to do and not to do, Christian piety ought also to consist of unwavering and ever-growing humility and humbling of oneself. More importantly, to love God and to love your neighbor.
Conclusion 5, Christians ought to love the things of God more than man, and ought also to make the effort to live for God rather than for themselves. Trusting in God will bring about those things that are necessary for our earthly bodies.
Conclusion 6, that Scripture is the ultimate rule of faith and practice for a Christian, and that no measure of carnal-minded worship, oral tradition, or popery can in any wise usurp or replace that infallible rule of faith.
Conclusion 7, that Christ is the head, first fruit, physician, mediator, teacher, guide, instructor, and husband of the Church.
Conclusion 8, that the Church is the whole body of believers, chosen elect and regenerated saints who put their entire hearts to the great caretaker and shepherd who died on the cross in their place, taking upon Him their transgressions and raising them up for the last day.
Conclusion 9, that no form whatsoever of postmodern or 21st century culture can change, alter, add to, or diminish from the Word or the triune nature of God. Nor can any decisions made by any legal authority on earth change or take away from the Gospel or the Law. In conclusion: God does not change, He is the same God of the creation, Old Testament, New Testament, and today. In conjunction, His opinion on all matters doth not change.
Conclusion 10, that to rightly follow and obey God is to completely and utterly deny all self interests, desires, and opinion that do not conform to the image of Christ and to base ones mind only upon Scripture. And that, a desire to love God means that one must learn to love what God loves, and hate what God hates.
Conclusion 11, that it is comely and expedient for a Christian to strive for continual community, fellowship, and like-mindedness with other Christians. Also, that the fellowship of the saints ought not to be chiefly for gainsay and good feeling, but also shall be that of continuous and effectual exhortation, godly correction and uplifting assurance to that which pertains to heavenly things and to Scripture.
Conclusion 12, that as daily feeding of food nourisheth the body and sustains life, so does daily reading of God's Word, meditation upon His glory, and self evaluation sustain spiritual fruit and life.
Conclusion 13, that daily prayer and repentant humility is necessary for a healthy Christian living.
Conclusion 14, that Christians are the salt and light of the world, and it's their duty to expose, renounce, and reprove evil while solidifying, exhorting and endorsing Christ-like holiness.
Conclusion 15, that reproving and rebuking evil must be done in a spiritual mindset, and no form of carnal conclusions or emotion shall persuade Christians as they reprove it.
Conclusion 16, that personal opinion or notions that are not wrought by God or approved by continuous mediation in Scripture has no place whatsoever in a Christian's decision making process or theological foundation.
Conclusion 17, a wise man is open to correction. A wise man will love those who rebuke him.
Conclusion 18, it is a shame and folly to answer a man or his inquiry before hearing it first.
Conclusion 19, it is foolishness to be double minded, or be carnal-minded and spiritually minded at the same time.
Conclusion 20, affliction and persecution are part of our calling, and without them there would be no trial and building up of our endurance toward Christ.
Conclusion 21, pride comes before the fall.
Conclusion 22, we were all once dead to sin and trespasses, what could we have possibly done to be saved without that undeserving grace of God!
Conclusion 23, God can use bad for good.
Conclusion 24, those who call good things bad and bad things good shall expect great and terrible punishment.
Conclusion 25, the Sciptures define what is good and bad, and so canst no man say nay to God.
Conclusion 26, it is important not to let the sun come down upon your wrath. Rather, be angry and sin not.
Conclusion 27, children are a dear blessing from God, and so likewise all children, born or unborn, are made in the image of God.
Conclusion 28, marriage, which God hath plainly expressed to be between one man and one woman, is likened unto a covanent made between the husband and wife. A marriage can in no wise be kept if the husband is unloving, or the wife swallowed up in her own ways.
Conclusion 30, husbands, love thy wife as Christ loveth the Church. Wives, submit to thy husband. A man doth not own his own body, but his wife. A woman doth not own her own body, but her husband. Above all, God created all.
Afterword: these things that I have written have but one purpose, that is, to lift up the hearts and souls of God's children. My purpose is in no wise to lift up myself for my own self, though writing this has indeed helped me; but rather, I wish to see the life of my brothers and sisters in Christ to be more Christ-centered - where God is exslted. I strive to see the day where my beloved brothers and sisters walk in their daily lives looking up to God, to see His fantastic glory and wait upon His omnipotence to give them joy, peace and comfort. And though our afflictions may be for a season, our gracious God doth not slack, nor will He forget His children. Rather, He shall use all things in our life for His good.
I did not include the citations of Scripture I derived my contemplations from for one reason: so that my beloved brothers and sisters may search themselves these things in which I find so sweet and comforting to know about. I wish for all to learn and to enjoy for themselves the sweet savour of our Lord that is incensed upon each and every word of Scripture.
I did not include the citations of Scripture I derived my contemplations from for one reason: so that my beloved brothers and sisters may search themselves these things in which I find so sweet and comforting to know about. I wish for all to learn and to enjoy for themselves the sweet savour of our Lord that is incensed upon each and every word of Scripture.
Soli deo Gloria, Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)