What Then Shall We Say?—Part 3

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”  Let us consider for a moment how God is for us.  He is for us supremely in the acts of redemption mentioned in Romans 8:28-30.  Since the Lord has determined to do all this for us, what cause have we to fear?  Our God is always and irrevocably for us!  We must lay up this great truth in our hearts, for it is the ground and foundation of our relationship to Him.  We must live as those who believe that “God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).  Believing that God is for us in this way has a profound influence on every aspect of our lives.  We must get it rooted and settled in our hearts.  If we do, it will fill us with courage and peace in the most difficult circumstances.

What Then Shall We Say?—Part 2

Questions like the ones in Romans 8:31 challenge our faith: “What then shall we say to these things?”  The “things” referred to are those in the preceding verses, 28-30.  The meaning is, since God will fulfill His eternal purpose to justify, sanctify, and glorify those who have been predestined for this, who can prevent it?  “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  Since God has predestined us to experience all of the blessings of redemption, and has been working in our individual lives everything needed to accomplish what He has planned, who can hinder our eternal salvation?  Given what our Lord has done for us, how are we to respond?  Our minds must dwell on these things until our hearts are profoundly affected by them.  The demonstration we have here of God’s incredible love should fill us with wonder, awe, and gratitude.  Paul in effect asks us, “What more can be said for our encouragement and satisfaction?  What more could we desire?  How can we not be satisfied with what our Lord has provided?  What use shall we make of these things?  What then shall we say?  How shall we then live?”

What Then Shall We Say?—Part 1

The two questions put to us in Romans 8:31 are so important and overflow with so much encouragement, that I will take a few days to explore them.  The first thing to notice is that one of the most profitable things we can do is to ask questions about what we read.  This is a great help in applying biblical truth to our lives.  Examples of this abound in Scripture, and the apostle Paul was particularly adept at using questions to lead his readers to the desired conclusions.  So, to help us apply the blessed truths that he has presented in earlier chapters, and particulalry in the preceding verses, 8:28-30, Paul asks two questions in 8:31.  For any biblical truth to have its proper effect on us, we must respond to it in faith with our whole hearts.  This involves three things.  First, we must clearly understand what is taught in the passage, so that we accept it with sound belief.  Second, this foundation of certainty must be followed by serious consideration on the greatness and importance of what is taught, so that we rightly value it.  Third, in order for this truth to operate in our lives, we must see how it applies to each of us individually.  The most important truths in the Bible will have no effect on us until we receive them in this complete way.  More tomorrow.

Affliction versus Sin

Moses’ self-denial in choosing to suffer affliction rather than to enjoy sin was a sound and very rational decision.  Thomas Manton vindicated Moses’ choice by comparing the effects of affliction with those of sin.  He wrote that the greatest affliction should be chosen before the least sin because:

Sin is a transgression of God’s law that diminishes what truly satisfies us; affliction diminishes our happiness only for a short time.

It is a greater misery to be in a sinful state that separates us from God, than in an afflicted condition that may actually draw us nearer to God.

We can rejoice in afflictions because good may be the final result, but we can never rejoice in our sins.

Affliction is often sent by God to prevent sin, but sin must never be committed to escape affliction.

We lose by sin what is of eternal value, the loss involved in suffering is only for a moment.

Sin is an offense against Almighty God, the creator of all things, and therefore is of infinitely greater consequence than the temporary affliction of one of His creatures.

Priorities and Choices

God has commanded us to seek His kingdom and His righteousness before the interests of our bodies, before the  things we need in this world (Matthew 6:33).  He has promised that if we live by this prority we will not lack what we need.  Whoever fails to live by this wisdom is a fool in God’s eyes.  Our commitment to this priority will be tested.  The truly wise person has learned that heaven is to be preferred before earth, the salvation of our souls before the welfare of our bodies, and the greatest affliction is to be chosen before the least sin.  We have the example of Moses, who chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25).  Thomas Manton, the great Puritan, wrote that the choice Moses made, which may seem so radical to us at first glance, is eminently worthy of our consideration and imitation.  We will consider it further tomorrow.

Prayers that Instruct and Encourage

Prayers that Instruct and Encourage

Below are a few lines from a Puritan prayer.  The Puritans had such a reverent and profound knowledge of Scripture that their prayers are tremendously instructive and encouraging.  But many Christians today have a strong prejudice against any form of prayer.  Many associate forms with insincerity, and fear they will degenerate into sterile formality.  That can happen, but today the far greater problem is  the lack of any structure, discipline, or aid to motivate prayer.  I can only say that I pray through a Puritan prayer (from The Valley of Vision) every morning, and far from having a deadening effect, they have proved to be a great source of fuel to fan the flames of spiritual life.  These Puritan prayers are very God-centered and  help free us from self-centeredness in prayer.

 

My God, You are all  my good in times of peace, my only support in days of trouble, my one sufficiency when life shall end.

Help me to see how good Your will is in all,and even when it crosses mine teach me to be pleased with it.  Grant me to feel You in fire, and food and every providence.

If it be consistent with Your eternal counsels, the purpose of Your grace, and the great ends of Your glory, then bestow upon me the blessings of Your comforts; if not, let me resign myself to Your wiser determinations.

  

More Thoughts on Our Country

We are witnessing a host of things in our country and in our government that are shocking and very distressing.  Endlessly thinking and talking about our national woes, without taking God into consideration, will erode our joy and confidence, filling our hearts with fear and foreboding.  In times like these, Christians need more than ever to dwell on God’s sovereignty over all things.  He is still on His throne and can do whatever He pleases.  He is the one who sets up one ruler and brings down another. And what we see happening around us may hold great blessing, as well as severe judgment, in store for us.  The Bible makes clear that material prosperity is a great danger.  It can turn an individual or a nation away from dependence on God.  America is in the process of squandering one of the greatest legacies of God-given liberty and prosperity ever seen.  An economic upheaval such as we have never experienced may be the very thing that will open our hearts to God.  It may very well be the answer to so many of our prayers.  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way” (Psalm 46:1-2).