(10955,1,'2017-03-15 17:50:24','2017-03-15 22:50:24','David and his men sat hidden in darkness, when into the cave came their would-be killer, vulnerable and alone. With a single stroke, David could save his life and the life of his men, ending his flight from the wrath of Saul’s jealousy. David’s men saw God’s hand granting them the sword of justice for the unfaithful and doomed king. But David would not have it, he would not kill “the Lord’s anointed.” Instead, he cut off a piece of Saul’s garment as evidence of his innocence and goodwill.\r\n\r\nHumbled and Humble\r\nIn a profound insight into the heart of David when humbled by difficulties, “David\\\'s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the edge of Saul\\\'s <em>robe</em>” (1 Samuel 24:5). Saul, unaware of his brush with death, rejoined his army to be greeted by the voice of his rival from the cave. The short distance from Saul offered David little safety; his life hung on the mercy and justice of his plea:\r\n<blockquote>Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, \\\'Behold, David seeks to harm you\\\'? Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but <em>my eye</em> had pity on you; and I said, \\\'I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD\\\'s anointed.\\\' Now, my father, see! Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life to take it.\\\" (1 Samuel 24:9-11)</blockquote>\r\nOn hearing David, “Saul lifted up his voice and wept,” crying, “You are more righteous than I; for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt wickedly with you…. Now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand” (1 Samuel 24:16,17,20). With this Saul called off the pursuit and returned home.\r\n\r\nAs the days wore on and the humility wore off, Saul reneged on his promise and resumed his chase, to again be confronted with the injustice of his cause. This time, David could have easily killed Saul in the midst of his own army. Entering Saul’s camp in the dead of night, he secretly gathered his evidence within an arm’s reach of his sleeping nemesis. The setting and circumstance changed, but David’s appeal remained the same. Trusting God and the mercy and justice of his case, David again called to Saul:\r\n<blockquote>Behold the spear of the king! Now let one of the young men come over and take it. And the LORD will repay each man <em>for</em> his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you into <em>my</em> hand today, but I refused to stretch out my hand against the LORD\\\'s anointed.\\\" (1 Samuel 26:22-23).\\\"</blockquote>\r\nPierced again by David’s loyalty and mercy in the face of his own wicked jealousy, Saul replied, \\\"Blessed are you, my son David; you will both accomplish much and surely prevail\\\" (1 Samuel 26:25). And prevail he did, Saul and three of his sons were soon killed by the Philistines and David became king. God richly blessed David’s faith and humility as Israel and Judah were united under his rule.\r\n\r\nBlessed and Puffed Up\r\nBut something changed. The trial of the wilderness lacked the force of the trial in the palace. David grew comfortable and, like Saul, his humility wore off as the days and nights wore on.\r\n<blockquote>Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king\\\'s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, \\\"Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?\\\" And David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her; and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house.\\\" (2 Samuel 11:2-4)</blockquote>\r\nDavid sinned and Bathsheba conceived. And in an apparent concern for his reputation, rule, and the trust of his faithful servants, David attempted a cover-up by bringing Bathsheba’s husband to Jerusalem to stay with her. Yet, Uriah’s loyalty to his men would not allow him to sleep with his wife in the comfort of his home, not while his men slept in tents on the battlefield. Seemingly undone by the honor of his officer, David stooped to have his virtuous servant murdered in a desperate attempt to hide his sin.\r\n\r\nWhat happened? The fugitive in the cave bears little resemblance to the king in the palace. How could the heart that spared Saul’s life, along with the conscience “bothered” by the cutting of Saul’s robe betray and call for the murder of one of his most loyal subjects? Was the mighty and conscientious warrior less equipped to handle the blessings of success, comfort, and power than the trial of running for his life?\r\n\r\nTake Heed\r\nWe share much in common with David. Too often we respond to success, power, and God’s blessings with pride and complacency, to do things previously unthinkable. Indeed, “The poor man utters supplications, but the rich man answers roughly” (Proverbs 18:23). And how the mighty have fallen in our day. David’s demise warns us to bow our hearts in thanks and dependence on God when we enjoy His blessings. “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). We stand by grace. Thorns and tough times may humble us before God and others, but when God gives success, influence, and an assortment of blessings, run to God as you would in your troubles. “Sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you” (Genesis 4:7), and too often finds a willing subject when things go well, when we least suspect its subtle treachery. “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). In good times and bad, in the cave or in the palace, remember: “To this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2).\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Noble Fugitive to Ruthless King: Success and David’s Demise','','publish','closed','closed','','noble-fugitive-to-ruthless-king','','','2023-03-21 10:42:36','2023-03-21 10:42:36','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/noble-fugitive-to-ruthless-king/',0,'post','',0),(11017,1,'2017-03-22 20:48:02','2017-03-23 01:48:02','I recently watched an engaging debate between young and old earth creationists. The animated speakers knew their material well and expressed themselves with grace, even as they remained oblivious to the elephant in the room. The shy pachyderm sat quietly in the corner until they introduced arguments involving the speed of light when, weary of being ignored, he reared up and tossed a chair in their general direction. Neither debater seemed to notice.\r\n\r\nAssumptions (Presuppositions) Matter\r\nAssumptions matter a great deal, especially when they involve how we view, interpret, and make judgments about the origin of the universe. Neither of the debaters appeared to notice that their discussion of the speed of light was founded on a significant blind-faith assumption of unbelief—the uniformity of nature or “natural laws.” The old earth proponent argued that light from distant stars requires billions of years to reach the earth. The young earth proponent countered with examples of how scientists have altered the speed of light under certain conditions, indicating it could have arrived sooner than the old earth scenario. But, here lies a problem. The speed of light reveals nothing about the age of the earth.\r\n\r\nDivine Laws\r\nThe universe operates by the will of God who created, ordered, and upholds it. What we call “natural laws” are no more than how God orders and governs what He created and sustains at any given time. The universe and its “laws” have no life of their own. Moreover, God exists independently of His creation and cannot be limited by its properties. Or, better, nothing requires God to order reality, including light, the same way yesterday as He does today. God can do as He pleases when, where, and how He pleases. And if some think that God is limited by the properties of what He created, orders, and sustains, we must ask: Says who? On what authority? Limited people that can’t know the contents of their neighbor’s garage unless they have a look cannot know the nature of an infinite God apart from His revelation. And the God on whom we depend for all knowledge and truth has clearly told us He has no limitations: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?\\\" (Jeremiah 32:27).\r\n\r\nBiblical and Unbiblical Assumptions\r\nBelievers reasoning by biblical assumptions about the world easily accept the miracles of Scripture as historically true and need not resort to “natural” explanations. God can easily rearrange reality and do anything differently than what we observe today. He made everything from nothing and can order it however He desires. The atheist, however, views “nature” (though founded on random chance), as self-created, uniform, and unchanging in its “laws” or operation—a blind-faith speculation founded on hostility toward God’s authority.\r\n\r\nWe easily <em>dismiss</em> the unbelieving assumption about “nature” when we affirm the miracles in Scripture, when we speak of God creating the earth from nothing, or when we accept that God created us and we depend on Him for knowledge and truth, including how and when He spoke everything into existence. Why, then, do we <em>accept</em> the same assumption when we appeal to the speed of light as evidence for an old earth? Do we really want to say an infinite God who spoke everything into existence from nothing cannot make light from stars visible on earth the day He created them, that His actions are limited by the speed of light? On what basis would believers say that God has limitations, does not control creation, or is no higher than that which He made and upholds? And why would those arguing for a young earth need to show that the speed of light can change to make their case? Arguments for the age of the earth based on the properties of light are useless in light of God’s infinite power; He cannot be limited by what He created and sustains.\r\n\r\nBeyond Miracles\r\nThe same principle applies to supposed “scientific” arguments that cannot be demonstrated scientifically, including appeals to the properties of “nature” to argue for or against something God has told us in Scripture about His nature and acts. For example, our experience of time says nothing about God’s ability to know the future or to be in time and out of time at the same time. Again, God can do anything, He transcends the universe He created.\r\n\r\nAll Christians, including apologists, need to take care that our views do not rest on unbiblical and unjustified assumptions of unbelief. We need to expose and refute them, not adopt them.\r\n\r\nFinite and Humble Before an Infinite God\r\nOur approach to Scripture must always begin with a proper humility before our infinite God, bowing to the source and sustainer of all things, on whom we depend for everything, including knowledge of the origin and nature of reality and His acts in history. Science, as conducted by finite scientists, does well discovering and describing what can be demonstrated, tested, and repeated, but cannot speak with authority beyond its limited purview. Like God’s censure of Job, where were we when God “laid the foundation of the earth” (Job 38:4)? We do best to avoid speculation that incurs the same rebuke. God, alone, knows all things, and has revealed to us what we need to know about Him and His universe. We should know our limitations and listen: “‘For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being,’ declares the LORD. ‘But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word’” (Isaiah 66:2).\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Light and the Age of the Earth: An Example of False Assumptions','','publish','closed','closed','','light-age-earth-example-false-assumptions','','','2023-03-21 10:42:24','2023-03-21 10:42:24','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/light-age-earth-example-false-assumptions/',0,'post','',0),(11107,1,'2017-03-29 18:00:21','2017-03-29 23:00:21','“‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher, ‘Vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3). Apart from God, we are indeed but “sound and fury, signifying nothing,” a “brief candle” on “the way to dusty death.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#ftnt1\\&quot;\">[1]</a> Yet, God did not make us that way. Rather, we chose emptiness and death when we claimed independence from our loving Creator, even as He lavished on us countless blessings and surrounded us with the clear testimony of His power, genius, and goodness. We ran from the Light, rejected “the fountain of living waters,” and made for ourselves “broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13). We spent our wealth for “what is not bread” and worked for “what does not satisfy” (Isaiah 55:2), and blamed God for the results.\r\n\r\nHe Sought Us\r\nYet, despite our contempt, God pursued us: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17). The way, the truth, and the life became flesh “and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 14:6, 1:14). Yet, even “those who were His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11), for “men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). With darkness of heart comes darkness of understanding and despair. And while “loveless” and “self-imprisoned” people will only “consent to be happy” “on their own terms,” <a href=\"\\&quot;#ftnt2\\&quot;\">[2]</a> meaning and answers come with a bowing of the will and knee, the acceptance of God on <em>His</em> terms. Yet, God pursued us still:\r\n<blockquote>But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly <em>places</em>, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, <em>it is</em> the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-9)</blockquote>\r\nHe Saved Us\r\nAll people are responsible to believe in Christ on His terms, but the initiation, accomplishment, and application of salvation in Christ belong to God. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, <em>even</em> to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). “By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). His gracious purpose in saving sinners will be done, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will” (Ephesians 1:5), “according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:11-12).\r\n\r\nIn Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3); apart from Christ, only questions and darkness remain. If you have been united to Christ by faith, you possess “everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of <em>the</em> divine nature” (2 Peter 1:3-4).\r\n\r\nStand Firm and Grateful <span id=\"\\&quot;ftnt1\\&quot;\"></span> <span id=\"\\&quot;ftnt2\\&quot;\"></span>\r\nWhatever your circumstance or difficulty, whatever opposition you may face for your faith in Christ, God has given you everything you need to trust Him. The world may attack Christ and your allegiance to Him, and ask you to join the futile and eternal disaster of unbelief, but God will have the last word. Covered in the righteousness of Christ we will soon “stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy” (Jude 24). Our troubles, suffering, and the scorn of unbelievers “are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). May our happy hope and faith in the indomitable God of the universe lead us to greater assurance and joy, with greater compassion and love for unbelievers, even as they oppose us. May God strengthen you “with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:11-12). Amen.\r\n\r\n<sup>[1]</sup> William Shakespeare, <em>Macbeth</em>.\r\n\r\n<sup>[2]</sup> C. S. Lewis, <em>The Great Divorce</em> (New York: Harper Collins, 1946; paperback, 2001), 135.\r\n\r\nUnless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Sought, Saved, and Exalted by God’s Infinite Grace','','publish','closed','closed','','sought-saved-exalted-gods-infinite-grace','','','2023-03-21 10:42:16','2023-03-21 10:42:16','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/sought-saved-exalted-gods-infinite-grace/',0,'post','',0),(11144,1,'2017-04-05 19:51:21','2017-04-06 00:51:21','Pharaoh was stubborn, and sometimes at the most inopportune times. Scripture tells us he hardened his heart in the face of God’s awesome power and judgment (Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34). Bruised and battered, he refused to allow Israel to worship God in the wilderness. Occasionally, God also hardened Pharaoh’s heart:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may perform these signs of Mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians, and how I performed My signs among them; that you may know that I am the LORD’\\\" (Exodus 10:1-2; cf. 9:12; 10:20, 27; 11:10; 14:8).</blockquote>\r\nAt other times, Pharaoh’s heart “was hardened” (Exodus 7:13, 22; 8:19; 9:7, 35), perhaps by God or by Pharaoh.\r\n\r\nA Question of Justice\r\nThis raises the question: How can God judge Pharaoh when, in several instances, He prevented him from obeying His command? Further, God exalted Pharaoh to the throne in order to display His power and proclaim His name through Pharaoh’s destruction (Romans 9:17). Did God, then, do moral evil to display His glory? Worse, was Pharaoh condemned for that which God is responsible, a perversion of justice? Or, as the hypothetical detractor proposes, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” (Romans 9:19).\r\n\r\nKnow Your Place\r\nGod responds by an appeal to His sovereignty as our creator: “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?” (Romans 9:20-21). God rules His universe and can do what He wants. Who are we to say otherwise? For some, this settles the matter. Indeed, knowing our humble place before an infinite and sovereign God forms the proper starting point for approaching every theological difficulty.\r\n\r\nDeeper Things to Consider\r\nYet, the questions run deeper. An arbitrary or evil power, indeed, an infinite one, constitutes a horrific thing. God’s rule must be holy, for He can never be the direct or indirect author of moral evil: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne” (Psalm 89:14). “His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4). “God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone” (James 1:13). He <em>does</em> create calamity or “natural evil” as part of the curse on a fallen world, “forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these” (Isaiah 45:6-7). But God never creates <em>moral</em> evil.\r\n\r\nMoreover, believers love God first and foremost for the beauty of His perfections, each made beautiful by holiness. The mere appeal to God’s sovereignty neglects this critical point and risks impugning God as the author of wickedness, or implies that He does moral evil to accomplish good as if the end justifies the means. Unholiness renders God no better than the evil He hates and condemns, contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture, and destroys the beauty and excellence that is the supreme object of our love. And like His sovereignty, God’s moral purity comforts us in our experience of great suffering and wickedness. A sovereign but evil God provides little solace.\r\n\r\nFallen Clay\r\nGod created us and has “a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use.” (Romans 9:21). At the same time, all people are guilty of sin (chapters 1-3, 5:12). Indeed, “There is none righteous, not even one” and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23). Thus, “vessels of wrath prepared for destruction” were taken and molded from a lump of <em>fallen clay</em> (Romans 9:22). So, when God says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15), He extends mercy to the guilty.\r\n\r\nPharaoh, then, was wicked from the womb to the throne (Psalm 51:5). And even if he had let the people go from a desire to save his skin and his kingdom, without a true love and reverence for God he would still be guilty of sin. Thus, having postponed His judgment to make a display of it, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart to prevent his escape from a well-deserved punishment. “The king\\\'s heart is <em>like</em> channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1).\r\n\r\nHoly Sovereignty\r\nIn the end, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God,” where we should leave them, while we hold fast to “the things revealed” (Deuteronomy 29:29). And God has clearly revealed that He remains holy, just, and sovereign, despite our inability to solve every theological mystery. Indeed, Christ suffered infinite wrath on the cross because God cannot save a single soul without satisfying the requirements of His perfect justice. Thus, when we reach the limits of our understanding before an infinite God, we bow in humble faith and love before His <em>holy throne</em>. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, <em>be</em> honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Sovereignty, Holiness, and the Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart','','publish','closed','closed','','sovereignty-holiness-hardening-pharaohs-heart','','','2023-03-21 10:42:07','2023-03-21 10:42:07','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/sovereignty-holiness-hardening-pharaohs-heart/',0,'post','',0),(11228,1,'2017-04-12 21:19:36','2017-04-13 02:19:36','“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘For <em>as</em> the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding <em>in the matter</em> for which I sent it’” (Isaiah 55:8-11).\r\n\r\nGod Has Spoken\r\nBehold one of the most basic and important truths of Scripture: God is infinite, we are not. And given our inability to comprehend God as infinite Spirit, we could never know Him if He did not stoop to reveal Himself to us. Yet, stoop He did, and then some—God has spoken. He spoke and made the universe and everything in it, including you and me. He spoke and revealed all we need to know of His infinite excellence and our purpose and place in His world. He spoke to save us by the person and saving work of Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh, to satisfy the requirements of His justice on our behalf.\r\n\r\nTruth and Intimacy with God\r\nTruth, then, comes from God and remains unaltered by human opinion. “First of all…no prophecy of Scripture is a <em>matter</em> of one\\\'s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:20-22). “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God bridged the gap. “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:2-3). Through Christ we know the infinite and unknowable God in a most personal and loving way.\r\n\r\nScripture, rightly understood by the work of the Holy Spirit through faith, escorts us beyond the veil into God’s inner circle and personal confidence, to know and love what cannot be known apart from Christ. Wonders once hidden by darkness thrill the soul by His light. Truth unknown or suppressed in willful ignorance appears to the humble heart of love and trust in Him.\r\n\r\nAnd though our knowledge of God’s excellence will forever increase, mystery will always confront our smallness before God’s infinity. “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever” (Deuteronomy 29:29), even in heaven. Our sight in glory will never be dark or dim, but neither will we ever exhaust what can be known of our inexhaustible God.\r\n\r\nWisdom Toward Scripture\r\nUntil then, wisdom forsakes reading things into Scripture, contriving things about God He has not revealed, or dismissing His authority by making mysteries out of explicit and obvious truth. Such errors often stem from a neglect of God’s Word, or a rejection of God’s explanation of reality from an unwillingness to submit to God’s will. And while Scripture remains clear and understandable, it does bring us to deep waters with things “hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16). Yet, in its sacred pages God has provided all we need to know for our good and His glory. Christians, then, should ever be prayerful and diligent students of Scripture. And where God stays silent, we hold fast to the things revealed and rest in His perfect character, “that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Wisdom Concerning the Secret and Revealed Things','','publish','closed','closed','','wisdom-secret-revealed-things','','','2023-03-21 10:42:00','2023-03-21 10:42:00','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wisdom-secret-revealed-things/',0,'post','',0),(11507,1,'2017-04-19 09:30:36','2017-04-19 14:30:36','In the previous article, we explored the importance of discerning between the “secret” and “revealed” things of God. We turn now to six basic principles that, when applied to theological difficulties encountered in Scripture, would prevent needless errors created by attempts to grasp or logically reconcile issues best relegated to the “secret things.”\r\n\r\n1) God’s ways are perfect in every way and infinitely higher than our ways.\r\n<blockquote>For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding” (Job 38:1-4).</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:12-14).</blockquote>\r\n2) As created, finite and dependent on God for all knowledge, we can only know what God has chosen to reveal to us.\r\n<blockquote>The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29).</blockquote>\r\n3) Our limited understanding does not constitute the standard of what can or cannot be true with God, or what God can and cannot do in His universe.\r\n<blockquote>Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep, then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However, much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out” (Ecclesiastes 8:16-17).</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” (Romans 9:20).</blockquote>\r\n4) No proposed solution to the “problem of evil” or other theological difficulty can compromise any revealed attribute of God, or any necessary implication of an attribute of God.\r\n<blockquote>And the LORD said to Job: ‘Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.’ Then Job answered the LORD and said: ‘Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.’ Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ‘Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?’” (Job 40:1-8).</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, ‘That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.’ But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world?” (Romans 3:3-6).</blockquote>\r\n5) The responsibility and guilt of sin always belongs to the will of the one who sins, including the foreordained acts of sinners.\r\n<blockquote>See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29).</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23).</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:27-28).</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” (Luke 22:22).</blockquote>\r\n6) God has remedied evil at infinite cost to Himself. In the saving work of Christ, He upheld and displayed His perfect righteousness and sufficiently revealed His perfect character in which we can fully trust in the face of the greatest mysteries and difficulties.\r\n<blockquote>But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:21-26).</blockquote>\r\nSummary\r\nIn light of God’s perfect excellence and infinity, and our dependence on Him for all truth and knowledge, we will always face mysteries beyond our comprehension. Therefore, as our faith stands on the all-powerful and impeccable character of God; humility, reverence, and trust in God should always attend our response to difficult questions. “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:33-34). Not you or me. Thus, with God’s glory and our human limitations we rest content.\r\n\r\nUnless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Six Rules for Engaging Bible Difficulties','','publish','closed','closed','','six-rules-engaging-bible-difficulties','','','2023-03-21 10:40:54','2023-03-21 10:40:54','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/six-rules-engaging-bible-difficulties/',0,'post','',0),(11553,1,'2017-04-26 15:50:40','2017-04-26 20:50:40','But which is which? To get this wrong can have big, even terrible results. Many of our personal preferences are of little consequence. Some people eat steamed okra and like it. To them it tastes good and, mystery of mysteries, they might even serve it to dinner guests. One person likes vanilla, another prefers chocolate, and neither are right or wrong. Similarly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder as it relates to a great many things. We all have different and changing tastes.\r\n\r\nUltimate and Unchanging Principles\r\nAt the same time, some things are good, right, beautiful, and true, regardless of personal taste. And to reduce the ultimate and absolute to the level of our preference for dessert or color of a rug commits a deadly error. Yet, our culture appears to be doing exactly that, and to such an extent that it’s difficult to find anything deemed a great sin other than Christians appealing to Scripture to call something a great sin. Nonetheless, good conforms to God’s definition of good, to that which corresponds to God’s character and will. True beauty flows from the same. And as God’s attributes are beautiful because they are holy, so we radiate beauty when God shines His holiness in and through us, either individually or collectively through the church.\r\n\r\nTherefore, while an appeal to moral relativism—the denial of moral absolutes or selective application of the same—may provide a temporary rationalization for one’s sin, it will never annul God’s ultimate judgment. God, alone, determines moral absolutes, apart from whom no moral absolutes would exist. To relativize that which God condemns not only gives no protection from God’s ultimate verdict, it highlights the guilt of elevating our sinful desires over God’s authority and will.\r\n\r\nUltimate and Unchanging God\r\nThus, the growth and popularity of the do, say, and be whatever you want culture reflects the exaltation of our fallen wants and will over the authority and prerogatives of God. Some things may or may not be relative, but God remains the sole and ultimate authority to determine which is which. He created and owns us. He made and sustains the universe in which we live. Apart from Him we have nothing, every good comes from His benevolent hand, and we owe Him all things. He stands as the ultimate and sole determiner of right and wrong, of good and evil, of purpose and meaning, and we depend on Him for knowledge of such things—which He has given to us <em>in Scripture</em>.\r\n\r\nGod stands as the ultimate good and source of all good, and His revealed will reflects the goodness and perfection of His character. Thus, every thought and action contrary to His design and will for us insults the honor and authority of the One to whom we owe all love and honor. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, <em>be</em> honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#openModalbpcta\\&quot;\"><strong>Click here to download a PDF of this article.</strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Some Things Are Relative and Some Things Are Not','','publish','closed','closed','','some-things-relative-some-not','','','2023-03-21 10:40:40','2023-03-21 10:40:40','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/some-things-relative-some-not/',0,'post','',0),(11601,1,'2017-05-03 16:59:20','2017-05-03 21:59:20','After all, the very word means love of wisdom, and the Bible speaks a great deal about the importance of wisdom. For instance, God gave us Proverbs “to know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding, to receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; to give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion” (Proverbs 1:2-4). Indeed, “fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). “Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square,” but because “fools hate knowledge” and refuse to listen, God will “laugh” when “terror” and “calamity” comes on those who “ignore” His “counsel” and “reproof” (Proverbs 1:20, 22, 24-27). Both the Old and New Testament extoll the virtue of godly wisdom. Thus, according to the simple meaning of the word, God would have all of us to be “philosophers.”\r\n\r\nFinite and Fallen Philosophy\r\nAt the same time, the musings of philosophers through the ages have not always displayed what Scripture calls wisdom. And despite their long history, atheistic philosophies remain unable to answer the most basic questions about God and reality as they propose answers to ultimate questions that dishonor and discount God. Why, then, did something so noble and necessary become such a problem?\r\n\r\nIn short, philosophy is done by finite and fallen people. And, by nature, the unredeemed seek independence from God and pursue explanations about reality that exclude its Creator and Sustainer. They seek answers to ultimate questions by rejecting the ultimate answer. Yet, the explanation of reality and answer to the big questions stare every philosopher in the face, “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them” (Romans 1:19). But they “became futile in their speculations” (Romans 1:21), even as they remained “without excuse” for not honoring God or giving Him thanks (Romans 1:20, 21). “Professing to be wise, they became fools” and “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:22, 25).\r\n\r\nChrist-Centered Philosophy\r\nGod gives wisdom through Jesus Christ, in whom “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). The philosopher or culture that seeks to suppress the nature and work of Christ will never be wise.\r\n<blockquote>See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority\\\" (Colossians 2:8-10).</blockquote>\r\nPhilosophy, <em>per se</em>, poses no problem for humanity and the believer. Rather, philosophy <em>apart from Christ</em>, “according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world” constitutes the problem. True and life-giving wisdom, along with answers and explanations concerning reality, remains elusive apart from the One who created and sustains it, the One to whom we owe all love and honor, apart from whom we would have nothing, on whom we depend for all truth and knowledge of all things, including our meaning, purpose, and how we should live.\r\n<blockquote>Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not <em>come to</em> know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe\\\" (1 Corinthians 1:20-21).</blockquote>\r\nSo, while we marvel at the brilliance of philosophers identifying and wrestling with the ultimate issues of knowledge, ethics, and reality, we do well to avoid the deadly mistake of trying to interpret the universe apart from the One who created and sustains it, the One who gives it meaning, and the only One who can ultimately explain it. He has gone to great lengths to purchase our wisdom in the Son, who suffered infinite wrath that we might have forgiveness of sin, eternal life, and answers to the deepest questions of life. “For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).\r\n\r\nTrue spirituality should never be anti-intellectual or adverse to rigorous study of difficult issues. Yet, true wisdom begins with Christ and understands our dependence on Him for all things, including knowledge and truth. Therefore, brethren, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Is Philosophy Bad?','','publish','closed','closed','','is-philosophy-bad','','','2023-03-21 10:40:32','2023-03-21 10:40:32','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/is-philosophy-bad/',0,'post','',0),(11698,1,'2017-05-10 16:40:23','2017-05-10 21:40:23','The crowds beat their breasts at the sight of their weak and bleeding Savior dragging a cross to His demise. Their humiliated deliverer would soon be executed by the power they once hoped He would destroy. A few days earlier, the enemy who so miserably failed in his temptation of Christ in the wilderness moved the sinful heart of Judas to begin the wicked work. The day of darkness was at hand, and surely the trial and crucifixion of Christ would be his greatest victory. Or, would it?\r\n\r\nUndone\r\nOutsmarted by God, Satan’s “triumph” would be his undoing, securing the eternal glorification and happiness of multitudes and his own fate in the lake of fire. “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). “Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives” (Hebrews 2:14-15). “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). What, then, constitutes Satan’s greatest victory?\r\n\r\nThe Lie\r\nA theology professor once summarized the heart of theology in three simple rules: 1) There is a God; 2) You are not Him; and 3) Repent.<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> This simple, yet brilliant summary gets to the heart of Satan’s greatest victory—convincing Eve and everyone since to believe the lie, “You will be like God” (Gen 3:5). Of course, Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, and <em>were</em> like God in many ways. Even their descendants, born into the world with original sin, still bear aspects of God’s image, marred and defaced as it is. Yet, Satan tempts people with something far beyond the remaining image of God within us, something we could never truly possess, something God never intended for His creation. Satan tempts mankind to presume the place and authority of God. His message boils down to this: you have the power and right to choose between God’s will and your will. God’s Word constitutes one option among others, and you possess the authority to accept or reject God’s revelation as you see fit. Eve fell for it, Adam joined her, and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nSatan’s greatest victory, then, involves persuading others to imitate his doomed attempt to ascend to the place of God. A. W. Tozer put it this way: “Sin has many manifestations but its essence is one. A moral being, created to worship before the throne of God, sits on the throne of his own selfhood and from that elevated position declares, ‘I AM.’ That is sin in its concentrated essence.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> From the garden until today, Satan’s grand scheme has been to promote this colossal and deadly lie and hinder people from coming to Christ to be delivered from it. Legions will pay a terrible price for willingly embracing the treachery.\r\n\r\nJudgment and Payback\r\nMany live according to this sinful principle even as they bear the name pastor or chaplain, even as they quote Scripture and speak of the “risen Christ.” Yet, insofar as they maintain the prerogative to accept and reject God’s revealed truth as they please, according to their own desires, they operate according to Satan’s lie. The horrible result will be that many who say to Christ on Judgment Day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?” will hear the frightful words, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:22, 23). Satan will rejoice at their destruction, for a time, until he joins them to suffer the same fate in the lake of fire. His greatest victory will return on his own head as he suffers the just deserts for his wickedness.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> I first heard this from Ken Sarles.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> A. W. Tozer, <em>Knowledge of the Holy</em> (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1961), 29-30.</p>\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Satan’s Greatest Victory','','publish','closed','closed','','satans-greatest-victory','','','2023-03-21 10:40:25','2023-03-21 10:40:25','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/satans-greatest-victory/',0,'post','',0),(11904,1,'2017-05-17 16:10:51','2017-05-17 21:10:51','\\\"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15). Would you be happier with a different house, career, spouse, car, commute, credential, ability, personality, hairline, waistline…? Perhaps. Or, perhaps not, if Israel’s response to God’s deliverance from Egypt is any indication.\r\n\r\nBetter Food in Egypt\r\nIsrael’s many complaints in the wilderness followed one of the most dramatic displays of God’s power and goodness toward His people in the history of mankind, second only to the saving work of Christ. Yet, the same people who once cried for deliverance from the whip of Pharaoh soon begged to return to slavery the moment they grew thirsty or weary of manna burgers. “The food was better in Egypt,” went the refrain. Unfortunately, the discontent in the desert too often resembles our own as a people delivered from the cruel bondage of Satan into God\\\'s kingdom of light. What, then, can we learn from God’s response to the complaints of His people in the wilderness?\r\n\r\nFire and Disease\r\nFor one, God hates complaining. “Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the Lord; and when the Lord heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp” (Numbers 11:1). God left nothing to doubt about His view of grumbling. Aaron and Miriam also learned the lesson when they murmured about God’s appointment of Moses as their leader. “The anger of the Lord burned against them and He departed. But when the cloud had withdrawn from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous as white as snow” (Numbers 12:9). Never again do we read of Miriam complaining. Why, then, does God hate complaining? And why did He respond with such severity? The answer lies with the relationship of discontent to unbelief.\r\n\r\nUnbelief\r\nGod led Israel out of Egypt into the wilderness, provided manna for their food, and could easily have given them daily banquets if He so desired. Thus, while their complaints spoke of Moses, they ultimately blamed God. Perhaps they assumed God was unaware of their needs and wants, or that He didn\\\'t have their best interests in mind in providing such a limited menu, or maybe He didn\\\'t know how to manage such a large group (unlike Pharaoh, to whom they were so eager to return). Deliverance from Egypt clearly displayed God\\\'s wisdom, power, and love for His people, but properly caring for them in the wilderness? A bridge too far. Their attitude and actions impugned God’s perfect character and displayed a lack of trust and honor toward their creator and provider. In short, they rejected God.\r\n<blockquote>And say to the people, \\\'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the ears of the Lord, saying, \\\"Oh that someone would give us meat to eat! For we were well-off in Egypt.’” Therefore, the Lord will give you meat ...until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’\\\"(Numbers 11:18-20).</blockquote>\r\nGrace and Ingratitude\r\nMoreover, Israel lacked a proper appreciation of God’s grace. God was no more obligated to deliver them from bondage in Egypt than to choose them to be His special people in the first place. His favor toward them (and to us) was entirely undeserved. The proper response to God’s goodness should have been love, gratitude, and obedience. But how quickly they forgot God’s power and favor toward them in the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the destruction of Pharaoh’s army under its waters. Instead, they asked, in effect, \\\"What have you done for me lately?” And implied, “Saving our lives, the lives of our families, and the destruction of our taskmasters were certainly nice gestures, but at least slavery and abuse came with garlic, onions, leeks, and melons!” Short memories, impatience, and confused priorities aside, would not the God who destroyed Pharaoh for their benefit take better care of them than their former abusers?\r\n\r\nBad Examples\r\nGod responded to Israel’s complaints with anger and punishment. Their discontent betrayed poor views of their provider and a meager understanding and appreciation of His grace. And what about us? How often do we imitate this? When tempted to gripe about our circumstances, when things do not go according to our plans and desires, we do well to remember God’s response to His wayward people in the desert. “Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved…. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer” (1 Corinthians 10:6, 10). We must trust the perfect character of God for our needs, and rejoice in His mercy and grace to us, His children, doing all things without complaining or arguing. After all, “If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32).\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Don’t Gripe Against God','','publish','closed','closed','','dont-gripe-against-god','','','2023-03-21 10:40:17','2023-03-21 10:40:17','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/dont-gripe-against-god/',0,'post','',0),(11982,1,'2017-05-24 17:35:14','2017-05-24 22:35:14','I love science. By God’s grace, the many discoveries of scientists observing and using the stuff of God’s world have enriched our lives, cured diseases, improved our longevity, expanded our capacity to do things, and increased our comforts and standard of living in a great many ways. Science is marvelous.\r\n\r\nThe Wrong Question\r\nPeople often ask, is the Bible compatible with science? Answers vary from an unqualified yes to an emphatic no, with shades of gray between. But, does the question itself make sense? It makes sense if we ask if the Bible’s explanation of the origin and history of the world agrees with the opinion of the majority of scientists. It also makes sense to ask if the existence of a Creator and Sustainer of all things, who orders history and performs miracles beyond what we can explain by observation and testing, is compatible with the conclusions some scientists draw from what they observe in the universe. Yet, merely asking if the Bible is compatible with science makes little sense. It treats “science” as a body of uniform interpretations and conclusions that speak with final authority about ultimate questions and history when science is an activity performed by finite and fallible people—people that draw different conclusions about things they can observe and test, and that hold different opinions about things they cannot observe and test (such as the origin of the universe, life, history, and “natural laws”). The “Bible versus science” question, as usually stated, avoids or disguises this critical point.\r\n\r\nScience or Scientists\r\nScience has no authority and existence of itself; it is something done by scientists employing the scientific method, or “the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> But, again, notice an important facet of science and the scientific method—<em>it is done by people</em>.\r\n<div class=\"\\&quot;indent-content\\&quot;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>People observe</li>\r\n 	<li>People form and test hypotheses and theories</li>\r\n 	<li>People interpret data</li>\r\n 	<li>People draw conclusions</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\nNo people—no science. In a sense, then, “science” does and says nothing. People say things about the data they observe, test, and interpret. Moreover, people propose answers to questions beyond the ability of scientists to know by the scientific method, exposing the problem of human limitations and what can be known by observing and testing things. Given the magnificent nature of the material with which we are given to work, we can accomplish great things. Matter and energy can be utilized and manipulated because they have been designed and sustained with amazing properties, including the ordered and consistent nature of their existence and operation. Scientists cannot make a single cell, blade of grass, or any living thing, but they can learn their properties and manipulate them to kill insects and cure diseases. Thus, because the universe does not operate according to mere time and chance, scientists depend on the genius of the Designer, Creator, and Sustainer of the material with which they work—science is only possible because God exists and orders the world. Of course, believing and unbelieving <em>scientists</em> may accept or reject this view, but <em>science</em>, per se, says nothing.\r\n\r\nLimited Senses and Imagination\r\nMoreover, scientists cannot go beyond their limitations to explain the origin, reason, and destination of the world they study. Our senses cannot know such things and our imagination can only speculate. Nonetheless, many scientists speak and write with confident and presumed authority, as if their accomplishments in observing and manipulating the elements of the world qualify them to make pronouncements about things they cannot know (without God’s revelation), or cannot demonstrate by the scientific method.\r\n\r\nThe cosmonaut who claimed he did not see God through the window of his space capsule had no better platform to see God than the stargazer in his backyard or the child playing in the basement (God is infinite spirit and cannot be seen unless He reveals Himself). Scientists have no better view of how or why we are here than the football player or car salesman. They can better describe the properties of the objects they study, having viewed them in a microscope or manipulated them to make a product, but they are unqualified to speak of ultimate realities beyond their limited perspective. Nonetheless, many write thick books claiming to know what they cannot possibly know (apart from God’s explanation), and chide others for not granting legitimacy to their unfounded speculations. They appeal to the nebulous but all-knowing “science” as if it exists as an entity distinct from the people who conduct it, the same folks who cannot remember where they put their argyle socks and wonder why their kids don’t view their opinions as divine oracles (problems in no way exclusive to scientists). <em>The limits of “science” are the limitations of the people who conduct it</em>.\r\n\r\nFaith\r\nLastly, scientists discover things, but interpret them according to their pre-existing beliefs about God, mankind, reality, and the nature of truth and how it can be known, each founded on faith in God’s explanation in the Bible or human opinion as the ultimate standard of truth. Answers to ultimate questions beyond the scope of the scientific method are driven by trust in one of these two “authorities.”\r\n\r\nTherefore, we should not be surprised when those hostile to the Creator to whom we owe all love, honor, and obedience, offer answers to ultimate questions that explain God out of existence and hide behind the misleading veil of “science” to disguise guesswork driven by an agenda. Like the rest of us mere mortals, scientists not only have a limited perspective, they suffer from sin and the tendency to interpret reality to support their beliefs. And while unwarranted opinions give no credible information about ultimate realities, they reveal the bias of unbelief when they contradict scientific principles to make claims that cannot be known by the scientific method. In the end, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory\\\" (Isaiah 6:3). To say otherwise has nothing to do with science.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> <a title=\"\\&quot;Merriam-Webster\" href=\"\\&quot;www.merriam-webster.com\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">www.merriam-webster.com</a>, accessed March 16, 2017.</p>\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Opinions of Science or Scientists?','','publish','closed','closed','','opinions-science-scientists','','','2023-03-21 10:39:10','2023-03-21 10:39:10','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/opinions-science-scientists/',0,'post','',0),(12053,1,'2017-05-31 19:25:14','2017-06-01 00:25:14','Several years ago, a nearby township designated itself a “No Hate” zone. More recently, “Hate Has No Home Here” signs have been popping up throughout the area. While the intent behind the messages may or may not be well-meaning, it seems a difficult thing to require and enforce. But beyond these difficulties, hate remains a necessary part of a healthy view of a life and world full of evil. And in a bit of irony, many bent on eliminating hate display a fair amount towards anyone who would question their viewpoint or appeal to Scripture as the ultimate authority concerning right and wrong. Campaigns against hate often disguise opposition to the Gospel (but I digress).\r\n\r\nObjects of God’s Enmity\r\nI was recently told that hate cannot exist in a God of love, that the idea of God hating anything was repulsive. When I pointed out that Scripture says God hates many things, he replied that the Old Testament God of hate cannot be the New Testament God. Of course, the God of the Old and New Testament are one and the same. God’s strict standards of justice revealed in the Old Testament, including the need for a mediator, sacrifice, and substitute for sinners, were fulfilled by Christ on our behalf and explained in the New (but I digress again). What about God, then, does He hate?\r\n\r\nIn short, God hates many things. For instance, He hates idolatry and the murder of innocents as sacrifices to false Gods: “You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, for every abominable act which the LORD hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods” (Deuteronomy 12:31). “Neither shall you set up for yourself a <em>sacred</em> pillar which the LORD your God hates” (Deuteronomy 16:22). In speaking of the wicked who prosper at the expense of the righteous, “Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused, Thou wilt despise their form” (Psalm 73:20). God also hates the denial of the obvious display of His power in what He has created: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them” (Romans 1:18-19).\r\n\r\nMoreover, God will repay His enemies and the enemies of His children: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath <em>of God</em>, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). God hates those who spurn Christ: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27). God is the source and standard of good; He fights all that oppose it.\r\n\r\nGod Is Love\r\nAt the same time, God is perfect love, most clearly displayed in Christ dying for His despisers. “For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8). Indeed, “While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son” (Romans 5:10). Believers in Christ are the greatest beneficiaries of that love: “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son <em>to be</em> the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10). “And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16).\r\n\r\nLove Hates\r\nLove and hate exist in God in perfect harmony. Why? A God of perfect holiness must hate evil, its enemy. A God of infinite love must hate that which destroys the object of His love. Here lies the simple explanation of why God pronounces such a harsh curse on all who would pervert the Gospel: “But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9). A false Gospel dishonors the person and work of Christ, the supreme object of God’s love, the supreme display of His infinite goodness, and the One who accomplishes God’s ultimate purpose to display His glory. A false Gospel leads people away from Christ and the Gospel by which they may be saved and enjoy forgiveness of sin, new life, and eternal happiness with God. God’s love for people hates that which leads them astray and destroys them. Thus, God hates sin. In addition to its ugliness and opposition to the beauty of His holiness, sin ruins people. True love hates that which hurts the object of God’s love.\r\n\r\nNo Hate Without Absolutes\r\nThe idea that love and hate are incompatible in God appears related to a worldview that denies absolute standards of good and evil. But, the love of good implies the hatred of evil, its opposite. Who would deny that we should abhor the wickedness of genocide? Who would claim that hating the cancer killing your dearest friend is incompatible with love? Indeed, to not detest some things contradicts true love. But, if nothing is morally wrong or sinful, nothing deserves our hate. Of course, even the most hardened relativists that deny an absolute moral authority affirm a boatload of moral standards for themselves and others, even while they hate a good many things. People often invoke pure relativism to justify a particular sin or lifestyle, but it is bankrupt as a philosophy of life. In fact, one must contradict it to affirm it when claiming absolutely no absolutes. No one lives according to pure moral relativism. Everyone hates something.\r\n\r\nInfinite Love\r\nTherefore, because God loves and hates, so will we as we grow in our love and knowledge of Him through Christ. \\\"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate” (Proverbs 8:13). For those alienated from God’s love by unbelief and the love of sin, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). And though many are the objects of God’s wrath, “‘As I live!\\\' declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die…?’” (Ezekiel 33:11). Yes, God hates things, but only because He is a God of infinite and perfect love.\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','God Is Love and He Hates Things','','publish','closed','closed','','god-is-love-he-hates-things','','','2023-03-21 10:38:56','2023-03-21 10:38:56','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/god-is-love-he-hates-things/',0,'post','',0),(12094,1,'2017-06-07 16:08:29','2017-06-07 21:08:29','The churches of Galatia, taught and nurtured by Paul in the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, were falling prey to false teachers. Self-promoting legalists were trying to put them back under the bondage of the law, to be “subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Like today, they desired the prestige of more followers while they sought to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:12-13).\r\n\r\nThe Fatal Message\r\nThe message disturbing the churches of Galatia promoted a doctrine of Christ <em>plus</em> circumcision, or salvation by grace through faith, <em>plus</em> works. To this the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul, replied:\r\n<blockquote>I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is <em>really</em> not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed” (Gal 1:6-9).</blockquote>\r\nThe gospel of grace in Christ is precious to God, and He does not look kindly toward anyone who perverts it. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, that, just as it is written, \\\"Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1Corinthians 1:30-31). God protects His glory, the glory of the person and saving work of Christ, and the salvation of His people.\r\n\r\nContemporary Confusion\r\nThe American Culture &amp; Faith Institute recently conducted a survey of people who claimed to be born-again Christians, defined as those who believe they will go to heaven when they die because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. Of this group:\r\n<div class=\"\\&quot;indent-content\\&quot;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>52% believed Jesus lived a sinless life</li>\r\n 	<li>37% believed it was impossible to earn your way to heaven (presumably, then, 63% believe you can earn your salvation by works)</li>\r\n 	<li>70% thought that having faith is more important than the object of faith</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\nThe survey results are troubling on many levels, but to name a few, if Jesus sinned, He deserved condemnation, He cannot save anyone, we are dead in our sins. He also destroyed the purpose of His saving work to display and communicate God’s glory. Given God’s glory consists of the beauty and perfection of His attributes, His holiness and justice, at a minimum, would be casualties of a sinning Savior. Like a Christianity without the resurrection, we are wasting our time if our Savior is fallen—we would do better to eat, drink, and be merry.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, those trying to earn their way to heaven are under the curse of the law, while many confident of a future in heaven may be teaching or believing the cursed view of the Galatian false teachers. And given that less than half of those surveyed read Scripture during a typical week, it’s no surprise so many professing Christ as Savior do not understand the Gospel. One marvels how people claiming God as their first love can care so little about getting to know Him. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos 4:6).\r\n\r\nDim Glory and Destruction\r\nTo name just a few more problems with adding works to the Gospel, salvation by works requires perfect obedience. “Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision…he is under obligation to keep the whole Law” (Galatians 5:2-3). “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one <em>point</em>, he has become guilty of all” (James 2:10). Failure brings condemnation: “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them’” (Galatians 3:10). No wonder Paul speaks of “bondage” and “slavery” in describing the error.\r\n\r\nAs noted above, a sinning Savior destroys the ultimate purpose of God to display His glory by corrupting the display of His attributes in Christ. In the same way, salvation by the works of fallen people compromises the righteousness of God’s justice. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne” (Psalm 89:14). But, an unrighteous judgment corrupts not only God’s justice, but His entire rule over the universe. In acting contrary to righteousness, our object of faith would become untrustworthy and the foundation of His rule would crumble. God would no longer be God. Our “righteous” sovereign would be arbitrary and corrupt. Moreover, our holy garments as Christ’s bride would be ruined as mingled with the “filthy rags” of our works.\r\n\r\nFurther, the addition of tainted works as contributions to our salvation diminishes Christ’s perfect accomplishment as the only one to meet the requirements of God’s justice. It implies that Christ’s payment for sin was insufficient. Yet, what kind of life and sacrifice can be improved by the sinful works of fallen people? Our tainted works, themselves, require atonement. And, if we can be saved by our works, “Christ died needlessly” (Galatians 2:21), rendering His life and ministry a farce, a cruel perversion of justice.\r\n\r\nHigh Stakes\r\nIn the end, the false teachers among the churches of Galatia undermined God’s glory and the salvation of sinners, as do the teachers of salvation by works among us today. The stakes are high: “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away <em>from it</em>. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:1-3). And that salvation is by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone. “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, <em>be</em> glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 1:24-25).\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Ignorance and Perversion of the Gospel of Grace and Glory','','publish','closed','closed','','ignorance-perversion-of-gospel-of-grace-glory','','','2023-03-21 10:38:46','2023-03-21 10:38:46','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/ignorance-perversion-of-gospel-of-grace-glory/',0,'post','',0),(12109,1,'2017-06-14 20:17:13','2017-06-15 01:17:13','“Don’t worry, I’m sober enough.” “It’s safe.” “Everybody does it.” “Hey Joe, watch this!” “God would never send anyone to hell.” Of course, the latter may not be someone’s <em>last</em> words, but they will prove to be the most haunting. Hell will be populated with legions who denied its existence.\r\n\r\nWishful Thinking\r\nPeople give many reasons for not believing in the existence of this terrifying place of judgment. One popular notion claims that a God of love cannot hate and would never send anyone there. Others reject God’s existence and an afterlife and therefore deny a future judgment of evil. Here today, gone tomorrow, and that’s all she wrote goes the refrain. Others claim belief in God but have little understanding of God’s justice or what Scripture teaches on the topic. Yet, a common thread among outright denials of hell involves the rejection of the authority and witness of Scripture to hell’s existence, either by denying Scripture’s authority in total, or by denying aspects of Scripture that speak of things people may not like or accept as true.\r\n\r\nTwo Sources of Truth\r\nIn all belief regarding the afterlife, the source and explanation can be reduced to two alternatives: human opinion or God’s revelation. Of course, Satan is the greatest source of error concerning God and reality, but he expresses his ungodly ideas through people. Opinion can be our own or that of another presumed expert, but in the end, we either trust what God has told us or trust what people say. The same can be said about the existence of heaven, moral absolutes, the nature of God, history, Christ, etc. Inevitably, we trust the meaning of our life and ultimate destiny to God’s revelation in Christ through Scripture, or speculation about things we could never know if God did not tell us.\r\n\r\nTwo Objects of Faith\r\nTherefore, whether or not you believe in a literal place of eternal torment, as Scripture clearly teaches, we are left with two different objects of faith in which to entrust our souls. When an atheist tells you not to worry because hell does not exist, he or she is asking you to trust their opinion. Are you willing to trust your eternal destiny to the opinion of someone who cannot remember where he put the car keys and has no idea what lies beyond the three or four dimensions of this life? Or, will you trust the One who created, sustains, and knows all things, whose Word is the ultimate and final authority with respect to His universe and what lies beyond, who can never lie, who has loved us with an infinite love, has condescended to be with us and take infinite wrath on His soul to purchase forgiveness of our sin and give us eternal happiness, whose excellence and existence shines clearly in every aspect of the universe? Whose word would you rather trust?\r\n\r\nA High Price\r\nThe cost for a few years of imagined independence from our Creator comes with a high price—an eternity without Him, separated from the source of all good things, and the penalty for treating with contempt the One to whom we owe all love, honor, and thanksgiving. Moreover, we will miss in this life the joy and contentment of a sure hope of heaven, forgiveness of sin, satisfaction of the deepest needs of our soul, and a love beyond all earthly comparison, in addition to the immeasurable blessings of heaven itself. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:7). Trust in wishful thinking about our ultimate destiny will eventually give way to reality as God determined it to be, unchanged by the guesswork of those who refuse to humbly bow the knee before Him.\r\n\r\nCome to the Waters\r\nTherefore, every blessing and the evidence of God’s excellence and authority that surrounds and confronts every life calls us to “seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7). “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live” (Isaiah 55:1-3). “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). May your last words be followed by the words of your Creator and Savior, “Enter into the joy of the Lord.”\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Famous Last Words','','publish','closed','closed','','famous-last-words','','','2023-03-21 10:38:38','2023-03-21 10:38:38','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/famous-last-words/',0,'post','',0),(12132,1,'2017-06-21 17:54:34','2017-06-21 22:54:34','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever wondered why Scripture sometimes speaks of the Father’s love of Christ as conditional, as given in response to Christ’s obedience? For instance, in John 10:17 we read, “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.” For many years as a believer I found this particular verse somewhat puzzling. Scripture also speaks of the Father’s exaltation of Christ as contingent on His obedience.\r\n<blockquote>Although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, <em>and</em> being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:6-11).</blockquote>\r\nIn the same way, the elevation of Christ above the angels comes as a reward for His love of righteousness and saving work on the cross. “He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high; having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they” (Hebrews 1:3-4). “Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy companions\\\" (Hebrews 1:9). “But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, <em>namely</em>, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).\r\n\r\nBig Questions\r\nHow, then, can God’s love of Christ be earned when the love between the Father and Son is perfect, without beginning or end? How can Christ be elevated above the angels when the Son of God forever stands infinitely superior to all things? And how can Christ be exalted to the right hand of the Father as a reward when the Son’s sovereign rule over all things belongs to Him as His divine right from eternity?\r\n\r\nThe answer lies in Christ as the second Adam. With Christ <em>as man</em>, living and dying in our place, we have the explanation of God’s love and exaltation given in response to Christ’s saving work—He earned <em>for us</em> the Father’s love and <em>our</em> exaltation by the righteousness and infinite merit of His obedience. Thus, the reward for Christ’s merit constitutes the reward for those He purchased to be His bride.\r\n\r\nChrist as Man and Man in Christ\r\nChrist as representing mankind provides the answer to the sometimes-debated identity of the humbled and exalted subject of Hebrews 2:6-8:\r\n<blockquote>But one has testified somewhere, saying, ‘What is man, that Thou rememberest him? Or the son of man, that Thou art concerned about him? \\\"Thou hast made him for a little while lower than the angels; Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor, and hast appointed him over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.’ For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.\\\"</blockquote>\r\nDoes the passage speak of Christ or man? Answer, it speaks of both Christ <em>as man</em> and man <em>as united to Christ</em>. The Son of God was humbled and exalted as our mediator, as the second Adam, <em>as man standing in the place of sinners</em>. In His incarnation He was made lower than angels, and in His humanity He was exalted to rule at the right hand of God as our substitute. Having “emptied Himself,” having taken the “form of a bond-servant,” He was “highly exalted” as the reward for His obedience “to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7-8). Having been made “lower than the angels…that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone,” He was “crowned with glory and honor” <em>in our place</em> (Hebrews 2:9). He earned for us the infinite reward owed Him for the infinite merit of His voluntary death on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. “Through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). “By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Acting on our behalf, as both God and man, Christ earned for us every spiritual blessing.\r\n\r\nJoint Reign at God’s Right Hand\r\nSince the Father rewarded Christ for the merit of His obedience unto death, since Christ stood as our representative, and since those united to Christ by faith receive the just deserts for Christ’s merit imputed to them, so we will reign with Christ at the right hand of the Father.\r\n<blockquote><em>I pray that</em> the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. <em>These are</em> in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly <em>places</em>, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:18-23).</blockquote>\r\nParticipation in Christ’s rule became our possession and right when we were born again, when we united to Christ by saving faith. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly <em>places</em>, in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-6), where “we shall judge angels” (1 Corinthians 6:3). Therefore, God’s love and exaltation constitute the reward Christ earned for His beloved bride, purchased as our substitute by His perfect obedience and sacrificial death to meet the requirements of God’s justice. Covered in Christ’s righteousness we will be exalted forever as trophies of God’s infinite love and grace.\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Father’s Conditional Love of Christ','','publish','closed','closed','','fathers-conditional-love-christ','','','2023-03-21 10:38:31','2023-03-21 10:38:31','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/fathers-conditional-love-christ/',0,'post','',0),(12177,1,'2017-06-28 16:30:09','2017-06-28 21:30:09','I recently viewed a panel discussion where evolutionists argued that “science” alone should be taught in schools, assuming macro evolution to be an “established fact.” They called their claims “scientific,” while labelling “intelligent design” and “creationism” as “unscientific” and founded on “blind faith.” But, do those proposing time, chance, and macro evolution as the explanation of life and the universe go beyond what can be known by the scientific method? Or, does the nature of the universe raise big questions that people cannot answer by merely using their senses and imagination to interpret the world?\r\n\r\nPeople Do Science\r\nIn a previous article, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"\\&quot;https://www.pilgrimsrock.com/2017/05/opinions-science-scientists/\\&quot;\">The Opinions of Science or Scientists</a>, I observed that “science has no authority and existence of itself.” Rather, \\\"science is done by people employing the scientific method,” or “the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n<div class=\"\\&quot;indent-content\\&quot;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>People observe,</li>\r\n 	<li>people form, test, and retest hypotheses and theories,</li>\r\n 	<li>people interpret data, and</li>\r\n 	<li>people draw conclusions.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<em>Science</em> says nothing—<em>people</em> say things about the data they observe, test, and interpret, and people have limitations that restrict what can be known by the scientific method. The limitations of “scientists,” then, comprise the limitations of science. God’s rebuke of Job applies to scientists and everyone alike.\r\n<blockquote>Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell <em>Me</em>, if you have understanding, who set its measurements, since you know? Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?\\\" (Job 38:4-7).</blockquote>\r\nQuestions Scientists Cannot Answer\r\nGiven our finite human perspective, a good many questions said to be answered by “science” cannot be answered by application of the scientific method. Here is a small sample:\r\n<div class=\"\\&quot;indent-content\\&quot;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Does God exist?</li>\r\n 	<li>What is possible and impossible with God?</li>\r\n 	<li>Why do all things exist and not exist?</li>\r\n 	<li>How did the universe and everything in it come into being?</li>\r\n 	<li>Why are the things of the universe so well designed and organized?</li>\r\n 	<li>How do all things hold together?</li>\r\n 	<li>Why and how are the things of the universe related to each other?</li>\r\n 	<li>How are we related to the things of the universe?</li>\r\n 	<li>What is the ultimate destination of all things?</li>\r\n 	<li>What is our origin, purpose, and destination?</li>\r\n 	<li>Was the universe and all things in it created in six days?</li>\r\n 	<li>Did life evolve from non-living matter?</li>\r\n 	<li>Did higher life forms evolve through macro evolution?</li>\r\n 	<li>Are miracles possible?</li>\r\n 	<li>What is good or evil?</li>\r\n 	<li>What exists beyond the three or four dimensions of what can be examined by the scientific method?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\nNevertheless, many speculate about such things and call their beliefs “scientific.” Yet, apart from God’s revelation, scientists lack the authority to give answers to ultimate questions they cannot validate by the scientific method. And by the way, Scripture answers all of the above questions, while no scientific discovery to-date has proven a single biblical explanation of the origin, nature, and history of reality to be impossible or untrue. Indeed, all of reality harmonizes with the existence of the infinitely powerful God of Scripture as its designer, creator, and sustainer, with the will of created beings as the source of moral evil (but I digress).\r\n\r\nWithout Excuse\r\nThe inability of finite people to answer ultimate questions by doing science, however, does not imply insufficient evidence for the existence, nature, and works of God—the creator, sustainer, and source of all truth. On the contrary, all things declare God’s existence, power, goodness, and genius (Romans 1:18-22; Acts 14:17, Psalm 19, et al), and are “understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” for not giving God honor and thanks (Romans 1:20-21). In addition, God gave all people a conscience that confronts them with their accountability to God for their choices (Romans 1:32; 2:14-15).\r\n\r\nBeyond Their Expertise\r\nIn the end, appeals to “science” to make claims that cannot be confirmed by the scientific method ring hollow. To repeat an analogy, if a mere mortal like Richard Dawkins cannot know the contents of my garage without having a look, he cannot know what lies beyond the edge of the universe or the three or four dimensions of our existence, no matter how powerful his telescope or how loudly and often he appeals to science and belittles anyone would ask him to justify his assertions by the scientific method. Scientists have made tremendous discoveries about God’s universe and have used God’s design and ordering of His world for countless benefits to mankind. But science has limits—the limits of those who conduct it, and the limits of those who should restrict dogmatic pronouncements to things they can demonstrate scientifically. We do best leaving explanations beyond the capacity of our knowledge to the One who created, sustains, and knows all things. To Him we turn for answers to ultimate questions, while granting scientists their due respect where they can speak with justified authority.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> <a title=\"\\&quot;Merriam-Webster\" href=\"//www.merriam-webster.com/\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">www.merriam-webster.com</a>, accessed March 16, 2017.</p>\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Limits of Scientists and the Scientific Method','','publish','closed','closed','','limits-scientists-scientific-method','','','2023-03-21 10:36:11','2023-03-21 10:36:11','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/limits-scientists-scientific-method/',0,'post','',0),(12227,1,'2017-07-05 19:39:41','2017-07-06 00:39:41','In the early pages of his biography of Jonathan Edwards, Iain Murray catalogs an enlightening mix of opinions concerning the eighteenth-century theologian and pastor. At first blush, the extreme and opposite views of Edwards give the impression that people were not talking about the same man. Yet, they were, and therein lies a great lesson for all who would preach, teach, or otherwise minister in the name of Jesus Christ.\r\n\r\nPositively\r\nSamuel Davies, the fourth president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton) and contemporary of Edwards called his fellow pastor “the profoundest reasoner, and the greatest divine, in my opinion, that America ever produced.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Ashbel Green, the eighth president of the College of New Jersey spoke of Edwards as “one of the most holy, humble and heavenly minded men, that the world has seen, since the apostolic age.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> John Collett Ryland’s copy of Samuel Hopkins’ <em>Life of Edwards</em> included the written note, “The greatest, wisest, humblest and holiest of uninspired men.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> Thomas Chalmers said of Edwards, “Never was there a happier combination of great power with great piety.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nModern readers express similar opinions. George Marsden, historian and biographer of Edwards, said: “Edwards was extraordinary. By many estimates, he was the most acute early American philosopher and the most brilliant of all American theologians. At least three of his many works—<em>Religious Affections</em>, <em>Freedom of the Will</em>, and <em>The Nature of True Virtue</em>—stand as masterpieces in the larger history of Christian literature.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> D. Martyn Lloyd Jones declared, “No man is more relevant to the present condition of Christianity than Jonathan Edwards…. He was a mighty theologian and a great evangelist at the same time…. He was pre-eminently the theologian of revival. If you want to know anything about true revival, Edwards is the man to consult.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nNegatively\r\nBy contrast, Charles Chauncy, a contemporary and ardent critic of Edwards and the Great Awakening called him “a visionary enthusiast, and not to be minded in anything he says.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> Perry Miller, the twentieth-century Harvard professor and writer of a highly influential and sometimes erroneous study of Edwards, said, “The life of Edwards is a tragedy.... Because of his faith Edwards wrought incalculable harm…. a more repulsive individual never influenced history.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> Oliver Wendell Holmes quipped that “if he [Edwards] had lived a hundred years later and breathed the air of freedom, he could not have written with such old-world barbarism as we find in his volcanic sermons.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Herbert Schneider, philosopher and author of <em>The Puritan Mind</em> said of Edwards: “His philosophical insight was buried under the ruins of his religion. He failed to see the futility of insisting on the Puritan principles.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nWhy the Difference?\r\n“A more repulsive individual never influenced history” was at the same time “one of the most holy, humble and heavenly minded men, that the world has seen, since the apostolic age” and “the greatest, wisest, humblest and holiest of uninspired men”? How so? Why such contrary opinions of the same man? Iain Murray writes:\r\n<blockquote>Here is the fundamental reason why opinions on Edwards are so divided, and why his biographers should also differ so widely. The division runs right back to the Bible, and, depending on where we stand in relation to Christ, we shall join ourselves to one side or the other in interpreting this man who was, first of all, a Christian.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nIn other words, people love or hate Edwards as they love or hate the God of Edwards. Indeed, many non-evangelical scholars of the twentieth century created a “secularized” Edwards, a gifted thinker and philosopher shorn of his first love. “Distanced from his biblical and God-centered focus, he was both brilliant and acceptable to modern scholarship.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a> Doug Sweeney writes, “in the words of historian Bruce Kuklick, Edwards proved far more attractive and serviceable to secular intellectuals when portrayed by Perry Miller as ‘one of us—close to being an atheist for Niebuhr.’ But now that Edwards has been unmasked as an evangelical supernaturalist and committed parish pastor…his thought ‘is not likely to compel the attention of intellectuals ever again. Indeed,’ argues Kuklick, ‘it is more likely to repel their attention.’” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a> For some, it appears, one cannot be an intellectual <em>and</em> love Christ and Scripture.\r\n\r\nSome Lessons\r\nPeople will judge you by the company you keep. And God, it seems, is not good company. So, if you are a scholar seeking to publish in the most prestigious journals, or be quoted as an expert and invited to speak at “respectable” conferences; or, if you are a pastor or minister craving the good opinion of an ungodly world, or a believer chasing the kudos of your unbelieving peers, then avoid the example of Edwards. But, if you love God and care more about His good opinion, His honor and glory, the favor of the few people whose favor really matters, and faithfulness to His will and the salvation of the lost—purchased by the infinite suffering and death of Christ—then Edwards will be to you an extraordinary friend and mentor.\r\n\r\nAnd you will join him in the <em>best</em> of company: “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before <em>it hated</em> you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). “Blessed are you when <em>men</em> cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).\r\n<blockquote>For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.’ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not <em>come</em> to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe\\\" (1 Corinthians 1:18-21).</blockquote>\r\nTherefore, while we may suffer the trivial disdain of self-declared “intellectuals” that view the infinite excellence of God and the Gospel with contempt, we stand covered in the royal robe of Christ’s righteousness, prepared to enjoy His perfect holiness and happiness forever. “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise” (1 Corinthians 3:18). Truly and eternally wise, that is, by God’s grace in Christ.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> Samuel Davies, 1759; quoted in Iain Murray, <em>Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography</em> (Banner of Truth Trust: Edinburgh, 1987; reprint, 1988), xv.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> Ashbel Green, President of the College of New Jersey, 1822; quoted in Murray, xv.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> Quoted in Murray, xv.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> Thomas Chalmers, quoted by G. D. Henderson in ‘Jonathan Edwards and Scotland’, <em>The Evangelical Quarterly</em>, January 1944; quoted in Murray, xvi.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> George M. Marsden, <em>Jonathan Edwards: A Life</em> (Yale University Press: New Haven, 2003), 1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, 1976; quoted in Murray, xvii.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> Charles Chauncy, quoted in Murray, xxiii.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> Perry Miller, <em>Jonathan Edwards</em> (The University of Massachusetts Press: Amherst, 1949), 16, 148, 133; quoted in Murray, xxi, xxiii.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> Oliver Wendell Holmes, quoted in Murray, xx.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> Herbert Schneider, quoted in Murray, xxi.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> Murray, xxvi-xxvii.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> Craig Biehl, <em>The Infinite Merit of Christ: The Glory of Christ’s Obedience in the Theology of Jonathan Edwards</em> (Jackson, MS: Reformed Academic Press, 2009), 7-8.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> Douglas A. Sweeney, “A Plentiful Harvest,” <em>Books and Culture</em>, (November/December 2003); quoted in Biehl, <em>Infinite Merit</em>, 8, fn22.</p>\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Lessons from Love and Contempt Toward Jonathan Edwards','','publish','closed','closed','','lessons-from-love-contempt-toward-jonathan-edwards','','','2023-03-21 10:36:09','2023-03-21 10:36:09','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/lessons-from-love-contempt-toward-jonathan-edwards/',0,'post','',0),(12255,1,'2017-07-12 20:14:29','2017-07-13 01:14:29','Jonathan Edwards’ classic work, <em>The Religious Affections</em>, is likely the greatest book ever written on the nature of the Holy Spirit’s work in the heart of a true believer or the essence of the true Christian life. Thoughtful reflection in its pages reaps the enormous dividends of greater understanding and appreciation of the infinite excellence of God and His work in us. The first in a series of articles summarizing important and helpful portions of this marvelous book, we begin with the background and context of its writing.\r\n\r\nSleepy Before the Storm\r\nMany New England churches in the early years of the eighteenth century were apathetic and declining. “Sainthood became more synonymous with respectability,” while Congregationalism, the largest denomination “became more like the world in which it lived, less like a pure fellowship of saints called out from society.” Moreover, “God became less respected as man became more respectable,” while “the decline of the Puritan piety was marked by a rise of ‘many and great Impieties,’ a fall in ‘the power of godliness,’ and a ‘time of extraordinary dullness in religion.’” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Then came the “Awakening.”\r\n\r\nSmaller awakenings preceded and followed what has come to be called “The First Great Awakening” of 1740-42—the greatest revival in the history of America. At its onset, faithful pastors were doing what they had always done, carefully preaching the Word of God and serving their flocks. No pastor or human technique created the revival, and it often arrived in churches without contact with other churches or outside influences to promote it. In New England, “It was a rushing flood that swept over all the land, recognizing no boundaries, whether social, civil, or ecclesiastical, leaving no inhabited area untouched, and receding as suddenly as it had come.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nLove It\r\nMany welcomed the Awakening as a great work of God as people came to Christ, professing Christians were “revived,” interest in Scripture flourished (even among the youth), and churches filled to overflowing. “Religion is now much more the Subject of Conversation at Friends’ Houses, than ever I knew it. The Doctrines of Grace are espoused and relished. Private religions Meetings are greatly multiplied.... There is indeed an extraordinary Appetite after the sincere Milk of the Word.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a>\r\n<blockquote>Much more numerous and more frequently mentioned than the conversions were the signs of repentance and concern. William Cooper of Brattle Street Church remarked that in one week, at the height of the revival, more persons came to him in anxiety and concern than in the preceding twenty-four years of his ministry.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nWhile times have changed, a contemporary equivalent would include widespread traffic jams on Sunday as people flock to hear the Word of God, bars and theatres closing for lack of customers, crowds of public and private high school students voluntarily meeting after classes to pray and study Scripture, pastors inundated by people concerned about sin and condemnation, and previously empty churches bursting at the seams with people deeply concerned for their souls and the souls of others—all with great interest in the doctrines of Scripture and the Gospel. Entire cities and states would be transformed.\r\n\r\nHate It\r\nMany, however, opposed the Awakening, perhaps none more vigorously and skillfully as Charles Chauncy, pastor of First Church in Boston and later president of Harvard (1654-1672).\r\n<blockquote>There never was such a Spirit of Superstition and Enthusiasm reigning in the Land before; never such gross Disorders and barefaced Affronts to common Decency; never such scandalous Reproaches on the Blessed Spirit, making him the Author of the greatest Irregularities and Confusions.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nAgain,\r\n<blockquote>No greater mischief has arisen from any quarter. It is indeed the genuine force of infinite evil. Popery it self han’t been the mother of more and greater blasphemies and abominations. It has made strong attempts to destroy all property, to make all things common, wives as well as goods. —It has promoted faction and contention; filled the church oftentimes with confusion, and the state sometimes with general disorder. —It has, by its pretended spiritual interpretations made void the most undoubted laws of God. It has laid aside the gospel sacraments as weak and carnal things; yea, this superior light within has, in the opinion of thousands, render’d the bible a useless dead letter. —It has made men fancy themselves to be prophets and apostles; yea, some have taken themselves to be Christ Jesus; yea, the blessed God himself. It has, in one word, been a pest to the church in all ages, as great an enemy to real and solid religion as perhaps the greatest infidelity.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nConfusing Exuberance\r\nBetween the opposite poles of an “entirely glorious work” and a work of “infinite evil” lay more moderate opinions. At the same time, many of its strongest supporters recognized dubious elements attending the revival, including:\r\n<div class=\"\\&quot;indent-content\\&quot;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>a lack of order in worship services, with outbursts of fainting, screaming, and shaking;</li>\r\n 	<li>zealous but contentious, untrained, and theologically illiterate itinerant preachers;</li>\r\n 	<li>presumptuous and destructive defamation of established ministers by itinerant preachers creating dissention and division within existing churches (imagine a newly “converted” preacher interrupting your worship service claiming revelation from God that your faithful pastor is unconverted and that all should leave the church, sometimes merely because the pastor would not let the itinerant preach);</li>\r\n 	<li>claims of immediate revelation from God apart from Scripture; and,</li>\r\n 	<li>loud and ostentatious displays of “spiritual boldness” that appeared to many as irreverent, inconsiderate, disorderly, and inappropriate (imagine a crowd shouting “glory to God!” and singing hymns in the street outside your house at midnight while you are trying to sleep).</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\nThough relatively rare at the onset of the Awakening, their frequency and intensity increased as emotional excesses and extraordinary experiences were deemed marks of God’s favor and a higher spiritual experience.\r\n\r\nUnbalanced Responses\r\nIn general, people interpreted the revival according to their view of religious affections. The more people exalted the intellect over experience and rejected affections as central to the Christian life, the more they opposed the Awakening. The more people elevated experience over the intellect and accepted affections as central to the Christian life, the more likely they accepted all of the phenomena of the Awakening as God’s work. In other words, views of Christianity as all head and no heart versus all heart and no head drove the rejection or acceptance of the Awakening with its elevated affections. Many stood somewhere in between.\r\n\r\nEdwards’ Balanced Appraisal of the Great Awakening\r\nEdwards defended the Awakening, but rejected both the uncritical acceptance of every display of religious affections as divine, and the opposite error of dismissing all displays of religious affections as satanic delusion, depravity, weakness of disposition, or foolishness.\r\n\r\nEdwards sought a balanced appraisal that affirmed the good and opposed the bad. He rejected unbalanced views of the intellect and affections behind extreme responses to the Awakening, and affirmed the importance and necessity of religious affections as the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the believer.\r\n\r\nNext, we’ll examine Edwards’ motives for writing <em>The Religious Affections</em>, followed by an explanation of the nature of affections and their importance to the Christian life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> Edwin S. Gaustad, <em>The Great Awakening in New England</em> (Harper &amp; Brothers: New York, 1957), 15.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> Edwin S. Gaustad, “The Theological Effects of the Great Awakening in New England,” <em>Mississippi Valley Historical Review</em> 40 (March 1954): 683; quoted in D. A. Sweeney, <em>Nathaniel Taylor, New Haven Theology, and the Legacy of Jonathan Edwards</em> (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003), 25.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> William Cooper in <em>Distinguishing Marks</em>; quoted in Gaustad, <em>The Great Awakening</em>, 105.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> Thomas Prince, <em>An Account</em>, 18; quoted in Gaustad, <em>The Great Awakening</em>, 104.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> Charles Chauncy in letter to Ezra Stiles; quoted in Gaustad, <em>The Great Awakening</em>, 88.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> Charles Chauncy, <em>Enthusiasm described and cautioned against... With a Letter to the Reverend Mr. James Davenport</em>; quoted in Gaustad, <em>The Great Awakening</em>, 87-88.</p>\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 1): The Glories, Evils, and Confusion of the Great Awakening','','publish','closed','closed','','glories-evils-confusion-of-great-awakening','','','2023-03-21 10:36:05','2023-03-21 10:36:05','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/glories-evils-confusion-of-great-awakening/',0,'post','',0),(12290,1,'2017-07-19 10:57:34','2017-07-19 15:57:34','Every revival in the church includes an unhappy mixture of good and bad—the fruit of God bringing people to saving faith and a greater love of His excellence, and the fruit of the devil’s deceptions and the corruption in believing and unbelieving hearts. Indeed, “It is no new thing, that much false religion should prevail, at a time of great reviving of true religion; and that at such a time multitudes of hypocrites should spring up among true saints.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Edwards points to the days of Josiah (Jeremiah 3:10; 4:3-4), John the Baptist (John 5:35), the multitudes listening to the teaching of Christ, the Apostles, the Reformation, and the Great Awakening of his own day as examples. For Edwards, this troublesome mixture was common in the same way we find good and evil mingled in our own unglorified hearts.\r\n\r\nA Tough and Necessary Task\r\nNonetheless, the health of the church and the furtherance of the Gospel require the difficult task of identifying and opposing the evil and counterfeit while promoting the good. False “Christianity” masquerading as true poses the greatest threat to the church because it appears as a friend. In any war, spiritual or otherwise, enemies posing as allies behind our lines have ample opportunity to do harm.\r\n<blockquote>After religion has revived in the church of God, and enemies appear, people engaged to defend its cause are commonly most exposed where they are least sensible of danger. While they are wholly intent upon the opposition that appears openly before them, to make head against that, and do neglect carefully to look all around them, the devil comes behind them, and gives a fatal stab unseen; and has opportunity to give a more home stroke, and wound the deeper, because he strikes at his leisure and according to his pleasure, being obstructed by no guard or resistance.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nEdwards observed that some of the most zealous defenders of the Great Awakening inflicted the worst damage to its reputation and success. Having identified themselves as supporters and promoters of this glorious work of God, their doctrinal errors and scandalous behavior did more to quench the Holy Spirit and discredit the Awakening than its most overt adversaries.\r\n<blockquote>By this means he [Satan] brings it to pass, that men work wickedness under a notion of doing God service, and so sin without restraint, yea with earnest forwardness and zeal, and with all their might. By this means he brings in even the friends of religion, insensibly to themselves, to do the work of enemies, by destroying religion in a far more effectual manner than open enemies can do, under a notion of advancing it.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>It is by the mixture of counterfeit religion with true, not discerned and distinguished, that the devil has had his greatest advantage against the cause and kingdom of Christ all along.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nEdwards understood firsthand the need of the church to discern the true nature of God’s work within and among us, and expose and correct the counterfeit and destructive—a difficult but necessary task. Enemies of God have less ammunition when our behavior stands beyond reproach and the evil among us cannot be associated with God’s work.\r\n<blockquote>It is a hard thing to be a hearty zealous friend of what has been good and glorious in the late extraordinary appearances, and to rejoice much in it; and at the same time to see the evil and pernicious tendency of what has been bad, and earnestly to oppose that. But yet, I am humbly but fully persuaded, we shall never be in the way of truth, nor go on in a way acceptable to God and tending to the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, till we do so.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nA Great and Necessary Help\r\nTo that end Edwards wrote <em>The Religious Affections</em>, perhaps the greatest help ever penned to equip saints to discern a true work of God in the heart of a Christian—the nature and fruits of the new birth and permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit within the saint.\r\n<blockquote>Therefore it greatly concerns us to use our utmost endeavors clearly to discern, and have it well settled and established, wherein true religion does consist. Till this be done, it may be expected that great revivings of religion will be but of short continuance; till this be done, there is but little good to be expected of all our warm debates, in conversation and from the press, not knowing clearly and distinctly what we ought to contend for.\\\"<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nWe contend for salvation and new life in Christ that burns with love for God’s holy excellence, that loves God first and foremost for who He is, that grows into the likeness of Christ by the Holy Spirit producing His fruit within us. We contend for the glory of Christ and the Gospel to watching and needy world, we dare not willfully or ignorantly tarnish it.\r\n\r\nPlease join me as I continue a series of articles simplifying and summarizing important truths from Edwards’ classic. Or, better, pick up an unabridged copy of <em>The Religious Affections</em> and immerse yourself in its wonderful truths. The blessings to you and the church will far outweigh the effort.\r\n\r\nIn the next article we will examine the nature and definition of religious affections, including Edwards’ helpful explanation of the faculties of the soul.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> Jonathan Edwards, <em>The Religious Affections</em> (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1986), 16; hereafter cited as “BT.” Cf. Jonathan Edwards, <em>Religious Affections</em>, ed. John Edwin Smith, <em>The Works of Jonathan Edwards</em>, vol. 2 (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1959), 85; hereafter cited as “Yale.” All quotations in this study guide are taken from the Banner of Truth version, though the respective passage in the Yale volume will also be listed in each citation of BT.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 18-19; Yale, 87.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 19; Yale, 88.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 17; Yale, 86.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 16; Yale, 85.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 20; Yale, 89.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 2): Why Edwards Wrote It','','publish','closed','closed','','the-religious-affections-why-edwards-wrote-it','','','2023-03-21 10:36:04','2023-03-21 10:36:04','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/the-religious-affections-why-edwards-wrote-it/',0,'post','',0),(12324,1,'2017-07-26 18:41:28','2017-07-26 23:41:28','Edwards begins his argument supporting the centrality and importance of affections to the Christian life with a look at 1 Peter 1:8: “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Written to believers suffering under intense persecution, Edwards explains that suffering and persecution strip away the dross and expose the heart of true Christianity—the affections of love to Christ and joy in Christ. From this he contends that “true religion, in great part, consists in the affections.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nFaculties of the Soul\r\nEdwards identifies two faculties of the soul: the <em>understanding</em> and <em>inclination</em>. Think of the understanding as the “head” or the intellect, and the inclination as the “heart” or the “will.” The understanding “discerns, and views, and judges of things,” while the inclination is positively or negatively inclined toward things.<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> For instance, our understanding may view an ice cream cone, know its color, calorie content, and tendency to make us fat, while the inclination may like, dislike, love, or hate it. The understanding may perceive steamed okra, but a proper inclination will fertilize the garden with it (of course, <em>fried</em> okra can be eaten with great delight). And while we may distinguish between the understanding and inclination, both operate in the mind and are inseparable.<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe inclination is also called the “heart” or “will.” Concerning the actions “determined and governed” by it, we often call the inclination the will. The inclination or will determines our actions—we do what we will or are inclined to do. With respect to the mind, we often call the inclination the heart.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> For example, those with minds inclined toward evil are said to have an evil heart. When we are saved, we are given a “new heart” and are progressively transformed “by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:2).\r\n\r\nWe sometimes speak of “head” versus “heart” knowledge, that something can be known intellectually without a more intimate spiritual knowledge. For instance, to know <em>about</em> God and to know and love Him are two different types of knowledge. For Edwards, we can have a kind of intellectual knowledge without “heart” knowledge, but heart knowledge always includes intellectual knowledge.\r\n\r\nThe Definition of Religious Affections\r\nAn affection, then, is a “more vigorous” exercise of the inclination (heart or will) toward or away from something.<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> For instance, like and love are both inclinations, but only love is an affection. Dislike and hate are inclinations, but only hate is an affection. Thus, Edwards distinguishes the <em>heart</em> and the <em>affections</em> in terms of degree, only. Again, all acts are governed, prompted, and initiated by the inclination or will as we choose what we want to choose. Yet, not every act or inclination of the will is an affection.<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> The preference of a paper versus plastic bag and a husband’s love for his wife are both exercises of the inclination, but only the husband’s love is an “affection.”\r\n\r\nAffections Versus Religious Affections\r\nMoreover, not all affections are “religious.” The love of ice cream is an affection, but not a <em>religious</em> affection (unless, of course, you worship ice cream). Also, not all religious affections are produced by the Holy Spirit’s work in the heart. Some religious affections are generated by satanic delusion, depravity, weakness of disposition, or foolishness. Thus, religious affections can be true or false. True religious affections, what Edwards calls “gracious” or “spiritual” affections, flow from God’s work in a person’s heart.\r\n\r\nThe Great Awakening brimmed with religious affections and the effects they produced, yet not all were the fruit of the Holy Spirit within the heart. In observing some of the problems of the revival (see <em>The Glories, Evils, and Confusion of the Great Awakening</em>), some over-reacted and dismissed <em>all</em> affections as central and important to life in Christ, rather than discerning and accepting the good and rejecting the bad.\r\n\r\nIn Part 4 we will see how Edwards refutes the rejection of all religious affections as central and important to the Christian life by showing their necessity, importance, and biblical support.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 27; Yale, 99.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 24; Yale, 96.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 26; Yale, 98.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 24; Yale, 96.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 24; Yale, 96.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 26; Yale, 97.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 3): The Definition of Religious Affections','','publish','closed','closed','','the-religious-affections-definition-religious-affections','','','2023-03-21 10:36:02','2023-03-21 10:36:02','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/the-religious-affections-definition-religious-affections/',0,'post','',0),(12347,1,'2017-08-02 20:02:12','2017-08-03 01:02:12','Some who rejected the entire Great Awakening as a work of God also denied religious affections as necessary to the Christian life. For them, faith involved reason and the intellect only, not the affections. For Edwards, however, this was a serious error with enormous negative consequences—new life in Christ does not exist where religious affections are absent.\r\n\r\nGod Requires Fervent Followers\r\n“Love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). Indeed, “lukewarm” believers are odious to Christ (Revelation 3:16). “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,” Christ tells us (Matthew 10:37). The Christian life involves a deep and fervent love of God.\r\n\r\nActions Spring from Affections\r\nWe do little to nothing without affections stirring our actions. “Such is man’s nature that he is very inactive, any otherwise than he is influenced by some affection, either love or hatred, desire, hope, fear, or some other.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> “He that has doctrinal knowledge and speculation only, without affection, never is engaged in the business of religion.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nSignificant Life Change Is Impossible Without a Change in the Affections\r\nEdwards believed Scripture, intellectually understood and applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit, to be God’s primary means of moving the affections. Yet, people never flee sin and embrace Christ from intellectual knowledge <em>alone</em>.\r\n<blockquote>Never was a natural man engaged earnestly to seek his salvation; never were any such brought to cry after wisdom, and lift up their voice for understanding, and to wrestle with God in prayer for mercy; and never was one humbled and brought to the foot of God, from anything that ever he heard or imagined of his own unworthiness and deserving of God’s displeasure; nor was ever one induced to fly for refuge unto Christ, while his heart remained unaffected.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nScripture Places Affections Central in the Christian Life\r\n“The holy Scriptures do everywhere place religion very much in the affections; such as fear, hope, love, hatred, desire, joy, sorrow, gratitude, compassion, and zeal.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> “The fear of God is a great part of true godliness.” We are saved “unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil” (Psalm 97:10a). “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:2). “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). “Put ye on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering patience” (Colossians 3:12).\r\n\r\nAbove all, love forms the foremost and fountain of all affections. “The essence of all true religion lies in holy love; and that in this divine affection, and an habitual disposition to it, and that light which is the foundation of it, and those things which are the fruits of it, consists the whole of religion.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe Hearts of Christ and Great Saints Overflowed with Holy Affections\r\nDavid’s profound affections for God cascade from the pages of the Psalms.\r\n<blockquote>Those holy songs of his he has there left us are nothing else but the expressions and breathings of devout and holy affections; such as an humble and fervent love to God, admiration of His glorious perfections and wonderful works, earnest desires, thirstings, and pantings of soul after God, delight and joy in God, a sweet and melting gratitude to God for His great goodness, a holy exultation and triumph of soul in the favour, sufficiency, and faithfulness of God, his love to and delight in the saints, the excellent of the earth, his great delight in the Word and ordinances of God, his grief for his own and the others’ sins, and his fervent zeal for God and against the enemies of God and his church.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nPaul’s epistles glow with love to God and His people and anger toward their enemies. Joy flows from his prison cell to the Philippians, while tears stain his words to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 2:4). And none can miss the affections of the Apostle John.\r\n\r\nAbove all, Christ “was the greatest instance of ardency, vigour and strength of love, to both God and man, that ever was.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> Zeal for His Father’s honor moved Him to cleanse the temple (John 2:13-17); He cried with Mary and Martha at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35-38), was compassionate to the sick and hurting (Luke 7:13), and distraught at Jerusalem’s impending destruction (Luke 19:41-44).\r\n\r\nThe Religion of Heaven Consists of Holy Affections\r\n“The way to learn the true nature of anything is to go where that thing is to be found in its purity and perfection.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> Heaven will overflow with affection for God and each other. “In thy presence <em>is</em> fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).\r\n\r\nChristian Duties Are Designed to Stir Religious Affections\r\nWhile our prayers cannot inform God’s perfect knowledge, they “affect our own hearts with the things we express, and so to prepare us to receive the blessings we ask.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Moreover, God designed prayer, praise, the “sacraments,” and the preaching of His Word to move our hearts. “No other reason can be assigned why we should express ourselves to God in verse rather than in prose, and do it with music, but…that these things have a tendency to move our affections.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a> The “lively application” of the great truths of the Gospel through preaching and the visible representation of truth in baptism and communion is designed to instruct us and move our affections. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nHardness of Heart Is Sin\r\nChrist grew angry and grieved at hard hearts (Mark 3:5), while rocklike hearts produced Israel’s disobedience: “They will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted” (Ezekiel 3:7). Indeed, the New Covenant includes the promise of a new heart: “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19)\r\n\r\nSummary\r\nIn his typical, thorough fashion, Edwards summarizes the importance of both intellectual understanding and religious affections to the Christian life:\r\n<blockquote>Although to true religion there must indeed be something else besides affection, yet true religion consists so much in the affections that there can be no true religion without them. He who has no religious affection is in a state of spiritual death, and is wholly destitute of the powerful, quickening, saving influences of the Spirit of God upon His heart. As there is no true religion where there is nothing else but affection, so there is no true religion where there is no religious affection. As, on the one hand, there must be light in the understanding as well as an affected fervent heart; where there is heat without light, there can be nothing divine or heavenly in that heart; so, on the other hand, where there is a kind of light without heat, a head stored with notions and speculations, with a cold and unaffected heart, there can be nothing divine in that light; that knowledge is no true spiritual knowledge of divine things.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nIn Part 5 we will examine the first of twelve “uncertain” signs of true or false affections—great and high religious affections.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 29; Yale, 101.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 30; Yale, 101.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 30-31; Yale, 102.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 31; Yale, 102.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 36; Yale, 107.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 37; Yale, 108.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 40; Yale, 111.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 43; Yale, 114.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 43-44; Yale, 114-115.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 44; Yale, 115.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 44-45; Yale, 115-116.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 49-50; Yale, 120.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 4): The Importance of Religious Affections to the Christian Life','','publish','closed','closed','','importance-of-religious-affections-to-christian-life','','','2023-03-21 10:03:58','2023-03-21 10:03:58','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/importance-of-religious-affections-to-christian-life/',0,'post','',0),(12378,1,'2017-08-09 18:25:29','2017-08-09 23:25:29','The greatest revival in American history burst onto the scene with lively displays of religious affections and their extraordinary effects, leading some to conclude that people subject to them were “delusional.” Others assumed by their energy and impact that the Holy Spirit produced them all. Edwards, however, acknowledged a mixture of good and bad and rejected both the “nothing of God” and “all of God” views as extreme.\r\n\r\nZeal as Evidence\r\nWho can deny that we should be fervent in our love of Christ, zealous for the Gospel, and passionate for the honor of God? Saints are created and redeemed to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30). Can anyone love God too much?\r\n<blockquote>Love is an affection, but will any Christian say, men ought not to love God and Jesus Christ in a high degree? And will any say, we ought not to have a very great hatred of sin, and a very deep sorrow for it? Or that we ought not to exercise a high degree of gratitude to God for the mercies we receive of Him, and the great things He has done for the salvation of fallen men? Or that we should not have very great and strong desires after God and holiness? Is there any who will profess that his affections in religion are great enough, and will say, ‘I have no cause to be humbled, that I am no more affected with the things of religion than I am; I have no reason to be ashamed, that I have no great exercises of love to God and sorrow for sin, and gratitude for the mercies which I have received?\\\" <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nAs religious affections form an essential part of new life in Christ, and as love forms the fountain of all religious affections, affections will be great where the love of God is great. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nScripture portrays Christ and the greatest saints as possessing the highest of religious affections, such as the Psalmist (David), the Apostle Paul, John the Baptist, the woman who anointed the body of Jesus, “the church in her future happy seasons,” and the “saints and angels in heaven.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> “The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord, and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice” (Psalm 21:1). “Let the righteous be glad: let them rejoice before God; yea, let them exceedingly rejoice” (Psalm 68:3). “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law” (Psalm 119:136).\r\n\r\nHigh and Dry\r\nAt the same time, lofty religious affections might not be from God. For instance, Israel “sang God’s praise” following their deliverance at the Red Sea, but soon returned to their faithless grumbling. The hopeful shouts of “hosanna!” quickly turned to “crucify!” when their presumed deliverer from Rome stood bleeding and humiliated before Pilate. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> Indeed, enemies of Christ can be excited by great miracles, the hope of great blessings, or the receipt of great earthly benefits. Stadiums can fill to overflowing from love of God’s perks, with or without love for the God who gives them.\r\n\r\nThus, great affections can arise from sources other than God, including satanic or human delusion, depravity, weakness of disposition, or foolishness (among other things). And, as God alone knows the heart perfectly, discerning the cause of intense affections can be difficult.\r\n\r\nSome Important Lessons\r\nThe absence of religious affections indicates the absence of love for God, <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> yet great religious affections do not “prove” love for God, given their many possible sources. Thus, we should take care to affirm the true and reject the false, “separating between the wheat and the chaff, the gold and the dross, the precious and the vile.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> And while the presence of great religious affections can be deceiving, those who reject all religious affections reduce the Christian life to “a mere lifeless formality and effectually shut out the power of godliness.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> They “make a thorough work in ruining their souls.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nLastly, what moves your affections?\r\n<blockquote>In things which concern men’s worldly interest, their outward delights, their honour and reputation, and their natural relations, they have their desires eager, their appetites vehement, their love warm and affectionate, their zeal ardent; in these things their hearts are tender and sensible, easily moved, deeply impressed, much concerned, very sensibly affected, and greatly engaged; much depressed in grief at losses, and highly raised with joy at worldly successes and prosperity. But how insensible and unmoved are most men about the great things of another world! How dull are their affections! How heavy and hard their hearts in these matters! Here their love is cold, their desires languid, their zeal low, and their gratitude small.\\\" <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nYet,\r\n<blockquote>If we ought ever to exercise our affections at all, then they ought to be exercised about those objects which are most worthy of them. But is there anything which Christians can find in heaven or earth so worthy to be the objects of their admiration and love, their earnest and longing desires, their hope, and their rejoicing, and their fervent zeal, as those things that are held forth to us in the gospel of Jesus Christ?\\\" <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nMay God grant us greater love for His infinite excellence in Christ and discernment to distinguish the gold from the dross.\r\n\r\nNext, we’ll examine why religious affections producing great effects on the body, such as fainting, shaking, and other phenomena, do not necessarily indicate a work of the Holy Spirit.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 55; Yale, 127-128.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 54-5; Yale, 127.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 56-7; Yale, 128-130.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 58-9; Yale, 131.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 50; Yale, 121.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 50; Yale, 121.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 49; Yale, 120.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 50; Yale, 121.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 51-2; Yale, 122-3.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 52; Yale, 123.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 5): Uncertain Sign One: High and Intense Religious Affections','','publish','closed','closed','','uncertain-sign1-high-intense-religious-affections','','','2023-03-21 10:03:51','2023-03-21 10:03:51','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/uncertain-sign1-high-intense-religious-affections/',0,'post','',0),(12415,1,'2017-08-16 19:09:03','2017-08-17 00:09:03','The high and intense affections of the Great Awakening often came with an assortment of bodily effects, including fainting, shaking, sweating, crying, and exhaustion (among others). Some found the displays unsettling and refused to accept any of them as works of God. Others welcomed them all as evidence of God’s work. Here again, Edwards took a middle path, affirming that affections affect us physically, but given that the origin of our affections can be natural or spiritual, so the cause of great physical affects can be natural or spiritual.\r\n\r\nEvidence of “Natural” Affections\r\nOn the one hand, given that many earthly things unrelated to the work of the Holy Spirit can generate various physical effects in people, “Great effects on the body certainly are no sure evidences that affections are spiritual.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Indeed, “All affections…have in some respect or degree an effect on the body.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Therefore, if highly raised religious affections can be generated from a number of sources besides God, including satanic or human delusion, depravity, weakness of disposition, or foolishness, so great bodily effects can also be produced by the same affections. People faint, cry, or shake for all sorts of earthly reasons. I fainted when I first saw my wife.\r\n\r\nEvidence of Gracious and Holy Affections\r\nOn the other hand, intense religious affections generated by the work of the Holy Spirit within a person’s heart can generate great bodily effects. “I know of no reason why a being affected with a view of God’s glory should not cause the body to faint, as well as being affected with a view of Solomon’s glory.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> Examples of physical responses to encounters with God or angels abound in Scripture. The Psalmist cries, “My flesh trembleth for fear of Thee” (Psalm 119:120). Habakkuk was greatly moved by consideration of God’s judgment: “When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself” (Habakkuk 3:16). When the Apostle John saw Christ in His glory he “fell at His feet as dead” (Revelation 1:17). Daniel lost his strength and trembled at his vision of an angel (Daniel 10:6-9). It would be improper to dogmatically conclude that affections cannot be from God if they produce bodily effects.\r\n\r\nInconclusive Either Way\r\n<blockquote>Universal experience shows that the exercise of the affections has in a special manner a tendency to some sensible effect upon the body….and the more vigorous their exercise…the greater will be the effect on the body. Very great and strong exercises of the affections have great effects on the body. And therefore, seeing there are very great affections, both common and spiritual, it is not to be wondered at that great effects on the body should arise from both these kinds of affections. And consequently these effects are no signs that the affections they arise from are of one kind or the other.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nTherefore, great bodily effects flowing from highly raised affections—in a church service, prayer meeting, conference, or time alone in the wilderness—may or may not indicate that the affections producing the bodily effects are the fruit of God’s work in the heart. For Edwards, not all that faints, shakes, or cries is necessarily from God. Maybe, maybe not.\r\n\r\nNext, we’ll examine why “fluent, fervent, and abundant” talk about God and spiritual things does not necessarily indicate that the affections producing such talk were generated by the Holy Spirit.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 59; Yale, 132.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 59, Yale, 131-2.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 60; Yale, 132.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 59; Yale, 132.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 6): Uncertain Sign Two: Great Bodily Effects','','publish','closed','closed','','uncertain-sign2-great-bodily-effects','','','2023-03-21 10:03:45','2023-03-21 10:03:45','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/uncertain-sign2-great-bodily-effects/',0,'post','',0),(12444,1,'2017-08-23 18:35:01','2017-08-23 23:35:01','The sound and fury of the Great Awakening involved a grand display of lively affections and their affects, including an extraordinary measure of talk about Christ, the Gospel, and divine things. But, as with the great bodily effects and the other phenomena of the Awakening, abundant religious talk appeared to some as more of the same worldly ungodliness—the mark of puffed-up “Pharisees and ostentatious hypocrites.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> In contrast, others viewed the same as the fruit of God’s work on the heart. Edwards, however, took a more biblically informed approach, granting that “fluent, fervent, and abundant religious talk” can flow from a worldly or spiritual source.\r\n\r\nAs Evidence of Gracious and Holy Affections\r\nOn the one hand, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” We sing the praises of that which we love—parents speak of their kids and grandkids, while newlyweds praise their spouse.<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Why, then, should anyone immediately presume an ungodly cause behind the frequency and fervor of people extolling the greatness of God and His blessings? Shouldn’t we proclaim His excellence from the rooftops? Yet, in the same way that some rejected all religious affections as important to the Christian life, so they wrongly concluded that affections producing fervent and fluent speech about Christ and the things of God came from an ungodly source.\r\n\r\nAs Evidence of Natural Affections\r\nOn the other hand, talk is cheap. Wordiness often floats on shallow waters or flows from pride or self-exaltation. The hypocritical religious leaders during Christ’s earthly ministry were full of showy talk that drew great condemnation from Christ. Thomas Shepard put it this way;\r\n<blockquote>A Pharisee’s trumpet shall be heard to the town’s end, when simplicity walks through the town unseen. Hence a man will sometimes covertly commend himself (and <em>myself</em> ever comes in), and tells you a long story of conversion; and a hundred to one if some lie or other slip not out with it. Why, the secret meaning is, <em>I pray admire me</em>, and <em>Pray think what a broken-hearted Christian am I</em>.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nEarnest and sincere religious talk can easily flow from the most diabolical of unredeemed hearts, while still waters often run deep as wisdom listens and restrains its words. Indeed, “A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind” (Proverbs 18:2 NAS). Moreover, the profound love between a saint and God does not always lend itself to abundant speech.\r\n<blockquote>O reader, if thy heart were right with God, and thus didst not cheat thyself with a vain profession, thou wouldst have frequent business with God which thou wouldst be loth thy dearest friend, or the wife of thy bosom, should be privy to…. Religion doth not lie open to all, to the eyes of men. Observed duties maintain our credit; but secret duties maintain our life.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nAdditionally, “A person may be over-full of talk of his own experiences, commonly falling upon it everywhere and in all companies; and when it is so, it is rather a dark sign than a good one.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> Exalting one’s experience is not the same thing as exalting God. Many were moved by natural affections to praise God at the sight of Christ’s great miracles or shout Hosanna! in hope of earthly deliverance from the tyranny of Rome. Multitudes proclaimed their affections and loyalty to Christ during His earthly ministry, but, Edwards asks, “what did these things come to in the greater part of them?”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> Nothing or worse when they shouted for His crucifixion.\r\n\r\nInconclusive\r\nEdwards wrote <em>The Religious Affections</em> with the wisdom of hindsight, informed by experience with the shining and noisy stars of the Awakening—short-lived luminaries that spoke often and passionately of their experiences and love to God that fell away when the heat of the Awakening died down. He compares great religious talk to the leaves of a tree, “which, though the tree ought not to be without them, yet are nowhere given as an evidence of the goodness of the tree.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> In the end, “fluent, fervent, and abundant” talk about God and one’s religious experiences may be from a good or bad cause.\r\n\r\nNext, we’ll examine why religious affections and their effects that seem to come from an external, supernatural source are not necessarily the work of God the Holy Spirit.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 62-63; Yale, 135-136.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 63; Yale, 136.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> Shepard, <em>Parable of the Ten Virgins</em>, 284; quoted in BT, 64-65, footnote; Yale, 137, footnote 3.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> Flavel, <em>Touchstone of Sincerity. Works</em> Vol. 5, 520; quoted in BT, 65, footnote; Yale, 137, footnote 3.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 64; Yale, 137.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 63-64; Yale, 136-137.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 62-63; Yale, 135-136.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 7): Uncertain Sign Three: Fluent, Fervent, and Abundant Religious Talk','','publish','closed','closed','','uncertain-sign3-fluent-fervent-abundant-religious-talk','','','2023-03-21 10:03:39','2023-03-21 10:03:39','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/uncertain-sign3-fluent-fervent-abundant-religious-talk/',0,'post','',0),(12476,1,'2017-08-30 19:44:09','2017-08-31 00:44:09','Many experiencing intense religious affections during the Great Awakening traced their experience to “some extrinsic and supernatural power upon their minds.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Supposing the source to be outside themselves and produced by other than natural means, they concluded it must be from God. Others took an opposite view, believing the “manner of the Spirit of God is to co-operate in a silent, secret, and undiscernible way with the use of means, and our own endeavors; so that there is no distinguishing by sense between the influences of the Spirit of God and the natural operations of the faculties of our own minds.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Thus, they denied that the Holy Spirit could be the source of such “supernatural” experiences. Edwards acknowledged the possibility of either a natural or divine source and therefore viewed the experience as an “uncertain sign” of a work of God.\r\n\r\nAs Evidence of Gracious and Holy Affections\r\nSince God is “supernatural,” it follows that His work in our life would appear as such, as coming from beyond us. “If grace be indeed owing to the powerful and efficacious operation of an extrinsic agent, or divine efficient out of ourselves, why is it unreasonable to suppose it should seem to be so to them who are the subjects of it? Is it a strange thing that it should seem to be as it is?” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> Indeed, Scripture relates God’s work in the heart to things that God alone can accomplish, that display His infinite power, such as being born again, raised from the dead, given sight, and “being brought out of nothing into being.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nMoreover, “It is God’s manner, in the great works of His power and mercy which He works for His people, to order things so as to make His hand visible, and His power conspicuous, and men’s dependence on Him most evident, that no flesh should glory in His presence.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> For instance, consider God’s display of His might in delivering Israel from Egypt, in Gideon’s victory over the Midianites with his light brigade, David’s defeat of Goliath, the calling of the Gentiles, and the many dramatic conversions in the New Testament. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty…that no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Corinthians 1:27, 29). “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).\r\n\r\nAs Evidence of “Natural” Affections\r\nWhile God often does make His power conspicuous, He also works in secret ways. “Sometimes He operates in a way more secret and gradual, and from smaller beginnings, than at others.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> For instance, we often see our spiritual growth in hindsight, after a fair amount of time. Moreover, God has ordained human responsibility in the process: “For any to expect to receive the saving influences of the Spirit of God while they neglect a diligent improvement of the appointed means of grace [Bible study, prayer, etc.], is unreasonable presumption.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> We cannot expect to grow when we neglect what God has provided for our growth.\r\n\r\nAlso, Satan and demons can produce “supernatural” effects disguised as something good.\r\n<blockquote>There are other spirits who have influence on the minds of men besides the Holy Ghost. We are directed not to believe every spirit, but to try the spirits whether they be of God. There are many false spirits, exceeding busy with men, who often transform themselves into angels of light, and do in many wonderful ways, with great subtlety and power, mimic the operation of the Spirit of God. And there are many of Satan’s operations, which are very distinguishable from the voluntary exercises of men’s own minds.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nIn fact, the father of lies does his most destructive work in imitating and perverting the things of God.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the Holy Spirit also works in common and non-saving ways. For instance, people can be “enlightened” (Hebrews 6:4) and experience aspects of the Spirit’s work, such as conviction of sin and the blessings of fellowship, without coming to a saving faith in Christ.\r\n\r\nLastly, some people are more susceptible to deceptive “impressions” on their minds than others.\r\n<blockquote>We see that such persons are liable to such impressions about temporal things; and there is equal reason why they should about spiritual things. As a person who is asleep has dreams that he is not the voluntary author of; so may such persons in like manner be the subjects of involuntary impressions when they are awake.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nWe cannot trust everything that pops into our head because it seems to be from a supernatural origin.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nGod dramatically saves and changes lives. Yet, our limitations and the remaining sin within us hinder our interpretations of the things of the heart, for it is “deceitful above all <em>things</em>, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Moreover, Satan transforms himself into an angel of light and disguises his deceptions to lead us astray” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Therefore, that something seems to be from a source beyond us does not prove that it came from God—something more is needed. That “something more,” what Edwards calls “distinguishing signs” of gracious affections, will be discussed later in this series.\r\n\r\nNext, we’ll examine why religious affections are not necessarily the work of God because they come with texts of Scripture brought “remarkably” or seemingly supernaturally to the mind.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 65; Yale, 138.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 65; Yale, 138.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 66; Yale, 138-139.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 66; Yale, 139.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 67; Yale, 139-140.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 67; Yale 140.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 65; Yale, 138.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 65; Yale, 138.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 69; Yale, 141-142.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 69; Yale, 142.</p>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 8): Uncertain Sign Four: That Affections Seem to Be from an External Supernatural Source','','publish','closed','closed','','uncertain-sign4-affections-from-supernatural-source','','','2023-03-21 10:02:07','2023-03-21 10:02:07','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/uncertain-sign4-affections-from-supernatural-source/',0,'post','',0),(12492,1,'2017-09-06 19:35:28','2017-09-07 00:35:28','In the previous article we examined how religious affections perceived to be from an external or supernatural source could be from a satanic, natural, or divine source, and were thus considered by Edwards to be an “uncertain” sign of a work of God. But, what if such affections came with texts of Scripture brought to mind in the same “supernatural” way, moving the affections by the blessings promised in the texts? Would this additional evidence prove that the religious affections were a work of God?\r\n\r\nGod Uses Scripture\r\nPositively, that Scripture comes to mind in an extraordinary fashion when intense religious affections arise does not indicate that the affections are <em>not</em> the work of God. Little needs to be said on this point given that the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to accomplish His saving and sanctifying work within people. God uses His Word to change us.\r\n\r\nScripture Can Be Misused\r\nAt the same time, and even though God’s word is perfect, it can be abused and misapplied. For instance, Satan often uses Scripture to oppose God, as in his temptation of Christ in the wilderness. “And if Satan did presume, and was permitted to put Christ Himself in mind of texts of Scripture to tempt <em>Him</em>, what reason have we to determine that he dare not, or will not be permitted, to put wicked men in mind of texts of Scripture to tempt and deceive <em>them</em>?” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nMoreover, false teachers appeal to Scripture to deceive and mislead people. “There is no text so precious and sacred but they are permitted to abuse it, to the eternal ruin of multitudes of souls; and there are no weapons they make use of with which they do more execution.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> They distort the Scriptures “to their own destruction,” therefore, “be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Peter 3:16-17).\r\n\r\nAll people are capable of abusing Scripture for their own ends. How terrifying will be the day when the secrets of unbelieving hearts are revealed, when appeals to Scripture stand exposed as hypocrisy:\r\n<blockquote>Not everyone who says to Me, \\\'Lord, Lord,\\\' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, \\\'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?\\\' And then I will declare to them, \\\'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness\\\'\\\" (Matthew 7:21-23).</blockquote>\r\nConviction Without Conversion\r\nLastly, the Spirit of God often applies the Word of God to people without bringing them to salvation.\r\n<blockquote>The stony ground hearers had great joy from the word; yea, which is represented as arising from the Word, as growth from a seed; and their affections had in their appearance a very great and exact resemblance with those represented by the growth on the good ground, the difference not appearing until it was discovered by the consequences in a time of trial: and yet there was no saving religion in these affections.\\\" <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nIn fact, many unbelievers ignore the severe warnings of judgment for sin and unbelief and hold fast to Scripture’s great promises of blessing, even as they refuse to acknowledge their need of a Savior and refuse to place saving faith in Christ.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nNothing can so move the affections as a musing on the precious truths and promises of our Creator and Redeemer. Yet, nothing of Scripture’s perfect and precious nature prevents evil hearts from using it for evil ends. Thus, even if the great religious affections of hope, love, and joy come with texts of Scripture brought to the mind in a seemingly “supernatural” way, that, by itself, does not prove the experience to be saving or otherwise a work of God.\r\n\r\nNext, we’ll examine why the appearance of love in religious affections does not necessarily indicate that their source is God.\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 71; Yale, 144.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 72; Yale, 145.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 73; Yale, 145.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 9): Uncertain Sign Five: That Religious Affections Come with Texts of Scripture in the Mind','','publish','closed','closed','','uncertain-sign9-ra-come-with-texts-of-scripture','','','2023-03-21 10:02:02','2023-03-21 10:02:02','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/uncertain-sign9-ra-come-with-texts-of-scripture/',0,'post','',0),(12542,1,'2017-09-13 18:49:43','2017-09-13 23:49:43','The Presence of Love\r\nUnlike the other eleven “uncertain” signs described by Edwards, no one viewed the presence of love as evidence against God’s work in the heart. Many, however, saw the presence of love in religious affections as proof they came from God. Love “is the chief of the graces of God’s Spirit, and the life, essence and sum of all true religion; and that by which we are most conformed to heaven, and most contrary to hell and the devil.” And given that “Satan cannot love...whose very nature is enmity and malice,” they argued that the presence of love with religious affections must point to God as their source. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nCounterfeits of Excellent Things\r\nBut, “The more excellent anything is, the more will be the counterfeits of it.” For instance, “There are many false diamonds and rubies, but who goes about to counterfeit common stones?” Satan imitates God’s most important works. Thus, “there are perhaps no graces that have more counterfeits than love and humility, these being virtues wherein the beauty of a true Christian does especially appear.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nReligious Love Without Saving Grace\r\nPeople can also love God’s blessings for reasons unrelated to saving faith. Indeed, the great love expressed toward Christ by many during the Great Awakening came to nothing when the sound and fury died down and people were no longer exalted for having intense religious experiences. This is nothing new.\r\n<blockquote>There may be strong affections of this kind without saving grace; as there were in the Galatians towards the Apostle Paul, when they were ready to pluck out their eyes and give them to him; although the apostle expresses his fear that their affections were come to nothing, and that he had bestowed upon them labour in vain” (Galatians 4:11, 15). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nMoreover, claims of love toward God may be insincere, or love for God’s blessings with no true love for the person and character of God Himself.\r\n\r\nMultiple “Uncertain” Signs Together\r\nJust as a single “uncertain” sign, such as elevated affections, great effects on the body, or fluent religious talk does not give definitive evidence of God’s work in the heart, so multiple uncertain signs at the same time do not give reliable evidence of God’s work.\r\n\r\nConsider sorrow for sin in Pharaoh at the sight of Egypt’s destruction (Exodus 9:27), in Saul when confronted with the righteous mercy of David (1 Samuel 24:16-17; 26:1), or in Israel during her wilderness wandering (Numbers 14:39-41). Each, as temporary, gave no lasting evidence of a changed heart. Israel’s gratitude at the parting of the Red Sea soon turned to bitter complaining (Psalm 106:12ff), while the “Stony-ground” hearers rejoiced at the Seed of the Sower, only to wither and fall away in the face of trouble or persecution (Matthew 13:20).\r\n\r\nThe shouts of “Hosanna!” at Christ’s entry into Jerusalem reflected the many and varied affections of the crowd, including love, reverence, and admiration. Yet, the true nature of the affections appeared as they shouted for Christ’s crucifixion. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> In fact, when love is false, as arising from a false source, so also are the many affections that flow from that love.\r\n<blockquote>As from true divine love flow all Christian affections, so from a counterfeit love in like manner naturally flow other false affections. In both cases, love is the foundation, and the other affections are the streams...if there be sweet water in the fountain, sweet water will thence flow out into those various channels; but if the water in the fountain be poisonous, then poisonous streams will flow out into all those channels.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nDeception Can Produce Religious Affections\r\nA lie can produce responses that appear identical to those produced by the Spirit of God in true believers. For example, should someone terrified of God’s judgment on sin be deceived to believe he is forgiven and the object of God’s special love, he might experience the affections of joy, love, and gratitude at the news. “A person’s heart on such an occasion should be raised up to the skies with transports of joy, and be filled with fervent affection to that imaginary God or Redeemer.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> And while one falsely convinced his terminal cancer is cured may react in the same way as someone truly cured, or one falsely believing he has been saved from the fires of hell may exhibit a similar outward reaction of joy, gratitude, and zeal as one truly saved, their hearts will be different. The qualitative difference between affections produced by the Holy Spirit and those of the natural man is considerable, though it may not be readily discernible to the outside observer, at least in the short run. Appearances can be deceiving.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nThe presence of love and many affections at the same time, by themselves, cannot be trusted as definite signs of a true and redeeming work of God. As we draw closer to a look at what Edwards considers “distinguishing signs” of God’s saving work on the heart, we turn next to explore how “joys following in a certain order” cannot be considered a certain sign of the Holy Spirit’s work in a heart.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 73; Yale, 146.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 73; Yale, 146.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 74-75; Yale, 147.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 76; Yale, 149.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 78; Yale, 150-151.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 76-77; Yale, 149.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 10): Uncertain Signs Six and Seven: The Presence of Love and Many Affections at the Same Time','','publish','closed','closed','','ra10-presence-love-many-affections-same-time','','','2023-03-21 10:01:57','2023-03-21 10:01:57','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/ra10-presence-love-many-affections-same-time/',0,'post','',0),(12568,1,'2017-09-20 18:46:58','2017-09-20 23:46:58','Under the preaching of God’s Word during the Awakening, many experienced deep sorrow for sin and fear of God’s judgment, followed by joy and comfort when convinced they had become objects of God’s favor. Some refused to believe this scenario was evidence of God’s saving work, while others viewed it as undeniable proof. For Edwards, the evidence demanded neither verdict. As with the other “uncertain” signs, looks can be deceiving.\r\n\r\nAs Evidence of God’s Favor\r\nWhen believers pass from condemnation before God into total forgiveness and new life, it is scriptural and reasonable that their experience match reality, that God would make them know their sin and its deserved judgment followed by the joy of salvation. God often leads people into a wilderness before He “speaks comfortably to them,” in order “that they shall be brought into distress, and made to see their own helplessness and absolute dependence on His power and grace, before he appears to work any great deliverance for them.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nFor instance, Israel groaned under Pharaoh’s cruel bondage before their deliverance, were brought to despair at the Red Sea before they walked on dry land to watch Egypt‘s finest drowned in the sea, and were humbled by God in the wilderness to “do them good in their latter end” (Deuteronomy 8:2, 16). The woman who bled for twelve years spent all of her money on doctors before Christ healed her without cost (Luke 8:43-44). The disciples’ trembled at the waves and cried for help before Christ calmed the sea (Matthew 8:24-26), while the Apostle Paul was led to despair of his life “that he might not trust in himself, but in God that raiseth the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8-10). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nMoreover, God has often “manifested Himself in a way which was terrible, and then by those things that were comfortable,” such as to Moses at Mt. Sinai (Hebrews 12:18-21), or when “the horror of great darkness” fell on Abraham before God promised to give his descents the promised land (Genesis 15:12-21), and when God passed by as Elijah observed from the cleft of the rock (1 Kings 19:11-13). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nAs Evidence of Redemption\r\nScripture teaches that conviction of conscience preceding comfort and joy reflects God’s typical manner in salvation as He delivers us from condemnation for our sin. Peter’s first sermon pierced the hearts of the hearers before they cried for deliverance and 3,000 were saved, just as we have “fled” to Christ for “refuge” from God’s righteous judgment (Hebrews 6:18). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nContrary Explanations\r\nNonetheless, “terror and a conviction of conscience are different things,” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> people can be terrified of hell with no conviction for their sin. “They tell of a dreadful load and sink of sin, a heap of black and loathsome filthiness within them; when, if the matter be carefully inquired into, they have not in view anything wherein the corruption of nature does truly exist.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a>\r\n\r\n“As the devil can counterfeit all the saving operations and graces of the Spirit of God, so he can counterfeit those operations that are preparatory to grace,” including fear of hell and conviction of sin. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> “Some persons that have frightful apprehensions of hell, a dreadful pit ready to swallow them up, and flames just ready to lay hold of them, and devils around them ready to seize them; who at the same time seem to have very little proper enlightenment of conscience really convincing them of their sinfulness of heart and life.” And some people are easily impressionable and excitable. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nWhat Follows Conviction and Humiliation Might Not Be Salvation\r\nConviction of sin does precede seeking deliverance from its penalty, but joy and comfort following fear and conviction might not be from saving faith. “There are false humiliations and false submission, as well as false comforts.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a>\r\n<blockquote>There is oftentimes in men who are terrified through fears of hell, a great appearance of their being brought off from their own righteousness, when they are not brought off from it in all ways, although they are in many ways that are more plain and visible. They have only exchanged some ways of trusting in their own righteousness for others that are more secret and subtle.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nThe heart disguises self-righteousness many ways. “Oftentimes a great degree of discouragement, as to many things they used to depend upon, is taken for humiliation: and that is called a submission to God which is no absolute submission, but has some secret bargain in it that it is hard to discover.” Joy following mourning may have nothing to do with love to God and His holiness. And, if Satan can imitate the external appearance of the “effects of the Spirit of God,” he can imitate their order. Moreover, no “certain rule” exists as to how far the Holy Spirit goes in convicting people of sin without actually saving them. Ministers during the Awakening observed many seemingly converted in this way that subsequently fell away. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nMysterious Like the Wind\r\nThe Holy Spirit’s work is mysterious and cannot be reduced to a series of steps or methods.\r\n<blockquote>It is to be feared that some have gone too far towards directing the Spirit of the Lord, and marking out His footsteps for Him, and limiting Him to certain steps and methods. Experience plainly shows, that God’s Spirit is unsearchable and untraceable, in some of the best Christians, in the method of His operations in their conversion.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\n“Thou knowest not what is the way of the Spirit” (Ecclesiastes 11:5). “Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counselor has taught Him?” (Isaiah 40:13).\r\n\r\nMinisters observed that salvation testimonies began to conform to an accepted pattern. Awakening experiences at first “appear like a confused chaos,” but over time the stories begin to emphasize “particular steps that were insisted upon,” while neglecting other parts until they omitted and included the same things. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nMany believers cannot name the day or time they were saved, or clearly describe God’s work along the way, but they know they love Christ and trust Him alone for their salvation. Believers are covered in Christ’s perfect righteousness, the righteousness that satisfied the strict requirements of God’s justice, the merits of which are imputed to us at the point of saving faith. In the end, “We are often in Scripture expressly directed to try ourselves by the nature of the fruits of the Spirit; but nowhere by the Spirit’s method of producing them.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nNext, we will see why much time, zeal, and praise in religious duties and worship do not give certain evidence of the Holy Spirit’s saving work in a heart.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 79-80; Yale, 152.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 80; Yale, 152-3.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 81; Yale, 153-4.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 81-3; Yale, 154-5.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 83-4; Yale, 156.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 85; Yale, 157.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 86-7; Yale, 158-9.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 84; Yale, 156-7.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 86; Yale, 158.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 87; Yale, 159.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 88; Yale, 160.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 89-90; Yale, 161-2.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> BT, 90; Yale, 162.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 11): Uncertain Sign Eight: Joy and Comfort Following Conviction and Mourning for Sin','','publish','closed','closed','','ra11-joy-comfort-conviction-mourning-for-sin','','','2023-03-21 10:01:52','2023-03-21 10:01:52','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/ra11-joy-comfort-conviction-mourning-for-sin/',0,'post','',0),(12610,1,'2017-09-27 19:38:55','2017-09-28 00:38:55','Of the twelve signs Edwards characterized as “uncertain,” great time, energy, and praise to God in religious works and worship would seem to provide good evidence of a true work of God in the hearts of people. Yet, many viewed the displays as emotional excess, sanctimonious theatre, or worse. Others ignored alternative explanations and concluded that people so inclined <em>must</em> be believers under the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit. Edwards, however, rejected both views. He humbly accepted his inability to perfectly know the hearts of others and was careful to acknowledge a variety of possible explanations—natural, satanic, or divine. After all, several of the most devoted “worshippers” and zealous supporters of the Awakening abandoned their profession of faith when the sound, fury, and favorable reputation of the Awakening died down. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nAs Evidence of the Holy Spirit’s Work\r\nOn the one hand, the true saint loves God and His Word, delights in God’s people, and enthusiastically pursues service, prayer, and worship. The greater one’s love for God, the greater will be the affections producing works of love and service to Him, as characterized by the church immediately following Christ’s resurrection and ascension: “And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God” (Acts 2:46-47). So also with the heart of the man after God’s own heart: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17). Indeed, God views our love and worship of Him as appropriate and attractive: “Praise ye the LORD: for <em>it is</em> good to sing praises unto our God; for <em>it is</em> pleasant; <em>and</em> praise is comely [becoming]” (Psalm 147:1). “Praise the LORD; for the LORD <em>is</em> good: sing praises unto his name; for <em>it is</em> pleasant” (Psalm 135:3). Indeed, who could possibly love our God of infinite excellence too much?\r\n\r\nAs Evidence of Natural Affections\r\nOn the other hand, hypocrisy and idolatry often involve great displays of outward religious activity. For instance, God often condemned ancient Israel for the sin of hypocritical religious activity.\r\n<blockquote>When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; <em>it is</em> iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear <em>them</em>. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood (Isaiah 1:12-15).</blockquote>\r\nOur all-knowing God sees through false religious zeal and activity to the perverse and ungodly motivation behind it.\r\n<blockquote>They sit before thee <em>as</em> my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, <em>but</em> their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou <em>art</em> unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not (Ezekiel 33:31-32).</blockquote>\r\nSome folks love a well-crafted and well-spoken sermon, like a pleasant song on the radio or a well-written fairy tale, but would cringe at the thought of it applying to their life. Or consider Herod, who “was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him” (Mark 6:20). Yet, seeking to please the crowd rather than do justice, protect John, and honor God, he caved to the request of Herodias for John’s head on a platter, revealing the ultimate affections of his heart.\r\n\r\nMisplaced Faith\r\nIn fact, outward displays of great religious zeal and activity may be as much an evidence of misplaced faith in good works for salvation as an evidence of God’s work in the heart of a believer. Religious ascetics and recluses over the centuries have happily lived in deserts and caves, in the harshest of conditions to earn God’s favor. Millions, if not billions, trust their self-sacrifice and good words as the entrance fee to heaven, the fee paid by Christ, alone. A pastor friend once said that if people believed they could gain heaven by pushing a peanut across the Golden Gate bridge with their nose, they would do so with gusto.\r\n\r\nHosanna! Crucify!\r\nLastly, consider the crowds that witnessed Christ’s miracles as they chased Him about the countryside, such as those who observed Christ’s healing of a paralytic: “And he rose and immediately took up the pallet and went out in the sight of all; so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this’” (Mark 2:12 NAS). Or, as they viewed His many other miracles: “Insomuch that the multitude wondered when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel” (Matthew 15:31). They even adored Christ when He spoke: “And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all” (Luke 6:15). Yet, a mere week after He entered Jerusalem to the shouts of “Hosanna!” they shouted for his murder as he bled before them, humiliated by the nation they thought He would destroy. What happened to their affections? Where was the true object of their love?\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nAs we have seen with other “uncertain” signs, looks can be deceiving. Great praise to God may issue from a love of His benefits, devoid of a love for His attributes. Time and energy in worship may flow from a desire for the respect and adulation of people viewing religious zeal as a badge of great spirituality, or as the means to earn one’s way to heaven. Many rejoiced in a false sense of privilege, as a special object of God’s favor, trusting in emotional experience to the neglect of a true saving faith in Christ. The heart is indeed deceitful, and more so when viewed at a distance by others. We need to be careful.\r\n\r\nWe will examine two more “uncertain” signs before we delve into what Edwards called “distinguishing signs of truly gracious and holy affections,” or evidence of a true work of God in the heart of a genuine believer in Christ. Next week we will examine why “great confidence” or great assurance of God’s favor is “no certain sign.”\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> See BT, 91-5; Yale, 163-7 for Edwards arguments.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 12): Uncertain Signs Nine and Ten: Great Time and Energy Spent in Religious Activity and Praise to God','','publish','closed','closed','','ra12-time-energy-praise-worship','','','2023-03-21 10:01:47','2023-03-21 10:01:47','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/ra12-time-energy-praise-worship/',0,'post','',0),(12630,1,'2017-10-04 19:19:07','2017-10-05 00:19:07','Many opponents of the Awakening viewed assurance of salvation as delusional, that believers can never be certain of God’s favor. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Others viewed a lack of assurance as sinful, often ignoring saving faith in Christ and new life as its necessary foundation. Edwards rejected both views, clarifying the nature of assurance and its relationship to faith, love, sin, and obedience to God. Assurance stands on God’s promises of salvation and eternal security in Christ, and on the evidence that we possess them, that our faith in Christ is genuine, and therefore the promises of condemnation no longer apply to us.\r\n\r\nThe Old and New Testament Teach Assurance\r\n“God, in the plainest and most positive manner, revealed and testified his special favour to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Daniel, and others,” while David in the Psalms speaks clearly of confidence in God’s favor toward him. Job knew he would see his redeemer (Job 19:25). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nChrist and the Epistles teach assurance. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “For to me to live <em>is</em> Christ, and to die <em>is</em> gain” (Philippians 1:21). “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” (2 Timothy 1:12). The New Testament writers were confident of their eternal destination in Christ. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> Moreover, the New Covenant gives great assurance.\r\n<blockquote>The promises are most full, and very often repeated, and various ways exhibited; and there are many witnesses and many seals; and God has confirmed His promises with an oath. God’s declared design in all this is, that the heirs of the promises might have an undoubting hope and full joy, in an assurance of their future glory. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nGod wants us to feel secure. “God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed <em>it</em> by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which <em><u>it</u></em> was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:17-18).\r\n\r\nAssurance Can Be Attained\r\n“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Corinthians 2:12). “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3). “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14). Indeed, Christians lacking assurance is unbecoming: “Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Thus, it is “very unreasonable to determine that persons are hypocrites, and their affections wrong” because they do not fear hell or doubt their salvation. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nFalse Assurance\r\nAt the same time, the self-righteous (like the Pharisees) often have great assurance—sometimes greater than that of many saints. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> Why? Because they lack a “cautious spirit, that great sense of the vast importance of a sure foundation, and that dread of being deceived. The comforts of the true saints increase awakening and caution, and a lively sense how great a thing it is to appear before an infinitely holy, just, and omniscient Judge,” while the hypocrite knows little of his spiritual blindness and deceitful heart. “The hypocrite looks clean and bright in his own eyes,” while the saint recoils at his sinfulness, amazed that a holy God would save such a wretch. Moreover, “the devil does not assault the hope of the hypocrite as he does the hope of a true saint” because assurance and hope encourage faithfulness, things he opposes. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nLegal and Evangelical Hypocrites\r\nThomas Shepard described “legal” and “evangelical” hypocrites. The former trust their own righteousness, while the latter speak of grace and denounce trust in human works, but trust “impulses and supposed revelations,” with or without Scripture, calling them “the witness of the Spirit.” They “make a righteousness of their discoveries and of their humiliation, and exalt themselves to heaven with them.” Edwards viewed many such revelations as self-serving, “suiting their self-love and pride, as they’re being the dear children of God, distinguished from most of the world in his favor.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> And, while sin hurts true assurance, hypocrites “maintain their boldness in their hope, in the most corrupt frames and wicked ways; which is a sure evidence of their delusion.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nWrong Views of Faith Feed False Assurance\r\nCalls to “walk by faith and not by sight,” to “trust God in the dark,” or “trust Christ and not your experiences” do not endorse assurance of salvation apart from saving faith and its evidences. Rather, they speak of trusting the unseen and eternal objects of faith, not the visible and temporary, and “living by faith in the promise of future things, without yet seeing or enjoying the things promised, or knowing the way how they can be fulfilled.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a> To trust God in the dark means trusting God’s promises and character when circumstances or emotions raise doubts.\r\n\r\n“Faith” Without Life and Light\r\nThat people should have assurance “while they yet remain without spiritual light or sight, is an anti-scriptural and absurd doctrine.” Faith without light is “presumption.” We cannot trust God beyond what we see and know of His character and works. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a> Indeed, “it is just as impossible for men to have a strong or lively trust in God when they have no lively exercises of grace…as it is for them to be in the lively exercises of grace without the exercises of grace.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a> People confident of their salvation without new life and spiritual understanding of Christ should be exhorted to repent and believe, and told not that they are already saved. When evidence for God’s grace is absent, perhaps God’s grace is absent.\r\n\r\nFalse “Faith in Faith”\r\nSome taught that doubting your salvation dishonors God, with or without evidence of God’s work in your heart. “Believe you are saved, regardless of the state of your soul,” they said. But, “Men do not know that they are godly by believing that they are godly,” or by a direct revelation from God that they are saved. Scripture affirms that people are saved by believing in Christ, but identifies no one by name as saved. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nWe don’t know we are saved by believing we believe, or having faith that we have faith, but by knowing we have faith in Christ alone. The object of faith is God and Christ, not faith. “Scripture represents faith as that by which men are brought in a good estate; and therefore it cannot be the same thing as believing that they are already in a good estate.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a> Imagine the absurd notion of telling people to believe they are saved in order to be saved.\r\n\r\nLove, Sin, and Assurance\r\nGod provides a safety mechanism that when the highest principle stirring obedience fades, fear of judgment increases to stem further decay. “Love is the spirit of adoption, or the childlike principle; if that slumbers, men fall under fear, which is the spirit of bondage.” But when love, or the spirit of sonship reigns, it banishes fear and delivers complete assurance: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup></a> “These two opposite principles of lust and holy love bring hope and fear into the hearts of God’s children in proportion as they prevail.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup></a> And since the Holy Spirit gives assurance (“the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” Romans 8:16), the more we sin, the more we quench His work, and the more God makes us fear His judgment in our self-destructive behavior.\r\n\r\nNonetheless, true faith cannot be lost entirely, and sin cannot touch eternal security (God knows those who are His), but it can hurt or destroy assurance. And since assurance involves knowing our faith is true, the greater and more lingering our sin, the greater the evidence our faith is false, and the greater will be our fear of judgment. God’s design, then, restrains the sin of believers and the false assurance of unbelievers. And He, alone, knows perfectly who is who.\r\n<blockquote>They therefore do directly thwart God’s wise and gracious constitution of things, who exhort others to be confident in their hope when in dead frames; under a notion of ‘living by faith, and not by sight, and trusting God in the dark, and living upon Christ, and not upon experiences;’ and warn them not to doubt of their good estate, lest they should be guilty of the dreadful sin of unbelief. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nTo do so confirms unbelief and encourages sin. Therefore, “We desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:11-12).\r\n\r\nNext week we will examine the last of the twelve “uncertain” signs: moving testimonies.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 95; Yale, 167.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 96; Yale, 167-8.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 96-7; Yale, 168.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 97; Yale, 169.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 98, footnote; Yale, 170, footnote 1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> Stoddard, <em>Discourse on the Way to Know Sincerity and Hypocrisy</em>; quoted in BT, 99; Yale, 170, footnote 1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 100-1; Yale, 172-3.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 101-2; Yale, 173-4.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 103; Yale, 174.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 103-4; Yale, 175.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 104; Yale, 175-6.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 105; Yale, 176.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> Stoddard, <em>A Treatise Concerning the Nature of Saving Conversion</em>, quoted in BT, 106, footnote; Yale, 177, footnote 4.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 106; Yale, 178.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup> BT, 108; Yale, 179-180.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup> BT, 108; Yale, 180.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup> BT, 109; Yale, 180.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 13): Uncertain Sign Eleven: Great Assurance of Salvation','','publish','closed','closed','','rapart13-uncertain-sign11-great-assurance-salvation','','','2023-03-21 09:59:28','2023-03-21 09:59:28','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/rapart13-uncertain-sign11-great-assurance-salvation/',0,'post','',0),(12648,1,'2017-10-11 20:32:19','2017-10-12 01:32:19','Many during the excitement of the Awakening sang God’s praises, said the right things, knew the right doctrines, loved the saints, served God with zeal, joy, and assurance of their eternal destiny, and moved saints to tears with testimonies of God’s grace in their lives. To many, the combination gave undeniable proof of a saving work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of these fervent believers. Time, however, told another story. Despite the outward evidence, many such luminaries abandoned the faith when the excitement of the Awakening died down. According to Edwards, then, moving affections and testimonies are an uncertain sign of a true and saving work of God in the heart. But why?\r\n\r\nNo Mind Readers\r\nTo begin, God, alone, knows the heart of others: “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> “Men may have the knowledge of their own conversion: the knowledge that other men have of it is uncertain, because no man can look into the heart of another and see the workings of grace there.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> In fact, every “uncertain” sign can be displayed in abundance, with “a sweet natural tempter, and a good doctrinal knowledge of religion, and a long acquaintance with the saints’ way of talking, and of expressing their affections and experiences,” and “yet there be nothing more than the common influence of the Spirit of God, joined with the delusion of Satan and a wicked and deceitful heart.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> The most discerning saints can easily be misled by the outward religiosity of the most corrupt and deceived people.\r\n\r\nA Piety Show\r\nThe semblance of godliness “may appear in men who are altogether graceless,” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> as not only seen by the unsure nature of the eleven “uncertain” signs, but as confirmed by the apostasy of “eminent saints.”\r\n<blockquote>Be not offended if you see great cedars fall, stars fall from heaven, great professors die and decay: do not think they be all such: do not think that the elect shall fall. Truly, some are such that when they fall, one would think a man truly sanctified might fall away.... I speak this, because the Lord is shaking; and I look for great apostasies: for God is trying all His friends, through all the Christian world. In Germany what profession was there! Who would have thought it? The Lord, who delights to manifest that openly which was hid secretly, sends a sword and they fall. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nEdwards likened great “outpourings” of the Holy Spirit to “blossoms in the spring,” with “vast numbers of them upon the trees, which all look fair and promising; but yet many of them never come to anything.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> Every blossom emits a sweet aroma, but none can know which will bear fruit. How many people have you known who have made great professions of faith in Christ and have since abandoned the faith? Some things become clear with the passing of time. “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would <em>no doubt </em> have continued with us: but <em>they went out</em>, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 John 2:19).\r\n\r\nSaints Should Be Moved\r\nNonetheless, saints should delight in the testimony of people seemingly transformed by God’s grace in Christ, even while we cannot know for certain the speaker’s heart is right with God. Why? Because God’s children rejoice in God’s work. “A true saint greatly delights in holiness; it is a most beautiful thing in his eyes; and God’s work, in savingly renewing and making holy and happy, a poor, and before-perishing soul, appears to him a most glorious work.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> Our hearts should be touched.\r\n\r\nError May Cause Godly Responses\r\nFor instance, some argued that because a testimony moves believers to love and tears, and the Holy Spirit produces Christian love, He must have caused the response of love. And, since He cannot lie and certainly knows who are His, the person giving the testimony must be a true Christian because the Holy Spirit would never be moved by a false testimony.\r\n\r\nBut, says Edwards, God requires us to love those we believe to be His children, even if God knows otherwise. He has not made us omniscient, but has given us His Word as the infallible rule by which to judge all things. “When there are many probable appearances of piety in others, it is the duty of the saints to receive them cordially into their charity, and to love them and rejoice in them, as their brethren in Christ Jesus.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> Therefore, “As we ought to love Christ to the utmost capacity of our nature, so it is our duty to love those who, we think, are so near and dear to Him as His members, with an exceeding dear affection, as Christ has loved us; and therefore it is sin in us not to love them so.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGod Reserves Judgment of Men’s Hearts to Himself\r\n“It is the glorious prerogative of the omniscient God, as the great Searcher of hearts, to be able well to separate between sheep and goats.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a> Even the Apostle Peter, in speaking of a well-known and highly respected co-worker with the Apostles, “pretends not to say any more concerning Silvanus, than that he was a faithful brother, as he supposed!” (1 Peter 5:12). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThus, with respect to the motives behind another’s credible profession of faith and service to Christ (absent false doctrine or flagrant sin), “judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart” (1 Corinthians 4:5). The Holy Spirit prompts believers to obey in all circumstances, even when He knows the catalyst is false. Edwards illustrates the point this way: If you were told your house had burned down but your family miraculously escaped unharmed, you would rightfully rejoice and thank God for their safety. To not respond with thankfulness to God at that time would have been sin, even if you later discovered the story to be false. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nKnown by Their Fruit\r\nGod’s appointed means to judge others’ sincerity is spiritual fruit. Nowhere does God point to the leaves or blossoms of a tree as the evidence of its nature. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a> In the parable of the wheat and tares, Christ illustrates how difficult it can be to distinguish the true from the false (Matthew 13:24-30). Not until the wheat begins to bear fruit can the difference be seen. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a> Here, as with many things, God will bring to light the truth of the matter—in due time.\r\n\r\nNext, at long last, we begin a look at what Edwards calls “distinguishing signs of truly gracious and holy affections,” or, the nature of a true and saving work of God on the heart.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 110; Yale, 181.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> Stoddard, <em>A Treatise Concerning the Nature of Saving Conversion</em>, quoted in BT, 110, footnote; Yale, 181, footnote 5.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 112; Yale, 183.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 111; Yale, 182.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> Shepard, <em>Parable of the Ten Virgins</em>, 190; quoted in BT, 111, footnote; Yale, 182, footnote 7.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 113-4; Yale, 184-5.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 113; Yale, 184.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 111; Yale, 182.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 116; Yale, 187-188.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 112; Yale, 183.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 118-119; Yale, 189-190.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 117; Yale, 188.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> BT, 113-114; Yale, 184-185.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 114-115; Yale, 185-186.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 14): Uncertain Sign Twelve: Moving Affections and Testimonies','','publish','closed','closed','','ra14-moving-affections-testimonies','','','2023-03-21 09:59:04','2023-03-21 09:59:04','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/ra14-moving-affections-testimonies/',0,'post','',0),(12662,1,'2017-10-18 19:32:00','2017-10-19 00:32:00','At long last we come to the twelve “distinguishing signs” or evidences of a true work of God in the heart of a believer. Edwards introduces the section with necessary and helpful qualifications. For instance, having warned his readers against presuming to know the hearts of others with certainty, he seeks to avoid the same error, while showing how our spiritual temperature influences our view of God’s work in our own heart.\r\n\r\nGod Knows the Heart Perfectly\r\nA proper humility and dependence on God for a right interpretation of reality must precede a right understanding of God’s saving and sanctifying work in the heart. The ultimate and infallible judgment of the state of another professing believer’s soul remains with God.\r\n<blockquote>I am far from undertaking to give such signs of gracious affections as shall be sufficient to enable any certainly to distinguish true affection from false in others, or to determine positively which of their neighbors are true professors and which are hypocrites. In so doing, I should be guilty of that arrogance which I have been condemning. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nEdwards, of course, is <em>not</em> referring to those who deny the essential doctrines of Christianity or live a consistently scandalous life—clear evidences of unbelief. Rather, he speaks of supporters of the Awakening that speak well of the Bible, Christ, and the Gospel, claiming great experiences of God’s grace, who enthusiastically call others to Christ. At the same time, God has provided that we may have complete assurance of salvation, and has given us “rules” to identify false teachers for our protection and to counsel others concerning their “spiritual and eternal state.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nWeak Grace and Weak Discernment\r\nThe twelve true signs, though evidence of God’s work, are nonetheless insufficient “to enable those saints certainly to discern their own good estate who are very low in grace, or are such as have much departed from God and are fallen into a dead, carnal, and unchristian frame.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> In mercy, God withholds the comfort of assurance from people in a “dead, carnal, and unchristian frame” and increases the fear of judgment to drive them back to Himself.\r\n\r\nMoreover, saints in a carnal or worldly state cannot sufficiently discern true signs of gracious affections because “grace, being very small, cannot be clearly and certainly discerned and distinguished,” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> while, sin dulls spiritual insight. In other words, the evidence of God’s work in the heart is meager and thus hard to find, while the spiritual eyes with which to see it are foggy and unable to see it clearly. The combination makes for a crisis of assurance.\r\n\r\nActive Assurance\r\nWhen we lack assurance, we need to pursue the means God has provided to grow in knowledge of His excellence, to transform the heart and strengthen assurance. And knowing truth, we need to apply it. “Assurance is not to be obtained so much by <em>self-examination</em> as by <em>action</em>.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> Seeking the comfort of knowing we belong to God, purchased and saved by His grace and destined for heaven forever, while we ignore His commands and seek the bread that does not satisfy is folly. “It is not God’s design that men should obtain assurance in any other way than by mortifying corruption, and increasing in grace, and obtaining the lively exercises of it.” Scripture makes this clear.\r\n<blockquote>Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make <em>you that ye shall</em> neither <em>be</em> barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall (2 Peter 1:5-10). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nIn other words, be diligent to do the things that make you fruitful and build assurance. The rules God has given as “sure evidences of grace” are “certain and infallible,” and every true saint has possessed and experienced them. Thus, if we lack assurance, the defect lies with us. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nNo Silver Bullet\r\nEdwards observed that people who based their assurance of salvation on visions, elevated affections, and supernatural experience¬—apart from saving faith in Christ—were the most difficult to convince of their error, and the least convinced by the “rules” Edwards lays down “to distinguish true and false affections.” Nonetheless, God’s grace can penetrate the hardest and most deceived hearts, while understanding these signs will help true believers “to detect false affections which they may have mingled with true,” and be the means to become “more pure…like gold tried in the fire.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe Need for Discernment\r\nEdwards introduced <em>The Religious Affections</em> emphasizing the critical importance of discerning between the true and the false. We do well to revisit his motive for writing the treatise as we begin to examine the nature of true religious affections.\r\n<blockquote>It is a hard thing to be a hearty zealous friend of what has been good and glorious in the late extraordinary appearances, and to rejoice much in it; and at the same time to see the evil and pernicious tendency of what has been bad, and earnestly to oppose that. But yet, I am humbly but firmly persuaded, we shall never be in the way of truth, nor go on in a way acceptable to God and tending to the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, till we do so. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nNext, we turn to an examination of the first of Edwards’ distinguishing signs.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 120; Yale, 193.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 121; Yale, 193.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 121; Yale, 194.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 123; Yale, 195.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 121; Yale, 194.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 124; Yale, 196-7.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 16; Yale, 85.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 15): Distinguishing Signs: Introduction and Qualifications','','publish','closed','closed','','gleanings-ra-pt15-distinguishing-signs-qualifications','','','2023-03-21 09:58:30','2023-03-21 09:58:30','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/gleanings-ra-pt15-distinguishing-signs-qualifications/',0,'post','',0),(12674,1,'2017-10-25 20:27:33','2017-10-26 01:27:33','The first distinguishing sign serves as both a mark of God’s gracious and saving work in a believer and the basis of the remaining eleven signs. The evidence of God’s saving work flows from the stamp of God’s holiness and happiness on the soul by the Holy Spirit taking up permanent residence and imparting His holy nature to us.\r\n\r\nWhat Is Spiritual?\r\nSpiritual people are “sanctified by the Spirit of God,” as distinguished from the “unsanctified” or “natural” man without saving grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> “Mockers” are “sensual, having not the Spirit” (Jude 19). “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).\r\n\r\nThe Holy Spirit dwells in believers “as a principle of new nature, or as a divine supernatural spring of life and action.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> “As a seed or spring of life, [He] exerts and communicates Himself, in this His sweet and divine nature, making the soul a partaker of God’s beauty and Christ’s joy.” His life flows in us like “rivers of living water” (John 7:38-39), given to “abide” in us forever (John 14:16). By the indwelling Spirit we have fellowship with the Father and the Son. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nBelievers partake of the “divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4), of God’s fullness (John 1:16; Ephesians 3:17-19), of His “spiritual beauty and happiness” and goodness. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> We have been born of the Spirit (John 3:6) and are spiritually alive as Christ lives within us (Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:10). God, Himself, dwells in us (John 17: 21, 26; 1 John 4:12, 15, 16), and we are His temple (2 Corinthians 6:16).\r\n\r\nA “New Sense” Versus Natural Principles\r\nSpiritual and natural affections both delight in the object of their love, but differ in significant ways and love different and opposing things. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> The natural man can no more fathom and appreciate the object of the saint’s gracious affections “than a man without the sense of taste can conceive of the sweet taste of honey, or a man without the sense of hearing can conceive of the melody of a tune, or a man born blind can have a notion of the beauty of a rainbow.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThus, “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Believers have a new understanding, a new direction and love, and a new principle moving their will and affections, <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> while the unbeliever’s religious affections come from either the Holy Spirit’s common work on everyone, satanic deception, or the depravity of the fallen heart.\r\n\r\nMoreover, gracious affections can be faked and people deceived to experience new, surprising, and elevated religious affections unrelated to the new spiritual sense of believers. A poor man convinced he has been made a king might experience new and unfamiliar affections, but they would still be natural. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nVisions, Imaginations, and Impressions\r\nMany during the Awakening imagined or had visions of biblical and spiritual things.\r\n<blockquote>They have had lively ideas of some external shape, and beautiful form of countenance; and this they call spiritually seeing Christ. Some have had impressed upon them ideas of a great outward light; and this they call a spiritual discovery of God’s or Christ’s glory. Some have had ideas of Christ’s hanging on the cross, and His blood running from His wounds; and this they call a spiritual sight of Christ crucified, and the way of salvation by His blood. Some have seen Him with his arms open ready to embrace them; and this they call a discovery of the sufficiency of Christ’s grace and love. Some have had lively ideas of heaven, and of Christ on His throne there, and shining ranks of saints and angels; and this they call seeing heaven opened to them. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nSome called visions that came with Scripture or Christ “speaking comfortable words to them” the “inward call of Christ, hearing the voice of Christ spiritually in their hearts, having the witness of the Spirit, and the inward testimony of the love of Christ, etc.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nBut, as unbelievers can easily imagine a tree, animal, or block of wood, so they can imagine an image of Christ, a cross, blood, or any such thing. If they can imagine words spoken in their mind, they can imagine comforting words of Scripture. And the idea of “an external brightness and glory of God is no better than the idea the wicked congregation in the wilderness had of the external glory of the Lord at Mount Sinai, when they saw it with their bodily eyes.” If seeing Christ’s life and crucifixion in person does not save, as with the crowd in the Praetorium before Pilate or lining the road to Golgotha, neither will visions of Christ in the head. Affections raised by such things are common, natural, and no better than those moved by the sight of icons. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nMoreover, the devil can plant ideas, as “in the dreams and visions of the false prophets of old, who were under the influence of lying spirits,” while the common work of the Holy Spirit can bring words to mind without bringing a new nature, such as when He used the wicked prophet Balaam (2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a> And that impressions come with Scripture in a supernatural way does not make the impressions or resulting affections spiritual. Many were deeply moved by Scripture texts they thought came to them from God, such as <em>“Fear not, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,”</em> because they appealed to self-love and appeared to come supernaturally, but not from a “sense of the holy and glorious nature of the kingdom of heaven and the spiritual glory of that God who gives it, and of His excellent grace to sinful men, in offering and giving them this kingdom of His own good pleasure.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nTrust in experience and the seemingly supernatural way visions and Scripture texts came to mind, apart from saving faith, deceived many during the Awakening. When comforting promises followed fear of God’s judgment, they saw this as conversion, trusting the experience and way they came as “the foundation of their faith, and hope, and comfort.” But the Holy Spirit gives no assurance of salvation without saving faith. “Whatever spirit applies the promises of the covenant to a person who has not first believed, as being already his, must be a lying spirit, and that faith which is first built on such an application of promises is built upon a lie.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a> God’s eternal blessings and comfort come only by faith in Christ, by a new view, understanding, and love of His infinite excellence, sufficiency, grace, and promises. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe <em>Seal</em> of the Spirit\r\nAs the king’s seal bears His image and communicates His special favor and privilege to others, according to his royal authority, so does the seal of the Spirit. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup></a> And unlike visions or revelations of facts to the mind, the seal of the Spirit is unknown to unbelievers. “The seal of the great King of heaven and earth enstamped on the heart is something high and holy in its own nature, some excellent communication from the infinite fountain of divine beauty and glory.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe seal constitutes the down payment of new life, a pledge of payment in full, not in “extraordinary gifts,” but in the “beginning of glory” and “eternal life in the soul.” The seal forms “His vital indwelling in the heart, exerting and communicating Himself there in His own proper, holy, or divine nature…the sum total of the inheritance that Christ purchased for the elect.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup></a> By Him “saints have all their light, life, holiness, beauty, and joy in heaven,” as well as “all light, life, holiness, beauty and comfort on earth; but only communicated in less measure.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe “Witness of the Spirit”\r\nSome professing believers misinterpreted the “witness of the Spirit” as a voice or <em>suggestion</em> to the mind that God favors them, establishing false assurance and a worthless basis for salvation. <em>Witness</em>, however, means <em>evidence</em>, as in Christ’s works giving witness to Him as the Messiah and that God the Father sent Him (John 10:25, 5:36), miracles giving witness to God’s Word (Hebrews 2:4, Acts 14:3), and rains and fruitful seasons giving witness to God’s goodness (Acts 14:17). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote20\\&quot;\"><sup>[20]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThus, the seal of the Spirit, as God’s holy image stamped on the soul, imparting His nature and crying to God as Abba or Daddy—gives witness or <em>evidence</em> that we are His child. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote21\\&quot;\"><sup>[21]</sup></a>\r\n<blockquote>For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Romans 8:14-16).</blockquote>\r\nThe Spirit witnesses by “dwelling in us, and leading us, as a spirit of adoption, or spirit of a child, disposing us to behave towards God as to a father.... And what is that but the spirit of love?” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote22\\&quot;\"><sup>[22]</sup></a> “The spirit of bondage works by fear for the slave fears the rod: but love cries, Abba Father; it disposes us to go to God, and behave ourselves towards God as children; and it gives us clear evidence of our union to God as His children, and so casts out fear.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote23\\&quot;\"><sup>[23]</sup></a> Moreover, “Love, the bond of union, is seen intuitively: the saint sees and feels plainly the union between his soul and God; it is so strong and lively that he cannot doubt of it. And hence he is assured that he is a child.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote24\\&quot;\"><sup>[24]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nBut, to reduce this high and holy gift to a voice or suggestion in the mind—something unbelievers can experience—denigrates it, promotes trust in verbal revelation apart from Scripture, and leads people to trust experience for assurance of salvation apart from saving faith in Christ.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nThe first distinguishing sign of a true work of God is the stamp of God’s holiness, happiness, and love in the soul by the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit, animating the will and moving the affections to childlike love of the beauty and excellence of God as revealed in Scripture—the fruit of saving faith in Christ. Satan and deceived hearts may outwardly imitate this new life in Christ, but can never duplicate or experience the lofty and holy image of God’s holiness, happiness, and love in the soul. The nature of this divine work will be examined further as we consider sign two, the excellence of God and divine things as the ground of gracious affections.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 124-5; Yale, 197-8.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 127; Yale, 200.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 129; Yale, 201.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 130-1; Yale, 203.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 136; Yale, 208-9.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 135; Yale, 207-8.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 134; Yale, 206.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 137; Yale, 209-10.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 139; Yale, 211-2.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 140; Yale, 212.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 141-2; Yale, 213-4.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 143-4; Yale, 215-6.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> BT, 148-9; Yale, 221.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 149-50; Yale, 221-2.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup> BT, 153; Yale, 225.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup> BT, 158-9; Yale, 230-1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup> BT, 159; Yale, 231.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup> BT, 161-2; Yale, 236.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup> BT, 162; Yale, 236-7.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote20\\&quot;\"><sup>[20]</sup> BT, 159; Yale, 231.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote21\\&quot;\"><sup>[21]</sup> BT, 160; Yale, 232.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote22\\&quot;\"><sup>[22]</sup> BT, 163; Yale, 237.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote23\\&quot;\"><sup>[23]</sup> BT, 163-4; Yale, 238.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote24\\&quot;\"><sup>[24]</sup> BT, 164; Yale, 239.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 16): Distinguishing Sign One: Fruit of the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit','','publish','closed','closed','','dist-sign1-fruit-indwelling-holy-spirit','','','2023-03-21 09:57:55','2023-03-21 09:57:55','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/dist-sign1-fruit-indwelling-holy-spirit/',0,'post','',0),(12696,1,'2017-11-01 19:13:18','2017-11-02 00:13:18','Saints love God, Jesus Christ, Scripture, and every work and way of God for their divine excellence. And since “Christian love is the fountain of all gracious affections,” love of God’s infinite greatness constitutes the ultimate foundation and source of true religious affections. Gratitude and a love of present and future benefits of salvation form a “secondary and consequential influence.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nIs Love to God Merely Self-love?\r\nSome claim that since we do what makes us happy, and God’s honor and the sight of His excellence make us happy, our love of God’s glory is merely self-love because we are doing what makes us happy. But, how did God’s perfections become pleasing in the first place? “A man must first love God, or have his heart united to Him, before he will esteem God’s good his own, and before he will desire the glorifying and enjoying God as his happiness.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nOur happiness in watching those we love honored does not make our desire for happiness the cause of our love to them, as if the <em>effect</em> must be the <em>cause</em>. “It would be just as true to argue that, because a father begat a son, therefore his son certainly begat him.” We rejoice in the success of our spouse or children because our love to them <em>precedes</em> our delight in their success. A person’s love of God and delight in His attributes follows “a change made in the views of his mind, and relish of his heart, whereby he apprehends a beauty, glory, and supreme good, in God’s nature.” This “first draws his heart to Him, and causes his heart to be united to Him, prior to all consideration of his own interest or happiness.” Seeking happiness in God <em>follows</em> love for God. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nSelf-love Is Natural\r\nLove of self and love for a benefit received is common to believers and unbelievers, alike, and does not require the indwelling Holy Spirit. “If ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them” (Luke 6:32). In fact, the devil smeared Job’s love to God as no more than a love of God’s blessings, knowing that such a “mercenary” love “is worthless in the sight of God” (Job 1:9-10). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGratitude and a False Love of God\r\nWe can be grateful to people we do not love, and angry toward people we love dearly. Consider how King Saul would thank David for sparing his life, yet remain David’s enduring enemy. Israel sang God’s praises when He delivered them from their troubles, but invariably they went astray. Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan king, thanked and praised God for restoring his kingdom after his humiliation. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nSelf-love and natural gratitude may produce an apparent but unspiritual love of God. For instance, people may love a “false notion of God” that never judges sin and must always be good to them. Callousness to internal wickedness, with “no sense of the heinousness of sin as against God, and of the infinite and terrible opposition of the holy nature of God against it” may also generate a kind of love toward God. When people imagine “a God as suits them, and thinking God to be such an one as themselves, who favours and agrees with them, they may like Him very well and feel a sort of love to Him.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nAdditionally, people may respond with “love” and gratitude to supposed revelations of God’s favor, especially when fears of hell precede comforting Scripture promises that come to mind suggesting that God loves them, has forgiven them, and adopted them. But,\r\n<blockquote>This good opinion of God was purchased and paid for in the distinguishing and infinite benefits they imagined they received from God: and they allow God to be lovely in Himself no otherwise that that He has forgiven them, and accepted them, and loves them above most in the world, and has engaged to improve all His infinite power and wisdom in preferring, dignifying, and exalting them, and will do for them just as they would have Him.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nIndeed, “Selfish proud man naturally calls that lovely that greatly contributes to his interest, and gratifies his ambition.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> And when affections generated from a false presumption of God’s favor produce greater affections, and this apart from saving faith, they reinforce the deception.\r\n<blockquote>When their affections are raised, then they view those high affections, and call them great and wonderful experiences; and they have a notion that God is greatly pleased with those affections; and this affects them more; and so they are affected with their affections. And thus their affections rise higher and higher, until they sometimes are perfectly swallowed up: also self-conceit and a fierce zeal rise withal; and all is built like a castle in the air, on no other foundation but imagination, self-love, and pride.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nExhilarating experiences can produce an unspiritual and false love toward God when the wonderful nature of the “discoveries” move the affections. But, “what they are principally taken and elevated with is not the glory of God, or beauty of Christ, but the beauty of their experiences.” “They take more comfort in their discoveries than in Christ discovered.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nTrue Love\r\nTrue love to God stands on the greatness of God apart from self-interest, “whereby He is in Himself lovely, or worthy to be loved, or the supreme loveliness of His nature.” God as “infinitely excellent,” as “infinite beauty, brightness, and glory itself,” forms the object of the saint’s love. One cannot love God without first loving God for who He is, for His beauty and excellence. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a> Loving God’s benefits may accompany this love, but loving <em>gifts</em> is not the same as loving <em>God</em>.\r\n\r\nThe affections of false believers begin with presuming that God satisfies their self-interest and secondarily from considering God’s excellence. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a> The true believer’s affections start with God, while love of His blessings follow in priority.\r\n<blockquote>They first rejoice in God as glorious and excellent in Himself, and then secondarily rejoice in the fact that so glorious a God is theirs. They first have their hearts filled with sweetness from the view of Christ’s excellency, and the excellency of His grace and the beauty of the way of salvation by Him, and then they have a secondary joy in that so excellent a Saviour and such excellent grace are theirs. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nTrue Love and True Gratitude\r\nTrue love forms the foundation of true gratitude and proceeds from “love to God for what He is in Himself.” Natural gratitude to God arises first from the receipt of benefits, apart from a true love of God, while “the gracious stirrings of grateful affection to God, for kindness received, always are from a stock of love already in the heart.” “The saint having seen the glory of God, and his heart being overcome by it and captivated with love to Him on that account…becomes tender and easily affected with kindnesses received.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nMoreover, the believer’s gratitude also moves by God’s goodness and grace as they reflect the beauty of His attributes. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup></a>\r\n<blockquote>The first foundation of the delight he has in Christ, is His own beauty; He appears in Himself the chief among ten thousand and altogether lovely. The way of salvation by Christ is a delightful way to him, for the sweet and admirable manifestations of the divine perfections in it: the holy doctrines of the gospel, by which God is exalted and man abased, holiness honoured and promoted, sin greatly disgraced and discouraged, and free and sovereign love manifested, are glorious doctrines in his eyes, and sweet to his taste, prior to any conception of his interest in these things. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\n<em>“We love him, because He first loved us”</em>\r\nAt first blush, 1 John 4:19 might appear to affirm that our love to God stems from mere self-interest and natural gratitude. On the contrary, the passage it context highlights that God set His love on us while we had no love for Him: “herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us” (4:10). “That God loved us when we had no love to him, the apostle proves by this argument, that God’s love to the elect is the ground of their love to Him.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup></a>\r\n<blockquote>The saint’s love to God is the fruit of God’s love to them, as it is the gift of that love. God gave them a spirit of love to Him, because He loved them from eternity. And in this respect God’s love to His elect is the first foundation of their love to Him, as it is the foundation of their regeneration, and the whole of their redemption. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nFrom His great love to us, God gave us a new heart to see and love His glory. Moreover, Christ redeeming sinners displays the beauty of God’s perfections, the basis of our love to Him. The beauty of God’s perfect holiness, justice, mercy, love, wisdom, and others, are most clearly seen in the person and redeeming work of Christ. Moreover, our love and gratitude flow from sight of God’s moral perfection and excellence as they relate to our own sin and salvation. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup></a> Indeed, we love God because chose us, saved us, opened our spiritual eyes to see the beauty of His infinite excellence, and a heart to love Him for it.\r\n\r\nTwo Joys\r\nFalse believers rejoice in the “privilege and happiness” they presume to have gained or will attain by the saving work of Christ and His excellent promises. But, a closer look reveals a joy and pride in being exalted above others, and great delight “in hearing how much God and Christ make of them. So that their joy is really a joy in themselves and not in God.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote20\\&quot;\"><sup>[20]</sup></a> Believers, however, delight in God’s great blessings, but love first the excellent and lovely “nature of the things of God…the spring of all their delights and the cream of all their pleasures…the joy of their joy.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote21\\&quot;\"><sup>[21]</sup></a> First and foremost, true believers rejoice in God.\r\n\r\nUp next: True religious affections stand on the moral excellence of God and divine things.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 165-6; Yale, 240.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 166; Yale, 240-1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 166-7; Yale, 241.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 168; Yale, 242.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 169-70; Yale, 243-4. See Exodus 15, 2 Kings 5:15-18, and Daniel 4, respectively.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 170; Yale, 244-5.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 171; Yale, 245.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 171; Yale, 246.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 177-8; Yale, 252.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 177; Yale, 251-2.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 168; Yale, 242-3.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 172; Yale, 246.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> BT, 176; Yale, 250.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 173; Yale, 247.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup> BT, 174; Yale, 248.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup> BT, 176; Yale, 250.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup> BT, 174-5; Yale, 249.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup> BT, 175; Yale, 249.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup> BT, 175; Yale, 249.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote20\\&quot;\"><sup>[20]</sup> BT, 176-7; Yale, 251.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote21\\&quot;\"><sup>[21]</sup> BT, 175; Yale, 249-50.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 17): Distinguishing Sign Two: Gracious Affections Stand on the Excellence of God, Apart from Self-Interest','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign2-affections-stand-excellence-god','','','2023-03-21 09:57:23','2023-03-21 09:57:23','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign2-affections-stand-excellence-god/',0,'post','',0),(12708,1,'2017-11-08 20:21:46','2017-11-09 01:21:46','In the previous article we examined Edwards’ second distinguishing sign, “the supreme excellency of divine things as they are in themselves,” comprising the “first objective ground of all holy affections.” Sign three goes a step further to show that holiness comprises the beauty of God and divine things. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> “A love to divine things for the beauty and sweetness of their moral excellency, is the first beginning and spring of all holy affections.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nMoral Good and Evil Versus Natural Good and Evil\r\nTo explain this all-important sign, Edwards begins by distinguishing moral versus natural good and evil. Moral evil is sin, that which is “against duty and contrary to what is right,” while moral good conforms with duty and what is right. Natural evil is that which is contrary to nature, such as pain, suffering, and disgrace, while natural good is that which is in harmony with nature, such as pleasure, honor, and strength. Natural good and evil are unrelated to a moral standard of right or wrong, while moral good and evil are “more immediately seated in the heart or will.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> In fact, moral evil only exists in the will of created beings.\r\n\r\nHoliness Is Moral Excellence\r\nHoliness constitutes the moral goodness of God, “His purity and beauty as a moral agent, comprehending all His moral perfections, His righteousness, faithfulness, and goodness.” Additionally, “Holiness comprehends all the true virtue of a good man, his love to God, his gracious love to men, his justice, his charity and bowels of mercies, his gracious meekness and gentleness; all other true Christian virtues that he has, belong to his holiness.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nHoliness Is the Beauty of Natural Good\r\nNatural attributes are only good and beautiful as far as they are holy. For instance, angels and demons possess great strength and influence (natural good), but angels are lovely as morally good, while demons are contemptible as morally evil. The same applies to the power of earthly rulers and the natural attributes of every human being. The natural good of great strength, knowledge, or any natural attribute is beautiful with holiness, but hateful without it. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe Beauty of God’s Natural and Moral Attributes Is Holiness\r\nIn the same way, God’s holiness renders His natural perfections beautiful, including His power, perfect knowledge, self-existence, omnipresence, immutability, and “His awful and terrible majesty.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> Holiness adorns every perfection of God with beauty. “It is the glory of God’s wisdom that it is a holy wisdom, and not a wicked subtlety and craftiness. This makes His majesty lovely, and not merely dreadful and horrible, that it is a holy majesty. It is the glory of God’s immutability that it is a holy immutability, and not an inflexible obstinacy in wickedness.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nHoly Love\r\nSince saints love God first and foremost for who He is—for His infinite excellence—and as holiness comprises the beauty of every attribute of God, the essence of love to God consists of a love of His holiness.\r\n<blockquote>A true love to God must begin with a delight in His holiness, and not with a delight in any other attribute; for no other attribute is truly lovely without this, and no otherwise than as…it derives its loveliness from this; and therefore it is impossible that other attributes should appear lovely, in their true loveliness, until this is seen; and it is impossible that any perfection of the divine nature should be loved with true love until this is loved. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nOf course, believers exult in every attribute of God, including His infinite power and knowledge, His transcendence above and beyond all things, His eternal existence and omnipresence, etc. Yet, holiness comprises their beauty. Unbelievers may fear and even marvel at the power of God, especially when they presume it only exits for their good. They may tremble at God’s fearful justice and know that God is holy. Yet, apart from the new heart and spiritual sense that comes with saving faith in Christ, they remain blind to their beauty of God’s perfections as holy. “They that do not see the glory of God’s holiness cannot see anything of the true glory of His mercy and grace: they see nothing of the glory of those attributes as excellencies of God’s nature…though they may be affected with them and love them, as they concern their interest.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nSpiritual blindness, then, does not mean that someone cannot understand the words of Scripture or the meaning of the Gospel. Many unbelievers can easily explain Christian truth and write Bible commentaries. Rather, spiritual blindness loves darkness, regards the Gospel as foolish, and views the beauty of God’s holy perfections as unseemly. The spiritually blind cannot see the beauty of holiness and therefore cannot see the beauty of God and the Gospel.\r\n\r\nHoliness Makes Divine Things Beautiful\r\nHoliness comprises the beauty of “saints or holy ones; it is the moral image of God in them which is their beauty; and that is their holiness.” Scripture is beautiful as holy. “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it” (Psalm 119:140).\r\n<blockquote>The law of the LORD <em>is</em> perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD <em>is</em> sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD <em>are</em> right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD <em>is</em> pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD <em>is</em> clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD <em>are</em> true <em>and</em> righteous altogether (Psalm 19:7-9).</blockquote>\r\nChrist is “the chief among ten thousand and altogether lovely, even in that He is the holy one of God” (Acts 3:14). “The beauty of His divine nature, of which the beauty of His human nature is the image and reflection, also primarily consists in His holiness.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe Gospel radiates “the holy beauty of God and Jesus Christ. Herein consists the spiritual beauty of its doctrines, that they are holy doctrines or doctrines according to godliness. And herein consists the spiritual beauty of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, that it is so holy a way.” So also Heaven: “Herein chiefly consists the glory of heaven, that it is the holy city, the holy Jerusalem, the habitation of God’s holiness and so of His glory” (Isaiah 63:15). “It is primarily on account of this kind of excellency that the saints love all these things.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe Natural Man Cannot See and Love the Beauty of Holiness\r\nThe natural man can see and comprehend the moral and natural attributes of God and be emotionally moved by them, yet “this is no certain sign of grace” or evidence of God’s saving work in the heart. Unbelievers can “sense” the “the awful greatness and terrible majesty of God,” and understand that God is “perfectly just and righteous and true and that He is a holy God, of purer eyes than to behold evil, who cannot look on iniquity.” Yet, they remain “entirely blind to the beauty of His moral perfection, and have nothing of that spiritual taste which relishes this divine sweetness.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nOn Judgment Day they will see “the wonderful manifestations of His infinite goodness and free grace to the saints,” and “nothing will be hid from their eyes,” except “the beauty of these moral attributes, and that beauty of the other attributes which arises from it.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a> The natural man may appreciate God’s natural attributes and even His moral attributes of love, mercy, and goodness, but only as they suit self-interest, not for the beauty of their moral excellence.\r\n\r\nA Holy Nature Loves Holiness\r\nBorn-again believers have a new sense or “divine spiritual taste,” entirely different than any natural sense of the mind, “as tasting is diverse from any of the other five senses.” By this sense saints perceive what unbelievers cannot—the beauty of holiness. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a> Thus, believers and unbelievers display their respective natures by what they relish. By the power of the Holy Spirit, saints perceive and love the “goodness and excellency of holy things…for their holiness.” This “captivates their hearts, and delights them above all things.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup></a> Angels in heaven cry “holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3), while saints sing of God’s holy excellence (Revelation 4:8). And until we arrive at our heavenly home, we delight in God’s moral purity and perfection (Psalm 97:11-12). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nA Heart Exam\r\nEdwards concludes the section with a challenge to all who would profess faith in Christ, and more particularly to many supporters of the Awakening who trusted and reveled in the intensity of their experiences.\r\n<blockquote>By this, you may examine your love to God, and to Jesus Christ, and to the Word of God, and your joy in them, and also your love to the people of God, and your desires after heaven; whether they be from a supreme delight in this sort of beauty, without being primarily moved by your imagined interest in them, or expectations from them. There are many high affections, great seeming love and rapturous joys, which have nothing of this holy relish belonging to them. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\n“The grace of God may appear lovely two ways; either as…that which greatly serves my interest, and so suits my self-love; or as…a beautiful good in itself, and part of the moral and spiritual excellency of the divine nature.” In the latter sense, “true saints have their hearts affected, and love captivated, by the free grace of God.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup></a> We properly rejoice with deep gratitude for God’s many blessings, but first of all, we love the holy beauty of the One who gives them.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 182; Yale, 256.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 179; Yale, 253-4.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 180-1; Yale, 254-5.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 181; Yale, 255-6.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 183; Yale, 257.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 181; Yale, 255.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 183; Yale, 257.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 183; Yale, 257-8.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 183; Yale, 258.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 184; Yale, 258-9.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 184-5; Yale, 259.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 189; Yale, 263.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> BT, 190; Yale, 264.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 185-6; Yale, 259-60.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup> BT, 188; Yale, 262.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup> BT, 187; Yale, 261-2.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup> BT, 188; Yale, 262.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup> BT, 188; Yale, 262-3.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 18): Distinguishing Sign Three: Gracious Affections Are Founded on the Beauty of Holiness','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign3-affections-founded-beauty-holiness','','','2023-03-21 09:56:47','2023-03-21 09:56:47','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign3-affections-founded-beauty-holiness/',0,'post','',0),(12723,1,'2017-11-15 19:34:59','2017-11-16 00:34:59','In sign two Edwards argued that gracious affections stand on the excellence of God, apart from self-interest. Sign three goes further to show that holiness comprises the beauty of the excellence of God and divine things. “A love to divine things for the beauty and sweetness of their moral excellency, is the first beginning and spring of all holy affections.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> In sign four, Edwards explains that gracious affections arise from the Holy Spirit giving the believer a spiritual sense to see, comprehend, and love the beauty of God’s holiness.\r\n\r\nLight in the Understanding\r\nDivine illumination involves new light and knowledge in the understanding, but no new revelation. The believer’s affections move by understanding more about God, Christ, the Gospel, and divine things. “Holy affections are not heat without light.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Indeed, zeal without knowledge can lead to eternal destruction, as with Israel stumbling over Christ, “for I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). Holy affections flow from knowing God’s holy excellence.\r\n\r\nNot a Vision or Imagination\r\nSpiritual illumination does not consist of a mental picture or vision of Christ hanging on the cross with blood flowing from His hands, a body of great light, sounds and voices, or anything that can be imagined by the mind. People are “never the wiser by such things” without truth and instruction about God, Christ, and the Gospel. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nNot Further Knowledge of What Can Be Known by Unbelievers\r\nBy God’s common grace, both believers and unbelievers can know truth about God’s power, greatness, and sin. For instance, the Holy Spirit often excites the unbeliever’s conscience and “assists the mind to a clearer idea of the guilt of sin, or its relation to punishment, and its connection with the evil of suffering,” including greater sight of God’s “natural perfections” and “terrible greatness,” without opening spiritual eyes to the ugliness of sin in the light of God’s holiness. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> Unbelievers can see, understand, and fear God’s power and condemnation, but cannot see and love the beauty of God’s holiness and justice.\r\n\r\nMoreover, “A man might know how to interpret all the types, parables, enigmas, and allegories in the Bible,” and even write accurate Bible commentaries, yet “not have one beam of spiritual light in his mind.” Without the “spiritual sense of the holy beauty of divine things,” he remains spiritually blind. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nNot the Manner Which Scripture Comes to Mind\r\nDuring the Awakening, many were greatly moved in their affections by the immediate, unexpected, coincidental, or seemingly supernatural way Scripture came to mind. But, “Affections arising from texts of Scripture coming to the mind are vain, when no instruction received in the understanding from those texts, or anything taught in those texts, is the ground of the affection, but the manner of their coming to the mind.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nNot a New Interpretation of Scripture\r\nBelievers see what has always been true and visible, but formerly unseen because of blindness. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> The work of the Holy Spirit in illumination “is not to make new and unheard-of revelations, or to coin some new kind of doctrine, by which we may be led away from the received doctrine of the gospel; but to seal and confirm to us that very doctrine which is by the gospel.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18), namely, things already there.\r\n\r\nNot Scripture Used Out of Context\r\nImagine someone going to Egypt because the following verse came to mind: “Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt” (Matthew 2:13). Yet, the text tells no one alive today to flee to Egypt. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Hopefully, people using the mistaken principle of interpretation will not read of Judas hanging himself and then come across the text, “go ye and do likewise.” Context determines the meaning of a text.\r\n\r\nMoreover, Scripture verses about God’s love and salvation popping into a mind makes no one a Christian. Saving faith in Christ, alone, makes one a Christian. And, nowhere does Scripture say that John Doe, in particular, is saved, or that salvation is by Bible verses coming to mind apart from saving faith. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a> Assurance of salvation lies elsewhere.\r\n\r\nDivine Illumination Is Spiritual Love and Understanding of the Beauty of Holiness\r\nTrue and gracious affections arise from “a new understanding of the excellent nature of God and His wonderful perfections, some new view of Christ in His spiritual excellencies and fullness.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a> It “consists in ‘a cordial sense of the supreme beauty and sweetness of the holiness or moral perfection of divine things, together with all that discerning and knowledge of things of religion, that depends upon and flows from such a sense.’” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a> “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to <em>give</em> the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).\r\n<blockquote>Spiritually to understand the Scripture is to have the eyes of the mind opened, to behold the wonderful spiritual excellency of the glorious things contained in the true meaning of it and that always were contained in it, ever since it was written; to behold the amiable and bright manifestations of the divine perfections, and of the excellency and sufficiency of Christ, and the excellency and suitableness of the way of salvation by Christ, and the spiritual glory of the precepts and promises of the Scripture, etc., which things are, and always were, in the Bible, and would have been seen before if it had not been for blindness. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nBy illumination we see in Scripture the beauty of the holiness of God and His works.\r\n\r\nKnown by Saints Only\r\n“The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know <em>them</em>, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). He can read them, explain them, and write books about them, but cannot see the beauty of holiness contained in them.\r\n\r\nNonetheless, the unbeliever’s affections can awaken by learning new and marvelous truths about God and divine things, or by the Holy Spirit’s common work of giving more natural understanding of biblical truth, such as those who “were once enlightened,” but fell away (Hebrews 6:4). “But these affections are not spiritual.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a> The Holy Spirit works in all people in a common way, but gracious affections only flow from the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s heart.\r\n\r\nThe Leading of the Spirit\r\nTo be led by the Spirit involves choosing and acting according to the sense and love of holiness as beautiful. Someone with a good ear for music can tell harmony from noise by hearing it, without analyzing the sound waves. Lovers of beauty recognize it by a glance without computations and analysis. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup></a> And, the good nature of a man will produce better behavior “than the strongest reason” of an ill-natured individual. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup></a> Similarly,\r\n<blockquote>A holy person is led by the Spirit, as he is instructed and led by his holy taste and disposition of heart; whereby, in the lively exercise of grace, he easily distinguishes good and evil, and knows at once what is a suitable amiable behavior towards God and towards man...and judges what is right, as it were spontaneously and of himself, without a particular deduction, by any other arguments than the beauty that is seen, and goodness that is tasted. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nAnd Scripture remains central and foundational. “The children of God are led by the Spirit of God, in judging of actions themselves, and in their meditations upon, and judging of, and applying the rules of God’s holy Word: and so God ‘teaches them his statutes, and causes them to understand the way of His precepts.’” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe leading of the Spirit, then, consists of choosing and delighting in holiness and the commands of God rather than the evil desires of the sinful flesh, from a view and love of the beauty of God’s moral excellence, by a heart enlightened and trained by the Word of God and transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.\r\n\r\nThus, the leading of the Spirit is not visions, imaginations, Scripture or other words coming to mind in an extraordinary way and accepted as God’s commands. “A very great part of false religion that has been in the world, from one age to another, consists in such discoveries as these, and in the affections that flow from them.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup></a> “It is chiefly by such sort of religion as this that Satan transforms himself into an angel of light: and it is that which he has ever most successfully made use of to confound hopeful and happy revivals of religion, from the beginning of the Christian church to this day,” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote20\\&quot;\"><sup>[20]</sup></a> including the Great Awakening.\r\n\r\nUp next: True religious affections accompany a “conviction of certainty.”\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 179; Yale, 253-4.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 192; Yale, 266.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 193; Yale, 267. See BT, 136 or Yale, 208-9 for a description of some of the visions people had during the Great Awakening that were improperly called divine illumination.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 202; Yale, 276.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 204; Yale, 278.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 193-4; Yale, 268.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 206; Yale, 280.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> Calvin, <em>Institutes</em>, 1:9:1; quoted in BT, 203, footnote; Yale, 278, footnote 2.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 205-6; Yale, 280.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 194, emphasis mine; Yale, 268.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 193; Yale, 267-8.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 197-8; Yale, 272.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> BT, 206; Yale, 280-1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 195; Yale, 269-70.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup> BT, 207; Yale, 281.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup> BT, 209; Yale, 283.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup> BT, 207; Yale, 282.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup> BT, 211; Yale, 285.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup> BT, 212; Yale, 286.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote20\\&quot;\"><sup>[20]</sup> BT, 213; Yale, 287.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 19): Distinguishing Sign Four: Gracious Affections Arise from Divine Illumination','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign4-affections-arise-from-divine-illumination','','','2023-03-21 09:51:46','2023-03-21 09:51:46','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign4-affections-arise-from-divine-illumination/',0,'post','',0),(12743,1,'2017-11-27 20:40:24','2017-11-28 01:40:24','Thus far we have seen that gracious affections stand on the excellence of God, apart from self-interest, that holiness comprises the beauty of the excellence of God and divine things, and that gracious affections arise from the spiritual sense to see, comprehend, and love the beauty of God’s holiness. In sign five, Edwards asserts that “gracious affections are attended with a reasonable and spiritual conviction of the reality and certainty of divine things,” a conviction that flows from spiritual “sight” of the “evidence and reality” of the holy excellence of God and the Gospel.\r\n\r\nTrue Faith Knows That Scripture Is True\r\n“Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68-9).\r\n<blockquote>Truly gracious persons have a solid, full, thorough and effectual conviction of the truth of the great things of the gospel…. The great doctrines of the gospel cease to be any longer doubtful things or matters of opinion, which, though probable, are yet disputable; but with them, they are points settled and determined, as undoubted and indisputable; so that they are not afraid to venture their all upon their truth. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nIndeed, “the great, spiritual, mysterious, and invisible things of the gospel…have the weight and power of real things in their hearts; and accordingly rule in their affections, and govern them through the course of their lives.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> “We look not at the things which <em>are</em> seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen <em>are</em> eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).\r\n\r\nIllumination Gives Certainty\r\nTrue religious affections flow from an enduring conviction of the truth of Scripture. Natural affections may arise for reasons other than true faith, such as by Scripture promises coming to mind in a “sudden and extraordinary manner, immediately declaring the recipients that their sins are forgiven, or that God loves them and will save them.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> People may believe Christian doctrine because they learned it as children, or by understanding arguments from history or reason. Yet, true and gracious affections will not flow from such knowledge without the spiritual understanding produced by illumination.\r\n\r\nLike the sprout in shallow soil, “faith” may rejoice in the blessings of the Gospel for a time, but will wither and die without the spiritual sense of God’s holy beauty produced by the Holy Spirit’s work of illumination. Temporary faith falls short of the enduring faith of born-again believers, in whom the Holy Spirit dwells to actively communicate His Holy character, will, and understanding. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> Believers embrace the truth of Scripture and the Gospel by sight of the beauty of God’s holy excellence. “True faith arises from a spiritual sight of Christ.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to <em>give</em> the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).\r\n\r\nHow Spiritual Sight Gives Certainty\r\nThe glory of God and the Gospel are their own clear, direct, and best evidence.\r\n<blockquote>We cannot rationally doubt but that things that are divine, and that appertain to the Supreme Being, are vastly different from things that are human: that there is a God-like, high, and glorious excellency in them, that does so distinguish them from the things which are of men that the difference is ineffable; and therefore such as, if seen, will have a most convincing, satisfying influence upon any one that they are what they are, viz., divine. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nAs we can easily distinguish the speech of great orators from that of children, so “God’s natural perfections” can be distinguished from the “excellencies of worms of the dust.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> As a view of the sun assures us “it is no human work,” so a view of God’s holy excellence assures us of its divine reality. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> And, in the Gospel of Christ, “these things have the clearest, most admirable, and distinguishing representations and exhibitions of the glory of God’s moral perfections, that ever were made to the world.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nImmediate and Intuitive Knowledge\r\nThe beauty of the moral excellence of God and His works are “the most direct and strong evidence” of their true and divine nature. “He that truly sees the divine, transcendent, supreme glory of those things which are divine, does, as it were, know their divinity intuitively.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a> Seeing is believing. And just as great insight is required to appreciate brilliant literature, so a new spiritual sense is necessary to see the divine and moral beauty of Scripture and what it reveals of God and His works.\r\n<blockquote>It is no argument that it cannot be seen, that some do not see it, though they may be discerning men in temporal matters. If there be such ineffable, distinguishing, evidential excellencies in the gospel, it is reasonable to suppose that they are such as are not to be discerned but by the special influence and enlightenings of the Spirit of God. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nThe beauty and truth of what Scripture reveals about God and His works cannot be seen by those who are hostile toward God and thus spiritually blind to His moral beauty and excellence, regardless of their brilliance concerning earthly matters.\r\n\r\nGod Provides Sufficient and Comprehensive Evidence\r\n“The gospel of the blessed God does not go abroad a-begging for its evidence, so much as some think; it has its highest and most proper evidence in itself.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a> Though clear, comprehensive, and utterly convincing, the evidence remains unseen through willful blindness, the suppression of truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). Yet, “as soon as ever the eyes are opened to behold the holy beauty and amiableness that is in divine things, a multitude of most important doctrines of the gospel that depend upon it (which all appear strange and dark to natural men) are at once seen to be true.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nBy spiritual sight of the beauty of God’s holiness we see the evil and bitterness of sin, our own sinfulness, and the sinfulness of mankind. We see Scripture as true concerning original sin and depravity of the heart, our desperate need of a Savior, and the need of God’s infinite power to change our nature. Sight of the beauty of God’s holiness confirms the excellence of His every attribute, His infinite goodness, the infinite evil of sinning against such a great God, the need of Christ to pay the infinite price for our sin, the infinite excellence and beauty of Christ’s person and work, and the infinite value and sufficiency of His death and righteousness to reconcile us to God. Thus, we see the infinite beauty, truth, wisdom, and suitableness of the Gospel as the only solution to our sinful and lost state. By sight of the beauty of God’s holiness we see holiness as the ground of our happiness and duty, and the truth of the immeasurable excellence of heaven. And as we know and experience the truth of Scripture’s explanation of reality, our soul thus knows that the God who knows all such things authored Scripture, and that Scripture is true. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nAnd while Scripture is historically accurate and true, saving faith rests on more than the truth of historical arguments. Many with little knowledge of history have endured imprisonment, torture, and even death for Christ. Indeed, according to Edwards, “Infidelity never prevailed so much in any age as in this, wherein these arguments are handled to the greatest advantage.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup></a> Saving and enduring faith requires spiritual understanding.\r\n\r\nAdditional Certainty Gained Indirectly\r\nWhen the Holy Spirit enlightens the believer to see the beauty of God’s holy excellence, “prejudices of the heart against the truth of divine things are hereby removed, so that the mind thereby lies open to the force of the reasons which are offered.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup></a> For example, the miracles of Christ had a different effect upon Christ’s disciples than the Pharisees. Moreover, spiritual sight of God’s glory enlightens reason to better see, understand, and judge arguments and ideas, including historical evidence, which were once “dim and obscure.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup></a>\r\n\r\n“Belief” That Falls Short of Saving Belief\r\nMuch that passes as true faith falls short of true belief. The common convicting work of the Holy Spirit may give a greater perception of the natural perfections of God’s power and greatness, and a greater sense of one’s sin and guilt before God. But, without the sense of the beauty and excellence of holiness, “no spiritual conviction of their truth” exists, <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup></a> for sin’s hideous character can only be seen in contrast to the beauty of God’s perfect holiness.\r\n\r\nAlso, impressions or imaginations “may and often do beget a strong persuasion of the truth of invisible things. Though the general tendency of such things in their final issue is to draw men off from the Word of God, and to cause them to reject the gospel, and to establish unbelief and atheism.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup></a> The object of what Edwards calls “counterfeit faith” is ultimately experience, not Christ.\r\n\r\nMoreover, unbelievers more easily accept as true those things that serve their interest. For instance, they will more readily admit to the existence of heaven and hell when convinced that the former applies to them and the latter does not. The “interest and inclinations” of people strongly influence their judgment. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote20\\&quot;\"><sup>[20]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nSummary\r\nTrue religious affections flow from a view of the infinite excellence and beauty of God’s moral perfection, and include “a reasonable and spiritual conviction of the reality and certainty of divine things.” This justified confidence stands on the clear and convincing evidence of the infinite excellence of God, the glory most clearly and definitively seen in the person and work of Jesus Christ. To Him be all love and honor, forever.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 217; Yale, 291.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 217; Yale, 292.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 220; Yale, 294.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 222; Yale, 296.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 223; Yale, 297.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 225; Yale, 299.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 225; Yale, 299.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 225-6; Yale, 299-300.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 226; Yale, 300.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 224; Yale, 298.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 226-7; Yale, 300.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 233; Yale, 307.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> BT, 227; Yale, 301.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 227-9; Yale, 301-3.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup> BT, 231-2; Yale, 305.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup> BT, 233; Yale, 307.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup> BT, 234; Yale, 307-8.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup> BT 234-5; Yale, 308-9.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup> BT, 235; Yale, 309.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote20\\&quot;\"><sup>[20]</sup> BT, 237; Yale, 310.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 20): Distinguishing Sign Five: Gracious Affections Accompany Certainty About Divine Things','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign5-affections-accompany-certainty-about-divine-things','','','2023-03-21 09:51:38','2023-03-21 09:51:38','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign5-affections-accompany-certainty-about-divine-things/',0,'post','',0),(12759,1,'2017-12-07 07:38:05','2017-12-07 12:38:05','We have seen that gracious affections stand on the excellence of God, that holiness comprises the beauty of the excellence of God and divine things, and that gracious affections arise from the spiritual sense to see, comprehend, and love the beauty of God’s holiness. Moreover, as spiritual sight and understanding of the holy beauty of God and divine things produces “a reasonable and spiritual conviction of the reality and certainty of divine things,” it also produces humility.\r\n\r\n“Evangelical” versus “Natural” Humility\r\nEdwards distinguishes between “evangelical” and “legal” humiliation. Legal humiliation is natural to all people and often comes by the Holy Spirit assisting the conscience, and may include a sense of God’s natural attributes and judgment against sin. Evangelical humiliation is peculiar to believers and comes from the Holy Spirit dwelling and exerting Himself within the saint, giving a sense of the moral beauty of God and His works and the vile and hateful nature of sin. In legal humiliation, unbelievers may have an active conscience and sense their smallness before God, but lack the new heart and spiritual understanding that seeks to glorify God and obey His will from love for Him. Legally humbled unbelievers may be brought to see their helplessness and forced into humility, while the believer willingly denies self and yields to God from a humble delight in Him. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> “Evangelical humiliation is a sense that a Christian has of his own utter insufficiency, despicableness, and odiousness, with an answerable frame of heart.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nAnd, as “common knowledge” of biblical truth precedes spiritual understanding of the beauty of God’s holiness, God may use legal humiliation to produce and nurture true humility. Nonetheless, legal humiliation has no “true virtue” before God. People can be humbled without being truly humble. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nHumility Is an Essential Part of True Belief\r\nGod designed redemption to make us humble. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” Psalm 34:18. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise” Psalm 51:17. “Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly” Psalm 138:6. “Blessed <em>are</em> the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nHumility Is an Essential Part of Self-Denial\r\nEdwards identifies two elements of true self-denial: 1) the denial of worldly desires, things, and pleasures; and, 2) the denial of self-exaltation and our “dignity and glory.” Unbelievers more easily imitate the former, while the latter and more difficult of the two, the believer does in evangelical humiliation. “It is inexpressible…how strong a self-righteous, self-exalting disposition is naturally in man; and what he will not do and suffer to feed and gratify it: and what lengths have been gone in a seeming self-denial in other respects.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> History abounds with people abandoning worldly pleasures and riches, yet, “who were far from renouncing their own dignity and righteousness.” Rather than denying themselves for Christ, they merely “sold one lust to feed another.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nMoreover, “many that are full of expressions of their own vileness…expect to be looked upon as eminent and bright saints by others.” And woe to anyone who affirms the pretense. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> Indeed, “some who think themselves quite emptied of themselves, and are confident that they are abased in the dust, are full as they can hold with the glory of their own humility, and lifted up to heaven with a high opinion of their own abasement.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nPride in Religious Experience\r\nThe prideful thinks highly of his religious attainments and experiences as compared to others and considers himself a great saint. His unseen attitude says, “God, I thank thee that I am not as other men” (Luke 18:11), and, “I am holier than you” (Isaiah 65:5). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a>Of course, every experience of God’s grace is a marvelous thing, “indeed a thing great, yea, infinitely great, for God to bestow the least crumb of children’s bread on such dogs as we are in ourselves.” But, if by “great experience” one means “great compared with others’ experiences, or beyond what is ordinary,” the hidden meaning is, “I am an eminent saint” and have more grace than other saints. And, no less when the credit is given to God, as in Luke 18:11: “God, <em>I thank thee</em> that I am not as other men” [emphasis mine]. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nFor Edwards, truly eminent saints are “more likely to profess themselves to be least of all saints, and to think that every saint’s attainments and experiences are higher than his.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a>“Such is the nature of grace and of true spiritual light that they naturally dispose the saints in the present state to look upon their grace and goodness little, and their deformity great.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nSpiritual Knowledge Produces Humility\r\nWhile knowledge without love makes arrogant, true knowledge and love of the beauty of God’s holy excellence humbles the soul. For instance, the greater our view of God’s grace and glory, the smaller will appear our attainments and experiences. The more we know of “the infinite dignity of the person of Christ, and the boundless length and breadth and depth and height of the love of Christ to sinners,” the more we will see how much we should love Him and how far we fall short. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGiven what God has displayed to us “of his infinite glory, in His Word, and in His works; and particularly in the gospel of His Son,” then “how small indeed is the love of the most eminent saint on earth, in comparison of what these things jointly considered do require!” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup></a> To those saved by God’s infinite grace, “it appears exceedingly abominable to them that Christ should be loved so little, and thanked so little for His dying love. It is in their eyes hateful ingratitude.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nMoreover, the greater our view of God’s holiness, the greater will appear our sinfulness compared to our goodness, and the more ugly will appear our sin. The slightest offense appears “to outweigh all the beauty” of our highest holiness. And as “we are surely under greater obligation to love a more lovely being, than a less lovely,” and as God is infinitely beautiful and excellent, “our obligations to love Him are infinitely great,” so that “whatever is contrary to this love, has in it infinite iniquity, deformity, and unworthiness.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup></a> Spiritual knowledge, then, does not hide personal sinfulness, but exposes and highlights it by “that penetrating, all-searching light of God’s holiness and glory.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nAnd true spiritual understanding reveals our ignorance. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup></a> “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope for a fool than of him” (Proverbs 26:12). “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:21).\r\n\r\nThe Proud Man Exalts His Humility\r\nWe judge our humility by how we regard our status relative to others. The higher we view our self and the lower we view those we serve, the higher we view the humility of our service. For example, a slave thinks nothing of untying the shoe of a prince, but untying the shoe of a friend we consider a humble act. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote20\\&quot;\"><sup>[20]</sup></a> When we think we have performed a great act of humility, we claim, in effect, “This is great humility for me, for such an one as I that am so considerable and worthy.” Anything we do below our presumed status we call humility. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote21\\&quot;\"><sup>[21]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nIn contrast, “He that is truly and eminently humble never thinks his humility great. The cause why he should be abased appears so great, and the abasement of the frame of his heart so greatly short of it, that he takes much more notice of his pride than his humility.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote22\\&quot;\"><sup>[22]</sup></a>Moreover, false humility is showy and draws attention to itself, while true humility avoids the spotlight. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote23\\&quot;\"><sup>[23]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGod Hates Pride\r\nIn the end, God hates pride. “Him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer [tolerate]” (Psalm 101:5 KJV). “Six <em>things</em> doth the LORD hate: yea, seven <em>are</em> an abomination unto him: A proud look…” (Proverbs 6:16-17). God sees those who view themselves as holier than others as “a smoke in [His] nose, a fire that burneth all the day” (Isaiah 65:5). But, “To this <em>man</em> will I look, <em>even to him that is poor</em> and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Isaiah 66:2). Such is the heart that accompanies truly gracious religious affections.\r\n\r\nUp next: True religious affections accompany a “change of nature.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 237-9; Yale, 311-312.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 237; Yale, 311.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 238; Yale, 312.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 239; Yale, 312.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> See also Isaiah 66:1-2, Ezekiel 36: 26, 27, 31; Habakkuk 2:4, Micah 6:8, Matthew 18:3-4, Mark 10:15, Luke 7:37ff., Luke 18:9-14, Colossians 3:12.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 241; Yale, 315.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 241; Yale, 315.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 243; Yale, 317.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 245; Yale, 319.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 246; Yale, 320.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 247; Yale, 321.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 248; Yale, 322.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> BT, 249; Yale, 323.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 249-50; Yale, 324.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup> BT, 251; Yale, 325.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup> BT, 251-2; Yale, 325-6.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup> BT, 252; Yale, 326.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup> BT, 253; Yale, 327.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup> BT, 256; Yale, 330.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote20\\&quot;\"><sup>[20]</sup> BT, 258; Yale, 332.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote21\\&quot;\"><sup>[21]</sup> BT, 259; Yale, 332-3.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote22\\&quot;\"><sup>[22]</sup> BT, 260; Yale, 333.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote23\\&quot;\"><sup>[23]</sup> BT, 261-2; Yale, 335.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 21): Distinguishing Sign Six: True Humility Accompanies Gracious Affections','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign6-true-humility','','','2023-03-21 09:51:34','2023-03-21 09:51:34','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign6-true-humility/',0,'post','',0),(12768,1,'2017-12-13 21:16:54','2017-12-14 02:16:54','As with all of the previous distinguishing signs of a true work of God, sign seven consists of another effect of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer, imparting His character to the soul, and giving true spiritual understanding—He transforms our nature. Moreover, the sense that views, comprehends, and loves the beauty of God’s holiness remains forever, as do all of the effects that flow from this sense. Thus, by this divine work in salvation, the nature of the soul is changed forever.\r\n\r\nOnly God Can Change Our Nature\r\nAs we have seen, religious affections have many natural causes. Yet, natural things cannot alter the nature of soul and produce the gracious affections that accompany salvation. Affections may be elevated for a good many reasons, but only God can change our nature. God, alone, can give us a new heart. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Therefore, the religious affections generated by natural and temporary things, apart from saving faith in Christ, give no sure evidence of God’s saving work.\r\n\r\nMoreover, the non-saving acts of the Holy Spirit to convict the conscience or give unbelievers a greater view of God’s perfections, including His judgment against sin, do not change the soul. Unbelievers subject to these common works of the Spirit remain spiritually dead and blind to the beauty of the holiness God and divine things until the Spirit takes up residence in the heart. And when He does, He transforms us.\r\n\r\nGod Changes Our Nature in Salvation\r\nThe Holy Spirit indwells and changes our nature at the point of saving faith in Christ.\r\n<blockquote>Scripture representations of conversion do strongly imply and signify a change of nature: such as ‘being born again; becoming new creatures; rising from the dead; being renewed in the spirit of the mind, dying to sin, and living to righteousness; putting off the old man, and putting on the new man; a being ingrafted into a new stock; a having a divine seed implanted in the heart; a being made partakers of the divine nature,’ etc. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nGod Permanently Changes the Inclination of The Heart from Sin to Himself\r\nSalvation includes the new sense that sees and loves the beauty of God’s holiness and hates the ugliness of sin. The believer turns from a love of darkness to a heart of love that seeks the honor of God in thought, word, and deed.\r\n<blockquote>Conversion is a great and universal change of the man, turning him from sin to God. A man may be restrained from sin, before he is converted; but when he is converted, he is not only restrained from sin, his very heart and nature is turned from it unto holiness: so that thenceforward he becomes a holy person, and an enemy to sin. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nAnd the change is permanent. During the Awakening, some viewed the temporary nature of their experience as evidence of its divine origin. When the affections departed and they were “left wholly without any life or sense, or anything beyond what they had before,” they concluded the episode must have been from God.\r\n\r\nBut, regardless of the visions, imaginations, and Scripture texts that may have come to mind, or the extraordinary nature of one’s experience, testimony, and seemingly supernatural origin and intensity of religious affections, if the heart eventually returns to its previous love and pursuit of moral darkness, all are vain if the nature has not been permanently changed.\r\n<blockquote>If there be a very great alteration visible in a person for a while, if it be not abiding, but he afterwards returns…to be much as he used to be; it appears to be no change of nature, for nature is an abiding thing. A swine that is of a filthy nature may be washed, but the swinish nature remains; and a dove that is of a cleanly nature may be defiled, but its cleanly nature remains.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nAgain, at the moment of saving faith in Christ, the moment we are completely justified by the imputed righteousness of Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells us forever, giving a new nature, and producing in and though us His holy character.\r\n\r\nPerfection in Glory\r\nIn giving us the Holy Spirit, God gives us new life in Christ. But while the change in us is profound and lasting, sinless purity awaits in the life to come. “Conversion does not entirely root out the natural temper; those sins which a man by his natural constitution was most inclined to before his conversion, he may be most apt to fall into still.” Nonetheless, “conversion will make a great alteration even with respect to these sins. Though grace, while imperfect, does not root out an evil natural temper, yet it is of great power…to correct it.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGrowth in godliness continues until perfection in heaven. As we increase in the knowledge and love of God’s infinite excellence, we are transformed into Christ’s spiritual image as we diligently pursue Him (2 Corinthians 3:18). “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). Indeed, as Christ tells us: “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).\r\n\r\nUp next: True religious affections produce the demeanor of Christ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 267; Yale, 340.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 267; Yale, 340-1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 268; Yale, 341.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 22): Distinguishing Sign Seven: Gracious Affections Accompany a Change of Nature','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign7-change-of-nature','','','2023-03-21 09:51:26','2023-03-21 09:51:26','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign7-change-of-nature/',0,'post','',0),(12781,1,'2017-12-27 21:13:54','2017-12-28 02:13:54','In addition to giving a sense of the beauty of God’s holiness and all that flows from it, the indwelling Holy Spirit conforms us to the character of our Savior. True religious affections “naturally beget and promote such a spirit of love, meekness, quietness, forgiveness and mercy, as appeared in Christ.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe Christian Demeanor\r\nScripture says a great deal about the manner of a true believer. “Blessed <em>are</em> the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5-9). “Love is patient, love is kind, <em>and</em> is not jealous; love does not brag <em>and</em> is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong <em>suffered</em>” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NAS). “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23). “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also <em>do</em> ye” (Colossians 3:12-13). “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, <em>and</em> easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nLove, Meekness, Quietness, Forgiveness, and Mercy Characterized Christ\r\n“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29). \\\"Say to the daughter of Zion, \\\'Behold your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.\\\'\\\" (Matthew 21:5 NAS). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> And nowhere did Christ display His demeanor more clearly than in His willing and quiet submission to the cross.\r\n\r\nGod Seeks to Make Us Like Christ\r\n“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate <em>to be</em> conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” (1 Corinthians 15:49). “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, <em>even</em> as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). In Christ, we “have put on the new <em>man</em>, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10).\r\n\r\nChristians Reflect the Character of Christ\r\nWhile we remain imperfect this side of glory, “Christians who shine by reflecting the light of the Sun of Righteousness shine with the same sort of brightness, the same mild, sweet, and pleasant beams.” “A Christian spirit is Christ’s mark that he sets upon the souls of his people; His seal in their foreheads, bearing his image and superscription.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> “And in this respect the church is clothed with the sun, not only by being clothed with His imputed righteousness, but also by being adorned with his graces.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> United to Christ by faith, we possess the two-fold righteousness of Christ—His imputed righteousness by which we are justified, and His imparted righteousness by which the Holy Spirit produces Christ’s character within us.\r\n\r\n“The Spirit that descended on Christ when he was anointed of the Father, descended on him like a dove. The dove is a noted emblem of meekness, harmlessness, peace and love. But the same Spirit that descended on the Head of the church descends to the members.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6). But, “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9). In fact, the terms <em>meek</em> and <em>godly</em> are used as synonyms in contrast to the wicked. “The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground” (Psalm 147:6; see also 37:10-1). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGod honors the childlike humility of saving faith. “Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4). Christ so identifies humility with the manner of His saints that He calls us His “little children” (John 13:33).\r\n\r\nObjection: Spiritual Warfare Requires Strength and Boldness for Christ\r\nTrue, but what constitutes Christian strength and boldness?\r\n<blockquote>It is an exceeding diverse thing from a brutal fierceness, or the boldness of beasts of prey. True Christian fortitude consists in strength of mind, through grace, exerted in two things; in ruling and suppressing the evil and unruly passions and affections of the mind; and in steadfastly and freely exerting and following good affections and dispositions, without being hindered by sinful fear or the opposition of enemies. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nEdwards observed in a number of vigorous supporters of the Awakening that “the passions that are restrained and kept under, in the exercise of this Christian strength and fortitude, are those very passions that are vigorously and violently exerted in a false boldness for Christ.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a> “The strength of the good soldier of Jesus Christ appears in nothing more than in steadfastly maintaining the holy calm, meekness, sweetness, and benevolence of his mind, amidst all the storms, injuries, strange behaviour, and surprising acts and events of this evil and unreasonable world.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nChrist provides the supreme example of strength and boldness in His suffering at the hands of wicked and vicious enemies.\r\n<blockquote>How did He show His holy boldness and valour at that time? Not in the exercise of any fiery passions; not in fierce and violent speeches, vehemently declaiming against the intolerable wickedness of opposers, giving them their own in plain terms: but in not opening His mouth when afflicted and oppressed, in going as a lamb to the slaughter, and, as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, not opening his mouth; praying that the Father would forgive His cruel enemies because they knew not what they did; not shedding others’ blood, but with all-conquering patience and love shedding His own. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nIn contrast, much of what passes for Christian “boldness” may be nothing more than pride. Some may oppose and willingly bear the scorn of a wicked culture because their peers admire them for it. The spiritually prideful seek “distinction and singularity; and so oftentimes to set themselves at war with those that they call carnal, that they may be more highly exalted among their party.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a> Thus, “to maintain their interest in the love of godly men, they will suffer much.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nMoreover, true Christian boldness has the courage and humility to admit failure before enemies, showing “vastly greater evidence of holy boldness than resolutely and fiercely confronting opposers.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nObjection: Christians Should Have Zeal for Christ\r\nTrue, but Christian zeal is a “sweet” flame of “divine love or Christian charity, which is the sweetest and most benevolent thing that is, or can be, in the heart of man or angel.” Further, “nothing in a true Christian zeal…is contrary to that spirit of meekness, gentleness, and love, that spirit of a little child, a lamb and dove, that has been spoken of; but is entirely agreeable to it, and tends to promote it.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup></a> The same Holy Spirit that produces the amiable “fruits of the Spirit” produces godly zeal.\r\n\r\nForgiveness, Love, and Mercy Belong to the Character of Every Christian\r\nGod commands us to forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:12), even “seventy times seven” times (Matthew 18:21-22). “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).\r\n\r\nTrue believers love God and others. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me” (John 14:21). By this we not only follow Christ’s example, but give assurance to our heart and to others that we are indeed Christians. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him” (1 John 3:18-19). “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar” (1 John 4:20). “If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” (1 John 4:12-13). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nAnd, saints are merciful and generous (Psalm 37:21). “Blessed <em>are</em> the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, <em>and</em> to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). “But whoever has the world\\\'s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17 NAS). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nProper Evidence\r\nTo conclude, a tree is known by its fruit, and not by uncertain signs of an uncertain origin, such as testimonies of visions and extraordinary experiences.\r\n<blockquote>Ministers, and others, have no warrant from Christ to encourage persons that are of a contrary character and behaviour to think they are converted, because they tell a fair story of illuminations and discoveries. In so doing, they would set up their own wisdom against Christ’s, and judge against that rule by which Christ has declared all men should know his disciples. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nThe character of Christ displayed in us provides a more reliable evidence of true faith in Christ.\r\n\r\nNext up: Gracious affections “soften the heart.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 272; Yale, 344-5.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 272-3; Yale, 345-6.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 273-4; Yale, 346-7.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 274; Yale, 347.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 275; Yale, 347.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 275; Yale, 348.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 276; Yale, 349.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 277; Yale, 350.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 277-8; Yale, 350.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 278; Yale, 350.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 278-9; Yale, 351.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 279; Yale, 352.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> Shepard, <em>Parable of the Ten Virgins</em>, 285; quoted in BT, 280, footnote; Yale, 352, footnote 7.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 280; Yale, 352.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup> BT, 280; Yale, 352-3.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup> See also John 13:34-5, 15:17; 1 John 1:2:9-10, 3:14, 23; 4:12-13.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup> See also Psalm 37:26, 112:9; Proverbs 14:31, Jeremiah 22:16, Hosea 6:6.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup> BT, 284; Yale, 356.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 23): Distinguishing Sign Eight: Gracious Affections Produce a Christ-Like Demeanor','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign8-christ-like-demeanor','','','2023-03-21 09:51:20','2023-03-21 09:51:20','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign8-christ-like-demeanor/',0,'post','',0),(12795,1,'2018-01-03 21:27:42','2018-01-04 02:27:42','False affections, even those derived from a fear of God’s judgment for sin, ultimately harden the heart and dull the conscience, making them less sensitive to sin and its deserved condemnation. True affections have the opposite effect, increasing a fear and disgust of sin from a sense and love of the beauty of holiness. A fear of God that stops short of true saving faith, or a fear of God relieved from deceptive experiences masquerading as conversion, ultimately lead to greater sinfulness and an immunity to Scripture’s warnings against moral evil.\r\n\r\nNo Fear\r\nThe fear of eternal condemnation by a just and holy God may produce a great fear of sin and, for a time, an abundance of outward moral behavior. The fear of judgment restrains sin. But, the restraint disappears through the deception of a conversion apart from faith in Christ, from the mistaken belief that one has been saved forever by a great experience, such as a vision of Christ and texts of Scripture coming to mind. The fear of judgment against sin thus removed, the unbeliever becomes immune to Scripture’s admonitions against sin. Lacking the new sense that sees and loves the beauty of God’s holiness, and relieved of the fear of God’s condemnation for sin, the results are predictable—the deception of a false conversion eventually bears ugly fruit. The deceived unbeliever becomes\r\n<blockquote>less affected with their present and past sins, and less conscientious with respect to future sins, less moved with the warnings and cautions of God’s word or God’s chastisements in His providence, more careless of the frame of their hearts and the manner and tendency of their behaviour, less quick-sighted to discern what is sinful, less afraid of the appearance of evil, than they were while they were under legal awakenings and fears of hell. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nA Minister of Sin\r\nIn a perverse role reversal, the One who saves the believer from their sins becomes for the falsely converted a savior to allow unbelievers to sin all the more, an advocate to keep God at bay as they pursue their lusts. Even as they “make a great profession of love to God, and assurance of His favour, and great joy in tasting the sweetness of His love,” they “trust Christ to preserve to them the quiet enjoyment of their sins, and to be their shield to defend them from God’s displeasure.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThese men “crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4). True grace never leads to license. A false grace, or true grace assumed in a false conversion (lacking saving faith in Christ), including the false affections that flow from them, lead to worldliness and an apathetic, unholy life.\r\n\r\nThe Softening Effects of Gracious Affections\r\nA false conversion lacks the new nature and sense of the beauty of God’s holiness and therefore cannot see the hideous nature of sin. False believers may no longer fear hell, but they lack the childlike fear of displeasing God from a heart of true love for His infinite excellence and moral beauty. The believer, however, has become tender toward God, His commands, and others.\r\n\r\nEdwards likens the heart of the believer to that of a child, whose heart is compliant, sympathetic, easily moved to tears by the hurts of others, grieved by evil and miseries, and moved by goodness received. In the face of great adversaries, he knows his weakness and runs to his mother and father for safety, and is “suspicious of evil in places of danger, afraid in the dark, afraid when left alone, or far from home.” He looks up to superiors and desires to please them, fearing their disappointment and anger. So are God’s children toward others, the things of the world, and toward God as their loving Father. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nTrue grace, then, not only stimulates Christian joy and hope, <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> it improves the conscience and “makes it more able thoroughly to discern the sinfulness of that which is sinful, and to receive a greater conviction of the heinous and dreadful nature of sin.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> The false affections of a false conversion ultimately deaden sensitivity and concern for sin. Presuming God’s condemnation no longer applies, the unbelieving heart remains blind to the beauty of holiness, void of a true love of God for His holy excellence, blind to the ugliness of sin, and dead to a childlike desire please God, without the fear of dishonoring Him.\r\n\r\nObjection: We Should Be Bold in Prayer and Worship\r\nChrist purchased the believer’s privilege to boldly approach God in prayer and worship. Yet, the boldness of entering God’s holy presence stands in contrast to our previous alienation and separation from Him and never denies the need for reverence and humility. “No boldness in poor sinful worms of the dust, that have a right sight of God and themselves, will prompt them to approach to God with less fear and reverence than spotless and glorious angels in heaven, who cover their faces before his throne.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> “Gracious affections do not tend to make men bold, forward, noisy, and boisterous; but rather to speak trembling….It tends to clothe them with a kind of holy fear in all their behaviour towards God and man.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> Edwards has in mind some of the loud, ostentatious, and proud itinerant preachers of the Great Awakening.\r\n<blockquote>There is in some persons a most unsuitable and insufferable boldness, in their addresses to the great Jehovah, in an affectation of a holy boldness, and ostentation of eminent nearness and familiarity; the very thoughts of which would make them shrink into nothing, with horror and confusion, if they saw the distance that is between God and them. They are like the Pharisee, that boldly came up near in a confidence of his own eminency in holiness. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nEdwards never denies that true saints can freely approach God with the loving familiarity of a child to a father. But, even as God’s beloved children, we come to Him with the reverence He deserves. “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11).\r\n\r\nNext up: Gracious affections have a beautiful symmetry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 285; Yale, 358.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 286-7; Yale, 359.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 287-8; Yale, 360-1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 293; Yale, 364.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 290; Yale, 363.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 289; Yale, 361-2.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 288; Yale, 361.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 289-90; Yale, 362.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 24): Distinguishing Sign Nine: Gracious Affections Soften the Heart','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign9-gracious-affections-soften-heart','','','2023-03-21 09:47:32','2023-03-21 09:47:32','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign9-gracious-affections-soften-heart/',0,'post','',0),(12803,1,'2018-01-10 22:11:41','2018-01-11 03:11:41','Edwards begins the discussion of sign ten with the caveat that perfection awaits us in heaven, a truth that applies to every distinguishing sign. We have all carried into our new and transformed life in Christ a trainload of unholy baggage, including bad habits, wrong thinking, character weaknesses, etc. Nonetheless, the extraordinary change that comes with saving faith in Christ includes a harmonious balance of true religious affections. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nUniversal Change\r\nBelievers are recreated in the whole image of Christ, receiving every grace He purchased for us. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Therefore, those united to Christ by faith reflect “something of the same beautiful proportion in the image which is in the original,” as “there is a symmetry and beauty in all of God’s workmanship.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> “The natural body, which God hath made, consists of many members; and all are in a beautiful proportion. So it is in the new man, consisting of various graces and affections.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nProper and Balanced in Kind\r\nSome false believers have great confidence that God loves them supremely, but lack a proper reverence and fear of dishonoring Him by sin. In believers, however, joy and fear exist together with “godly sorrow and mourning for sin,” such as when Christ’s disciples discovered the empty tomb: “they departed quickly from the sepulcher, with fear and great joy” (Mat. 28:8). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> “Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4). A sense of the beauty of holiness laments the ugliness of sin.\r\n\r\nProper and Balanced in Their Objects\r\n<em>Toward God and people.</em> Affections give evidence of being false when they attend claims of great love to God and Christ without a love or desire for the good of other people. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20 NAS).\r\n\r\n<em>Toward friends and adversaries.</em> Some people only love those “that approve of them, love them and admire them,” but strongly reject and fight against those that do not. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> But, this comes natural to a child of Adam. “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same?” (Matt. 5:46 NAS).\r\n\r\n<em>Toward people near and far.</em> Some profess love and concern for friends, neighbors, and even believers they have never met, but neglect their God-given responsibility to love their own spouse and children. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> True affections maintain a better order and balance of priorities.\r\n\r\n<em>Toward physical and spiritual needs of people.</em> Some give generously to meet physical needs but neglect the greater needs of the soul. Others feign concern for the souls of people while ignoring physical needs because “a great show of love, pity, and distress for souls, costs them nothing.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Christ, however, ministered to spiritual and physical needs (the former being the most important), and calls us to do likewise.\r\n\r\nToward others and ourselves. Religious affections become suspect when people are more bothered by the apathy and character defects of other Christians than by their own faults and sins. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a> Godly zeal shows a proper concern and opposition to the ruling and destructive sins of others, but retains the priority of opposing their own. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nProper and Balanced in Religious “Attainments” and Priorities\r\nWhen people claim great spiritual achievements, but have yet to grasp the most basic elements of the Christian life, they fool themselves and others. For instance, if someone claims to be willing to suffer eternal damnation for God’s glory, yet refuses to endure the least inconvenience or loss to their worldly possessions or reputation, the assertion is meaningless. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nSimilarly, true religious affections desire and pursue the most vital spiritual concerns, while false affections neglect essentials and chase after things of less importance. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a> Moreover, some that are zealous and quick to proclaim their experiences show little interest in proper Christian priorities, such as “pouring out of the soul before God in secret, earnest prayer and praise to Him, and for more conformity to Him, and living more to His glory, etc.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nProper and Balanced in Steadfastness\r\nEcstatic affections for God that regularly give way to unspiritual worldliness and disinterest in God and spiritual things show themselves untrustworthy or false. For example, Israel praised God’s rescue at the Red Sea, but quickly yearned for Egypt and worshipped a golden cow. Truly gracious affections, however, are of a more consistent and steadfast nature. “For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit” (Jer. 17:8). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nProper and Balanced in Public and Private\r\nMany make a great show of love for God in the presence of others but have little “close meditation, secret prayer, and conversing with God, when alone and separated from all the world.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup></a> “The hypocrite (says Mr. Flavel) is not for the closet, but the synagogue…. It is not his meat and drink to retire from the clamour of the world, to enjoy God in secret.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup></a>\r\n<blockquote>The Lord is neglected secretly, yet honoured openly; because there is no wind in their chambers to blow their sails; and therefore there they stand still. Hence many men keep their profession when they lose their affection. They have by the one a name to live (and that is enough) though their hearts be dead. And hence so long as you love and commend them, so long they love you; but if not, they will forsake you. They were warm only by another’s fire, and hence, having no principle of life within, soon grow dead. This is the water that turns a Pharisee’s mill. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nDuring the height of the Awakening, people admired and gave a platform to those boasting of extraordinary religious experiences. But when the heat of the revival died down, and the honor given those claiming great experiences diminished or disappeared, the spiritual zeal of many grew cold as they turned their attention to worldly things. A true love for God, however, abides whether or not one is admired for it.\r\n\r\nNext up: “False affections rest satisfied in themselves.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 292; Yale, 365.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 292-3; Yale, 365.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 293; Yale, 366.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 294; Yale, 367-8.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 294; Yale, 368.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 295; Yale, 368.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 295; Yale, 369.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 296; Yale, 369-70.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 298; Yale, 371.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 297; Yale, 370.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> BT, 297; Yale, 370-1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 297; Yale, 371.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup> BT, 298-9; Yale, 372.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup> BT, 300; Yale, 374.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup> Flavel, Vol. V, 567; quoted in BT, 300, footnote; Yale, 374, footnote 4.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup> Shepard, <em>Parable of the Ten Virgins</em>, 285; quoted in BT, 300, footnote; Yale, 374, footnote 4.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 25): Distinguishing Sign Ten: Gracious Affections Have a Beautiful Symmetry','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign10-gracious-affections-have-beautiful-symmetry','','','2023-03-21 09:47:27','2023-03-21 09:47:27','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign10-gracious-affections-have-beautiful-symmetry/',0,'post','',0),(12827,1,'2018-01-17 20:34:14','2018-01-18 01:34:14','The believer’s new sense and love of the beauty of God’s holiness produces a desire for more love to God, more regret that we do not love Him more, greater grief over sin, and more longing for personal holiness. Indeed, the more we grow in Christ, the more we seek to grow in Christ. The true believer never rests satisfied in deliverance from condemnation with no further desire to grow in the love and knowledge of God. On the contrary, knowing something of God’s infinite excellence, we continually seek to know and love Him more. By contrast, “false affections rest satisfied in themselves.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThirsty\r\nSaints have been born again. And as “newborn babes” adopted into God’s family, we “desire the sincere milk of the word” that we might grow (1 Pet. 2:2). And as we develop and mature in Christ, our desire increases all the more. The greater our maturity and holiness, the greater will be our “spiritual appetite” for holiness, and the higher will be our “holy affections” toward God. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> With the Apostle Paul, we say,\r\n<blockquote>I do not regard myself as having laid hold of <em>it</em> yet; but one thing <em>I do</em>: forgetting what <em>lies</em> behind and reaching forward to what <em>lies</em> ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude (Phil. 3:13-15 NAS).</blockquote>\r\nGrowth in spiritual maturity neither removes or reduces the desire for spiritual growth, but nurtures and increases it. We have been given “but a taste” in this world, a down payment of our inheritance and the fullness of glory that awaits us in the next. God has “sealed us and gave <em>us</em> the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge” (2 Cor. 1:22 NAS). Having savored but a portion, we hunger for the entire feast. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nWhy Gracious Affections Increase Our Spiritual Appetite for God\r\nThe greater our holy affections toward God, the more we perceive the beauty of God’s holiness and how far we fall short. Greater grace gives greater sight of God’s excellence and a better view of our “imperfection and emptiness” by comparison. As a result, we desire to grow. Grace and faith cry, “Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). “The greater spiritual discoveries and affections that a true Christian has, the more does he become an earnest beggar for grace and spiritual food, that he may grow.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nObjection: Don’t Spiritual Blessings Satisfy the Soul?\r\nAt first glance, an ever-increasing appetite for God might seem contrary to the soul-satisfying nature of God’s spiritual blessings. But, relative to the things of the world, God’s spiritual blessings satisfy the deepest needs of the soul, whereas the things of the world do not.\r\n\r\nFirst, God has given us that which is “fully adapted to the nature, capacity, and need of the soul of man.” The solution matches the need, while the believer knows that seeking for true happiness elsewhere is futile. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nSecond, God’s spiritual blessings do not disappoint, but “fully answer and satisfy” the believer’s expectation of spiritual satisfaction, something the things of the world cannot do. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> Wayward quests for fulfillment apart from God leave us high and dry.\r\n\r\nThird, not only do the world’s delights fail to meet our spiritual needs, the shallow satisfaction they provide soon disappears. Like a good meal, pleasure recedes with each bite, while hunger returns in the morning. God’s spiritual blessings, however, last forever. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nAnd fourth, while we do not fully experience the joy of God’s blessings this side of glory, they remain sufficient to satisfy to an infinite degree and, someday, they will. God’s blessings are an “infinite ocean,” hindered only by our own limitations and imperfections. “If men be not satisfied here as to degree of happiness, the cause is with themselves; it is because they do not open their mouths wide enough.” We look forward to the day when our defects disappear forever and our happiness is full to overflowing. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nTherefore, God’s spiritual blessings satisfy the soul, but imperfectly in this life. “The more a man experiences and knows this excellent, unparalleled, exquisite, and satisfying sweetness, the more earnestly will he hunger and thirst for more, until he comes to perfection.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nThe Nature of False Religious Affections\r\nUnlike true affections, false affections rest satisfied in their supposed religious attainments. If an unbeliever seeks God’s grace to remove the fear of hell and God’s condemnation, and then feels joy by assuming the danger has been removed by trust in an experience or anything short of saving faith in Christ, seeking God will disappear. Once the reason to seek God has been satisfied in the mind of the unbeliever, no reason remains to continue seeking His grace.\r\n\r\nBelievers, however, persist. Not that we are insecure of our salvation, or continue seeking God to be saved. Rather, we know His infinite excellence and grace and seek for more. Thus, “Seeking God is spoken of as one of the distinguishing characters of the saints, and ‘Seekers after God’ is one of the names by which the godly are called in Scripture.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a> “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified” (Ps. 70:4). Not so with false affections.\r\n<blockquote>When false affections are raised very high, they put an end to longings after grace and holiness. The man now is far from appearing to himself a poor empty creature; on the contrary he is rich, and increased with goods, and hardly conceives of anything more excellent than what he has already attained to. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nDelivered from condemnation and guaranteed a heavenly home, what’s left to pursue? Lacking a true love of God’s infinite excellence and holy character, the unbeliever deceived into thinking he is right with God has no need to seek Him further.\r\n\r\nNonetheless, false affections may accompany an apparent seeking after God, such as the pursuit of temporal benefits. For example, during the Great Awakening, those testifying of extraordinary experiences were sometimes viewed as spiritually superior to others. Thus, some would continue “seeking God” and uncommon experiences to reinforce their elevated position as a spiritual leader and to maintain the approval of others. Such seeking, however, came not from a love of God’s holiness or a desire to be holy, but for blessings. One can love blessings without loving God. Some also sought greater experiences and “discoveries” that they might reinforce the false assurance built on them. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nThe new sense of the beauty of God’s holiness that captivates the believer’s heart drives an enduring pursuit after God. “The same sweetness that is the chief object of a spiritual taste, is also the chief object of a spiritual appetite.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a>\r\n<blockquote>Neither a longing after great discoveries or after great tastes of the love of God, nor a longing to be in heaven, nor a longing to die, are in any measure so distinguishing marks of trues saints as longing after a more holy heart, and after living a more holy life. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nOf course, believers long for all these things, but the desire for holiness more clearly displays a new heart that sees and loves the beauty of God’s holiness.\r\n\r\nNext up: Gracious affections produce Christian practice.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 303; Yale, 376-7.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 303, Yale, 377.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 304; Yale, 378.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 304-5; Yale, 378-9.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 305; Yale, 379.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 306; Yale, 381.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 306; Yale, 380.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 307; Yale, 382.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> BT, 308; Yale, 383.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 26): Distinguishing Sign Eleven: True Affections Desire Growth, False Affections Rest Satisfied','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign11-true-affections-desire-growth-false-affections-rest-satisfied','','','2023-03-21 09:47:22','2023-03-21 09:47:22','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign11-true-affections-desire-growth-false-affections-rest-satisfied/',0,'post','',0),(12839,1,'2018-01-24 21:34:16','2018-01-25 02:34:16','We come to the final sign of a true work of God in the heart of a believer, what Edwards considers “the chief of all the signs of grace”—Christian practice. As the net effect, or that which flows from the preceding eleven distinguishing signs, a holy life constitutes the best evidence of true faith in those professing faith in Christ, both outwardly to observers and inwardly to one’s own conscience. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Produce Obedience\r\nTrue Christians obey Scripture. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure,” and “we know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (1 John 3:3, 5:18). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nFor Edwards, Christian practice includes positive acts of obedience to God’s Word in service and charity, and the obedience of abstaining from wickedness and things contrary to the commands of God. Behavior fitting of the Gospel involves more than a life of moral respectability. It includes a\r\n<blockquote>serious, religious, devout, humble, meek, forgiving, peaceful, respectful, condescending, benevolent, merciful, charitable and beneficent walk and conversation. Without such things a these, he does not obey the laws of Christ, laws that He and His apostles did abundantly insist on as of the greatest importance and necessity. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nWhen Christ returns to judge the earth, He will separate the sheep from the goats according to the presence or absence of love displayed in good works toward Him. To the sheep, He will say, “I was hungry, and you gave Me <em>something</em> to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me,” for, “inasmuch as ye have done <em>it</em> unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done <em>it</em> unto me.” Bearing the marks of love to Christ, the sheep shall enter into eternal life, while goats lacking such love are banished “into everlasting punishment” (Matt. 25:35-6, 46 NAS).\r\n\r\nEdwards never advocates salvation by the good works of fallen sinners. On the contrary, the context of the Edwards’ argument here, and consistently throughout <em>Religious Affections</em>, presents <em>evidence</em> of a redeemed heart, the heart transformed by grace and saving faith in Christ. Christ, alone, met God’s just requirement of perfect obedience for eternal life. Christ, alone, met the standard of perfect righteousness and paid the required penalty for disobedience by bearing for us the weight of God’s wrath on the cross. Believers stand justified before God by the imputed righteousness of Christ, alone. At the same time, as Edwards argues throughout the treatise, the Spirit of God gives new life and produces Christian works in every justified believer.\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Produce Diligence\r\nService to Christ is no halfhearted enterprise in second or third place behind worldly pursuits. Christ stands as the believer’s greatest love and first priority. Indeed, He “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:13-14). Our diligence, then, increases assurance and hope. “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Heb. 6:11-12 NAS). True faith in Christ will “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). In Christ’s parable of the talents, the servants who used their master’s talents to produce more were rewarded, while the “unprofitable” servant who did nothing with his talent was thrown into “outer darkness” (Matt. 25:14-30). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Produce Perseverance\r\nA true zeal for obedience and Christian works endures. Many enthusiastic participants in the Great Awakening, however, lost an apparent love for God when the heat and excitement of the awakening died down and the social benefits of associating oneself with Christ dwindled. Some cut and ran after the next promising venture. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt. 24:12-13).\r\n\r\nEvery true believer echoes the cry of Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life” (John 6:68 NAS). Thus, every saint perseveres from a love to Christ, despite the opposition. “And ye shall be hated of all <em>men</em> for my name\\\'s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matt. 10:22). “If ye continue in my word, <em>then</em> are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31). “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). “Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God…. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end” (Heb. 3:12, 14 NAS).\r\n<blockquote>Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul (Heb. 10:35-39 NAS).</blockquote>\r\n“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father” (Rev. 2:26-27). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nQualification\r\nAll true believers stumble in many ways, sometimes badly. But, those justified and transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit will not fall into a continual dislike and disregard of serving Christ. Jesus remains the saint’s ultimate object of love and trust.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> Therefore, “let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Gal. 6:9-10 NAS).\r\n\r\nNext up: Why gracious affections produce Christian works.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 326-7; Yale, 406.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 309-10; Yale, 384-7.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 310; Yale, 386-7.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 310-12; Yale, 387-8.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 312-3; Yale, 388-9.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 313; Yale, 390.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 27): Distinguishing Sign Twelve: Gracious Affections Produce Christian Works (1)','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign12-christian-works','','','2023-03-21 09:47:18','2023-03-21 09:47:18','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign12-christian-works/',0,'post','',0),(12852,1,'2018-01-31 20:43:51','2018-02-01 01:43:51','In the previous article we saw that, despite failures and backsliding, true affection for Christ produces obedience to Scripture, diligence, and perseverance in love and service to Christ, even in the face of intense opposition. Edwards explains <em>why</em> by showing how the previous eleven signs of true religious affections generate Christian practice.\r\n\r\nThe Indwelling Holy Spirit Generates Gracious Affections\r\nTrue religious affections arise as “a communication of God, a participation of the divine nature, Christ living in the heart” as the Holy Spirit exerts His nature in the thoughts, affections, and actions of the saint. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Believers united to Christ through saving faith partake of the risen and living Savior who, by His resurrection power, gives life to the dead and exerts Himself as God to transform us. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power” (1 Cor. 4:20 NAS). “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake” (1 Thess. 1:5 NAS).\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Rest on the Infinite Excellence of God\r\nThe natural man pursues religion for its perks, but no further. He pursues Christian things so long as they further his personal objectives. But the saint’s service will not be so fickle, since its primary motive lies in the infinite and unchanging excellence of God. The benefits of salvation certainly enhance our love to God, but the beauty of His attributes form the chief basis of that love, the greatest blessing of all. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Rest on the Beauty of God’s Holiness\r\nThe moral excellence of God and His work form the ground of gracious affections, as the holiness of God forms the beauty of God’s attributes. “That which men love, they desire to have and to be united to, and possessed of. That beauty which men delight in, they desire to be adorned with. Those acts which men delight in, they necessarily incline to do.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> Indeed, “By the sight of the transcendent glory of Christ, true Christians see Him worthy to be followed, and so are powerfully drawn after Him.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Attend the Belief that Scripture Is True\r\nPeople lacking strong belief in God and the truthfulness of Scripture will never persevere in diligent service to Christ when things get tough. By contrast, those convinced of the truth, trustworthiness, and infinite value of Scripture and the Gospel obey their commands and understand that everything else is nothing by comparison. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Attend a Change of Nature\r\nPeople will never thoroughly change the essential character and pattern of their actions without a change of nature.\r\n<blockquote>Until the tree be made good, the fruit will not be good. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles. The swine may be washed and appear clean for a little while but yet, without a change of nature, he will still wallow in the mire. Nature is a more powerful principle of action than anything that opposes it: though is may be violently restrained for a while, it will finally overcome that which restrains it.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nA few leaders of the Great Awakening appeared diligent in the things of Christ for a time, but because their nature had not been changed, they abandoned His service when the Awakening subsided. In contrast, new and true life in Christ abides in Christ.\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Attend Christian Humility\r\n“A proud spirit is a rebellious spirit,” while humility serves others and willingly submits to God’s authority in Scripture. Obedience to God’s commands more readily flows from a humble heart than a proud one. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Attend a Sweet, Lamb-like Spirit\r\nThe spirit that characterized Christ’s ministry, most distinctly in His peaceful obedience to the Father unto death, promotes and displays in believers sweet and selfless acts of love toward others from love to Christ.\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Attend a Tender and Teachable Heart\r\nThe heart sensitive to the ugliness and pain of moral evil fears its terrible influence and effects and actively works to oppose it.\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Have a Beautiful Symmetry\r\n“Universal, constant, and persevering” Christian practice flows from true affections that are “universal and constant in all kinds of holy exercises, and towards all objects, and in all circumstances, and at all seasons, in a beautiful symmetry and proportion.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Truly gracious affections produce a more constant, consistent, and properly balanced Christian practice.\r\n\r\nGracious Affections Increase the Desire for God and Spiritual Things\r\nAs we have seen, the desire for greater love and knowledge of the infinite excellence of God motivates greater enthusiasm, interest, commitment, and perseverance in Christian activity and service.\r\n\r\nThus, all the signs Edwards identifies as evidence of a true work of the Holy Spirit in a believer promote Christian practice.\r\n\r\nNext up: More evidence that gracious affections produce Christian works.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 314-5; Yale, 392.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 315; Yale, 392.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 316; Yale, 393-4.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 317; Yale, 394.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 317; Yale, 395.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 317-8; Yale, 395.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 318; Yale, 395.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 318-9; Yale, 396.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 319; Yale, 396.</p>\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 28): Distinguishing Sign Twelve: Gracious Affections Produce Christian Works (2)','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign12-christian-works2','','','2023-03-21 09:47:14','2023-03-21 09:47:14','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign12-christian-works2/',0,'post','',0),(12866,1,'2018-02-07 20:58:14','2018-02-08 01:58:14','We come to the third section of Edwards’ treatment of Christian practice as evidence of true religious affections, of a true and saving work of the Holy Spirit in a believer. Not only does Edwards call this the “chief” evidence of God’s grace in the heart, he spends twenty percent of the entire treatise on how and why the Holy Spirit in believers produces Christian practice.\r\n\r\nA Heart to Love Christ Will Love Christ\r\n“Having a heart to forsake all for Christ, tends to actually forsaking all for Him, so far as there is occasion, and we have trial.” Similarly, “having a heart to deny ourselves for Christ tends to a denying ourselves indeed, when Christ and self-interest stand in competition.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> A new heart does new things; true love does acts of love.\r\n\r\nTrue Grace Is Active\r\nNew and divine life in the soul directly and necessarily produce Christian works. “Nothing in the universe…has a greater tendency to fruit. Godliness in the heart has as direct a relation to practice, as a fountain has to a stream, or as the luminous nature of the sun has to beams sent forth, or as life has to breathing.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Indeed, Christ saved us for this purpose. “All is calculated and framed, in this mighty and manifold change wrought in the soul, so as directly to tend to this end.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him” (Eph. 1:4 NAS). “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10 NAS). Christ “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14 NAS).\r\n\r\n“Everything in a true Christian is calculated to reach this end,” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> while God’s judgment rests on the fruitless: “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 3:10 NAS). Christ cursed the fig tree on which He expected to find figs and found none (Matt. 21:19). In His parable of the soils, the good soil yields a crop of “a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty” (Matt. 13:8 NAS). In concluding His parable of the Vine and Vinedresser, where barren branches are trimmed and thrown into the fire, Christ concludes: \\\"By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and <em>so</em> prove to be My disciples” (John 15:1-8 NAS). God’s grace in the heart produces fruit.\r\n\r\nProfessing believers are likewise warned in the Book of Hebrews: “Ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned” (Heb. 6:7-8 NAS).\r\n\r\nTrue Saints Perform True Christian Works\r\nUnbelievers may do many things that outwardly appear Christian, such as attending church for blessings, or seeking to live a moral life to avoid God’s judgment. Yet, mercenary Christians will not endure, especially in the face of severe trials or disgrace. “An unsanctified man may hide his sin, and may in many things, and for a season refrain from sin; but he will not be brought finally to renounce his sin, and give it a bill of divorce; sin is too dear to him.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nMoreover, the straight and narrow way involves the self-denial of “utterly denying and finally renouncing all ungodliness.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> The unbeliever that follows Christ for benefits but lacks the new sense that sees and loves the beauty of God’s holiness, will not wholly deny self. Pharaoh let God’s people go at the threat of annihilation, but revealed his wicked heart by sending his chariots after them to retrieve his cheap labor force. His actions were restrained for a while, but his heart remained unchanged. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nTrue Christian Practice Displays a True Christian Profession\r\nChrist, Himself, declares the supreme measure of a true profession of faith:\r\n<blockquote>You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn <em>bushes</em>, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits (Matt. 7:16-20 NAS).</blockquote>\r\nActions speak louder than words. A life of service and sacrifice for Christ’s honor and exaltation give greater evidence of love to Christ than testimonies of great and heartfelt experiences of God’s love when a changed life is absent. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a>\r\n<blockquote>Passing affections easily produce words; and words are cheap; and godliness is more easily feigned in words than in actions. Christian practice is a costly, laborious thing. The self-denial that is required of Christians, and the narrowness of the way that leads to life, does not consist in words, but in practice. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nTherefore, \\\"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16 NAS). And while we reject the pharisaical practice of good works to be seen and honored by others, a transformed heart is seen by a transformed life. \\\"He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him\\\" (John 14:21 NAS).\r\n\r\nCaveats\r\n<em>Christian truth must be believed.</em> With each of the twelve signs of a saving work of God in believers, Edwards presumes belief in the essentials of Christian doctrine. The good works of an atheist give no evidence of new life in Christ. An implied or explicit profession of basic Gospel truth is necessary, including (but not limited to) belief that Christ is Lord and Savior, that He satisfied the requirements of God’s justice by paying the penalty for our sins on the cross. True believers hate and “renounce all sin,” knowing they are sinful and deserve God’s wrath. As believers, we “embrace Christ as our only Saviour; and that we love Him above all, and are willing for His sake to forsake all, and that we do give up ourselves to be entirely and forever His, etc.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a> Believers embrace the Gospel and “profess that they rely on Christ’s righteousness only, and on His strength; and that they are devoted to Him, as their only Lord and Saviour, and that they rejoice in Him as their only righteousness and portion.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a>\r\n\r\n<em>The content of faith must be understood.</em> Those claiming faith in Christ must grasp the meaning and personal implication of what they profess. A rote or superficial repeating of “customary” and accepted language of Christian testimonies gives no evidence of a true profession of Christianity. Anyone can merely repeat what they have heard or been taught. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a>\r\n\r\n<em>The timing and exact steps of a personal experience of the new birth need not be understood.</em> For a profession of Christianity to be considered acceptable, you need not understand the exact timing and stages by which the Holy Spirit changed your heart and brought you to faith. During the Awakening, some insisted you must be able to give an accurate account of such steps in order to be received into fellowship as a Christian, disregarding the “vastly more important and essential” marks of true belief. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a> What counts is the results of what God has done in our heart, not the exact specifics of how He did it.\r\n\r\n<em>Christian practice goes beyond a moral life.</em> The absence of great character flaws and scandalous living do not constitute uniquely Christian works. By the common grace of God, many unbelievers live outwardly moral lives and, relative to others, appear as upright and excellent people. Christian practice, however, involves a life devoted to the service and obedience to God though Christ. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a>\r\n\r\n<em>No external appearances are infallible evidences of grace.</em> No one infallibly knows the heart of another. God, alone, knows perfectly the state of a professing believer’s soul, seeing what we cannot see and knowing what we cannot know. Moreover, “it is impossible certainly to determine how far a man may go in many external appearances and imitations of grace, from other principles.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup></a> As we have seen throughout the treatise, especially with respect to uncertain signs of grace, people “serve God” for a host of reasons that have nothing to do with a true love of God for who He is.\r\n\r\nNext up: More evidence that gracious affections produce Christian works.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 320; Yale, 397.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 320; Yale, 398.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 321; Yale, 398.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 321; Yale, 399.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 324; Yale, 404.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 326; Yale, 405.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 330-1; Yale, 330.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 332; Yale, 411.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 334; Yale, 413.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 335; Yale, 414.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 338; Yale, 417.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> BT, 339; Yale, 418.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 339-40; Yale, 418-20.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup> BT, 340-1; Yale, 420.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 29): Distinguishing Sign Twelve: Gracious Affections Produce Christian Works (3)','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign12-christian-works3','','','2023-03-21 09:45:46','2023-03-21 09:45:46','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign12-christian-works3/',0,'post','',0),(12881,1,'2018-02-14 21:07:33','2018-02-15 02:07:33','In our study of Edwards’ analysis of Christian practice, we now turn from how Christian works give evidence <em>to others</em> of a saving work of the Holy Spirit, to how the same works form the greatest evidence of saving faith <em>to our own conscience.</em>\r\n\r\nScripture and Assurance to Our Conscience\r\nThe Bible presents Christian works as “a distinguishing and sure evidence of grace” to the believer’s conscience. “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3 NAS). “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We shall know by this that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before Him” (1 John 3:18-19 NAS). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n<blockquote>For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end (Heb. 6:10-11 NAS). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nThe Heart Gives Evidence\r\nThe heart behind our actions provides the main evidence to our conscience that our faith is true. Our actions cannot be separated from the intent of our heart that produce them. Therefore, when God views our actions, “He looks at the practice of the soul; for the soul is the man in God’s sight.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> And when our works flow from a heart of love to God, the same love gives direct evidence to our soul that our faith is true. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> Our actions display the “exertion of grace in the will, directing and commanding the actions of the body.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> Thus, God judges our works by the heart behind them. “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds” (Jer. 17:10 NAS). “I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds” (Rev. 2:23 NAS).\r\n\r\nAction Reveals Preference\r\nThe nature of a heart is seen by its choices. “When a man is at liberty whether to walk or sit still, the proper proof of his having a heart to walk, is his walking. Godliness consists not in a heart which intends to do the will of God, but in a heart which does it.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> “It is therefore exceedingly absurd, and even ridiculous, for any to pretend that they have a good heart, while they live a wicked life.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a> God rebuked Israel for proclaiming their fidelity and intent to obey while they habitually ignored His commands. “I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. \\\'Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always” (Deut. 5:28-29 NAS)\r\n\r\nTrials Reveal the True Heart\r\n“Holy practice, under trials, is the highest evidence of the sincerity of professors to their own consciences.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> God does not test us to gain knowledge for Himself, but uses trials to show us the nature of our heart. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Like gold, we best know our faith once it has been clarified in God’s furnace. We know the strength of a building when it withstands the wind. We know true wheat from chaff by its winnowing, or the strength of a staff by the weight it can bear. To weigh ourselves rightly, “we must weigh ourselves in the scales that God makes use of to weigh us.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGrace Is Perfected in Practice\r\nThe perfection of a tree is not in the planting of the seed, its sprouting, growth, and the forming leaves and blossoms, but in producing fruit. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a> “If we would see the proper nature of anything whatsoever, and see it in its full distinction from other things, let us look upon it in the finishing of it.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup></a> In Abraham’s offering of Isaac, “faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected” (James 2:22 NAS). “The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected” (1 John 2:4-5 NAS). “No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:12 NAS). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nScripture Insists that Holy Practice Is the Chief Evidence\r\nHoly practice “is ten times more insisted on as a note of true piety throughout the Scripture, from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation, than anything else.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup></a> And love, expressed by action, tops the list. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup></a> “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14 NAS).\r\n\r\nScripture Insists that Holy Practice Is the Chief Evidence to Our Own Conscience\r\nJesus identifies obedience as the greatest sign of love to Him: “If you abide in My word, <em>then</em> you are truly disciples of Mine” (John 8:31 NAS). “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15 NAS). “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and <em>so</em> prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NAS). “You are My friends, if you do what I command you” (John 15:14 NAS).\r\n\r\nThe Spirit through John, says: “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar” (1 John 2:3-4 NAS). “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We shall know by this that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before Him” (1 John 3:18-19 NAS). “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:10 NAS).\r\n\r\nGod Will Judge Works to Reveal His Righteous Judgment to Every Conscience\r\nGod knows everything. Thus, in His judging the hearts of mankind, “in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Rom. 2:5 NAS), He will not seek information to form an opinion, but will reveal the righteousness of His judgment. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup></a> “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds” (Jer. 17:10 NAS). “And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man\\\'s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay <em>upon earth</em>” (1 Pet. 1:17 NAS). “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Rev. 22:12 NAS). <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nSummary\r\n“Christian practice is the most proper evidence of the gracious sincerity of professors, to themselves and others; and the chief of all the marks of grace, the sign of signs, and evidence of evidences, that which seals and crowns all other signs.” Indeed, the best evidence of a fig tree is it produces figs. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup></a> Edwards warns us to give biblical principles the attention and importance that Scripture gives to them.\r\n<blockquote>God knew which way of leading and guiding souls was safest and best for them: He insisted so much on some things, because He knew it to be needful that they should be insisted on; and let other things more alone as a wise God, because He knew it was not best for us so much to lay the weight of the trial there....And for us to make that great which the Scripture makes little, and that little which the Scripture makes great, tends to give us a monstrous idea of religion; and (at least indirectly and gradually) to lead us wholly away from the right rule, and from a right opinion of ourselves, and to establish delusion and hypocrisy. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 341; Yale, 420.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 341; Yale, 420-1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 344-345; Yale, 424.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 345; Yale, 424.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 346; Yale, 425.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 348; Yale, 427.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 348; Yale, 428.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 352-353; Yale, 432.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 352; Yale, 431.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 353; Yale, 432-433.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 355; Yale, 435.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote12\\&quot;\"><sup>[12]</sup> BT, 356; Yale, 436.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote13\\&quot;\"><sup>[13]</sup> See also 1 John 4:17-19.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote14\\&quot;\"><sup>[14]</sup> BT, 356; Yale, 436.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote15\\&quot;\"><sup>[15]</sup> BT, 357; Yale, 437.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote16\\&quot;\"><sup>[16]</sup> BT, 361; Yale, 441.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote17\\&quot;\"><sup>[17]</sup> See also Pr. 24:12, Jer. 32:18-19, Matt. 25:30-46, Rom. 2:5-13.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote18\\&quot;\"><sup>[18]</sup> BT, 363; Yale, 443.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote19\\&quot;\"><sup>[19]</sup> BT, 358; Yale, 438.</p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 30): Distinguishing Sign Twelve: Gracious Affections Produce Christian Works (4)','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign12-christian-works4','','','2023-03-21 09:45:42','2023-03-21 09:45:42','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign12-christian-works4/',0,'post','',0),(12896,1,'2018-02-21 20:54:19','2018-02-22 01:54:19','In the previous article we saw how Christian works provide the greatest evidence of saving faith to our own conscience. We turn now to see that holy practice “confirms and crowns all other signs of godliness,” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> that it forms the proper and best evidence of every grace the Holy Spirit gives to the believer in Christ. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nTrue and Saving Knowledge of God\r\nAs we have already seen, obedience to God gives evidence of a saving knowledge of God. “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4 NAS). Indeed, knowledge of God without love and honor to God brings God’s judgment (Rom. 1:18ff.)\r\n\r\nRepentance\r\nChristian works of obedience accompany and give evidence of true repentance, faith in Christ, and belief and embracing of the truth. Believers are to “bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matt. 3:8 NAS). In Paul’s appeal to King Agrippa, he recounts his call to Jews and Gentiles to “repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance” (Acts 26:20 NAS).\r\n\r\nSaving Faith and Belief of the Truth\r\nIn Romans 4, Abraham’s justification is by faith, alone, apart from human works. In James 2, Abraham’s faith is shown to be true. Edwards understood that salvation includes justification and new life, and that believers never have one without the other.\r\n\r\nChrist, alone, met the requirements of God’s justice for eternal life by His righteous obedience and death on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. Saving faith unites to Christ, in Whom we are justified by His righteousness imputed to us, and given new life by His righteousness imparted as the Holy Spirit indwells us and displays His nature in and through us. Only Christ’s <em>imputed</em> righteousness justifies; His <em>imparted</em> righteousness justifies no one, but shows the reality of justification by the works of new life.\r\n\r\nTrue faith, then, believes and lives the truth: “For I was very glad when brethren came and bore witness to your truth, <em>that is</em>, how you are walking in truth” (3 John 1:3 NAS).\r\n<blockquote>Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,’ and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone (James 2:21-24 NAS).</blockquote>\r\nAbraham’s best works were tainted and could never merit eternal life according to God’s standard of justice. Abraham’s faith, however, was justified as genuine by his works. Anyone can say, “I believe.” But, the faith that merely knows facts the way demons know God, does not unite to Christ for justification and new life. This “dead” faith lacks the ¬love for Christ’s holy character, trust in Christ for salvation, and obedience from love and gratitude.\r\n\r\nThe Will to Forsake All for Christ\r\nMany proclaim a heart to forsake all for Christ. But, like Matthew, a willing heart is seen by what it does. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> When called by Christ, “he left all, rose up, and followed him” (Luke 5:28).\r\n\r\nWhen the rich young ruler intimated to Christ his willingness to do whatever it takes to inherit eternal life, he displayed his true heart when “he went away grieved” when Christ told him to sell all, “for he was one who owned much property” (Matt. 19:22 NAS). Perhaps he could spare a few camels, a goat, or beachfront property on the Galilee shore, but he was unwilling to forsake all for Christ.\r\n\r\nTrust in Christ\r\nFurther, willingness to suffer for Christ reveals trust in Christ. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it” (Matt. 10:38-39 NAS). “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (2 Tim. 1:12 NAS).\r\n\r\nMoses, by faith, “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh\\\'s daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward (Heb. 11:24-26 NAS). The faithful of Hebrews 11 includes many who were tortured, mocked, imprisoned, and killed. “They went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (<em>men</em> of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground” (Heb. 11:37-38 NAS). They ventured all for the object of their faith and hope.\r\n\r\nLove to God and Man\r\nAs seen throughout <em>Religious Affections</em>, the love for the excellence of God’s perfections, perfections made lovely by the beauty of God’s holiness, forms the ultimate ground of all gracious or godly affections. A true love for God displays itself in our obedience, in acts of love for God and others.\r\n\r\nHumility and a True Fear of God\r\nHumility before God displays animates our actions toward God and others. “He hath shewed thee, O man, what <em>is</em> good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Mic. 6:8).\r\n\r\nGod praised Job for his reverent life. “For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:8 NAS). Though not without hiccups, Job “held fast his integrity,” despite his sufferings. And so should we, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil” (Prov. 3:7).\r\n\r\nTrue Thankfulness\r\nActs of gratitude display a heart of gratitude. “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?” (Ps. 116:12 NAS). “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High” (Ps. 50:14). “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; and to him who orders <em>his way aright</em> I shall show the salvation of God” (Ps. 50:23 NAS).\r\n\r\nGracious Longing and Hope\r\nHoly desires and hope “are not idle wishes,” but active in pursuing God. “O God, Thou art my God; I shall seek Thee earnestly; My soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee, in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Ps. 63:1 NAS). “And everyone who has this hope <em>fixed</em> on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3 NAS). “We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention <em>of you</em> in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:2-3 NAS).\r\n\r\nA Holy Joy\r\nThe heart that loves the beauty of God’s moral excellence pursues a life of holiness in obedience to God. “I have inherited Thy testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes forever, <em>even</em> to the end…. I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches” (Ps. 119:111-12, 14 NAS). Love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6 NAS).\r\n\r\nChristian Courage and Endurance\r\n“The trial of a good soldier is not in his chimney corner, but in the field of battle.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> Thus, the Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy to join him in suffering hardship “as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:3). The courage and endurance of soldiers in Christ’s service appear in action and perseverance.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nWhen people proclaim their great and wonderful experiences and extraordinary episodes of love and joy, “they are no further to be regarded than they have influence on their practice.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a> Talk is easy. Like Peter before Pentecost, anyone can proclaim their love, loyalty, and willingness to suffer and die for Christ. But, new life in Christ makes them a reality.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 364; Yale, 444.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 364-370; Yale, 444-449.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 366; Yale, 446.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 370; Yale, 449.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of </span><a style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;\" title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">, </span><a style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;\" title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">, </span><a style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;\" title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">, and </span><a style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;\" title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 31): Distinguishing Sign Twelve: Gracious Affections Produce Christian Works (5)','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign12-christian-works5','','','2023-03-21 09:45:37','2023-03-21 09:45:37','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign12-christian-works5/',0,'post','',0),(12911,1,'2018-02-28 19:53:52','2018-03-01 00:53:52','As we come to the last two articles in our study of <em>Religious Affections</em>, Edwards addresses two possible objections to the doctrine that Christian practice is the chief of all signs of saving grace. The first objection asserts that Christian works as the main sign of true religious affections contradicts Edwards’ emphasis throughout <em>Affections</em> that the greatest evidence of God’s saving work in a believer involves the inward experience of the heart. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nHeart and Practice Are Inseparable\r\nOn the one hand, those professing faith in Christ should “judge their state chiefly by their inward experience” because “spiritual experiences are the main evidences of true grace.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> But, this does not deny that Christian practice forms the chief evidence of grace in the heart. Rather, the godly motives behind our actions give evidence to our conscience of the Holy Spirit’s work in the soul.\r\n\r\nFor Edwards, conduct cannot be separated and distinguished from inward experience. Since our outward actions are directed by and determined by the will, they should be seen as “secondary” as “dependent” on “the acts of the soul.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a> And while some inward experiences involve no action, such as meditation on a passage of Scripture, every action involves the heart. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a> Thus, inward operations of the soul are no less heart-felt Christian experience because they generate outward action. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nHoly Practice and Knowing God\r\nThough Christianity is foremost a relationship of the heart between God and man, holy practice forms the most important and distinguishing part of this inward spiritual experience. “‘Did not your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; Then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?’ Declares the LORD” (Jer. 22:15-16 NAS). “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers” (Rom. 1:9). “For our proud confidence is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world” (2 Cor. 1:12 NAS). “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments” (1 John 5:3).\r\n<blockquote>But in all <em>things</em> approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left (2 Cor 6:4-7).</blockquote>\r\n“And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Col. 1:29-2:1 NAS). Inward love to God appears outwardly in our actions and pursuits.\r\n\r\nReligion of the Heart\r\nTrue Christian practice, then, involves the experience and the heart. Indeed, according to Edwards, religious activity apart from new life in Christ is “good for nothing,” while religious experience with no change in behavior is “worse than nothing.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a> True faith in Christ involves the affections, while the holy actions that flow from them display their holy nature. The strength of affections between two friends is best seen when they “carry them through fire and water for each other.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nTrials and the Witness of the Spirit\r\nThe Holy Spirit dwells in us as a “pledge,” giving inward witness that we are sons of God (2 Cor. 5:5 NAS). “This seal of the Spirit is the highest kind of evidence of the saints’ adoption that ever they obtain.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a> At the same time, the Spirit’s witness displays itself most visibly in our obedience under severe difficulties. The suffering church and “the full assurance and unspeakable joys of many of the martyrs” give abundant testimony “that Christ commonly gives, by His Spirit, the greatest and most joyful evidences to His saints of their sonship in those effectual exercises of grace under trials.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a> “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Pet. 4:14 NAS).\r\n<blockquote>For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with <em>Him</em> in order that we may also be glorified with <em>Him</em>. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom. 8:15-18 NAS).</blockquote>\r\n“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give <em>some</em> of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it” (Rev. 2:17 NAS)\r\n\r\nNext up: Do Christian works as the chief evidence of God’s grace in the heart contradict the doctrine of justification by grace through faith alone?\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 370-5; Yale, 450-5.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 370; Yale, 450.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> BT, 371; Yale, 450.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> BT, 371; Yale, 450-1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 371; Yale, 450.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 373; Yale, 452.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 373-4; Yale, 453.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 374; Yale, 454.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 374-5; Yale, 454.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 32): Distinguishing Sign Twelve: Gracious Affections Produce Christian Works (6)','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign12-christian-works6','','','2023-03-21 09:45:32','2023-03-21 09:45:32','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign12-christian-works6/',0,'post','',0),(12925,1,'2018-03-07 20:50:31','2018-03-08 01:50:31','We come to the last article in the series examining Edwards’ arguments in his classic treatise, <em>Religious Affections</em>, and a second possible objection to Christian practice as the chief sign of true religious affections: Does the principle of works as evidence of God’s grace in the heart contradict the doctrine of justification by grace through faith alone? Does it elevate works at the cost of “the glory of free grace”? <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nCause or Effect\r\nEdwards views the objection as “altogether without reason.” Scripture teaches that works as the <em>price</em> to purchase God’s favor negates the free grace of salvation, not works as the <em>evidence</em> of God’s favor. “Surely the beggar’s looking on the money he has in his hands, as a sign of the kindness of him who gave it to him, is in no respect inconsistent with the freeness of that kindness.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup></a> The Scriptural doctrine of justification by faith recognizes our works as unacceptable to God as payment for sin and unable to move God to give us eternal life, but never denies their importance as the fruit of God’s grace. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nNew life in Christ necessarily produces a changed life, but to claim that a necessary <em>result</em> of salvation must therefore be its <em>cause</em> is illogical and unbiblical. Christian works follow but never merit salvation—Christ alone satisfied the sinless perfection and penalty required by God’s justice for eternal life. Even faith does not justify as a meritorious work, but as that which unites us to Christ who earned salvation for us. God justifies the ungodly by the imputation of Christ’s perfect righteousness to those united to Him by faith. In Christ we have every benefit of His life, death, and resurrection. In Christ we have justification and new life. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nEvery Grace of God\r\nIf Christian practice as a vital sign of God’s grace denies salvation by free grace, then every fruit of God’s work in the heart denies salvation by free grace. For instance, love and loyalty to God; joy, humility, and the desire to exalt and give all glory to Christ, each give important evidence of new life.\r\n<blockquote>To make light of works because we are not justified by works, is the same thing in effect as to make light of all religion, all grace and holiness, yea, true evangelical holiness, and all gracious experience; for all is included, when the Scripture says, we are not justified by works; for by works in this case, is meant all our own righteousness, religion, or holiness, and every thing that is in us, all the good we do, and all the good which we are conscious of, all external acts, and all internal acts and exercises of grace, and all experiences, and all those holy and heavenly things wherein the life and power and the very essence of religion do consist, all those great things which Christ and His apostles mainly insisted on in their preaching, and endeavoured to promote, as of the greatest consequence in the hearts and lives of men, and all good dispositions, exercise and qualification of every kind whatsoever; and even faith itself, considered as part of our holiness. We are justified by none of these things; and if we were, we should, in a Scripture sense, be justified by works. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup></a></blockquote>\r\nYet, Scripture portrays these things as essential, as evidence of true faith and new life in Christ. Again, if good works cannot be an inevitable fruit of saving faith and a vital and necessary part of the Christian life without compromising justification by faith alone, then neither can any fruit of God saving and sanctifying us. Anything we have or do to merit the benefits of Christ’s saving work contradicts free grace—godly practice as the fruit and evidence of saving faith does not. Thus, Abraham’s works justified or gave evidence of his faith as true, even as he was justified by grace through faith alone. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nScripture’s Testimony\r\nScripture often speaks of holy practice and free grace in the same breath.\r\n<blockquote>Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless; Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. ‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool\\\' (Isa. 1:16-18 NAS).</blockquote>\r\n“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Rev 3:20-21 NAS). “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son” (Rev 21:6-7 NAS). “Blessed <em>are</em> they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14).\r\n\r\nFor Edwards, we should no more reject “works” as vital to the Christian life than we should reject “<em>holiness, godliness, grace</em>…and even <em>faith</em> itself.” To make any of these meritorious or a basis of our justification contradicts free grace, but all serve as evidence of God’s work in the heart. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGod’s Way Is the Right Way\r\nAs finite and fallible, we cannot see into the depths of another man’s soul, and our judgments cannot be fully trusted. Moreover, the natural and supernatural influences on human affections are so “innumerable and unsearchable” that “no philosophy or experience will ever be sufficient to guide us safely through this labyrinth and maze” without the direction God provides in Scripture. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup></a>\r\n\r\nGod knows everything. He knows every heart. He knows what is best for us, what allowances should be made for the differences between people, how natural affections can imitate and intermingle with grace, how our imagination influences our affections, and how our thoughts and imagination can mix with the Spirit’s work of illumination. Knowing another’s heart is a complex and messy business, and we are easily deceived. But God has given us the best rules to make sense of the confusion.\r\n\r\nWe create big problems when we de-emphasize or second-guess that which Scripture calls evidence of true faith in Christ, under the mistaken belief that stressing such things nullifies grace. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Wisdom examines others and ourselves by God’s standards, not our own. And God’s way brings blessing, including the conviction of deceived people professing Christ who have yet to truly know Him. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup></a> It promotes godly works over excessive boasting about our experiences, removing barriers to faith as we speak and demonstrate the truth of the Gospel, rather than hardening unbelief by hypocritical displays of talk without deeds. In this way, the light of Christ in believers “would so shine before men, that others, seeing their good works, would glorify their Father which is in heaven.” <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup></a> To Him be glory forever, Amen.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> BT, 375: Yale, 455.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote2\\&quot;\"><sup>[2]</sup> BT, 376; Yale, 455.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote3\\&quot;\"><sup>[3]</sup> Ibid.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote4\\&quot;\"><sup>[4]</sup> New life always accompanies justification, but new life never justifies. Justification of sinners is solely by the imputation of Christ’s perfect righteousness, the only righteousness that satisfies God’s unchanging justice and requirement for eternal life. For an in-depth exposition of Edwards’ understanding of the merit of Christ’s righteousness as the sole basis of salvation, see Biehl, <em>The Infinite Merit of Christ: The Glory of Christ’s Obedience in the Theology of Jonathan Edwards</em>.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote5\\&quot;\"><sup>[5]</sup> BT, 377; Yale, 456-7.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote6\\&quot;\"><sup>[6]</sup> BT, 378; Yale, 457. No contradiction exists between the reality of Abraham’s faith as displayed by the works it produced, as presented in James 2:18-26, and Abraham as justified before God by faith alone, apart from works, as explained in Romans 4. In any event, God does not contradict Himself, though our dim and limited perspective often hinders our understanding.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote7\\&quot;\"><sup>[7]</sup> BT, 380; Yale, 459.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote8\\&quot;\"><sup>[8]</sup> BT, 380-1; Yale, 459.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote9\\&quot;\"><sup>[9]</sup> BT, 380; Yale, 459.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote10\\&quot;\"><sup>[10]</sup> BT, 381; Yale, 460-1.</p>\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote11\\&quot;\"><sup>[11]</sup> BT, 382; Yale, 461. Cf. Matt. 5:16.</p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 33): Distinguishing Sign Twelve: Gracious Affections Produce Christian Works (7)','','publish','closed','closed','','distinguishing-sign12-christian-works7','','','2023-03-21 09:45:27','2023-03-21 09:45:27','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/distinguishing-sign12-christian-works7/',0,'post','',0),(12944,1,'2018-03-14 19:47:35','2018-03-15 00:47:35','An atheist and agnostic walk into a bakery and observe a large display of baked goods. The atheist says, “A baker does not exist, science and reason prove that a baker does not exist, and no amount of blind faith will make a baker exist.” The agnostic, munching on a cookie sample, says, “No one can know that a baker exists, and no evidence exists for one.”\r\n\r\nThey walk into a store and observe a display of smart phones. The atheist says, “No one designed these, and people who say their design implies a designer deny science and discourage the pursuit of knowledge.” The agnostic, playing a video game, says, “Perhaps a designer of phones exists, but I have never seen one and science cannot prove they exist.”\r\n\r\nThey walk into an art museum and observe a beautiful painting. The atheist says, “People who claim a skillful artist must have created this exquisite portrait are naive, unreasonable, and unscientific. Beautiful art does not imply an artist.” The agnostic says, “Perhaps an artist exists, but the majority of scientists don’t believe in one.”\r\n\r\nAbsurd, you say? Yes, even ridiculous, but infinitely less so than denials of God in the midst of the comprehensive, conspicuous, compelling, and convincing evidence of His power and genius in every created thing.\r\n<blockquote>The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:18-22 NAS).</blockquote>\r\nPeople reject the obvious when they dislike the implications. People believe the absurd when they despise the alternative. People bow their reason to their fallen desires when they refuse to bow the knee to the excellence and authority of the One to whom we owe all love, honor and obedience. And, people know better.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','People Know Better','','publish','closed','closed','','people-know-better','','','2023-03-21 09:43:19','2023-03-21 09:43:19','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/people-know-better/',0,'post','',0),(12958,1,'2018-03-21 18:22:34','2018-03-21 23:22:34','Imagine yourself sitting in the classroom on the first day of a biology course at a local college when the professor takes his place behind the podium and says, with an air of great authority, “I know everything about everything in the universe and beyond, including everything that could possibly exist.” Imagine again laughing with the other students at the professor’s sense of humor, encouraged at the prospect of an enjoyable semester. But, imagine further that the professor was dead serious, and when a fellow student raised his hand and challenged the claim, the professor responded with epithets of “flat-earther,” “backwards,” and “unscientific,” to name a few of the nicer labels. And to your surprise, the majority of the class agreed with the professor! Now, maybe you think this scenario makes for an interesting introduction but bears no resemblance to reality, that nothing like this takes place in or outside the hallowed halls of higher learning and objective inquiry. No human in their right mind would say such things, and no one in their right mind would buy the books of those who did. But, alas, many not only say it, many applaud their brilliance and give their hard-earned wages for their books.\r\n\r\nWho, then, says such things? Look no further than the shelves of your local bookstore and the countless videos and articles on the internet, not to mention text books and scholarly journals. The claim is implied in every assertion that God does not exist. “Design but no Designer,” goes the mantra. (Many avoid using the term “design” to describe reality given the obvious implications.) Yet, a mere mortal would need to know everything about everything in the universe and beyond, including every possibility, to know that God does not exist. (Of course, if God did not exist, we would not be here to discuss it, but I digress.) In other words, someone would need the omniscience of God to know that the omniscient God does not exist. (Interestingly, sin presumes the place and authority of God, but I digress again.)\r\n\r\nThe absurdity of the claim derives, in part, from our human limitations, an impediment to the infinite knowledge required to know that the God of Scripture does not exist, and one of many reasons no human argument can make the case. For instance, consider the argument that biblical miracles are impossible and thus the biblical God does not exist. But, to know that biblical miracles are impossible requires knowing that the infinite God of Scripture who created, orders, and sustains all things does not exist. And to know that the God who can easily perform such miracles does not exist requires complete knowledge of every possible thing.\r\n\r\nMoreover, to presume God does not exist to disprove biblical miracles in order to disprove God’s existence, assumes what the denial of biblical miracles is supposed to prove. To borrow a phrase of Edwards, this “is not strong arguing.” Additionally, who knows enough to say that nothing could ever have operated differently from how things operate today? Many <em>assume</em> it, but none can <em>know</em> it. Omniscience, once again, is needed. And why would people that claim the universe is founded on time and chance use arguments assuming a uniform and non-random universe? Are we really to believe that time and random chance produce constant and unchanging physical laws, and that science has proven it? Scientists have done no such thing. And, to claim eternally existing uniform laws not only contradicts a universe founded on time and chance, it ignores the question of where they came from and how they became organized and fixed in the first place, and constitutes nothing more than a wild, blind-faith guess, and that contrary to reality, logic, how everything we observe in the universe functions, and the observation, testing, and repeatability that science requires.\r\n\r\nIn the end, uniform physical laws only exist because God created, organized, and upholds the universe. Time and chance explain nothing of its design, order, and continuous operation, or the results of such uniform “laws.” Concerning miracles, the God who designed, created, and upholds the rules can bend, break, and organize them as He pleases, whenever He pleases, and for whatever purpose He pleases. As He orders and upholds every aspect of the universe at all times, He can do whatever He wants at a particular time and place, for a particular reason, in a manner we cannot comprehend. Hence, biblical miracles are quite reasonable. The best anyone denying biblical miracles can say is they have never seen one, affirming their own limitations and thereby affirming their inability to legitimately deny the existence of the God who performs them. And to imply, “the only things possible are things I have personally experienced” appears no more reasonable than the implied claim of omniscience.\r\n\r\nLastly, many of the same people that deny the possibility of the biblical miracles believe the entire universe, including life and everything in it, came from an explosion of compressed, non-living matter the size of a golf ball or pin head. The result somehow organized itself into everyone and everything. And Jonah in a whale is impossible? For some, it seems, anything is possible, except the God of Scripture. In fact, scientists spend millions of dollars looking for extra-terrestrials and are quick to see marks of their existence in space noise and rock formations on planets but see no evidence for God in the exquisite design and beauty of the immeasurable life forms on earth. The amazing design and order in all things, from atoms and molecules to the expanse of the cosmos, give abundant evidence for—nothing. We should not be surprised at this illogical and irrational double-standard, given that imaginary space aliens make no authoritative claims on our life or call us to repent of sin. And neither does a God conveniently defined out of existence, despite the obvious evidence to the contrary and the absurdity of the alternatives. God has clearly told us the truth of the matter, and that for our own good: “The fool has said in his heart, \\\"There is no God\\\" (Ps. 14:1 NAS). “Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20 NAS). Perhaps we should listen.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 1): Biblical Miracles','','publish','closed','closed','','human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part1-biblical-miracles','','','2023-03-21 09:43:14','2023-03-21 09:43:14','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part1-biblical-miracles/',0,'post','',0),(12972,1,'2018-03-28 20:05:35','2018-03-29 01:05:35','The first article in the series showed that God’s existence cannot be legitimately denied by arguing against the possibility of biblical miracles. The God of infinite power that created and sustains all things can easily change how He organizes aspects of His universe to perform a “miracle.” Thus, to know that biblical miracles are impossible first requires knowing that God does not exist which, itself, requires knowing everything about everything in the universe and beyond, including every possibility. Thus, the same omniscience to know that God does not exist is required to know that the biblical miracles are impossible. We turn now to see how human limitations make worthless any appeal to theological mysteries to deny the existence of God.\r\n\r\nReasonable Mysteries\r\nFinite and fallen people necessarily face great mysteries in the face of an infinite God. For example, Scripture clearly teaches that God is a Trinity and that the Christian faith stands or falls on this marvelous truth. Yet, mystery <em>must</em> remain. Since no finite human being can fully plumb the depths of God’s infinite being, our limited perspective cannot possibly know that the Trinity is impossible. A God no higher than what finite and fallen people can fully grasp is no God, and certainly not the infinite and incomprehensible God of Scripture. And, to what higher authority can one appeal to say that God cannot be greater or beyond what we can fully comprehend? “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isa. 55:8-9 NAS).\r\n\r\nThe same applies to moral evil in a universe created by a perfectly good, all-powerful, and all-knowing God. He has clearly told us that sin has its beginning and existence in the will of created beings who, freely and without external compulsion, choose to commit sin. Yet, mystery remains and should be expected. To claim something cannot exist or be true because I cannot fully understand it or reconcile it with my limited use of logic, presumes my own understanding to be the ultimate standard of what can and cannot be true in and beyond the universe. If we could understand everything, we would be God. The same applies to all such mysteries, such as attempts to logically reconcile God’s sovereignty and foreordination with human responsibility for sin. Ironically, even the most vehement atheists will admit to great mystery surrounding the beauty, order, and immensity of the universe, including all life within it, but conveniently reject mystery when arguing against the existence of the God who created and transcends it.\r\n\r\nA Proper and Humble Approach\r\nTrue wisdom, then, humbly accepts that our finite perspective does not constitute the ultimate standard of truth in the universe. Quite the contrary, apart from the truth of God’s Word, our interpretations will go astray. True wisdom understands that if we lack the ability to know what lies on the other side of a wall without having a look, we cannot know what’s on the other side of the universe. And if we struggle with understanding what we can see, hear, taste, touch, and smell, how can we speak with authority about that which lies beyond the three or four dimensions of our existence? No one by pointing to the known universe can say what an infinite God that transcends the universe can be or do. Atheists, then, cannot possibly know what they claim from their observation of the world, while their arguments based on theological difficulties do far more to affirm our profound limitations before God’s immensity than challenge the authority of Scripture or the existence of God. This elephant in the room should be acknowledged before responding to any claim of an atheist.\r\n\r\nWhile we have barely scratched the surface of what could be said concerning difficult truths, the proper approach to all theological mysteries begins by admitting our infinite smallness before God’s infinite greatness. Unsolvable mysteries surround a transcendent God and will always confront fallen and finite people. Indeed, difficult and seemingly “impossible” truths taught in Scripture reveal human limitations, not problems with God and Scripture.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<strong>© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><em>God the Reason</em></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><em>The Box</em></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></a></strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 2): Theological Mysteries and Difficulties','','publish','closed','closed','','human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part2-theological-mysteries-difficulties','','','2023-03-21 09:43:12','2023-03-21 09:43:12','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part2-theological-mysteries-difficulties/',0,'post','',0),(12986,1,'2018-04-04 19:00:30','2018-04-05 00:00:30','As we begin the third article in the series, a brief statement of its narrow but vital purpose will prove helpful. In speaking of the human limitations of atheists, the essential truth to grasp concerns the assumption underlying every argument against God’s existence—the adequacy of limited people to speak of transcendent realities. Or, the assumed ability of humans confined to five senses, three or four dimensions, living on a speck of the universe, to speak of things infinitely beyond them. From their insufficient vantage point, atheists presume to know what they cannot possibly know. Limited people are simply unqualified to deny the existence of an unlimited God. So, if you are looking for more details of specific atheistic arguments, consider the greater purpose here to highlight the basic assumption of atheists that, when shown to be unjustified, renders worthless every argument built on it.\r\n\r\nAtheists assume the ability to know and articulate that which requires knowledge of everything in the universe and beyond. Our extreme limitations in an immeasurable universe, let alone in the face of an infinite Spirit that transcends it, form an essential and relevant truth in any discussion of God’s existence. Understandably, atheists avoid discussing this at all costs. Nonetheless, we should examine the qualifications of people that deny God’s existence. Do they have sufficient knowledge? Do they have sufficient authority? For instance, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens are brilliant in their earthly fields of expertise, but are they more qualified than preschoolers to know what lies beyond the three or four dimensions of their existence?\r\n\r\nAdvanced expertise in philosophy and science may prove helpful, but most believers don’t have the time or need. And, how many great martyrs of the faith needed a Ph.D. to hold fast to Christ? (Of course, all believers should be students of the Bible and theology.) But, understanding the facade atheism presents as “reasonable” and “scientific” and how atheists call “facts” what they cannot possibly know strengthen our faith and can be learned easily. Intellectual challenges to our trust in Christ and Scripture lose their sting or dissipate like the morning mist when light exposes the blind-faith assumptions on which they rest.\r\n\r\nAnd as we multiply examples of how atheists assume the ability to know what they cannot possibly know, and as we learn to easily identify where and how this assumption operates, we will encounter the more important reality of God’s greatness. His infinite nature will be examined in more detail in a future series, but we will necessarily face the truth of His boundless majesty as we examine our limitations.\r\n\r\nMay we grow in our love and appreciation of God’s infinite excellence and our dependence on Him for all things, including knowledge of His person and works in Christ. And though we are nothing before Him, He so loved us that He sent His Son to purchase our eternal holiness and happiness, and did so at infinite cost to Himself, suffering infinite wrath on the cross to pay the infinite penalty for our sin. May God grant atheists His infinite gift of mercy and grace through saving faith in Christ, as He has so mercifully done for us. Now, “To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim. 1:17 NAS).\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 3): Blind-Faith Assumptions','','publish','closed','closed','','human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part3-blind-faith-assumptions','','','2023-03-21 09:43:09','2023-03-21 09:43:09','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part3-blind-faith-assumptions/',0,'post','',0),(13003,1,'2018-04-11 19:41:07','2018-04-12 00:41:07','In the previous article we highlighted the narrow but vital purpose of the series—to show that atheists assume for themselves the ability to know that which lies beyond their ability to know. Behind every argument against God’s existence lurks the unwarranted assumption of the adequacy of limited people to speak of transcendent realities. We turn now to examine yet another example of how atheists do this by a brief look at “naturalism.”\r\n\r\nNaturalism comes in many flavors, from the more absolute and dogmatic claims that nothing can possibly exist beyond matter in space and time, to agnostic versions that grant an unlikely possibility of the “supernatural,” an immaterial soul, and miracles, including the <em>possibility</em> of the God of Scripture, if such could be empirically verified. Thus, opinions vary as to what can legitimately be called “naturalism.” But one trait characterizes every version—all assume that limited people, from their tiny vantage point, can speak with authority about the ultimate nature of the universe and beyond.\r\n\r\nWe need not exhaustively understand every flavor of naturalism to see the inadequacy of the basic assumption behind them all. To keep it simple, we’ll briefly look at one example expressed by the evolutionist Richard Dawkins in his book, <em>The God Delusion</em>. <a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Dawkins claims that thought and emotions have a “natural” origin (as opposed to a supernatural or Divine) and defines the “philosophical naturalist” as denying the existence of anything beyond the “physical world,” including souls, God, and miracles. He admits that we have yet to understand many “natural” things, but “hopes” to eventually understand them as part of the “natural.” By the way, why would a “neutral” and “objective” scientist that claims to go where the facts lead him “hope” for such an outcome unless he was predisposed against the alternative? Perhaps his interpretations follow his predisposition? But, I digress.\r\n\r\nDawkins’ assumption of his own adequacy to speak of ultimate realities appears in every flavor of naturalism. Thus, the simple question applies to its every proponent—How do you know what you claim to know? Or, how can people that do not know the contents of their neighbor’s garage without having a look, who have never been beyond the three or four dimensions of their existence, possibly know that nothing can possibly exist beyond the matter that can be seen, heard, tasted, touched, and smelled by their limited senses? How can every possible reality be limited to what finite people can personally experience? What validates such an all-encompassing assumption? Can infinitesimally small human beings really define what is possible in and beyond an immeasurable universe? Just how big are we compared to the cosmos, let alone what lies beyond it? It appears that the same folks exclaiming the marvels, mysteries, and immensity of the universe, and their smallness by comparison, can assume their ultimacy in the same breath.\r\n\r\nAnd, on what possible ground can naturalism be considered reasonable or scientific? Faithful scientists may limit their conclusions to what they can observe, test, and repeat. But, what justifies the leap to assertions about all of possible reality, things that have never been demonstrated by the scientific method? Naturalism stands on assumptions that ultimately rest on the unscientific and blind-faith assumption that limited people, from their tiny vantage point, can speak with authority about the ultimate nature of the universe and beyond. Indeed, to know that “naturalism” is true requires knowledge of everything in the universe and beyond.\r\n\r\nThe agnostic naturalist may grant that a “god” could exist, that people might have immaterial souls, and that miracles might be possible, but will deny their existence without “tangible” proof. Yet, no one views a beautiful painting and requires tangible proof to accept the existence of its talented painter. Some things are self-evident, intuitively and immediately known, and ridiculous to deny. Yet, that which reflects infinitely more genius, design, complexity, and beauty gives no evidence of <em>its</em> Maker? It does, of course, and all people know that it does, even while they resort to unjustified and unscientific assumptions to deny it.\r\n\r\nIn the end, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory\\\" (Isa. 6:3 NAS). A glory so obvious that all people are “without excuse” for not giving God honor and thanks (Rom. 1:20-21). Yet, a glory suppressed in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18), from a love of darkness and hatred of the light (John 3:19), and a desire for independence from the ultimate authority of God (Ps. 2:3).\r\n<p id=\"\\&quot;footnote1\\&quot;\"><sup>[1]</sup> Richard Dawkins, <em>The God Delusion</em> (New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, Mariner Books Edition, 2008), 34-5.</p>\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 4): Naturalism','','publish','closed','closed','','human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part4-naturalism','','','2023-03-21 09:43:06','2023-03-21 09:43:06','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part4-naturalism/',0,'post','',0),(13021,1,'2018-04-18 20:23:38','2018-04-19 01:23:38','Naturalists, as do all atheists, reject the authority of God and Scripture and assume their own ability and authority to explain the nature of the universe and beyond, trusting their limited perspective as sufficient to explain ultimate realities. In the previous article we noted that naturalists claim that nothing exists except matter in space and time. Continuing our look at naturalism, we examine further why finite people, from their finite vantage point, cannot know that souls, angels, and God as Infinite Spirit do not exist.\r\n\r\nScripture clearly reveals the existence of the immaterial soul as the key element of human life, angels as spirits serving those who inherit eternal life, and God as the boundless Spirit that created and sustains everything. Each exist beyond the physical realm, possess none of its limitations, and cannot be measured. And like all things, angels and our souls depend on God as their designer, creator, and sustainer.\r\n\r\nWe know that angels and souls exist because God exists. Scripture reveals God’s infinite excellence and works, while His creation, His giving of good things, and our conscience display God’s existence and attributes. “That which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:19-20 NAS). “He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17 NAS). He has written His law on every heart (Rom. 2:14-15 NAS).\r\n\r\nAnd in the same way all people know that God exists, so we know the reality of the soul—by its effects. Created and sustained by God, we intuitively and immediately see the evidence, apart from complex logical or philosophical formulas. The soul appears in personality, in how we love, hate, reason, choose, create, and know good from evil, none of which are explicable or possible by mere time, chance, and matter. Like the existence of God, the reality of the soul is obvious.\r\n\r\nYet, naturalists deny this, and no argument will convince them otherwise until God opens their spiritual eyes and removes the prejudice against their debt to love and obey Him. But the question remains, how can someone limited by five senses, three or four dimensions, and limited reason (itself an evidence of the soul), possibly know that people have no spirit that gives life to the body and lives after death? Naturalists reason from the material to the immaterial and infer from the physical world that no spiritual world is possible. But, how does this follow? How does the nature of physical things make impossible things that lack and transcend physical properties? How can anyone know that reality must be limited to what they can taste, touch, see, hear and feel, or be limited to that which they can fully understand?\r\n\r\nLike a creature of the sea concluding from its limited experience that nothing exists beyond the realm of salt water, so the naturalist denies the existence of a realm beyond the “natural.” Denying the obvious, they draw conclusions from data that imply no such thing, like pointing to ice cream to deny the existence of quantum physics, or a lump of coal to deny the existence of Maine Coon cats. Children may lack the ability to understand things beyond their experience and capacity to know, but how greater looms human ignorance of the immeasurable universe and beyond. Of course, all things point to the power and genius of God as their creator and sustainer. But the atheist denies this obvious reality and attempts to draw conclusions from data that cannot support their claims. Given our profound human limitations, we cannot deny transcendent realities by pointing to material things. In the end, our meager experience and perspective reduce the best arguments against the existence of the soul to blind-faith guesses.\r\n\r\nThe same applies to angels. Some deny their reality by appealing to debunked accounts of ghosts and the paranormal. But these need not form the evidence for angels—the obvious existence of God and His testimony in Scripture suffice. Moreover, the question for every atheist applies here, how do you know what you claim to know? Angels have none of the properties of the material universe, how can a finite human being know they do not exist? How can anyone know that nothing exists beyond what they can see, touch, taste, hear, smell, or understand? Can we reasonably limit what is possible in and beyond the universe to what we can perceive or comprehend? Who can legitimately make their own understanding the standard of truth, or the measure of what is possible in and beyond the universe? To do so is neither reasonable nor scientific.\r\n\r\nAnd like denials of miracles, one must first know that God does not exist to know that angels and souls do not exist. And one must know everything in the universe and beyond, including every possibility, to know that God does not exist. Even so, our ability to think and reason about such things gives evidence of the existence of both God and our soul. Created in His image (though marred by sin), we display aspects of His power and genius.\r\n\r\nMuch more could be said, but the intent of the series is not to prove the existence of spiritual realities—the self-authenticating and divine nature of Scripture suffices for that. The narrow purpose highlights the blind-faith and unjustified assumption underlying every denial of God’s existence and works—the adequacy of limited people to explain transcendent realities. Rejecting God’s clear revelation in Scripture, creation, and their own conscience, they assume for themselves the ability to know what they cannot know.\r\n\r\nThus, the question remains for the naturalist, as for every atheist, how do they know what they claim to know? On a good day, mere mortals can remember where they put the car keys. Nonetheless, we cannot know the contents of our neighbor’s garage without having a look or the neighbor telling us. Denying God’s explanation, what qualifies mere specks in the universe to speak with authority about transcendent things? Regardless of the size of their books, the length and number of their scientific and logical formulas, or the number of people supporting their claims (none of which could exist apart from God), no argument can show that souls, angels, or God Himself do not exist. As it is, they use their God-given abilities to deny their own special status as created in God’s image, reject their would-be servants that God created to “render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation” (Heb. 1:14 NAS), and insult the Infinite Spirit that designed, created, and sustains them that they might know and love Him in happiness forever. Christ paid an infinite price for sin that they might enjoy such a gift. May God grant them grace and mercy to accept it.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 5): Naturalism (Continued)','','publish','closed','closed','','human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part5-naturalism2','','','2023-03-21 09:40:05','2023-03-21 09:40:05','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part5-naturalism2/',0,'post','',0),(13032,1,'2018-04-25 20:33:45','2018-04-26 01:33:45','Atheists often recite the mantra that their denial of God’s existence stands on reason and science while belief in God stands on faith. The claim, of course is pure fiction. All people use reason and all people have faith in an ultimate authority, though the object of faith may differ. But problems with the claim run deeper, with an irony we would do well to appreciate. Defining faith as blind, the apologists of atheism believe they call people from fairy tales to the enlightened conclusions of science and reason. But underlying the “rational and scientific” façade lurks a well-disguised plea—a call to faith in the perspective and opinion of fallen and finite people. The evangelist of atheism says, in effect, “entrust your meaning, purpose, life, and the ultimate destiny of your soul to my personal opinion.” In short, “have faith in me.” The debate between atheists and Christians has nothing to do with faith versus reason and science (every scientific discovery is consistent with the Christian worldview). Rather, it concerns faith in the God who created everything, knows everything, and has explained everything to us in Scripture, versus faith in the perspective and opinions of people who do not know the contents of their neighbor’s garage without having a look.\r\n\r\nA Tall Story and Calling\r\nAs we have seen, atheists assume for themselves the ability and authority to know and explain ultimate realities that they cannot possibly know. They presume their own sufficiency to tell others the source, meaning, and purpose of life, including the destiny of the soul. Naturalists, of course, deny the soul’s existence, a belief they cannot know as true. Yet, they invite you to trust their opinions, including no life after death, no judgment of their works, and no heaven or hell.\r\n\r\nThey ask you to reject Christ, the only possibility of an eternal, holy, and happy life of meaning and purpose, and exchange Him for the speculations of limited and fallen people. They invite you to deny the obvious, to treat with contempt the One who created us in His image, has given us every good thing, including the ability to reason and discuss such things, and has paid an infinite price of infinite suffering to Himself that we might have forgiveness of sins and new life. They ask you to discard the knowledge of your God-given purpose, meaning, and destiny of immeasurable joy in heaven as God’s royal children in exchange for a few years to do what you want without accountability, without hope or purpose as an accident of time and chance destined for nothing, even as they ask you to trust them that you will not end up in hell for it.\r\n\r\nAtheists propose a tall story with serious consequences. And who would dare assume responsibility for the eternal destiny of others and direct them entrust their souls to such blind-faith and unwarranted opinions? Who would write books to influence millions without a certainty that their opinions are absolutely true and not leading people to a horrible fate? Their boldness is frightening and only outdone by their inability to know what they so confidently assert and ask others to embrace. By denying God’s existence they have assumed His place.\r\n\r\nA Gamble\r\nWhatever you may think of Pascal’s “Wager” as an encouragement to pursue God, one should consider the eternal consequences of the Christian versus the atheist being wrong about heaven and hell. The contrast is stark. Eternity is forever. Yet, atheists cannot possibly know that hell does not exist and they will not bail you out should they be wrong. Beer commercials notwithstanding, there are no parties in this horrible place. Why would anyone risk even a 1% chance of spending eternity there? Yet, the unreasonable deception of sin risks eternal condemnation for a few years of bread that never satisfies (Isa. 55:2), incurring the guilt of inviting others to follow this disastrous course. And as for the here and now, ask any believer if their life is better or worse since they have been born again, even with its hardships and the scorn of the world. True believers know the infinite value of Christ as compared to the temporary and shallow allurements of the world. Why, then, should anyone trust the untrustworthy prophets of nothing and despair?\r\n\r\nBe Encouraged and Be Warned\r\nTo the believer, God remains infinitely excellent and worthy of your life and worship, while the inability of atheists to know what they claim to know will boost your faith in Christ and Scripture. To the unbeliever, please reflect upon the ability of your object of faith to meet your needs and deliver on its promises, implied or otherwise. Please consider that appeals to reason and science to deny God are neither reasonable nor scientific but attempts to justify unbelief and avoid the One to whom we owe all things. Deep down all people know God exists and that He deserves our love, trust, and gratitude (Rom. 1:18ff.). And consider that those writing thick books denying the truth of Scripture, who ask you to trust their siren song concerning God and all things, cannot possibly know what they ask you to believe.\r\n\r\nAnd know that “the Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9 NAS), that He “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1-4 NAS). And while people find comfort in numbers, book sales and popularity provide an untrustworthy barometer of truth or virtue, especially today. “The gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Matt. 7:14 NAS). As for the supposed earthly benefits of presuming one’s independence from God, “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37 NAS). And disinterest displays contempt for the One who gave us life and every good thing, to whom we owe all things. Christ suffered infinite wrath on His soul to pay the penalty for our rebellion and contempt, and he did so from an overflowing love for the unlovable. Imagine the ingratitude of ignoring such a gift.\r\n\r\nHave Faith in Christ\r\nThus, along with the saints and the Apostles, “We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin <em>to be</em> sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:20-21 NAS). May God give you grace to trust Christ, who alone gives eternal life and meets your every need, to whom belongs all glory and honor forever, Amen.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 6): \\\"Have Faith in Me\\\"','','publish','closed','closed','','human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part6-have-faith-in-me','','','2023-03-21 09:39:59','2023-03-21 09:39:59','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part6-have-faith-in-me/',0,'post','',0),(13058,1,'2018-05-02 18:51:55','2018-05-02 23:51:55','The previous article highlighted the myth of “science and reason versus faith” and the irony that atheists call people from trust in God to trust in the atheist’s opinion. They say, in effect, “have faith in me.” But like the rest of us, they are finite and fallible. And apart from God’s revelation, no atheist can know what they assert about God and ultimate realities. One such claim denies that God created the heavens and the earth from nothing. To this we again pose the question: how do atheists know what they claim to know? Or, to the present purpose, how can the atheist know that God did not speak the heavens and earth into existence?\r\n\r\nNo Neutrality\r\nTo begin, no one views the universe with neutral objectivity. Everyone interprets the world according to assumptions (presuppositions) about the nature of God, reality, mankind, knowledge, truth, authority, and ethics. These assumptions form a person’s worldview, the lens through which they see and interpret all things. Those who assume the existence of the God of Scripture see His fingerprints everywhere as the design, order, and beauty of life and the universe reflect His power and genius. Atheists view the same design, order, and beauty as an accident of time and chance. Believers consider all things as impossible without God, while atheists see them as possible without God.\r\n\r\nUltimate Authority and Object of Faith\r\nWhose assumptions (presuppositions), then, are reasonable, justifiable, and consistent with the design, order, and beauty of life and the universe? And in what authority or object of faith does one trust to form these assumptions? The believer trusts God and Scripture, while the unbeliever trusts his or her own perspective and opinion. Science, per se, does not speak with authority, <em>scientists</em> do. Finite and fallible, scientists interpret things according to their worldview. Thus, appeals to science as an authority are actually appeals to scientists that agree with a particular view. No scientist, however, can speak with authority concerning transcendent realities beyond the reach of the scientific method. And no one, scientist or otherwise, views the world with neutral objectivity when it points to God and our debt to love and obey Him.\r\n\r\nLimits\r\nAs we have seen, to know that God does not exist requires knowledge of everything in the universe and beyond. And, if one cannot know that the biblical God of infinite power does not exist, one cannot possibly know that He did not speak the universe into existence. A person of five senses, limited intellect, and the constraints of three or four dimensions cannot possibly know what a Spirit of infinite power can or cannot do. Apart from God’s revelation, we can only guess. But guesswork is not science.\r\n\r\nBlind faith accepts the notion that a big explosion and chance created the design and order of the universe, including the complexity of life and the necessary systems to support it. The scientific method, however, cannot demonstrate it. On the contrary, it remains intuitively obvious that design requires a designer while chaos produces nothing but chaos. And no scientific discovery points to a world older than the Scriptural account of approximately six thousand years unless viewed in a manner consistent with evolutionary principles that require millions and billions of years. And if atheists cannot know that the infinite God of the universe does not exist, they cannot know that He did not create the universe in six days, with light from distant stars already visible, etc., etc. God is not constrained by that which He created and sustains.\r\n\r\nLudicrous\r\nAll things reflect the biblical account when viewed according to the obvious existence of the infinite God of Scripture. And no scientific evidence nullifies the biblical account apart from unbiblical assumptions that neither the scientific method nor the nature of reality can support. One might claim, according to evolutionary assumptions, that an exquisite painting came from an explosion in a paint factory, but never has this happened and the nature of reality cannot support such a hypothesis. Even the most zealous atheist would view such an explanation as ludicrous.\r\n\r\nHow, then, can finite and fallible people know that God did not create everything from nothing in six days? They can’t. We do well to remember God’s rebuke of Job:\r\n<blockquote>Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell <em>Me</em>, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements, since you know? Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:2-7 NAS).</blockquote>\r\nConclusion\r\nReams of excellent scholarship concerning the age of the earth can be studied to great benefit. But fundamental to this and any related discussion remains the question: how do atheists know what they claim to know? And are the assumptions behind their interpretations of scientific discoveries (such as chance and the evolutionary process), justified, reasonable, and consistent with the nature of reality, or demonstrable by the scientific method? The limited perspective and understanding of atheists cannot justify their claims.\r\n\r\nFor the believer, infinitely more obvious than the brilliance behind a beautiful painting stands the genius behind all things. God’s power and infinite excellence are so “clearly seen” and “understood” by His works that all people “know” Him and are “without excuse” (Rom. 1:18ff.). Indeed, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Ps. 19:1 NAS). Behind every unbiblical explanation of our origins lies a dislike of the truth that God created and owns everything, apart from whom we have nothing; that His authority is ultimate, that life and every good gift comes from Him, and that we owe Him all love, honor, and gratitude, forever. Here we find the reason people believe unscientific and impossible explanations of the origin of life and the universe—they dislike the obvious alternative.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 7): Creation','','publish','closed','closed','','human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part7-creation','','','2023-03-21 09:39:25','2023-03-21 09:39:25','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part7-creation/',0,'post','',0),(13078,1,'2018-05-09 19:37:37','2018-05-10 00:37:37','Atheists sometimes describe terrible diseases by which children suffer and die and declare that they would never believe in a God that would allow such things. Most of us have struggled with pain and evil and the profound issues they raise, while countless books wrestle with the pastoral, theological, and philosophical concerns. This short article, then, barely scratches the surface. Nonetheless, it answers a critical question that applies to this objection, and by extension to all objections against God’s existence: Can anyone know that God cannot exist because pain and evil exist? (The question of how <em>moral</em> evil came to be in a world created by a perfectly good, infinitely powerful, and all-knowing God will be addressed in a separate article.)\r\n\r\nParadise Ruined\r\nLife hurts. The pain of losing loved ones can bring the strongest among us to despair, while the history and scope of atrocities committed for ambition and power are staggering. Scripture blames the free choice of created beings for sin, bringing separation from God, spiritual darkness, and the curse of natural evil, including sickness, natural disasters, and death. “All have sinned” (Rom. 3:23), and all enter the world with Adam’s guilt and sinful bent, “original sin” (Rom. 5:12ff.). Rebellion against God has spoiled paradise, the same rebellion that denies God’s existence.\r\n\r\nGod can do what He pleases with what He created and sustains. He owes us nothing, every good we enjoy comes from His gracious hand, and we owe Him everything. “Who are you, O man, who answers back to God?” (Rom. 9:20 NAS). God is also good, wise, overflowing with lovingkindness, and righteous. He neither rewards wickedness nor punishes innocence. Yet, many have suffered under the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and religious terrorists. Moreover, babies yet to utter a bad word die in their parent’s arms, while others never leave the womb alive by meeting the scalpel of one sworn to do no harm. (Ironically, many that point to evil to deny God’s existence choose to make a virtue of killing the unborn.)\r\n\r\nInsufficient Knowledge\r\nWe have seen the atheists’ inability to know and explain transcendent realities, that human limitations reduce their basic claims to speculations and blind-faith in a presumed ability to know what they cannot possibly know. Atheists would need infinite knowledge to know that the infinite God does not exist, that the Bible miracles are impossible, that nothing exists beyond what we experience with our senses, and that God did not speak all things into existence in six days. And though people choose to <em>believe</em> that God does not exist from the existence of moral and natural evil, can they <em>know</em> it?\r\n\r\nTo know that the existence of pain and evil deny the existence of God, one would need to know that we do not exist forever after death; that temporary suffering cannot have an eternal purpose that we do not presently understand; that God will not ultimately execute justice and evil people will never get their just deserts; that no rewards and punishments will be given in the next life that compensate for what people do or suffer in this life; that evil will never be remedied and destroyed; that mankind is not responsible for moral evil and the curse that brought natural calamities; that God cannot righteously judge and curse the world because of sin; that God is unjust and mankind deserves better; and that God’s Word is false and does not explain all we need to know about pain and evil. The finite and fallen atheist cannot possibly know these things, and Scripture says none of them are true. None can possibly know that God does not exist from the presence of moral and natural evil in the world.\r\n\r\nSinful and Unreasonable Presumption\r\nGod identifies the heart of this unbelieving argument in His response to Job’s challenge to His righteousness: “Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?” (Job 40:8 NAS). So, before we criticize God, maybe we should consider Job’s response, “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to Thee? I lay my hand on my mouth” (Job 40:4 NAS). Created, dependent, and fallen people cannot judge or make claims on a perfect God.\r\n\r\nGod’s existence does not depend on our limited perspective and understanding, His ways are infinitely higher than ours (Isa. 55:9), in history and personal circumstances. To reject God’s existence because we do not understand something makes our limited understanding the standard of what can exist or be true, an unreasonable notion. Ultimate reality cannot be determined by the limited perspective and knowledge of people who <em>still</em> do not know the contents of their neighbor’s garage without having a look, who have never been beyond the three to four dimensions of their existence or been to the other side of the universe. Dismissing an infinite and holy God because we do not understand the existence of pain and evil is foolish. As it is, Scripture tells us all we need to know about it.\r\n\r\nGod Is Good\r\nGod has displayed His goodness in “satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Act 14:17 NAS). He “causes His sun to rise on <em>the</em> evil and <em>the</em> good and sends rain on <em>the</em> righteous and <em>the</em> unrighteous” (Matt. 5:45 NAS) and has made His power and glory known to all by what He has made (Rom. 1:18ff.). And greatest of all, God has displayed His infinite excellence and moral perfection in the person and saving work of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Evil exists, but God has remedied it and will ultimately dispose of it, while “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18 NAS). Rather than encouraging the terrible evil of the world by denying the ultimate judgment of it, and by insulting the One to whom we owe all love, honor, and obedience, and leading others to do the same to face an eternity of suffering for it, perhaps atheists should give their life to Christ for forgiveness of their own evil. God is patient, “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9 NAS).\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nMysteries abound, but our limited perspective determines nothing about God. In the end, all unbelief denies God’s obvious existence and authority from a desire to do what we want. Ironically, no greater evil exists than to deny and insult the One who created us, gives us all good things, and has willingly paid the price of infinite suffering for us that we might be holy and happy forever. We enjoy His blessings of love, family, food, friends, and the stars in the sky, but use our God-given talents to insult Him. Yes, evil exists, but none so terrible as contempt for the One to whom we owe all love, honor, and gratitude.\r\n\r\nIf you cry with the Psalmist, “when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where <em>is</em> thy God?” (Ps. 2:1-3), the day will come when\r\n<blockquote>He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be <em>any</em> death; there shall no longer be <em>any</em> mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:1-4 NAS).</blockquote>\r\nMay God grant grace that many atheists will join us through faith in Christ, in whom is true and everlasting life. Amen.\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 8): Pain and Evil','','publish','closed','closed','','human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part8-pain-evil','','','2023-03-21 09:39:16','2023-03-21 09:39:16','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part8-pain-evil/',0,'post','',0),(13095,1,'2018-05-16 19:45:21','2018-05-17 00:45:21','In earlier articles we examined the atheists’ assumption that their limited human perspective can speak with authority about ultimate and transcendent realities. We also saw that theological mysteries and difficulties cannot support denials of God’s existence. God is infinite, we are not. Just because we cannot understand something does not make it untrue. Our opinion and experience do not form the ultimate standard of what can be true or possible in and beyond the universe as we know it (and we know very little). We turn now to another important facet of these principles: the assumptions through which we view God and the world form the “starting point” of our thinking. When we view and interpret things we always begin with assumptions about God and the world, the colored lenses through which we view things.\r\n\r\nAssumptions and Implications\r\nAtheists assume they can know that God does not exist, and thereby assume that the Bible is not God’s word, Christ is not God, heaven and hell are imaginary, no ultimate authority exists to define or judge sin, life and the universe formed and organized themselves, et al. In short, if your starting point excludes God, then everything will be interpreted accordingly. For the believer, God forms our most basic assumption. Therefore, He created and sustains us, apart from Him we have and can know nothing, and to Him we owe everything. The Bible is His authoritative revelation of His person and works in history and beyond and is the handbook for living and eternal life in Christ (among many other things).\r\n\r\nBelief Determines Interpretation\r\nA popular misconception affirms that people start with a neutral belief system, objectively look at the world, and then believe or reject God based on the evidence. Reality, however, tells another story. Belief <em>precedes</em> a view of the evidence and determines its interpretation. The starting point determines the end point, or our starting assumptions determine our conclusions. We view and interpret everything according to our most basic assumptions about God and His world. This explains why an atheist can see the stunning design and beauty of life and the universe and deny a Designer. Rejecting God, they see no evidence for Him. Believers view the same world and see God’s genius everywhere. At issue is whose starting assumptions are true?\r\n\r\nToo Limited\r\nWe again ask the question, can the atheist know that their starting point for interpreting the world is true, that God does not exist? Can they possibly know the basis by which they have devised the hypothesis of evolution, deny the evidence for a Designer, and determine right and wrong? As we have seen, the atheist would need to know everything about everything in the universe and beyond to know that God does not exist. Thus, the atheist’s entire enterprise of interpreting and explaining the world stands on the blind-faith assumption of their ability to know ultimate realities. Having started in the wrong place, they end up in the wrong place.\r\n\r\nWhen an atheist claims that God cannot exist because… [fill in the blank], we should immediately recognize the unreasonable assumption of their own perspective as sufficient to know what they claim to know. When someone says hell does not exist, that God’s design for men and women in marriage is false, that the Bible is full of fairy tales, how do they know? The assumption or starting point behind these claims holds their limited perspective or opinion as adequate to know such things. But atheists cannot possibly know that the starting point by which they interpret and explain the world is true. Their limitations are too great.\r\n\r\nStand the High Ground\r\nThus, in responding to unbelief, we should take care to honor God as the infinite source and sustainer of all things, who can do anything, on whom we depend for knowledge and all things. We dare not affirm unbelief by conforming our answer to suit their unjustified assumptions. The idea that finite and fallen people are the ultimate standard of truth and can speak with authority about ultimate reality results in the loss of truth amidst the blind-faith opinions of millions of people, none more capable of speaking about ultimate realities then the others. None can know the contents of their neighbor’s garage without having a look or know what lies beyond the universe and their three or four dimensions of existence. If you start with human opinion apart from God’s revelation, you end up with human opinion.\r\n\r\nBelievers, then, should not discard the high ground of God and His Word by seeking to conform God’s explanation of Himself, reality, and history to the unbelieving worldview. This not only dishonors God, it forfeits the opportunity to expose the false assumptions behind false interpretations of God and the world and the universal need of Christ and Scripture for truth. We should not affirm the unbeliever’s presumed authority to speak about things they cannot know apart from Scripture by reducing miracles to theological metaphors rather than actual events, by making a global flood local, or by putting God behind the unscientific and absurd hypothesis of evolution, thereby making death, that horrific and painful curse and enemy, God’s means to advance life, an odd notion that overthrows the entirety of the history of redemption and makes God look more like the devil than the holy and good God of Scripture.\r\n\r\nThe Most Basic Force\r\nBehind the basic assumption or starting point of our view of the world stands a more basic force—love or hatred toward God. Disdain for God’s authority, resentment of His holiness and righteous judgments, and an unwillingness to submit to His will drive the assumptions and interpretations of the atheist. For the believer, “the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom 5:5 NAS). “The love of Christ controls us” (2 Cor. 5:14 NAS). Scripture reveals that God displays His existence and attributes clearly and conspicuously in the nature of all of creation (Rom. 1:18ff.), His giving of good things (Acts 14:17), and our conscience (Rom. 2:14-15). God opened our eyes to see that “the heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Ps. 19:1 NAS). In this we rejoice, “For Thou, O LORD, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands. How great are Thy works, O LORD!” (Ps. 92:4-5 NAS).\r\n\r\nScriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 9): The Vital Starting Point','','publish','closed','closed','','human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part9-pain-vital-starting-point','','','2023-03-21 09:39:12','2023-03-21 09:39:12','',0,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/human-limitations-unreasonable-atheism-part9-pain-vital-starting-point/',0,'post','',0),