The Godhood of God # 6
1. The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Creation.
With whom did He take counsel in creation? Whom did He consult when He determined the various and manifold arrangements, adjustments, adaptations, relationships, equipments of His myriad creatures? Did He not do everything after the counsel of His own will? Did He not decide that birds should fly in the air, beasts roam the earth, and fish live in the sea?
Did He not decide that there should be vast differences among the creatures of His hand - instead of making everything equal and uniform? Did He not determine to make a revolving world on the one hand - and a floating atom on the other? Did He not determine to create the exalted seraphim to stand before His throne throughout endless ages - and also to make another creature which dies the same hour it is born?
Was He not undisputed Sovereign in all His creative acts? Yes, truly, for the Three Persons of the Godhead were all alone in their solitary majesty. Why should God take counsel? Could man add to His knowledge, or correct His errors? God sovereignly assigned His myriad creatures their various habitations, members, movements - just as it pleased Him. God never consulted man about a single member of His body, or about its size, color, or capacity, instead, "God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him" (1 Cor. 12:18). Man is as truly the product of Sovereign creation as any other of God's creatures - sovereign, we say, not arbitrary.
2. The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in the Administration of His World. God not only created everything, but everything which He created is subject to His immediate control! God rules over the works of His hands. God governs the creatures He has made. God reigns with universal dominion. When He pleased, the sun and moon stood still (Joshua 10:12, 13) - and at a word from Him, the sun went backward ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz (Isaiah 38:8). At His command the Red Sea ceased to flow - and at His command it resumed its normal course (Exodus 14).
In response to the prayer of Elisha, God made iron to float on the top of the water (2 Kings 6:5). Yes, when He pleases, He reverses, He reverses the order of nature, as when the fires of Nebuchadnezzar's furnace did not burn, the hungry lions touched not Daniel, the ravens, which are birds of prey, were made to minister of Elijah.
At a word from Him who made it... a fish carried a coin to Peter, a tree withers suddenly, and the raging tempest becomes calm!
So it is also with men - they, too, are ruled by God! They are ruled by the unseen Hand - often, unknown to themselves.
Little did they know it, yet nevertheless, the sons of Jacob were but performing the good pleasure of Jehovah when they sold Joseph into the hands of the Ishmaelites who carried him down into Egypt.
Little was she aware of it, but when Pharaoh's daughter went to the Nile to bathe, she was being directed by God - directed there to rescue from the waters the babe Moses.
Little did he know it, but in issuing the decree that all the world should be taxed (Luke 2:1) Caesar Augustus was but setting in motion a movement which caused the word and decree of God to be fulfilled.''
Yes, even "The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases!" (Prov. 21:1).
And so it was with satan himself! He, too, is the unwitting and unwilling servant of God. He could not touch Job without first gaining Divine permission. He could not sift the apostles until he gained consent from Christ. At a word from the Lord Jesus, satan "left" Him (Matt. 4:10, 11). Of him, also, God has said: Thus far shall you go and no further!"
Even death, the "king of terrors," that which no arts of man can defy, is absolutely subject to the biding of the Lord.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 7)
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Heavenly Worship # 1
Heavenly Worship # 1
Revelation 5
John describes his vision most vividly, "Then I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne - a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals." We may study this picture with great profit. The book is the scroll of the divine purposes - this much, at least, we know about it. As we look at it, we learn that God has purposes for His Church, and knows what the future will be, down through all the ages to the end. This ought to be a great comfort to us, especially when we are disposed to be anxious or discouraged concerning the progress of Christ's kingdom. God is never taken by surprise. He knew all from the beginning. The world is not run by chance. God's plans are never defeated. In all that to us seems confusion, His eye sees at all times perfect order. Even the wrath of man He makes to praise Him, and the remainder thereof He restrains.
The fact that this scroll was written on both sides, and was entirely filled, shows that no part of the future was left in uncertainty, or unplanned for; also that no other than God has to do with the direction of the world's affairs. When we remember that it is our Father whose purposes are being wrought out in the troubled history of this earth - we ought not to be afraid. His children are always safe in His hands!
"And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it!" This shows not only that no one can read the future - but also that no one can meddle with God's purposes and plans! They are hidden in His own hands - and are hidden from all eyes. This truth should also make us very modest in our efforts to interpret prophecies and predictions concerning future events. The book is sealed - and we cannot read its contents.
Nothing is hidden from us, however, that we need to know in order to salvation or in order to duty; but there are great events in the future clearly foretold as to the fact that they will occur - but not foretold as to the time and manner of their occurrence. Is it the part of wise and loving faith - to try to open that which lies in God's hands sealed?
There is also a very practical suggestion here. The scroll of each individual life lies in God's hands, written full to the end. God knows it all - right down to the last moment. Each change, each experience of joy or sorrow, each danger or duty - is written down! God knows all our biography from the beginning to the end. But the book is sealed to us. We cannot read its contents. We cannot know, therefore, what lies before us in the days that are to come. And surely it is better that we should go on, not knowing; since God knows, and since He is leading us step by step. To know of trials and hardships and perils and sorrows - would discourage us. To know of coming defeat and failure - would take the nerve out of our energy and paralyze our efforts. To know of coming joys and achievements, would make us vain and self-confident. It is a great deal better as it is, and we should leave the book sealed and in the hands of God - while we move quietly on in the little bit of path unsealed and unrolled to our eyes!
Then John had a vision of Jesus:
"Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed!
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne!" (Revelation 5:5-6). John was looking for a Lion - and he saw a Lamb - a little lamb, too. This strange double picture of Jesus as He appears in heaven - is very suggestive.
He was a Lion in His conflicts and victories, and as such overcame all His enemies and ours also. But He was a Lamb in the gentleness of His character and disposition. The lamb is an emblem of meekness and of unresisting obedience and submission.
As we think about Christ, we soon see how true both of these pictures are. Like a Lion, He has power and majesty, and is dreadful to His enemies! As a Lion He met and overcame satan, and triumphed over death and the grave. As a Lion He is able to defend us from all our enemies, and the feeblest believer is safe under His protection. He is the omnipotent God and has all power in heaven and on earth.
As the same time, the other picture is just as true. Christ is like a little lamb in His gentleness. The whole spirit of His life on earth shows this. Never was a mother so gentle to her children, as was Jesus to the weary, troubled and penitent ones who came to Him. He was lamb-like too, in the way He endured wrongs and sufferings. Other animals fight in their own defense - but the lamb does not resist. When Christ was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten in return. "Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers - He did not open His mouth."
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 2)
Revelation 5
John describes his vision most vividly, "Then I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne - a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals." We may study this picture with great profit. The book is the scroll of the divine purposes - this much, at least, we know about it. As we look at it, we learn that God has purposes for His Church, and knows what the future will be, down through all the ages to the end. This ought to be a great comfort to us, especially when we are disposed to be anxious or discouraged concerning the progress of Christ's kingdom. God is never taken by surprise. He knew all from the beginning. The world is not run by chance. God's plans are never defeated. In all that to us seems confusion, His eye sees at all times perfect order. Even the wrath of man He makes to praise Him, and the remainder thereof He restrains.
The fact that this scroll was written on both sides, and was entirely filled, shows that no part of the future was left in uncertainty, or unplanned for; also that no other than God has to do with the direction of the world's affairs. When we remember that it is our Father whose purposes are being wrought out in the troubled history of this earth - we ought not to be afraid. His children are always safe in His hands!
"And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it!" This shows not only that no one can read the future - but also that no one can meddle with God's purposes and plans! They are hidden in His own hands - and are hidden from all eyes. This truth should also make us very modest in our efforts to interpret prophecies and predictions concerning future events. The book is sealed - and we cannot read its contents.
Nothing is hidden from us, however, that we need to know in order to salvation or in order to duty; but there are great events in the future clearly foretold as to the fact that they will occur - but not foretold as to the time and manner of their occurrence. Is it the part of wise and loving faith - to try to open that which lies in God's hands sealed?
There is also a very practical suggestion here. The scroll of each individual life lies in God's hands, written full to the end. God knows it all - right down to the last moment. Each change, each experience of joy or sorrow, each danger or duty - is written down! God knows all our biography from the beginning to the end. But the book is sealed to us. We cannot read its contents. We cannot know, therefore, what lies before us in the days that are to come. And surely it is better that we should go on, not knowing; since God knows, and since He is leading us step by step. To know of trials and hardships and perils and sorrows - would discourage us. To know of coming defeat and failure - would take the nerve out of our energy and paralyze our efforts. To know of coming joys and achievements, would make us vain and self-confident. It is a great deal better as it is, and we should leave the book sealed and in the hands of God - while we move quietly on in the little bit of path unsealed and unrolled to our eyes!
Then John had a vision of Jesus:
"Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed!
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne!" (Revelation 5:5-6). John was looking for a Lion - and he saw a Lamb - a little lamb, too. This strange double picture of Jesus as He appears in heaven - is very suggestive.
He was a Lion in His conflicts and victories, and as such overcame all His enemies and ours also. But He was a Lamb in the gentleness of His character and disposition. The lamb is an emblem of meekness and of unresisting obedience and submission.
As we think about Christ, we soon see how true both of these pictures are. Like a Lion, He has power and majesty, and is dreadful to His enemies! As a Lion He met and overcame satan, and triumphed over death and the grave. As a Lion He is able to defend us from all our enemies, and the feeblest believer is safe under His protection. He is the omnipotent God and has all power in heaven and on earth.
As the same time, the other picture is just as true. Christ is like a little lamb in His gentleness. The whole spirit of His life on earth shows this. Never was a mother so gentle to her children, as was Jesus to the weary, troubled and penitent ones who came to Him. He was lamb-like too, in the way He endured wrongs and sufferings. Other animals fight in their own defense - but the lamb does not resist. When Christ was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten in return. "Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers - He did not open His mouth."
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, January 11, 2020
The Godhood of God # 5
The Godhood of God # 5
The God of Scripture has a will that is irresistible. Man talks and boasts of his will, but God also has a will!
Men had a will on the plains of Shinar and undertook to build a tower whose top should reach unto Heaven - but what came of it? God had a will, also, and their willful effort came to naught.
Pharaoh had a will when he hardened his heart and refused to allow Jehovah's people to go into the wilderness to worship Him, but what came of it? God had a will, too, and being Almighty, His will was performed.
Balak had a will when he hired Balaam to come and curse the Hebrews - but of what avail was it?
The Canaanites had a will when they determined to prevent Israel occupying the promised land - but how far did they succeed?
Saul had a will when he hurled his javelin at David, but instead of slaying the Lord's anointed, it entered the wall instead.
Jonah had a will when he refused to go and preach to the Ninevites - but what came of it?
Nebuchadnezzar had a will when he thought to destroy the three Hebrews - but God had a will too, and so the fire did not harm them.
Herod had a will when he purposed to slay the Child Jesus, and had there been no living and reigning God, his evil desires had been effected. But in daring to pit his puny will against the irresistible will of the Almighty, his efforts came to naught.
Yes, my reader, and you had a will when you formed your plans without first seeking counsel of the Lord, and therefore He overthrew them.
As well might a worm seek to resist the tread of an elephant; as well might a babe step between the railroad tracks and attempt to push back the on-rushing train; as well might a child seek to prevent the ocean from rolling - as for a creature to try to resist the outworking of the purpose of the Lord God!
The God of Scripture is absolute Sovereign. Such is His own claim: "This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:26, 27).
The Sovereignty of God is absolute and irresistible: "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing! He does as He pleases with the powers of Heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have you done?" (Daniel 4:35).
The Sovereignty of God is true not only hypothetically, but in fact. That is to say, God exercises His sovereignty, exercises it both in the natural realm, and in the spiritual.
One is born black - another white. One is born in wealth - another in poverty. One is born with a healthy body - another sickly and crippled. One is cut off in childhood - another lives to old age. One is endowed with five talents - another with but one. And in all these cases it is God the Creator who makes one to differ from another, and "none can stay His hand."
So also is the spiritual realm. One is born in a pious home and is brought up in the fear and abomination of the Lord - another is born of criminal parents and is reared in vice. One is the object of many prayers - the other is not prayed for at all. One hears the Gospel from early childhood - another never hears it at all. One sits under a Scriptural ministry - another hears nothing but error and heresy. Of those who do hear the Gospel, one has his heart opened by the Lord to receive the truth - while another is left to himself. One is "ordained to eternal life" (Acts 13:48) - while another is "ordained to condemnation" (Jude 4). To whom He will God shows mercy - and whom He wills He "hardens". (Romans 9:18).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 6)
The God of Scripture has a will that is irresistible. Man talks and boasts of his will, but God also has a will!
Men had a will on the plains of Shinar and undertook to build a tower whose top should reach unto Heaven - but what came of it? God had a will, also, and their willful effort came to naught.
Pharaoh had a will when he hardened his heart and refused to allow Jehovah's people to go into the wilderness to worship Him, but what came of it? God had a will, too, and being Almighty, His will was performed.
Balak had a will when he hired Balaam to come and curse the Hebrews - but of what avail was it?
The Canaanites had a will when they determined to prevent Israel occupying the promised land - but how far did they succeed?
Saul had a will when he hurled his javelin at David, but instead of slaying the Lord's anointed, it entered the wall instead.
Jonah had a will when he refused to go and preach to the Ninevites - but what came of it?
Nebuchadnezzar had a will when he thought to destroy the three Hebrews - but God had a will too, and so the fire did not harm them.
Herod had a will when he purposed to slay the Child Jesus, and had there been no living and reigning God, his evil desires had been effected. But in daring to pit his puny will against the irresistible will of the Almighty, his efforts came to naught.
Yes, my reader, and you had a will when you formed your plans without first seeking counsel of the Lord, and therefore He overthrew them.
As well might a worm seek to resist the tread of an elephant; as well might a babe step between the railroad tracks and attempt to push back the on-rushing train; as well might a child seek to prevent the ocean from rolling - as for a creature to try to resist the outworking of the purpose of the Lord God!
The God of Scripture is absolute Sovereign. Such is His own claim: "This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:26, 27).
The Sovereignty of God is absolute and irresistible: "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing! He does as He pleases with the powers of Heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have you done?" (Daniel 4:35).
The Sovereignty of God is true not only hypothetically, but in fact. That is to say, God exercises His sovereignty, exercises it both in the natural realm, and in the spiritual.
One is born black - another white. One is born in wealth - another in poverty. One is born with a healthy body - another sickly and crippled. One is cut off in childhood - another lives to old age. One is endowed with five talents - another with but one. And in all these cases it is God the Creator who makes one to differ from another, and "none can stay His hand."
So also is the spiritual realm. One is born in a pious home and is brought up in the fear and abomination of the Lord - another is born of criminal parents and is reared in vice. One is the object of many prayers - the other is not prayed for at all. One hears the Gospel from early childhood - another never hears it at all. One sits under a Scriptural ministry - another hears nothing but error and heresy. Of those who do hear the Gospel, one has his heart opened by the Lord to receive the truth - while another is left to himself. One is "ordained to eternal life" (Acts 13:48) - while another is "ordained to condemnation" (Jude 4). To whom He will God shows mercy - and whom He wills He "hardens". (Romans 9:18).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 6)
Saturday, January 4, 2020
The Godhood of God # 4
The Godhood of God # 4
He is One who "sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing!" (Isaiah 40:22, 23).
He is the One who declares, "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb. I am the Lord who makes all things; who stretched forth the heavens alone; who spreads abroad the earth by Myself. I am the One who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense!"
I am the Lord who says to the deep: Be dry, and I will dry up your rivers - who says of Cyrus (a heathen idolater) - he is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure! (Isaiah 44:24-28).
Such is the God of the Bible, the God who throws out the challenge, "To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness will you compare unto Him?" (Isaiah 40:18). And as though that were not enough, in the same chapter He asks again, "To whom then will you liken Me, or shall I be equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and behold who has created these things, who brings out their host by number. He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power, not one fails. Have you not known? Have you not heard - that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary?"
The God of Scripture is infinite in wisdom. No secret can be hidden from Him, no problem can baffle Him, nothing is too hard for Him.
God is omniscient, "Great is our Lord, and of great power - His understanding is infinite!" (Psalm 147:5). Therefore is it said, "There is no searching out of His understanding" (Isaiah 40:28). Hence it is, that in a revelation from Him, we expect to find the truths which transcend the reach of the creature's mind - and therefore the presumptuous folly and wickedness of those who are but "dust and ashes" undertaking to pronounce upon the reasonableness or unreasonableness of doctrines which are above their reason, and of speculating upon things that are a matter of pure revelation.
Instead of coming to the Scriptures to be taught thereof, men first fill their minds with objections, and then instead of interpreting the Divine Oracles according to their obvious meaning, they submit and twist them according to the dictates of their own finite reason.
Surely if we are unable to comprehend the mode of God's existence, because it is infinitely above us - then for the same reason we are unable to comprehend the counsels of infinite wisdom. Such is the explicit assertion of Holy Writ itself, "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The God of Scripture is infinite in Holiness. The "only true God" is He who hates sin with a perfect abhorrence, and whose nature eternally burns against it.
He is the One who beheld the wickedness of the antediluvians, and who opened the windows of Heaven and poured down the flood of His righteous indignation.
He is the One who rained fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah, and utterly destroyed these cities of the plain.
He is the One who sent the plagues upon Egypt, and destroyed her haughty monarch together with his hosts at the Red Sea.
He is the One who caused the earth to open its mouth and swallow alive Korah and his rebellious company.
Yes, He is the One who "spared not His own Son" when He was "made sin for us - that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."
So holy is God and such is the antagonism of His nature against evil, that for one sin He banished our first parents from Eden; He cursed the posterity of Ham; He turned Lot's wife into a pillar of salt; He sent out fire and devoured the sons of Aaron; Moses died in the wilderness; Achan and his family were all stoned to death; the servant of Elisha was smitten with leprosy!
Behold therefore, not only the goodness, but also "the severity of God" (Romans 11:22). And this is the God that every Christ-rejector has yet to meet in judgment!
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 5)
He is One who "sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing!" (Isaiah 40:22, 23).
He is the One who declares, "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb. I am the Lord who makes all things; who stretched forth the heavens alone; who spreads abroad the earth by Myself. I am the One who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense!"
I am the Lord who says to the deep: Be dry, and I will dry up your rivers - who says of Cyrus (a heathen idolater) - he is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure! (Isaiah 44:24-28).
Such is the God of the Bible, the God who throws out the challenge, "To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness will you compare unto Him?" (Isaiah 40:18). And as though that were not enough, in the same chapter He asks again, "To whom then will you liken Me, or shall I be equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and behold who has created these things, who brings out their host by number. He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power, not one fails. Have you not known? Have you not heard - that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary?"
The God of Scripture is infinite in wisdom. No secret can be hidden from Him, no problem can baffle Him, nothing is too hard for Him.
God is omniscient, "Great is our Lord, and of great power - His understanding is infinite!" (Psalm 147:5). Therefore is it said, "There is no searching out of His understanding" (Isaiah 40:28). Hence it is, that in a revelation from Him, we expect to find the truths which transcend the reach of the creature's mind - and therefore the presumptuous folly and wickedness of those who are but "dust and ashes" undertaking to pronounce upon the reasonableness or unreasonableness of doctrines which are above their reason, and of speculating upon things that are a matter of pure revelation.
Instead of coming to the Scriptures to be taught thereof, men first fill their minds with objections, and then instead of interpreting the Divine Oracles according to their obvious meaning, they submit and twist them according to the dictates of their own finite reason.
Surely if we are unable to comprehend the mode of God's existence, because it is infinitely above us - then for the same reason we are unable to comprehend the counsels of infinite wisdom. Such is the explicit assertion of Holy Writ itself, "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The God of Scripture is infinite in Holiness. The "only true God" is He who hates sin with a perfect abhorrence, and whose nature eternally burns against it.
He is the One who beheld the wickedness of the antediluvians, and who opened the windows of Heaven and poured down the flood of His righteous indignation.
He is the One who rained fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah, and utterly destroyed these cities of the plain.
He is the One who sent the plagues upon Egypt, and destroyed her haughty monarch together with his hosts at the Red Sea.
He is the One who caused the earth to open its mouth and swallow alive Korah and his rebellious company.
Yes, He is the One who "spared not His own Son" when He was "made sin for us - that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."
So holy is God and such is the antagonism of His nature against evil, that for one sin He banished our first parents from Eden; He cursed the posterity of Ham; He turned Lot's wife into a pillar of salt; He sent out fire and devoured the sons of Aaron; Moses died in the wilderness; Achan and his family were all stoned to death; the servant of Elisha was smitten with leprosy!
Behold therefore, not only the goodness, but also "the severity of God" (Romans 11:22). And this is the God that every Christ-rejector has yet to meet in judgment!
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 5)
Saturday, December 28, 2019
The Godhood of God # 3
The Godhood of God # 3
The chief trouble is that so much that passes for faith today is really only maudlin sentimentality. The faith of Christendom in this twentieth century is mere credulity, and the "God" of many of our churches is but a mere figment of the imagination. Modern theology has invented a "God" which the infinite mind can understand, whose ways are pleasing to the natural man, a "God" who is altogether "such a one as" (Psalm 50:21) those who profess to worship him, a "God" concerning whom there is little or no mystery. But how different the God which the Holy Scriptures reveal! Of Him it is said, His ways are "past finding out" (Romans 11:33). To particularize:
1. The "God" of the moderns is altogether lacking in POWER. The popular idea of today is that deity is filled with amiable intentions - but that satan is preventing the making good of them. It is not God's will, so we are told, that there should be any wars, for wars are something which men are unable to reconcile with their ideas of Divine mercy. Hence, the conclusion is, that all wars are of the devil. Plagues and earthquakes, famines and tornadoes, are not sent from God - but are attributed solely to natural causes. To affirm that the Lord God sent the recent influenza epidemic as a judgment scourge, would be to shock the sensibilities of the modern mind. All such things as this, area cause of grief to "God" for "he" desires nothing but the happiness of everybody.
2. The "God" of the moderns is altogether lacking in WISDOM. The popular belief is that God loves everybody, and that it is His will that every child of Adam should be saved. But if this be true, He is strongly lacking in wisdom, for He knows quite well that under existing conditions, the majority will be lost. If He is really desirous that every creature should have an equal chance to be saved - then why allow so many to be born into families (of criminal parents, for example) and be brought up under conditions where they will never hear the Gospel - and there are many thousands such in this country.
If it should be said in reply God has not created these criminal conditions, the point is readily ceded - but nevertheless God is responsible for sending children into them, for the fruit of the womb is solely in His hands. Why not produce sterility among criminals, if it is contrary to His will for children to be born into such conditions, conditions which frequently preclude all reading of the Scriptures and all hearing of the Gospel.
3. The "God" of the moderns is lacking HOLINESS. That crime deserves punishment is still allowed in part - though more and more the belief is gaining ground that the criminal is really an object of pity rather than censure, and that he stands in need of education and reformation, rather than of punishment. But that SIN - sins of thought as well as deed, sins of the heart as well as life, sins of omission as well as commission, the sinful root itself as well as the fruit - should be hated by God, that His holy nature burns against it, is a concept that has gone almost entirely out of fashion! And that the sinner himself is hated by God, is indignantly denied even among those who boast most loudly of their orthodoxy.
4. The "God" of the moderns is altogether lacking in a SOVEREIGN PREROGATIVE. Whatever rights the deity of present day Christendom may be supposed to possess in theory - in fact they must be subordinated to the "rights" of the creature. It is denied, almost universally, that the rights of the Creator over His creatures is that of the Potter over the clay. When it is affirmed that God has the right to make one as a vessel unto honor, and another as a vessel unto dishonor - the cry for injustice is instantly raised! When it is affirmed that salvation is a gift and that this gift is bestowed on whom God pleases - it is said that God is partial and unfair. If God has any gifts to impart, He must distribute them evenly, or else bestow them on those that merit them, whoever they may be.
And this God is allowed less freedom than I, who may disburse my charity as I best please, giving to one beggar a quarter, to another a dime, and to the third nothing at all if I think well.
How different is the God of the Bible from the "God" of the moderns!!!
The God of Scripture is all-mighty. He is one who speaks - and it is done, who commands - and it stands fast. He is the One with whom "all things are possible" and "who works all things after the counsel of His own will" (Eph. 1:11). He is the One "who has measured the waters in the hallow of His hand, and meted out Heaven with the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance" (Isaiah 40:12).
He is the One with whom "the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance," with whom "all nations before Him are as nothing - and they are counted to Him less than nothing, and vanity" (Isaiah 40:15, 17).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 4)
The chief trouble is that so much that passes for faith today is really only maudlin sentimentality. The faith of Christendom in this twentieth century is mere credulity, and the "God" of many of our churches is but a mere figment of the imagination. Modern theology has invented a "God" which the infinite mind can understand, whose ways are pleasing to the natural man, a "God" who is altogether "such a one as" (Psalm 50:21) those who profess to worship him, a "God" concerning whom there is little or no mystery. But how different the God which the Holy Scriptures reveal! Of Him it is said, His ways are "past finding out" (Romans 11:33). To particularize:
1. The "God" of the moderns is altogether lacking in POWER. The popular idea of today is that deity is filled with amiable intentions - but that satan is preventing the making good of them. It is not God's will, so we are told, that there should be any wars, for wars are something which men are unable to reconcile with their ideas of Divine mercy. Hence, the conclusion is, that all wars are of the devil. Plagues and earthquakes, famines and tornadoes, are not sent from God - but are attributed solely to natural causes. To affirm that the Lord God sent the recent influenza epidemic as a judgment scourge, would be to shock the sensibilities of the modern mind. All such things as this, area cause of grief to "God" for "he" desires nothing but the happiness of everybody.
2. The "God" of the moderns is altogether lacking in WISDOM. The popular belief is that God loves everybody, and that it is His will that every child of Adam should be saved. But if this be true, He is strongly lacking in wisdom, for He knows quite well that under existing conditions, the majority will be lost. If He is really desirous that every creature should have an equal chance to be saved - then why allow so many to be born into families (of criminal parents, for example) and be brought up under conditions where they will never hear the Gospel - and there are many thousands such in this country.
If it should be said in reply God has not created these criminal conditions, the point is readily ceded - but nevertheless God is responsible for sending children into them, for the fruit of the womb is solely in His hands. Why not produce sterility among criminals, if it is contrary to His will for children to be born into such conditions, conditions which frequently preclude all reading of the Scriptures and all hearing of the Gospel.
3. The "God" of the moderns is lacking HOLINESS. That crime deserves punishment is still allowed in part - though more and more the belief is gaining ground that the criminal is really an object of pity rather than censure, and that he stands in need of education and reformation, rather than of punishment. But that SIN - sins of thought as well as deed, sins of the heart as well as life, sins of omission as well as commission, the sinful root itself as well as the fruit - should be hated by God, that His holy nature burns against it, is a concept that has gone almost entirely out of fashion! And that the sinner himself is hated by God, is indignantly denied even among those who boast most loudly of their orthodoxy.
4. The "God" of the moderns is altogether lacking in a SOVEREIGN PREROGATIVE. Whatever rights the deity of present day Christendom may be supposed to possess in theory - in fact they must be subordinated to the "rights" of the creature. It is denied, almost universally, that the rights of the Creator over His creatures is that of the Potter over the clay. When it is affirmed that God has the right to make one as a vessel unto honor, and another as a vessel unto dishonor - the cry for injustice is instantly raised! When it is affirmed that salvation is a gift and that this gift is bestowed on whom God pleases - it is said that God is partial and unfair. If God has any gifts to impart, He must distribute them evenly, or else bestow them on those that merit them, whoever they may be.
And this God is allowed less freedom than I, who may disburse my charity as I best please, giving to one beggar a quarter, to another a dime, and to the third nothing at all if I think well.
How different is the God of the Bible from the "God" of the moderns!!!
The God of Scripture is all-mighty. He is one who speaks - and it is done, who commands - and it stands fast. He is the One with whom "all things are possible" and "who works all things after the counsel of His own will" (Eph. 1:11). He is the One "who has measured the waters in the hallow of His hand, and meted out Heaven with the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance" (Isaiah 40:12).
He is the One with whom "the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance," with whom "all nations before Him are as nothing - and they are counted to Him less than nothing, and vanity" (Isaiah 40:15, 17).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 4)
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Lessons For Christian Workers # 1
Lessons For Christian Workers # 1
In the account of the manifestation of Christ to His disciples at the Sea of Galilee, there are many instructive suggestions for Christian workers in all times.
To begin with, the picture of the Master standing on the shore, in the grey dawn, watching His disciples as they wearily dragged their nets through the water - is most encouraging to all who are fishing for souls. Thus He ever stands with His eyes upon those who are toiling for Him. The thought should be full of cheer and inspiration. We should always do our best - for the Master's eye is always upon us. It is with a look of loving interest that he watches - not with the eye of criticism and blame.
Then the disciples' night of fruitless toil has for all workers its deep suggestion. No doubt the incident was meant to teach a spiritual lesson: Christ was not with them - so nothing came of their efforts. All night they had been drawing their nets through the waters, and in the morning they were still empty.
It is just thus with the workers always, when they try to save souls in their own strength. Even Christian work amounts to nothing, unless it is directed and inspired by Christ Himself. We should go always from our knees - to our pulpit, to our bible class, to all our missionary efforts. If we do not, it is really not worth while for us to go at all. That certainly was the lesson which Jesus meant to teach His apostles that weary night on the Sea of Galilee. Until we learn it, too, we shall never have success in winning souls and in doing good.
But the moment the Master had spoken and the weary fishermen had done His bidding, their net was full! Toil guided by Christ, is always successful. No effort put forth under His direction can ever fail. No net cast at His bidding is ever drawn up empty. No sermon preached, no lesson taught, no word spoken simply and truly for Christ, in obedience to His command - ever returns void.
If we would do Christ's work, we must be in immediate communion with Him. When He sends forth a worker, He says, "I am with you always." This promise means what it says, and the very first thing we should do if we would be used by Christ in saving souls and in blessing the world, is to realize His continual presence and put ourselves entirely under His guidance. This implies a life of constant communion with Christ. We cannot live far from Him, and be really used by Him. Someone says, "Christ always uses the vessel that He finds near His hand.!
Another important suggestion is this narrative, is that deep and sincere love for Christ is the one essential qualification in workers for souls. Perhaps we have too much overlooked this truth. We have not failed to appreciate the necessity of education and training in those who would do Christ's work. We insist on our pastors being familiar with the arts and sciences, with Hebrew and Greek, with church history - and this is well. Christ educated His apostles, teaching them for three years, until their minds were thoroughly imbued with the truth, and they were thus prepared to expound to men the doctrines of His kingdom and tell sinners the way of salvation.
But His treatment of Peter when He would restore him to the apostleship from which he had fallen, suggests to us that without personal loyalty and devotion to Christ, and deep love for Him, no one is ready to be entrusted by the Master with the care of souls. The highest learning, the most persuasive eloquence, the most faithful preparation, the best natural gifts - avail nothing if to the question, "Do you love Me?" the answer does not come welling up from the heart, "Lord, you know that I love You!" Love for the work is not enough, nor is love for the Church, or love for children, or love for humanity; the heart of all true discipleship is deep, strong, intense, all-absorbing love for Christ! Personal devotion to Jesus is the secret of all acceptable service. It was this passion for Christ that made Paul the marvelous missionary that he was. "The love of Christ constrains me!" was the only reason he gave for his burning zeal which men misnamed madness. We talk about a "passion for souls." But above that, is the essential qualification in a Christian worker: love for Christ Himself must be behind all, and must kindle all true love for souls.
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 2)
In the account of the manifestation of Christ to His disciples at the Sea of Galilee, there are many instructive suggestions for Christian workers in all times.
To begin with, the picture of the Master standing on the shore, in the grey dawn, watching His disciples as they wearily dragged their nets through the water - is most encouraging to all who are fishing for souls. Thus He ever stands with His eyes upon those who are toiling for Him. The thought should be full of cheer and inspiration. We should always do our best - for the Master's eye is always upon us. It is with a look of loving interest that he watches - not with the eye of criticism and blame.
Then the disciples' night of fruitless toil has for all workers its deep suggestion. No doubt the incident was meant to teach a spiritual lesson: Christ was not with them - so nothing came of their efforts. All night they had been drawing their nets through the waters, and in the morning they were still empty.
It is just thus with the workers always, when they try to save souls in their own strength. Even Christian work amounts to nothing, unless it is directed and inspired by Christ Himself. We should go always from our knees - to our pulpit, to our bible class, to all our missionary efforts. If we do not, it is really not worth while for us to go at all. That certainly was the lesson which Jesus meant to teach His apostles that weary night on the Sea of Galilee. Until we learn it, too, we shall never have success in winning souls and in doing good.
But the moment the Master had spoken and the weary fishermen had done His bidding, their net was full! Toil guided by Christ, is always successful. No effort put forth under His direction can ever fail. No net cast at His bidding is ever drawn up empty. No sermon preached, no lesson taught, no word spoken simply and truly for Christ, in obedience to His command - ever returns void.
If we would do Christ's work, we must be in immediate communion with Him. When He sends forth a worker, He says, "I am with you always." This promise means what it says, and the very first thing we should do if we would be used by Christ in saving souls and in blessing the world, is to realize His continual presence and put ourselves entirely under His guidance. This implies a life of constant communion with Christ. We cannot live far from Him, and be really used by Him. Someone says, "Christ always uses the vessel that He finds near His hand.!
Another important suggestion is this narrative, is that deep and sincere love for Christ is the one essential qualification in workers for souls. Perhaps we have too much overlooked this truth. We have not failed to appreciate the necessity of education and training in those who would do Christ's work. We insist on our pastors being familiar with the arts and sciences, with Hebrew and Greek, with church history - and this is well. Christ educated His apostles, teaching them for three years, until their minds were thoroughly imbued with the truth, and they were thus prepared to expound to men the doctrines of His kingdom and tell sinners the way of salvation.
But His treatment of Peter when He would restore him to the apostleship from which he had fallen, suggests to us that without personal loyalty and devotion to Christ, and deep love for Him, no one is ready to be entrusted by the Master with the care of souls. The highest learning, the most persuasive eloquence, the most faithful preparation, the best natural gifts - avail nothing if to the question, "Do you love Me?" the answer does not come welling up from the heart, "Lord, you know that I love You!" Love for the work is not enough, nor is love for the Church, or love for children, or love for humanity; the heart of all true discipleship is deep, strong, intense, all-absorbing love for Christ! Personal devotion to Jesus is the secret of all acceptable service. It was this passion for Christ that made Paul the marvelous missionary that he was. "The love of Christ constrains me!" was the only reason he gave for his burning zeal which men misnamed madness. We talk about a "passion for souls." But above that, is the essential qualification in a Christian worker: love for Christ Himself must be behind all, and must kindle all true love for souls.
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 2)
The Godhood of God # 2
The Godhood of God # 2
"In the beginning God." This is not only the first word of Holy Scripture bu it must be the firm axiom of all true philosophy - the philosophy of human history, for example. Instead of beginning with man and his world and attempting to reason back to God - we must begin with God and reason forward to man and his world. It is failure to do this which leaves unsolved the "riddle of the universe."
Begin with the world as it is today and try to reason back to God, and what is the result? If you are honest of heart and logical of mind, this - that God has little or nothing at all to do with the world. But begin with God and reason forward to the world as it is today and much light is cast on the problem.
Because God is holy, His anger burns against sin.
Because God is righteous, His judgments fall on those who rebel against Him.
Because God is faithful, the solemn threatenings of His Word are being fulfilled.
Because God is omnipotent, no problem can master Him, no enemy defeat Him, and no purpose of His can be withstood.
It is just because God is who He is and what He is that we now behold what we do - the gathering of clouds of the storm of Divine wrath which will shortly burst upon the earth.
For of Him, and through Him and to Him, are all things" (Romans 11:36).
In the beginning - God.
In the center - God.
At the end - God.
But as soon as this is insisted upon, men will stand up and tell you what they think about God. They will prate about God working consistently with His own character, as though a worm of the earth was capable of determining what was consistent and what was inconsistent with the Divine perfections. People will say with an air of profound wisdom, that God must deal justly with His creatures, which is true, of course, but who is able to define Divine justice, or any other of God's attributes?
The truth is, that man is utterly incompetent for forming a proper estimate of God's character and ways, and it is because of this that God has given us a revelation of His mind, and in that revelation He plainly declares, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says 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).
In view of such a scripture as this, it is only to be expected that much of the contents of the Bible conflicts with the sentiments of the carnal mind which is "enmity against God." And further: in view of such a Scripture as the above, we need not be surprised that much of human history is so perplexing to our understandings.
The natural world, to begin with the simplest, presents sufficient problems to humble man, were it not that he was blinded by pride. Why should there be diseases - and remedies for them? Why poisons - and their antidotes? Why rats and mice - and cats to kill them? Why not have left un-made the evils - and then no necessity for the instruments to remove them!
Ah, why are we so slow to learn that God's ways are different from ours?
And when we enter the human realm the mystery deepens. What is man placed here for at all? To learn some lesson or lessons - or to undergo some test or experience, which he could not learn or undergo elsewhere? If so, then why is such a large proportion of the race removed in infancy, before such lessons can be learned and such experience be gained? Why indeed!
Such questions as these might be multiplied indefinitely, but sufficient has been said to point out the manifest limitations of human wisdom. And if we are confronted with insolvable problems in the domain of nature and of human existence - what of the Divine realm! Who can fathom the ways of the Almighty? Can you by searching find out God? No indeed. "Clouds and darkness are round about Him" (Psalm 97:2). If God were not a mystery, He would not be God to us.
But why write in this strain? Surely the need of our day is for that which will strengthen faith, not that which paralyses it. True, but what is faith? We mean faith in the abstract. Faith is, essentially, an attitude rather than an act - it is that which lies behind the act. Faith is an attitude of dependency, of recognized weakness. Faith is a coming to the end of ourselves and looking outside of ourselves - away from ourselves. Faith is that which gives God His proper place. And if we give God His proper place, we must take our proper place - and that is in the dust! And what is there that will bring the haughty, self-sufficient creature into the dust so quickly - as a sight of the Godhead of God! Nothing is so humbling to the human heart as a true recognition of the absolute sovereignty of God. So then, instead of seeking to weaken faith, we write to promote and strengthen it.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 3)
"In the beginning God." This is not only the first word of Holy Scripture bu it must be the firm axiom of all true philosophy - the philosophy of human history, for example. Instead of beginning with man and his world and attempting to reason back to God - we must begin with God and reason forward to man and his world. It is failure to do this which leaves unsolved the "riddle of the universe."
Begin with the world as it is today and try to reason back to God, and what is the result? If you are honest of heart and logical of mind, this - that God has little or nothing at all to do with the world. But begin with God and reason forward to the world as it is today and much light is cast on the problem.
Because God is holy, His anger burns against sin.
Because God is righteous, His judgments fall on those who rebel against Him.
Because God is faithful, the solemn threatenings of His Word are being fulfilled.
Because God is omnipotent, no problem can master Him, no enemy defeat Him, and no purpose of His can be withstood.
It is just because God is who He is and what He is that we now behold what we do - the gathering of clouds of the storm of Divine wrath which will shortly burst upon the earth.
For of Him, and through Him and to Him, are all things" (Romans 11:36).
In the beginning - God.
In the center - God.
At the end - God.
But as soon as this is insisted upon, men will stand up and tell you what they think about God. They will prate about God working consistently with His own character, as though a worm of the earth was capable of determining what was consistent and what was inconsistent with the Divine perfections. People will say with an air of profound wisdom, that God must deal justly with His creatures, which is true, of course, but who is able to define Divine justice, or any other of God's attributes?
The truth is, that man is utterly incompetent for forming a proper estimate of God's character and ways, and it is because of this that God has given us a revelation of His mind, and in that revelation He plainly declares, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says 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).
In view of such a scripture as this, it is only to be expected that much of the contents of the Bible conflicts with the sentiments of the carnal mind which is "enmity against God." And further: in view of such a Scripture as the above, we need not be surprised that much of human history is so perplexing to our understandings.
The natural world, to begin with the simplest, presents sufficient problems to humble man, were it not that he was blinded by pride. Why should there be diseases - and remedies for them? Why poisons - and their antidotes? Why rats and mice - and cats to kill them? Why not have left un-made the evils - and then no necessity for the instruments to remove them!
Ah, why are we so slow to learn that God's ways are different from ours?
And when we enter the human realm the mystery deepens. What is man placed here for at all? To learn some lesson or lessons - or to undergo some test or experience, which he could not learn or undergo elsewhere? If so, then why is such a large proportion of the race removed in infancy, before such lessons can be learned and such experience be gained? Why indeed!
Such questions as these might be multiplied indefinitely, but sufficient has been said to point out the manifest limitations of human wisdom. And if we are confronted with insolvable problems in the domain of nature and of human existence - what of the Divine realm! Who can fathom the ways of the Almighty? Can you by searching find out God? No indeed. "Clouds and darkness are round about Him" (Psalm 97:2). If God were not a mystery, He would not be God to us.
But why write in this strain? Surely the need of our day is for that which will strengthen faith, not that which paralyses it. True, but what is faith? We mean faith in the abstract. Faith is, essentially, an attitude rather than an act - it is that which lies behind the act. Faith is an attitude of dependency, of recognized weakness. Faith is a coming to the end of ourselves and looking outside of ourselves - away from ourselves. Faith is that which gives God His proper place. And if we give God His proper place, we must take our proper place - and that is in the dust! And what is there that will bring the haughty, self-sufficient creature into the dust so quickly - as a sight of the Godhead of God! Nothing is so humbling to the human heart as a true recognition of the absolute sovereignty of God. So then, instead of seeking to weaken faith, we write to promote and strengthen it.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 3)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)