Guess the date?

 

To what generation was this written?

"There is an amazing ignorance of Scripture among many, and a consequent want of established, solid religion. In no other way can I account for the ease with which people are, like children, “tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). There is an Athenian love of novelty abroad, and a morbid distaste for anything old and regular and in the beaten path of our forefathers. Thousands will crowd to hear a new voice and a new doctrine without considering for a moment whether what they hear is true. There is an incessant craving after any teaching which is sensational and exciting and rousing to the feelings. There is an unhealthy appetite for a sort of spasmodic and hysterical Christianity. The religious life of many is little better than spiritual dram–drinking, and the “meek and quiet spirit” which St. Peter commends is clean forgotten (1 Pet. 3:4). Crowds and crying and hot rooms and high–flown singing and an incessant rousing of the emotions are the only things which many care for. Inability to distinguish differences in doctrine is spreading far and wide, and so long as the preacher is “clever” and “earnest,” hundreds seem to think it must be all right, and call you dreadfully “narrow and uncharitable” if you hint that he is unsound! [1]

This book on Holiness was written in 1877.  It could have been written in 2022.

John Charles Ryle (10 May 1816 – 10 June 1900) was an English evangelical Anglican bishop. "Bishop Ryle, as he is still affectionately known even by many who would not share his love of the Church of England, was essentially a lover and teacher of biblical truth. His uncompromising stand for evangelical doctrine and scriptural holiness often made him unpopular with those who favored new ideas and superficial practices." - Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones.

"And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:1–5, ESV)"

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3–4, ESV)  

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1. Ryle, J. C. (1999). Holiness: it’s nature, hinderances, difficulties and roots (electronic ed. based on the Evangelical Press reprinting, with new forward, 1995.). Christian Classics Foundation.

Christianity IS A Religion!

G.K. Chesterton rightly observed that "A heresy is always a half-truth turned into a whole falsehood" (America, November 9, 1935).  Or elsewhere he wrote that "every heresy is a truth taught out of proportion" (Daily News, June 26, 1909).  I wrote the article below in 2012.  I keep hearing this fallacy from dear Christians over and over again.  They say, "Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship." This half-truth is leading the Church to disastrous results.   Here's my former article.  See my conclusions at the end. 

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I have heard (and probably said) on many occasions that Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship.  Unfortunately that's only a half-truth.  We better stop bashing religion because we will soon learn that the wound is self-inflicted.  Jefferson Bethke has a blog post and one of his YouTube videos went wild as he bashed religion. The huge problem for us if we decide to run down this road is that Jesus was very religious.   As Kevin DeYoung intuitively writes: 

Jesus was a Jew. He went to services at the synagogue. He observed Jewish holy days. He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them (Matt. 5:17). He founded the church (Matt. 16:18). He established church discipline (Matt. 18:15-20). He instituted a ritual meal (Matt. 26:26-28). He told his disciples to baptize people and to teach others to obey everything he commanded (Matt. 28:19-20). He insisted that people believe in him and believe certain things about him (John 3:16-18; 8:24). If religion is characterized by doctrine, commands, rituals, and structure, then Jesus is not your go-to guy for hating religion.

Not only was our Lord, Teacher and Savior very religious, His Word commands us to be "religious":  

"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." (James 1:26-27, ESV).

The adjective in this quote from James (religious) is the Greek word θρῆσκος [threskos]. It actually has ideas of fearing and trembling before God in worship.  The Scripture is replete with those ideas.  James is pretty clear: a managed tongue; a care for the needy in mercy and compassion; and a pursuit of holiness is God's idea of religion.

So, before we bash religion, let's define our terms.  Yes, Jesus did say hard things to the religious leaders of Judaism; and Paul did condemn self-made, man-made religion.   But Jesus was religious and His Word commands us to be religious.  We better define what we mean when we bash religion.! Religion bashing is not the kind of sport we should engage in readily.  I'm tired of hearing it.  It's simply not intellectually coherent to suggest that a Christian has a relationship with Jesus but no religion. 

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We live in a world where Christians are highly individualistic and are driven by consumerism.  WHY?  One of the causes is due to this incredibly erroneous statement that Christianity is simply a relationship with Jesus.  The popular chorus goes like this, "Me and Jesus got a good thing going."   Indeed, you come to Christ on your own.  You repent and you believe.  And yes, when you are saved your new identity is to be in union with Christ. But guess what: you share that union with every other believer. And together you express your newfound relationship through the Church -- the local church.   A scant reading of the New Testament reveals the "corporateness" of the Christian faith.  We don't even pray the Lord's Prayer without saying, "Our Father . . .."  

A Christian will shrivel and die without a connection to the means of grace, the disciplines of the Spirit, all experienced through the local Church.  If it's just "Me and Jesus" you will shipwreck your faith because your Jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible.  Those that are in union with Jesus will soon find that they have an interdependent, accountable, caring relationship with others who are in union with Jesus. And all these relationships are fostered, nourished and built-up in the local church, using the ordinary means of grace. 

By definition a religion is a system of worship and faith.  Christian if you're not religious, you're in trouble.

The True Holy Land!

6. The Land of Holiness

We draw this massively important chapter to a close.  We have been studying the Minor Prophet, Zechariah and in particular of late, Zechariah 14.  Over the last few blogs we have attempted to see the contextual message and the implications for us.

1. The Day of the LORD;

2. He Will Make a Way;

3. The End For Which the World Was Created;

4. Since You Know the Wrath of God ..... ;

5. Come and Worship. Gentiles Invited Too!

This article closes the chapter as we read Zechariah 14:20–21 (NIV),

²⁰ On that day holy to the Lord will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord’s house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. ²¹ Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord Almighty.  

Life in the New Heavens and the New Earth will bleed holiness.  Holiness will pervade every part of life.  Even the bells on horse harnesses will be engraved with the inscription: HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.  All the vessels of the Lord's house will be holy.  Every utensil will be holy.  "Originally inscribed on the high priest’s turban (Ex. 28:36–38) to express dedication, the phrase is now applied to everything in Jerusalem, horses’ bells and cooking pots, because God’s presence sanctifies all around Him." [1]

There will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord.  Why?  Probably this is used metaphorically as the entire chapter represents in that there will be no unholy or ungodly people.

In Paul's letter to Ephesus he tells us very clearly: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love” (Ephesians 1:3–4, NIV)

Here we have the goal of sovereign, unconditional, irresistible predestination by the eternal God who, according to His own pleasure, chooses people to be saved -- saved from wrath and saved unto holiness.  As God has said, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” (Isaiah 46:10, NIV). As the prophet Isaiah elsewhere writes, recorded in Isaiah 14:26–27 (NIV),

²⁶ This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. ²⁷ For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

And Father, Your chosen people simply cry, Maranatha, Lord Jesus.  Come quickly. To God be the glory, great things He hath done.  As with the Apostle, the struggle and the battle with sin often causes us to cry out to Your, Lord Jesus, 'Who can deliver me from this body of sin.'  The answer rings from the Scriptures: Jesus!   And the day will come when we are thoroughly holy, through and through.  And the earth and all that's in it will be holy.  And a number to great to number, all the Elect of God will be holy.  Oh that will be glory for me.  And Christ Jesus will be glorified with His saints, forever and ever and ever.  Amen!

Now we envision the true Holy Land!

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1. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Zec 14:20). Nashville: T. Nelson. 

The Road to Thanksgiving (An Exposition of Psalm 116) - Pt.5

This great personal psalm of thanksgiving was used in the congregational liturgy of the Jewish church.  It was part of the Egyptian Hallel.   I have already suggested that the form and structure of the psalm transmitted the core message.  That message was this: When we reflect on the mercies of God it results in a life-changing contemplation of His works and a commitment to live in loyalty to Him.  We see that pattern in the first half of the psalm and it is repeated in the second.  Note:

The Circumstance

¹⁰ I trusted in the Lord when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”; ¹¹ in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.” 

In the midst of the trial, the psalmist still trusted, still believed.  He was able to see through the men that harassed him and saw them for who they are: vain, empty and liars.

The Contemplation

¹² What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? 

Based upon the goodness of God and His faithfulness, the psalmist then goes into his own thoughts and asks this important question: "What shall I return to the Lord?"   Or, "How can I repay the Lord?" Of course the question is rhetorical and there is no answer.  In fact there should not be an answer.  It is a vain thing to try to pay back God (see Romans 11:35-36),   As we see in verse 17 below, gratitude is often expressed in asking God for more!

At this point we need to be careful.  The psalmist is not suggesting that a committed lifestyle is a means of repaying God for His goodness. To repay grace annuls grace. But there is a pious response that is normal. True gratitude does promote holy living. It's the result of, not in payment for God's goodness.  

The Commitment

¹³ I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. 

¹⁴ I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. ¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. 

¹⁶ Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains. 

¹⁷ I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. 

¹⁸ I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, ¹⁹ in the courts of the house of the Lord— in your midst, Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.

"As a token of his thanksgiving, the psalmist brings "a thank offering" (v.17) together with a drink offering (cf. Num 28:7), which he calls "the cup of salvation" (v.13). At the time of the thank offering, he called again "on the name of the LORD" (cf. vv.2, 17); but this time, not to ask for deliverance, but to thank the Lord and praise his holy name for his fidelity to his promises." [1] All this adds up to one word: worship!   We say thank you by worshiping. 

In tomorrow's blog we will look more closely at this "commitment" that the psalmist makes.

Father, in Your deliverance You help us see things more clearly.  Your deliverance also gives discernment.  We start to see people for who they really are by seeing You for who You really are. When You hear and respond to our need there is something within our independent, self-sufficient, merit-seeking, pride that wants to pay you back.  How foolish!  We cannot.  Your grace simply brings us to our knees in humble, thankful worship.  Your mercies cause us to value You, honor You, love You more and more.  Your precious promises make You more precious.  Thank you, Father, for Your grace to us this day.  May this day resound in worshipful living and Christ-centered loving.  Amen!

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1. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Psalms/Exposition of Psalms/BOOK V: Psalms 107-150/Psalm 116: Be at Rest, for the Lord Is Good/VI. Vows of Thanksgiving (116:12-14), Book Version: 4.0.2

NOTE:

A. Part 1 of this article is found HERE.

B. Part 2 of this article is found HERE.

C. Part 3 of this article is found HERE.

D. Part 4 of this article is found HERE.

The Road to Thanksgiving (An Exposition of Psalm 116) - Pt.4

In a previous Blog, I noted that the psalmist's structure was communicating a message.  He introduced his subject in verses 1-2 and now he remembers a circumstance where God intervened in his life. He contemplates that; and then follows through with a commitment to the Lord.  We see that in verses 3-9:

The Circumstance

³ The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. ⁴ Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” ⁵ The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. ⁶ The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. 

We notice the words that he uses about his crisis:

1. The cords of death entangled me.
2. The anguish of the grave came over me.
3. I was overcome by distress and sorrow

Then the psalmist prayed; and he found the Lord to be gracious, righteous and compassionate. This was a man that was in "the valley of the shadow of death."  Some may relate to this.  I have been spared.  But even the casual reader can at least envision the desperateness and severity of his condition. The psalmist finds in God saving mercies.

Contemplation

⁷ Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. 

The answer to prayer then prompts the writer to preach to himself.  Answered prayer should result in peace of mind. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7, NIV)

Commitment

⁸ For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, ⁹ that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Verses 8 and 9 pronounce this commitment. Because God has delivered him, the psalmist sees a purpose -- that being: that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. "The psalmist asserts that he will live in continual obedience to God. All of his actions will withstand God’s inspection." [1]

Again, I think there's a pattern here of worship and thanksgiving.  Reflecting on God's mercies to us ought to result in an inward solitude and outward godliness.  True thanksgiving out to be revolutionary.  

Father it is hard to relate to the near-death reality of the psalmist.  In general You have granted me a pretty safe and easy life.  But there have been many times in my life where I have called to You for help and You have answered according to Your gracious will.  The point of this psalm is that this answered prayer should bring peace and comfort to my soul and holiness to my walk.  I've never thought this way before.  This is an entirely new way of thinking.  Answered prayer deepens my love for You; brings peace to my soul and propels me to live in godliness.  May Your kindness to me never go unnoticed again.  May answered prayer be revolutionary in my life.   Help me Lord Jesus.  I love You.

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1. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ps 116:9). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

NOTE:

A. Part 1 of this article is found HERE.

B. Part 2 of this article is found HERE.

C. Part 3 of this article is found HERE.

Marks of a True Disciple

Bunyan, through his allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress, gives to us great insight as to one’s assurance of salvation. Christianity can be a very deceptive thing.  Not unlike the character Talkative, there can be some who speak of “of prayer, of repentance, of faith, and of the new birth; but he knows but only to talk of them.” The Pilgrim engages such a one and in the process gives us good insight into the nature of saving faith.

First he speaks of evil. There are those that willingly jump on the bandwagon against evil in all its deadly forms, but “a man may cry out against sin, of policy; but he cannot abhor it but by virtue of a godly antipathy against it.”  Do we speak against sin or do we loathe it in ourselves?  Saving faith introduces a character that is repulsed by sin.

Secondly, what of the knowledge of the Truth?   Are we not often aware of our own level of Christian comprehension yet we find ourselves so inept in obedience? “For there is a knowledge that is not attended with doing: “He that knoweth his Master’s will, and doeth it not.” A man may know like an angel, and yet be no Christian: therefore your sign of it is not true.”  Saving faith produces a desire to obey.  “There are, therefore, two sorts of knowledge, knowledge that resteth in the bare speculation of things, and knowledge that is accompanied with the grace of faith and love, which puts a man upon doing even the will of God from the heart: the first of these will serve the talker; but without the other, the true Christian is not content.”

Thirdly, what of Jesus Christ?  The true Christian “. . . findeth, moreover, revealed in him the Saviour of the world, and the absolute necessity of closing with him for life; at the which he findeth hungerings and thirstings after him; to which hungerings, etc., the promise is made.” What a difference to know about Jesus, and to love and delight in Him? 

“Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. It's a way of overcoming every obstacle to everlasting joy in God. If we don't want God above all things, we have not been converted by the gospel.”  ― John Piper, God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of Himself

Bunyan goes on through the conversation with Faithful and Talkative to say this:

“To others it is thus discovered:

1. By an experimental confession of his faith in Christ.

2. By a life answerable to that confession; to wit, a life of holiness-heart-holiness, family-holiness, (if he hath a family,) and by conversation-holiness in the world; which in the general teacheth him inwardly to abhor his sin, and himself for that, in secret; to suppress it in his family, and to promote holiness in the world: not by talk only, as a hypocrite or talkative person may do, but by a practical subjection in faith and love to the power of the word.”

Oh that these things: heart-felt love for Christ; an inner passion for holiness and obedience, would be my testimony.  Anything else short of that is of no avail.