SOVEREIGN GRACE--ROLFE BARNARD

Rolfe Barnard (1904-1969)

Why do we use the double term sovereign grace? What does it mean and what is implied by the epithet sovereign as attached to the term grace? The answer is immediately at hand. The whole so-called "Christian world" professes to believe in salvation by grace. Only a remnant within the whole believes in Sovereign Grace. I am happy to be found among the latter group. The popular conception of salvation by grace is that God used to be holy, but now He has found a way to let man off easier. Nearly all of the major groups talk of salvation by grace and it means, usually, whatever the holder of the view thinks it means. I am trying simply to say this; there seems to be no division among professing Christians as to salvation by grace, as the term is loosely and widely used – but there is a wide and real division among them when we consider the term “Sovereign Grace’! Because I believe there is no grace save sovereign grace, I use the term and dedicate my own ministry, unprofitable as it is, to the expounding of sovereign grace and to the calling of the ministry back to similar action.

(1) What do the terms grace and sovereign mean? One of the attributes of God is goodness. The goodness of God is the divine essence seen as energized benevolently and kindly towards the creature; “I will be gracious – I will be merciful”, Saith the Lord. “The Lord is plenteous in mercy.” “The Lord delights to show mercy.” Mercy and grace are varieties of God’s goodness. Grace has reference to sinful man as guilty, while mercy has respect to sinful man as miserable.

(2) This attribute (goodness) expressed in grace and mercy is free and sovereign in its exercise. “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” Exodus 33:19. The goodness of God is infinite and circumscribed by no limits; but the exercise of His goodness may be limited by Himself. God is necessarily good in His nature, but free in His communication of it. If the Bible is plain about anything it is plain about the fact that God must be just to all men; He may be merciful to some. God owes all men justice; He owes no man mercy or grace! A sovereign God exercises mercy and grace as it seems good to Him. “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” Matthew 11:25-26.

(3) Actually God exercises mercy in a general manner toward all men.Anything this side of hell is mercy! Mercy is found in and by the works of creation and providence and the delay of punishment, but special grace or saving grace and mercy in Christ are only exercised in redemption and regeneration toward those whom a sovereign God is pleased to save. Ephesians 1:36; Romans 9:11-16. This is our battle cry! How seldom it is heard, yet it is the very truth of truths.

If you will consider the history of the preaching of sovereign grace, you will arrive at the startling fact that every great period of spiritual awakening this world has ever known has come in connection with such preaching. Brethren, history and the pale imitation of revival present among us today, demand a restudy of and a return to the truth of grace in the hands of a Sovereign, whose exercise of mercy is optional within and to Himself.

The preaching of sovereign grace is not therefore the giving of undue prominence to any single doctrine of scripture. It is rather the proclaiming of a sovereign God graciously dealing with sinners as it pleases Him. We are often and somewhat vociferously accused of being guilty of the first part of this statement. This writer would certainly join in condemning the same. It is quite true that there is danger here. Any doctrine isolated from the whole body of revealed truth becomes perverted doctrine.The preaching of sovereign grace is not an enemy of true evangelism. Let me hasten to say that the preaching of sovereign grace will kill deader than a doornail the message and method of present-day evangelism! And some of us believe with a deadly intensity that the false message and method must be killed before the true message and method can become effective. We further believe that the only way this can be done is by the preaching of truth about God, the truth about man, and the truth about Christ who died and lives that God might be just and justified. These lines will appeal to no one who is happy about the results of evangelism today, but should you be one of many who mourn here, you will join in the task of raising up again the standard of sovereign grace”

A sovereign Christ is almost unheard of in church circles today. A Christ into whose hands all things have been given, who has all authority; who gives life and quickens whom He will, who decides the destinies of all men; who is Lord over all flesh.Present-day evangelism, for the most part poses to men the question, “What will you do with Jesus?” Bible or true evangelism poses the question, “What will the sovereign Christ do with me?”

Present-day evangelism says to men, “Believe and be born again.” Bible evangelism says to men, “Be born again so you can believe.” The one makes the new birth depend on an act of men, the other an act of God. Present-day evangelism takes for granted God’s mercy and grace, rather than marvelling at them in adoration and worship. Hear Paul say, “I obtained mercy.” Hear Peter say, “to all who have obtained like precious faith.” How I long to hear this note in the churches today! Salvation today is a physical rather than a spiritual matter. The preaching of sovereign grace is the need of the hour if we shall be true to God’s Word and true to the souls of men.

NO TURNING BACK

The late South Carolina preacher B. B. Caldwell (1899-1976) tells an interesting story. It seems that once in the midst of study and sermon preparation at home in Greenville SC, he felt a strong need to leave the house and go uptown. As he reached for his hat, Mrs. Caldwell asked him, "Where are you going?" "I don't know. The Holy Ghost said for me to go up to Main Street, and I am going!" "Oh!" she replied.

As he walked up Main Street, he saw a black lady sitting in the sun with some grandchildren. As was his custom he would stop and greet such a humble soul."Good morning, good lady, how are you doing?" "Oh, I is doin' fine!" said she with a big smile. "Well, are you a Christian, are you saved? Do you know the Lord?" Caldwell asked her. "Yes I is, and yes I does," was her dialect reply. "Then, Granny, how long have you been in the way?" "Oh, I guess it's been 40 years or more since de Lord saved me!"

"Good," said Mr. Caldwell. "Now may I ask you a question?" "Oh, yes!" "Granny, have you ever thought of going back to the world?" She very strongly replied: "Well, sir, the flesh in me might think it, but that is not the true me. I didn't leave nothin' back there to go back for!" She reflected a few minutes and added, "And besides all dat, son, I has done and passed the 'turn-back station.' I am redeemed by His blood and Heaven bound and there is no turning back!"

Then the preacher realized what he had gone to town for. He had gotten the blessed truth and illustration he needed for the sermon he was preparing. Thanking the good lady and giving a little treat to each of her grandchildren, Brother Caldwell walked on back home to his study! As he recounted the incident to his wife, he felt such consolation in knowing that God leads His dear children along the way and gives them the encouragement they need. May He encourage some reader today! (Your e-mail Encourager)

Many thanks to Wylie Fulton (via Charles Rosson), for this most probably“politically incorrect”, but very encouraging remembrance of Bro.B.B.Caldwell.

THOUGHTS ON SCRIPTURE BY SAINTS OF OLD

"The Scripture is both the breeder and feeder of grace. How is the convert born, but by `the word of truth'? (James 1:18). How doth he grow, but by `the sincere milk of the Word.'?" (1 Peter 2:2) "The Scripture is to be its own interpreter, or rather the Spirit speaking in it; nothing can cut the diamond but the diamond; nothing can interpret Scripture but Scripture." Thomas Watson,1620-1686

"Compare Scripture with Scripture. False doctrines, like false witnesses, agree not among themselves."William Gurnall, 1617-1679

"Our object should not be to have scripture on our side but to be on the side of scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation." William Symington, 1795-1862

CONTENTED OR DISCONTENTED?

The discontented person thinks everything he doth for God too much, and everything God doth for him too little. The way for a man to be contented is not by raising his estate, but by bringing his heart lower. Whatever trouble a child of God meets with, it is all the hell he shall have. Death begins a wicked man's hell, but it puts an end to a Godly man's hell. A contented spirit is never angry, unless it is with himself for having hard thoughts of God. Shoulds't thou have no evil about thee, who hast so much evil in thee? Thou art not fully sanctified in this life,how then thinkest thou to be fully satisfied? If we have not what we desire, we have more than we deserve -Thomas Watson, 1620-1686.

ANOTHER NEW BLOG!!

There is a purpose in my madness! I wanted to specialize a little, so the newest blog focuses strictly on concise scripture meditations and morsels. So many people don't have the time, or take the time, to read longer articles. If either of these is you, it is with you in mind that the new Cybermeditations blog is started today. Just click the link at the top and you are there. Much more coming later, Lord willing. I hope it is a help and blessing- Charles

COMMENT ON THEOLOGIANS

"The duty of a theologian is, not to please the ear with empty sounds, but to confirm the conscience by teaching things which are true, certain and profitable.” -John Calvin

NEW BLOGS IN THE WORKS!

I am expanding the blog concept a little by adding some new blogs. The first is operational today, but not much posted there so far. Check it in a couple of days, please. It called "cyberphotos" and you can just click on it in the links section. I have made photos around the nation, and the world, over many years, and want to share some of them with you. Over time, I plan to post some of my best ones there.

CHRIST'S RETURN - BY W.F. BELL

There is nothing that thrills the Christian’s heart more than knowing the Lord Jesus Christ will some day return to this earth. Some of His last words are these: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work....Surely I am coming quickly” (Revelation 22:12, 20). What precious promises, that our Savior Himself “will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).

Men have sadly blurred this great event by arguing whether Christ’s coming will be before a Millennium, after a Millennium, or whether there will even be a literal Millennium. Suffice it to say, it does not matter. The important thing is that Christ will literally return. Let us not argue the fine details of prophecy. There is so much “reading into” Scripture (this is called “interpolation”) that it is not easily admitted or recognized. Fundamentalists have made such an issue of dispensations, Jewish fables, and carnal millennial views, it is not worth all the time and effort involved to try and sort it all out. (Then, you still could not please everyone.)

“Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). The question reveals a misunderstanding of the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:28, for the disciples evidently thought our Lord meant that the Romans were to be overthrown, with a physical restoration of Israel’s kingdom. But Christ’s word of response here is very significant: “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority” (v. 7). Despite these clear words from the Lord Jesus, many through the years have set dates for Christ’s return, causing much unbelief and confusion about the subject. We remember well in 1988 a false teacher made lots of money deceiving the unwary with his “88 Reasons the Rapture Will Occur in 1988.” Seems he and all others like him miscalculated and misinterpreted.

Our point here is not to make fun of prophecy or belittle prophetic study. Not at all. We love the prophetic Scriptures, and interpret prophecy literally, except where it is plainly symbolical. The problem is not so much “interpreting literally,” as it is in just believing what it says! We may not understand, for example, what Isaiah 2 and Micah 4 all means, but for sure we believe it. Ezekiel 38-39 we do interpret literally, but that does not mean we interpret it exactly like Hal Lindsey does. And as to what exactly Ezekiel 40-48 is teaching, or exactly means, is not for us to dogmatically assert. We do still believe it, even though interpreters differ on the passage.

Let us note here lovingly that what is primarily important about Christ’s return is that a glorious resurrection is to take place, and usually this is minimized. A whole chapter is given to its importance, I Corinthians 15, of course. When you study this chapter, new understanding is given the humble believer,for here are no arguments about a Millennium, when the Rapture will occur,or if there will be a re-institution of Old Testament animal sacrifices. These things are not here, beloved. And why should we advocate taking a position on these things, when the Scripture is silent on them? Here’s what matters: “This mortal must put on immortality.”

The late evangelist, B. B. Caldwell, was once asked, “What position do you take on the second coming of Christ?” Caldwell simply smiled, stating, “I’m a looker.” And that’s a great answer, which is what we all better be, according to Hebrews 9:28, “And unto them that look for Him will He appear a second time.” Selah.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

“A lot of eschatology, and much of our theology in general, will be straightened out when Christ comes.” Charles Woodruff

RAIN

by Charles Woodruff

Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit (James 5:17-18).

A recent opportunity to preach to a gathering of believers in a Bible study allowed me to comment on these verses. Elijah is always a fascinating Bible character to study. In this case I zeroed in a little on the fact that he prayed, and although a man of like passions as we are, God heard his prayers. Yes he was a man, but God’s man. He was praying according to God’s will. I can’t use the quote of Martin Luther often enough; “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness”. I first saw this quote almost forty years ago in chapter nine of The Sovereignty of God by Arthur W. Pink. We can readily see that Elijah was praying in the purpose and willingness of God. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (I John 5:14).

Elijah’s first prayer was evidently that the land of Israel (at that time in spiritual depravity and gross sin), would be punished under God’s judgment by the withholding of necessary rain. “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (I Kings 17:1). In modern language he was telling wicked and powerful King Ahab, “It ain’t gonna rain until I say so!”, and it didn’t rain for three years and six months. It would take an anointed prophet of God, or a fool to get in the face of a powerful king and say this!

Nowhere in First Kings are we told about Elijah’s prayer before his visit to Ahab, or the exact length of the drought, but James in the New Testament tells us the rest. How did he know it? We do not know exactly. Was tradition passed down through the elders? Did the Lord Jesus Himself tell about it to His brother, James? That He knew it is evident: “But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elijah sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon,unto a woman that was a widow“ (Luke 4:25,26).

More likely it was a direct revelation from the Holy Spirit to James. The wonderful thing about divine inspiration is that the Holy Spirit can give one writer part of the story, and another “the rest of the story” as Paul Harvey so often says. This is very evident in the four gospels where we have the four writers each giving, by the Spirit, their individual view of the whole, blending in harmony with the other gospels to give the complete picture. We do confirm that the Bible is complete -- there will be no new revelations.(See Revelation 22:18,19). The Bible is divinely inspired, infallible and indestructible.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3 :16).

Now, dear reader, imagine this; no rain in Israel for 42 months! That is 3 ½ years! Absolutely no rain! It rains at least two inches a year average in Death Valley, California! It rains about three inches per year average in most of the Sahara Desert! No rain AT ALL for three years and six months. Astounding!

We are currently in a severe drought in the southeastern United States. It hasn’t rained here at home in about three weeks. This county, Coweta, is showing only 0.74 inches for the entire month, and the month ends tomorrow! Nowhere in the South has much more for this month. Things are bone dry. Huge forest fires are raging in south Georgia and north Florida. The thick smoke and smell has even traveled here -- from over 200 miles away! I have never seen it like this in all my 64 years. It is severe, but the drought has only been going on for only about two months, and we have gotten a little rain. What about three years and six months with no rain? No rain at all!

Who controls the weather anyway? I can tell you right now, it is NOT Mother Nature (whoever that is).It is NOT the devil. It is NOT Punxsutawney Phil. It is NOT the Weather Channel. It is NOT some meteorologist. It is God! The meteorologists with all their degrees and worldly wisdom couldn’t get it right last year. For 2006 most of them had predicted the USA would have 8-10 hurricanes off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, yet there were only five and none hit land. There was only a strong tropical storm, which hit North Carolina. This was after the devastating season of 2005 which brought us Katrina, and other powerful storms. The weather people blamed “El Nino”. The same people are saying 7-10 major Atlantic storms for the 2007 hurricane season which starts next week. Almighty God controls the weather. He has from the very beginning:
“And every plant ofthe field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground” (Genesis 2:5,6). Notice it says God had not yet caused it to rain. God is the first cause, uncreated, and eternal, and He is still the controller of all things. “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose ofhim who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11).

He, and He only, gives rain as it pleases Him: “Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? Art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things”(Jeremiah 14:22).

He can withhold rain as it pleases Him: “Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you (Deuteronomy 11:16,17).

In whatever dispensation, era, age, epoch, or call it what you wish, God’s eternal principles and hatred of sin do not change God is still God.“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to day, and forever”(Hebrews 13:8). “I am the LORD (JEHOVAH), I change not” (Malachi 3:6). God’s immutability requires that He punish sin, either in the sinner or his substitute.This substitute, Jesus Christ,who took my place at Calvary, is Himself God manifested in human flesh (See I Timothy 3:16).As God, He has power over the elements.“But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” ( Matthew 8:27). In his discourse to the people of Lycaonia, the Apostle Paul pointed out that it was the true God who gave rain and other blessings even to those unconverted people. “Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” Acts 14:17). This is consistent with Jesus' words: “ That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” ( Matthew 5:45).

At this present time, there are some in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Florida who are wishing and hoping, and perhaps praying for a hurricane to hit soon with its beneficial rain, in spite of the damage it would do. Millions of dollars in crops are already lost, others are in great danger. What WILL we do if we get no rain for three years and six months? Or if we only get a small amount? You see how desperate people get when there is no rain? Yet, will they call upon God who has blessed us in past days? Most will not! If this drought continues, the Southeast could be like the dry country of Arizona and Utah. Everyone would be affected. Yet, the heathen who hate God will still curse if it rains and spoils their outings at the lake, or the sea shore.

We need prophets today, as W.F. Bell recently stated in an article I have on this blog. He was not necessarily speaking of foretellers, or seers (though I will not limit God and say that He could not raise up such, and He will again in the future- see Revelation 3:3-12). As I understand scripture, this verse has not been yet fulfilled. But W.F. was, I think, speaking of men like Elijah, or John the Baptist who would cry “Flee from the wrath to come”. God’s judgment is coming. I don’t think you need to be a prophet to predict that.. I see signs that it is already here.

God has said: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His inheritance“ (Psalm 33:12). He also said: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17). You cannot tell me these verses are not applicable to us today, just because they are Old Testament. Otherwise How could He judge “all nations” if scripture did not apply to anyone but the Jews? “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left” (Matthew 25:31-33).

This will sound like a harsh message to some, but I am persuaded it is one we all need. I do not claim to be a prophet or the son of a prophet, but I can tell you what is going to happen to the western nations if God is not pleased to send a refreshing. Forget literal rain. We need a refreshing of revival from on high in this land and others, or doom will come sooner than you think. There are estimated to be over 1.3 billion Muslims in the world today.We used to call them Moslems or Mohammedans. Some call them Islamists. Whatever you call them, there is a large radical core, perhaps the most consistent followers of Islam, who mean to convert us, or destroy us. You say “They can’t defeat the USA, the strongest nation on the earth. Be careful, my friends, for no one thought Hitler’s Germany allied with Tojo’s Japan and Mussolini’s Italy could be defeated, but the Axis was defeated. No one thought that the mighty Soviet Union would be defeated with all their nuclear power, but it was, without a shot being fired from the west. If God wants to use the Mohammedan nations to bring down this land of decadence, abortion, sexual perversion, sodomy, child molesting, murder, and blasphemy to its knees, then He will do it! If you will not worship the true God as revealed in Jesus Christ, then He will send you a false one. Hear me! The once great nations of Great Britain and France are just about to be majority Islam. It will happen here also unless God turns it around.

Why did Jehovah bring judgment on Israel during Ahab’s day anyway? Was it not because of wicked leaders causing the people to forsake God and worship false Gods? Why were both Israel and Judah carried off into captivity? Here’s why: “And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon” (2 Kings 24:2-4).

Innocent blood! How much innocent blood has been shed in this land since January 22, 1973? You can see God hates it. If the adult humans slaughtered in the evil times of Israel’s kings were called “innocent blood”, how much more the blood of these millions of unborn children? Where do you think we are today with corrupt judges making laws in favor of sodomites, and against Christians as they legislate from the bench. Not to mention many of the corrupt congressman and corrupt officials in elected government. The majority of the early announced presidential candidates have few principles. This is where we are today in America. Not a pretty sight.
Repent and believe the gospel! Christ is coming again!

SALUTING THE BRETHREN by W.F. BELL

"And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch" (Acts 18:22). "And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day" (Acts 21:7). "And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry" (Acts 21:19).

How thrilling to read the journeys of the apostle Paul and "Paul's company" (at least seven others, Acts 20:4). There were trials untold, but there was also much joy: "And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly" (Acts 21:17). Travel in that day was by no means easy, but they were led about by God Himself, and thus "they glorified the Lord" (Acts 21:20), "and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified" (Acts 19:17). The churches "were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied" (Acts 9:31). Notice this great upward crescendo here: (1) glorified, (2) magnified, (3) edified, (4) multiplied, (5) received, and (6) saluted. How precious is the unity, love, and fellowship of the "brethren" (Psalm 133:1; Ephesians 4:2-3).

The Greek word translated "salute" here is a beautiful word, aspazomai, meaning "to enfold in the arms, to greet, to welcome, to embrace." How warm is this word and these texts that use it (Romans 16:23; Colossians 4:10,12; I Peter 5:13). As you read the narratives, you can just "feel" the love and warmth being expressed. Is there anything in all the world more precious than this "love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given unto us" (Romans 5:5)? No! No earthly love or even marital love equals it, for this "love of God" within us is a supernatural, divine love, which only the quickened elect of God know anything about. How we should treasure meeting and greeting our brethren, as we are "all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28), no matter our nationality, social status, race, skin color, religious background, or our denominational affiliation. Our Lord Jesus Christ has truly obliterated all divisions among God's people, based upon natural, outward things (Colossians 3:11).

"But Christ is all, and in all." Let those seven words sink in deeply. "But Christ." "Is all." "And in all." There you have it, brethren!

This is why we embrace each other when we meet (the above opening verses from Acts). This is why we rejoice together, and weep together (Romans 12:15). This is why we truly desire each other's fellowship (Philippians 1:7-8). This is why we don't keep records of wrongs among us (I Corinthians 13:4-5). Our hearts have been bathed in agape love, and we seek the welfare and blessing of others (Genesis 43:27). This is the only way we ever could obey, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ " (Galatians 6:2).

No one brother is above another, as we are all servants of Christ (Matthew 20:26). We must rid ourselves of all proud titles, as we hear again the words of our Lord and Master: "and all ye are brethren" (Matthew 23:8). This is why we can "pray one for another" (James 5:16). Those who know and love God are admonished, "Beloved, let us love one another" (I John 4:7). This is true brotherly love.

With Captain David, I salute all brethren in distress, in debt, and who are discontented (I Samuel 22:1-2). Captain Jesus visits us also in our Cave of Adullam! Let's greet Him, "All Hail, King Jesus!" He whispers to us, "Shalom, Peace" (John 20:19). Oh brethren, hear these precious words: "Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD" (John 20:20). Oh that the Great Comforter would let us see King Jesus! Then, and only then can we "embrace each other" in true Christian love. I salute you! I greet you and embrace you in the love of Christ! "Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss" (I Thessalonians 5:26). "Let brotherly love continue" (Hebrews 13:1).

A WARNING ABOUT OUR WAYS AND WALK

MORNING AND EVENING for MARCH 30 — PM
“Let us search and try our WAYS, and turn again to the Lord.”
— Lamentations 3:40
The spouse who fondly loves her absent husband longs for his return; a long protracted separation from her Lord is a semi-death to her spirit: and so with souls who love the Saviour much, they must see His face, they cannot bear that He should be away upon the mountains of Bether {apart}, and no more hold communion with them.

A reproaching glance, an uplifted finger will be grievous to loving children, who fear to offend their tender father, and are only happy in his smile. Beloved, it was so once with you. A text
of Scripture, a threatening, a touch of the rod of affliction, and you went to your Father’s feet, crying, “Show me wherefore Thou contendest with me?”

Is it so now? Are you content to follow Jesus afar off? Can you contemplate suspended communion with Christ without alarm? Can you bear to have your Beloved walking contrary to you, because you WALK contrary to Him? Have your sins separated between you and your God, and is your heart at rest? O let me affectionately WARN you, for it is a grievous thing when we can live contentedly without the present enjoyment of the Saviour’s face.

Let us labour to feel what an evil thing this is — little love to our own dying Saviour, little joy in our precious Jesus, little fellowship with the Beloved! Hold a true humility in your souls,while you sorrow over your hardness of heart. Do not stop at sorrow! Remember where you first received salvation. Go at once to the cross. There, and there only, can you get your spirit quickened. No matter how hard, how insensible, how dead we may have become, let us go again in all the rags and poverty, and defilement of our natural condition. Let us clasp that cross, let us look into those languid eyes, let us bathe in that fountain filled with blood — this will bring back to us our first love; this will RESTORE the simplicity of our faith, and the tenderness of our heart. Adapted from Charles Spurgeon

MATTHEW HENRY ON REPENTANCE

"Some people do not like to hear much of repentance; but I think it is so necessary that if I should die in the pulpit, I would desire to die preaching repentance, and if out of the pulpit I would desire to die practicing it."

ARTHUR W. PINK ON HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY

"Particular redemption (Christ making atonement for the sins of his own people only) must not prevent his servants from preaching the gospel to every creature and announcing that there is a Savior for every sinner out of hell who appropriates him for his own." (Studies in the Scriptures March 1951)
"Unto the objection that to call upon the unregenerate to turn from the world and come to Christ is to inculate creature-ability and to feed self righteousness, we ask, Were Christ and his Spirit-taught apostles ignorant of this danger? Were men so mightily used of God as Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and C.H. Spurgeon wrong, when , in promiscuously exhorting all their hearers to flee from the wrath to come, they followed the example of John the Baptist and the Son of God?" (Quoted by Iain Murray in the Life of Arthur Pink BOT p.232 On Preaching Human Responsibility)

WORDS, ALL WORDS, FULL OF WORDS

By W.F. Bell

We are told there are some three-quarter million "words" in the Bible. I have never counted them. The word "and" is supposed to be in the Bible over 46,000 times. The longest word in Scripture is "Mahershalalhashbaz" (Isaiah 8:1). "Grandmother" occurs only once (2 Timothy 1:5). Many words are not in the Bible that people think are, like "Christmas," "purgatory," and "sermon." Common phrases and sayings, like "Every tub must stand on its own bottom," and "Let your conscience be your guide," are not in the Bible.

I do often like to get out a dictionary, and just look over different words. Like "ephapse." Anyone ever use that word? It means "the place where two lateral axons touch each other." But, unless you know Physiology, that definition doesn't help much. "Words" are vehicles of thoughts, but the question must often be asked, "What does that word mean?" What are "axons"? We are often in the dark in our understanding.

There are over 150 words in the above two paragraphs. What's my point here? Words! We use them everyday, and don't often think about it. According to the dictionary there are some eleven different meanings of the word "word." Then, we have expressions like, "beyond words," "in so many words," "eat one's words," and "you took the words out of my mouth." The Bible is called "God's word," and it is interesting that the first usage of "word" in Scripture is Genesis 15:1, stating "After these things the WORD of the LORD came to Abram in a vision," etc. And how interesting that the Bible closes with emphasis upon what God has "recorded" in His "word," stating "Blessed is he who reads, and they who hear the WORDS of this prophecy, and keep those things which are WRITTEN therein; for the time is at hand" (Revelation 1:3) "And He said to me, Write, for these WORDS are true and faithful" (21:5). Then, the warning is given not to add to or take from "the WORDS of the book of this prophecy" (22:18-19).

So, God the Sovereign Creator has communicated to man (His creation) in "words," and even our Lord Jesus Christ is called "THE WORD OF GOD" (Revelation 19:13), or "THE WORD" who "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:1, 14). All of this is to further emphasize the great importance of words, and their meanings. But then we have those who argue if God's "words" are truly "inspired," and exactly what is the meaning of "inspiration" (2 Timothy 3:16). Again, see the importance of words. We must have intelligent understanding of "words" if they are to benefit us or help us. We live in a day when "words" are being changed, with new "spin" put on their meanings.

"A fool also is FULL of words" (Ecclesiastes 10:14). The problem with that verse is, Who is "a fool"? We don't like to use that word, and we don't like to be called "foolish." But we learn the meaning of one word by the use of another: "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow him up" (Ecclesiastes 10:12). So, we know a person is "foolish" who is unwise with his words, for "The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd" (Ecclesiastes 12:11). Our Savior spoke "gracious words" (Luke 4:22) because He was "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). "The officers said, Never man spake like this Man" (John 7:46). And Jesus says plainly, "He who is of God HEARS God's WORDS" (John 8:47).

"Also take no heed unto ALL words that are spoken" (Ecclesiastes 7:21). Don't pay attention to everything people say! Why? Because we ourselves have said things we should not have said (v. 22), and we are always glad when unwise, unkind things we have said (and thought) were forgotten or taken "no heed to." We hear things all the time that are "wordy" and "useless." It's best to act like we never heard them, or at least respond back with "few words." "Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your HEART be hasty to utter anything before God. For God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few" (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

The Queen of Sheba, after hearing of Solomon's fame "concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions" (I Kings 10:1). After visiting him, seeing "all of Solomon's wisdom," and Solomon solving "all her questions," it is recorded, "And she said to the king, It was A TRUE REPORT that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the WORDS until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me" (vv. 6-7). Hopefully, by grace, we all can say the same about the glories of our Lord Jesus Christ (our greater Solomon), for He alone has "THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE" (John 6:68). "To whom shall we go" but to HIM, remembering Hosea 14:2 -- "TAKE with you WORDS, and TURN to the LORD. SAY unto HIM, Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously." Take! Turn! Say! Surely these are "ACCEPTABLE WORDS," and "WORDS OF TRUTH" (Ecclesiastes 12:10).

Taking heed to my own "words" here, "Better is the END of a thing than its beginning" (Ecclesiastes 7:8). Finis.

THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER

By Charles Woodruff

The book is titled “The Acts of the Apostles”, but is more accurately “The Acts of the Holy Spirit”, for He is truly at work throughout the book in every event. Chapter 16 is remarkable in many ways. First of all, at Lystra Paul meets Timothy, who was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother. Paul takes him under his wing and brings him along on his missionary journey. After giving to churches in the region the decrees of the apostles regarding the things decided in Jerusalem, they wanted to go to Asia, but the Holy Ghost forbade them.

THE CALL

Then there was the Macedonian call. “And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And
a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them” (Acts 16:8-10).

They went to Philippi in Macedonia and soon discovered one reason the Spirit sent them there:
“A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us, whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul” (Acts 16:14).

Later they met a girl possessed of an evil spirit: “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16: 16-18).

THE CELL

Because it took away monetary gain from those who used her divination powers, these unscrupulous people had the Philippian magistrates put Paul and Silas in Jail, after beating them severely. This brings us to our main focus: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house” (Acts 16:25-34).

We notice that Paul and Silas were not worried, or defeated even though they had been severely beaten. They were praying, and singing praises to God at midnight, and the prisoners heard them. This was a wonderful witness to all who heard, that God would take care of His own. Instead of being in despair, they were having a praise service. These apostolic preachers taught us all how to behave under persecution, and many Christians since, such as John Hus, Polycarp, and Wycliffe, as well as many in our modern day, have followed their path.

Prison was a rough place to be in the Roman empire. Many of today’s prisons in America are like country clubs compared to a Roman prison.My late friend, Simion Motz, who for his Christian witness, served four years of a seventeen year sentence in the hellhole communist prisons of his homeland. He told me that later, when he went to preach at prisons here in the free world, he was shocked to find that the prisoners had recreation rooms complete with televisions, ping pong tables, and various games, magazines, books, and even a swimming pool! He said these prisoners had it better than most common people had it in communist Romania. My late friend, Haralan Popov, writer of Tortured for his Faith telling of his 13 years in Bulgarian prisons, said much the same thing. We see that Paul and Silas had no luxuries. Only misery!

Yet these men of God were not complaining, though I am sure they were suffering much pain. Instead they were praying and singing praises to God. I don’t know what they were singing, but it must have been God honoring music similar to “Amazing Grace”, “Rock of Ages”, or some psalms, or spiritual songs. I’m sure they were not singing rock, hip hop, country or some other “contemporary” concoction patterned after the world’s music. It was midnight, but they were singing praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them.

Then came the astounding earthquake. The Lord of heaven and earth can shake the earth anytime he wants, and here was just the right time. It was such a shaking that the very foundations of the prison were shaken.. To further show that this was miraculous, and not a natural phenomena, the doors were all opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

THE CONVERSION

Now remember the jailer, or keeper of the prison, was charged by the magistrate to firmly secure Paul and Silas in stocks, and carefully guard them. The leaders were set on stopping the preaching of these “strange gods”. So the jailer feared for his life, but would rather kill himself than suffer the shame and humiliation of letting the prisoners escape. He thought all the prisoners had escaped, and he was going to die anyway, so why not get it over with.

You can imagine his shock when he heard Paul cry out loudly “Do thyself no harm, for we are all here”(v.28). Not one of his charges had left, though all were loosed. So he called for a light in that dark dungeon and rushed in trembling. He was trembling, not because of the earthquake, nor because of possible escaped prisoners, or fear of his superiors, but because the power of the Holy Ghost brought conviction to him. Unlike Felix (Acts 24:25), who trembled when Paul preached to him, the jailer trembled, and asked a very important question.

No, my friends, the words he next said were not from worry of escaping prisoners, or reprisals from his superiors, but from Holy Ghost power brought to his own soul. He had no doubt heard why they were in jail. Maybe he had heard all the commotion brought about by the possessed girl who said “These men are servants of the most High God which shew us the way of salvation” (v. 17). What she said was true, just as when the demons identified Jesus as the Christ, and He rebuked them because His time had not yet come. The damsel was causing a distraction and a hindrance. So when Paul rebuked the demon in her, the handlers lost their meal ticket, and that is why they wanted the apostles arrested.

But the jailer said “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (v. 30) This is not the normal way a jailer would address a prisoner. He wouldn’t say “sirs” to them. They were more used to speaking harshly, and abruptly to those arrested and in their care. But he was under Holy Spirit conviction, and crying out for help for his lost soul. No doubt he saw his sins. Maybe he was a great sinner. Like Lydia, Cornelius, and the Ethiopian Eunuch, he was a Gentile, yet he knew he needed what these Jews had. Remember, Paul and Silas were sinners also. We all are. Remember Paul wrote “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief”( I Timothy 1:15). If Paul was the chief, and God saved him, it is a not a problem for God to save the jailer, or you and me!

What must I do? Well, he could do nothing to save himself. All he could do was provide the sinner -- God did the rest. Note that the apostles did not say to keep the law, join the synagogue or church, seek psychiatric help, repeat a soul winner's prayer, sign a card, or give us all your money for future blessings. But they said “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved". Believe totally -- trust in, rely on, cling to Christ Jesus. Note that Paul and Silas did not say "might be saved", but "shall be saved". It is a surety with God.
This is the gospel message in a nutshell again as in I Timothy 1:15; I Corinthians 15:3-6; Romans 10:9-10; and perhaps Acts 2:38, 39.

THE CELEBRATION

“And thy house”. That his house would believe was a statement of prophecy as well. What a blessing that the gospel floodgates were opened so that all those who believed may enter in. The evangelists preached Christ to him and his house. How would you like to have been in that meeting? Yes, the jailer really was converted. One indication it was real, was his immediate compassion for those he and others had wronged. He washed their stripes. These two that were roughly treated under his care were now cared for as brethren. What a change when Jesus Christ comes into one’s heart! His house still had to believe for themselves, but with his example and the power of the Spirit, it was done. All of them were saved!

The evangelists were satisfied that the conversions were real, for the jailer and all his house were baptized the same night. It was believer’s baptism for sure. Was it immersion? Was there a nearby lake or pond? As a Baptist by conviction, knowing the meaning of the Greek baptizo (Strong‘s defines it as “to make whelmed, i.e., fully wet”), I have to believe it was immersion. Yet I can’t prove it unconditionally from these verses, but many other places in scripture indicate immersion as the proper mode. Suffice it to say, salvation had come to the prison keeper’s house, and they were baptized after believing.

Then there was a celebration meal. “He set meat before them and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house” ( Acts 16:34). Note that both Young‘s concordance, and Strong’s define "rejoiced" as " jumped for joy” (S), or "leaped for joy” (Y). Yes it was a glorious celebration. It always is when the awakened children of God embrace Christ; confess Him; close with him. Regeneration (the making alive), always comes first. Then conviction, repentance and conversion. Have you been awakened to YOUR need of Christ, dear reader? Just as He was the only one who could save the jailer and his house, He is the only one who can save you and your house. It has never been popular to preach “Christ and Him crucified” (I Corinthians 2:2), yet He said “ I am The way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by Me”(John 14:6).

It is illegal in some countries to preach Christ. It may be here in the USA if we keep going as we are. You or I may go to jail, or even die for believing in Christ. The point is; we still have it relatively easy here, but that is changing rapidly. The followers of Mohammed (At least many of them), have vowed to destroy Christianity and take over this country. May God forbid! But if that happens great tribulation will come for the true Christians. Are you ready?

THE CROSS,OUR GLORY

by John L. Dagg (1794-1884)

When Paul preached the gospel of salvation, he knew nothing but Jesus Christ and him
crucified (I Corinthians 2:2). He gloried in nothing, save the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14).

In the cross of Christ all the divine perfections are gloriously and harmoniously displayed.
Infinite love, inviolable truth, and inflexible justice are all seen, in their brightest and most
beautifully mingled colors. The heavens declare the glory of God, but the glory of the cross outshines the wonders of the skies. God's moral perfections are here displayed, which are the highest glory of his character.

The cross of Christ is our only hope of life everlasting. On him who hangs there, our iniquities were laid, and from his wounds flows the blood that cleanses from all sin (Isaiah 53:5-6). Our faith views the bleeding victim, and peacefully relies on the great atoning sacrifice. It views mercy streaming from the cross; and to the cross it comes to obtain every needed blessing.

In the cross the believer finds the strongest motive to holiness. As we stand before it, and view the exhibition of the Saviour's love, we resolve to live to him who died for us. The world ceases to charm. We become crucified to the world, and the world crucified to us. Sin appears infinitely hateful. The cross is the place for penitential tears. We look to him, whom we have pierced, and mourn (Zechariah 12:10). The cross is a holy place, where we learn to be like Christ, to hate sin as he hated it, and to delight in the law of God which was in his heart (Psalm 40:8).

In the presence of the cross we feel that omnipotent grace has hold of our heart; and we
surrender to dying love. To the Christian heart, Christ crucified is the power of God, and the wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1:24). The doctrine of the cross needs no other demonstration of its divine origin, than its power to sanctify the heart, and bring it into willing and joyful subjection to Christ.

Here's the message the Southern Baptists and all Baptists need to get back to: THE CROSS ALONE IS OUR GLORY. We rejoice in this message from one of the early presidents of Mercer University. wf
Manual of Theology, 1857, pp. 232-233, adapted by W. F. Bell 10/23/06

OUR NEED FOR PROPHETS

BY W.F. Bell

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light” (John 1:6-8).

Our Lord said that John the Baptist was a prophet, and “more than a prophet” (Matthew 11:9). Note clearly that this rough-clad John was “a man sent from God.” Nothing greater could be said about any man. He was said to be “a witness” of “the Light of the world” Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ (who was the Prophet of all prophets, sent from heaven to be our Savior-Redeemer). No mere man could ever be who Christ was, but mere men can be true witnesses of Christ the Lord, heralding His name and fame to the ends of the earth.

Do we have any prophets today in the modern church? Some say we don’t even need them. Those who are self-proclaimed “prophets” do not qualify. True prophets have credentials and marks, and different views, with a different message from the “typical preacher.” True prophets are sent from God, as was John, then point men to God, as John did!

Prophets are not popular, and don’t necessarily pastor big churches. God-sent men are not popular television and radio speakers. They are not likened among those authors on the New York Times Best Seller List. They are often lonely, thought of as odd and eccentric, usually criticized for bearing a heavy demeanor, and giving out a weighty message of “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” (Exodus 28:36). Prophets don’t get publicized on popular news networks.

John was a baptizer, a preacher, a herald, a wilderness wonder. He didn’t wear “soft clothing” and eat “steak dinners” (like us). His wardrobe was “camel’s hair” and “a leather belt,” and his food was a special diet of “locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4). Not exactly what you would call “clean cut” and “in style,” was he? But remember, he was different, being “sent from God.”

What does this tell us about prophets? Not that we should look for odd-looking men, whose appearance is rough, and who preach loud and long. That is not the point at all. Rather, we should be listening to his message: WHAT IS HIS BURDEN, HIS CRY? John was merely “the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” What was his cry? Listen: “Prepare the way of THE LORD; make his paths straight” (Matthew 3:3). What a message! What a burden! What a cry! Many who heard this started “confessing their sins,” seeking John’s baptism in the river Jordan (v. 6). But immediately old John scorned some “coming for baptism,” those who were “Pharisees and Sadducees” (religious leaders of the day), calling them a “brood of vipers,” stating they should “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (vv. 7-8).

What is this? A preacher turning sinners away? Who ever heard of such? That would not be kind and loving, would it? No matter: prophets have different views! Why such preaching? Because the axe was about to be laid to the low state of Jewish religion in John’s day. Christ Jesus Himself (the promised Messiah) was on the scene, and things were about to change. The message of judgment and “fire” was about to be heralded to the crowds of Judea, for the Messiah was not going to set up an earthly kingdom, but came with “His winnowing fork in His hand,” and “His wheat” was to be separated from “the chaff” (vv. 10-12). And so it still is today, whether we understand it or not. “But the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” What a “burning” message John delivered! This message is never popular.

Think of Moses and Elijah in the Old Testament. What of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel? Look at another by the name of Zechariah: he had eight “visions” in one night! He gives us the exact time he saw these visions. It was the twenty-fourth day of the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, king of Persia (1:7). He saw a rider on a red horse, four horns and four craftsmen, a man with a measuring line in his hand, Joshua the high priest, the golden lamp stand and the two olive trees, a flying scroll, the woman in a basket, and the four chariots. How about that for one night’s work! The interpretation of all these things is not our concern here; but it must be mentioned that Zechariah’s name means “whom the LORD remembers,” so the prophet’s visions were given to him that he might bring a message of hope and comfort to the Jews who returned from exile. “Therefore, thus says the LORD, I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies; my house shall be built in it” (Zechariah 1:16). So here the prophet is used to bring “good words and comfortable words” to God’s people (1:13).

But then, in Zechariah 9:1 and 12:1, we read, “The BURDEN of the word of the LORD.” This was a message of judgment on the nations, a message or oracle that was heavy and burdensome. Yet, in the message there is a promise to the Jewish nation of repentance and conversion, deliverance and salvation, restoration and blessing. This is the prophet’s “burden,” for idols will be cut off, and “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness” (13:1). The prophecy closes with a glorious message of a future day when all nations will worship the true and living God (14:16), and “In that day ‘HOLINESS TO THE LORD’ shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar” (14:20). What a day of revival and restoration to look forward to!

How we need men sent from God to thunder to this generation (whether they hear or not) the absolute holiness and sovereignty of the true and living God. Men who are not afraid to stand and boldly declare, “Repent or perish” (Luke 13:3), and “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (I John 5:21). Smiling, clowning preachers are not going to get the job done. We need courageous, bold, fiery prophets! Men who are willing, with Paul, to say, “I die daily” (I Corinthians 15:31). And Paul says, “Awake to righteousness, and sin not” (v. 34).
As a former prophet once said, we sadly say also: “God pity us that we have swung from the Upper Room with its fire to the church with the supper room and its smoke” (Leonard Ravenhill). Another former prophet said similarly: “Where does our duty lie? The New Testament word is ‘Awake!’ (Romans 13:11; Ephesians 5:14). We need to snap out of our stupor and come out of our coma and awake from our apathy. The devil has chloroformed the atmosphere of this age. We need ‘stirring up’ to take hold of God (Isaiah 64:7)” (Vance Havner). These are “hard words” for our day, and rare, but Christ does still “gift” men to be His “prophets” (Ephesians 4:11). There just aren’t many.

MORE ON HUMAN DEPRAVITY

Some additional interesting observations from the Professor of Christian Theology at Andover Theological Seminary (long ago, before they went liberal).

"This leads me to say, that the necessity of regen­eration, as asserted by our Saviour, (John iii,) is an obvious proof of man's total depravity. 'Ye must be born again.' 'Except a man, [except any one] be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven.' Why is such a change universally necessary, if men in their natural state have any degree of holiness? The Bible promises heaven to those who have holi­ness, or love to Christ, in any degree. Even one who gives a cup of cold water to Christ's disciples from a right motive has the promise of a future reward. The existence of holiness in man is in Scripture attributed to the renewing- of the Holy Ghost. In all its branches and in all its degrees, it is the fruit of the Spirit. It is perfectly obvious then that man, in his natural, unrenewed state, is wholly destitute of holi­ness, and that his moral affections are all sinful.

In support of our doctrine I might urge the failure of the most powerful motives to induce unrenewed man to turn from sin and believe in Christ. When the persuasive considerations of the Gospel are clearly presented before the mind of a sinner, they would certainly influence him to the exercise of penitence, faith, and love, if he had any degree of moral recti­tude. What could be a more decisive proof that his moral nature is entirely perverted, than the fact that the amiable and glorious character of Christ is held up before him, and yet excites no love; that when the condescending kindness and grace of God are de­scribed to him, he feels no gratitude; and that he renders no cordial obedience to that law which is holy, just, and good? What greater evidence of man's total moral corruption could there be than this, that he is not persuaded to forsake sin and follow Christ, either by the threat of eternal misery, or the offer of eternal blessedness?

I appeal for proof, finally, to the experience and consciousness of the enlightened Christian. When he reflects upon the exercises of his own heart, and compares them with the demands of God's perfect law, he is satisfied that in him, naturally, there was no good thing, that he was wholly alienated from God, and that the first existence of holy affection in his heart was the fruit of regenerating grace. And he is equally satisfied that he is still dependent, and must continue to be dependent for all holy affections, upon the sanctifying influence of God's Spirit; and that, if that Holy Spirit should be wholly taken from him, he would sink at once into a state of entire moral pollu­tion. If any Christian affirms that he had any holy affections, or performed any holy actions, in his natural state, it must be because he uses words in a very vague sense, or because he has not properly reflected on the nature of that divine law which is the standard of holiness".

From An Essay on Native Depravity by Leonard Woods, D. D., published in 1835; William Pierce Co., Boston

HUMAN DEPRAVITY

By Charles Woodruff

“As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5).
“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Observing, even casually, the events of these days would seem to confirm the truth of
these verses, yet there are many, even religious people, who do not believe it.
Some teach that man is born basically good. He has at least “ a spark of goodness”
in their view. Yet the scriptural view is clear -- man is born in sin.
“The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they
be born, speaking lies“ (Psalm 58:3).

Since none are righteous from birth, all are born as depraved sinners. While the
word “depraved” is not found in the KJV, the synonym “corrupt” is found, and depravity
is certainly taught.
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which
is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Ephesians 4:22).

Certainly we do not always see this depravity of mankind in its worst display. Yet some events of late have surely been most deplorable in the eyes of the redeemed. Every day, even in the culture of America, we see it played out more and more. The recent disgusting events surrounding the death of Anna Nicole Smith is one example. Here was a woman, so self-centered in her life -- evidently all she wanted was the spotlight, and the money of that decrepit old man she married. First there was war with the family over the wealth he left to her. She managed to win a great sum in the courts. Then there was the tragic death of her 20 year old son, Daniel, who like Anna herself, took drugs “recreationally”. Recently she died, not surprisingly, from misuse of drugs, and now men are popping up all over to claim paternity of her orphaned baby. It is all about money! None of them, IMHO, give a rip about the child, not even Larry Birkhead, the one declared as the father. What a sad public display of human depravity.

Yet even more depraved are the recent senseless killings of many. First, the shootings in the Amish community of Lancaster, PA. Charles Roberts, the depraved killer of those in the Amish school, was so bent on this spree because of hatred of God, and warped sexual fantasies. The same thing could be said of the young Korean immigrant, Seung Hui Cho, whose diabolical plan of murder at Virginia Tech had at its core, hatred of Christianity. This is so evident in his writings and statements. 32 people, and himself, dead because of something in his warped mind. These two cases are extreme -- perhaps even demon possession. It certainly appears so with Cho, as it did with Charles Manson, and the Son of Sam killer some years ago. Even so, the natural depravity in all mankind, without the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit to utterly, and drastically change the person, can lead to the greatest imaginable horrors. Unregenerate people are capable of any crime!

In spite of this, total human depravity is not being taught as a doctrine in many churches today. It must be taught if we are to understand mankind’s utter hopelessness and helplessness without “The living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” ( I Timothy 4:10).

Total Depravity
Sin controls every part of man. He is spiritually dead and blind, and unable
to obey, believe, or repent. He continually sins, for his nature is completely evil.
This is a concise statement on the doctrine of depravity. For more on this and all five points of Calvinism compared with Arminianism. (See the link on the right for The Highway website, and search on Calvinism and the Reformed Faith; then under Anthropology).

The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646)
CHAPTER VI. — Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof.
I. Our first parents, begin seduced by the subtilty and temptations of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit. This their sin God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory.
II. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.
III. They being the root of mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity, descending from them by original generation.
IV. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.
V. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.
VI. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto, doth, in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner, whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God, and curse of the law, and so made subject to death, with all miseries spiritual, temporal, and eternal.(London Baptist Confession of 1689 is essentially the same). It does have a better and fuller explanation of the fall as shown here:
Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, Of Sin, And of the Punishment Thereof
1. Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death upon the breach thereof, yet he did not long abide in this honour; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willfully transgress the law of their creation, and the command given unto them, in eating the forbidden fruit, which God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory. (Genesis 2:16, 17; Genesis 3:12,13; 2 Corinthians 11:3 )

GRACE, GRACE, GRACE

(A Protecting Shield Against Both

Legalism and Antinomianism)

While genuine grace always commences as an inner, invisible

work of our eternal, sovereign God, it always continues into

the redeemed saint's visible deportment.

The ROOT of grace produces the FRUIT of grace aka the

FRUIT of the Spirit, etc. and if there is never any FRUIT

then the religious experience was not of the Lord

but the devil.

How wonderful is this supernatural progression of

God's undeserved, unmerited, selective, saving,

securing, succumbing work of grace in our lives!

God's internal work of grace always displays itself in our

external actions, behavior, conduct, deeds, and speech.

Regeneration, justification, sanctification and glorification -

all of our salvation is all of God's sovereign grace.

(Thanks Dear Friend for this insight! )

CANDID COMMENTS FOR SAINTS AND SINNERS
Charles Wayne Rosson, Serving Jesus Christ Since 1953
Pastor / Evangelist / Chaplain / Bible Teacher / Friend of Sinners
P. O. Box 2000 / Lowell, AR 72745 (479-750-3636)