Category: From Your Pastor

From Your Pastor: The Wonderful Benefits of Christ’s Resurrection (WSC 38)

Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 38: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?

Answer: At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory,(1) shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment,(2) and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God(3) to all eternity.(4) (1)1 Cor. 15:43 (2)Matt. 25:23; Matt. 10:32 (3)1 John 3:2; 1 Cor. 13:12 (4)1 Thess. 4:17,18.

Scripture Memory: “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (ESV Jude 1:24-25)

An Explanation:

“Raised up in glory”: Grace begun in the believer’s regeneration is glory begun. Full glory in the resurrection is grace fully realized! What Christ has begun now in our union with Him by His Spirit will be accomplished, and completed, and we shall be perfectly blameless and holy in His sight. As Jude 24 promises believers: “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy”.

 “Openly acknowledged and acquitted”: Though there is no condemnation now, and we have been fully and finally acquitted before God’s holy judgment throne in Christ through our justification by faith alone, we shall be openly acknowledged as God’s sons and heirs of His Heavenly Kingdom. We shall be openly and publicly acquitted before the world that hated and persecuted us. We shall be seen and acknowledge to be the victors we are in our union with Christ (Rom. 8:31-39)! We shall hear the glorious words: “Well done, my good and faithful servants! Enter into the joy of your master!” (Matt. 25:21, 23, 34).

“Made perfectly blessed”: Although Christians struggle greatly here in this life against the world, flesh and the devil, in heaven we shall realize the perfect freedom in Christ that we possess to love and serve Him and our neighbor as ourselves. We will realize and enjoy the presence and love of God without sin causing our hearts to sin. We will realize the victory that is ours against hell, death, and the devil, and against all the wiles and temptations of the wicked one! We are not made perfect here, but we await perfection. When we shall see Christ face to face in the resurrection we shall be fully like Him, free from all sin, and able to enjoy God as we were created to enjoy Him! (1 Jo. 3:1-3).

“Full enjoying of God to all eternity”: What a hope that we believers have in Christ. As one of our forefathers put it, Christians have the greatest struggles of anyone else in the world, yet they can rejoice each day in their sufferings in Christ (Rom. 5:3-5). Yet this world, this life is the only hell that Christians will ever experience. For all unbelievers this is the only heaven that they will ever enjoy. For Christians, we will enjoy God in Christ in heaven forever and ever without the contamination of sin and wickedness. The world will be fully restored, cleansed from all sin and misery, and purified in Christ (2 Pet. 3:9-14), we will be fully healed of all sins and transgressions and able to live in perfect bliss in the enjoyment of God! And with hope we say together: “…and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17b).

Prayer: Father and God, thank you that in Christ, I have already participated in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, but I await the full realization of this glorious salvation when Christ my Savior returns. Help me to live for Him as a resurrected, renewed person in Him, longing for His appearing so that I might be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished the race” (2 Tim. 4:8)! Amen and amen.

 

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Biggs

From Your Pastor: The Benefits from Christ at Death (WSC 37)

Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 37: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
Answer: The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness,(1) and do immediately pass into glory;(2) and their bodies, being still united in Christ,(3) do rest in their graves,(4) till the resurrection.(5) (1)Heb. 12:23 (2)2 Cor. 5:1,6,8; Phil. 1:23; Luke 23:43 (3)1 Thess. 4:14 (4)Isa. 57:2 (5)Job. 19:26,27

Scripture Memory: “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thess. 4:14).

An Explanation: What a privilege as believers to know that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, the One who has overcome death, hell and devil, and rose in newness of life and power to bestow resurrection life upon all of His people (John 11:25-26; Heb. 2:14-15; 1 Tim. 3:16; Rom. 8:31-39)! Jesus says: “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will” (John 5:21). “Perfect in holiness”: Though we struggle our entire lives against sin, and seek to live lives of holiness that are pleasing to God, we know that we will not be made completely perfect until heaven! (Gal. 5:16-25; Heb. 12:14, 23; Phil. 3:12-16). Jesus Christ, our Beloved Savior, has turned the horrible curse into death into a blessed window of hope through which we achieve the glorification-perfection of our bodies and souls. We cry in response: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor. 15:55). Perfection is coming, let us fight the good fight now!

“Pass into glory”: Our hope and blessed encouragement as those who die in the LORD (1 Thess. 4:13-18) is that we shall pass into glory and see our Christ face to face, and we shall be like Him. Though we now walk by faith on our pilgrimage in this world, one day soon we shall walk by sight, beholding the glory of Jesus, being fully at “home with the Lord” (1 John 3:1-3; cf. 2 Cor. 5:1, 6-8). In our regeneration, we are united to Christ by the Spirit, and this is a uniting of the whole man unto a whole redemption (Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:22-24; 2 Cor. 5:17). “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:24). This means that our whole selves, our bodies and souls, are united to Christ by faith. Our whole selves in union with Christ by the Spirit are renewed into His likeness, and will eventually at the Last Day, rise to be fully restored in glory as whole persons, embodied souls, dwelling in incorruptible, eternal bodies made like unto the LORD’s glorious body (1 Cor. 15:42-48; cf. Phil. 3:21; Rev. 21:3-7).

“Bodies being united to Christ”: But in the intermediate time, between our deaths and the Last Day, our spirit-souls at death will be perfected with Christ in heaven, as we await the raising up of our bodies, and this reunion of body and soul that Christ will perform on the Last Day. In the meantime, our bodies, though they corrupt in our graves, they are nevertheless still united to Christ! (1 Thess. 4:14; cf. Psa. 16:9-11). “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Phil. 3:20-21; cf. 1 Thess. 4:13, 16-17). We look forward as believers to the day where we shall dwell with God in Christ in Zion, in fully glorified, renewed, perfected bodies and souls, seeing God in the very flesh and blood in which we were clothed here on earth and did enjoy Him in Christ!

Let us exult with our forefather Job in meditating upon this future glory:

“And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!” (Job 19:26-27).

A Prayer: Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the union I have body and soul with my dear Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Living One, the Resurrection and the Life. Thank you that by your grace, I am an heir of the Heavenly and Glorious Kingdom to come! Thank you that you have made me a partaker of this Heavenly Kingdom Life by the Spirit even now (2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:14; Heb. 6:4-6). Thank you that grace in Christ received is glory begun!!

In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Biggs

From Your Pastor: The Sacrament of Baptism: Preparation and Reflections

 

pic7

Dear Family in Christ at KCPC,

We have the privilege of participating in the baptism service of Clara Elaine Davis during the morning worship this Lord’s Day, September 25th, 2016.

Fathers and Heads of Households: This brief study is provided to help your family to prepare for worship and especially the Sacrament of Baptism to be enjoyed this Lord’s Day. Would you please pray this week that as a congregation we would all prepare our hearts to meet with God, that God would fill us with His Spirit to grant us expectant and eager hearts to hear from Him this Lord’s Day, and that He would fill the preacher with power from above so that we might experience the fullness of the Spirit in a demonstration of power to transform us and make us more like Christ (Eph. 6:18-20; 1 Cor. 2:1-5)? Remember: the sermon does not begin the preacher opens his mouth to preach, but begins when you begin praying for the preaching, and often you will get from the ministry of the word what you pray for! 😉

 

Baptism Service this Week

In the Orthodox Presbyterian Book of Church Order (Order for Public Worship, Chap. III.B.5), ministers are required to ask the following questions during the baptism of our infants and young children. I encourage you to remind yourself of these vows:

“The minister shall then require the parents to vow publicly their duty as Christian parents to present their children for baptism and to nurture them in the Christian faith, by answering these or equivalent questions in the affirmative:

(1) Do you acknowledge that although our children are conceived and born in sin and therefore are subject to condemnation, they are holy in Christ by virtue of the covenant of grace, and as children of the covenant are to be baptized?

(2) Do you promise to teach diligently to [name of child] the principles of our holy Christian faith, revealed in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and summarized in the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of this Church?

(3) Do you promise to pray regularly with and for [name of child], and to set an example of piety and godliness before (him/her)?

(4) Do you promise to endeavor, by all the means that God has appointed, to bring [name of child] up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, encouraging (him/her) to appropriate for (himself/herself) the blessings and fulfill the obligations of the covenant?”

 

THE WORSHIP SERVICE

Sermon Title – The Sacrament of Baptism- Clara Elain Davis: “…Through Water”

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Sermon Summary: Our children pass safely through the waters in Christ!

Here are the scriptures for our Scripture Lesson in worship: Exodus 14:29; 1 Corinthians 10:1-2; Ephesians 2:4-6

 

Scriptures/Quotations to Meditate Upon with Your Family – Learning the love of Christ with “together with all the saints” (Eph. 3:18).

ESV Acts 2:38-39: And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

ESV Acts 22:16 “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’”

ESV Ephesians 5:26 “…That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word…”

ESV Titus 3:5 “…He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…”

ESV 1 Peter 3:20-21: “…When God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

John 13:6-8: “He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

 

Our Reformed Forefathers on Baptism

“The first object of the sacraments is to assist our faith towards God, the second, to testify our confession before men.” – John Calvin

“…Water baptism signifies and seals the work of the Holy Spirit in us, thereby applying the benefits of Christ to us. This is the all-important inward spiritual fact which baptism by water signifies and seals. The Spirit is the agent who unites the soul to Christ, and at the same time regenerates the soul, takes away its sin and gives it a new life, and…the application of water signifies and seals these things.” – Francis Beattie

“Baptism is a sign and seal to the party baptized of his ingrafting into Christ. I can read God’s Word and say [as one baptized], ‘I have in my own body the sign and seal of the King who promised me the remission of my sins. He promised me that I would be ingrafted into Jesus Christ, that I would participate in His death and resurrection by faith, and that, if I believe, I can trust the promise of God because I am baptized’. How can we ever despise the significance, the value, and the importance of God’s promise to redeem us?” – R. C. Sproul

“In Baptism the outward sign is (1) Water, and (2) The water applied in the name of the Triune God to the person of the subject baptized. The inward, spiritual grace, thereby signified is: (1) Primarily, the spiritual purification by the immediate personal power of the Holy Ghost in the soul; and hence (2) Secondarily, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, hence the union of the baptized with Christ, hence regeneration, justification, sanctification, perseverance to the end, glorification, etc.” – A. A. Hodge

“Everyone profits so much in baptism as he learns to look unto Christ…The whole strength of baptism is contained in Christ….Baptism, viewed in regard to us, is a passive work: we bring nothing to it but faith; and all that belongs to it is laid up in Christ.” – John Calvin

“Is then the external baptism with water, the washing away of sin itself? Answer: Not at all; for the blood of Jesus Christ only, and the Holy Spirit, cleanses us from all sin.” – Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 72

“The offspring of believers is born holy, because their children, while yet in the womb…are included in the covenant of eternal life…Nor…are they admitted into the Church by baptism on any other ground than that they belonged to the body of Christ before they were born….Christ admits infants by baptism, that as soon as the capacity of their age shall allow, they may addict themselves to be His disciples, and that being baptized with the Holy Spirit, they may comprehend, with the understanding of faith, His power which baptism does prefigure.” – John Calvin

 

Our Confessional Heritage on Baptism: The Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms

Westminster Shorter Catechism Q & A 92:  What is a sacrament? A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers. Gen. 17:7,10; Exod. 12: throughout (larger context); 1 Cor. 11:23,26

 

Westminster Shorter Catechism  Q. 91  How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation? A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, (1) and the working of his spirit in them that by faith receive them.(2) (1)1 Pet. 3:21; Matt. 3:11; 1 Cor. 3:6,7 (2)1 Cor. 12:13

 

Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 162  What is a sacrament? A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church,(1) to signify, seal, and exhibit (OE meaning for “apply”) (2) unto those that are within the covenant of grace,(3) the benefits of his mediation,(4) to strengthen and increase their faith, and all other graces;(5) to oblige them to obedience;(6) to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another;(7) and to distinguish them from those that are without.(8) Scripture References: (1)Gen. 17:7,10; Exod. 12; Matt. 28:19; Matt. 26:26-28 (2)Rom. 4:11; 1 Cor. 11:24,25 (3)Rom. 15:8; Exod. 12:48 (4)Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 10:16 (5)Rom. 4:11; Gal. 3:27 (6)Rom. 6:3,4; 1 Cor. 10:21 (7)Eph. 4:2-5; 1 Cor. 12:13 (8)Eph. 2:11,12; Gen. 34:14

 

Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 163  What are the parts of a sacrament? A. The parts of a sacrament are two; the one an outward and sensible sign, used according to Christ’s own appointment; the other an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified.(1) Scripture References: (1)Matt. 3:11; 1 Pet. 3:21; Rom. 2:28,29

 

Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 165  What is Baptism? A. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,(1) to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself,(2) of remission of sins by his blood,(3) and regeneration by his Spirit;(4) of adoption,(5) and resurrection unto everlasting life;(6) and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church,(7) and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s.(8) Scripture References: (1)Matt. 28:19 (2)Gal. 3:27 (3)Mark 1:4; Rev. 1:5 (4)Tit. 3:5; Eph. 5:26 (5)Gal. 3:26,27 (6)1 Cor. 15:29; Rom. 6:5 (7)1 Cor. 12:13 (8)Rom. 6:4

 

Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 166  Unto whom is baptism to be administered? A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, and so strangers from the covenant of promise, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him,(1) but infants descended from parents, either both or but one of them professing faith in Christ, and obedience to him, are, in that respect, within the covenant, and to be baptized.(2) Scripture References: (1)Acts 8:36,37; Acts 2:38 (2)Gen. 17:7,9 compared with Gal. 3:9,14 and Col. 2:11,12 and Acts 2:38,39 and Rom. 4:11,12; 1 Cor. 7:14; Matt. 28:19; Luke 18:15,16; Rom. 11:16

 

Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 167  How is our baptism to be improved by us? A. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others;(1) by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein;(2) by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements;(3) by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament;(4) by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace;(5) and by endeavoring to live by faith,(6) to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness,(7) as those that have therein given up their names to Christ;(8) and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.(9) Scripture References: (1)Col. 2:11,12; Rom. 6:4,6,11 (2)Rom. 6:3-5 (3)1 Cor. 1:11-13; Rom. 6:2,3 (4)Rom. 4:11,12; 1 Pet. 3:21 (5)Rom. 6:3-5 (6)Gal. 3:26,27 (7)Rom. 6:22 (8)Acts 2:38 (9)1 Cor. 12:13,25,26,27

 

Questions to ask your family for Family Worship to prepare you to hear the sermon:

  • Children: For fun- Take an envelope, and inside it write a short promise, say for a piece of candy to your brother and/or sister (you must have a piece of candy to give, and be more than willing to give it for this to work J!). Sign the promise, then seal the envelope. At the seal of the envelope, place your initials. Now give it to your brother and sister. Let them receive it, take it, believe it. In their hands they now hold your promise of grace toward them to gift them, and you have sealed it with your signature. Now make good on the promise if they have received it. Now meditate upon how your baptism is a seal of God’s grace to you.
  • Children: Do you “improve your baptism”? Parents: Do you “improve your baptism” and help your children to improve theirs at times of formative instruction and discipline, and particularly in times of temptation? (see above Westminster Larger Catechism, Q&A 167).
  • Children: What does it mean that you are baptized? (see Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q&A 94). Do you see the fruit of God’s grace in your life through repentance, faith and obedience to Jesus?
  • Read 1 Peter 3:19-22. In Noah’s time, who were “brought safely through water” (ESV) or “saved by water” (KJV)? How does baptism “correspond” (ESV; “antitype”-Greek) or “figure” (KJV) this? What is the sign in baptism? What does it signify? What makes the sign effectual (or give it power?)
  • Circumcision and Baptism are signs and seals of God’s saving grace in Christ Jesus (1 Pet. 3:20-21). The signs and seals are empowered by the Spirit, but point us away to the reality of the person and work of Jesus Christ for salvation and the forgiveness of sin. What happens if the people of God overemphasize the signs and they become the reality for us? What happens if we underemphasize the signs and seals and they are merely bare and empty memorials?
  • Have you thanked God for receiving you into His covenant, and are you believing by faith all of God’s covenant promises to you in Jesus Christ? Rejoice in God our Savior!

 

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Biggs

From Your Pastor: Thoughts on the Upcoming Election

pic6

Dear Beloved at KCPC,

Here are some of my thoughts about what matters most about our hearts and our actions as a congregation during this political season. Please take time to prayerfully reflect on these things with Holy Scripture. And pray…pray continually (Eph. 6:18-20)…watch and pray! Remember the end is at hand, and you are a steward of all of God’s resources, so be self-controlled and sober-minded (Matt. 25:14-30)!

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers” (1 Pet. 4:7).

Prayer
Pray for Our Leaders: Pray as we are commanded to do for our land and our leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-3; 1 Pet. 2:13-17): “[Pray that as Christians]…we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:2)

Pray that We Have the Right Priorities and a Biblical Understanding of Christ’s Kingdom in This Present Age: Pray more than you put your trust in a candidate, election, and/or a political process (1 Pet. 4:7; Matt. 26:41). Remember how our Lord Jesus Christ, though He was God in the flesh, and ruler over all, prayed reverently and intensely with loud cries and tears–and God heard Him, though His kingdom was not of this world (Heb. 5:7-8; John 18:36; cf. Mark 1:35). Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36). Pray that all Christians will prepare for potential persecution. It could come at any time. Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33; cf. Rom. 8:34-39). Remember how the saints prayed to God when persecuted as they suffered in Christ, and God granted them boldness: “And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them…and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:24-31).

Pray that We Will Be Faithful Stewards by Doing Right from a Pure Heart: Pray that you will do what’s right in your heart before God to the best of your ability (1 Tim. 1:5). You are a steward of the resources, gifts, grace, possessions, and power that God has given to you. Be faithful (Matt. 25:14-30). Do all to honor God and to be a “good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21, 23).

Pray for Wisdom and Discernment (James 1:5; Prov. 3:5-6). “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). “So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom” (Psa. 90:12). “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…” (Phil. 1:9-10).

Pray Against Fears: Pray that you will not fear though the earth gives way, because your refuge is God himself, and He is your hope and portion who is preparing a heavenly home for you (Psalm 46). “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved…” (Psa. 46:1-5).

Trust in God
God is the Glorious and Sovereign Ruler over All: Remember that God is sovereign king and supreme ruler over all (Acts 4:24ff; Rev. 6:10; Rom. 13:1-3). “[God is] the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen” (1 Tim. 6:15). This universe is ultimately God’s Kingdom and world; he rules over all. Jesus Christ is the enthroned King at God’s right hand who has received a Kingdom that will never end (Dan. 7:13-14; Phil. 2:9-11).

Believers are to Fear God and Honor the King: Remember that all leaders are those who have been instituted by God (Rom. 13:1), and we are to be honorably subject to them (Rom. 13:5-6; 1 Pet. 2:13-14; unless they forbid us from doing something God has commanded, then “we must obey God rather than men,” Acts 5:29). Holy Scripture teaches us as believers to “…Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Pet. 2:17b). The Apostle Peter was martyred by this emperor that he said to honor. He knew that this ruler was a representative of fallen and sinfully wicked “Babylon” (the anti-Zion), but nevertheless Christians were to submit to him in fearing God (1 Pet. 5:13; cf. Rev. 18). The Apostle Paul who was also martyred by this emperor said: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom. 13:1).

All History is the Outworking of God’s Decree: Remember that even though we have a privilege to vote, ultimately the choice of candidate and the direction of one’s country is because of the sovereign decree of God in its outworking (Isa. 45:1). Our forefathers prayed confidently during difficult times, trusting in God’s sovereignty: “Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’-for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:25-28; cf. WCF, Chap. 3).

Fatherly Discipline Makes Us Holy: Even if the government leader brings or allows persecution against Christians, remember that this is the “normal” discipline of a good and kind Heavenly Father who knows how to make His children holy through suffering and persecution (Heb. 12:4-14; Matt. 5:10-12; Rom. 8:18-25; Phil. 1:29; cf. Heb. 5:7-8). “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet. 4:17). Jesus told us to expect chaos, mayhem, and wars and rumors of wars until His return (Matt. 24; cf. 2 Tim. 3:1-7). When we get something other than persecution and tribulation, let us be glad and thankful, but let us not think this is normal. Let us be concerned when all men think well of Christians! Our Lord said: “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets” (Luke 6:26).

God is the Judge of All Mankind: Remember and take heart that God will hold all men accountable for their stewardship of government. God will judge all men, especially all leaders and stewards of power in the government, by the man Christ Jesus (Acts 17:31). There will be a Day of Judgment and reckoning when God will right all wrongs (Matt. 25:31-46). Remember to trust God to make things right: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:19-21). Being confident of God’s Judgment can make us gentle before opposition and in persecution as our Lord Jesus Christ.

Put Your Trust in God: Do not put your ultimate trust in men, or political processes, or in political parties, but put your trust in God alone: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? …This I know, that God is for me…In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:3b-4, 10-11; cf. Psa. 20:7; Isa. 31:1).

Study Our Confession of Faith: Read or re-read our confession of faith, chapter 23: “On the Civil Magistrate” with scripture references (see at end of this paper). Remember, we are part of a confessional body, and we seek to be “reformed and reforming catholics” (professing, confession members of the one, holy, apostolic church made up of every tribe, tongue, people, and language), confessing our faith together with all the saints both living and dead. What do we “reformed and reforming catholics” believe about politics, involvement in politics, and cultural action? We can gain much wisdom more from our forefathers’ wisdom that transcends our time and cultural-political moment, and learn from their understanding and application of Holy Scripture. Studying our faithful confession is time better spent than worrying, talking fearfully, and constantly inundating oneself with news feeds. Sit quietly before God with your Bible (Psa. 62:1, 5), and pray for some wisdom “from the past” to help you to make the best decisions for today! “Get wisdom!” (Prov. 4:5-7).

Align Your Priorities and Know Your Privileges
Remember that you are citizens of two kingdoms, never confuse the two, and always place the status of the heavenly one above the other (Phil. 3:20-21; cf. Eph. 2:19). You are a pilgrim people, God’s own possession, the blessed only nation under God, but you ultimately await a heavenly home (Heb. 11:13-16). “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (1 Pet. 2:9-11). The Church alone is the only holy nation under God and it is made up of all kinds of peoples, languages, countries, citizens and lands. Our patriotism must be noble, but never idolatrous. We can be patriotic for our own country without putting something good and noble like patriotism to be an ultimate thing that idolatrously confuses our identities and priorities (This can become demonic, see C. S. Lewis’s, ‘The Abolition of Man’).

Though you are a pilgrim in exile waiting a Heavenly country, you nevertheless can do much good by faith in your community and country as citizens (Jeremiah 29:4-11). “[In exile, awaiting your homecoming] Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:5-7). Note how the Apostle Paul used his Roman citizenship for the peaceful and wise furtherance of the Gospel throughout the Book of Acts (Acts 21-28). Pray to be useful, especially as you are privileged to vote as citizens.

Don’t allow your political passions to eclipse your gospel gentleness; you are called first and foremost to be an obedient Christian to adorn the Gospel (1 Pet. 2:15; Titus 2:14; Matt. 5:16). “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29). “I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession…” (1 Tim. 6:13).

Which Candidate Should I Choose? Some Questions for Thought…
• Which candidate seems to have the most image of God remaining in them? Mankind is made in God’s image and likeness (Gen. 1:26-28; 9:6; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:10; cf. WCF, 6). God’s image is the beauty of His righteousness and holiness placed in mankind. Through sin, God’s image in man has been terribly defaced and marred by sin, but it is not completely gone in all, though mankind is depraved (read Romans 1-3 for this perfect balance). Consider how much are the image of God remains in the person you have the privilege to vote for. What believers must love about even the unbelieving sinner is that they have some remnant of the image of God in them (James 3:9).

• Which candidate is truthful to some degree displaying some consistency with God’s righteousness revealed in His Holy Law?

• Which candidate would most likely be a “nursing father” (Isa. 49:23), to protect the Church of Jesus Christ and enable freedom for the furtherance of the Gospel, who will most likely allow the officers of the church of Jesus Christ who hold the keys of the kingdom to go about the edification and discipline of its people through word and sacraments, who will most likely justly punish evil-doers, and uphold God’s law to some degree? (1 Pet. 2:13-17). Which candidate might do this?

• Which candidate seems to have a working conscience, acknowledging to some degree the righteousness of God written on their hearts? (Rom. 2:13-15). Remember that though unbelievers cannot in any way merit righteousness through God’s Law, nevertheless, it is better for them to seek to keep it obediently than for them to disobey and incur more of God’s wrath and judgment (see WCF, chap. 19.6).

• Which candidate would be least likely to blaspheme to true and living triune God, and would to some degree rule with a fear of God’s judgment? (2 Sam. 23:3).

Westminster Confession of Faith, On the Civil Magistrate, Chap. 23.1
WCF 23.1 God the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under Him, over the people, for His own glory, and the public good; and, to this end, hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers.(1) (1)Rom. 13:1-4; 1 Pet. 2:13,14.

WCF 23.2 It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto:(1) in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth;(2) so, for that end, they may lawfully, now under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occasions.(3) (1)Prov. 8:15,16; Rom. 13:1,2,4. (2)Ps. 2:10,11,12; 1 Tim. 2:2; Ps. 82:3,4; 2 Sam. 23:3; 1 Pet. 2:13. (3)Luke 3:14; Rom. 13:4; Matt. 8:9,10; Acts 10:1,2; Rev. 17:14,16.

[American Edition] Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and Sacraments;(1) or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven;(2) or, in the least, interfere in matters of faith.(3) Yet as nursing fathers, it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the Church of our common Lord, without giving the preference to any denomination of Christians above the rest, in such a manner that all ecclesiastical persons whatever shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of discharging every part of their sacred functions, without violence or danger.(4) And, as Jesus Christ hath appointed a regular government and discipline in his Church, no law of any commonwealth should interfere with, let, or hinder, the due exercise thereof, among the voluntary members of any denomination of Christians, according to their own profession and belief.(5) It is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the person and good name of all their people, in such an effectual manner as that no person be suffered, either upon pretense of religion or infidelity, to offer any indignity, violence, abuse, or injury to any other person whatsoever; and to take order, that all religious and ecclesiastical assemblies be held without molestation or disturbance.(6) (1)2 Chron. 26:18 (2)Matt. 16:19; 1 Cor. 4:1,2 (3)John 18:36; Mal. 2:7; Acts 5:29 (4)Isa. 49:23 (5)Ps. 105:15; Acts 18:14-16 (6)2 Sam. 23:3; 1 Tim. 2:1; Rom. 13:4

WCF 23.4 It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates,(1) to honour their persons,(2) to pay them tribute or other dues,(3) to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience sake.(4) Infidelity, or difference in religion, doth not make void the magistrates’ just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to them:(5) from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted,(6) much less hath the Pope any power and jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people and, least of all, to deprive them of their dominions, or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretence whatsoever.(7) (1)1 Tim. 2:1,2 (2)1 Pet. 2:17 (3)Rom. 13:6,7 (4)Rom. 13:5; Tit. 3:1 (5)1 Pet. 2:13,14,16 (6)Rom. 13:1; 1 Kings 2:35; Acts 25:9,10,11; 2 Pet. 2:1,10,11; Jude 8-11 (7)2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 13:15-17

From Your Pastor: The Glorious Benefits of Justification, Adoption and Sanctification

Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 36: What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

 

Answer: The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, (1) joy in the Holy Ghost, (2) increase of grace, (3) and perseverance therein to the end. (4) (1)Rom. 5:1,2,5 (2)Rom. 14:17 (3)Prov. 4:18 (4)1 John 5:13; 1 Pet. 1:5

 

Scripture Memory: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13)

 

An Explanation: What a glorious joy it is to be one of God’s beloved children! What lavish grace God has been kind enough to bestow upon repent sinners who receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord! To be in Christ by His grace is to be the treasured possession of the Triune God, possessing an imputed righteousness given by faith alone in Christ alone because of grace alone, knowing confidently that one is loved by a good and faithful Heavenly Father, and enjoying some measure of growth in Christ-likeness, and in conformity to the holiness of the Son of God (Rom. 3:24-26; 5:21; 1 Jo. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:3-6, 4:19ff; Rom. 8:29-30; Tit. 2:11-14).

And there are glorious benefits of this salvation that we should be enjoying in this life on our way to heaven!! Though we suffer, and are often weary from battling flesh, the allurements of the world, and the temptations of satan, we can possess assurance that we are loved by God (1 Jo. 5:13), and we enjoy the joy of the LORD that is our strength (Neh. 8:10). Though the unbelieving world is often given moments of happiness (Matt. 5:45; Acts 14:17), it does not possess the joy of the LORD which is a (as I paraphrase from Dr. David Murray) “God-given…God- centered understanding of God’s love for you in Christ”. Only believers possess true and lasting happiness which is true joy, and found in the love of God in Christ. The Holy Spirit has been given to believers so that we are sealed as God’s children until the Day of Redemption, and enjoy God’s love that has been poured out abundantly into our hearts (Eph. 1:14; Rom. 5:5).

And another benefit is that believers, the children of God, possess consciences that have been reconciled to God its Creator, and have peace that passes all understanding, though shaken at many times by different temptations and trials! (Rom. 5:1-11). Our consciences tell us about God and His righteous requirements for all mankind, but they will only haunt us if we do not possess as God’s children the reconciling mercies of God our Creator found in Christ! The Bible teaches that in fact there is “no peace for the wicked” (Isa. 57:21), and their consciences bear witness to the fact that they offended the true and only living, Triune God (Rom. 2:15; cf. 1:32). Only justification, adoption, and sanctification can bring peace to a sinful, troubled soul!

And as God is committed to making His children holy as Christ is holy, we can expect fruitfulness in Christ as we abide in His love, keeping His commandments, and loving God and one another by His grace (John 15:1-11). We ought to be thankful that this very day, we can expect an increase of grace as we turn from our sins to more grace in the Living God because of Christ. Christ is enthroned as Mediator at God’s right hand full of grace for all we need, full of mercy for all of our sinful struggles, and whatever grace we need, we can find it. We are promised this as God’s Beloved children! “God gives more grace…” (2 Pet. 1:3-11; Heb. 4:14-16; John 1:14-18; James 4:6).

And if this is not enough, because heaven has begun in us now through union with Christ by His Spirit, we shall also confidently, yet humbly persevere until the end because Christ is praying for us that our faith will not fail us in His Heavenly Intercessory ministry (Heb. 7:24; Rom. 8:34; cf. Luke 22:32). Yet we do not grow lazy because of this, but work all the harder, knowing that as we have been possessed by Christ and we have a zeal to possess more of Him! (Phil. 3:8-16; Tit. 2:14; cf. Phil. 2:12-13). In fact, as beloved children of God, we keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, growing in holiness and in the fear of the LORD, and attain to our full heavenly inheritance knowing that nothing can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ, and no one, or nothing—absolutely nothing!!—can snatch us out of the tight and loving grip of Christ’s beautiful, strong, and saving hand (Heb. 12:1-2, 10, 14; Rom. 8:31-39; John 10:27-30; 1 Pet. 1:5). Let us rejoice in the benefits that do accompany and flow from our salvation in Jesus!

 

A Prayer: Father, I am your treasured possession. Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. Your heart is with beloved children. Grant me to grow in the benefits of my salvation, in possessing more joy in Christ, in growing in holiness, humility and honesty, in enjoying more peace, and persevering grace unto the end all for your glory! Amen. Let my life adorn your precious gospel this day! Amen and amen.

 

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Biggs

 

From Your Pastor: God’s Covenant and the Law of God (WSC 19.1-2)

Westminster Confession of Faith, 19.1-2: “God gave to Adam a law, as a covenant of works, by which He bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it; and endued him with power and ability to keep it. This law, after his fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness; and, as such, was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables: the first four commandments containing our duty towards God; and the other six, our duty to man.”

God gave to Adam the law as a “covenant of works” (WCF, 19.1) before his plummet into rebellion and sin. God graciously initiated and entered into this covenant by voluntary condescension (WCF, 7.1), and promised life (sometimes called the “covenant of life”) to Adam if he would be obedient (a personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience), and God threatened punishment and death if he disobeyed. This covenant was perpetual and binding upon every creature who was represented in Adam who was a “public person” for the entire human race (Psalm 51:1-7; cf. Rom. 5:12-21).

The Law of God reveals His perfect holiness, beauty, purity, and the righteousness that He demands of all creatures (Rom. 7:12; see WCF, 19.6). This Law of God has been revealed to all mankind (Rom. 1:19-20). In Romans 2:12-14, the Apostle Paul teaches that every man knows what is right and wrong. Just as every man knows the power and glory of God that is revealed in creation, yet resist, suppress, and exchange this revelation of truth with a lie (WCF, 1.1; Rom. 1:19-25). Every man also has the true God reveal His righteousness in men’s consciences by virtue of their createdness in His image. Image-bearers are given a true knowledge of God’s law in their hearts, “the work of the Law is written on their hearts” (Rom. 2:14-15) that can both excuse them in their sin, or accuse them for their sin. The Apostle Paul wrote:

“…They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them,” Rom. 2:15.

This means that fallen man, though deformed and marred by sin, nevertheless possesses some knowledge of right and wrong, although sin does corrupt, and can sear a conscience so that it no longer works properly. Nevertheless, mankind will be held accountable not only for special revelation given graciously by God, but what their own consciences have told them about God:

“…On that day when…God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus,” Rom. 2:16; cf. Rom. 1:32.

Though God has revealed the substance of His righteous Law in creation and in conscience, and all mankind know God’s perfect law of righteousness to some degree, nevertheless, God is pleased to show Himself more clearly in special revelation (WCF, 1.1). As part of the larger “covenant of redemption” (Heb. 13:20-21, or “Pactum Salutis” as it is sometimes called), the covenant of grace is inaugurated after the fall to bring about the salvation of God’s elect (WCF, 7.3-4). The Father initiated this saving work, the Son freely and willingly took upon Himself our human nature to live, die, be raised, and ascended in it, so as to send forth the fullness of the Spirit of God so that the righteous requirements of God’s law might be fully met in us who walk not after the flesh but the Spirit (Eph. 1:3-14; Psa. 40:6-8; cf. Heb. 10:5-7; Acts 2:33-36; Rom. 8:3-4). Christ was born “under the law” (Gal. 4:4-6) to redeem His own and to make them obedient sons of God according to the Law. Christ came to make men holy according to God’s righteousness, to close the gap that sin had made between God’s righteousness and man, and through grace in Christ to bring believers into conformity with God’s holiness and to establish a harmony between the righteousness of God and the righteousness of man to the praise of His glory. As the Apostle Paul exults in Ephesians 1:

“…Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved,” (Eph. 1:4-6)

The Law of God that was revealed specially to Adam, and has been revealed on all men’s hearts since the creation of man, was revealed very clearly to Israel at Sinai in the time of Moses. This perfect law or rule of righteousness was a clear revelation of God’s perfect holiness, beauty, purity, and the righteousness that He required of all mankind. Although this is revealed in the Old Testament, in the time of the Old Covenant, it is nevertheless part of the one covenant of grace, and should always be understood as part of a gracious covenant because the substance of it is Jesus Christ in promise, shadow and type (WCF, 8.1, 6). When God called the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt to be His holy “sons” (Exo. 4:22), he told them that they were to keep the commandments in light of His salvation mercies. The Law is given in the context of God’s gracious and initiating salvation love to His people. God reveals the indicative of their position before Him because He has brought them out of slavery and darkness and into His marvelous light (“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of…slavery…”, Exo. 20:2), and He then teaches them what is required of them by faith in Him and His promises, or the imperative-commands that they are to live before Him (Exodus 20:3-17; cf. “All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do,” Exo. 24:3). Grace is given before the Law so that the Law might be kept not for merit, but because of delight in God and His gracious salvation in Christ!

God called the people of Israel to walk with Him in fellowship, and then taught them how to walk in the manner of their calling (Exo. 4:22; Deut. 10:12; Psa. 78:10; cf. Eph. 4:1-2). He also provided graciously elaborate ceremonial rituals that included substitutionary blood to teach the people of their constant need of a substitute, with His merciful offer of cleansing and the forgiveness of their sins that was received by faith (cf. WCF, 19.3). It must be emphasized that the Law of God that was revealed at this point in the covenant of grace during the time of Moses was never to suggest or in any way teach that sinners were saved by keeping the Law! It was to reveal a holy way of life for those who believed, and to demonstrate to fallen sinners the righteous requirements of God’s law that would lead them to understand their great need for a Savior. This law that was clearly revealed in Moses, is summarized by our Lord Jesus as “loving God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves” (Deut. 10:12; Matt. 22:37; cf. Lev. 19:18). Only Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone could do this perfectly according to God’s Law, but those who trusted in God’s promises in both the Old and New Covenant eras, according to the special revelation knowledge that they possessed, could come by faith to know the Lord Jesus Christ and His saving mercies (WCF, 7.6, 8.6, 19.3; cf. 1 Cor. 10:1-4; Heb. 11:27; John 8:56).

     “Why then the Law,” the Apostle Paul asks (knowing that under the inspiration of the Spirit of God that there could, indeed would be some confusion, cf. 2 Pet. 3:16)? Why was the law given again during the time of Moses if Adam (and mankind in him) had already miserably failed to keep it, if there was no way for man to keep it?! Paul answers: “It was added because of transgressions, until…” We should understand that the glory of the Old Covenant was a glorious revelation of God’s perfect righteousness, but it was not as glorious as what was to come in Christ! In fact, the Apostle Paul says that the glory of the Old Covenant era was passing away similar to the glory that was fading from Moses’ face as he descended from Sinai (cf. 2 Cor. 3:6ff). Until what then? Until a greater glory would be revealed! Jesus Christ would eventually come who was the Second Adam, and the True and Faithful Israelite, or the “one to whom the promise had been made”: What promise? “Do this and you shall live!” (cf. Gal. 3:10-14, 19). The promise that if the law is fully kept, there would be life offered in God’s presence.

Jesus was the only True Israelite who kept the covenant of works revealed at creation and Sinai. Jesus was the only Israelite who could actually in perfect and perpetual righteousness say: “All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do” (Exo. 24:3). The Law was not contrary to the promises of God but served as a tutor or a guardian to aid sinners in knowing of their need of Christ (Gal. 3:21-24). The Law revealed God’s perfect righteousness, but it could not change anyone; it was powerless to change sinners (Heb. 7:19: “…For the law made nothing perfect”). This is summarized in Romans:

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” (Rom. 8:3-4).

Although the Law was a glorious revelation of God’s holiness, and so was “holy, righteous, and good” (Rom. 7:12), man was sinful and needed to more fully and deeply understand the need for Savior. Christ graciously has kept all the Law for all who will believe upon Him for perfect righteousness before God (Rom. 5:19-21).

It is important to emphasize that at Sinai in the Old Covenant era you have both the revelation of God’s perfect righteousness and the glory of the Covenant of Grace in Christ! You have both another gracious and clear revelation of the law of God that was given to Adam in its administration, and written on all men’s consciences, but you also have the glorious substance of the Gospel promises in Christ that God and God alone saves sinners. So while God reveals His righteousness in the law during the time of the Mosaic Law, it can also be said that He reveals that “all fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), and demonstrates that He is just and the justifier of all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24-26). This seems to be what the Apostle Paul means in Romans 3 when he says that “…through the law comes a knowledge of sin… (Rom. 3:20b; cf. Rom. 7:7-12), and the “righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the Law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Rom. 3:21-22). When the Law is revealed at Sinai, Israel gathers and promises to keep God’s law. Yet no one in Israel could have perfectly kept their promises to do all the words that the Lord had spoken to them. This is why immediately after Moses hears this covenant commitment from the people of God, he builds an altar to point the way to a substitutionary sacrifice, and says:

“Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words” (Exo. 24:4-8).

This is a revelation of Christ and His grace in substance.

Jesus Christ as a “public person” (covenant representative of God’s elect) and Second Adam (Rom. 5:12-21) came in the fullness of the times to keep the covenant of works and earn a personal, entire, exact and perpetually perfect righteousness through His active and passive obedience for all who believe. As the first Adam received the Law, so the Second Adam received the Law—yet also fulfilled it (cf. Matt. 5:17-48). The Law was given to Israel as special revelation because Israel was the elected people through which God would bring the Son of God and Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world! The Abrahamic promise of salvation was ultimately made to Christ alone as the Second Adam and True Israelite who kept the covenant of works, and brought the full blessings and benefits of the covenant of grace for all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile. The Bible teaches this clearly in Galatians:

“Now the promises were made to Abraham and his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to man, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ,” (Gal. 3:16).

And thus the promise of God was fulfilled, and the full and glorious manifestation of the covenant of grace was realized in Jesus Christ in His perfect and perpetual obedience to the Law that was required of all mankind (Matt. 5:17-20, 48; Rom. 3:24-26). And in Christ, this Promise of Life, or this “personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience” (WCF, 19.1) is imputed to believers both in the Old and New Covenants by grace alone through faith in union with Him (Rom. 4:4-11; 6:4-17). Glory to God for His grace!

Now as believers we are called to live according to the revelation of God’s perfect and righteous Law. Though Christ has fully kept the law in our place, and this has been imputed to us as our righteousness before God (justification, 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21), we are to live lives of holiness in sanctification, seeking to love God’s righteous requirements revealed in the Law, and to obey Him sincerely from the heart as His glorious grace is infused in us in our union with Christ (sanctification, Psalm 119; Rom. 7:14-25; 8:3-4; Heb. 12:10, 14). Thus, in living in reliance upon God’s grace, the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us (Rom. 8:3-4), and we might possess holiness and blamelessness before Him, realizing less of a gap between, and enjoying a greater harmony of God’s righteousness and our own (Eph. 1:4-6; 4:19-5:2).

 

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Biggs

From Your Pastor: John Calvin and Common Grace

pic5

What is commonly called “common grace” is an emphasis on the Fatherly care and kindness of God to all of His creation. Common grace is a theological term intended to stress God’s tender mercies, and kind faithfulness that God shows to the whole world. ESV Psalm 145:9 says “The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” Common grace ought to be appreciated as another important way that God reveals Himself to all of His creation. As Creator and Lord of Creation, God has witnessed his kindness to every generation of humanity (Acts 14:17). He has given from heaven rains, brought about abundant harvests, and even given joy and gladness to all of His creatures (Matt. 5:44-45).

In fact, it is this revelation of God’s goodness (what is often called “general revelation”) that ought to make all mankind worship and adore God as Father and king. But alas, sin prevents this, and thus makes the sinner more culpable for their sins (Rom. 2:4). From Scripture, we can see clearly that the Bible teaches that God is kind to all. He is like a Father to all of His creation. Although God is very kind and good to all of His creation, He is kind savingly only to His elect in Christ. The Bible makes a distinction between God kindness to all of His creatures (designated “common”), and His particular and saving kindness of grace to His elect alone (designated “special”).

When thinking about common grace, it can be helpful to consult the wisdom of our forefather in the faith John Calvin for a better, clearer Biblical understanding. Calvin has been described by Professor John Murray as opening up a new vista and a new era in theological formulation concerning the theological concept of common grace.[1] Calvin begins his legendary theological manual with these words:

“The whole sum of our wisdom—wisdom, that is, which deserves to be called true and assured—broadly consists of two parts, knowledge of God and knowledge of ourselves.”[2]

Calvin teaches that the knowledge of God is clear to all men and this knowledge shows “not only that there is one God whom all must worship and honor, but also that He is the fount of all truth, wisdom, goodness, righteousness, judgment, mercy, power and holiness…for in Him is found all that is good and of which we ourselves are empty and deprived.”[3] Calvin teaches us the important knowledge of God and ourselves that we all have because we are image-bearers created by the triune God for His glory and our enjoyment.  Calvin taught that all human endowments are gifts of the Spirit in common grace, such as the liberal arts, but these are distinct from regenerate, special grace and gifts.[4]

Calvin wrote that there are two spheres, earthly and heavenly.[5] These are essentially what we distinguish in theology today as special grace and common grace.[6] The heavenly sphere is the special revelation or knowledge of God and of His will that we find in Holy Scripture.[7] The earthly sphere, or what we would term common grace, we recognize that since man is “sociable by nature, he has a natural tendency to want to maintain and preserve society. Thus we see stamped in the minds of all men common ideas concerning decency and social order”.[8] Calvin wrote that men are by nature learners; their mental endowments are gifts from God.[9] We see this revealed in the arts, sciences, and political order specifically. Calvin taught that although mankind is corrupt because of sin, nevertheless, there were natural endowments that had been given to him by the Spirit of God.

Calvin taught that truth was true wherever it was found, whether in the elect or non-elect. This was an important revelation of God’s kindness to all mankind.

“If we recognize the Spirit of God as the unique source of truth, we will not despise truth wherever it appears, unless we wish to offend God’s Spirit.”[10]

For Calvin, God had specially gifted the church of Jesus Christ with special revelation and gifts to nurture and grow believers, nevertheless, God had also given common gifts to all men. Both the earthly sphere and heavenly sphere had been blessed by God for the glory of God and the good of mankind.[11]

Yet although man is gifted by the Holy Spirit in a common way, man is fallen and spiritually blind. This work of the Spirit is never necessarily a saving work of the Spirit of God, but a common one, thus why the designation “earthly” by Calvin or more popularly by “common”. These gifts are not saving acts and gifts of the Holy Spirit, nevertheless, they are acts and gifts of the Spirit of God. For instance, there is natural law where man knows right from wrong to a certain degree,[12] and possess a conscience that God has graciously and kindly given to mankind (Rom. 2:12, 14-15). Theologian Herman Bavinck (1854-1921) wrote that an orderly civil society is possible and arts and sciences develop because of common grace. He wrote: “For these should be considered gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is true the Holy Spirit as Spirit of Sanctification dwells in believers only, but as a spirit of life, of wisdom and of power, He works also in those who do not believe.”[13]

Calvin taught that common grace should be taught alongside the truth of the universal condition of human depravity. It is important to note that because of the fall of man, there needs to be emphasized both a common grace and a common curse. Man is spiritually blind and these acts and graces of God’s Spirit does not lead mankind to the knowledge of God and themselves as it should in a perfect world not submerged in frustrating sin.[14] Calvin described man’s knowledge of God as a “Sensus Divinitatis”[15]. All mankind had a “sense of divinity” or a certain knowledge of the divine, and that is why all men worship something and thus become idolaters. Yet this sense of divinity was contaminated by sin and unable to guide men savingly to the true and only God. Michael Horton wrote:

“Sin has corrupted the whole person…yet man can still glorify God to an extent…Sensus divinitatis remains but fallen man exploits it for idolatry, self-justification, and superstition.”[16] “…Although we are swimming in revelation, our minds are drowning in self-imposed ignorance and vanity. Not until God speaks in the Scriptures is there a proper knowledge of God.”[17]

Calvin memorably explained how mankind could be the recipients of the common operations of the Spirit of God, and yet not be able to see spiritual things because of blindness (cf. 1 Cor. 2:10-14). He wrote:

“When there is thunder about, and someone by night is in the middle of a field, lightning will allow him to see far and wide around him, but only for a second. It will not help him find his way, for once its brightness is past, before he sets eyes on the path, he is again plunged into darkness, with no change of getting home…Thus human reason can never come close to, or strive for, or aim at understanding the truth of who God really is, and what he wants us to be.”[18]

Calvin saw the whole of life steeped in the light of the divine glory to some degree![19] All mankind were basking in the glory of God, both within and without, and yet they sadly did not know God savingly. Herman Bavinck, seeking to build upon Calvin in the early Twentieth Century, wrote on Calvin and Common Grace that “If God had not spared man, his fall would have involved the whole nature in ruin. As it was, God immediately after the fall interposed, in order by His common grace to curb sin…There is no part of the world in which some spark of the divine glory does not glimmer.”[20]

As Richard Mouw has written: “If God’s deep love for humanity persists even despite the effects of sin, then the theology of common grace is an important resource for our efforts as Christians to respect and reflect that love.”[21] Understanding common grace should cause us to look for all of the ways of God’s revealing Himself in and through His creation and all image-bearers. Common grace is after all still “God’s grace”. As we learn in the Epistle of James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” We should look for opportunities to praise God for His goodness and kindness, and to commend fallen men who at times let their gifts be used for the good of others.

Yet while we acknowledge God’s truth wherever we find it; though we seek to see the Spirit at work in a common way throughout mankind, let us never forget the important distinction between the work of God’s Spirit to all mankind and the special working of His Spirit for the elect only in Christ alone. John Murray reminds us as Christians: “Let us not “obliterate the distinction between nature and grace”.[22] Let us jealously guard the distinction between the grace that is common and the grace that is saving. As John Calvin has taught us, let us acknowledge truth from the Holy Spirit wherever we find it. As we read good books, study philosophy, hear music performed, let us always remember that this is because of image-bearers who are reflecting the glory of God in their createdness to a certain degree. This is an opportunity to acknowledge truth wherever we find it, and as the Apostle Paul teaches us to do in Acts 17:24-31 to find truths through which we can use that are recognized by all that give us an opportunity of calling sinners to repentance.

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘ For we are indeed his offspring.’ 29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

 

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Biggs

 

[1] John Murray, “Common Grace”, Collected Writings, (Banner of Truth Trust), 2:93-119.

[2] John Calvin, Institutes, (Banner of Truth Trust), pgs. 1-17.

[3] Calvin, Institutes, BTT, 1; cf. Romans 1:18-32; 2:14-16.

[4] Calvin, Institutes, BTT, 50-70.

[5] Calvin, BTT, 53.

[6] Although Calvin teaches what we term “common grace”, he never formally uses this term except in His commentaries on Amos, Colossians, Hebrews, and Romans. “The Theater of His Glory: Nature and the Natural Order in the Thought of John Calvin” (see Susan E. Schreiner, Ph.D. diss., Duke Univ., 1983), p. xi n 3. Quoted in “Herman Bavinck’s ‘Common Grace’, translated by Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, Calvin Theological Journal, 24 (April 1989) 25-65.

[7] Calvin, BTT, 53.

[8] Calvin, BTT, 53.

[9] Calvin, BTT, 54.

[10] Calvin, BTT, 55.

[11] Calvin, BTT, 55-56.

[12] Calvin, BTT, 59-60.

[13] Herman Bavinck, Calvin and Common Grace, Kindle Edition, Loc. 258.

[14] Calvin, BTT, 57-58. See how the clearest revelation of God leads depraved sinners to commit offensive idolatry against the true and living God in Romans 1:19-25.

[15] This means a “sense of Divinity” or a “innate knowledge of God”.

[16] A Theological Guide to Calvin’s Institutes, ed. Hall and Lillback, Horton, pgs. 160-61.

[17] A Theological Guide, ed. Hall and Lillback, Horton, pg. 163, cf. Institutes 1.6.1.

[18] Calvin, BTT, 57.

[19] Bavinck, Calvin and Common Grace, Kindle Edition, Loc. 321.

[20] Herman Bavinck, Calvin and Common Grace, Kindle, Loc. 239.

[21] Mouw, He Shines in All That’s Fair, 101.

[22] Murray, 117.

From Your Pastor: A Biblical Spirituality

Picture 5

A Biblical spirituality is basically a seeking to be holy as God the Father is holy in an intimate communion or relationship with Him through union with Christ by His Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14; John 14:21, 23; 1 Pet. 1:16-17). True Biblical spirituality is knowing that God in Christ has made His “home” with and in His people by His Spirit, and seeking to live out a life that reveals and demonstrates this amazing truth and wonderful grace. As our Lord says beautifully:

“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23).

A Biblical spirituality is a desire to know, love, obey, and experience God as Father from the heart while fearing and reverencing Him as Supreme God and Lord (John 17:3; John 15:9-11; Rom. 6:4-6, 11-17; Eph. 3:14-21). Spirituality is taking Jesus as Savior and Lord, and living a life of seeking communion with Him through the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18). Biblical spirituality expresses itself in the words of our forefather John Calvin: “I offer Thee my heart, O LORD, promptly and sincerely.”

Biblical Spirituality.  A Biblical spiritual is just that, it is Biblical. It is not first and foremost an emotional experience; it is not always necessarily an emotional experience (although there is nothing wrong with praying for this). But true Biblical spirituality is a seeking to know, love, obey, and experience God as He is revealed in Holy Scripture, and especially as He has revealed Himself in Christ, and seeking to understand, as well as be transformed by this truth (Rom. 12:2).

All of our experiences should be rooted in the Bible. When we seek Biblical spirituality through Scripture, it must be what God commands and gives His people grace to do. Yet in knowing and understanding all Biblical truth, we should expect an experience of that truth (think of all the Psalms that teach us to rejoice and be joyful in God our Savior!). If we believe something truly, we will act on it, and we should expect to feel it to some degree. If we truly know and believe something in our heads, it should influence our hearts, affections, our wills. Biblical spirituality is the interface between what we believe about the triune God, and how we live. Biblical spirituality is about both our faith in God, and our works that should accompany and follow true saving faith (Rom. 4:18-21; James 2:17-20).

But there have been many errors and excesses in Christian history with even good believers untethering themselves from Holy Scripture, or being imbalanced in their approach to spirituality. For instance, just to name a few examples, there have been those who desired a life of self-denial in humility, but unintentionally placed too much focus on self apart from Christ. There have been those who have had a misunderstanding of salvation being received by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone. Those who have been guilty of seeking mere emotional experiences (read: “ecstasies”) apart from the Word of God. Those who have not made a proper distinction between the Creator and the creature, and use language of being “swallowed up” into the deity. Those who have been guilty of making lists that sometimes can (and often do!) take the place of Scripture, and set up legalistic tendencies that are not robustly focused on the power and grace of the Holy Spirit. Those with an unhealthy withdrawal from the world that requires a monastic lifestyle functionally in order to live according to the teachings (or “rules” of the monastery).

As we understand a Biblical spirituality, it is important to be Biblical. We are called to evaluate ourselves, but always with our eyes on Christ as Savior. We are to understand that salvation is by grace alone apart from our works, through faith, because of Christ alone, and any relationship, any true and saving knowledge of God, any good works that we do that are pleasing to God, all are because of the grace and power of the Holy Spirit given to us in our union with Christ! In any true experience of God, we are never to forget that we are sinners approaching God’s holy presence clothed in the righteousness of Christ, coming to Him through the Mediator He has provided, and thus we must make an important and proper distinction from this day and for all eternity between the Creator and we as creatures, and never “lose ourselves and identities” in the Godhead.

We are to seek to follow and obey God in light of the grace that has been given to us in Christ. As those seeking true Biblical spirituality, we are not called to go out of the world, but to fulfill our callings graciously given to us by God, enjoying the created gifts that God has provided for us, while being wholly consecrated from the heart to Him (1 Tim. 4:1-5; cf. 1 Cor. 5:10; Col. 3:17-4:2). Though we should have a wise and healthy contempt for the world compared to the new world that is coming and that has dawned with the coming of the Spirit, we are not to hate the world. We are to seek to glorify God and enjoy and delight in Him in this world, while not falling into worldiness (1 John 2:12-18). This is a paradox. We are to mourn for our sins and brokenness, and the world’s fallen estate, but we are to also rejoice, for the joy of the LORD is our strength (Neh. 8:10; Matt. 5:3-11; Phil. 4:4-9). Maintaining this balance of living in the world as pilgrims and exiles, we are to seek to know, love, obey, and experience God.

Trinitarian Spirituality. A Biblical spirituality is always Trinitarian. The goal of Biblical spirituality is to glorify and delight in the triune God and to enjoy Him (Eph. 1:3-14; Rom. 11:33-36; 1 Cor. 10:31). There are false and dangerous spiritualties bandied about today that seek false hopes through false gods and saviors. This is not Biblical spirituality but demonic spirituality of which we must be careful (1 Cor. 10:19-22; Acts 13:10, 16:16-18; 1 Tim. 3:7, 4:1; Rev. 9:20, 16:14). A Biblical, Trinitarian spirituality teaches believers to go boldly and courageously to the Father, through the Son, our provided Mediator, by the Spirit (Eph. 2:18; cf. 1 Tim. 2:5). The Son is “from the Father” as the Savior and hope of mankind (John 1:14-18). God sent the Son into the world out of His deep and faithful and undying love to His people. Christ was sent “from the Father” to live, die, be raised, and enthroned at God’s right hand, and to then pour out His Spirit in His fullness upon His people (John 3:16-19; Acts 2:33-36). The Father is the fountain of love from which all of the works of the triune God flow forth!

All Persons are equal in substance, power and being, and yet they all three perform specific aspects of our salvation as the one God. In Biblical spirituality, this should be recognized. We should seek to have a relationship with the one God through each Person of the Trinity by praising and enjoying God the Father’s love for us in Christ, adoring the grace of the Son as our Savior, Bridegroom, Mediator, Friend, and King, and living in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and in communion with one another as members of Christ’s one Church! As the Apostle Paul summarizes this Trinitarian spirituality:

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Let us remember that the goal of all Biblical spirituality is the glory of God the Father, through the Son our Mediator, by the power and grace of the Spirit. The practice of all spirituality begins with a humble submission to Christ through regeneration by the Spirit, and a daily humble submission in denying oneself and taking up one’s cross and following Him (Matt. 16:24; Eph. 4:1-3; Phil. 2:1-5). The heart of all spirituality is honesty from the heart before God and man, being nothing more, nothing less than a lost and broken sinner saved by grace, who is being transformed by the work of God’s Spirit to be renewed in the image of Christ (Psa. 139:23-24; 2 Cor. 6:6-7; 1 John 3:18; cf. 1 Tim. 1:12-17). Biblical spirituality is considering oneself as a sinner who is being changed daily by the power and grace of God the Spirit and through one’s faithful, God-given, Holy-Spirit empowered striving to work out of this salvation in union with Christ (Phil. 2:12-13; John 15:1-11). It is aspiring to perfection while realistically knowing that as long as you are in this world you will have an agonizing struggle with remaining sin, though you’re a beloved child of God (Rom. 7:21-25; Rom. 8:11-15; Galatians 5:16-25; 1 Cor. 9:27; Titus 2:11-14; Heb. 12:4; 1 John 3:1-3).

Christ-focused Spirituality. Though some spiritualties in Christian history have emphasized the importance of the imitation of Christ, they have sometimes failed to place Christ first and central in our reflection upon this imitation. Biblical spirituality is a Christ-focused spirituality. Christ is our Savior first. He is the Savior of our souls, but He is also our example. The Apostle Peter wrote: “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21; cf. 1 Cor. 11:1). In light of the mercies of God in Christ, all that we do in imitation, we are to do as “living sacrifices” (Rom. 12:1-2), running the race with endurance, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our Faith! (Heb. 12:1-2). In a truly Biblical spiritual Christ is central to our knowing God, loving God, obeying God, and experience God. Let us never forget this focus upon the Person and Work of our blessed Mediator, and then go and live for Him in imitation of Him by the Spirit!

Communal and Personal/Public and Private Spirituality. A Biblical spirituality is both communal and personal, it is concerned with the church and with our personal pursuits of “quiet time” with God. Biblical spirituality steers a clear path through the Scylla of Sacramentalism, and the Charybdis of Individualism. Biblical spirituality in its public dimension is an external, outward spirituality that is involved with the visible church (Rom. 1:11-12; 1 Cor. 12:4-14). This involves professing one’s faith, confessing one’s faith publicly before believers and unbelievers in evangelism (Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 10:9-17; Acts 2:47; 4:4; 5:1-5; 6:7; 11:21). It is seeking to observe and remember the Lord’s Day in order to keep it holy, so that one can participate in the primary means of grace, or the primary means the exalted, enthroned Christ uses to grow and mature His people through the faithful preaching of the word, the biblical administration of the sacraments, and being formally accountable for discipline as members of Christ’s Church (Eph. 4:11-16; Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Cor. 5:1-5). This public aspect is in living in community in a local congregation of saints, while growing up in Christ, and seeking and growing in one’s spirituality through loving and serving one’s neighbor as oneself (Gal. 6:1-2; Rom. 12:5-13; 1 Peter 4:9-11).

Biblical spirituality in its private dimension is an internal, inward spiritualty that seeks daily to deny self, bear one’s cross, memorize and mediate upon Holy Scripture. It seeks to take one’s sin serious, and to be faithful to God, useful in His service, watchful, and prayerful. This private dimension involves a private “closet” or secret place where only God sees (cf. Matthew 6:1-18). Our Lord Jesus promises a reward of grace (not merit!) in the practice of this: “And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matt. 6:18). This private dimension of spirituality includes daily repentance for sins, a walking closely with God, or keeping in step with the Spirit, praying continually, and in general living with God-given, Spirit-induced, Biblical-focused, Christ-centered zeal for God and His work (Gal. 5:25; Rom. 12:11-12). To walk this way privately is to involve oneself in a difficult spiritual battle as a pilgrim on the way of the King. It is to involve oneself in cosmic warfare that requires the upmost seriousness, sober-mindedness, and watchfulness, while confidently and courageously that your King has won the battle, and all you are to do is to stand in His victory and conquering strength by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:10-20).

A Spirituality for Everyone! Do you desire to be spiritual? Do you desire to be spiritual as you are called to be (Gal. 6:1-2)? If you are united to Christ Jesus by His Spirit, and if you are a child of the Heavenly Father through faith in Christ, then you are indeed “spiritual”. In fact, the term “spiritual” in the Bible refers to Christians united to Christ by faith, and usually means “Holy-Spiritual” (Rom. 8:9-11; 12:1; 1 Cor. 2:13, 15, 3:1, 14:37; Gal. 6:1-2).

Do you want to be spiritual? Are you united to Christ by faith? Then earnestly live this biblical spirituality out in your daily life in reliance upon His grace. In Christian history, there were times where the truly “spiritual” folks were those who withdrew themselves from the world to seek spirituality out of the world (even out of the church for some of the excessive spiritualists). These would seek to get the “meat of the word” while the “common” Christians would feed on the “milk” (cf. 1 Peter 2:2, 5). But true Biblical spirituality is really becoming who you are already are in Christ. Christ has “purchased a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). This grace teaches us to renounce ungodliness and worldliness and spiritually trains us to live “self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:12). This grace, this love of God, this spiritual reality should be sought by us in Christ because we are spiritual!

The Bible teaches that there are no “spiritual elites” within the church of Christ. Christians are indeed the spiritual elites within the world no doubt, because we possess, or are possessed by Christ’s Spirit, but within the church we all have the Spirit of God, and this makes us truly and biblically “spiritual”. Do we seek this spirituality? Do we seek to know, love, obey, and experience our Heavenly Father in Christ by His Glorious Spirit? In other words, like the Apostle Paul, do you desire to leave your sinful works of self-centeredness behind, and press earnestly forward to take hold of Christ because He has taken hold of you? (Phil. 3:12-16).

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained” (Phil. 3:12-16).

Do you desire to grow? This is an important part of being a Christian (2 Peter 1:3-12). Within the church, there are definitely different gifts, graces, functions, and callings (Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12), but no spiritual elite where only a few can attain to holiness in Christ, and make progress in the Christian life. No, the Bible clearly teaches that “spiritual” is what defines those who possess the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit helps us to live like Christ, knowing, loving, obeying, and experiencing the Triune God. The question is not whether or not you are spiritual in Christ, it is whether or not you are maturing and growing in that spirituality in reliance upon His grace.

Do you want to know more of God’s love for you in Christ? Do you want to possess more of the fullness of grace that is found within Christ? Do you want to be filled with joy in the Spirit as you grow in Him?

Ask Him for it.

In reliance upon His grace, go for it!

This is my prayer for you, dear Ketoctin:

That “you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…” (Col. 1:9-11).

 

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Biggs

From Your Pastor: Preservation and Perseverance in Christ

pic4

Preservation from apostasy (falling away) and perseverance in our faith are blessed results of the priestly office and ongoing ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ for His own. To put it simply, Christ has done all that believers need to persevere in their faith, and He continually prays for us that our faith will not fail us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 2 Peter 1:3-4; cf. Luke 22:31-32). As the Apostle Paul promises:

“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that, who was raised- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Rom. 8:34).

Believers are preserved in their walk by God (or “kept or guarded by faith”, 1 Pet. 1:6). There is a “double bond” in our preservation and perseverance. From Christ’s side working through His Spirit, He guards true believers by His power and grace, and from our side by our dependence upon His Spirit, our faith keeps us focused on Him (1 Pet. 1:3-9; cf. Heb. 12:1-2).

Though we are taught in Scripture that some who profess to know Christ, who are even members of His church will be tempted to fall away, and some will indeed fall away (see Matt. 24:10; 26:31; Mark 14-27, 29; Luke 8:13; Heb. 3:12). Nevertheless, true believers united to Jesus Christ, will never fall away. Why? We are clearly taught in Holy Scripture that God the Father has elected His own to eternal life (Eph. 1:3-14). God the Son has laid down His life for His own sheep, and no one can snatch them out of His hands (John 10:28-29). God the Holy Spirit has sealed the believer to ensure that they will continue to the end blameless (Eph. 1:13-14). True believers can be confident in the words and work of the triune God who has graciously authored, faithfully accomplished, and sweetly and strongly applied their salvation. Our great hope and encouragement as believers is that the Lord Jesus will present believer blameless with great joy before our Heavenly Father at the end of our pilgrimage (Jude 20-21).

All believers will persevere by faith based on three important truths:

(1) The Father’s electing love and promises to the believer; God cannot change and will not change or ever forsake those whom He loves: “Never will I leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5; cf. Heb. 6:17-20).

(2) Christ the Son has shed His precious blood to make us a “people for His own possession who are zealous for good works” (Tit. 2:14); we are recipients of His love and freed from our sins by His blood so that our sins will never overpower us completely (Rev. 1:5b-6). Christ lives to ever-intercede and pray for His own. He is able to keep His own by the power of “an indestructible life” (Heb. 7:24-26).

(3) The Spirit has united us to Christ and nothing can break that bond and seal. In fact, He who began a good work will complete it (Phil. 1:6).

In light of the triune God’s preservation, we can rest, but we also must persevere or strive with all of our strength and working by His grace and Spirit (Phil. 2:12-13; 3:11ff; Heb. 10:22-12:15). The warnings against apostasy, particularly in Hebrews 6:4-6 are “Gospel warnings” to keep those who are in Christ, fearing God and desiring to do God’s will. As true believers, we should constantly pray for hearing of God’s Word and to obey (Heb. 2:1; cf. Isa. 66:2b). We should consider Christ by faith as our Savior and example and strength for our persevering pilgrimage each day, and pursue Him (Heb. 3:1). We should be careful to grow into maturity, having had the foundation of basic doctrine laid for us (Heb. 5:13-6:3). We should look to Christ as High Priest according to Melchizedek, and to know that we are forgiven by His blood (Heb. 8-10). We should seek to encourage and edify one another, particularly knowing the dangers of sinfulness and hard-heartedness, especially as we see the Day approaching (Heb. 3:12-13, 10:24-25).

Let us rejoice that we will be preserved and thus persevere by Christ’s grace and one day be presented blameless as another part of the completed work of Christ!

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24-25)

Our Confession teaches in the Westminster Larger Catechism, Q & A 79: May not true believers, by reason of their imperfections, and the many temptations and sins they are overtaken with, fall away from the state of grace? A. True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, (1) and his decree and covenant to give them perseverance, (2) their inseparable union with Christ, (3) his continual intercession for them, (4) and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, (5) can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, (6) but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (7)

 

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Biggs

 

(1) Jer. 31:3

(2) 2 Tim. 2:19; Heb. 13:20,21; 2 Sam. 23:5

(3) 1 Cor. 1:8,9

(4) Heb. 7:25; Luke 22:32

(5) 1 John 3:9; 1 John 2:27

(6) Jer. 32:40; John 10:28

(7) 1 Pet. 1:5

 

From Your Pastor: “Making Disciples”

 

 

pic3

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20).

The resurrected-ascended Christ is the King of His Church. The Father has entrusted all of His authority to His Beloved Son (Matt. 28:18; cf. John 5:22). The Lord Jesus Christ is pleased to make disciples of His people primarily in and through His church as we have been learning in our series on the Book of Acts. In that discipleship, making disciples includes the oversight of pastors and elders and the means of grace (Eph. 4:11-16; Acts 20:27-32). We see this particularly in Jesus giving instructions to His apostle-elders as the foundation of the church here in Matthew’s Gospel (Eph. 2:20), and giving them two specific commands of making disciples by having them baptized and teaching them everything that He has commanded.

What is a disciple? Very simply, a disciple is a learner of Jesus and His kingdom. A disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ who professes Jesus Christ as a member of His kingdom (Matt. 10:24; Luke 6:40; Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14; 11:24; 9:19, 26; 11:26; 13:52; 14:21-22; 20:30; 21:4). A disciple is one who has been converted by Christ’s Spirit and desires to mature in Christ. A disciple is one who is seeking to deny himself, picking up his cross, and following Jesus each day. A disciple of Jesus is one who listens, learns, and follows the Lord Jesus through the Spirit and the Word. A disciple is one who professes and confesses Christ publicly as a member of Christ’s Church.

Primary discipleship occurs through membership in the local church through the means of grace which are the proclamation of the Word of God, administration of the Sacraments, gathering for corporate prayer and formal discipline in submission to ordained elders of the congregation. This is why Jesus links the making disciples of all nations with His authority, baptism, and the teaching ministry of the church (Matt. 28:18-20). Discipleship takes place through preaching, teaching, catechism, confessing and professing the faith publicly, sacraments, prayer, and fellowship in the local church. The primary place where the making of disciples happens is in the local church. In other words, you cannot have a true disciple of Christ who is not also a member of Christ’s visible church (cf. Acts 9:26; Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 John 2:19).

Other opportunities of making disciples can and should take place in families through the heads of households and in times of family worship, as well as in groups within the church gathering for study and edification, like in Bible studies, prayer meetings, and small groups. Making disciples can and should take place one on one in other communities, but involvement in the local church should be the primary goal of being a disciple and of making disciples. We desire to learn and grow as individual Christians, but we learn to be nurtured primarily in the local church.

Our forefather John Calvin in his “Institutes of the Christian Religion” (Book IV) explained biblically concerning discipleship in the visible church. In this excellent discipleship manual (which is why the “Institutes” were written), Calvin refers to the visible Church as the “mother of believers” who “conceives” believers by the Spirit and the Word, “nourishes” believers through preaching and sacraments and corporate prayer, and “cares and guides” believers with formal accountability as in a school:

     “Let us learn even from the simple title ‘mother’ how useful, indeed how necessary, it is that we should know her. For there is no other way to enter into life unless this mother conceive us in her womb, give us birth, nourish us at her breast, and lastly, unless she keep us under her care and guidance until, putting off mortal flesh, we become like the angels (Matt. 22:30). Our weakness does not allow us to be dismissed from her school until we have been pupils all our lives [my emphasis].” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, 4.1.4).[1]

Are you a member in good standing in the local church? Do you have the privilege of being discipled by pastors and elders as Christ’s means of maturing you in Christ? (Eph. 4:11-16; Acts 20:28-32). If you are being discipled in this way, do you also seek discipleship in fellowship with other Christians as you should? If you are being discipled, have you sought to more formally disciple others in your local congregation, or in another community of which you are a part? You ought to prayerfully ask yourself where you might better and more faithfully serve the Lord Jesus Christ in this way.

Let us seek to make disciples faithfully as our Lord Jesus taught us. Let us seek to make disciples in the way that our Lord Jesus has taught us. An important aspect of making disciples is “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:20a) and surely this includes formal membership and accountability in Christ’s church in both making and being true disciples of Jesus?! Some discipleship programs today, while aiming to faithfully help mature believers in Christ, and to make other disciples, can (and often do!) overlook the important and primary context of discipleship in the local church. One wonders if this is true discipleship. Will this make mature Christians? I do not think so. In a day of intense individualism, making more individualistic Christians through this faulty way of discipleship can hinder the work of God through His Church. Perhaps it already has to some degree?

All Christians are disciples of Jesus. All Christians should seek to be discipled; all Christians should seek to disciple others. One can become a disciple of Christ’s church by being born into the church as a child of a believing parent, baptized in infancy. One can also become a disciple later in life when one becomes a Christian, is baptized in the Name of the Triune God, and formally becomes a confessing member of Christ’s Church. Are you a disciple? Are you seeking to make disciples? Let us pray to the Lord Jesus, the Lord of the Harvest, that we might be more faithful to His call and command.

“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (ESV Acts 2:46-47).

 

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Biggs

 

[1] The idea of the visible Church being the primary context of discipleship, and the place out of which no salvation (or growth in Christ!) ordinarily takes place is an accepted teaching that goes back at least to the great Augustine (d. 430 AD). Our subordinate standards to the Word of God, the Westminster Confession of Faith teaches this, WCOF, chap. 25.2: “The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation” [my emphasis].