Masculine Spirituality

The "men in church" issue is something that should greatly concern us. There are many haunting questions such as why don't more men attend church, how does the church retain their interest, how does the church keep from losing young men and boys and increase attendance of males in their twenties, what is being done to stop the feminization of the church and the list of like questions goes on and on. Without strong male leadership the church will suffer and I think in large part is suffering today as a result. From the current issue of Covenant, we read, According to a 2006 study by Duke University, the typical US congregation draws an adult crowd that is 61% female and 39% male with virtually no men in their twenties.

Masculinity is misunderstood these days and Biblical masculinity is no different. The author of this article* offers the following: Christ-centered masculinity entails nothing less that fighting for the cosmic cause of the Kingdom, fighting evil, accepting responsibilty, leading with radical fortitude, pursuing justice for others, showing empathy for the things that God cares about, and living out the implications of the Gospel in every area of life in ways unique to our vocation as men (Prov. 5; 1 John 2:12-14). That's a pretty tall order and I'm sure most of us fall short. Nevertheless its time we all start striving for these goals. We need to start looking to ourselves as men for ways to make us better, more Godly men, not just for our own good but for the ultimate and eternal glory of Christ.

*Masculine Spirituality by Anthony Bradley, Covenant magazine, Spring 2008, page 13.

How Unreasonable....

How unreasonable and wholly inexcusable in believers is the sin of backsliding from Christ? Have you found rest in him when you found it in no other? Did he receive and give peace to your soul when all other persons and things were physicians of no value? And will you after this backslide from him? O what madness! No man in his right mind would leave the pure, cold, refreshing stream of a crystal fountain to go to a filthy puddle or an empty cistern; such are the best enjoyments of this world in comaprison with Jesus Christ. - The Method of Grace by John Flavel, page 219.

Rick Derringer on His Faith

I was always a fan of Derringer's music so I thought this was great. I don't agree with everything he says but its fantastic to hear his testimony and awesome to hear how God worked in his life.

Just One Book...

If you could give just one book to someone you know, what book would that be? Let’s pretend that you’ll likely never see this person again and you want to leave them something that will not just remind them of you but will positively influence him/her for the Kingdom. What would that book be? My answer will be posted in a couple of days.

Photo Credit

Westminster Wednesday #45

We come upon the first commandment this week.

Q. 45. What is the first commandment? A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

From Matthew Henry we read:
1. Is it an essential duty of religion to worship God? Yes: for those have no hope that are without God in the world Eph. 2:12. Are we concerned to be right in the object of our worship? Yes: We must know what we worship, John 4:22. Does the first commandment direct us in this? Yes: for the first of all the commandments is this, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, Mark 12:29.
2. Does God lay a stress upon our having him for our God? Yes: Hear, O my people, and I will speak; I am God, even thy God, Ps. 1:7. And upon our having him only? Yes: Hear, 0 my people, and I will testify unto thee; there shall no strange god be in thee, neither shall thou worship any strange god, Ps. 81:8, 9. Did Israel need this commandment? Yes: for their fathers served other gods, Josh. 24:2. And were they tempted to serve other gods? Yes: the gods of the people that were round about them, Deut. 13:7.

And let us return once again to John Flavel on this question as well:

Q. 1. What is the first duty enjoined in the first commandment? A. It is to know and acknowledge the existence or being of God, and consequently condemns all atheism, both in judgment and practice; Hebrews 11:6. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Psalm 14:1. The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.
Q. 2. What is the second duty of the first commandment? A. It requires all men to know and acknowledge the unity of God; Deuteronomy 6:4. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And condemns polytheism, or plurality of gods; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth (as there be gods many, and lords many;) but to us there is but one God.
Q. 3. Whence sprang the opinion of more gods than one at first in the world? A. It sprang from ignorance of God’s omnipresence and omnipotence. Hence came their vain imaginations; Romans 1:21. Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. They thought the presence and power of God might reach one place, and not another; 1 Kings 20:23. And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills, therefore they were stronger than we: But let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.
Q. 4. What were the first creatures worshipped as gods? A. Probably the heavenly bodies, sun, moon, and stars, because of their splendour and influences. These as heralds, do proclaim God to the world; Psalm 19:1-2. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy work: Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. And these messengers of God were mistaken for God himself; Job 31:26-28. If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness, and my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand; this also were an iniquity, for I should have denied the God that is above.
Q. 5. What doth these words [before me] import? A. It notes God’s perfect knowledge and abhorrence of all idolatry, or worshipping of another God, as what he cannot endure to behold; Jeremiah 44:3-4. Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense to serve other gods whom they knew not, neither they, you, nor your fathers. Howbeit, I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early, and sending them, saying, Oh do not this abominable thing that I hate.
Q. 6. Are none guilty of this sin but heathenish idolaters? A. Yes; all that place their supreme love or trust in any creature, make that creature their god; and in scripture are called idolaters, Colossians 3:5. And covetousness, which is idolatry. Philippians 3:19. Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
Q. 7. How doth the idolatry forbidden in the first, differ from that forbidden in the second commandment? A. The idolatry forbidden in the first commandment is a sin respecting the object of worship, when we set up any thing in the place of God, which by nature is not God; Galatians 4:8. Howbeit, then when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But that against the second commandment is, when we pretend to worship the true God, but do it by such means, arid in such a manner as he hath not required, or hath forbidden; Exodus 32:4. And he received them at their hands, and fashioned it with a graven tool, after he had made it a molten calf; arid they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
Q. 8. What is the first inference from the first commandment? A. That it is a special mercy to be brought forth in a land where the true God is known and worshipped; Psalm 147:20. He hath riot dealt so with any nation; and as for his judgments, they have not known them; praise ye the Lord.
Q. 9. What is the second inference from the first commandment? A. That it is a great and dreadful sin to live without the worship of God in tile world; Ephesians 2:12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.
Q. 10. What is the third inference from the first commandment? A. That Christians must not comply with idolatrous and superstitious worship, when they are cast into idolatrous places, how great soever the danger be; Psalm 16:4. Their sorrows shall be multiplied, that hasten after another god; their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their name into my lips.
Q. 11. What is the fourth inference from hence? A. That supreme love, fear, and trust of the soul, is God’s peculiar right and due. Whosoever places them on any other besides God, is guilty of a very heinous arid great sin against him; 1 John 2:15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world:
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Compared with Job 31:24, 28. If I have made gold my hope, or have said to tile fine gold, thou art my confidence; this also were an iniquity to he punished by the judge; for I should have denied the God that is above.
Q. 12. What is the fifth inference from hence? A. That God’s eye discovers the closest idolatry in the world, whether it be in secret actions; Ezekiel 8:12. Hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark? Every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, the Lord seeth us not, the Lord hath forsaken the earth. Or inward affections; Colossians 3:5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Q. 13. What is the sixth inference from hence? A. That an high and full condition in the world, is a dangerous condition, and lies most exposed to the danger of heart-idolatry; Proverbs 30:9. Lest I be full and deny thee, and say, who is the Lord? Mark 10:24. How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of heaven?
Q. 14. What is the last inference? A. That in covenanting with God, and avouching him for our God, we must wholly renounce all others, and take God alone for our portion, and object of our love and dependence; Hosea 3:3. Thou shalt not be for another man; so will I also be for thee. Luke 14:33. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

On this day...

On this day, February 10, 1723, John Witherspoon, signatory of the Declaration of Independence and President of Princeton College was baptised at Yester. You can read a bit about him here.

Guitars, Harmonicas and Worship Music

Since I’ve never blogged about it many of you don’t realize I’m an amateur musician. Perhaps extremely amateur or pathetically amateur would be a better description but at least I’m not a rank beginner. :-) I play guitar and harmonica and love both instruments. For about 4 years or so I played on the worship team of my former church and enjoyed every minute of it. I miss that very much but for the time being I’m not attending a church that allows me the opportunity to play. In the meantime I practice when I can which is usually in between reading all those dusty Puritan works I go on about. I don’t know which instrument I have more of a passion for, guitar or harmonica. I play a bit of the blues, jazz and worship styles on guitar. I have three electric guitars, one acoustic and a bass guitar. I’ve most likely spread myself a little to thin to get really good at one of these or in one genre but I enjoy playing all of them nonetheless. My harmonicas number somewhere in the neighborhood of 80-100; all different brands, keys, tunings & types. For the last several years I've been the moderator of the Christian Harmonica discussion group on Yahoo where currently there is roughly 120 members and several who do at least occasionaly play on their church worship team. I don’t play harmonica as much as I once did as it has become somewhat of a “back-up” instrument to me and playing on one's own after playing with others can get to be a drag. Yet I still love the harp and have been working lately on playing in a rack with guitar.

So, hey, if you're into worship music or like to discuss music, i.e., blues, Celtic, rock or worship music, guitars or harmonicas leave a message. If you like the blues give me a listen on guitar here. The photo here is of one of my guitars which is a solid body, blond Squier '51. Its great for blues and rock.

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. - Psalm 150:4

The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD. - Isaiah 38:20

Around the web this week....

The issue of Islam is high on everyone's watch list. If its not on your's it should be. Stephen at the Reformed Christian UK posted this excellent observation on Islam this week. Closely related to that Guy, the Exiled Preacher, posted this concerning the Archbishop of Canterbury and Sharia Law. The views of the Archbishop are just astounding; I don't have the words to express my dismay for this man's views.

The good folks at the Monergism blog have posted the Puritan Library. If you're into the Puritans this is the place to go. Links for tons of the works by Owen , Flavel and Baxter just to name three. All can be read or downloaded free.

And finally, for poking fun at WTS there is this humorous blog.

Photo is of John Flavel. You can read his Keeping The Heart here.

Derek Thomas, John Owen and Learning

I spend a fair amount of time reading and listening to well known theologians. I like learning and studying theology but I’m always cautious so as not to just make all this learning purely an intellectual endeavor. Rather, I try to also incorporate all of this theology I’ve been absorbing over the years and incorporate it into my devotional life. Thus, for all these smarter-than-me living and dead theologians that I’ve been reading and listening to over the years I have to admit that I also enjoy learning about their personal life just as much. What was their life like, how did they grow up, what physical difficulties did they experience, how did they come to know the Lord and how did they spend time with the Lord? Often if I want to buy one of their books I usually lean towards buying one of their devotional works first over anything else they may have published.
I’ve taken a break recently from some other studies to spend some time on the Puritans (again) and John Owen particularly. I’ve been listening to some lectures by Derek Thomas on John Owen given at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Its fascinating and enlightening stuff and I’ve enjoyed it immensely. At one point, Thomas, in connection with his talk on Owen, relates his own conversion experience which I liked hearing about and I’m glad he shared it. For all his knowledge, Thomas, like all of us, was saved by simple grace. A friend gave him a book by John Stott which he read followed by his own reading of the Bible (the first he Bible he ever owned). Sensing his need he prayed, he can’t remember his exact words but it was something like what a “drowning man would say when the waters were coming upon him, 'Lord save me’.” He went on to say that he could not have “formulated anything that was theologically sound…” but he simply believed Matthew 11:28-30 and that’s all there was to it. What a simple and yet profound story of God’s grace working in a man’s heart. Of all the issues he spoke about this was just as encouraging and interesting and a great little diversion from the focus of the lecture. It really brought home his point about Owen’s view on conviction of sin.
It was Herman Bavinck, who, on his death bed, said "My dogmatics avails me nothing nor my knowledge but I have my faith and in this I have all.” May we all remember this sentiment as we travel the life-long road of learning.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30

More on Derek Thomas here & his Owen lectures are here.

Photo Credit

Westminster Wednesday #43 & #44

This week's q's & a's:

Q. 43. What is the preface to the ten commandments? A. The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Q. 44. What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us? A. The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments.

Q. 1. Why doth God use arguments and inducements to win men to the obedience of his laws? A. Because he loves to work on man as a rational creature, according to the principles of his nature; Hosea 11:4. 1 drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: And because he delights in none but free and cheerful obedience; Psalm 110:3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.
Q. 2. What is the first argument in this preface? A. It is the sovereignty of the Lawgiver, [I am the Lord,] which should awe the heart of every man to obedience; James 4:12. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.
Q. 3. What is the second argument to obedience? A. Our propriety in God by covenant, [I am the Lord thy God;] this obligeth to obedience, and aggravateth disobedience; Psalm 50:7. Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee; I am God, even thy God. Hosea 9:1. For thou hast gone a whoring from thy God.
Q. 4. What is the third argument unto obedience? A. The benefits of redemption that they receive from God. Benefits persuade to duty; and the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance, Romans 2:4.
Q. 5. How can deliverance out of Egypt be an argument to them that never were in Egypt? A. As that deliverance was a type of our deliverance, so it is an argument to us, and an argument from the less to the greater; for it obligeth us more than them; Luke 1:74-75. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Q. 6. What is that deliverance we have? and how doth it oblige us to obedience? A. Our deliverance is not from Egypt, but from hell; Colossians 1:13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. And our persons are bought by the Redeemer to glorify God; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. What know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you? For ye are bought with a price: Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Q. 7. Is it not mercenary to serve God upon the account of benefits received, or to be received? A. He that maketh religious duties mediums to attain carnal advantages only, is of a worse than mercenary spirit; Hosea 7:14. And they have not cried unto me with their hearts, when they howled upon their beds: They assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me. But to be quickened by mercy to duty is not mercenary, but evangelical; Hosea 3:5. They shall fear the Lord, and his goodness.
Q. 8. What is the first inference from hence? A. That great is the condescension of God to man, that he will use arguments to induce him to obedience, who might exact it only by his sovereignty, and justly damn us for our disobedience; 2 Corinthians 5:20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Q. 9. What is the second inference front hence? A. That the more mercy any receive from God, the more obligations are laid on them to obey him; Psalm 116:1-2. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice, and my supplications: Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
Q. 10. What is the third inference from hence? A. The more mercies and favours any man sins against, the greater is that man's sin, and the sorer will be his punishment; Amos 3:2. You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Q. 11. What is the fourth inference from hence? A. That God’s expectations are greater, where his mercies and favours have been so; Isaiah 5:4. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not (lone in it? Wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes.
Q. 12. What is the last inference from hence? A. That memorials of God’s mercies are to be kept by us, to provoke us to constant and cheerful duties of obedience; Exodus 17:14. And the Lord said unto Moses, write this for a memorial in a hook, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua. Psalm 103:2-3. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. - John Flavel

Photo Credit

The Good & the Bad

I'm home from a hard days labor enjoying a favorite brew when I came across this and almost lost my cookies. So, I popped over to my new friend's blog to remind myself (not that I really need to) why I enjoy imbibing my favorite beverage (that's beer for those of you who don't know). Pilgrim's Pub is a great new blog that focuses on beer and the consumption of it from a Christain perspective. My hats off to ya Jason!

Photo Credit

Thoughts on the Lord's Day

Yes, its Super Bowl Sunday. Yuch! Gag me with a spoon. I know, I'm a man but I'm sick to death of sports. Sports in this country are highly over-rated and those who play & coach are over paid. That fact alone has ruined sports for me. Here is my humorous but likely effective way to control NFL payroll costs. OK, Mr. Football, I'll pay you the $5, 000, 000 you're asking for on just a few conditions. Every missed tackle is $10, 000 back to me, every dropped catch is $10,000 back to me, every fumble is $10,000 back to me and generally any other mistake you make on the field is $10,000 back to me except when we're within 20 yards of our opponent's goal, then multipy this figure by 2. How do you think these guys would respond? Money, I think, has ruined sports and I know that opinon is not popular even with those who would agree that the financial aspect of professional sports has damaged the game.

But I think he real issue for me and Christian men everywhere is the fact that I can't think of a worse way to spend a Lord's Day afternoon than glued to the idiot box watching these mutants get paid a ton of dough to play a game. It is the Lord's Day after all. I'd rather spend some time focusing on the "unseen" rather than the "seen". I'm not claiming to be the worlds best Sabbatarian and, in fact, I'm still working out what it means to keep the Sabbath Day holy without stepping into legalistic territory which, in my humble experience, many good folks do. I'm certainly not saying all sports are wrong especially on the other 6 days of the week. I am, however, advocating that we as men take another look at how we spend our Sunday's, that is, are we immersed in sports or immersed in thoughts of our Saviour.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

Q. 60. How is the sabbath to be sanctified?

A. The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful in other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.

Gentlemen, any thoughts?

Photo Credit

John Owen on Scripture

Recently I've been studying a bit on John Owen and came across some good stuff on his views on Scripture. For example, Scripture is received in the twofold manner work of the Holy Spirit, i.e., an internal witness and an external witness. The internal witness is the Spirit's work on men's minds allowing them to believe. The external witness is the Spirit giving evidence through the Scriptures that it is true. J.I.Packer delineates this for us by offering three points how the Spirit works this out. 1. By Light. Scripture, through the covenanted action of the Holy Spirit, constantly "shines", in the sense of giving spiritual illumination and insight as to who and what on is in the sight of God, and who and what Jesus Christ is, both in humself and in relation to one's own self and finally, in the broadest and most inclusive sense, how one ought to live. (A Quest for Godliness, by J.I. Packer, page 91.) 2. The Spirit makes Scripture powerful. We see this in verses such as Hebrews 4:12 ?& 1 Corinthians 1:18. 3. The Spirit makes the Scriptures to work on each person individually to see God's majesty. Therefore, ...through the action of the Holy Spirit, Scripture evidences and authenticates itself as the Word of God. (A Quest for Godliness, by J.I. Packer, page 91.) The power with which the Scriptures approach us is the public testimony of the Holy Spirit given to us all, of the Word, by and in the Word. (John Owen as quoted in A Quest for Godliness, by J.I. Packer, page 91.)

Westminster Wednesday #42

The answer to this week's q&a is certainly worth some meditation. May I encourage you, as I will myself, to cogitate on what it means to truly love God with all my heart, soul & strength. It is indeed a difficult task both inwardly and outwardly.

Q. 42. What is the sum of the ten commandments? A. The sum of the ten commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbour as ourselves.

Q. 1. What is the sum of the ten commandments? A. To love the Lord our God with a supreme love, and men with a sincere love, in and for him; Matthew 22:37-38. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment: The second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Q. 2. What is the first thing contained in our supreme love to God? A. It implies the loving of God purely and absolutely for himself. The excellencies that are in him; Canticles 1:3. Thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore the virgins love thee. And the benefits we receive from him; Psalm 116:1. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplication.
Q. 3. What is the second property of this supreme love? A. Supreme love denotes the whole man to God and Christ: So that in life and death that man designs the glory of God as his main end; Romans 14:7-8. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself; for whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord’s.
Q. 4. What is the third property of supreme love? A. It causes the soul to depreciate and slight all other things in comparison of God’s glory, and an interest in Christ; Acts 20:24. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy; Philippians 3:8. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.
Q. 5. What is the fourth property of supreme love? A. It centers the soul in God as its only rest; Psalm 116:7. Return unto thy rest, O my soul. And cannot be satisfied till it come to the full enjoyment of him; 2 Thessalonians 3:5. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Q. 6. Why must we love God with a supreme love? A. Because such a love only suits the transcendent excellency of God; commands all we are and have for God; and is the only love that will continue to the end; Romans 8:35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Q. 7. What is it to love our neighbour as ourselves? A. It is the exact observation and practice of the golden rule of Christ; Matthew 7:12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Q. 8. Are all men to be loved alike, and with the same degree of love? A. No; though we must love all men with the love of benevolence, yet the saints only with the love of complacency; Psalm 16:3. But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent in whom is all my delight. Psalm 15:4. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. And to such we must especially do good; Galatians 6:10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Q. 9. What is the first instruction from hence? A. Hence we learn the excellency of divine love. Moses expresses the whole duty of man in ten commandments: Christ hangs the whole law upon these two, love to God and our neighbour; Mark 12:30-31. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: There is none other commandment greater than these. And the apostle reduces these two into one; Galatians 5:14. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even this. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Q. 10. What is the second inference from hence? A. It convinces the holiest of men how far short they come in their obedience to the rule of duty, and therein the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, Galatians 3:24.
Q. 11. What is the third inference from hence? A. It discovers the excellency and perfection of the law of God; Psalm 19:7. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: And that we are highly to honour and magnify it as a rule of duty, though we must utterly renounce it as the way of our justification.
Q. 12. What is the last inference from hence? A. That there is nothing too dear for a Christian in this world, but he must give it up by self-denial, when it conies in competition with his supreme love to God; Luke 14:26. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple; i. e. Love them less than me. - John Flavel

Westminster Wednesday #41

We have finally made it to the 10 Commandments. Thomas Vincent introduces us to them with his explanation of this Q & A.

Ques. Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?

Ans. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.

Q. 1. What is it for the moral law to be summarily comprehended in the ten commandments?A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments, in that the sum and chief heads of the law are therein contained.
Q. 2. Is there, then, any thing included, as commanded or forbidden in the moral law, but what is expressed in the ten commandments?

A. The moral law being spiritual and very large, doth reach both the whole inward man, and all the outward conversation, and therefore the ten general heads in the commandments do include many particular members and branches. — 1. Whatever sin is forbidden in any one precept, the contrary duty is commanded, and all sins of the same kind also are forbidden; and not only the outard act, together with the words and gestures tending thereunto, but also all the inward affections to sin, together with all causes, means, occasions, appearances, and whatever may be a provocation unto it, either in ourselves or others. "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the counsel: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after he; hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."— Matt. 5:21, 22, 27, 28. 2. Whatever duty is commanded, the contrary is forbidden; and all duties of the same kind are included, together with all suitahle affections thereijnto, as also the using all means appointed for help, quickening, and furtherance therein, and our endeavours in our places to help and further others in their obedience.

From the Larger Catechism:
Q. 98. Where is the moral law summarily comprehended? A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments, which were delivered by the voice of God upon mount Sinai, and written by him in two tables of stone; and are recorded in the twentieth chapter of Exodus; the four first commandments containing our duty to God, and the other six our duty to man.
Q. 99. What rules are to be observed for the right understanding of the Ten Commandments? A. For the right understanding of the Ten Commandments, these rules are to be observed:
1. That the law is perfect, and bindeth every one to full conformity in the whole man unto the righteousness thereof, and unto entire obedience forever; so as to require the utmost perfection of every duty, and to forbid the least degree of every sin.
2. That it is spiritual, and so reacheth the understanding, will, affections, and all other powers of the soul; as well as words, works, and gestures.
3. That one and the same thing, in divers respects, is required or forbidden in several commandments.
4. That as, where a duty is commanded, the contrary sin is forbidden; and, where a sin is forbidden, the contrary duty is commanded: so, where a promise is annexed, the contrary threatening is included; and, where a threatening is annexed, the contrary promise is included.
5. That what God forbids, is at no time to be done; what he commands, is always our duty; and yet every particular duty is not to be done at all times.
6. That under one sin or duty, all of the same kind are forbidden or commanded; together with all the causes, means, occasions, and appearances thereof, and provocations thereunto.
7. That what is forbidden or commanded to ourselves, we are bound, according to our places, to endeavor that it may be avoided or performed by others, according to the duty of their places.
8. That in what is commanded to others, we are bound, according to our places and callings, to be helpful to them; and to take heed of partaking with others in what is forbidden them.
Q. 100. What special things are we to consider in the Ten Commandments? A. We are to consider, in the Ten Commandments, the preface, the substance of the commandments themselves, and several reasons annexed to some of them, the more to enforce them.

Samuel Rutherford

My dear brother, let God make of you what he will, he will end all with consolation, and shall make glory out of all your sufferings; and would ye wish better work? - From the Loveliess of Christ by Samuel Rutherford.

Revivalism

Lately I've been studying and reading several books on revivals since the Reformation. A few things stand out:
1) Revival comes from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, it cannot be generated by man.
2) Often with revival comes division from those who follow a previous or different theological path.
3) After a period of time, the revival fervor fades and often theological accuracy fades with it.
4) Most important, we need to trust Providence in all periods of history even when we no longer see the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God is always working even in history's darkest moments.

I can't recommend Iain Murray's Revival and Revivalism enough. Ever wonder about the altar call? Where did that come from? The oddball understanding of grace and why man has such control over his spiritual life? How he can make a decision? As good as this book is its heartbreaking as well to read the shift that took place from 1800 to 1831 that brought about the change in American thinking on these issues. I highly recommend it as we shall all understand our theological past.

Unbelievable...Well, Maybe Not

You just gotta read this and shake your head....Seems hard to believe but its true. How about some perspective from across the pond. Anyone? I'm an organ donor myself but this unbelievable...well, maybe not.

Photo Credit

Westminster Wednesday #40

Let's hit #40 this week and Matthew Henry will mine the truth of this q&a for us:

Q. 40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?

A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law.

1. Was the moral law revealed to man in innocency? Yes: for God created man in his own image, Gen. 1:27. Is it written in the heart of man? Yes: They show the work of the law written in their heart, Rom. 2:15. Is there then a law of nature? Yes: Doth not even nature itself teach you? 1 Cor. 11:14. Is that a law of God? Yes: for he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, Job 33:16. Does natural conscience enforce that law? Yes: for the Gentiles which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, Rom. 2:14. Did the Gentiles sin by the breach of that law? Yes: what they know naturally, in these things they corrupt themselves, Jude 10. And will they be punished for the breach of it ? Yes: they that have sinned without law, shall perish without law, Rom. 2:12.
2. Has God given us the moral law more fully? Yes: I have written unto them the great things of my law, Hos. 8:12. Are we under that law as a covenant? No: for a man is not justified by the works of the law, Gal. 2:16. Are we under it as a rule? Yes: we are under the law to Christ, 1 Cor. 9:21.
3. Is the law of God very extensive? Yes: Thy commandment is exceeding broad, Ps. 119:96. And very excellent? Yes: the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, and just, and good, Rom. 7:12. Is it admirable? Yes: Thy testimonies are wonderful, Ps. 119:129. Is any thing unjust in it? No: I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right, Ps. 119:128. Is it beyond any other law? Yes: what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous, Deut. 4:8.
4. Does the law of God bind the inward man? Yes: for the law is spiritual, Rom. 7:14. Does it forbid heart sins? Yes: Wash thy heart from wickedness, Jer. 4:14. Does it require heart service? Yes: My son, give me thy heart, Prov. 23:26. Does the law show us our way? Yes: it is a light to our feet, Ps. 119:105. Does it discover sin to us? Yes: by the law is the knowledge of sin, Rom. 3:20. Does it warn us concerning sin and duty? Yes: by them is thy servant warned, Ps. 19:11. Does it show us the need of Christ? Yes: the law was our schoolmaster, to bring us to Christ, Gal. 3:24. And does Christ do that for as which the law could not? Yes: Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, Rom. 10:4.
5. Ought we to love the law of God? Yes: I love thy commandments above gold, Ps. 119:127. And to consult it upon all occasions? Yes: Thy testimonies are my delight, and my counsellors, ver. 24. And to confirm it? Yes: We must walk in the law of the Lord, ver. 1.

My Grandson Rocking Out

For my 250th post it is most fitting that I have my grandson on video rocking out thanks to my son-in-law's excellent computer techniques.

Make One Theologian Your Life's Interest...

In the recent interview of Derek Thomas by the Exiled Preacher, Thomas said he was once told by Iain Murray that he should “make one theologian your life’s interest and hobby.” That really started me thinking. Who would that be for me? I’m not sure I could narrow that down to just one or even one living and one dead. I’ve always been of the belief to study as much as possible of everyone to get an over-arching understanding of the subject(s). I guess if I had to narrow it down to one, it would be John Flavel but I just don’t think I can limit myself to one. Looking at modern day theologians I would go with John Piper. I have found Flavel’s Keeping the Heart and Mysteries of Providence most helpful in my life and I return to these works often. Piper has such a good balance of intellect and heart that few are his equal and thus I continue to buy his books and listen to his sermons and lectures. We should not overlook the fact that desiringgod.org has the best internet policy for listening and downloading of any Christian site I have come across. So who is your life's interest and hobby?

Westminster Wednesday #39

Its been sometime since this study was first started and we've completed the first portion, that is, numbers 1 through 38, what we are to believe about God. Now, with q&a 39, we move on to what God requires of us.

Q. 39. What is the duty that God requireth of man?

A. The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed will.

Let's kick off this section with John Flavel's exposition of this q&a:

Q. 1. Is obedience to God’s will the duty of every man? A. It is unquestionably the duty of every man to obey the will of God, so far as he hath made it known to him; Micah 6:8. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
Q. 2. On what account is man’s obedience due to God? A. It is due to him, First, as he is our Creator, in whom we live, and move, and have our being; Acts 17:27-28. Secondly, As he is our Benefactor, from whom we receive all our mercies; Deuteronomy 28:47. Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies, which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things. Thirdly, As he is our Lord, and lawgiver; James 4:12. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.
Q. 3. Is obedience due to none but God only? A. Yes; subjects must obey their lawful magistrates; Romans 13:1. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, for there is no power but of God The powers that be are ordained of God. People their ministers; Hebrews 13:17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account. Children their parents; Ephesians 6:1. Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. But not as they are to obey God.
Q. 4. What is the difference betwixt our obedience to God’s commands, and men’s? A. We are to obey God, chiefly and supremely, for his own sake, but creatures secondarily, and for God's sake; 1 Peter 2:13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of men for the Lord's sake. And Ephesians 6:1. Children obey your parents [in the Lord,] for this is right.
Q. 5. What must we do when the commands of God and men fall cross to one another? A. In that case we must yield our obedience to God, and not to man, whatever we suffer for it; Acts 4:19. Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Q. 6. Why must we obey God rather than man? A. Because God is the supreme and sovereign Lord of our consciences; and no creature hath power to command our obedience but in and from him; Isaiah 32:22. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king, he will save us.
Q. 7. Have the people liberty to compare the laws of God and men, and judge how they agree or differ? A. Yes; their judgment of discretion is both commanded; 1 Corinthians 10:15. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. And commended; Acts 17:11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Q. 8. What is the only rule for our obedience to God? A. The will of God revealed in the scriptures is our only rule of obedience; Isaiah 8:20. To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Q. 9. But if a man have a voice, a vision, or a dream, seeming to hint the secret will of God, may he not obey it? A. Yes; if it be consonant to the revealed will of God in the word, otherwise not; Deuteronomy 29:29. The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed, belong unto us, and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Q. 10. What is the first instruction from hence? A. That it is highly sinful and dangerous to disobey the known will of God in any thing; Romans 1:18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Luke 12:47. And that servant which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Q. 11. What is the second instruction? A. That is a blessed man, who conscientiously labours to obey the will of God, so far as be can discover it; John 13:17. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Galatians 6:16. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy.
Q. 12. What is the third inference? A. It is highly sinful and dangerous to command others, or obey commands from others, which are not according to God’s command; Hosea 5:11. Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment. Jeremiah 7:31. And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.

John Newton - Together for the Gospel

I've just finished reading The Cambuslang Revival by Arthur Fawcett (a great read by the way) and in the final chapter the author quotes a letter from John Newton which is worth quoting again here: My hearers are made up of all sorts...My endeavor to to persuade them to love one another... Accordingly Churchmen and Dissenters, Calvinists and Arminians, Methodists and Moravians, now and then I believe, Papists and Quakers, sit quietly to hear me...whether a surplice or a band be the fittest distinction of a minister...whether water baptism should be administered by the spoonful or tub-full, or in a river, in any river on in Jordan (as Constantine thought), are to me points of no great importance...If a man loves Jesus, I will love him, whatever hard name he be called by...His differing from me will not always prove him to be wrong, except I am fallible myself.

May we all humbly agree with Newton here. There was a time I would not have and for that I repent. But today we must work together for the Gospel and bring glory to our Lord.

Psalm 1

Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

The Challenge

I like a challenge and this one in particular. I won't be able to participate but I'd like to follow along and see who succeeds and who benefits from it. Reading the Puritans can sometimes be a challenge but its often worth the effort. I'm taking some online classes from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis and this next class has quite a bit of reading so I won't over extend myself. But, to those who have some time....well, I dare ya!

Huck's Percentages

Interesting perspective...
Predictably enough, most media commentators have totally misinterpreted the nature of Mike Huckabee’s big win in the Iowa GOP caucuses. Conventional wisdom says that he swept to victory based on overwhelming support from Evangelicals, but conventional wisdom is flat-out wrong. According to the exit polls used by major news networks, a majority of voters who described themselves as “evangelical” or “born again” Christians actually voted against Huckabee –with 54% splitting their support among Romney, McCain, Thompson and Ron Paul. Yes, Huckabee’s 46% of Evangelicals was a strong showing, but it was directly comparable to his commanding 40% of women, or 40% of all voters under the age of 30, or 41% of those earning less than $30,000 a year. His powerful appeal to females, the young and the poor make him a different kind of Republican, who connects with voting blocs the GOP needs to win back. He’s hardly the one-dimensional religious candidate of media caricature. - Michael Medved
Read the entire article here.

And We're Off....

Its that time again. Time for an over abundance of political ads, mud-slinging, & endless considerations on every subject that affects us as humans and citizens of the United States. Its easy to get bogged down or wound up in the whole presidential election process. Al Mohler had some wise words for us in his latest post when he wrote: The rhetoric of the race -- and the rhetoric of many evangelicals -- is disturbing. This race is important and necessarily so. We are talking about the next President of the United States, after all. But evangelicals have invested far too much hope in the political process. No government can make people good, transform humanity, or eliminate sin. The political sphere is important, but never ultimate. Jesus Christ is Lord -- and He will be Lord regardless of who sits in the Oval Office. Let's remember that our Lord owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) and #11 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, What are God’s Works of Providence? God’s Works of Providence are, His Most Holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions. The Lord is control, let us be calm and settled in that fact.
Read Mohler's entire post here.

Edwards Resolutions Part 2

This is part 2 of my post on Jonathan Edward’s Resolutions so, as it coincides with the New Year, let’s have at it. Edwards next five are:

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

As I find myself aging I find more things going wrong and I’m ever more conscience of my mortality. And, like many of us, I have a few re-occurring problems which haunt me from time to time. So, I find number 10 jumping off the page at me. God has truly blessed me in this area even when I don’t think so. I often try to remind myself of some of the theologians that have gone before us and their health issues which were legion compared to my own (our own?). Richard Baxter, if I’m not mistaken, had a nagging stomach problem and we’ve all heard or read the stories of John Calvin and his kidney stones. I thank the Lord everyday that we live in a time where pain management is at its best but we all still have our aches and pains and there is some pain that still cannot be circumvented. At these times, let’s remember Edward’s resolution.

New Photos

My grandson, Christian

Check out my new Christmas photos at Flickr (see sidebar). Pics are of my son and daughter and their spouses and my grandson and, of course, Mrs Renegade!

Westminster Wednesday #38

What a great way to start the new year, that is, with q&a #38 of the WSC and Vincent's exposition.

Ques. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
Ans. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.

Q. 1. How many ways may the benefits which believers receive from Christ at the resurrection be considered?
A. The benefits which believers receive from Christ at the resurrection may be considered in three respects — 1. In respect of their resurrection itself. 2. In respect of the day of judgment, after their resurrection. 3. In respect of heaven, after the day of judgment.

Q. 2. What is the benefit of believers m respect of their resurrection itself?
A. The benefit of believers in respect of their resurrection itself is, that they shall be raised in glory.

Q. 3. What glory doth this refer unto?
A. It doth refer unto the glory which shall be put upon the bodies of believers at their resurrection, which were vile bodies, both whilst they were putrefied in the grave, and whilst alive before, as they were instruments of sin, and subject to diseases and death. "Who shall change our vile body." — Phil. 3:21.

Q. 4. What is that glory which shall be put upon the bodies of believers at the resurrection?
A. The bodies of believers, at the resurrection, shall be made most healthful, strong, spiritual, incorruptible, immortal, most beautiful, and glorious, like unto Christ's most glorious body. "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to snbdue all things unto himself."— Phil. 3:21. "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in in corruption; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sewn in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, aud this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."— 1 Cor. 15:42-44, 53, 54.

Q. 5. What benefits shall believers have after their resurrection, at the day of judgment?
A. At the day of judgment — 1. Believers shall be gathered together from all the corners of the earth by the angels. "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."— Matt. 24:31. 2. Believers shall be all caught up together in the clouds, to meet the Lord Jesus, who will come down with a shout from heaven. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air."— l Thess. 4:16, 17. 3. Believers shall be placed on the right hand of Jesus Christ. "And he shall set the sheep on his right hand." — Matt. 25:33. 4. Believers shall be openly acknowledged by Christ to be his, and acquitted from false aspersions which had been cast upon them, and from the real guilt of all sins which had been committed by them, because of their interest in Christ and his righteousness. "Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."— Matt. 10:32. "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died."— Rom. 8:33, 34. 5. Believers shall be entertained and invited by Christ to take possession of the glorious inheritance prepared for them. "Then shall the King say nnto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."— Matt. 25:34. 6. Believers shall sit with Christ as assessors in judgment of the wicked angels and wicked men. "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? Know ye not that we shall judge angels ?"— l Cor. 6:2, 3.

Q. 6. What benefits shall believers receive after the day of judgment in heaven?
A. Believers in heaven shall be made perfectly blessed in their flill enjoyment of God to all eternity.

Q. 7. Wherein will consist the perfect blessedness of believers in heaven?
A. The perfect blessedness of believers in heaven will consist-i. In their perfect immunity or freedom from all evil, and that both of sin and misery. "That he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."— Eph. 5:27. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."— Rev. 21:4. 2. In their full enjoyment of God, the chiefest good.

Q. 8. What doth the full enjoyment of God in heaven imply?
A. The full enjoyment of God which believers shall have in heaven, doth imply— 1. That they shall have the glorious presence of God with them. "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them."— Rev. 21:3. 2. That they shall have the immediate and beatifical vision of his face. "And they shall see his face1 and his name shall be in their foreheads."— Rev. 22:4. "For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face."— 1 Cor. 13:12. "We shall see him as he is."— 1 John 3:2. 3. That they shall have both a full persuasion and sense of God's love unto them, and perfect love in their hearts towards him, which doth necessarily result or arise from the vision of God in heaven. 4. That they shall have fulness and exceeding joy. "In thy presence is fulness of joy."— Ps. 16:11. "Now to him that is able to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."— Jude 24.

Q. 9. What is it that will sweeten the happiness of believers in the full enjoyment of God in heaven?
A. That which will sweeten the happiness of believers in their full elijoyment of God in heaven, will be the eternity thereof— that it shall be without any interruption, and without any end. "And so shall we ever he with the Lord."— 1 Thess. 4:17.

Q. 10. Wherein will differ the condition of unbelievers and all the wicked world, from that of believers, at the last day?
A. The condition of unbelievers, and all the wicked world, will be miserable beyond expression at the last day of judgment: For— 1. Their bodies shall arise, and come forth like prisoners out of the grave, and whats6ever utrength and immortality shall be put upon them, will be only to make them capable of eternal torments and misery. 2. They shall, with horror and dreadful shriekings, see Christ coming in flaming fire, to take vengeance upon them. "Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him."— Rev. 1:7. "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel."— 2 Thess. 1:7, 8. 3. They shall stand before the throne and judgment-seat of Christ, where the books shall be opened wherein all their sins are recorded— according to which they shall be judged, and sentenced to everlasting punishment. "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the hooks were opened, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."— Rev. 20:11, 12. "Then shall he say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."— Matt. 25:41. 4. They shall then be driven away from the presence of the Lord into hell, where they shall be punished with extremity of anguish, and torment in soul and body, without any alleviation or intermission, unto all eternity. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment."— Matt. 25:46. "Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, (shall be) upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile." — Rom. 2:8, 9. "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night."— Rev. 14:11.

I recently heard a sermon given by Mark Driscoll where he stated that sometimes we are so weary of this life, not that we're going to commit suicide, but so weary that we truly look forward to the day we are ushered into heaven by our Lord. I must agree. There times when things are so tough that it is such a blessing to look forward to that day knowing what we have here is as temporary as it often is disappointing. We must remember John 16:33, "...but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."