Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

We can profit by imitating what John the Baptist would do:  “PREPARE HIS WAYS;  To give to His people the knowledge of salvation“.  “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”  Hebrews 13:7  “And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”  Acts 26:29

The importance of the knowledge of salvation can be seen in verses such as Romans 10:2-3:  “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.  For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.”  Hosea 4:6 states:  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest.  Since you have forgotten the law of your God,I also will forget your children.”   

I was delighted to see the new design for the cover of The Standard Bearer, the publication of the Protestant Reformed Churches.  It has tulips on the cover!  As we know, the acronym of TULIP summarizes the glorious and joyful truth of the knowledge of salvation:  “Total Depravity”, “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Perseverance of the Saints a/k/a Preservation of the Saints”. 

I am disappointed to see TULIP dismissed, minimized, or marginalized.  Some say:  “There is so much more to Reformed Doctrine than TULIP.”  While it is true, I am very skeptical of such statements.  I think such a statement is like not using a person’s name when addressing them.  It reveals a lack of love and appreciation for the name.  It reveals a lack of desire to provide a very helpful keyword to help people know and remember and talk about the knowledge of salvation. 

The importance of coming to an understanding of knowledge of salvation and a restful faith in it, rather than just knowing everything, can be seen in John 5:39-40.  “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;  and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”  There are those who are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  2 Timothy 3:7

Sometimes, I think some Pastors care more about and are content with their congregation coming to church every Sunday, and even twice on Sunday, and of course, paying tithes and offerings, than they care about what their congregation really knows and what they can communicate effectively to others. 

Sometimes, I think that rather than encouraging individual members of their congregation in their attempts to understand and communicate simple basic points of salvation such as TULIP, some Pastors rather show their own superiority of knowledge. 

Jesus would rightly condemn these Pastors as he did the scribes and Pharisees of His day.  “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people;  for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”  Matthew 23:13.  “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.”  Matthew 23:4.

Will we be like these Pastors, scribes and Pharisees?  Or, will we be like John the Baptist? 

Will we prepare the way to salvation for people by making good and helpful signs like TULIP?  Or, will we just give them a Bible? 

Will we give people the knowledge of salvation?  Or, will we just show off our own knowledge? 

Will we bear their burdens and gently blow on the dimly burning wick and encourage them in any way that we can?  Or, will we lay burden upon burden upon them and extinguish their flickering interest in the knowledge of salvation? 

May God help us all!