Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 John 5:6-12.

 

“This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ;  not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.  It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.  For there are three that testify:  the Spirit and the water and the blood;  and the three are in agreement.  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater;  for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.  The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself;  the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.  And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has the life;  he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”  1 John 5:6-12.

 

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When we hear someone tell us just that Jesus was a good man or a good teacher, they are likely “damning by faint praise”.  Click here: Damning with faint praise – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia  They will not admit Jesus Christ is the only Savior, but they don’t want to appear as if they totally reject Him. 

 

But, today’s Scripture does not allow any such faint praise.  “… the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.  And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has the life;  he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”  Verses 10-12. 

 

It is not only those groups that deny that Jesus is God who damn by faint praise.  There are those who admit that Jesus is God, but teach that it is ultimately up to man to choose Christ and keep Christ.  They focus on man and his alleged “free will”.  They teach that a man can have Christ, but if he does not continue to use his own “free will” throughout his life until death to keep his own faith, then he can fall from grace and lose Christ and lose eternal life.

 

 

 

 

We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him.  For it must needs follow, either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus Christ, or if all things are in him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ through faith, have complete salvation in him.  Therefore, for any to assert, that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy:  for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a Savior.  Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith without works. However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean, that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our Righteousness.  But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all his merits and so many holy works which he has done for us, and in our stead, is our Righteousness.  And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with him in all his benefits, which, when become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins.  The Belgic Confession.

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.  But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.  Canons of Dordt FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints.

Article 8.  Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits, or strength, but of God’s free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their backslidings;  which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen;  but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since his counsel cannot be changed, nor his promise fail, neither can the call according to his purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated.  Canons of Dordt FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints.