Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Article 11.  But when God accomplishes his good pleasure in the elect, or works in them true conversion, he not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfully illumines their minds by his Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God; but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man; he opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, he quickens;  from being evil, disobedient and refractory, he renders it good, obedient, and pliable; actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.

¹¹ A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.

¹² But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

¹³  For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.

¹⁴ And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

¹⁵ But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”  1 Timothy 2:8-15.

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Today’s Scripture provides a continuing call for a tranquil and quiet life.  Today’s Scripture leads the men’s section (verse 8) with a “Therefore” and the women’s section (verses 9 through 15) with a “Likewise“, both of which refer to 1 Timothy 2:2-3:  “… so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,”  1 Timothy 2:2-3.

Namely, “Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension“.  Verse 8.  And, “Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, … by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.  … A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.  But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.”  Verses 9 through 12.

Yesterday, Sunday, I saw a full beautiful rainbow extending from horizon to horizon.  Through it, I felt God showing me peace.  “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand;  and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”  Romans 5:1-2. 

But, “There is no peace for the wicked,” says the LORD.”  Isaiah 48:22  See also Isaiah 57:21.

So, let us not whine about our respective duties, but rather, let our behavior be consistent with the peace that God gives us, and as Paul specifically states, “without wrath and dissension”, but rather by good works as is proper for those making a claim to godliness, “in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”

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Today’s Scripture urges us to “instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines”.  We are to avoid fruitless discussions and speculations.  We are to instruct “love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”. 

“Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.”  2 Timothy 2:22-23.

“Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.  For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites;  and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.”  Romans 16:17-18.  

“If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing;  but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.”  1 Timothy 6:3-5. 

“But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.”  Titus 2:1  “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”  Titus 1:9

How can we do that?

We can teach sound doctrine rather than strange doctrine.  We can cling to the creeds rather than create confusion.

Rev. Ronald Hanko, in his article “A Plea for Creeds”, states the importance of sound doctrine and creeds.  His article in full can be read in its original format at the following link – http://www.prca.org/articles/plea_for_creeds.html

Here is a brief quote from the article explaining what happens when a denomination or church dismisses or minimizes the importance of doctrine:  ” …  by cutting herself off from the church of past, the church today says in effect that every generation must start all over in its searching of the Scriptures and pursuit of the truth.  Thus she sets herself an impossible task – a task that is either set aside as too great so that there is little knowledge of the truth in the church, or which leaves her no time for other things.”

‘This is well-stated by the Presbyterian author, G.I. Williamson:

“The Bible contains a great wealth of information.  It isn’t easy to master it all – in fact, no one has ever mastered it completely.  It would therefore be foolish for us to try to do it on our own, starting from scratch.  We would be ignoring all the study of the Word of God that other people have done down through the centuries.  That is exactly why we have creeds.  They are the product of many centuries of Bible study by a great company of believers.  They are a kind of spiritual “road map” of the teaching of the Bible, already worked out and proved by others before us.  And, after all, isn’t this exactly what Jesus promised?  When he was about to finish his work on earth, he made this promise to his disciples:  “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).  And Christ kept his promise.  When the Day of Pentecost came, he sent his Spirit to dwell in his people.  The Holy Spirit was poured out – not on individuals, each by himself, but on the whole body of Christian believers together (Acts 2).  And from that time until this, he has been giving his church an understanding of the Scriptures.  It is no wonder that the church expressed itself from very early times through creeds (p. 3).  (Emphasis added.)”

He adds:

“And right here we see one of the most important things about a creed that is true to the Bible – it remains true down through the ages.  It does not need to be changed again and again, with each generation, because it deals with things that are unchanging.  Thus, an accurate creed binds the generations together.  It reminds us that the church of Jesus Christ is not confined to one age, just as it is not confined to any one place.  In other words, there is a unity in what Christians have believed, right down through the ages.  Just think of it:  when we confess our faith together . . . we join with all those believers who have gone before us. Does not this demonstrate that there is indeed just one Lord and one true faith? (p. 3).”  (Emphasis added.)”

In conclusion, in the right column under “Links”, you will find four Reformed Creeds: Belgic Confession, Canons of Dordt, Heidelberg Catechism, and Westminister Larger Confession.  They are all organized and easily readable.  I particularly recommend that you start by reading the Canons of Dordt, because it focuses on the subject of salvation, “TULIP”, the distinctive signature of Reformed Doctrine.  There is also a link to a web site titled “Daily Confessions” which contains a daily dose of Reformed creeds.