Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 12, 2012

Our Hope

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 2:5-7.
 
“Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.  The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.  Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”  2 Timothy 2:5-7.
 
—————–
 
The hope for a gold medal motivated Olympians to get up early and train hard in the same routine almost every day.  The hope of a good harvest motivated farmers to get up early and work hard in the same routine almost every day. 
 
So, there is hard work and discipline for both the athlete and the farmer.  But, there also is the hope for both the athlete and the farmer.   
 
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;  I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”  1 Corinthians 9:24-27. 
 
“Or is He speaking altogether for our sake?  Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.”  1 Corinthians 9:10. 
 
Our hope is for more than a good medal or a good harvest. 
 
“… They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”  1 Corinthians 9:25.   
 
And, as admirable as the athlete is, as admirable as the hard-working farmer is, the favor of the Lord is not necessarily on the strongest, wisest, most disciplined and hardest worker, but rather the favor of the Lord is “on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness,”  Psalm 33:18.
 
“13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14  From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15  He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
16  The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17  A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
 
18  Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19  To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20  Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
21  For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22  Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.”  Psalm 33:13-22.
 

Our hope is also more than just a motivational “carrot in front of a horse pulling a cart”. 
 
We don’t have hope, just so we can get something.  We have hope, because it is the means of salvation.
 
“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”  Romans 8:24-25.
 
Our hope is not in our strength.  Our hope is not in our wisdom.  Our hope is not in our hard work.  Our hope is not in our discipline.  Our hope is not in ourselves.
 
Our hope is in our Lord.  
 
“Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.
  
“Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early,
To retire late,
To eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.”  Psalm 127:1-2.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 10, 2012

A Good Soldier and a Perfect Commander

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 2:3-4.
 
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”  2 Timothy 2:3-4.
 
———————
 
The life of a Christian is described in different ways in the next section of Scripture.  In today’s Scripture, the life of a Christian is described as “a good soldier of Christ Jesus”.  A Christian, like a good soldier, stays focused on his service and mission, endures suffering, and does not become entangled in the affairs of everyday life. 
 
A Christian, like a soldier, may feel tempted to go “AWOL” (absent without leave).  But, Peter, like Paul, warns us to not become entangled on outside affairs:  “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.  For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.  It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “ A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”  2 Peter 2:20-21.  
 
But, there is hope!
 
We have the perfect Commander in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Like a good military commander provides his soldiers with all the food, clothing, and armaments that the soldier needs, Christ supplies all the provisions that we need.  Philippians 4:19.  Like a good military commander makes sure that his soldiers are assigned jobs that they can do, Christ gives us spiritual gifts so that we can do the service assigned to us.  Romans 12:4-8.  Like a good military commander puts his soldiers in a position to win, Christ puts us in a situation to win.  1 Corinthians 15:57.
 
“but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 9, 2012

“be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 2:1-2.
 
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  2 Timothy 2:1-2.
 
———————
 
“For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9.  But, to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” requires more than a light general consent to the truth of salvation by grace.  
 
Today’s Scripture requires us to study this truth of salvation by grace.  Just as we do not become physically strong by no or little exercise, we do not become strong in grace by no or little study.  “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  Acts 17:11
 
We study the elements of salvation by grace which are “Total Depravity” (which establishes the need for grace), “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”:  in a word “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism also known as “the doctrines of grace”.
 
Today’s Scripture also produces a recognition that salvation by grace is not an isolated “running wild” doctrine.  But rather, it is a solid pillar of truth which has been entrusted to faithful men who were able and did in fact teach others also. 
 
To refute heresy and so that each generation does not have to “reinvent the wheel”, these faithful men produced the Canons of Dordt which focuses on these doctrines of grace.  Click here: The Canons of Dordt  And, there are also other Reformed creeds which also cover these doctrines of grace but maybe with less focus and less comprehensive and systematic point by point description than was done in the Canons of Dordt.  These other Reformed creeds include but are not limited to the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Westminister Larger Catechism.
                            
A commitment to strength in grace and a love of the truth of salvation by grace motivate us to eagerly and joyfully discover and treasure the Canons of Dordt.  We also search through the other Reformed creeds to find more on what faithful men have taught concerning these doctrines of grace. 
 
My testimony is in the “About Me” tag at my web site – Click here: About me « Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions
                                           

“… In 1977, I moved to Florida to go to law school, and I stayed here in Florida.  I attended and was a member, even a lay leader, in a large range of churches from Assembly of God to Baptist to Calvary Chapel to United Methodist to nondenominational churches and small fellowships.  At first, I thought Reformed Doctrine would be preached in all Christian Protestant churches.  When I heard some strange preaching or teaching, I first thought that the problem was just with that particular minister or teacher.  Eventually, a childhood friend, who now lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, asked me if I remembered “TULIP” which is also known as the Five Points of Calvinism and the Reformed Doctrine of salvation.  I studied the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism.  That study made me aware that often what bothered me was not just bad preaching or teaching, but rather the problem was caused by bad doctrine (Arminianism) that broadly and deeply affected that church and its denomination which at some time of its history strayed away from Reformed Doctrine rediscovered in the Reformation.  In contrast to this bad doctrine which I encountered, I began to appreciate more the truth, logic, beauty, and simplicity of “TULIP” which was my heritage.  I recognized its importance, because most Protestant denominations do not teach it.  I am now passionate about promoting ”TULIP” a/k/a Reformed Doctrine.  …”  

There are strong warnings to those who would lightly consider grace.

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?  But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,”  Romans 2:4-5.

Hebrews 10:29
“How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?”

Therefore, do not lightly consider grace, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen.”  2 Peter 3:18

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 8, 2012

Refreshment and Encouragement: What specifically can we do?

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 1:15-18.
 
“You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.  The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;  but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.”  2 Timothy 1:15-18.
 
—————- 
 
Paul needed refreshment and encouragement.  “You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me”.
 
Onesiphorus provided refreshment and encouragement to Paul.  “The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;  but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.” 
 
We tend to think of our Heroes of the Faith whether it be Apostle Paul or our own Preacher or Teacher as not needing any refreshment or encouragement.  But, they need it, and God uses us to provide it to them.
 
Yes, Paul endured suffered.  The preceding verses make that clear.  “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,”  2 Timothy 1:8.  “For this reason I also suffer these things, …”  2 Timothy 1:12. 
 
But, God provided refreshment and encouragement and other service to Paul through Onesiphorus as today’s Scripture makes clear.
 
Today’s Scripture motivates us to provide refreshment and encouragement and other service to other saints within our church. 
 
What specifically can we do?
 
First of all, let us search out and find those saints who most need it.  We may be in a worship service, and someone comes to mind as needing a word of encouragement from us.  Let us make a “bee line” to them after church to encourage them before they humbly leave.
 
Second, we receive prayer requests all the time.  Let us promptly compose a prayer within an email or card and send it to the person who sent us the prayer request (or directly to the person who needs the prayer). 
 
Third, I don’t do this, but it is a great idea and I am so pleased to see others do it.  When someone is sick or suffering, bring them a hot plate of food.
 
Fourth, when someone receives bad news (like Paul was in chains), let us not avoid them.  Rather, let us draw close to them and hug them.  There are those who have a gift of putting suffering into proportion and create even a reason to bring a small laugh to them.  I love that!
 
Fifth, let us use our own spiritual gifts and serve as Onesiphorus did in Ephesus.  If we do our own jobs well, then it is one less thing that our leaders need to worry about.  Earlier in this chapter, we read Paul exhort Timothy:  “For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”  2 Timothy 1:6.
 
In conclusion, this is certainly not an exhaustive list.  It is just five specific things we can do, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;  and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:24-25.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 7, 2012

Our Faithful Guard

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 1:12-14.
 
“12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed;  for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.  13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”  2 Timothy 1:12-14.
 
——————-
 
Our Faithful Guard is God.  Notice the three descriptions in today’s Scripture.  Our Faithful Guard is “He (Who) is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”  Verse 12.  Our Faithful Guard is Christ Jesus and “the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”  Verse 13.  Our Faithful Guard is “the Holy Spirit who dwells in us”.  Verse 14.
 
We can entrust the treasure of our salvation to God, our Faithful Guard.  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;  and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  John 10:27-29.
 
We can entrust the treasure of our “sound words” (doctrine – verse 13) to God, our Faithful Guard.  “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 14:26.  “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;  and He will disclose to you what is to come.”  John 16:13
                             
We can entrust the treasure of our work to God, our Faithful Guard.  “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 6, 2012

The Gospel According to the Power and Purpose of God

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 1:8-11.
 
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.”  2 Timothy 1:8-11.
 
—————————-
 
Today’s Scripture defines the Gospel “according to the power of God” and “according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity”.  And, it contrasts this true Gospel with  false gospels based “according to our works”.
 
Which doctrine truly teaches “the gospel according to the power of God”? 
 
An Arminian “man-centered” doctrine which teaches conditional election based on the condition supplied by man, a grace resistable by man, and a possible fall from grace dependent on whether man maintains his own faith until death?
 
Or
 
A Reformed “God-centered” doctrine which teaches “Unconditional Election”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”, all points solely powered by God within “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation?
 
Which doctrine truly teaches “the gospel according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity”? 
 
An Arminian “man-centered” doctrine which teaches man’s free-will and ability to choose and to resist according to man’s purpose?
 
Or
 
A Reformed “God-centered” doctrine which teaches predestination according to the purpose of God?
                            

“Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.”  The Canons of Dordt.

We further see in today’s Scripture that God “has saved us and called us with a holy calling”. 

Salvation is no joint venture between God and man.  God provides all points of salvation according to the power and purpose of God.  

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:29-30.

Man likes a religion based on his own works, or at least his own will, so that he gets some credit for salvation.  It appeals to his pride.

But, today’s Scripture teaches the gospel is “not according to our works”. 

Which doctrine best shows that the gospel is “not according to our works”?   

An Arminian “man-centered” doctrine which teaches that salvation is ultimately determined by man’s free-will?
 
Or
 
A Reformed “God-centered” doctrine which teaches “Total Depravity” that man is dead in sin and hostile to God, totally unable to provide any works or even a will to be saved? 
 
“So then it (salvation) does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:16.
 
In conclusion, this Gospel according to the power and purpose of God is truly the Gospel.  It truly is good news to have salvation in the hands of a sovereign God who provides all points of salvation according to His power and purpose.  “How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”  Isaiah 52:7

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 5, 2012

A Spirit of Power and Love and Discipline

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 1:1-7. 
 
“1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
                                     

2 To Timothy, my beloved son:  Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3  I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, 4  longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.  5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.  6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  2 Timothy 1:1-7. 

—————————-

Psalm 68:35
“O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary.  The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people.  Blessed be God!”
 
Psalm 84:11
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield;  The LORD gives grace and glory;  No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
 
“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 15:5-6.
 
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 3, 2012

O Reformed Believer, “guard what has been entrusted to you”.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Timothy 6:20-21.
 
“O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.
 
Grace be with you.”  1 Timothy 6:20-21.
 
——————— 
                                   

Reformed believers have been entrusted with Reformed Doctrine in the jewels of the Reformed Confessions:  The Belgic Confession, The Canons of Dordt, The Heidelberg Catechism, and The Westminister Confession of Faith.

And, what is most distinctive or salty in this Reformed Doctrine is the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation summarized by “TULIP”, the acronym for the following Five Points of Calvinism:  “Total Depravity”, “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace” and “Preservation of the Saints”.  “TULIP” can further be summarized in one word “predestination”.  

“Predestination” seems binding to man.  

“2  “The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3  “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”  Psalm 2:2-3

Predestination seems unjust to man.

“You will say to me then, “ Why does He still find fault?  For who resists His will?”  Romans 9:19.

But, God laughs and scoffs at them.

“4  He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5  Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6  “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”  Psalm 2:2-6.

“On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God?  The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?  Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?  What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:20-24. 

But, some Reformed Believers are more concerned about pleasing man than pleasing God.  Rather than guarding “TULIP” that has been entrusted to them, they hide “TULIP” or minimize it or marginalize it.  

And when enough people in their church and denomination fall in line, over time, they lose their precious “TULIP”, their Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, and their church and denomination becomes “man-centered” just like every other church and denomination. 

In a very important book written by Loraine Boettner titled The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination.  The following link is to “Chapter XXVII – The Practical Importance Of The Doctrine”.

 
In this link to Chapter XXVII, there is a section titled “4.  ONLY CALVINISM WILL STAND ALL TESTS”. 
 
The following quote in that section expresses some of the importance of Reformed Doctrine a/k/a Calvinism.  
 
“… We are living in a day in which we see practically all of the historic Protestant churches attacked by unbelief from within.  Many of them have already succumbed and the line of descent has invariably been from Calvinism to Arminianism, and from Arminianism to Modernism or Unitarianism;  and this latter state has proved to be self-destructive.  We firmly believe that the fortunes of Christianity are bound up with the fortunes of Calvinism.  Certainly the history of Modernism and Unitarianism in this country has proved that they are too weak to maintain themselves.  Where the principles of Calvinism are abandoned, there is a powerful tendency leading downward into the depths of Naturalism.  Some have declared– and rightly we believe — that there is no consistent middle ground between Calvinism and Atheism.
                                          

These distinctions which we have set forth between Calvinism and Arminianism are broad and important;  and until one has made a special study of these truths he does not realize what a large amount of heresy has been incorporated into the Arminian system.  If one system is true, the other is radically false.  As strict Calvinists we believe these doctrines to embody final truth and to be eternally right.  We believe this to be the only system of Christian truth which is taught in the Bible and the only one that can be logically and respectably defended before the world. …”

“You are the salt of the earth;  but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”  Matthew 5:13

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 2, 2012

Olympic Swimmers, Lake Michigan, and God’s Words

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
 
“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.  Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”  1 Timothy 6:17-19.
 
———————-
 
Our goal is eternal life.  We don’t coast to the finish line.  We see Olympic swimmers that were ahead lose the race, because the other swimmer touched the wall of the pool one hundredth of a second before them.  We run the full race even through the last stroke. 
 
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.”  1 Corinthians 9:24
 
“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14.
 
“Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you;  for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;  for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”  2 Peter 1:10-11.
 
I grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, the only child of a surgeon.  Although we did not consider ourselves rich (maybe comfortable), most people would have considered us rich.  In high school, we built a beautiful home on a sand dune on Lake Michigan.  I fondly remember looking at the sparkling lake and thinking big thoughts.
 
In bad moments, I wonder why I still don’t have a home on Lake Michigan.  I could be so much a better writer if I could look at the lake while I wrote.
 
But, in my good moments, I come to my senses and realize that I don’t need a home on the lake to be happy or productive.  I get to drive down Park St. every day and look at the sparkling water on Boca Ciega Bay, and the sun shines in St. Pete every day.  We don’t need to own to be happy or productive.  “God, (indeed) … richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”
 
My view may not be of Lake Michigan, but my view is of God’s Words.  “They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;  Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.”  Psalm 19:10. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 1, 2012

The Charge, Commandment, and Confession of the Gospel of Christ

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Timothy 6:13-16.
 
“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion!  Amen.”  1 Timothy 6:13-16.
 
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The charge to “keep the commandment” refers to keeping “the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” in verse 12.  And, the good confession refers to the confession of the gospel of Christ.  Likewise, we read in 2 Corinthians 9:13:  “… they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ …”.
 
What is the gospel of Christ?
 
What say our Confessions?
 
The Belgic Confession states in part: 
 
“Article 16:  Of Eternal Election.
 

We believe that all the posterity of Adam being thus fallen into perdition and ruin, by the sin of our first parents, God then did manifest himself such as he is;  that is to say, merciful and just:  Merciful, since he delivers and preserves from this perdition all, whom he, in his eternal and unchangeable counsel of mere goodness, hath elected in Christ Jesus our Lord, without any respect to their works:  Just, in leaving others in the fall and perdition wherein they have involved themselves.

The Westminister Confession of Faith, Larger Catechism, states in part:

“Question 30:  Does God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery ?

Answer:  God does not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works;  but of his mere love and mercy delivers his elect out of it, and brings them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace.

The Canons of Dordt states in part:

“Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.”

The Heidelberg Catechism states in part:

“Question 20.  Are all men then, as they perished in Adam, saved by Christ?

Answer.  No;  only those who are ingrafted into him, and receive all his benefits, by a true faith.

There are many who try hard to remove election from the gospel of Christ.  They may preach salvation based in part on man’s works, or they may preach a salvation based in part on man’s will (their choice of Christ).  But, ultimately, according to their doctrine, salvation is based on man either way. 

It is not good news or the gospel for salvation to be ultimately dependent on man, and it is certainly not God’s provision for salvation.  “For He says to Moses, “ I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.  For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.”  So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”  Romans 9:15-18. 

Christ did not ignore God’s election;  all of His work for salvation is based on God’s election and for God’s elect.  “Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.”  John 17:1-2.  “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.  Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You;  for the words which You gave Me I have given to them;  and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.  I ask on their behalf;  I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me;  for they are Yours;”  John 17:6-9.   

“TULIP” is the acronym for “Total Depravity”, “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace” and “Preservation of the Saints”.  It is the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, and the gospel of Christ.

We are not ashamed of “TULIP”.  We don’t hide it nor minimize it nor marginalize it.  Rather, we joyfully confess it as the gospel of Christ.  “Shout for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!  Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth;  Break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it;  For the LORD has redeemed Jacob And in Israel He shows forth His glory.”  Isaiah 44:23

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