Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 12, 2012

“let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me (the LORD)”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Timothy 1:12-17.
 
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor.  Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;  and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.  It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
 
Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Timothy 1:12-17. 
 
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“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.
 
We praise our LORD for revealing some of His qualities in today’s Scripture, so that we can better understand and know Him.  We learn that our LORD is a Savior Who “came into the world to save sinners”.  We learn about His grace which is “more than abundant”.  We learn about Jesus Christ’s “perfect patience” as demonstrated in saving Paul.  We learn that our LORD shows “mercy”.  We learn about “the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus”.
 
We learn that our Savior is also a “King” Who is “eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God”.  We learn that Christ Jesus our Lord,  “strengthened” Paul.
 
 
Do we read Scripture with a foremost desire to learn about us, so that we better understand and know ourselves?
 
Or, do we read Scripture with a foremost desire to learn about our LORD, so that we better understand and know Him?
 
Do we read Scripture with a foremost desire to learn about our own works?
 
Or, do we read Scripture with a foremost desire to learn about God’s works?
 
Arminian Doctrine, which is taught in so many churches, foremost teaches man’s free-will and focuses on man and what man should do, so that he will choose Christ through his own wisdom and maintain his faith through his own willpower, so that he will not fall from grace.
 
But, Reformed Doctrine a/k/a Calvinism foremost teaches about our LORD and His qualities and His works as demonstrated by its distinctive signature “TULIP”, particularly our LORD’s work in “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”.
 
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.”  Verse 17.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 11, 2012

“law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Timothy 1:8-11.
 
“But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.”  1 Timothy 1:8-11.
 
———————-
 
The “law is not made for a righteous person”.  Verse 9.  The righteous shall live by faith, not by the Law.
 
“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”  Romans 7:4. 
 
Romans 6:14
“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
 
Galatians 5:18
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”
 
“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse;  for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”  Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident;  for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”  However, the Law is not of faith;  on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.”  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs ona tree”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”  Galatians 3:10-14. 
 
But, the law is made for “for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane …”.  Verse 9.
 
“Now we know that whatever theLaw says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;”  Romans 3:19.
 
And, “the Law brings about wrath”.  Romans 4:15.  The Lord knows how “to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”  2 Peter 2:9.
 
Here is what the Heidelberg Catechism states in regards to the use of the law for the righteous: 
 
Question 115.  Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?
 
Answer.  First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ;  likewise, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come. 
 
In summary and conclusion, the Westminister Larger Catechism makes the distinction between the use of the Law for the righteous (regenerate) and the unrighteous (unregenerate):
                             

Question 96:  What particular use is there of the moral law to unregenerate men?

Answer:  The moral law is of use to unregenerate men, to awaken their consciences to flee from wrath to come, and to drive them to Christ;  or, upon their continuance in the estate and way of sin, to leave them inexcusable, and under the curse thereof.

Question 97:  What special use is there of the moral law to the regenerate?

Answer:  Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works;  yet, besides the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special use, to show them:  How much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it, and enduring the curse thereof in their stead, and for their good;  and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness, and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 10, 2012

Sound Doctrine rather than Strange Doctrine; Creeds rather than Confusion

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Timothy 1:1-7.
 
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,
 
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:  Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
3 As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.  5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.  6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.”  1 Timothy 1:1-7.
                         

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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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 9, 2012

The Lord of Peace

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:14-18.
 
“14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.  15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
 
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.  The Lord be with you all!
 
17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter;  this is the way I write.  18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”  2 Thessalonians 3:14-18.
                          

———————-

Circumstances may draw attention away from our Lord to the difficult circumstances or to ourselves.  We need to focus our attention again to our Lord and His qualities and His willingness to help us.

Let us first consider generally that Almighty God is our Faithful Father.  Here is what the Heidelberg Catechism states about Almighty God, our Faithful Father, in reference to the Apostle’s Creed.

Question 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

Answer.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by his eternal counsel and providence) is for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but he will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body:  and further, that he will make whatever evils he sends upon me, in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage;  for he is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.

Today’ Scripture reminds us specifically that our Lord is “the Lord of peace”, and that He “Himself” grants us peace.  We are reminded of other similar Scripture which reminds of this quality of peace in His nature.

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;  … Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (emphasis added).

Our Lord of peace, our Prince of Peace, is certainly willing to help us and give us peace. 

Jesus said:  “Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives, do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful’”. John 14:27.

And, our Lord grants us peace “in every circumstance”.  The world gives flashes of peace dependent on pride, place, and possessions that quickly come and go.  Christ gives us His peace that will never leave.

Verse 16 in today’s Scripture, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.  The Lord be with you all!“, reminds me of the following benediction (quoting Numbers 6:24-26) that we often have at the end of our worship service. 

May you go out today and every day illumined and comforted with these blessings from our Lord of peace!

“The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 8, 2012

Discipline and Good Work Ethic

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13.
 
“6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.
 
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,
 
8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;
 
9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.
 
10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order:  if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
 
11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.
 
12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.
 
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.”  2 Thessalonians 3:6-13.
 
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This past week, 4th of July fell on Wednesday, and I enjoyed it as a holiday off from work as most people did.  But, I wanted more time off, and I took Friday off, because I am self-employed and could take the day off.  There was no good reason to take the day off.
 
Today’s Scripture convicted me of my lack of discipline and my lack of good work ethic.  I confess it and repent.
 
This is no little sin.  I am reminded of King David who also showed a lack of discipline and lack of good work ethic.  “Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah.  But David stayed at Jerusalem.  Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing;  and the woman was very beautiful in appearance.”  2 Samuel 11:1-2.  We know the rest of the story.  David laid with Bathsheba.  Bathsheba got pregnant.  David arranged for Uriah (Bathseba’s husband) to be killed.
 
Without minimizing my sin, I must be quick to add that I did not sin like David.  God was gracious to cause emergencies to pop up at my office, so I ended up working all of the rest of Friday to “put out the fires”, including going to Court.  But, the point remains that it is important for us to show discipline and a good work ethic:  “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.”  Verse 13.
 
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  Galatians 6:9-10.    
 
God is intimately concerned with the details of our lives.  God is concerned about every detail of our work which may be hard.  God is concerned about every nail that we pound and every diaper that we change.  God is with us and leads us through each moment of the day.   
 
“O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2  You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
3  You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4  Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
5  You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
7  Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8  If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9  If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10  Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
11  If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”
12  Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.
13  For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14  I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
15  My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16  Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
17  How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18  If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.”  Psalm 139:1-18.
                                   
And, God comforts us and strengthens us.  Let us remember the conclusion of the last chapter that we studied.  “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.
 
“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;  Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;  Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”  Psalm 138:8
                            
Let us lead a disciplined life showing a good work ethic, trusting God that He is intimately concerned with each detail of our lives, that He comforts us and strengthens us in every good work and word, that He is present with us and leads us through pound of the nail and each diaper change, and that He will accomplish what concerns us.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 6, 2012

“But the Lord is faithful”.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.
 
“Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;
 
2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men;  for not all have faith.
 
3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
 
4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.
 
5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”  2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.
 
———————
 
There are so many people and things that try to draw our attention away from the Lord.  Today’s Scripture mentions “perverse and evil men”.  But, there can also be financial troubles, health afflictions, family problems, job stresses;  the list goes on and on.
 
“But the Lord is faithful“.  Verse 3.  Through God’s grace, we read Scripture and meditate on the Lord and His faithfulness. 
 
First, generally, the problems seem smaller when we view and meditate upon such a big God.  “You shall not dread them, for the LORD your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.”  Deuteronomy 7:21
                                    
Second, there are specific promises.  Regarding the specific threat of “perverse and evil men”, there is the specific promise:  “He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”  Verse 3.  Regarding the specific trouble of financial needs, there is the specific promise:  “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19  And, there are so many other specific promises throughout Scripture. 
 
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4. 
 
Third, and while we wait for deliverance, we can pray, and the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7. 
 
Fourth, the love of God and Christ’s steadfastness covers everything.  Verse 5.  Regardless of our flighty focus in trying to keep our eyes on God, regardless of our lack of diligence in discovering the specific promises of God and lack of faith believing them, and regardless of our lack of prayer, God loves us and elects to cause all things to work together for our good, and Christ will steadfastly accomplish all of God’s purpose for us. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 5, 2012

Sheep and the Good Shepherd

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.
 
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.
 
———————
 
We are like sheep:  “timid, fearful, easily panicked, dumb, stupid, gullible, very vulnerable to fear, frustration, pests, hunger” – Click here: What are some characteristics of sheep
 
We need comfort, a lot of it, for all of our lives.
 
God “has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace”.  He provides all the comfort that we need for all of our lives.  Verses 16 and 17,
 
And, through the comfort and strength that God gives us, God also enables us to do every good work and give every good word.  Verse 17. 
 
God preserves us, so that without the will of our heavenly Father, not even a hair can fall from our head.  God assures us of eternal life.  God makes us sincerely willing and ready to live for Him.  Question and Answer 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism.    
 
Question 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?
 
Answer.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;  who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.
 
Psalm Chapter 32, one of the best known and most beloved chapters of the Bible, ties it all together for us.  We are the sheep, and our Lord is our Good Shepherd.  
 
“The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2  He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3  He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6  Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Psalm Chapter 23.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 4, 2012

Canons of Dordt

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15.
 
“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.  It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13-15.
 
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“God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation” leads us to Canons of Dordt. 
 
“Faith in the truth” leads us to Canons of Dordt. 
 
“He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ”, the golden chain of salvation referred to in Romans 8:28-30, leads us to Canons of Dordt.   
 
“Stand firm and hold to the traditions” leads us to Canons of Dordt. 
 
The following link leads us to Canons of Dordt – Click here: The Canons of Dordt 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 3, 2012

Importance of “TULIP”, 5 Points of Calvinism, Reformed Doctrine of Salvation

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12.
 
“Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;  that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.  For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”  2 Thessalonians 2:8-12.
 
————————————-
 
Today’s Scripture teaches the importance of belief in the truth.  There are those who “did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved”.  They “will believe what is false”.  They “all may be judged who did not believe the truth”. 
 
With this knowledge of this general importance of belief in the truth, we should ask:  “How specifically important is the truth of the Gospel?  In other words, is the Gospel specifically important enough such that failure to believe it would be indication that one is not saved?“. 
 
Calvin, in his Commentary on Galatians 1:6-9, stated:  “The gospel of Christ.  To know what are the leading points of the gospel, is a matter of unceasing importance.  When these are attacked, the gospel is destroyed.”  Here is a link to his whole Commentary on Galatians 1:6-9 – Click here: Commentary on Galatians and Ephesians – Christian Classics Ethereal Library  
 
Most, if not all of us, would also agree that the Gospel is specifically important enough that failure to believe it would be indication that one is not saved (unless one later believed it).
 
Then, what is the Gospel?  
 
Is the Gospel a man-centered belief that salvation is ultimately determined by man, that is, God loves everyone and that salvation is determined by whether or not man exercises wisdom and will-power to believe in Jesus Christ?
 
Or, is the Gospel a God-centered belief that salvation is ultimately determined by God, that is, God loves only His elect and that salvation is determined by God’s unconditional election and Christ’s death and limited atonement for only the Elect and God’s irresistible grace and God’s preservation of the saints, in short “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation? 
 
Is it truly “Good News” that salvation is ultimately based on man?
 
Or, is it truly “Good News” that salvation is ultimately based on God?
 
Even love of truth is “received” as we read in today’s Scripture.  Faith is a gift of God.  Ephesians 2:8.
 
For those Reformed believers whose creeds include the Three Forms of Unity (namely, the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dordt), the Canons of Dordt focuses on this “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  Here is a direct link to it –
 
For those Reformed believers whose creeds include the Westminister Larger Catechism, “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation is taught therein, including but not limited to Articles 25, 30, 31, 32, 38, 59, 64, 66, 67, 68, 72, 75, 76, and 79.  Here is a link to the Westminister Larger Catechism – Click here: Historic Church Documents at Reformed.org   
  
 
In conclusion, for more on the general importance of truth and the specific importance of the truth of the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, please read both the post “Reformed Doctrine”, a tag at the top of my web site, and my comment thereunder titled “Will Arminians Be Saved?”.  Here is a direct link to it – Click here: Reformed Doctrine « Reformed Doctrine Blog

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 2, 2012

“encourage the fainthearted, help the weak”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7.
 
“Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.  Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.  Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?  And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.”  2 Thessalonians 2:1-7.
 
—————————–
 
Some Thessalonians may have worried that the day of the Lord had already come and that they were left behind.  Paul wanted to calm and comfort them by informing them as to what must happen first before the day of the Lord and by assuring them that God was still in control restraining evil throughout history.
 
As we teach “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, there may be some today who worry that they are not among the elect.  Like Paul, we can calm and comfort. 
 
We can “… encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, …”  1 Thessalonians 5:14
 
We can use the very creed which is the showpiece of the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation:  the Canons of Dordt.   
 
Like Paul assured the Thessalonians that they should “not be quickly shaken from” their “composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter”, “to the effect that the day of the Lord has come”, the following Article 16 of the Canons of Dordt assures those today who worry that they “ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate, but diligently to persevere in the use of means (means of grace such as preaching and the sacraments), and with ardent desires, devoutly and humbly to wait for a season of richer grace.”  
 
Article 16.  Those who do not yet experience a lively faith in Christ, an assured confidence of soul, peace of conscience, an earnest endeavor after filial obedience, and glorying in God through Christ, efficaciously wrought in them, and do nevertheless persist in the use of the means which God hath appointed for working these graces in us, ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate, but diligently to persevere in the use of means, and with ardent desires, devoutly and humbly to wait for a season of richer grace.  Much less cause have they to be terrified by the doctrine of reprobation, who, though they seriously desire to be turned to God, to please him only, and to be delivered from the body of death, cannot yet reach that measure of holiness and faith to which they aspire;  since a merciful God has promised that he will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed.  But this doctrine is justly terrible to those, who, regardless of God and of the Savior Jesus Christ, have wholly given themselves up to the cares of the world, and the pleasures of the flesh, so long as they are not seriously converted to God.
 
But, we also need to take notice of the warning:  “But this doctrine is justly terrible to those, who, regardless of God and of the Savior Jesus Christ, have wholly given themselves up to the cares of the world, and the pleasures of the flesh, so long as they are not seriously converted to God.”
 
 
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.  Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.  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 1:2-11.
 
In summary, God, “by his divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness”.  Our “merciful God has promised that he will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed”.  Let us have faith and take courage.  Let us diligently use the means of grace that God has given us and exercise those qualities that He has given us.  “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:12-13.   

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