Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

The Law condemned both groups (Jews and Gentiles) and resulted in spiritual death to both groups (Jews and Gentiles).  “But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind;  for apart from the Law sin is dead.  I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;  and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;  for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”  Romans 7:8-11.

So then, there are two senses in which the Law is the enmity.  There is the enmity between Jews and Gentiles caused by the Law’s separation of the two groups.  There is also the enmity between God and both groups caused by the Law’s condemnation of both groups and the result of the Law in spiritual death for both groups.

But, thanks be to Christ, there are two senses of reconciliation.  First, there is the reconciliation between the Jews and Gentiles.  “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,”  Verses 13-14.  Second, there is the reconciliation of both groups to God.  Christ died on the cross to “reconcile them both in one body to God”.  Verse 16. 

“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.  …  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:4 and 6.

In summary, we recently finished the Book of Galatians, and we know Paul pounded the table throughout the Book of Galatians that we should consider ourselves dead to the Law.  And now, in Ephesians, we read today’s Scripture which identified the enmity as the Law and which described the Law’s separation of the Jews and the Gentiles with the Jews having God, promises, and hope, and with the Gentiles having no God, no promises, and no hope.  Christ, “by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law” reconciled us to each other (Jews and Gentiles) and reconciled all of us to God.

Question 86.  Since then we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace, through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works?

Answer.  Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit, after his own image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude [a] to God for his blessings, and that he may be [b] praised by us;  also, that every one may be [c] assured in himself of his faith, by the fruits thereof; and that, by our godly conversation, others may be [d] gained to Christ.

[a]: 1Cor. 6:19,20; Rom. 6:13; Rom. 12:1,2; 1Pet. 2:5,9,10

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Although it is difficult and humbling for us to consider and understand “Total Depravity”, if we do so consider and understand “Total Depravity”, then we will better understand and better appreciate the necessity and logic for God’s sovereign actions, including but not limited to “Unconditional Election”.  Humility is also what God desires from us.  “But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”  James 4:6

Here is some of what the Reformed Confessions teach about “Total Depravity”.

“Article 3.  Therefore all men are conceived in sin, and by nature children of wrath, incapable of saving good, prone to evil, dead in sin, and in bondage thereto, and without the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit, they are neither able nor willing to return to God, to reform the depravity of their nature, nor to dispose themselves to reformation.”  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.  The Canons of Dordt.

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“Question 6.  Did God then create man so wicked and perverse?

Answer.  By no means; but God created man good, and after his own image, in true righteousness and holiness, that he might rightly know God his Creator, heartily love him and live with him in eternal happiness to glorify and praise him. 

Question 7.  Whence then proceeds this depravity of human nature?

Answer.  From the fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in Paradise;  hence our nature is become so corrupt, that we are all conceived and born in sin. 

Question 8.  Are we then so corrupt that we are wholly incapable of doing any good, and inclined to all wickedness?

Answer.  Indeed we are;  except that we are regenerated by the Spirit of God.”  The foregoing Questions 6, 7, and 8 are all from The Heidelberg Catechism.

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“Question 25:  Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

Answer:  The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually;  which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions.

Question 26:  How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?

Answer:  Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin.

Question 27:  What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?

Answer:  The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, his displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world, and that which is to come.”  The foregoing Questions 25, 26, and 27 are all from The Westminister Larger Catechism.

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“Article 14:  Of the Creation and Fall of man, and his Incapacity to perform what is truly good.

We believe that God created man out of the dust of the earth, and made and formed him after his own image and likeness, good, righteous, and holy, capable in all things to will, agreeably to the will of God.  But being in honor, he understood it not, neither knew his excellency, but willfully subjected himself to sin, and consequently to death, and the curse, giving ear to the words of the devil.  For the commandment of life, which he had received, he transgressed; and by sin separated himself from God, who was his true life, having corrupted his whole nature;  whereby he made himself liable to corporal and spiritual death.  And being thus become wicked, perverse, and corrupt in all his ways, he hath lost all his excellent gifts, which he had received from God, and only retained a few remains thereof, which, however, are sufficient to leave man without excuse;  for all the light which is in us is changed into darkness, as the Scriptures teach us, saying:  The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not:  where St. John calleth men darkness.  Therefore we reject all that is taught repugnant to this, concerning the free will of man, since man is but a slave to sin;  and has nothing of himself, unless it is given from heaven.  For who may presume to boast, that he of himself can do any good, since Christ saith,  No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him?  Who will glory in his own will, who understands, that to be carnally minded is enmity against God?  Who can speak of his knowledge, since the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God?  In short, who dare suggest any thought, since he knows that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but that our sufficiency is of God?  And therefore what the apostle saith ought justly to be held sure and firm, that God worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  For there is no will nor understanding, conformable to the divine will and understanding, but what Christ hath wrought in man;  which he teaches us, when he saith,  Without me ye can do nothing.”  The Belgic Confession.

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“Wretched man that I am!  Who will set me free from the body of this death?”  Romans 7:24.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:1-6. 

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Today’s Scripture teaches Unconditional Election, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism a/k/a the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation:  “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.”  “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons …”

This “Unconditional Election” is a work of God of “His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Christ).”  This “Unconditional Election” is “according to the kind intention of His will”.

The Canons of Dordt explains this “Unconditional Election” along with the other parts of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism a/k/a the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  The Canons of Dordt is divided into sections (“heads”).  The first part of each section affirmatively and directly teaches the truth of the doctrine, and then the second part of each section negatively rejects the false teaching (Arminianism). 

The Canons of Dordt is relatively short and easily readable.  Lest we neglect to read it, let us remember the words of Calvin in his Commentary on Galatians 1:6-9:  ““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 direct link – Click here: The Canons of Dordt .         

Here are two Articles of the Canons of Dordt as samples and summaries, showing the riches therein.   

Article 7.  Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, he hath out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of his own will, chosen, from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault, from their primitive state of rectitude, into sin and destruction, a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ, whom he from eternity appointed the Mediator and Head of the elect, and the foundation of Salvation.

This elect number, though by nature neither better nor more deserving than the others, but with them involved in one common misery, God hath decreed to give to Christ, to be saved by him, and effectually to call and draw them to his communion by his Word and Spirit, to bestow upon them true faith, justification and sanctification;  and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of his Son, finally, to glorify them for the demonstration of his mercy, and for the praise of his glorious grace; as it is written:  “According as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love;  having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved,” Ephesians 1:4,5,6.  And elsewhere: “Whom he did predestinate, them he also called;  and whom he called, them he also justified;  and whom he justified, them he also glorified,”  Romans 8:30.

Article 6.  That some receive the gift of faith from God, and others do not receive it proceeds from God’s eternal decree, “For known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world,”  Acts 15:18.  “Who worketh all things after the counsel of his will,” Ephesians 1:11.  According to which decree, he graciously softens the hearts of the elect, however obstinate, and inclines them to believe, while he leaves the non-elect in his just judgment to their own wickedness and obduracy. …” 

In conclusion, there are many who reject “Unconditional Election”.  They may even shout out:  “That is not the God I serve!”  They may indeed serve a different “god”.  But, regardless of whether many think it is just or otherwise like it or not, the God of Scripture is a God Who unconditionally elects some to salvation.  “… And herein is especially displayed the profound, and merciful, and at the same time the righteous discrimination between men, equally involved in ruin; or that decree of election and reprobation, revealed in the Word of God, which though men of perverse, impure and unstable minds wrest to their own destruction, yet to holy and pious souls affords unspeakable consolation.”  Article 6 of the Canons of Dordt.

¹⁷ From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren.  Amen.”  Galatians 6:14-18. 

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We again see the Christian life described as a walk.  We remember a similar “walk” description in the previous chapter.  “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:16. 

The Pharisees lay law upon law on the people:  “And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men’s shoulders;  but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.”  Matthew 23:4.

In contrast, Christ tied up the heavy loads of the law and laid them on His own shoulders and gave us His Spirit as a yoke:  “in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”.  Romans 8:4.

Whether you try to keep the Law (circumcision) or don’t try to keep the Law (uncircumcision) will not ultimately determine whether or not you are saved.  What matters is whether or not you are a new creation.  “And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”  Verses 15 and 16. 

But, we need grace to even just walk.  “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren.  Amen.”  Verse 18.

Part of that grace is the Book of Galatians.  Let us continue our review from what we started yesterday. 

11.  “But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise …”

“The purpose of the Law was not to impart righteousness and life to man, but rather the purpose of the Law was to “shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” 

12.  “The Unconditional and Immutable Promise of Blessing by God”

“Today’s Scripture presents four points as to why the Law does not invalidate nor change the promise of blessing by God.  First, verse 15 focuses on the unchangeable (immutable) nature of the promise of God’s blessing.  Second, verse 16 focuses on the recipients of God’s blessing:  Abraham and Christ.  We are blessed in Christ.  Third, verse 17 focuses on the time sequence of the promise of God and the giving of the Law.  The subsequent Law does not change God’s previous promise.  Fourth, verse 18 focuses on the contrast between a conditional blessing based on man’s weak and changing performance under the Law compared to an unconditional blessing based on the strong immutability of God’s Word.  God grants the blessing or inheritance on the basis of His promise, not on the basis of our performance under the Law.”

13.  “the curse of the Law”

“Thus, the “curse of the Law” is not the isolated and inherent quality of the Law itself.  Rather, the “curse of the Law” is its affect on those who depend on it to become righteous.”

14.  “True Faith Seeks Blessing a/k/a Reward”

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6.  Abraham exhibited faith in seeking a reward.  “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you;  Your reward shall be very great.”  Genesis 15:1” 

15.  “Sola Christo (Christ Alone):  Through Faith, We Have Complete Salvation in Him”

“Here is how the Reformed Belgic Confession describes this work of the Spirit (“the Holy Ghost”), this hearing with faith, and that all things that we need for salvation are in Christ.        

Article 22:  Of Faith in Jesus Christ.

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.  …”

16.  “Sola Gratia (Grace Alone):  “I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.” 

“And so, we live our lives “straightforward” by “faith alone” and “walk by the Spirit” trusting the Spirit to produce love, joy, peace, and other fruit of the Spirit.  We do not alienate new Christians, standing aloof in our self-righteousness, but we patiently teach them Reformed Doctrine so that they too will trust God and patiently wait for the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith in Christ.”

18.  “The Works of God”

“Reformed Doctrine a/k/a Calvinism recognizes and proclaims the works of God.  Arminianism recognizes and proclaims the alleged “free-will” of man.

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Whether you try to keep the Law (circumcision) or don’t try to keep the Law (uncircumcision) will not ultimately determine whether or not you are saved.  What matters is whether or not you are a new creation in Christ. 

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  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 2:4-9. 

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;  the old things passed away;  behold, new things have come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

We are finishing the Book of Galatians.  In order to better understand why “For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” (Verse 15), let us review the Book of Galatians by remembering the following ten posts among the most recent posts.  The title is followed by a summary quote.  God willing, tomorrow, we will finish the review.

1.  “The Deeds of the Flesh, the Fruit of the Spirit, and the Preservation of the Saints” – “Our faith is not in our own will-power to try harder to resist sin, although as stated above we should try harder.  Our faith is not even in our ability to walk by the Spirit, although as stated above we should walk by the Spirit.  Ultimately, our faith is not in ourselves;  our faith is in God preserving us.”

2.  “The Supernatural:  We are “released from the Law” and “led by the Spirit of God“.

3.  “Our Need for the Supernatural” – “One of the first steps toward loving and serving one another is to reduce the pride in us.  We are not going to love and serve another through the flesh.  Remember “Total Depravity”:  the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism also known as Reformed Doctrine.  We absolutely need “Some One” supernatural to possess us to make us love and serve another as we should.”

4.  “A Little False Doctrine” – “Creeds a/k/a confessions, and even the simple acronym ”TULIP”, can help us detect a little false doctrine.  Without such help, we may hear preaching or teaching that seems a little “off”, but we cannot pinpoint what is wrong.  We may dismiss that feeling of uneasiness, thinking that the preacher or teacher just had a bad day.  But, with such help of the creeds etc., we can more easily pinpoint what is wrong and eliminate it from our consideration.  In the right margin, there are “easy to find” links to the following Reformed creeds:  Belgic Confession, Canons of Dordt, Heidelberg Catechism, and Westminister Larger Catechism.  In addition, we can trust the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth.”     

5.  “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law” – “We can’t have one foot standing on grace with the other foot standing on the Law, thereby depending on the Law to hold us up if grace does not hold us up.  We can’t buy a little “fire insurance” from the Law.” 

6.  “Children of Promise” – “Paul continues the hammering.  Do you want to be under the Law or do you want to be under the promise?  The bondwoman Hagar, her son Ishmael, the desert (Mount Sinai), the Ten Commandments, and slavery represent the Law.  Abraham’s wife Sarah, their son Isaac, the richness of heaven (Jerusalem above), walking by the Spirit, and freedom represent the promise.  On which side do you want to be?”

7.  “Enslaved All Over Again to the Law?” – “The temptation to go back to the Law to prove our own self-righteousness is with us today as it was with the Galatians.” 

8.  “Students, Slaves, and Sons” – “Paul continues to build his case that we should not seek to be under the Law, but rather, that we should seek to be “in Christ”.  At the end of the preceding chapter, Paul used the analogy of students and a tutor:  ”Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:24-26.  In today’s Scripture, Paul uses the analogy of slaves in bondage.  Christ redeemed His elect under the Law, so that they might receive the adoption as sons and be no longer slaves.”

9.  “We Belong to Christ” – “Our comfort is not in the Law.  We are not going to prove our righteousness under the Law.  We are not going to receive a blessing under the Law.  Rather, under the Law, we will only prove how great of sinners that we are with the result of spiritual death.  Romans 7:7-11.”

10.  “The Teacher, the Train, the Father, and the Law” – “The teacher graduates her students, and the students leave the teacher and classroom and enter the next grade or work or otherwise get on with their lives.   Likewise, “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”  Verses 23 and 24.  The train delivers its passengers to the end, the station, and the passengers get off the train and enter the station and proceed to their destination.  Likewise, the Law delivers us to Christ.  “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  Romans 10:4.  The father hands his daughter to the groom, and the daughter leaves the father and joins her husband.”  Likewise, “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.“