Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 6:7-10.

⁶  The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.”  Galatians 6:1-6.

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“Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.  Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.  For even Christ did not please Himself;  but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.”  For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  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 15:1-6. 

We bear and share.  We bear the weaknesses of others, patiently tolerating their shortcomings and restoring them to strength and soundness with a spirit of gentleness.  We share God’s Word to encourage others and to help them persevere, and we share our money to help support those who preach and teach us.

But, there is also a sense in which we bear our own load.   We have our own personal weaknesses and pressures.  We have our own trials and tribulations.  Consider the following parable in which each began to use his or her own personal situation to make excuses.  “But He said to him, “A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many;  and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come;  for everything is ready now.’  But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it;  please consider me excused.’  Another one said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out;  please consider me excused.’  Another one said, ‘I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.’”  Luke 14:16-20.   “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”  Luke 14:27     

There is also another sense in which we bear our own load.  “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”  Proverbs 9:12.  We may preach and teach, but we better listen to our own preaching and teaching.  “But each one must examine his own work …”  Verse 4.  “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.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”  Galatians 5:19-26.

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We can’t successfully combat the desires and the deeds of the flesh by only trying harder, although we should try harder.  “You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;”  Hebrews 12:4.  

We read yesterday the provision for success.  “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:16.  “for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die;  but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”  Romans 8:13. 

“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.  When we walk by the Spirit, the Spirit  sets its desire against the flesh and does not allow us to do the things in the flesh that we want.  Galatians 5:17.  The fruit of the Spirit are in opposition to the deeds of the flesh.  For example, when we love by the Spirit, we will not desire and practice enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, and factions.  As another example, when we are under self-control by the Spirit, we will not desire and practice immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, drunkenness, and carousing.

Although God “delivers also from the dominion and slavery of sin in this life”, we still possess “the body of sin” and “the infirmities of the flesh, so long as they (we) continue in this world.”  “Hence spring daily sins of infirmity, and hence spots adhere to the best works of the saints; which furnish them (us) with constant matter for humiliation before God”.  Article 1 and 2 of the following “Fifth Head of Doctrine – Of the Perseverance of the Saints” of Canons of Dordt.  

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.”  1 John 1:8.

But, there is hope!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9.

And, there is more hope!

God preserves us!  “Preservation of the Saints” a/k/a “Perseverance of the Saints” is the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation. 

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.

Here is the entire section of the Canons of Dordt titled:  “FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE
Of the Perseverance of the Saints”:

Article 1.  Whom God calls, according to his purpose, to the communion of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and regenerates by the Holy Spirit, he delivers also from the dominion and slavery of sin in this life;  though not altogether from the body of sin, and from the infirmities of the flesh, so long as they continue in this world.

Article 2.  Hence spring daily sins of infirmity, and hence spots adhere to the best works of the saints;  which furnish them with constant matter for humiliation before God, and flying for refuge to Christ crucified;  for mortifying the flesh more and more by the spirit of prayer, and by holy exercises of piety; and for pressing forward to the goal of perfection, till being at length delivered from this body of death, they are brought to reign with the Lamb of God in heaven.

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

Article 4.  Although the weakness of the flesh cannot prevail against the power of God, who confirms and preserves true believers in a state of grace, yet converts are not always so influenced and actuated by the Spirit of God, as not in some particular instances sinfully to deviate from the guidance of divine grace, so as to be seduced by, and to comply with the lusts of the flesh;  they must, therefore, be constant in watching and in prayer, that they be not led into temptation.  When these are neglected, they are not only liable to be drawn into great and heinous sins, by Satan, the world and the flesh, but sometimes by the righteous permission of God actually fall into these evils.  This, the lamentable fall of David, Peter, and other saints described in Holy Scripture, demonstrates.

Article 5.  By such enormous sins, however, they very highly offend God, incur a deadly guilt, grieve the Holy Spirit, interrupt the exercise of faith, very grievously wound their consciences, and sometimes lose the sense of God’s favor, for a time, until on their returning into the right way of serious repentance, the light of God’s fatherly countenance again shines upon them.

Article 6.  But God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election, does not wholly withdraw the Holy Spirit from his own people, even in their melancholy falls;  nor suffers them to proceed so far as to lose the grace of adoption, and forfeit the state of justification, or to commit sins unto death;  nor does he permit them to be totally deserted, and to plunge themselves into everlasting destruction.

Article 7.  For in the first place, in these falls he preserves them in the incorruptible seed of regeneration from perishing, or being totally lost;  and again, by his Word and Spirit, certainly and effectually renews them to repentance, to a sincere and godly sorrow for their sins, that they may seek and obtain remission in the blood of the Mediator, may again experience the favor of a reconciled God, through faith adore his mercies, and henceforward more diligently work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

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

Article 9.  Of this preservation of the elect to salvation, and of their perseverance in the faith, true believers for themselves may and ought to obtain assurance according to the measure of their faith, whereby they arrive at the certain persuasion, that they ever will continue true and living members of the church; and that they experience forgiveness of sins, and will at last inherit eternal life.

Article 10.  This assurance, however, is not produced by any peculiar revelation contrary to, or independent of the Word of God;  but springs from faith in God’s promises, which he has most abundantly revealed in his Word for our comfort;  from the testimony of the Holy Spirit, witnessing with our spirit, that we are children and heirs of God, Romans 8:16;  and lastly, from a serious and holy desire to preserve a good conscience, and to perform good works.  And if the elect of God were deprived of this solid comfort, that they shall finally obtain the victory, and of this infallible pledge or earnest of eternal glory, they would be of all men the most miserable.

Article 11.  The Scripture moreover testifies, that believers in this life have to struggle with various carnal doubts, and that under grievous temptations they are not always sensible of this full assurance of faith and certainty of persevering.  But God, who is the Father of all consolation, does not suffer them to be tempted above that they are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that they may be able to bear it, I Corinthians 10:13, and by the Holy Spirit again inspires them with the comfortable assurance of persevering.

Article 12.  This certainty of perseverance, however, is so far from exciting in believers a spirit of pride, or of rendering them carnally secure, that on the contrary, it is the real source of humility, filial reverence, true piety, patience in every tribulation, fervent prayers, constancy in suffering, and in confessing the truth, and of solid rejoicing in God:  so that the consideration of this benefit should serve as an incentive to the serious and constant practice of gratitude and good works, as appears from the testimonies of Scripture, and the examples of the saints.

Article 13.  Neither does renewed confidence or persevering produce licentiousness, or a disregard to piety in those who are recovering from backsliding;  but it renders them much more careful and solicitous to continue in the ways of the Lord, which he hath ordained, that they who walk therein may maintain an assurance of persevering, lest by abusing his fatherly kindness, God should turn away his gracious countenance from them, to behold which is to the godly dearer than life:  the withdrawing thereof is more bitter than death, and they in consequence hereof should fall into more grievous torments of conscience.

Article 14.  And as it hath pleased God, by the preaching of the gospel, to begin this work of grace in us, so he preserves, continues, and perfects it by the hearing and reading of his Word, by meditation thereon, and by the exhortations, threatenings, and promises thereof, as well as by the use of the sacraments.

Article 15.  The carnal mind is unable to comprehend this doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, and the certainty thereof;  which God hath most abundantly revealed in his Word, for the glory of his name, and the consolation of pious souls, and which he impresses upon the hearts of the faithful.  Satan abhors it;  the world ridicules it;  the ignorant and hypocrite abuse, and heretics oppose it;  but the spouse of Christ hath always most tenderly loved and constantly defended it, as an inestimable treasure; and God, against whom neither counsel nor strength can prevail, will dispose her to continue this conduct to the end.  Now, to this one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, forever.  AMEN.

“For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”  Galatians 2:19-20.

⁴ You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.

⁵ For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”  Galatians 5:1-6.

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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.  “And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.  You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.”  Verses 3 and 4.  

When we wholly, or even just partly, seek to be justified by the Law, we are not under grace, but we are 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.”  Galatians 3:10. 

In a riveting chapter, Hebrews Chapter 10 compares the Law with Christ.  Click here: Hebrews 10 NASB – One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient – Bible Gateway

Hebrews Chapter 10 first describes the inability of the Law to make us perfect.  “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.”  Hebrews 10:1.

Hebrews Chapter 10 then describes the perfect sacrifice of Christ.  “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.  And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us;  for after saying,

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

“AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.”  Hebrews 10:14-18. 

For those who continue to trust the Law, there is  “… a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.  Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  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?  For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  Hebrews 10:27-31. 

In conclusion, we are almost at the end of the Book of Galatians.  Throughout the Book of Galatians, Paul has been pounding the table on the contrast between the Law and grace (through faith in Christ).  Now, in today’s Scripture near the end of the Book of Galatians, he gives this sharp warning.  “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.”  Verse 4.  We see a similar sharp warning in Hebrews Chapter 10.  But, we are not among those who even partially rely on the Law.  “For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”  Verses 5 and 6.

“CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON,
FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.”

³¹ So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.”  Galatians 4:21-31.

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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?

Moreover, it is very interesting to note that the promise is not just received by those wise enough with enough will to secure it by their alleged “free will” in choosing the side of faith versus the side of the Law.  The promise refers to one of two covenants.  See verse 24.

The promise is an unconditional covenant based on God.  “But God said, “No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac;  and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.”  Genesis 17:19.

“⁶ But it is not as though the word of God has failed.  For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;  ⁷ nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but:  “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.”  ⁸ That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.  ⁹ For this is the word of promise:  “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.”  ¹⁰ And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;  ¹¹ for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, ¹² it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”  ¹³ Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”

¹⁴ What shall we say then?  There is no injustice with God, is there?  May it never be!  ¹⁵ For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  ¹⁶ So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.  ¹⁷ 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.”  ¹⁸ So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”  Romans 9:6-18. 

Thus, we should not consider the children of promise as those who are wise enough and have enough willpower to exercise their alleged “free-will” to choose faith instead of the Law.  Rather, ultimately, we should consider the children of promise as the elect.  The children of promise do have faith and do not rely on the Law nor seek to be under it, but the children of promise, as being the elect, received their faith along with all the other saving gifts of salvation as part of the promise.