Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 5, 2009

Predestined

As some of you may know, I am daily reading through Scripture in its order.  Today’s devotion included Ephesians 1:3-12 which is one of the clearest and strongest Scriptures teaching predestination. 
 
“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.
                                                                   

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.”  Ephesians 1:3-12.  (Emphasis added).

Not only is the word “predestined” clearly and repeatedly stated, there are additional statements which support predestination.  “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world”.  We have been predestined “according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will”.  His will is “the summing up of all things in Christ”.

Not only are there these clear statements of predestination, there is the emphasis of how predestination is  “to the praise of the glory of His grace” and “to the praise of His glory”.  In other words, God is glorified alone when He alone determines who is saved.  As stated in the prior post, to the Arminian, salvation is a work of two parties.  God gets the credit and glory for the “cross of Christ”, and man gets the credit and glory for “the free will of man” which chose Christ.  However, to the Calvinist, salvation is the work of one party Who is God.  God gets all the credit and all the glory. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 4, 2009

Particular Boasting in Particular Atonement

As some of you may know, I am daily reading through Scripture in its order.  Today’s devotion included Galatians 6:14-16. 
 
“14  But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.   (Emphasis added.)                                                                                                                                 
           
15  For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

16  And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”  Galatians 6:14-16.

First, this last chapter of Galatians describes the gospel of Christ in its simplest and starkest form as “the cross of Christ”.  Which doctrine, Arminianism or Calvinism, rings true through this verse of Galatians 6:14:  “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”? 

The Arminian does not only boast in the cross of Christ, but rather the Arminian also boasts in the free will of man.  The Arminian proclaims that everyone, saved and unsaved, gets the cross of Christ, but only through the free will of man that man chooses Christ and is thereby distinguished as being the saved.  Therefore, the Arminian also boasts in the free will of man as the basis for his salvation.  To the Arminian, salvation is a work of two parties.  God gets the credit and glory for the “cross of Christ”, and man gets the credit and glory for “the free will of man” which chose Christ.    

The Calvinist does only boast in the cross of Christ, because the cross of Christ procures all the saving gifts of his salvation.  The Calvinist proclaims that Christ died only for the Elect and that such particular atonement procured all the saving gifts (including faith), and therefore the cross of Christ is the only reason for one to boast of his salvation.  The Calvinist proclaims: “… 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 …”.  Article 8 of the SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby in the Canons of Dort.  (Emphasis added.)

Here is Article 8 in full: 

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.

To the Calvinist, salvation is the work of one party Who is God.  God gets all the credit and all the glory.  That is why it is so important to boast only in the cross of Christ!  (Monergism is a term for this work by one party, and there is a link  to a web site named Monergism which is a very good and comprehensive source of Reformed Doctrine articles in the right margin column of Links.)   

Second, Paul also summarizes the inability of the Law to make us righteous stated throughout the book of Galatians in the verse:  ” For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”  Galatians 6:15.  It does not matter whether we are circumcised or not;  it only matters whether or not we are a new creation in Christ.   

Third, it should be noted that “… those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”  Galatians 6:14-16.  In other words, if you live by this rule of boasting only in the cross of Christ (which I summarize in the title of this post as “Particular Boasting in Particular Atonement”), then you shall have peace and mercy.  At this point, this verse should remind us of the severe warning by which the book of Galatians started:  “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;  which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”  Galatians 1:6-9. 

In conclusion, why do we boast only in the cross of Christ?  Why should we not also boast in the free will of man?  A true understanding and belief in the gospel of Christ is essential to salvation.  The essence of the gospel of Christ is the particular atonement, that is, Christ died only for the Elect and that by His death on the cross, Christ procured all the saving gifts, including faith.  (There is more information, including Scripture support, about “particular” atonement” which is also known as “limited atonement”, the “L” in “TULIP”, in the “TULIP” link in the right margin column of Links.)  Finally, it needs to be stated that like faith, this true understanding and belief in the gospel of Christ is a gift bestowed on the Elect through the cross of Christ.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 31, 2008

Living by Faith in 2009

“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.  This verse both contains a definition of faith as well as an attitude of faith that should guide us into 2009.  Faith is not only defined as a belief in the existence of God, it is defined as an attitude of eager expectation as from one who is seeking a reward.  Because the righteous live by faith, this verse gives us important guidance as to how we should view and live out 2009. 
 
This attitude of eager expectation can be expanded into three components.  There certainly are more components, but this should cover enough colors for this picture. 
 
We should live victoriously!  “but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  I Corinthians 15:57.   “… much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:17.  “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”  Romans 8:37   
 
We should live joyfully!  “Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;  And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”  Psalm 32:11. 
 
We should live in comfort!  Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer 1 states:  “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.”  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  II Corinthians 1:3-4.  
 
But, how do we handle troubles?  Do we just deny that they will occur?  Do we ignore them when they do occur?
 
There are many verses which comfort us about such troubles and afflictions.  One of my favorite verses is Psalm 34:19:  “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.”  (Emphasis added.)
 
In addition to knowing that the LORD will deliver us out of all of our troubles, Romans 8:18 encourages us to put our troubles in a comparison perspective:  “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”  
 
Moreover, not only are our afflictions light and momentary, our afflictions work for glory.  II Corinthians 4:17 promises us:  “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…”.
 
So, in summary, our troubles and afflictions are light, momentary, and not worthy of being compared to the glory to be revealed to us, and God uses them to work in us “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” and then finally delivers us from them after they accomplish their purpose. 
 
Finally, in regards to our troubles and our afflictions which I will group as our “downs”, God gives us grace, not only to endure those “downs” but God also gives us grace to a certain extent to forget about those “downs” and view the year as good overall.  John 16:21 :  “Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.”  At the end of 2008, as we forget about the pain (or think less of it), we instead count our blessings and testify that God indeed caused all things to work together for good.  Romans 8:28. 
 
How should we view 2009?  Should we view it as a roller coaster of “ups and downs”?  Should we always be waiting somberly, nervously, and anxiously for some trouble or affliction to pop up? 
 
No! 
 
First, let us use the memory of 2008 to help us form the appropriate attitude for 2009.  At the end of 2008, we remember God’s faithfulness and meditate on God’s work in our lives during 2008.  We remember God’s  guidance, blessings, and protection in 2008.  We give thanks at the close of 2008. 
 
Second, let us meditate on God’s promises at the close of 2008 to prepare us for 2009.  Here are two promises upon which we should meditate.   “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.”  Romans 8:28  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32. 
 
In conclusion, let us live by faith in 2009, not viewing the year just as a roller coaster of “ups and downs”, but rather viewing the year and living the year as a son of God, an heir, who reigns victoriously and joyfully and in comfort, eagerly expecting the good things and confident that God will give us every good thing that we need and that God will even work out the bad things for our good.
 
Happy New Year!

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 26, 2008

The Sealing of the Spirit (1)

Rev. Angus Stewart, Minister of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Northern Ireland, wrote the following article in The Covenant News which was published today or very recently in December 2008.  This church has many great Reformed Doctrine resources.  There is a link to their articles in the right margin, but here is the link to the church’s home page and other resources as well.   Click here: Covenant Protestant Reformed Church – Home Page
                                                                          

Ephesians 1:13 proclaims that believers are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit. But what is a seal? Typically, a seal comes in the form of a piece of wax or lead or paper, etc., with a stamped design. It has three main uses. First, a seal is a mark of authenticity and/or authority. For example, Pharaoh gave his signet ring (a seal) to Joseph as his number two in the kingdom (Gen. 41:42). Thus Joseph exercised the royal authority of Pharaoh as his official representative. Second, a seal is used to witness a document. Jeremiah bought a field in Anathoth (to show that Judah would come back from the Babylonian captivity), and the title deeds were sealed by witnesses (Jer. 32:11-14). Third, a seal is used for security. Think of a sealed document that can only be opened by an authorized person (like the scroll with seven seals in Revelation 5 that only the Lamb who was slain could open). Even today, seals are still used in our society for similar purposes: as a mark of authority or authenticity, as a witness and for security.

What about the sealing of the Spirit in Ephesians 1:13? All of the above ideas apply. Those sealed are the authentic or genuine children of God who bear God’s name as prophets, priests and kings. The Spirit witnesses to us that we are Christ’s. We are sealed as those eternally secure by God’s almighty grace.

Underlying all this and even more basic to our sealing by the Spirit is ownership and belonging. The Spirit has sealed us for God owns us and we belong to Him through Christ’s redemption of us. With that seal stamped upon us, we have the hallmark of authentic Christians; we are God’s representatives; we have the witness off the Holy Spirit in our hearts; and we are secure, for we are possessed by the Triune God.

You, believer, have been stamped with God’s seal! The script of this seal reads, in effect, “You belong to Me!” Though the language of “sealing” might be new to you, the idea should not be. It is the teaching of the very first Lord’s Day of the Heidelberg Catechism: I do not belong to myself but to my faithful saviour, Jesus Christ, who redeemed me by His precious blood. This, we confess, is our “only comfort in life and death.”

How is this seal related to the Holy Spirit? God seals us with the Spirit and the Spirit Himself seals us because the Holy Spirit is Himself God’s seal in us. The Holy Spirit, who is in each believer personally, witnesses to us, “You belong to the Triune God! He owns you body and soul. You will always belong to Him in Jesus Christ.” This, in theological terminology, is assurance, assurance of our salvation.

But why does the Holy Spirit—and not the Father or the Son—seal and assure us of our salvation? Because within the Holy Trinity the Holy Spirit is the bond, uniting the Father and the Son in a bond of love and fellowship, a personal, divine bond. Thus in the work of salvation, the Spirit is the bond uniting us to the Triune God in Jesus Christ, consecrating and dedicating us to Him and joining us to Him. The Spirit who unites us to the living God is the same One who witnesses to us of this union. What a witness He is! A living, personal, divine seal testifying in our consciousness that we are Christ’s forever! This is assurance, assurance of our salvation!

This sealing of the Holy Spirit needs to be understood in its context, the one long sentence that is Ephesians 1:3-14, a glorious doxology or blessing of God for all the spiritual blessings (i.e., the blessings of the Holy Spirit) that we have in Christ Jesus, according to God’s eternal, unconditional election (3-4).

The Spirit witnesses to us that we have been elected and predestinated by God and so we belonged to God before the foundation of the world (4-5). The Spirit of adoption testifies to each believer, “You are God’s son [or daughter].” As those redeemed by Christ’s blood, the Spirit assures us that we are owned by God and all our sins are blotted out (7). The Spirit testifies to us that we are included in God’s great plan of uniting all things in heaven and earth in Jesus Christ (10-11) and that we are dedicated to the praise of the glory of His grace (6, 12, 14). This is what the Holy Spirit, as God’s seal in us, witnesses to, and assures, each and every believing man, woman and child by the Word!

Remember that the theme of Ephesians is “The Church as the Body of Christ.” The whole congregation and each believer must know this sealing of the Spirit in order to function aright as Christ’s body in all its service in worship, witnessing, mutual edification, prayer, fellowship, etc. For without the assurance that we belong to Jesus Christ, how can we pray to “Our Father” in heaven? How can you praise God or do good works in gratitude for your salvation, if you are not sure that Christ bore all your sins on the cross? How can you fellowship with other believers, if you are not sure that you are included in the communion of the saints with Jesus Christ? See how necessary and important is this blessed ministry of the Spirit, as He seals the truth of the biblical and Reformed gospel in our hearts and assures us that we belong to our faithful Saviour!

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 24, 2008

Christmas Message: Remembering the Darkness and Gloom of our Dead and Helpless Condition

“In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;  for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:8-11.  (Emphasis added.)
 
Natural man has every reason to be terribly frightened by the appearance of God or his agents, the angels.  The only thing that man by himself evokes from God is His wrath.  “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,”  Romans 1:18.  God revealed himself at Sinai “a mountain that can (not) be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, “IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED.” And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling.”  Hebrews 12:18-21.  “for our God is a consuming fire.”  Hebrews 12:29. 
 
“The good news of great joy” is not that God has mellowed out.  “The good news of great joy” is not that man has improved himself.  “The good news of great joy” is not that God now sees how cute and loveable man is.   “The good news of great joy” is not man by himself is now seeking God.
 
“The good news of great joy” is only that by reason of God’s grace alone, God sent us “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”.
 
Isaiah 59 describes the “total depravity” of natural man’s condition.  There was no hope for man.  There was no good in man.  There was no one to save man.  “we are like dead men”  Isaiah 59:10. 
 
God “saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;  Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.”  Isaiah 59:16.  Likewise, Ephesians 2:4-7 states:  “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.”
 
In summary, notice that every Scripture makes the contrast:
1.  between “terribly frightened” and “The good news of great joy”,
2.  between Sinai and Zion (See all of Hebrews 12:18-29, more than I quoted above),
3.  between the deadness of man’s condition (with no one to intercede but God) and God’s mercy and salvation in Jesus Christ.
 
In conclusion, as we celebrate Christmas, let us not turn off or tone down the dead and helpless condition of man which warranted God’s wrath.  Let us not just focus on the light and joy of Christmas.  Rather, let us remember the darkness and gloom of our dead and hopeless condition in order to give all glory to God for our salvation which is only possible through our Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 19, 2008

Christmas Brag-about-family Newsletter

In the latest issue (12/15/08) of The Standard Bearer (link in the right margin), Margaret Laning wrote a very convicting article titled “Seeking the Honor That Comes from God Only”.  She addressed the subject of the Christmas brag-about-family newsletter.  She writes:
 
“Have you ever received something like this?
Dear Family and Friends,
This has been a wonderful year. We finally bought our luxury dream home in our favorite gated community.
God is so good. Susie and Trent fit right in. For Trent’s birthday, we flew to Disney World—his annual request!  For Susie’s, another Princess Cruise! Despite our busy year, we were able to find time serving others. As I look on my calendar I can count 108 overnight guests who stayed at our house, and I cooked 70 meals for the sick (up ten from last year.) Martin volunteered his time building a couple of homes for the poor, and we continue to sponsor a needy child from overseas. We are so glad God has given us a heart for serving others….

Ah, yes, the holiday brag letter—abhorrent festive fodder.
Thankfully, we receive very few missives like this fictional one. The majority that come our way are humble, lovely ways to keep in touch. Yet, with the boastful ones we roll our eyes and wonder.
Did they forget “let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth” (Matt. 6:3)?  Or, “let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips” (Prov. 27:2)?  Maybe they should write this in their message, “…few and evil have the days of the years of my life been…” (Gen. 47:9).
Even so, it is easy to point out faults in others and to forget about our own proud nature. Jesus
rebuked the Pharisees for their showiness, but our old man is just as guilty. So foolish is our sinful nature, that we clamor for attention while knowing better. We become skilled at camouflaging it.”
 
 
How true!  About one day before reading this article, I sent out just a similar Christmas brag-about-family newsletter.  Convicted!  Guilty as charged!  Today, “Total Depravity” doesn’t seem like such a far-out harsh concept.  Rather, it seems that such humility is very well the appropriate attitude for us to have.
 
Isaiah 40:3-8 puts it this way:

“A voice is calling,
         “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness;
         Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. 
“Let every valley be lifted up,
         And every mountain and hill be made low;
         And let the rough ground become a plain,
         And the rugged terrain a broad valley; 
Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
         And all flesh will see it together;
         For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 
A voice says, “Call out.”
         Then he answered, “What shall I call out?”
         All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 
The grass withers, the flower fades,
         When the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
         Surely the people are grass. 
The grass withers, the flower fades,
         But the word of our God stands forever.”  
 
When we specifically point out the Christmas brag-about-family newsletter and reveal them for what they are, or when we generally speak of “Total Depravity”, we “make low every mountain and hill” to prepare the way for the LORD.  Yes, it is much easier to “lift up every valley” by exalting God.  But, do we humble man?
 
We humble man by proclaiming not only that “all flesh is grass” meaning that man’s life is short, but we also humble man by proclaiming man’s “Total Depravity” condition. 
 
In conclusion, as we approach Christmas and prepare the way for the LORD, let us not only exalt God but let us also humble man.  As most of you know, Reformed Doctrine a/k/a Calvinism is best known for its Five Points of Calvinism a/k/a “TULIP”.  The “T” in “TULIP” stands for “Total Depravity”.  The natural man is dead in sin and enslaved to sin; he is a child of Satan, rebellious toward God, blind to the truth, corrupt, and unable to save himself or to prepare himself for salvation.  The natural man does not have “free will” or even a flicker of life whereby he can reach to God or even murmur “Save me!”.  Even if the natural man had that flicker of life and “free will”, he is rebellious to God, blind to the truth, and would never seek out God.  The purpose of this article is not to lay out the supporting Scripture;  you can find it under the link “TULIP” in the right margin and there are many other resources as well.  Finally, we do not need to eliminate all newsletters about our family.  Let us just make sure that these newsletters, and for that matter all statements about ourselves and our families, are humble and give all the glory to God. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 15, 2008

Three Types of Faith

There are three types of faith, only one of which is saving faith.  There is the “wishful thinking” faith.  There is the “free will” faith.  There is the “God-given assurance, conviction, and hope” faith which is the only saving faith.
 
The “wishful thinking” faith is driven by the individual’s wants.  I want it, therefore, I wish for it.  Some call it:  “Name it.  Claim it.”   Just wish upon a star!   It is “Your Best Life Now”, using the title of Joel Osteen’s  book.
 
The “free will” faith is driven by the individual’s will.  In a sense, this “free will” faith  may be nobler than “wishful thinking” faith in the sense that it may have Biblical truths as its objects rather than the Cadillac or other luxuries as its objects, but like the “wishful thinking” faith, the “free will” faith is still dependent on the individual’s free will.  By my “free will”, I believe it, therefore God reacts and moves to fulfill it.  I must exercise my willpower to believe harder.  In another sense, such a “free will” faith is a work.  The strength of one’s “free will” faith governs the amount of success and fulfillment.
 
Finally, there is the “God-given assurance, conviction, and hope” faith.  It is driven by God.  The rest of this article will describe this type of faith.
 
First of all and foremost, the “God-given assurance, conviction, and hope” faith is a gift of God.  “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.    
 
Second of all, as my Pastor Bob said tonight in the evening worship service, it is based on the promises of God.  Hebrews 6:18 :  “so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.”
 
Third, figuratively, such a faith has “eyes to see” and “ears to hear”.  Literally, such a faith functions through The Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:12 :  “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,”
 
Fourth, such a faith is God’s grace and means to save us.  “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.
                                                                             
In summary, do you see how this  “God-given assurance, conviction, and hope” faith is driven by God?  It is a gift of God.  It is based on the promises of God.  It functions through the Spirit of God.  It is the grace and means by which God saves us.  

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 14, 2008

The Five Solas of the Reformation

Some of my best spiritual moments come, as I will describe figuratively, as an awakening from a dream.  It is like I come out of a fog of blindness and distractions and anxieties.  It is like Christ comes to me and awakens me and says:  “Here I am!”.  It is like Scripture comes to me and awakens me and says:  “Here I am!”  It is like Grace comes to me and awakens me and says:  “Here I am!”  It is like Faith comes to me and awakens me and says:  “Here I am!” 
 
I awaken from the dream.  The fog is lifted.  I can see clearly.  I feel peace and joy and thankfulness.
 
I don’t deserve this blessing.  I got lost whether by intentional sin or by negligent sin or by distractions.  Let us just call it what it is:  sin.  Nevertheless, God pulls me out of the darkness and anxieties and misery of the fog into the light and clarity and peacefulness of the day.
 
My reactions include some initial disgust at myself for not getting out of it myself and not getting out sooner, because it seems so simple as if I could just walk into the light or even turn on the light.  Why did I not get out of this mess before?!  But, the peace and joy and thankfulness quickly and powerfully overwhelm that reaction.
 
What is so simple?  Christ alone.  Scripture alone.  Grace alone.  Faith alone.
 
We have the Reformation and over 400 years of Reformed Doctrine being built on that five solas foundation, and yet we still get lost.  More than that, we have nearly 2,000 years of Scripture, and yet we still get lost.  
 
Rev. Rodney Kleyn of Trinity Protestant Reformed Church wrote an article The Five Solas of the Reformation.  It is a permanent “tag” at the top of my web site.  To continue the figurative language, “The Five Solas of the Reformation” is like a lighthouse to which we can look to keep our bearing or to regain our bearing.  However, we learn to not trust ourselves, but to trust God, because we often forget about the lighthouse and get lost in the fog.  But, God is gracious and will awaken us and pull us out of the fog and show us the lighthouse.       
 
 
The following Scripture of Galatians 2:16-21 reminds me of “Christ alone”, “Scripture alone”, “Grace alone”, and “Faith alone” even though you will notice that this Scripture does not contain the word “alone”. 
                                                                      
“nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.  This speaks to me of “Faith alone”.
 
“But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be!  “For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.  “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.  This speaks to me of “Christ alone”.  
 
“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  This speaks to me of “Grace alone”.  
 
This seems too good to be true.  This seems too simple to be true.  But, it is true.    “Scripture alone” can convince me of the truths therein.  Galatians 2:16-21 cuts through the fog and brings me to the light again and again . 
 
To God alone, be the glory!

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 5, 2008

“‘The Sovereignty of God” includes the preaching of the Gospel.

As some of you may know, I am daily reading through Scripture in its order.  Today’s devotion included 2 Corinthians 2:17.  “For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”   (Emphasis added).  This verse continues the thought of the prior post on “The Sovereignty of God”.  “The Sovereignty of God” includes the preaching of the Gospel.     
 
Calvin in his Commentary of this verse states:  “But as of sincerity. The word as here is superfluous, as in many other places. In contrast with the corruption that he had made mention of, he makes use, first of all, of the term sincerity, which may be taken as referring to the manner of preaching, as well as to the disposition of the mind. I approve rather of the latter. Secondly, he places in contrast with it a faithful and conscientious dispensation of it, inasmuch as he faithfully delivers to the Church from hand to hand, as they say, the Gospel which God had committed to him, and had given him in charge. Thirdly, he subjoins to this a regard to the Divine presence. For whoever has the three following things, is in no danger of forming the purpose of corrupting the word of God. The first is — that we be actuated by a true zeal for God. The second is — that we bear in mind that it is his business that we are transacting, and bring forward nothing but what has come from him. The third is — that we consider, that we do nothing of which he is not the witness and spectator, and thus learn to refer every thing to his judgment.”
 
The total “Sovereignty of God” includes the preaching of the Gospel.  As Calvin states herein, we “bring forward nothing but what has come from him.”
 
When we approach the preaching and teaching of God’s word as an offer in the sense that we appeal to the alleged “free will of man”, we are peddling God’s Word.  But, when we approach the preaching and teaching of God’s Word as included within “The Sovereignty of God, then we are do so in sincerity.  Note that Calvin, in his Commentary above, does not view sincerity in the key verse above of 2 Corinthians 2:17 as the manner of preaching but rather as the disposition of mind.  In other words, so to speak, one could preach and teach truly and clearly the Gospel with a sincere desire that people would be saved, and yet not be really sincere in the sense of this verse.  In order to be truly sincere, one must have the disposition of mind that the sovereignty of God is powerfully and effectively and perfectly at work in the preaching and teaching of the Gospel to accomplish God’s will for salvation.   
 
Romans 1:16 states this sincere disposition of mind so well.  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”  (Emphasis added).

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 2, 2008

The Sovereignty of God

In his article, “The Fundamental Principle of Calvinism”, Henry Meeter states:  “With the sovereignty of God in the natural and the moral spheres as fundamental principle the Calvinist has built up his whole system.”  Reformed doctrine, which is also known as Calvinism, has the sovereignty of God as it central Scriptural truth upon which the rest of its doctrine is built.
 
Psalm 2 summarizes this sovereignty of God and states:   
“1  Why are the nations in an uproar
         And the peoples devising a vain thing? 
 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!” 
 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.” 
 7  “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
         He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
         Today I have begotten You. 
 8  ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
         And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 
 9  ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
         You shall shatter them like earthenware.'” 
 10  Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
         Take warning, O judges of the earth. 
 11  Worship the LORD with reverence
         And rejoice with trembling. 
 12  Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
         For His wrath may soon be kindled
         How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”
 
From Genesis to Revelation, from creation to final judgment, from the perfect fellowship of the Triune God to Paradise, and throughout eternity, the sovereignty of God controls everything that happens. 
 
Man rebels against this sovereignty of God as Psalm 2:3 states:  “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!”. 
 
Most notably in religion, man forms his own religion in which he is in control.  “Free will” is his central proposition upon which the rest of his religion is built.  And everywhere else, from television to movies to  news, man focuses on man and his actions. 
 
What is God’s response?  “He who sits in the heavens laughs,  The Lord scoffs at them.”  Psalm 2:4.  Then, God warns them.
 
Reformed doctrine a/k/a Calvinism best emphasizes the “TOTAL DEPRAVITY” of man (the “T” in “TULIP”) and the only way of salvation of man which again is built upon the sovereignty of God which is “UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION” by God (the “U” in “TULIP”). 
 
Every day, God’s elect sees the sovereignty of God, worships God with reverence, rejoices in God, trembles in these thoughts of God’s sovereignty, and takes refuge in Him.  God’s elect sees the sovereignty of God in snowflakes to stars.  God’s elect hears the sovereignty of God in the rustling of branches of trees to the singing of choirs.  God’s elect feels the sovereignty of God in the warmth of the womb to the final breath.  God’s elect thinks of the sovereignty of God, not only in what happens to man such as predestination, but from the self-existence of God to the dwelling of God with His elect as described in Revelation 21:3:  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.”   
 
“Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled.  How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm 2:12.      
 

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