Shepherd the Flock

My first inclination to pick up this book came from an endorsement by the great preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones that caught my eye. Lloyd-Jones’ endorsement read:

“Lewis provides an excellent foretaste of the rich meal that readers of the works of the Puritans can enjoy. His arrangement of the matter—the brief biographical touches, the judicious selections threaded into a continuing theme, etc.—is brilliant.”

To this endorsement I must give my hearty agreement. Make no mistake about it, Lewis gets right to his point –and he stays on his point until the very end. His point is simple: to give a taste of Puritan theology and writings by letting the puritans speak for themselves. Though the book is a mere 136 pages, it boats 351 direct quotes/references from Puritan writings.

The outline is fairly simple. Lewis breaks things down into 3 parts: The Puritan in the Pulpit, the Puritan in the Pew, and The Puritan in Private. From this standpoint he surveys the distinctives of Puritan theology in each of these areas, often with an eye to correcting common misconceptions about them.

• Are you one who has the perception that the Puritans were high-tower theologians, long-winded, overly cognitive, and dry? The section on Puritan theology surrounding the pulpit will disprove that caricature (Read a previous post I wrote about this section here).

• Did the Puritans see the church service as mere formalism where one goes to hear great oratory and ‘high’ church? The Puritan in the Pew lets gives us a glimpse into what a Puritan service was like and the attitude of the common layperson.
• But what about legalism and impossible standards of living for the saved? Did the Puritans raise the bar too high, quench the smoldering flax of weak believers, and form their own community of self-righteousness? Such hideous lies are exposed in The Puritan in Private, the largest section of the book which deals primarily with spiritual depression, doubting of salvation, etc. No doubt there will be some who will be very surprised at how warm, pastoral, and patient the Puritans were towards those who struggled with besetting sin, depression, and doubts about salvation!

But all things considered, I do have one complaint about this book, and it is but a small one: the last section, the Puritan in Private, is close to three-fourths of the entire book, and I must say that it was tough to follow. The material was great, don’t be mistaken, but with 259 references in this section alone, the material was overwhelming. Simply too much crammed into too little of space, and I was left a little disillusioned. Half the length and half the references would have made it just perfect, and would have eased things up for the reader unfamiliar with the Puritan style of writing.

Overall, I highly recommend the book as instrumental in getting a proper view of Puritan theology, and of the monumental contribution they have made to the church. For the serious student, and the one seeking, like David Brainerd, ‘Oh Lord, for more holiness!’, this is an introduction that will open up a world of writings to you that will certainly change your life and deepen your affection for Jesus Christ.

Below is an excerpt from The Almost Christian Discovered, by the Puritan Matthew Mead. The subject he discusses is how to determine whether conviction of sin is from conscience or from the Holy Spirit. But before we get to his words, I’d like to share what stuck out to me in this passage.

Under point 5 below, you will read where Mead distinguishes between a troubled conscience and the conviction wrought by the Holy Spirit. And typical of Puritan theology, he points out that the work of the Holy Spirit leads to and points us to Jesus Christ. Thus, in this particular subject, when we are convicted of sin, we can look at the effect and determine whether it’s simple conviction of conscience (which leads to a false repentance), or if we are cut to the heart by the Holy Spirit.

Speaking from personal experience, I can certainly attest that I have often attributed conviction and or other work in my life to the Holy Spirit, when instead, according to scripture, the Spirit leads and points us to Christ each and every time, and ending up anywhere else besides a running to and resting in Christ proves that it is our fancy and not the Spirit who is at work. A sobering thought indeed.

Now onto Mead: note here that he is explaining why so many profess to be Christians when in fact they’re not truly converted, and then he goes on to distinguish between natural conscience that can accompany any natural man versus that conviction that comes from the Holy Spirit. All emphasis mine:

Why is it that many are but almost Christians when they have gone thus far? What is the cause of this?

First, it is for lack of right and sound conviction. If a man is not thoroughly convinced of sin and his heart truly broken, whatever his profession of godliness may be, yet he will be sure to miscarry.

Question [objection]: Suppose I am at any time under conviction; how shall I know whether my convictions are only from a natural conscience or whether they are from the Spirit of God?

Answer:
1. Natural convictions reach chiefly to open and scandalous sins, sins against the light of nature, for natural conviction can reach no further than natural light. But spiritual conviction reaches to secret, inward, and undiscerned sins such as hypocrisy, formality, lukewarmness, deadness, and hardness of heart, etc.

2. Natural convictions deal only with a man’s conversation, not with his state and condition; with sins actual, not original…but spiritual conviction reaches all sins…to the sin that is born in us as well as the sin that is done by us.

3. Natural convictions carry the soul out to look more on the evil that comes by sin than on the evil that is in sin. So that the soul under this conviction is more troubled at the dread of hell, wrath, and damnation than at the vileness and heinous nature of sin.

4. Natural convictions are not durable; they are quickly worn out…the convictions of the Spirit are like a deep wound…When it is healed, it leaves a scar behind, that, when the patient is well, yet he can say, ‘here is the mark of my wound which will never wear out’.

5. Natural convictions make the soul shy of God. Guilt works fear and fear causes estrangedness. Thus it is with Adam; when he saw his nakedness, he ran away and hid himself from God. Now, Spiritual convictions do not drive the soul from God, but unto God.

Till the sinner is convinced of sin, he can never be converted from sin…slight and common convictions, when they are but skin deep, are the cause of much hypocrisy.

I know no other rise and spring of hyprocrisy like this of slight convictions; this has filled the church of Christ with hypocrites. Nay, it is not only the spring of hypocrisy, but is also the spring of apostasy.

How the last words cut so deep! Even in Mead’s day the chief spring of apostasy and hypocrisy was shallow convictions and shallow, empty professions. How much more so in our day!

“…many more…men…would scorn to be thought evil, in practice despise any time spent on Theological study as a fruitless waste of time…

“The chief spring of sloth is indwelling sin, ever itching for the pursuit of pleasure. Any mind that is enslaved to lust, desire, and wantonness is unable to give serious attention to our subject [Biblical Theology]. If you are not temperate and industrious, your labors [to study this work/subject] will be in vain…”

“Considering that a mind which has surrendered to sensuality will shrink from all mental effort, and that the vices of the body hold the mind in the chains of darkness, so by contrast, a man dedicated to a life of study in things divine and spiritual will recoil from flesh and from sloth…”

“Truly, it is impossible for a man to be a lover of God and a lover of pleasure at the same time!…”

“Some men, I know, are willing for the wearisomeness of study out of an excessive lusting for worldly wealth, all the while promising themselves that future ease which will destroy all their potential for useful work.”

“It is for no other reason than a failure to subdue sinful nature and carnal habits before the Spirit and grace of Christ that we see so many men who profess to have committed themselves to the study of liberal arts and, especially theology finally grow weary and fall into the ways of negligence and sloth.”

–All from the Epistle to the Reader in Biblical Theology by John Owen.

Tough words, yes indeed. And from none other than John Owen, the epitome of deep thinkers. So you still want to study theology, my friend?

In my last post, I attempted to argue that spiritual growth is a slow process, that visible growth or even the effect of the Word is not always immediately evident to us, and the two areas which I considered were when we preach to others and when we sit under preaching of others.

By God’s providence, the day after I wrote the post I stumbled upon the same subject in a book I just happened to pick up, The Genius of Puritanism. (Just as a side-note, this is a fantastic book, and I can think of no better overview/introduction to the Puritans and why they were unparalleled in church history, apostles aside.)

Specifically, I found many helpful statements on the subject of the primacy of preaching, the role it plays in our spiritual growth, the importance of sitting under the preached Word, etc. And although the quotes I am going to share are not exactly on the topic of spiritual growth, they do emphasize some very helpful truths regarding the preaching and hearing of the Word of God.

If you haven’t read my last post yet, I’d encourage you to do so before proceeding here; but even still, these quotes can certainly stand on their own. I hope and trust these will keep you from discouragement when you, A) preach to others and don’t see any immediate growth, and B) sit under preaching where you don’t feel like you’re growing. (Everything below is taken from The Genius of Puritanism, all emphasis mine).

Regarding the preaching of the Word:

Thomas Goodwin, stating the primacy of the preached Word and it’s place as the primary means of justification and sanctification, states,

“It is not the letter of the word that ordinarly doth convert, but the spiritual meaning of it as revealed and expounded.”

Goodwin also said:

“It is the meaning of the Word which is the Word indeed; it is the sense of it which is its soul…preaching in a more especial manner reveals God’s Word…”

Nehemiah Rogers said:

“The text is the Word of God abridged; preaching is the Word of God enlarged.”

Jeremiah Burroughs said:

“It is not the nature of the thing that carries such power in it, but it is the institution of God and the ordinance of God in it.” [That is, it isn’t the nature of the physical act of preaching that carries the power, but God through it.]

Regarding our hearing and sitting under the preached Word:

To the objection of some, that ‘they know God’s Word well enough, and therefore they need not be taught’, Richard Sibbes replies:

“The Word of God preached…is not altogether to teach us, but [exists that] the Spirit going with it might work grace necessary to strengthen us in the inward man…”

Jeremiah Burroughs said:

“…[we are to] come to hear the Word as an ordinance appointed by God to convey spiritual food to the soul.”

Burroughs again:

“For men that are of some understanding and parts [talents], when they come to hear, this temptation is ready to come upon them, that except they hear some new thing that they did not understand before, wherefore should they come?…Now this is a great mistake.”

Burroughs concludes with regard to preparing for the hearing of the Word of God preached:

“Pray beforehand that God would open thine eyes, and open thine heart, and accompany His Word…Now, seeing it is an ordinance though dost expect more food from than what of its own nature [it] is able to convey, thou hast need to pray…”

John Wells said:

“We must deal with our hearts to embrace the Word…The gospel is not only to be let in by our apprehension, but to be locked in by our affections; and we are to entertain it, not only in the light of it, but in the love of it.”

Conclusion:
This is just a sampling of a lengthy survey Peter Lewis gives on the Puritan teaching regarding these things, but I hope they were as beneficial to you as they were to me.

If nothing else, let us meditate deeply on the truth that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” And that Word of Christ is the preaching of His word, not simply (or normally) the reading of it. As the Ethiopian Eunuch said to Philip, ‘How can I understand the book of Isaiah unless someone guide me?’

And also, as we seek to guide others as well through our preaching, let us trust the Spirit of God to work through the simple truths. Let us not be discouraged if we do not see the results we had hoped for; for God has promised that His Word will not ever come back void…

You’ve heard it all before: Americans are big fans of everything ‘instant’. We want our burgers in 2 minutes, our pizza in 30 or less; we want instant rewards, instant approval on that new car loan, and instant results from the diet plan, etc.

In fact, not only do we like instant results, our culture demands instant results, and unfortunately, spiritual things are no exception to this (40 days of purpose, anyone?).

So when we come to the topic of Shepherding, i.e., the topic of teaching, leading, mentoring, serving, and making disciples, how has this ‘instant’ mindset affected the church?

12 step programs
Of course, I shouldn’t have to convince you how the American church is addicted to spiritual self-help programs that promise big results. Just take a trip to the local Christian bookstore. There you’ll find all sorts of ‘keys’ and ’steps’: the key to a successful marriage, 3 steps to better relationships, the path to living a fulfilled life, etc. These fads come and go by the dozens, and most of them miss the gospel almost completely (and rather teach a false gospel). But the reason I mention them is to point out how addicted to ‘instant’ our society is, even the professing Christian society, as these massive book sales evidence.

Our Temptation to Instant Results
But just because some of us see right through these Christian fads in no way means that we are absent from this ‘instant’ way of thinking. I’ll be the first to admit that I often expect instant results when it comes to the Christian life. Not only do I catch myself expecting instant results in my life, but I sometimes expect instant results in the lives of others as well. Here are two quick examples of this:

1) When I teach/preach/shepherd others, I find myself expecting those under me to immediately ‘get it’. That is, I personally see the truth and application of the message, and I expect others to see it as clear and plain as I do. But that’s not all: not only do I expect them to embrace the truth I’m teaching, but I expect it to change them, sometimes instantly, sometimes dramatically. Ah, the folly and arrogance of such thinking! May I/we resist such thinking and lay our trust in our Sovereign God!

2) When I sit under teaching/preaching, when I’m being shepherded, I sometimes find myself expecting to glean amazing truths, life-changing revelations, and principles that will fix all my sins, weaknesses, and struggles! Again, how foolish is such thinking! I’ve caught myself so many times leaving a sermon or other teaching time with a sense of frustration because I ‘didn’t get anything out of it’. This kind of attitude is sad, and I believe it is ignorant of how the Spirit works in our lives. (Side note: How often do we hear the ‘I’m not being fed’ complaint now days? Especially in the age of digital media and superstar preachers, where each layperson expects every sermon to be as powerful as the men on their iPod!).

The Reality
Although the majority of this Christian culture believes that life-changing experiences happen overnight, that salvation is some kind of instant decision similar to ‘what am I going to have for dinner tonight?’, that 4 steps or 40 days of whatever is all it takes to get on the right track, the truth is that real, deep, gospel-centered/spiritual change takes time, lots of time. Habits may be kicked externally, but inward change (which is the real change) is a painfully slow process.

The word of God and the gospel do indeed cut to the heart like a two-edged sword, and they do often bring instant repentance. But instant repentance is a long way from life-changing, no matter what testimonies people give you of their experiences. Furthermore, when we’re talking about sanctification instead of justification, that is, when we’re considering spiritual growth in an already-regenerated heart rather than spiritual life in a dead heart, the change is even slower, and even more unnoticeable.

Guard Yourself
The Lord has ordered our growth and sanctification so that He receives the utmost glory for it all, so do not stress when you –or those under you, do not grow as quickly as hoped for. Here are a few things I strive to remember in this regard:

• The Lord will often hide our growth and the growth others under us in order to keep us low, humble, and dependent upon His grace.

• Any change/improvement/growth (if it be a real growth instead of an emotional manipulation or fad), is to be rejoiced over. The question should never be ‘How fast are we growing?’, but rather, ‘Are we growing at all?’. And when there is growth, even tiny almost unnoticeable growth, then there is cause to rejoice, especially when you see this in others (this is a long way from the unrealistic expectations of many pastors of this day).

• When teaching/preaching and shepherding, do not waste your time striving to word things just right (in order to have that perfect effect on your hearers); don’t strive tirelessly to pull out that jewel of truth that you think will change lives and have the most impact. Instead, teach the simple truths clearly and forcibly, just as scripture lays them out; teach the plain truths from a variety of different angles, and trust the Lord that the simple truths, truths as simple as the gospel itself, will spring forth fruit when watered by the Spirit of our God.

• When sitting under your pastor or teacher, do not expect to hear that jewel of truth that will supposedly change you life; do not be discouraged if you hear nothing new or profound; do not worry when you feel as if you’ve heard it all before. Instead, take notes of the simple truths, the truths that you already know in your head, the truths that you’ve heard a thousand times. It is these simple truths, repeated, re-repeated, and burned into your very soul that ultimately lead to change. It is the Spirit taking the facts of the gospel and the simple truths of scripture, presenting them to your heart in slightly different manners, convicting you slowly and surely (and sometimes without much notice), that ultimately ends up transforming our lives into Christ-likeness.

My friends, expecting instant results will only lead to anger, disappointment, arrogance, and ultimately, bitterness. Instead of being angry that those under you don’t grow as fast as you liked, instead of being disappointed at your own spiritual growth, instead of being bitter over the poor preaching you think you are under, be patient, be longsuffering, and be confident that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation…and sanctification. Embrace the simple truths, and embrace them fully, and as you do and teach others likewise, these simple truths will yield profound results.

Do you ever look over at the guy in your church who shows up about one Sunday a month and inwardly wonder if he is *truly* a believer? What about that friend who professes Christ, who seems to just love all the world has to offer, but who stays away from gross sins; do you ever come across a passage of scripture speaking of false-professors and find your thoughts (inadvertently) running to him? What about others you know who are caught up in questionable Christian fads where the doctrine is so poor you cannot help but wondering if they are in the true faith; do you doubt their salvation at times?

I would guess that these types of questions have crossed your mind now and then, especially in a society where conversion is so cheap and everybody claims to be a Christian. Add to this the sound preaching/teaching coming from those who know false-conversion is real, and you’ll probably find yourself wondering about others as you too “examine yourself; test yourself to see if you’re in the faith“.

But I have a question: do we have the right, or duty, or obligation, as Christians, to inwardly or outwardly question the salvation of others unless there is obvious evidence of false-belief? This is a question I have struggled with lately, and as I read through The Almost Christian Discovered, by the Puritan Matthew Mead, this question has been more frequently upon my mind.

Particularly for me, I’ve been around Christian men in the past who’ve candidly discussed who it is under their ministry that they had salvific questions about: “I’m just not sure so-and-so is a true believer because of…”, is what I’d hear quite frequently. And I must say that, looking back, I am somewhat bothered by that approach.

But in The Almost Christian Discovered, Mead does an excellent job of demonstrating the lengths which false-converts will go in religion and yet still be outside of Christ. The book certainly isn’t meant for a believer who sometimes doubts their assurance, but I’ve found it to be very helpful in demonstrating true faith up against the counterfeit. In the introduction, the author even makes a point to say that if his work doesn’t bring some kind of doubt to your mind, at least to make you stop and examine yourself, then you should probably be worried that you’re at least somewhat deceived. And with that I agree. He sets forth true religion as the high thing that it is, and anyone familiar with their own heart will shrink back here and there, with the true believers afterwards repenting of the sins he exposes.

But let me be completely frank regarding the topic at hand: when true Christianity is demonstrated and false Christianity is exposed right before our eyes, whether in book or sermon, after we see and examine ourselves, how do we not have people come to mind here and there as different characteristics of hypocrites are described?

For example, Mead mentions in section VI that “A man may make great vows and promises; he may have strong purposes and resolutions against sin and yet be but almost a Christian“. Then he goes on to list evidences that confirm this particular state, such as making resolutions against sin because of the trouble and affliction it brings rather than for God’s glory, or making resolutions against sin to put off immediate repentance, etc.

The point I’m trying to make is that there is no doubt that I’ve seen many hints of these things in my own life (I’ve been taking some painful notes), but there is also no doubt that I see some of these things in the lives of others as well. And when these evidences (in others) are great in number and only seem to multiply, what is our duty? To put off these thoughts? To expose what we see? To go to them privately? To bear one another’s burdens?

Let me also be clear that I do *not* ask this question in regards to open and blatant sin; for scripture is clear in that matter. But rather, I ask this question when there is evidence of hypocrisy, insincerity, irreverence towards the things of God, great boasting of one’s condition when it reality it is nothing but lip-service, false emotion, false repentance, false affections, etc. That is, something that is more than a continual way of life that may evidence a false conversion, but not a blatant enough sin to do a full-fledge Matthew 18 approach.

Are we to assume the best unless we have clear evidence of wrong? Or are these kind of thoughts just natural workings of the mind when we dig deep into what defines real Christianity? Also, what application does ‘Judge not lest you be judged’ have in all of this? What about ‘bear one another’s burdens’?

I’m going to think about this one a little while longer before I post some thoughts on my conviction. But in the meantime, I’d love to get advice/thoughts from some of you seasoned veterans out there (off-line is welcomed too, as always). Once I get a good scriptural grasp on what I believe to be the answer, I’ll post some additional thoughts.

False teachers. Scripture warns us repeatedly of them, and we see evidence of their work all around, but besides the obvious examples (Benny Hinn, etc.), how do we spot them?

I find it a bit disconcerting that false teachers are sometimes difficult to identify. The errors are sometimes so incredibly subtle, that accurately identifying one as a false teacher can sometimes take months of careful observation.

The difficulty in spotting a false teacher comes down to two simple things in my mind:

• Striving for that all-important balance between being humble and charitable towards the infirmities and ignorance that we all struggle with, but to still be firm and resolute in exposing those who are waging war on the gospel. The same bible that says “in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice“, also says “Beware of false prophets” and “I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith“.

• Identifying how much truth can be missing and yet still be the truth, or how much error can be present and still fall under the banner of ‘orthodoxy’ or ‘the gospel’. At what point do we say ‘that’s another gospel’, as Paul did? –This is sometimes a difficult conclusion to come to, particularly because there is just so much vagueness and uncertainty in this post-modern age.

So many teachers in this age toe the line when it comes to truth; –they won’t say things openly heretical, but they won’t say anything worthwhile either. Labeling one of these teachers with such a damnable label as ‘false teacher’ can become quite the task. Many preach a flawed gospel; many preach a powerless, shallow, and man-centered gospel; but clearly identifying them as preaching a ‘false’ gospel takes very careful observation.

To help further your thoughts on this topic, I’m bringing in a patriarchal puritan divine: In his excellent book (I recommend it about as high as any book I’ve ever read) Precious Remedies for Satan’s Devices, Thomas Brooks gives us 7 quick characteristics of false teachers. I’ve added them below along with a few his scripture or comments for clarification. I’ve also added a note or two of my own to help bring our thinking into the modern realm:

7 Characteristics of False Teachers

1) False Teachers are men-pleasers
They preach more to please the ear than to profit the heart…”prophesy not unto us right things; speak to us smooth things; prophesy deceits” [Isa. 30:10]…Not bitter, but flattering words do all the mischief…Whilst an donkey is stroked under the belly, you may lay on his back what burden you please.

Application for today:
-The gospel of fun, excitement, prosperity, happiness, ease, comfort, etc.? Some are subtle in this, and some are not.
-Pragmatism. These teachers know what people want to hear, they know what will get people to church, and they will even excuse their false message and shameful tactics by claiming that they are ‘attempting to bring in the lost’ by appealing to them with messages they want to hear.

2) False Teachers are notable in casting dirt, scorn, and reproach upon the persons, names, and credits of Christ’s most faithful ambassadors
(Brooks gives examples from scripture, such as Jesus and Paul, who were the constant attacks of false teachers).

Application for today:
-False humility in claiming they are above speaking out against those in error.
-Calling those who speak out against false teachers ’sinners’ for doing so, by necessity casts dirt and scorn upon faithful ambassadors of Christ who contend for the faith.

3) False Teachers are venters of the devices and visions of their own heads and hearts
Jer 23:16 - “Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.”

Application for today:
-Epistemology (source of knowledge), is anything but the Word of God (despite their claims). It instead their own cleverness, opinions, etc.

4) False Teachers easily pass over the great and weighty things both of law and gospel, and stand most upon those things that are of the least moment and concernment to the souls of men
1 Tim 5:7 - “Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.”…False teachers are nice in the lesser things of the law, and as negligent in the greater.

Application for today:
-Pragmatism of today dictates that we must do whatever is possible to ‘reach’ the lost. Anything includes compromising just about everything in scripture that might make people uncomfortable.
-Also, the antinomian trend (no law) comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s witnessing, quiet time, tithing, or even being a loving neighbor to your fellow man, false teachers will leap-frog what’s most important and build a following around the smaller matters of the law (either by making the laws extremely easy or extremely hard).

5) False Teachers cover and colour their dangerous principles and soul-impostures with very fair speeches and plausible pretences, with high notions and golden expressions
As strumpets paint their faces, and deck and perfume their beds, the better to allure and deceive simple souls, so false teachers will put a great deal of paint and garnish upon their most dangerous principles and blasphemies, that they may the better deceive and delude poor ignorant souls. They know sugared poison goes down sweetly; they wrap up their pernicious, soul-killing pills in gold.

Application for today:
-When truth is missing, there must be something in its place to gather a hearing; false teachers make up for the lack of truth (or even substance) by their presentations, props, enticements, humor, stories, and generally liability.

6) False Teachers strive more to win over men to their opinions, than to better them in their conversations
Matt 24:27 - “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.”

Application for today:
-Big churches with big budgets; lots of converts to report proudly to the press; popularity, attention, and power are clearly the ends to which false teachers or our day strive.
-Surrounding themselves with a bunch of people who think (and will tell them) how right and Godly they are, while those who disagree in the slightest are ushered out and told ‘this isn’t the church for you’.

7) False Teachers make merchandise of their followers
2 Peter 2 - “But false prophets also arose among the people…because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.”

Application for today:
-Tithing as the number one duty of the Christian! I’m even familiar with a church whose doctrinal statement reflects nothing of substance, and yet tithing is forcibly and proudly announced as a necessity!

What is mercy from God? What is punishment or judgment? If you’re like many, you probably just automatically assume that good things in life (financial stability, friends, family, health, happiness) are a sure sign of mercy from God, and that He’s somewhat pleased with you in blessing you with these things. But have we assumed too much? Who decides what mercy really is?

In the excellent work by Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies for Satan’s Devices, Brooks lists several ‘devices’ or ‘schemes’ or ‘lies’ that Satan uses to deceive and to lead us into sin. Upon giving these devices, Brooks then lists several ‘remedies’ in which to help us combat these lies. Of course, scripture is plentiful throughout, and it is one of the most thought-provoking and edifying books I’ve read in awhile.

One of these devices got my attention the other night, and it’s definitely worth a mention here:

“The fifth device that Satan hath to draw the soul to sin is,

Device (5). To present God to the soul as one made up all of mercy.

‘Oh! saith Satan, you need not make such a matter of sin, you need not be so fearful of sin, not so unwilling to sin; for God is a God of mercy, a God full of mercy, a God that delights in mercy, a God that is ready to shew mercy, a God that is never weary of shewing mercy, a God more prone to pardon His people than to punish His people; and therefore He will not take advantage against the soul; and why then, saith Satan, should you make such a matter of sin?”

Before I move on to the remedy, let me just stop and say that there are of course two dangerous extremes in dealing with the issue of God’s mercy. Let us not forget that there are certainly scores of people who do not present God as a merciful and loving God at all, which He most certainly is.

However, in our day, clearly the majority in error favor a God who is all love, all mercy, all compassion, and all benevolent, to the utter detriment of His justice, wrath, jealousy, and even righteous fury. This view of God, that He is somehow incapable of justice and anger even in this life, is what Brooks is getting at when he lists this lie of Satan.

Now the remedy Brooks gives us to combat the lie that Satan whispers, that God is all mercy and is not bothered by our sins:

“Now the remedies against this device of Satan are these:

Remedy (1) The first remedy is, seriously to consider, That it is the sorest judgment in the world to be left to sin upon any pretence whatsoever.

…When God lets the way to hell be a smooth and pleasant way, that is hell on this side of hell, and a dreadful sign of God’s indignation against a man; a token of His rejection, and that God doth not intend good unto him…”

So let’s go back to the original question: what is mercy from God? Who gets to decide?

If left to our own opinion, we’ll be quick to overlook our sins and affirm that God has blessed us/showed us mercy because of such and such good things in our life. In fact, there are preachers everywhere who will tell you this week in and week out –and all it takes to get in these ‘blessings’ is a one-time decision.

But scripture is clear, particular the book of Romans in chapters 1 and 6, that sin, and men being left in to sin as they please, is the worst of judgments upon men in this life, and salvation by God’s grace not only delivers us from eternal condemnation, but it delivers us from sin in this life as well.

So has God showed you mercy? You may have all the friends in the world, the best family, the best job, the best life of ‘blessings’, but do you have holiness? Have you gained continual victory over your sins and corruptions? Have you suffered for Christ so as to rely upon Him more? Have you been humbled and afflicted when you fall into sin? Has sin made you miserable to the point of despair, with greater repentance and holiness the only remedy? If you want to know if God has really shown you mercy, ask yourself these questions. Don’t be fooled by what you see with your eyes and what you feel in your heart; look to the scriptures my friend.

There is nothing as destructive and horrible as sin. How pitiful is it that men puff themselves up and claim God’s blessings/favor because they have a ‘decision’ and a life full of empty and comfortable amusements.

You want real mercy from God? Check your life for holiness and deep repentance. For the surest sign of God’s anger towards you is to leave you in your sins…

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die…

It was John Calvin who recommended that we take periodic walks through the graveyard so that we (and our children) are constantly reminded of the reality of death. To me that sounds like very wise advice.

Death in this society is anything but in the forefront of our minds; real death, that is. Of course Hollywood has its glamorous version of death, as does the every-present 24hour news channels feeding into our living-rooms and PCs. But the fact of the matter is that our society’s infatuation with fun, entertainment, wealth, ease, and comfort betray the notion that the digitalized ‘death’ around us is having any sort of real effect.’Death’ has become a video game, a form of entertainment (in news and in show), and is something that happens to other people; it’s certainly not something many of us think can really happen to us.

I must say, thinking about dying is no fun; it’s actually very depressing. Depressing in the Ecclesiastes sort of way, if you know what I mean. But death is a reality, for the Christian and non-Christian alike, and given the great account we must give at the end of days, death is something that should be vitally important to all of us.

With that in mind, the point of this post is to simply remind you (and myself) of this reality so that we do not forget it or neglect reminding ourselves of it. Let us tremble at the Divine response to the rich man who set aside his soul as ‘having its goods laid up’ (he thought he was right with God) while he pursued earthly endeavors: ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ - Luke 12:20

Thus, consider a sad but necessary reality about death can be found in Ecclesiastes 2:

I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Do you realize that you could be replaced at any moment? Have you duly consider the phrase ‘he will be MASTER of all‘? Think about where you’re sitting right now. If you were to die, someone else would fill that chair. Someone else would be using your computer. Someone else would eventually fill your job and do what you are doing for a living. Someone else would take your role in your family –whether that be provider, homemaker, etc., maybe even husband or wife, father or mother. Those jobs would fall to someone, somehow, who would master them as you do right now.

If you were to die, someone else would be driving your car, spending your money, wearing your clothes. If you were to die, someone else would be comforting/loving your husband, or your wife, your children, your family.

Who knows whether that person(s) would be wise or a fool? How would they treat your wife, your kids, your family? What kind of work ethic would they display at your job? What would they spend your money on –the money you toiled to get? How would they treat your things; would they use them for good or evil, for selfish pleasures or for serving?

Of course, immediately after your death there would be a time of mourning –3 months maybe. After that things that you owned and the positions in life that you held would slowly but surely fall into other hands. Your friends and family, though they do love you very much, would start to forget you in day-to-day life, and they would get on with their own lives. The world that’s not immediately around you, things like sports, media, politics, culture, etc., would continue on and not even notice your death unless it was of uncommon circumstances.

That’s reality, folks. And as painful as it may be to write/think about these things, it will do you great benefit to consider them deeply. Life isn’t all about us, even in our own personal world and families. Life can and will go on just fine without you.

Depressing? Sure is. But let us not forget that there are treasures in heaven. There are treasures that you will not lose, that others will not take over, that thieves will not steal and moth will not destroy.

That eternal treasure is Jesus Christ. The treasure are the robs of His righteousness that He grants to all those who come to Him in faith. The treasure is not something we earn on our own, or something that is given to us for our goodness –and I believe the vanity of all this life is shown here in Ecclesiastes to demonstrate that very thing. What is lasting you cannot gain in your own power; what is lasting is not to be found in this physical realm.

You are empty; Christ is full. You are naked; Christ will clothe. You are blind; Christ gives sight. You are deaf; Christ speaks. You are sinful; Christ is righteous. You have broken the Law with your deeds; Christ has perfectly obeyed the Law with His. You are dead; Christ gives life.

I pray that you will read this post and utterly despair at the vanity of all this life has to offer and all that you can produce in your own power. Whatever it may be that you’re living in or living for, it isn’t your’s and you cannot keep it. Someone else will sooner or later be master. Then what will become of you? But I pray, once you’ve despaired of even life itself, and have realized that nothing, absolutely nothing is all about you, look to Jesus Christ. Oh, behold His sympathy and His beckoning calls to give you rest. He has defeated death and all the vanity contained within; seek the Treasure that will not fade away…

In Matthew 5:3 Jesus says:

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Recently, while reading through the minor prophets in the Old Testament, the subject of mourning has intrigued me –for mourning was certainly a common thing in Old Testament Israel. But not only is it common in Old Testament Judaism, it’s also mentioned here by Jesus in the New Testament, and a great blessing is pronounced on the one who mourns. So what is the deal with mourning?

First off, doesn’t there seem to be some sort of stigma in today’s Christian circles when it comes to mourning? We New Testament, American Christians just seem to have trouble with it (excluding, of course, when people mourn over the loss of their outward comforts). We’re supposed to have joy, remember? We’re supposed to be excited for what the Lord has done, right? So goes popular opinion, it seems.

But in a society which mourns very little (for it would ruin the insatiable pursuit of pleasure and revelry), we Christians have sort of adapted to our surroundings. Mourning just isn’t popular; it certainly doesn’t win friends, influence people, and pack out auditoriums. Instead, we’re constantly being told to ‘show unbelievers how happy Jesus has made us‘, and to put on a smile in all circumstances, as if this will cause others to see something different in us. I just don’t get that, from a biblical sense; and I don’t even get it from a logical sense. For anyone with a brain can see right through this kind of facade, which ends up doing even worse damage to the Christian banner. Jesus our Lord and perfect example certainly didn’t put on or teach this type of deception; He was said to be ‘a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief’. We don’t even have a record of Him laughing at all!

It should be clear that it isn’t thought of much in our culture, so what exactly am I trying to get at? What does exactly does it mean to mourn? Well first, it should be obvious that simple tears does not fully capture the idea of mourning. Mourning is much deeper than that; true mourning is when the heart breaks in anguish, with intense sorrow. It isn’t simply shedding tears; it’s anguish of the soul, and an attitude of the heart that will affect how we live.

Consider just two passages with me:

Amos 6:5-6
“Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory
and stretch themselves out on their couches,
and eat lambs from the flock
and calves from the midst of the stall,
who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp
and like David invent for themselves instruments of music,
who drink wine in bowls
and anoint themselves with the finest oils,
but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!

I was struck with conviction upon reading this portion of scripture. O how we live as if the Church was not headed for ruin! O how we act as if we can pamper ourselves, entertain ourselves, and live a life of ease while the Truth lies fallen in the street! Is it not so, in this plentiful land, where we have the easiest lives in all of human history? Our conduct clearly communicates that all is perfectly well in the land, and in the Church! Don’t actions speak louder than words?

Consider as well:

Daniel 10:2-3 “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.”

Daniel truly mourned. He mourned over his sin. He mourned over the sins of the people. He mourned over the pagan land. And he didn’t pamper himself when his heart was truly broken over it all.

I must confess: I don’t mourn like Daniel. No doubt about it, my sin and the sins of my surroundings are lamented over on a regular basis. But do I really mourn? Do you really mourn? When we rise from our knees, where we just spent a time of mourning over all the wickedness of our hearts and of this land, what do we then do? Go and fill ourselves at the dinner table? Fill our hearts and time with glad songs, distractions, amusements, entertainments, as if all were well?

Sometimes I am broken to nothing, and even though I might pour out my soul to God in private, O how you couldn’t tell from my lifestyle that I really cared one bit. What shame! Is it not true of you as well?

When we truly mourn, we will truly walk with brokenness in all walks of life –all while pouring our hearts out to our only help and refuge: the Lord Jesus Christ, who sympathizes with our weaknesses, having Himself been one acquainted with sorrow and grief.

So if you mourn, mourn with sincerity, in truthfulness, as if your cause for mourning was more than just a passing thought. Jesus Himself blesses you, and promises you comfort in His graces…