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Tribalism is everywhere, in politics as well as matters of faith. And who doesn't want to be on the side of truth? In a letter John Newton warned of the damage that crusading, no matter how well-intentioned, can do to our hearts.
Recent Entries
Making Sense Of It AllJanuary 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Suffering Saints
January 25, 2012
We get nervous thinking about it - suffering for the sake of Christ. How necessary is it, and what does it produce in us?
George Herbert on Prayer Meetings
January 21, 2012
Prayer Meetings are a thing of the past. Or so it seems. What has been lost? Maybe more than we realize.
When Fear Is Good
January 7, 2012
NO FEAR, we are told. And the point is well taken. But fear can be healthy, at least when it comes to eternal matters.
Happy, Happy, Happy
January 4, 2012
The declaration of independence holds up the pursuit of happiness as a right. Did you ever consider the reading the bible might be the one source that will never let you down?
The Twelve Signs Of Grace
December 22, 2011
Self-examination is not easy to do. The tendency is to let ourselves off easy. But examine we must, for eternity is at stake.
"Ouch!!"
July 22, 2011
Spiritual pride is hard to detect. Jonathan Edwards gives some tips. The process can be painful, but necessary.
Defeating A Party Spirit
July 10, 2009
John Newton saw himself as gifted in "the study of the human heart with its workings and counter workings, as it is altered by the different states of nature or of grace, in the different seasons of prosperity, adversity, conviction, temptation, sickness and the approach of death."
In other words, he was eminently qualified to make the following observations.
The pride of our heart insensibly prompts us to cast about, far and near, for arguments to justify our own behavior and makes us too ready to hold the opinions we have taken up to the very extreme that those among whom we are newly come may not suspect our sincerity.
In a word, let us endeavor to keep close to God, to be much in prayer, to watch carefully over our hearts, and leave the busy warm spirits to make the best of their work. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him and that wait on Him continually; to these He will show His covenant, not notionally, but experimentally.
A few minutes of the Spirit's teaching will furnish us with more real useful knowledge than toiling through whole folios of commentators and expositors; they are useful in their places and are not to be undervalued by those who can perhaps, in general, do better without them; but it will be our wisdom to deal less with the streams and be more close in applying to the Fountainhead.
The Scripture itself and the Spirit of God, are the best and the only sufficient expositors of Scripture. Whatever men have valuable in their writings, they got it from hence; and the way is as open to us as to any of them. There is nothing required but a teachable, humble spirit; and learning, as it is commonly called, is not necessary in to this. I commend you to the grace of God.
In other words, he was eminently qualified to make the following observations.
The pride of our heart insensibly prompts us to cast about, far and near, for arguments to justify our own behavior and makes us too ready to hold the opinions we have taken up to the very extreme that those among whom we are newly come may not suspect our sincerity.
In a word, let us endeavor to keep close to God, to be much in prayer, to watch carefully over our hearts, and leave the busy warm spirits to make the best of their work. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him and that wait on Him continually; to these He will show His covenant, not notionally, but experimentally.
A few minutes of the Spirit's teaching will furnish us with more real useful knowledge than toiling through whole folios of commentators and expositors; they are useful in their places and are not to be undervalued by those who can perhaps, in general, do better without them; but it will be our wisdom to deal less with the streams and be more close in applying to the Fountainhead.
The Scripture itself and the Spirit of God, are the best and the only sufficient expositors of Scripture. Whatever men have valuable in their writings, they got it from hence; and the way is as open to us as to any of them. There is nothing required but a teachable, humble spirit; and learning, as it is commonly called, is not necessary in to this. I commend you to the grace of God.
