Tag Archives: Grace

Journal

KEEP WRITING

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I’ve reached a point in my writing that a “side stitch” is telling me to stop.

If I stop learning how to write, I won’t develop a well-organized, efficient mind — and one that is well-founded and certain, as Jordan Peterson wrote in his Essay_Writing_Guide (p. 3), and the reason I won’t develop that is because ‘posting’ means ‘writing’. I must… keep… writing!

I didn’t exactly meet my deadline that I was shooting for this morning, not because I hadn’t been writing, but because of the subject matter of what I was writing. From last night into this morning I was preparing my next post on Presenting The Gospel 101, but as I was preparing hit a contention that I need resolved before I move forward on that particular project—which gets me very frustrated because of the amount of time and effort put into something I thought was ready. I must. keep. writing!

Although this experience is frustrating, I’m thankful it happened or I wouldn’t grow, that’s the beauty to these experiences: growth! If I didn’t sit down to think through what I’m writing, waiting on the Spirit to move me along on the subject matter at hand, I might’ve made a serious mistake.

The nature of my contention is on the subject of justification—from a theological perspective. I’m experiencing conviction by the view Robert Govett has in his track (THE BEST MODE OF PRESENTING THE GOSPEL) about Rom. 5:18 – So then, as through one offense the result was condemnation to all mankind, so also through one act of righteousness the result was justification of life to all mankind. By which, Govett’s view to …justification of life to all mankind is *…”upon” believers only.—R. Govett p. 10 (THE BEST MODE OF PRESENTING THE GOSPEL). And now to write out my conviction about that.

The conviction I have does not mean, necessarily, that I disagree with R. Govett as he explains that justification to mean what persuades man, as active and free, the option to come to Christ for salvation. Or in his words… “Evidence then has been laid before the reader sufficient to prove, that the work of Jesus has a universal aspect. That work is presented to man as a being active and free; and motives of every class are brought to bear to induce him, if possible, to seek that salvation which Jesus bestows on all who come to Him.”—R. Govett p. 10 (THE BEST MODE OF PRESENTING THE GOSPEL).

However, my understanding of …justification of life to all mankind is presently different in that all mankind whether believer or unbeliever is justified by the righteous act of Jesus Christ, meaning that everyone is justified to appear before God whether saved “wheat” to be entered into the kingdom of God or judged “chaff” to be thrown into the lake of fire.

I’m of the understanding that justification is the very means by which all are resurrected to an immortal life, whether it be immortal in the kingdom of God or immortal in the lake of fire; without justification in Christ the unbelievers wouldn’t be resurrected, but annihilated, which contradicts in two ways, (1) R. Govett’s work on Eternal Suffering, and (2) the Word of God in Revelation 20.

In order for all mankind to be resurrected—whether to salvation or judgment—all must be justified, and by the righteous act of Christ all are justified, whether it be as saved (believer) to eternal life or as judged (unbeliever) to eternal punishment.

That’s my contention…

I must. keep. writing!

I die devotionals, Nathan Dooley

She will place on your head a garland of grace | P4-V9

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A Father’s Instruction

Proverbs 4:9 

I die daily devotional.

8 “Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty.”
10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings
And the years of your life will be many.

Jesus reveals to us the garland of grace and crown of beauty by wisdom given through belief in Him.

RESOURCE

Proverbs 4 (NASB)—blueletterbible.org | biblegateway.com

COMMENTARY

Chapter 4

Matthew Henry (P4-V9) Commentary
This he insists on (v. 9): “She shall give to thy head an ornament of grace in this world, shall recommend thee both to God and man, and in the other world a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee, a crown that shall never totter, a crown of glory that shall never wither.” That is the true honour which attends religion. Nobilitas sola est atique unica virtus-Virtue is the only nobility! David having thus recommended wisdom to his son, no marvel that when God bade him ask what he would he prayed, Lord, give me a wise and an understanding heart. We should make it appear by our prayers how well we are taught.

I die devotionals, Nathan Dooley

Though He scoffs at the scoffers | P3-V34

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The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

 33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. 34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. 35 The wise will inherit honor, But fools  display dishonor.

See now I find this verse a bit peculiar, the Lord scoffs at the scoffers, and it’s difficult for me to make sense of this when I think about Christ remaining silent when scoffed at by the scoffers before and while hanging on the cross, but not when I think of my experience with apostates and unbelievers today. It’s as though there is a discreet smile and subtle laugh in my spirit that is discrete a smirk; that distinction is discerned and experienced upon my reading or hearing an argument from a person using their God given grace to exercise a language that naïvely contradicts the very grace that means to save them from their condemnation—rather than judge them condemned—and a person that is deliberately using their language to defend against the resurrection of our Lord that is coming again quickly to render to every man according to what he has done.

How about some engagement in these devotionals, what do yuh say reader/s…

Oh Lord, how I feel the affliction while yet experience Your grace, thank You, Lord. I pray for those who are afflicted yet sustained by Your grace, thank You for Your saints, Lord. You are our refuge, our wisdom, knowledge and understanding; please guide us into all truth by Your Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

RESOURCE

Proverbs 3 (NASB)—blueletterbible.org | biblegateway.com
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; 2 For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father  corrects the son in whom he delights. 13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. 19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. 20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. 21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22 So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. 23 Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; 26 For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. 27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it, ”When you have it with you. 29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you. 30 Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. 32 For the devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright. 33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. 34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. 35 The wise will inherit honor, But fools  display dishonor.

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V34) Commentary
3. God puts contempt upon sinners, but shows respect to saints, v. 34.

  • (1.) Those who exalt themselves shall certainly be abased: Surely he scorns the scorners. Those who scorn to submit to the discipline of religion, scorn to take God’s yoke upon them, scorn to be beholden to his grace, who scoff at godliness and godly people, and take a pleasure in bantering and exposing them, God will scorn them, and lay them open to scorn before all the world. He despises their impotent malice, sits in heaven and laughs at them, Ps. 2:4. He retaliates upon them (Ps. 18:26); he resists the proud.
  • (2.) Those who humble themselves shall be exalted, for he gives grace to the lowly; he works that in them which puts honour upon them and for which they are accepted of God and approved of men. Those who patiently bear contempt from scornful men shall have respect from God and all good men, and then they have no reason to envy the scorners or to choose their ways.