Tonight, my heart aches. You might even say it is broken. It was not broken tonight, no; it was broken several weeks ago. Several weeks ago my heart broke, but, I refused to be weak. What’s most frustrating is this is a pattern in my life. My heart breaks. I try to be strong. And I end up worse than before. The end result is a lack of peace, joy, and love. The end result is sin and separation from my heavenly Father. I pray this time I might finally learn the meaning of the verse, which says, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” I pray I may be able to say with Paul, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.” I pray that the Lord will change my heart so I may love people more and myself less. I pray I may accept my Father’s words, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” You see most of my sadness, is not because of some outside circumstance, but a result of how I responded to the circumstance. Had my attitude been like Paul’s, then, I would have joy. Then I would have peace. Then I would have love. But, because I chose self-sufficiency and my own path; because I chose sin I do not have any of that. It is for this reason that I know I cannot afford to take my eyes off of the cross for one instant. May my eyes ever be fixed on the cross and the love of Jesus for me, for all else grows dim in comparison. May all my thoughts, desires, and actions be pure and glorifying to Christ Jesus, my God. May I quit walking and run the race so I might attain the prize. Oh, Lord Jesus, hear my prayer!
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There is a hymn that states, “Oft in sorrow, oft in woe, Onward, Christian, onward go,” and I find this be true for me. One of the things that causes me the most sorrow is sin, namely my own. Scripture tells me that, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” and this I often feel. Martin Luther wrote, “All heaviness of mind and melancholy come of the devil; especially these thoughts, that God is not gracious unto him: that God will have no mercy upon him, etc.“ Later in his Table Talk he wrote, “The devil plagues and torments us in the place where we are most tender and weak. In Paradise, he fell not upon Adam, but upon Eve. It commonly rains where it was wet enough before.“ I share these quotes, because he wonderfully sums up what I want to share about.
I sometimes feel as though Satan has thrown everything he has at me at one time. In those times I feel crushed, struck down, selfish, and despaired. Last night was one of those nights. I spent a good few hours lying on my floor wailing to God asking, begging, him to take me home. In those dark nights I care only about myself. I think, "I don’t want God to use me. I don’t care about other people. Forget it all; just take me home, Lord." It is miserable and I hate how much I sin in those times. I hate my sin altogether. It is difficult for me to describe how dark the nights can truly be for me, but, perhaps, the old hymn sums it up well. It states, He made me feel the hidden evils of my heart and let the angry powers of hell assault my soul in every part.” Now, I do not write about this to discourage any one, quite the opposite. While last night and even this morning at church were difficult, God brought me out of the despair and gave me joy. Joy came in the morning as it always has before and always will. In the midst of the trial, I did not seek out the scripture to see what the Lord has said about these things, only now afterward I have done so. Now it probably would have faired better for me if I had done so before, but next time I will be prepared with the truth. For God’s word says, “We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. “ Further, it states, “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” And my favorite is Jesus’ prayer for us, "I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” One thing I learned is the importance of fellowship. Martin Luther wrote, “God has created mankind for fellowship, and not for solitariness, which is clearly proved by this strong argument: God, in the creation of the world, created man and woman, to the end that the man in the woman should have a fellow." It is in the times of solitude that I find myself the most susceptible to the schemes of Satan. Therefore, I am most grateful for the times of fellowship. I am especially grateful to a dear woman from my church that has taken the time to sit with me listen to me. Simply speaking to someone who believes me, and can understand a little bit of my struggle has turned my mourning to dancing. It is for this reason I am sure the scripture says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The best thing anyone of us can do is seek out another believer and confess our sins. For we know, “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” This post is a long time coming… for me anyways. For the past couple of years God has given me a thorn in my flesh, which I have been unsuccessful in getting rid of, until now. I have loved and prayed for a man who was not at all interested in me, not knowing why. I hoped all along that something more would come of it, but now it seems he is not to my tastes too. I have recently realized, as mature as he is, he is not everything I desire in a husband. I desire a man who is committed to reading God’s word daily, abiding in it so it might sanctify him and he might know more of our Savior. Someone who is whole heartedly committed to knowing more of God, not distracted by friends, education, games, and music. I desire a man who will appreciate everything I have to offer, including my knowledge and love of children. I want a man who is not indifferent about whom the mother of his children is. I want a man who will listen, listen to me, but also to others. I desire someone who puts other’s need consistently before his own. I desire someone who will not be annoyed with my passion for theology and the bible, but rather encouraged by it. I want a man who is deeply in love with Christ and unashamed of it. I say all of that, not because he is completely lacking in any of those areas. Nor, because he does not love Christ. I still think very highly of him. He is one of the most mature men I know. I know God will grow him up in his salvation (for I have prayed many times over for it). When the time is right God will provide for him a wonderful godly wife (for I have prayed many times for this too). I still care very much for him, how could I not? But now, I see I am not right for him and he is not right for me. Now, the other day I read 1 Thes. 4:3 which states, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” And, you see, this is exactly why God gave me this thorn. I was humbled many times over because of my thorn. I was pierced through and through as God continually revealed my selfishness and the desires of my flesh. I was beaten into obedience to God and his will (or at least it felt like it at times). I learned to rejoice, give thanks, and pray in all circumstances. (1 Thes. 5:16-17 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.) I learned to trust God because he is good. I learned much about taking my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. I learned about the peace of God that comes to those who trust in him. I learned a great many things and am a completely different, more sanctified believer because of it. Throughout the time I found John Newton’s hymn I Asked the Lord to express quite adequately my thoughts and feelings. In my darkest moments I just cried out to God and prayed the prayers of the Psalmist. As difficult as it was at times, I can honestly say, I would not have had it any other way. The wisdom and knowledge God taught me because of it, is worth far more to me than any momentary comfort I would have had otherwise. Besides, the most joyful years of my life have been these past couple of years. Never before have I experienced such joy and peace! Never before have I so consistently sought my savior and made him my all in all. And my friend, there is a correlation there :) My friend, it may be difficult for us to understand why God would, in the words of John Newton, almost drive us to despair, in order to sanctify us; but trust in him still. For he will change your will and desire to conform it to his so that whatever the trouble may be, you might rejoice in it. It is in the Refiner’s fire that we are sanctified and best learn the ways of the Lord; and this ought to be the desire of us all. I pray that the God of peace may grant you peace at all times in all ways. May you put your trust in him and lean wholly on him, for he is good. May his joy be your strength as you learn to give thanks for the blessing of suffering, whatever the suffering may be. May you fix your eyes on Christ and look forward to our eternal home; where there will be no more tears. Finally, may the Lord grant you the desires of your heart and withhold no good thing from you. I find, that I am, admittedly, ill-equipped to discuss the topic about which I intend to relay information about. There are many more scholars and bible teaches who could give stronger and more thorough arguments, but it is my prayer that those who I love dearly will indulge me and consider what I have to say, knowing I say it because of my love for Jesus Christ our Savior.
My goal in this post is to challenge my brothers and sisters to see and think about what the Catholic Church says about salvation. This is a controversial topic, I know, but one which I cannot remain silent about any longer. Before, I begin, however, I must clarify that I only write of the official teaching of the Catholic Church and do not mean to make any declarations about the salvation of individuals within the Catholic Church. I believe it is possible for individual Catholics to be saved, and pray this is most certainly the case! However, with a sorrowful heart, I must say that the Catholic Church is teaching another gospel and leading many astray. While there are many aspects of Catholicism I might choose to discuss the morality and rightness of, it is primarily the teaching on justification that concerns me the most. It seems that because the Catholic Church has made some reforms since the time of the Reformation, that many evangelicals are inclined to believe there is no difference, now, between the Catholic and Protestant Church. However, this is not the case. Much of the teaching expressed in the Council of Trent in the 16th century, particularly the teaching on justification, has not changed. The declarations made then are still the official teaching of the Catholic Church today. Much of their teaching is good and true, and other parts seem right to us, but we must carefully consider what is intended by each statement. Consider, first what they believe about the perseverance of the saint. In the Sixth Session of the Council of Trent in the ninth chapter it states, “For even as no pious person ought to doubt of the mercy of God, of the merit of Christ, and of the virtue and efficacy of the sacraments, even so each one, when he regards himself, and his own weakness and indisposition, may have fear and apprehension touching his own grace; seeing that no one can know with a certainty of faith, which cannot be subject to error, that he has obtained the grace of God.” This statement has the appearance of humility, but denies God’s power and authority over all. Consider 1 Thes. 1:4-5, which states, “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” Here, Paul believed in the certainty of the salvation of these believers. He believed because there were good works, which accompanied their salvation. All of which is precisely what Christ taught, especially, in the Parable of the Sower. The importance of good works is taught by Protestants and Catholics alike. However, there is a subtle, yet perhaps not so subtle, distinction between the two. The Protestant believes one is saved by faith alone and works are a result of the change God has brought about in the heart of God’s Elect. The works do nothing to justify one, but only demonstrate that one is in fact justified. The Catholics, on the other hand, believe that one must continue to do good works after their hearts are enlighten to obtain their justification. Rather than faith alone, they believe in “faith co-operating with good works.” Consider the remarks in the tenth chapter of Sixth Session of the Council of Trent, “He that is just, let him be justified still; and again, Be not afraid to be justified even to death; and also, Do you see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. And this increase of justification holy Church begs, when she prays, ‘Give unto us, O Lord, increase of faith, hope, and charity.’” Here it is obvious that they teach one must be continually justified through the course of ones life and never sure of it. In Chapter 11 it states, “Wherefore, no one ought to flatter himself up with faith alone, fancying that by faith alone he is made an heir, and will obtain the inheritance, even though he suffer not with Christ, that so he may be also glorified with him.” Finally, consider the following final remarks on justification given at the Sixth Session. CANON XII.-If any one saith, that justifying faith is nothing else but confidence in the divine mercy which remits sins for Christ's sake; or, that this confidence alone is that whereby we are justified; let him be anathema. CANON XIV.-If any one saith, that man is truly absolved from his sins and justified, because that he assuredly believed himself absolved and justified; or, that no one is truly justified but he who believes himself justified; and that, by this faith alone, absolution and justification are effected; let him be anathema. CANON XV.-If any one saith, that a man, who is born again and justified, is bound of faith to believe that he is assuredly in the number of the predestinate; let him be anathema. CANON XX.-If any one saith, that the man who is justified and how perfect soever, is not bound to observe the commandments of God and of the Church, but only to believe; as if indeed the Gospel were a bare and absolute promise of eternal life, without the condition of observing the commandments ; let him be anathema. Oh, my brother and sister can you now see why this is such a weighty and pressing matter? Both sides cannot be right. Either one is saved by faith alone through Christ alone or one is saved by faith and works. Now, there are many verses I would like to share with you, but I will limit myself to only a few that convince me of the Protestant view. Romans 11:6 - “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Galatians 2:16-21- “We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, 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. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” Brothers and sisters it is my prayer that you might consider all of this carefully and that you might come to a conclusion on the matter. I exhort to not put this to the side as if it does not matter greatly, for the eternal lives of souls are at stake. May our Father give you all spiritual wisdom and understanding to know what is the will and truth of God. The following are some links which might be helpful in your own study. More verses on justification and works Misunderstanding Vatican II Council of Trent (1545- 1563) Justification by Faith Catholic Catechism |
What I write AboutMy posts are all about the Christian walk in some way or another. I do my best to make what I post worth reading, thus there are many more things that I write about but do not post. Some of my posts are my reflections on scripture or a quote, other posts are simply my testimony, and others still are letters of encouragement. I hope that you will be encouraged or challenged in your walk with Christ as a result. God Bless you, my friend.
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