By JOHN CHARLES RYLE, D.D.
I. FIRST THEN, I WILL TRY TO SHOW THAT ASSURED HOPE IS A TRUE AND SCRIPTURAL THING.
Assurance, such as Paul expresses in the verses which head this book, is not a mere fancy or feeling. It is not the result of high animal spirits, or a sanguine temperament of body. It is a positive gift of the Holy Ghost, bestowed without reference to men's bodily frames or constitutions, and a gift which every believer in Christ ought to aim at and seek after.
In matters like these, the first question is this,--What saith the Scripture? I answer that question without the least hesitation. The Word of God appears to me to teach distinctly that a believer may arrive at an assured confidence with regard to his own salvation.
I lay it down fully and broadly as God's truth, that a true Christian, a converted man, may reach such a comfortable degree of faith in Christ, that in general he shall feel entirely confident as to the pardon and safety of his soul,--shall seldom be troubled with doubts, --seldom be distracted with fears, -- seldom be digressed by anxious questionings,--and, in short, though vexed by many an inward conflict with sin, shall look forward to death without trembling, and to judgment without dismay. (‹1.1›) This, I say, is the doctrine of the Bible.
Such is my account of assurance. I will ask my readers to mark it well. I say neither less nor more than I have here laid down.
Now such a statement as this is often disputed and denied. Many cannot see the truth of it at all.
The Church of Rome denounces assurance in the most unmeasured terms. The Council of Trent declares roundly, that a "believer's assurance of the pardon of his sins is a vain and ungodly confidence;" and Cardinal Bellarmine, the well-known champion of Romanism, calls it "a prime error of heretics."
The vast majority of the worldly and thoughtless Christians among ourselves oppose the doctrine of assurance. It offends and annoys them to hear of it. They do not like others to feel comfortable and sure, because they never feel so themselves. Ask them whether their sins are forgiven, and they will probably tell you they do not know! That they cannot receive the doctrine of assurance is certainly no marvel.
But there are also some true believers who reject assurance, or shrink from it as a doctrine fraught with danger. They consider it-borders on presumption. They seem to think it a proper humility never to feel sure, never to be confident, and to live in a certain degree of doubt and suspense about their souls. This is to be regretted, and does much harm.
I frankly allow there are some presumptuous persons, who profess to feel a confidence for which they hays- no Scriptural warrant. There are always some people who think well of themselves when God thinks ill, just as there are some who think ill of themselves when God thinks well. There always will be such. There never yet was a Scriptural truth without abuses and counterfeits. God's election,--man's impotence, salvation by grace,--all are alike abused. There will be fanatics and enthusiasts as long as the world stands. But, for all this, assurance is a reality and a true thing l and God's children must not let themselves be driven from the use of a truth, merely because it is abused. (‹1.2›)
My answer to all who deny the existence of real, well-grounded assurance, is simply this,--What saith the Scripture? If assurance be not there, I have not another word to say.
But does not Job say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.:' (Job_19:25-26.)
Does not David say, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." (Psa_23:4.)
Does not Isaiah say, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on. Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." (Isa_26:3.)
And again, "The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." (Isa_32:17.)
Does not Paul say to the Romans, "I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom_8:38-39.)
Does he not say to the Corinthians, "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2Co_5:1.)
And again, "We are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord." (2Co_5:6.)
Does he not say to Timothy, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him." (2Ti_1:12.)
And does he not speak to the Colossians of "the full assurance of understanding" (Col_2:2), and to the Hebrews of the "full assurance of faith," and the "full assurance of hope." (Heb_6:11, and Heb_10:22.)
Does not Peter say expressly, "Give diligence to make your calling and election sure." (2Pe_1:10.)
Does not John say, "We know that we have passed from death unto life." (1Jo_3:14.)
And again, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life." (1Jo_5:13.)
And again, "We know that we are of God." (1Jo_5:19.)
What shall we say to these things?. I desire to speak with all humility on any controverted point. I feel that I am only a poor fallible child of Adam myself. But I must say that in the passages I have just quoted I see something far higher than the mere "hopes" and "trusts," with which so many believers appear content in this day. I see the language of persuasion, confidence, knowledge,--nay, I may almost say, of certainty. And I feel, for my own part, if 1 may take these Scriptures in their plain obvious meaning, the doctrine of assurance is true.
But my answer furthermore to all who dislike the doctrine of assurance, as bordering on presumption, is this:--It can hardly be presumption to tread in the steps of Peter, and Paul, of Job, and of John. They were all eminently humble and lowly-minded men, if ever any were; and yet they all speak of their own state with an assured hope. Surely this should teach us that deep humility and strong assurance arc perfectly compatible, and that there is not any necessary connection between spiritual confidence and pride. (‹1.3›)
My answer furthermore is, that many have attained to such an assured hope as our text expresses, even in modern times. I will not concede for a moment that it was a peculiar privilege confined to the Apostolic day. There have been in our own land many believers, who have appeared to walk in almost uninterrupted fellowship with the Father and the Son,--who have seemed to enjoy an almost unceasing sense of the light of God's reconciled countenance shining down upon them, and have left their experience on record. I could mention well-known names, if space permitted. The thing has been, and is,--and that is enough.
My answer, lastly, is, It cannot be wrong to feel confidently in a matter where God speaks unconditionally,--to believe decidedly when God promises decidedly,--to have a sure persuasion of pardon and peace when we rest on the word and oath of Him that never changes. It is an utter mistake to suppose that the believer who feels assurance is resting on anything he sees in himself. He simply leans on the Mediator of the New Covenant, and the Scripture of truth. He believes the Lord Jesus means what He says, and takes Him at His word. Assurance after all is no more than a full-grown faith; a masculine faith that grasps Christ's promise with both hands,--a faith that argues like the good centurion, If the Lord "speak the word only," I am healed. Wherefore then should I doubt?" (Mat_8:8.) (‹1.4›)
We may be sure that Paul was the last man in the world to build his assurance on anything of His own. He who could write himself down "chief of sinners" (1Ti_1:15), had a deep sense of his own guilt and corruption. But then he had a still deeper sense of the length and breadth of Christ's righteousness imputed to him.--He, who could cry, "0 wretched man that I am" (Rom_7:24), had a clear view of the fountain of evil within his heart. But then he had a still clearer view of that other Fountain which can remove "all sin and uncleanness."--He, who thought himself "less than the least of all saints" (Eph_3:8), had a lively and abiding feeling of his own weakness. But he had a still livelier feeling that Christ's promise, "My sheep shall never perish" (Joh_10:28), could not be broken.--Paul knew, if ever man did, that he was a poor, frail bark, floating on a stormy ocean. He saw, if any did, the rolling waves and roaring tempest by which he was surrounded. But then he looked away from self to Jesus, and was not afraid. He remembered that anchor within the veil, which is both "sure and steadfast." (Heb_6:19.) He remembered the word, and work, and constant intercession of Him that loved him and gave Himself for him. And this it was, and nothing else, that enabled him to say so boldly, "A crown is laid up for me, and the Lord shall give it to me;" and to conclude so surely, "The Lord will preserve me; I shall never be confounded." (‹1.5›)
I may not dwell longer on this part of the subject. I think it will be allowed I have shown some good ground for the assertion I made, that assurance is a true thing.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
1 ASSURANCE: 2Ti 4:6-8
By JOHN CHARLES RYLE, D.D.
IN the words of Scripture which head this page, we see the Apostle Paul looking three ways,--downward, backward, forward. Downward to the grave,--backward to his own ministry,--forward to that great day, the day of judgment!
It will do us good to stand by the Apostle's side a few minutes, and mark the words he uses.
Happy is that soul who can look ere Paul looked, and then speak as, Paul spoke!
(a) He looks downward to the grave, and he does it without fear. Hear what He says:--
"I am ready to be offered." I am like an animal brought to the place of sacrifice, and bound with cords to the very horns of the altar. The drink-offering, which generally accompanies the oblation, is already being poured out. The last ceremonies have been gone through. Every preparation has been made. It only remains to receive the death-blow, and then all is over.
"The time of my departure is at hand."--I am like a ship about to unmoor and put to sea. All on board is ready. I only wait to have the moorings cast off that fasten me to the shore, and I shall then set sail, and begin my voyage.
These are remarkable words to come from the lips of a child of Adam like ourselves. Death is a solemn thing, and never so much so as when we see it close at hand. The grave is a chilling, heart-sickening place, and it is vain to pretend it has no terrors. Yet here is a mortal man, who can look calmly into the narrow "house appointed for all living," and say, while he stands upon the brink, "I see it all, and am not afraid."
(b) Let us listen to him again. He looks backward to his ministerial life, and he does it without shame. Hear what He says.
"I have fought a good fight."--There he speaks as a soldier. I have fought that good fight with the world, the flesh, and the devil, from which so many shrink and draw back.
"I have finished my course." There he speaks as one who has run for a prize. I have run the race marked out for me. I have gone over the ground appointed for me, however rough and steep. I have not turned aside because of difficulties, nor been discouraged by the length of the way. I am at last in sight of the goal.
"I have kept the faith."--There he speaks as a steward- I have held fast that glorious Gospel which was committed to my trust. I have not mingled it with man's traditions, nor spoiled its simplicity by adding my own inventions, nor allowed others to adulterate it without withstanding them to the face. "As a soldier,--a runner,--a steward," he seems to say, "I am not ashamed."
That Christian is happy who, as he quits this world, can leave such testimony behind him. A good conscience will save no man,--wash away no sin,--not lift us one hair's breadth toward heaven. Yet, a good conscience will be found a pleasant visitor at our bedside in a dying hour. There is a fine passage in "Pilgrim's Progress" which describes Old Honest's passage across the river of death? "The river," says Bunyan, "at that time overflowed its banks in some places; but Mr. Honest in his lifetime had spoken to one Good Conscience to meet him there; the which he also did, and lent him his hand, and so helped him over." We may be sure, there is a mine of truth in that passage.
(c) Let us hear the Apostle once more. He looks forward to the great day of reckoning, and he does it without doubt. Mark his words.
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown o| righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing."---"A glorious reward," he seems to say, "is ready and laid up in store for me,--even that crown which is only given to the righteous. In the great day of judgment the Lord shall give this crown to me, and to all beside me who have loved Him as an unseen Saviour, and longed to see Him face to face. My work on earth is over. This one thing now remains for me to look forward to, and nothing more.
Let us observe that the Apostle speaks without any hesitation or distrust. He regards the crown as a sure thing, as his own already. 'He declares with unfaltering confidence his firm persuasion that the righteous Judge will give it to him. Paul was no stranger to all the circumstances and accompaniments of that solemn day to which he referred. The great white throne,--the assembled world, the open books, --the revealing of all secrets,--the listening angels, --the awful sentence,--the eternal separation of the lost and saved,--all these were things with which he was well acquainted. But none of these things moved him. His strong faith overleaped them all, and only saw Jesus, his all-prevailing Advocate, and the blood of sprinkling, and sin washed away. "A crown," he says, "is laid up for me." "The Lord Himself shall give it to me." He speaks as if he saw it all with his own eyes.
Such are the main things which these verses contain. Of most of them I shall not speak, because I want to confine myself to the special subject of this book. I shall only try to consider one point in the passage. That point is the strong "assurance of hope," with which the Apostle looks forwards to his own prospects in the day of judgment.
I shall do this the more readily, because of the great importance which attaches to the subject of assurance, and the great neglect with which, I humbly conceive, it is often treated in this day.
But I shall do it at the same time with fear and trembling. 1 feel that I am treading on very difficult ground, and that it is easy to speak rashly and un-scripturally in this matter. The road between truth and error is here especially a narrow pass; and if I shall be enabled to do good to some without doing harm to others, I shall be very thankful.
There are four things I wish to bring forward in speaking of the subject of assurance, and it may clear our way if I name them at once.
I. First then, I will try to show that an assured hope, such as Paul here expresses, is a true and Scriptural thing.
II. Secondly, I will make this broad concession,--that a man may never arrive at this assured hope, and yet be saved.
III. Thirdly, I will give some reasons why an assured hope is exceedingly to be desired.
IV. Lastly, I will try to point out some causes why an assured hope is so seldom attained.
I ask the special attention of all who take an interest in the great subject of this volume. If I am not greatly mistaken, there is a very close connection between true holiness and assurance. Before I close this paper I hope to show my readers the nature of that connection. At present, I content myself with saying, that where there is the most holiness, there is generally the most assurance.
IN the words of Scripture which head this page, we see the Apostle Paul looking three ways,--downward, backward, forward. Downward to the grave,--backward to his own ministry,--forward to that great day, the day of judgment!
It will do us good to stand by the Apostle's side a few minutes, and mark the words he uses.
Happy is that soul who can look ere Paul looked, and then speak as, Paul spoke!
(a) He looks downward to the grave, and he does it without fear. Hear what He says:--
"I am ready to be offered." I am like an animal brought to the place of sacrifice, and bound with cords to the very horns of the altar. The drink-offering, which generally accompanies the oblation, is already being poured out. The last ceremonies have been gone through. Every preparation has been made. It only remains to receive the death-blow, and then all is over.
"The time of my departure is at hand."--I am like a ship about to unmoor and put to sea. All on board is ready. I only wait to have the moorings cast off that fasten me to the shore, and I shall then set sail, and begin my voyage.
These are remarkable words to come from the lips of a child of Adam like ourselves. Death is a solemn thing, and never so much so as when we see it close at hand. The grave is a chilling, heart-sickening place, and it is vain to pretend it has no terrors. Yet here is a mortal man, who can look calmly into the narrow "house appointed for all living," and say, while he stands upon the brink, "I see it all, and am not afraid."
(b) Let us listen to him again. He looks backward to his ministerial life, and he does it without shame. Hear what He says.
"I have fought a good fight."--There he speaks as a soldier. I have fought that good fight with the world, the flesh, and the devil, from which so many shrink and draw back.
"I have finished my course." There he speaks as one who has run for a prize. I have run the race marked out for me. I have gone over the ground appointed for me, however rough and steep. I have not turned aside because of difficulties, nor been discouraged by the length of the way. I am at last in sight of the goal.
"I have kept the faith."--There he speaks as a steward- I have held fast that glorious Gospel which was committed to my trust. I have not mingled it with man's traditions, nor spoiled its simplicity by adding my own inventions, nor allowed others to adulterate it without withstanding them to the face. "As a soldier,--a runner,--a steward," he seems to say, "I am not ashamed."
That Christian is happy who, as he quits this world, can leave such testimony behind him. A good conscience will save no man,--wash away no sin,--not lift us one hair's breadth toward heaven. Yet, a good conscience will be found a pleasant visitor at our bedside in a dying hour. There is a fine passage in "Pilgrim's Progress" which describes Old Honest's passage across the river of death? "The river," says Bunyan, "at that time overflowed its banks in some places; but Mr. Honest in his lifetime had spoken to one Good Conscience to meet him there; the which he also did, and lent him his hand, and so helped him over." We may be sure, there is a mine of truth in that passage.
(c) Let us hear the Apostle once more. He looks forward to the great day of reckoning, and he does it without doubt. Mark his words.
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown o| righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing."---"A glorious reward," he seems to say, "is ready and laid up in store for me,--even that crown which is only given to the righteous. In the great day of judgment the Lord shall give this crown to me, and to all beside me who have loved Him as an unseen Saviour, and longed to see Him face to face. My work on earth is over. This one thing now remains for me to look forward to, and nothing more.
Let us observe that the Apostle speaks without any hesitation or distrust. He regards the crown as a sure thing, as his own already. 'He declares with unfaltering confidence his firm persuasion that the righteous Judge will give it to him. Paul was no stranger to all the circumstances and accompaniments of that solemn day to which he referred. The great white throne,--the assembled world, the open books, --the revealing of all secrets,--the listening angels, --the awful sentence,--the eternal separation of the lost and saved,--all these were things with which he was well acquainted. But none of these things moved him. His strong faith overleaped them all, and only saw Jesus, his all-prevailing Advocate, and the blood of sprinkling, and sin washed away. "A crown," he says, "is laid up for me." "The Lord Himself shall give it to me." He speaks as if he saw it all with his own eyes.
Such are the main things which these verses contain. Of most of them I shall not speak, because I want to confine myself to the special subject of this book. I shall only try to consider one point in the passage. That point is the strong "assurance of hope," with which the Apostle looks forwards to his own prospects in the day of judgment.
I shall do this the more readily, because of the great importance which attaches to the subject of assurance, and the great neglect with which, I humbly conceive, it is often treated in this day.
But I shall do it at the same time with fear and trembling. 1 feel that I am treading on very difficult ground, and that it is easy to speak rashly and un-scripturally in this matter. The road between truth and error is here especially a narrow pass; and if I shall be enabled to do good to some without doing harm to others, I shall be very thankful.
There are four things I wish to bring forward in speaking of the subject of assurance, and it may clear our way if I name them at once.
I. First then, I will try to show that an assured hope, such as Paul here expresses, is a true and Scriptural thing.
II. Secondly, I will make this broad concession,--that a man may never arrive at this assured hope, and yet be saved.
III. Thirdly, I will give some reasons why an assured hope is exceedingly to be desired.
IV. Lastly, I will try to point out some causes why an assured hope is so seldom attained.
I ask the special attention of all who take an interest in the great subject of this volume. If I am not greatly mistaken, there is a very close connection between true holiness and assurance. Before I close this paper I hope to show my readers the nature of that connection. At present, I content myself with saying, that where there is the most holiness, there is generally the most assurance.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Children and Kingdom
“Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)
(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)
Powered by BibleGateway.com
(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)Powered by BibleGateway.com
Monday, August 06, 2007
Who do you think you are?
Some random thoughts about human nature in contrast to the Divine Nature of God...
Assuming that we agree upon the fact that we have been those rebellious ones, not accepting and not repenting, not desiring anything of God...
People often say: not now, later. I have work to do, kids to raise, places to see, books to read - you know the melody, right? And people wave the call off, denying its truthfulness, hoping for better times, hoping to live long enough... Sometimes a tragedy strikes very suddenly, in the middle of this false human prosperity, stripping us from all our pride and self-assurance. Sometimes we just live through our life not giving any thought to its purpose and meaning. You get up, you go to work, you get married, you have children, you retire, you - live forever? Man, are you really that dumb? Look around - people die everyday - open the newspaper and take a look at some obituaries! You think no tragedy will apply to you? Really? How about that next time you drive too fast, or that next case of a real bad cold ending in pneumonia? It is not very wise to wait and see.
Well - the reality is somewhat different - thankfully so. God does not let us make Him wait for our decision. He is not standing in the waiting room of our sinful life begging us to let Him in. He takes matters in His own hands, so to speak. And He calls us, in the middle of our lives, our careers, our comfortable leisure periods, our families... And He gives us a good shaking, an excellent whipping and a magnificent soul-searching. He does not plead with us - you cannot plead with a corpse. He wakes us up. He gives us a new life.
You think you can make God wait? Think again. In your arrogance you are proving your rebellion and arrogance. Ask for forgiveness. Ask for salvation. On your knees, before the Most Holy One. He will listen to a sincere prayer.
He is able.
Assuming that we agree upon the fact that we have been those rebellious ones, not accepting and not repenting, not desiring anything of God...
People often say: not now, later. I have work to do, kids to raise, places to see, books to read - you know the melody, right? And people wave the call off, denying its truthfulness, hoping for better times, hoping to live long enough... Sometimes a tragedy strikes very suddenly, in the middle of this false human prosperity, stripping us from all our pride and self-assurance. Sometimes we just live through our life not giving any thought to its purpose and meaning. You get up, you go to work, you get married, you have children, you retire, you - live forever? Man, are you really that dumb? Look around - people die everyday - open the newspaper and take a look at some obituaries! You think no tragedy will apply to you? Really? How about that next time you drive too fast, or that next case of a real bad cold ending in pneumonia? It is not very wise to wait and see.
Well - the reality is somewhat different - thankfully so. God does not let us make Him wait for our decision. He is not standing in the waiting room of our sinful life begging us to let Him in. He takes matters in His own hands, so to speak. And He calls us, in the middle of our lives, our careers, our comfortable leisure periods, our families... And He gives us a good shaking, an excellent whipping and a magnificent soul-searching. He does not plead with us - you cannot plead with a corpse. He wakes us up. He gives us a new life.
You think you can make God wait? Think again. In your arrogance you are proving your rebellion and arrogance. Ask for forgiveness. Ask for salvation. On your knees, before the Most Holy One. He will listen to a sincere prayer.
He is able.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
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