More on Jonathan Edwards in his Religious Affections

 I am behind in my reading of this book and I am trying to get caught up without missing out on the meat of the content.  I am in the section where Edwards is contrasting between the hypocrite and the true believer.  He says some very awesome things here.  I am always amazed at the nuances that can arise between the belief systems of Theology.  You always begin any study with your view of God, every study.   The subtle differences that make themselves known through study creep up.  Usually through our study of men and women that make it a habit of the mind to have contemplated the Scriptures and the God of the Scriptures at length and for years. Here we find that Edwards has pulled apart what it really means to be either a hypocrite or a believer in such a way that he makes these nuances known.  Most evangelicals would say the opposite of what he is saying here in his text, and because we have not studied, thought through, or read the masters we do not catch it.  Often times the hypocrites are the ones that seemingly are the ones that glide through their "Christian" walk like the Rock of Gibraltar, no doubts, no loss of faith or hope, and no dread of being deceived, because the great deceiver is telling them that all is well.  He wants them right where they are.  "Don't Worry be Happy." He says of the true believer, "though there be many things that are good evidences of a work of grace in them, yet they doubt very much whether they are really in a state of favor with God, because it is they, those that are so unworthy, and have done so much to provoke God to anger against them.  Their doubts in such a case arise from unbelief, as they arise from want of a sufficient sense of, and reliance on, the infinite riches of God's grace, and the sufficiency of Christ for the chief of sinners."  What wonderful insight.  This comes from a theology that says we do not earn any of it.  Salvation, sanctification, conviction of sin all of it is by grace and grace alone.  When we are hit by doubts, wonderings, trials, heartaches, could it not be the hand of a loving God telling us the truth about ourselves, that we are in such desperate need?  We then know that we are need of repentance.  So often though, I am convicted, truly repent and then as James says at the end of chapter 1, I walk away and never remember that I am still in need of His abiding grace, that is until God once again nudges me, punishes me, reminds me, loves me in spite, jars me etc, etc.........  Edwards goes on to say that when "their love decays" (how about those words!), and he is talking about true believers, fears then arise, all because God knows what we were made for and what He has called us to live for.  Is that not encouraging?  I quote again, "God's people, when fallen into dead and carnal frames, when love is asleep, would be lamentably exposed indeed:  and therefore God has wisely ordained, that these two opposite principles of love and fear should rise and fall, like the two opposite sides of a balance; when one rise the other sinks...divine love prevails, and comes into lively exercise, this brings in the brightness of hope, and drives away black lust, and fear with it."  How awesome is that?  To know that our trials are there only because of love, and that love will it prevail, perseverance of the saints!  Oh what blessed hope we have, oh it makes me want to shout.  It doesn't depend on me and I am safe in His blessed arms.  Because I am His, He will keep me until the end.  Praise Him.  

I said all of this begins with theology.  God is so much bigger than we think.  God centered theology is hope beyond Hope.  If you believe that even just a part, a little part of your salvation is built on you, then all of this changes.  It does depend on you, and that creeps into all that you do and believe.  This doctrine has been so subtly manifest in the country for so long, that we do not catch the nuances of teaching that is oh so insidious.  This doctrine that it depends on me, is also where the sacred/secular divide comes from, but that is for a different blog.  Also, it is human nature to believe that we must do something to earn His love.  All without exception the other major religions and worldviews are man centered.  Study, you who are housewives, soccer moms, dads, do not just let the "professional christians" study.  Start out with something that is simple but challenging, and even if you do not understand it all, you will very much begin to build on it.  OK now I have gone on to another rabbit trail.  

Praise God today for the one that keeps you from falling.  

Continuing to wait for the Bridegroom......Lynn