Charity and its fruits - Edwards - XV - Lecture XIV

Required reading
Charity and its fruits by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Lecture XIV (Charity, or true grace, not to be overthrown by opposition).

My summary
Now Edwards expounds 1 Corinthians 13:7 'Charity..endureth all things'.  Edwards explains that 'charity, or true Christian grace, cannot be overthrown by anything that opposes it.'

Firstly Edwards shows us that there are many things that do greatly oppose the grace which is in the heart of the Christian.

Secondly we learn that all the opposition that is or can be made against true grace in the heart cannot overthrow it because:
(i) there is so much more in the nature of true grace that tends to perseverance than in false grace;
(ii) God will uphold true grace, when he has once implanted it in the heart, against all opposition.

Thirdly Edwards states some applications of the doctrine:
(i) we learn one reason why the devil so exceedingly opposes the conversion of sinners is because if Christians are once converted, they are forever converted and thus forever put beyond the devil's reach;
(ii) we may see from this subject that those who seeming grace fails, and is overthrown, may conclude that they never had any true grace;
(iii) the subject affords matter of great joy and comfort to all who have good evidence that they indeed have true grace in their hearts;
(iv) the subject also affords matter of great encouragement to the saints in carrying on the warfare against the enemies of their souls.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed reading the reasoning for why Satan opposes conversions: 'We may learn one reason why the devil so exceedingly opposes the conversion of sinners, — It is because if they are once converted, they are forever converted, and thus forever put beyond his reach, so that he can never overthrow and ruin them. If there was such a thing as falling from grace, doubtless the devil would even then oppose our having grace ; but more especially does he oppose it since he knows that if once we have it, he can never expect to overthrow it,but that we, by its very possession, are finally lost to him and forever out of the reach of his destroying power. This may show us something of the reason of that violent opposition that persons who are under awakenings and convictions, and who are seeking conversion, meet with through the many and great temptations they are assailed with by the adversary. He is always active and greatly bestirs himself for the overthrow of such, and heaps mountains in their way, if possible, to hinder the saving work of the Holy Spirit, and prevent their conversion. He labors to the utmost to quench convictions of sin, and if possible to lead persons that are under them to return to the ways of heedlessness and sloth in transgression. Sometimes he endeavors to flatter, and at other times to discourage them, laboring to entangle and perplex their minds, and to his utmost stirring up exercises of corruption, suggesting blasphemous thoughts, and leading them to quarreling with God. By many subtle temptations he endeavors to make them  think that it is in vain to seek salvation. He tempts them from the doctrine of God's decrees ; or by their own impotence and helplessness ; or by telling them that all they do is sin ; or by trying to persuade them that their day of grace is past ; or by terrifying them with the idea that they have committed the unpardonable sin. Or it may be he tells them that their pains and trouble are needless, and that there is time enough hereafter; or if possible he will deceive them with false hopes, and flatter them that they are in a safe estate while they are still out of Christ. In these, and innumerable other ways, Satan endeavors to hinder the conversion of men, for he knows the truth of the doctrine we have insisted on, that if ever grace be implanted in the soul, he can never overthrow it, and that the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.'

Thankfully God is more powerful than Satan and no matter how hard the Devil fights to keep the sinner in his dark kingdom, God continues to draw sinners to himself.

Next week's reading
Read Lecture XV (The Holy Spirit for ever to be communicated to the saints, in the grace of charity, or divine love).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.