Required reading
Heaven taken by storm by Thomas Watson (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 14 (Examining whether we are offering violence) and Chapter 15 (Objections against offering violence).
My summary
Firstly, this week, Watson helps us examine whether we are putting forth this holy violence for heaven. He asks:
(i) Do we strive with out hearts to get them into a holy frame?
(ii) Do we set time apart to call ourselves to account and to try our evidences for heaven?
(iii) Do we use violence in prayer?
(iv) Do we thirst for the living God?
(v) Are we skilled in self-denial?
(vi) Are we lovers of God?
(vii) Do we keep our spiritual watch?
(viii) Do we press after further degrees of sanctity?
(ix) Is there a holy emulation in us?
(x) Have we gotten above the world?
(xi) Do we set ourselves always under God's eye?
Secondly Watson answers several objections put forward against taking heaven by storm.
What grabbed me
I loved the series of questions from Watson - questions are a great device for self-examination.
I particularly appreciated the set of questions about prayer: 'Do we use violence in prayer? Is there fire in our sacrifice? Doth the wind of the Spirit, filling our sails, cause 'groans unutterable?' Rom. viii. 25. Do we pray in the morning as if we were to die at night?'
Sadly, we must often reply, 'No.'
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 16 (Motives for exhorting all Christians to offer violence).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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