Works (Vol 4) - Newton - XLVI - Sermon XLVI (Accusers challenged)

Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XLVI (Accusers challenged).

My summary
This week Newton preaches on: 'Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.' (Rom 8:33)

Firstly Newton examines the title given to believers: 'God's elect'.  Newton offers a series of propositions on the matter:
(i) all mankind are sinners by nature and practice;
(ii) there is a way opened for the communication of mercy to sinners;
(iii) there is encouragement and a command given to all men every where to repent;
(iv) men are enslaved to sinful passions;
(v) all mankind spring from one stock;
(vi) all men if left to themselves would reject salvation;
(vii) if all men had heard the gospel in vain then Christ would have died in vain;
(viii) God bound himself to overcome the obstinacy of men;
(ix) when sinners are effectually called by the Gospel then they are visibly chosen out of the world;
(x) the elect are chosen from everlasting.

Secondly Newton teaches us about the great privilege of the elect: they are justified.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed Newton's comments on the subject of election at the end: 'The right knowledge of this doctrine is a source of abiding joy ; it likewise animates love, zeal, gratitude, and all the noblest powers of the soul, and produces a habit of cheerful and successful obedience to the whole will of God. But it may be, and too often is, misunderstood and abused. If you receive it by divine teaching, it will fill you 'with those fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. ' But if you learn it only from men and books, if you are content with the notion of it in your head, instead of the powerful experience of it in your heart, it will have a contrary effect. Such a lifeless form, even of the truth itself, will probably make you heady and high-minded, censorious of others, trifling in your spirit, and unsettled in your conduct. Oh ! be afraid of resembling the foolish virgins, of having the lamp of your profession expire in darkness for want of the oil of grace; least when the Bridegroom cometh, you should find the door shut against you. '

Election should fill us with joy, not judgementalism.

Next week's reading
Read Sermon XLVII (The intercession of Christ).

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