Five discourses on the soul's eternal salvation in Vol I of the Works - Edwards - XIV - Fifth discourse concluded

Required reading

Five discourses on the soul's eternal salvation in Vol I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards - (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude the Fifth Discourse (The excellency of Christ).

My summary

Today we read the applications from the fifth discourse on "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain" (Revelation 5:5-6).

Edwards teaches us that Christ's excellencies:

I. Signify and exhibit to us that variety of excellencies that meet together and are conjoined in him;

II. Induce us to accept of him, and close with him as our Saviour;

III. Induce us to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and choose him for our friend and portion.

What grabbed me

Great applications from great truths.

I particularly loved this encouragement: 'If you do come to Christ, he will appear as a Lion, in his glorious power and dominion, to defend you. All those excellencies of his, in which he appears as a lion, shall be yours, and shall be employed for you in your defence, for your safety, and to promote your glory; he will be as a lion to fight against your enemies. He that touches you, or offends you, will provoke his wrath, as he that stirs up a lion. Unless your enemies can conquer this Lion, they shall not be able to destroy or hurt you; unless they are stronger than he, they shall not be able to hinder your happiness. Isa. xxxi. 4. "For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them; so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof."'

If God is for us, who can be against us.

Next week's reading

Read Theological Questions.

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.