Miscellaneous Discourses in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence 'Wisdom displayed in salvation' by reading Sections I and II.
My summary
Today we start a discourse on "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God" (Eph. 3:10).
Firstly Edwards shows the wonderful things done by which salvation is procured:
(i) the choice of person to be our redeemer;
(ii) the substituting of this person in our room;
(iii) the incarnation of Jesus Christ;
(iv) the life of Christ in this world;
(v) the death of Christ;
(vi) Christ's exaltation.
Secondly Edwards teaches us that in this way of salvation God is greatly glorified:
(i) each attribute is glorified;
(ii) each person of the trinity is exceedingly glorified.
What grabbed me
The section on the attributes of God as displayed in redemption was excellent.
I can't but include the whole section on God's power:
'God hath exceedingly glorified his power in this work.—It shows the great and inconceivable power of God to unite natures so infinitely different, as the divine and human nature, in one person. If God can make one who is truly God, and one that is truly man, the self-same person, what is it that he cannot do? This is a greater and more marvellous work than creation.
The power of God most gloriously appears in man's being actually saved and redeemed in this way. In his being brought out of a state of sin and misery, into a conformity to God; and at last to the full and perfect enjoyment of God. This is a more glorious demonstration of divine power, than creating things out of nothing, upon two accounts. One is, the effect is greater and more excellent. To produce the new creature is a more glorious effect, than merely to produce a creature.—Making a holy creature, a creature in the spiritual image of God, in the image of the divine excellencies, and a partaker of the divine nature—is a greater effect than merely to give being. And therefore as the effect is greater, it is a more glorious manifestation of power.
And then, in this effect of the actual redemption of sinners, the term from which, is more distant from the term to which, than in the work of creation. The term from which, in the work of creation, is nothing, and the term to which, is being. But the term from which, in the work of redemption, is a state infinitely worse than nothing; and the term to which, a holy and a happy being, a state infinitely better than mere being. The terms in the production of the last, are much more remote from one another, than in the first.
And then the production of this last effect, is a more glorious manifestation of power, than the work of creation; because, though in creation, the terms are very distant—as nothing is very remote from being—yet there is no opposition. Nothing makes no opposition to the creating power of God.—But in redemption, the divine power meets with and overcomes great opposition. There is great opposition in a state of sin to a state of grace. Men's lusts and corruptions are exceedingly opposite to grace and holiness; and greatly resist the production of the effect. But this opposition is completely overcome in actual redemption.
Besides, there is great opposition from Satan. The power of God is very glorious in this work, because it therein conquers the strongest and most powerful enemies. Power never appears more illustrious than in conquering. Jesus Christ, in this work, conquers and triumphs over thousands of devils, strong and mighty spirits, uniting all their strength against him. Luke xi. 21. "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoil." Col. ii. 15. "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in the cross.'
Such power! And we can call upon such a God to help us in our time of need!
Next week's reading
Continue 'Wisdom displayed in salvation' by reading Sections III to VI.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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