Glory of Christ by John Owen (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Part II by reading Chapter 1 (Application of the foregoing meditations concerning the glory of Christ — first, in an exhortation unto such as are not yet partakers of him).
This week we read Chapter 1 which is application to unbelievers. Next week we'll start Chapter 2 which is application to believers.
Firstly Owen asks unbelievers to:
(i) consider what is their present state with respect unto God and eternity;
(ii) take heed of being deluded by common presumptions;
(iii) consider aright what it is to live and die without an interest in Christ, without a participation of him;
(iv) consider the infinite condescension and love of Christ, in his invitations and calls of you to come unto him for life, deliverance, mercy, grace, peace, and eternal salvation;
(v) begin to look to Him and resolve to come to him;
(vi) consider that he is able to save us as he is ready and willing to receive us;
(vii) consider greatly what hath been spoken of the representation of God, and all the holy properties of his nature in him;
(viii) consider that by coming unto Christ you shall have an interest in all that glory which we have proposed unto you; for Christ will become yours more intimately than your wives and children are yours; and so all his glory is yours also.
Secondly Owen answers the question of the unbelievers, what shall we do? They should:
(i) take the advice of the apostle and do not harden their hearts;
(ii) consider that it is high time for them to make somewhat of religion.
Thirdly Owen answers other common questions from unbelievers:
(i) what more is required of us?
(ii) how do I proceed?
(iii) but is this the season to become a Christian?
(iv) must I relinquish and renounce all my lusts and pleasures?
(v) I've seen no great change, am I a believer?
Owen's description of the seriousness of unbelief was electrifying: 'Lastly, consider the horrible ingratitude there is in a neglect or refusal to come in to Christ upon his invitation, with the doleful, eternal ruin that will ensue thereon. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Impenitent unbelievers under the preaching of the gospel, are the vilest and most ungrateful of all God’s creation. The devils themselves, as wicked as they are, are not guilty of this sin; for Christ is never tendered unto them, — they never had an offer of salvation on faith and repentance. This is their peculiar sin, and will be the peculiar aggravation of their misery unto eternity. “Hear, ye despisers, wonder, and perish.” The sin of the devil is in malice and opposition unto knowledge, above what the nature of man is in this world. Men, therefore, must sin in some instance above the devil, or God would not give them their eternal portion with the devil and his angels:— this is unbelief.'
Even Satan is not guilty of refusing God's offer of salvation. Yet so many humans are guilty of it.
Next week's reading
Commence reading Chapter 2 (The way and means of the recovery of spiritual decays, and of obtaining fresh springs of grace) by reading up to the paragraph commencing 'III. But I come to that which was proposed in the third place, — namely, to show that this at present is the state of many professors of religion, that they are fallen under those spiritual decays, and do not enjoy the effects of the promises concerning flourishing and fruitfulness, which we have insisted on.'
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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