The Works (Vol 7) by Thomas Goodwin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'Man's restoration by grace'.
This week we read a whole discourse on man's restoration by grace.
Sadly Goodwin uses the controversial KJV translation of 1 John 5:6-8 as one of his primary texts for the discussion - this translation is based on woeful Greek manuscript evidence. But as Goodwin uses many other Scriptures to back up his teachings, he doesn't appear to fall into any errors.
Basically in the discourse Goodwin defends the involvement of each member of the trinity in salvation of mankind:
(i) the Father in election;
(ii) the Son in justification;
(iii) the Spirit in sanctification.
Particularly the last one: 'Use 4. That these three glorious persons thus equally share this work, of so much glory to God in the highest, amongst them, and one doth not take upon him all, but each bears his part, that each may be honoured as the other ; yea, are jealous of the glory of each other herein as much as of their own. This may teach us, poor narrow creatures, humility and mutual condescension, that no man should do or have the honour of all the work, or strive for it. God hath shared his gifts, made diversities of operations, and worketh as, and in what measure, and by whom, he pleaseth. If there had been contending amongst these persons who should have the glory of all, or who should be the first or second, this work had stood still, and man had not been saved ; but they willingly share it, according to their order and priority of subsisting, and involve our salvation with their glory.'
What a wonderful application.
We should follow the example of the trinity and delight in the fact that each of us have our own part to play in the Lord's work - not want to do every part!
Next week's reading
Read Sermon I of 'On repentance'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment