Required reading
The Christian's daily walk, in holy security and peace by Henry Scudder (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 14 (Concerning the impediments to peace).
My summary
Today Scudder instructs us on impediments to peace.
Firstly he tells us that there are two impediments to peace:
(i) false peace;
(ii) false fears.
This week Scudder then looks at the first impediment to peace: false peace. False fears is left till the next chapter.
Initially Scudder provides causes of false peace:
(i) ignorance of danger;
(ii) groundless security;
(iii) obstinacy.
Then Scudder gives ground of false peace. Some say:
(i) God made them so he will not damn them;
(ii) their afflictions are many so they have had their hell;
(iii) their ways be never so evil;
(iv) they hope God does love them;
(v) they compare themselves with themselves and so appear as good;
(vi) they trust the goodness of other men;
(vii) God is merciful and so will not be condemned;
(viii) Jesus' death saves everyone;
(ix) they are saved by faith but are not;
(x) they will have time before they die to repent and believe.
What grabbed me
Today Scudder gave us a good explanation of limited atonement:
'It must be granted, that Christ gave himself a ransom for all, 1 Tim. ii. 6. This ransom may be called general, and for all, in some sense: but how? namely, in respect of the common nature of man, which he took, and of the common cause of mankind, which he undertook ; and in itself it was of sufficient price to redeem all men ; and because applicable to all, without exception, by the preaching and ministry of the Gospel. And it was so intended by Christ, that the plaster should be as large as the sore, and that there should be no defect in the remedy, that is, in the price, or sacrifice of himself offered upon the cross, by which man should be saved, but that all men, and each particular man, might in that respect become salvable by Christ.
Yet does not the salvation of all men necessarily follow hereupon ; nor must any part of the price which Christ paid, be held to be superfluous, though many be not saved by it.
But know, that the application of the remedy, and the actual fruit of this all-sufficient ransom, redounds to those who are saved only by that way and means which God was pleased to appoint, which in the case of adults, is faith, John iii. 16, i. 12, by which Christ is actually applied. Which condition, many, to whom the gospel does come, make impossible to themselves, through a wilful refusal of the gospel, and salvation itself by Christ, upon those terms which God does offer it. '
Christ's death was indeed of infinite value and therefore sufficient for all - but it is only applied to those who believe.
Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 15 (Concerning false fears) by reading Sections 1 to 4.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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