Required reading
Remarks on Important Theological Controversies in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter IV 'Concerning Efficacious Grace' by reading up to the paragraph commencing '16. A command and a manifestation of will are not the same thing.'
My summary
Now Edwards begins teaching us about efficacious grace.
Firstly Edwards denies that God simply uses inducements for conversions. He then provides examples of conversions from Scripture.
We also see that Edwards denies that men should be proud of their virtue.
And most of the rest of today's reading is concerned with denying that the sincerity of man's endeavours is what counts for their conversion.
What grabbed me
I liked this illustration from Edwards: 'Thus, it appears that, on the supposition of God’s having made any promises of saving grace to the sincere endeavours of ungodly men, it will follow, that such promises are made to an undetermined condition.
But a supposed promise to an undetermined condition, is truly no promise at all. It is absurd to talk of positive determinate promises made to something not determined, or to a condition that is not fixed in the promise. If the condition be not decided, there is nothing decisive in the affair.
If the master of a family should give forth such a pre tended promise as this to his servants, “I promise, that if any of you will do something, though I tell you not what, that I will surely give him an inheritance among my children:” would this be truly any promise at all?'
God's promises are always fulfilled.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter IV 'Concerning Efficacious Grace' by reading up to the paragraph commencing '53. If God is not the disposing of virtue, then he is not the giver of it.'
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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