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Missions Matures a Local Church
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Showing posts with label Thomas Watson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thomas Watson. Show all posts
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Monday, September 20, 2010
Grace changes the heart!
by Thomas Watson, from "A Divine Cordial" 1663.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
The true Christian has a great change wrought. Not a change of the faculties—but of the tendencies. He is altered from what he was before. His body is the same—but not his mind. Oh what a metamorphosis does grace make!
There is a change wrought in the UNDERSTANDING. Before, there was ignorance—but now there is light. The first work of God in the creation of the world was light—likewise it is in the new creation. He now says, "I once was blind—but now I see!" (John 9:25). He sees such evil in sin, and excellency in the ways of God—as he never saw before! It is a marvelous light, because it is more penetrating. Other light may shine upon the face—but this light shines into the heart, and enlightens the conscience (2 Cor. 4:6).
There is a change wrought in the WILL. The will, which before opposed Christ—now embraces Him. The will, which was an iron sinew against Christ—is now like melting wax, and readily receives the stamp and impression of the Holy Spirit. The will now moves heavenward—and carries all the affections along with it. The will now says, "Lord, what will you have me to do?" (Acts 9:6). Before, the will kept Christ out; now, it keeps sin out! Oh what a happy change is wrought here!
There is a change wrought in the CONDUCT. He who is saved, walks directly contrary to what he did before. He once walked in envy and malice—now he walks in love! He once walked in pride—now he walks in humility. In the heart there is a new birth—and in the life there is a new conduct.
Thus we see what a mighty change grace makes.
How far are they from salvation, who never had any change! They are the same today—as they were forty or fifty years ago. They are as proud and carnal as ever! They have had no change in their heart. Let not them think to leap out of the harlot's lap (the world) into Abraham's bosom! They must either have a gracious change while they live—or a cursed change when they die!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
The true Christian has a great change wrought. Not a change of the faculties—but of the tendencies. He is altered from what he was before. His body is the same—but not his mind. Oh what a metamorphosis does grace make!
There is a change wrought in the UNDERSTANDING. Before, there was ignorance—but now there is light. The first work of God in the creation of the world was light—likewise it is in the new creation. He now says, "I once was blind—but now I see!" (John 9:25). He sees such evil in sin, and excellency in the ways of God—as he never saw before! It is a marvelous light, because it is more penetrating. Other light may shine upon the face—but this light shines into the heart, and enlightens the conscience (2 Cor. 4:6).
There is a change wrought in the WILL. The will, which before opposed Christ—now embraces Him. The will, which was an iron sinew against Christ—is now like melting wax, and readily receives the stamp and impression of the Holy Spirit. The will now moves heavenward—and carries all the affections along with it. The will now says, "Lord, what will you have me to do?" (Acts 9:6). Before, the will kept Christ out; now, it keeps sin out! Oh what a happy change is wrought here!
There is a change wrought in the CONDUCT. He who is saved, walks directly contrary to what he did before. He once walked in envy and malice—now he walks in love! He once walked in pride—now he walks in humility. In the heart there is a new birth—and in the life there is a new conduct.
Thus we see what a mighty change grace makes.
How far are they from salvation, who never had any change! They are the same today—as they were forty or fifty years ago. They are as proud and carnal as ever! They have had no change in their heart. Let not them think to leap out of the harlot's lap (the world) into Abraham's bosom! They must either have a gracious change while they live—or a cursed change when they die!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Thomas Watson – One of you is a devil!
(Thomas Watson, “The Christian Soldier” 1669)
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith;
test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in
you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Self-examination is a necessary—but difficult work.
Self-examination is the setting up a court in conscience and
keeping a register there, that by strict scrutiny a man may
know how things stand between God and his own soul. By
a serious scrutiny of our hearts, we come to know to what
prince we belong—whether to the Prince of Peace, or the
prince of darkness.
Self-searching is a heart-anatomy. As a surgeon, when he
makes a dissection in the body, discovers the inward parts,
the heart, liver, and arteries—just so, a Christian anatomizes
himself.
Sentimentality and public opinion are false rules to go by.
We must judge the state of souls by the light of Scripture.
Many have foolish, presumptuous hopes. They fancy their
state to be good; and while they weigh themselves in the
balance of presumption, they pass the test.
Many take their salvation on trust. The foolish virgins thought
they had oil in their lamps, the same as the wise. How confident
are some of salvation—yet never examine their title to Heaven.
Many rest in the good opinions of others. How vain is this!
Alas, one may be gold and pearl in the eye of others—yet God
may judge him to be reprobate silver! Others may think him a
saint—and God may write him down in His black-book! Judas
was looked upon by the rest of the Apostles as a true believer
—yet he was a traitor! “Then Jesus replied—Have I not chosen
you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” John 6:70
Others can but see the outward behavior—but they cannot
tell what evil is in the heart. Fair streams may run on the
top of a river—but vermin may lay at the bottom!
HT: http://againsttheflowmedia.com
Source: http://www.gracegems.org/07/06/one.html
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith;
test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in
you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Self-examination is a necessary—but difficult work.
Self-examination is the setting up a court in conscience and
keeping a register there, that by strict scrutiny a man may
know how things stand between God and his own soul. By
a serious scrutiny of our hearts, we come to know to what
prince we belong—whether to the Prince of Peace, or the
prince of darkness.
Self-searching is a heart-anatomy. As a surgeon, when he
makes a dissection in the body, discovers the inward parts,
the heart, liver, and arteries—just so, a Christian anatomizes
himself.
Sentimentality and public opinion are false rules to go by.
We must judge the state of souls by the light of Scripture.
Many have foolish, presumptuous hopes. They fancy their
state to be good; and while they weigh themselves in the
balance of presumption, they pass the test.
Many take their salvation on trust. The foolish virgins thought
they had oil in their lamps, the same as the wise. How confident
are some of salvation—yet never examine their title to Heaven.
Many rest in the good opinions of others. How vain is this!
Alas, one may be gold and pearl in the eye of others—yet God
may judge him to be reprobate silver! Others may think him a
saint—and God may write him down in His black-book! Judas
was looked upon by the rest of the Apostles as a true believer
—yet he was a traitor! “Then Jesus replied—Have I not chosen
you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” John 6:70
Others can but see the outward behavior—but they cannot
tell what evil is in the heart. Fair streams may run on the
top of a river—but vermin may lay at the bottom!
HT: http://againsttheflowmedia.com
Source: http://www.gracegems.org/07/06/one.html
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