I have been busy as of late and have not posted much. I am reluctant to post at times but I am stepping out here now.
Recently I have been asked to write my testimony. As I have sat down and pondered the texts I would use the one that jumped at me the most was John 6:44., "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him: and I will raise him up at the last day." NKJV.
This one verse sums up for me my election to salvation. The literal Hebrew word for draw in John 6:44 is 'drag.' Strong's #1670 -- drag, draw, pull in.
Do you know of anything that has been "dragged" out of anything or anywhere that could have come if it wanted to? Free Will insinuates that I can make the choice. If I can make the choice, then I don't need to be dragged do I? If I can make the choice then where is Omnipotence? How can salvation be a gift if it can be chosen? Can I choose for you to give me a gift? Or, do you, the owner of the gift, choose if you want to give it and who you want to give it to, being that it is yours? I think the entirety of the bible is a paradox. That is what confuses people. In the worldly understanding of the process of my salvation, as well as any other persons, I chose to follow Jesus. I made the choice in the worlds eyes. However, in the heavenly aspect of it, the truth is that I was called out, clearly stated in John 6:44 as well as many other verses.
This is a paradox. Whosoever could be anyone to us, in this worlds understanding. Because we are not at the throne of God, we do not know who the elect are, so all, to us, are able, therefore the Great Commission of "go, tell the world." God does not NEED us to complete this work, but, what a privilege to have a mighty God want to involve us in His work!
According to Romans 3:1-19; Eph. 2:1-3; 2 Cor. 4:4 and 2 Tim. 1:9 tell us that no 'free will' exists in man's nature, for man is enslaved to sin (total depravity) and unable to believe apart from God's empowerment. Isa. 64:6 -- "But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags." My utter unworthiness to be in God's presence.
So then, my predestination came before my election which came before my gospel call which came before my inward call which came before my regeneration which came before my conversion through my faith and my repentence which came before my justification. (that's a mouth full!)
I was previously taught that my regeneration came after my salvation which I could not comprehend according to John 6:44 and the numerous other verses on election, predestination, called and chosen.
I have been studying thru Redemption, Accomplished and Applied by John Murray and I can not tell you enough how much you would gain in the reading/studying of this little book. I have not posted as much as I want to on this book because of its depth. I have come to realize that I need to study it thru thoroughly then read it again and then possibly post.
Thus far I am even more fully convinced in the study of this book as to how in my audacity could I have ever chosen Him? What arrogance! I am being humbled over and over as I study thru the obedience of my Lord and Savior who hung upon the cross for me. The obedience is profound. I think of the words .. Because of Calvary, but I add ... Because of the obedience of Calvary, His blood was shed for me. Oh, thank You Lord Jesus, thank You!
I purchased a copy of the Geneva Bible reprint from Tolle Lege Press. My "inquiring minds" question is this ... yes, I know ... all of the above to ask this one question ....
Why is it that there are no notes on John 6:44 in this Bible? These notes were written by many of the great Reformers ... Knox, Calvin and others. They taught the doctrine of Election and Predestination. But they chose to not make a note of this verse. Why do you think that is? I must confess it bothers me when I see a study bible with commentary and they choose to not comment on this verse of scripture. "Can't Touch That!... nah, nah nah nah " why not, me asks???
I can't answer your question, but I heartily agree with your assessment of Murray's book--and your reluctance to post about it.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I began to post my notes but after awhile, I began to realize the monumental nature of the task I had taken on and simply continued to read and study.
I sat here this morning and wondered if I should go back and try to post more on the subject now that I have finished it, sort of as a way or revisiting it before Easter.
Regardless, I will begin to read it through again (first section only) but I don't know if I'll be able to post this time through either. For myself, it takes so much TIME to compose a post that even begins to approximate the content, or my thoughts. It is both deeply theological and intensely personal, as you indicated.
I don't know a lot of things but I do know that God had to drag me kicking and screaming to get up and follow Him. I praise God He did! BTW I just challenged my family, extended family,closest friends to post their testimonies in an email round robin we do because I realized as the years have gone by we've never shared them with each other. Thanks for your post!
ReplyDeleteEllen B.
My Testimony I had to share today, in joining in membership at our new church.
ReplyDelete"...And so we must say that this love of the Father was at no point more intensely in exercise than when the Son was actively drinking the cup of unrelieved damnation, than when he was enduring as substitute the full toll of the Father's wrath...What love for men that the Father should execute upon his own Son the full toll of holy wrath, so that we should never taste it!" John Murray, Collected Writings
He loves His chosen that much is mind boggling. Amazing Love but more so, Amazing Grace! He chose a wretch like me? How in my filthiness could I have ever chosen Him? Election keeps no one out of heaven who would otherwise have been there, but it keeps a whole multitude of sinners out of hell who otherwise would have been there. He changed my heart through His effectual calling and made me willing to come. He chose to teach me about Himself through study of His Word, calling me out of churches that would not preach Hell, churches that tried to teach me that I chose Him. I can not know myself without knowing Him. Because of my wicked pride that is naturally in me, He is continuing to show Himself to me, to mold me and break me into becoming a woman after His own heart. I cannot worship my Lord rightly without this principle of knowing Him. I am justified on the grounds of nothing that I did, nor anything that I possess but rather on what I have received, I have no merit of my own. I have been trudging through a deep bog, slogging along trying to understand what my previous church was teaching when everything the Holy Spirit was revealing was a different principle. I had no name for it only an understanding. Now I do – Reformed, Covenantal, … the 5 Solas! My understanding has so deepened since attending Westminster Orthodox Presbyterian Church under the teachings of Pastor B. and G.S. The constant encouragement to read stout books and study the Word is phenomenal. I never had this before but I always taught it. The worship is worship here, not a “make me feel good” sensory type of thing. God is forefront always! What a blessing this is. I ask you to read Colossians 1:9-23. Especially verses 19, 20: “For it pleased the Father … having made peace” He is pleased to have chosen us, to save us from His wholly wrath! I am dedicated to learning fully covenantal, reformed theology with a growing appreciation for the Westminster Confession of Faith. I pray you all realize what you have here at this church with the teachers you are given. As one coming in from outside running from the wolves of false teaching, I am at home here among you all, you have made us so welcome. Thank You ….
I can't say why the Geneva Bible has no notes on John 6:44, but I noticed something else recently that has nothing to do with this post. Compare the chapter & verse divisions in Job 38-41 against any other translation from the KJV forward. I've been reading the Geneva for years, and I didn't notice it until recently.
ReplyDelete