An Almost Christian

An unusually busy month has precluded me from being able to post regularly to my blog in recent weeks - a trend which I hope will soon subside.  The same is true for today, as I have a mountain of work to get to, and only a few minutes to dabble here.  A few minutes should be more than enough, however.

Today's post comes by way of my inbox, as I receive a Grace Gem in my email each day.  If you don't receive Grace Gems in your email, you should.  They're full of theological depth from Puritans, theologians, and Christian thinkers from days gone by.  And best of all, it's free!  I read today's Grace Gem and thought it worthy to post here.  So without further ado, here is "An Almost Christian":

"Then Agrippa said to Paul: You almost persuade me to become a Christian! (Acts 26.28)

There are many who conclude that they are Christians, because they have been enlightened to see something of their state, danger, and deserved doom.  But many are only lighted to Hell, for light in the mind - is not life in the soul. (Hebrews 6.4, 10.20)

A person may be awakened to feel, to tremble, to desire salvation - as did Felix and Balaam. (Acts 24.25, Numbers. 23.10)

He may be reformed, and turn from open profanity to strict morality - as did some in Peter's day. (2 Peter 2.20)

He may be assisted to do many things which are in themselves good, such as reading the scripture, attending divine ordinances, engaging in prayer, and working miracles. (Matthew 7.21-23, Mark 6.20, 1 Corinthians 13.3)

He may experience God's power put forth restraining him, and keeping him back from sin, as did Abimelech. (Genesis 20.6)

He may humble himself before God, as did Ahab. (1 Kings 21.27-30)

He may possess joy and be exceedingly glad under the word. (Matthew 13.20)

He may believe the word, receive the testimony, and admire the preacher. (Luke 4.22-29, Ezekiel 33.31-32)

He may be filled with zeal for Christ and his cause, like the multitude. (John 6.15-16, Matthew 21.8-11, Luke 23.28-23)

He may be baptized upon a profession of faith, join a Christian church, and imitate the saints in his conduct - as did Simon Magus. (Acts 8.13)

He may fill an office in the church, preach the gospel, and act consistent for a time - as did Judas; and yet Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. (Acts 1.25)

He may be highly esteemed by others, be sound in doctrine, and suffer for the cause of Christ, and yet be destitute of the vital principle of saving faith - like Demas, Alexander, Hymeneus, and Philetus. (2 Timothy 2.16-18, 4.10-11, 1 John 2.15)

He may have many excellent qualities, so that he may be admired and loved by others, like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19.

He may have all that has been named above - but one thing may be lacking, and he be found at last, merely an almost Christian.

My Politics

If you don't receive Grace Gems in your email, let me encourage you to sign up to receive them for free.  It's usually the best email I receive in a day.  What are Grace Gems?  They are mini-devotionals from puritans, preachers, and theologians of old (I think the litmus test for who is included in the devotionals is that you have to have been dead before 1900).  There are fantastic theological ruminations recorded in these little gold mines that every Christian should ingest on a regular basis.

Today's Grace Gem rocked my socks off.  It was penned by John Newton, of "Amazing Grace" notoriety.  Topic: "my politics."  According to the email, the following is taken from one of dozens of letters that Newton penned to various people.  Have a look:

The whole system of my politics is summed up in this one verse, "The Lord reigns!  Let the nations tremble!" (Psalm 99.1) 

The times look awfully dark indeed; and as the clouds grow thicker - the stupidity of the nation seems proportionally to increase.  If the Lord had not a remnant here, I would have very formidable apprehensions.  But he loves his children; some are sighing and mourning before him, and I am sure he hears their sighs, and sees their tears.  I trust there is mercy in store for us at the bottom; but I expect a shaking time before things get into a right channel - before we are humbled, and are taught to give him the glory. 

The state of the nation, the state of the churches - both are deplorable!  Those who should be praying - are disputing and fighting among themselves!  Alas!  Ho many professors are more concerned for the mistakes of government - than for their own sins!

O God, purify your church for the sake of your glory and our good, both as a church and as a nation.

A Good Word From a Grace Gem

Do you get Grace Gems?  If you don't, you should.  They're just short devotionals, usually written by Puritans hundreds of years ago, delivered to your inbox daily.  They're always biblical and always relevant.  Today's was particularly poignant for me, given my frustration this week with an illness that is still lingering.  From Puritan John Newton:

Our peace and spiritual progress do not depend upon our outward circumstances - but the inward frame of our hearts and minds.  If the heart is right - a humble and broken spirit, obedient to the Lord's precepts, submissive to his will, devoted to please him, and depending upon his faithful word - we may be happy in a prison; and otherwise, we must be unhappy in a palace!

The Advantages And Blessings Of Family Worship

I've been thinking a lot lately about the responsibility of parents in the spiritual upbringing of their children. Mostly because I have also been thinking about our Children's Church program at Riverview (although I suppose the fact that I have 1.5 children has something to do with it as well!). Unfortunately, I fear the only spiritual education and direction that many children receive comes at either 9:00 or 10:30 on Sunday mornings, and is neglected (at least for the most part) for the rest of the week.

The church often times wonders what went "wrong" with children in the church as they grew up, because 86% of kids who grow up in the church leave it after college. Could it be because the only spiritual direction these kids ever received as children was the hour they spent in Sunday School? I think that's definitely one of the main causes. And this lack of spiritual direction never leads them to a grounded faith in Christ as the only Savior.

I received what follows in one of my "Grace Gems" emails. It's a bit of commentary by A.W. Pink on the importance of establishing and maintaining a family based attitude of spiritual growth and worship.


"Pour out Your wrath on the heathen that do not acknowledge You--and on the families that do not call upon Your name!" Jeremiah 10:25

We wonder how many of our readers have seriously pondered these awe-inspiring words! Observe what fearful threatenings are pronounced against those who disregard family worship! How unspeakably solemn to find that prayerless families are here coupled with the heathen, who do not acknowledge the Lord.

How loudly should these words speak to us! It is not enough that we pray as private individuals; we are required to honor God in our families as well. Each day, the whole household should be gathered together to bow before the Lord--to confess their sins, to give thanks for God's mercies, to seek His help and blessing. Nothing must be allowed to interfere with this duty--all other domestic arrangements are to bend to it. The head of the house is the one to lead the devotions. If he is absent--or seriously ill--or an unbeliever, then the wife should take his place. But under no circumstances, should family worship be omitted. If we would enjoy the blessing of God upon our family--then let its members gather together daily for praise and prayer. "Those who honor Me--I will honor" is His promise.

All our domestic comforts and temporal mercies, issue from the loving-kindness of the Lord. The least we can do in return, is to gratefully acknowledge together, His goodness to us as a family. Excuses against the discharge of this sacred duty--are idle and worthless! Of what avail will it be when we render an account to God for the stewardship of our families--to say that we had no time available? The more pressing are our temporal duties--the greater our need of seeking divine help. Nor may any Christian plead that he is not qualified for such a work--gifts and talents are developed by use--and not by neglect.

Family worship should be conducted reverently, earnestly and simply. It is then, that the little ones will receive their first impressions, and form their initial conceptions of the Lord God. Great care needs to be taken, lest a false idea of the Divine Character be given to them.

The advantages and blessings of family worship are incalculable! First, family worship will prevent much sin. Daily prayer in the home, is a blessed means of grace for allaying those unhappy passions to which our common nature is subject. It awes the soul, conveys a sense of God's majesty and authority, and sets solemn truths before the mind. How can those who neglect the worship of God in their families--look for peace and comfort therein?

Personal piety in the home is the most influential means, under God, of conveying piety to the little ones. Children are largely creatures of imitation, loving to copy what they see in others.

Finally, family prayer gains for us the presence and blessing of the Lord. There is a promise of His presence which is peculiarly applicable to this duty, "Where two or three are gathered together in My name--I am there among them." Matthew 18:20. Many have found in family worship, that help and communion with God--which they sought for with less effect in private prayer.

The Devil's Devices

In one of my daily Grace Gems emails, I recently received this excerpt from a book called "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices" By Thomas Brooks (1608-1680). While quite lengthy, I thought it made several excellent scriptural points about how Satan works, and the "remedies" for each of them. Take a look. You can find a summarized, outlined version of the text here.

Judge Not...

Every day in my email I get a "Grace Gem" from an organization that provides commentaries and devotionals from old school preachers and puritans. These emails are awesome. They're humbling, instructive, and informative (plus I like reading the old school english sometimes). You get great stuff from the likes of Spurgeon, Thomas Watson, and a whole host of other super-brilliant dead preachers.

Anywho, this is the Grace Gem from today, and I thought I'd post it here to share with the other two of you who read this blog since it's directly related to our message series at SHOUT this month. Miller does an excellent job in explaining this often-adulterated passage. Enjoy.

From Judging Others, by J.R. Miller, 1894 (If you'd like to read the original entire article, go here).

It is better to have eyes for beauty--than for blemish. It is better to be able to see the roses--than the thorns. It is better to have learned to look for things to commend in others--than for things to condemn. Of course, other people have faults--and we are not blind to them. But then, we have faults of our own--and this should make us charitable!

We have a divine teaching on the subject. Our Lord Jesus said, "Do not judge--or you too will be judged." We need to understand just what the words mean. We cannot help judging others. We ought to be able to read character, and to know whether men are good or bad. As we watch men's acts--we cannot help forming opinions about them. The holier we grow, and the more like Christ--the keener will our moral judgments be. We are not bidden to shut our eyes--and to be blind to people's faults and sins.

What, then, do our Lord's words mean? It is uncharitable judgment against which He warns us. We are not to look for the evil things in others. We are not to see others through the warped glasses of prejudice and unkindly feeling. We are not to arrogate to ourselves the function of judging--as if others were answerable to us! We are to avoid a critical or censorious spirit. Nothing is said against speaking of the good in those we see and know; it is uncharitable judging and speaking, which Jesus condemns.

One reason why judging is wrong--is because it is putting one's self in God's place. He is the only Judge, with whom every human soul has to do. Judgment is not ours--but God's. "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you--who are you to judge your neighbor?" James 4:12. In condemning and censuring others--we are thrusting ourselves into God's place, taking His scepter into our hands, and presuming to exercise one of His sole prerogatives!

Another reason for this command--is that we cannot judge others justly and fairly. We have not sufficient knowledge of them. Paul says: "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts." 1 Corinthians 4:5. Our judgments cannot be anything but faulty, partial and superficial.

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