Teaching Outline On Sanctification
Martin Luther's "Sinul Justus et Peccator" - simultaneously justified and sinner.
Sanctification - a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.
Justification: legal standing, once for all time, entirely God's work, perfect in this life, the same in all Christians.
Sanctification: internal condition, continuous throughout life, we cooperate, not perfect in this life, greater in some than in others.
Four Stages of Sanctification:
1. Sanctification Has a Definite Beginning at Regeneration. "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:9). "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).
2. Sanctification Increases throughout life. The New Testament shows sanctification as beginning at regeneration,but also as a process through our lives. "Be holy yourselves in all your conduct" (1 Peter 1:15).
3. Sanctification is Completed at Death (for our souls) and When the Lord Returns (for our bodies). Our sanctification will never be completed in this life because there is still sin that remains in our hearts even though we are followers of Christ. So when we die, then our sanctification is completed in one sense, because now our souls are finally free from the indwelling sin and are made perfect, but also when the Lord returns and gives us our resurrection bodies, that is also a part of our sanctification.
4. Sanctification is Never Completed in This Life. Caution against false teachers; there are false teachers out there that say that once you come to Christ, that you are perfect, that you should no longer sin at any time from the point in which you came to Christ. This is called perfectionism. They look at passages such as Matthew 5:48 or 2 Corinthians 7:1. "You, therefore, must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). The Old Testament and New Testament both teach that we CANNOT be morally perfect in this life. "If they sin against you - For there is no man who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46). "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins" (Ecc. 7:20). "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).
God's and Man's Role in Sanctification - God's role: It's important to understand that sanctification is PRIMARILY a work of God. 1 Thess. 5:23 - "May the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly". "God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). The role of God the Son, Jesus Christ, in sanctification is first that Jesus Himself earned our sanctification for us. Jesus is our wisdom, our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Also Jesus is our example to follow. The role of God the Holy Spirit works within us to change us and sanctify us, giving us greater holiness of life. Paul tells us to "walk by the Spirit," "led by the Spirit." The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit and we are more responsive to the desires and promptings of the Holy Spirit in our life and character.
Man's Role: Our role is both passive and active in sanctification. The passive role is we depend on God to sanctify us and the active role is that we strive to obey God and take steps that will increase our sanctification. Romans 6:13; 12:1; Romans 8:13; Phil. 2:12-13. So what are the ways in which we grow in holiness, maturity and obedience? Read and meditate on the Word of God, prayer, corporate worship, witnessing, Christian fellowship, witness, self-discipline or self-control.
What Sanctification Affects: our intellect, our emotions, our will, our spirit, and our physical bodies.
Motives for Obedience: desire for a deeper walk with God. Desire to do what God commands, simply because His commands are right, and we delight in doing what is right. Desire to avoid God's displeasure and discipline on our lives.
(The End)
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Enjoying God's Best # 3
Enjoying God's Best # 3
It was predicted of the Messiah that "Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around His waist" (Isaiah 11:5); and we are told that since He loved righteousness and hated iniquity, "therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows" (Psalm 45:7). Alas that so many have completely lost the balance between God's sovereignty, and God's righteousness.
It is His righteousness which regulates all His dealings with the sons of men now, as it is "he who will judge the world in righteousness" (Acts 17:31) in the Day to come. It is His righteousness which requires God to punish vice and reward virtue; and therefore, does He bless His obedient children and chasten His refractory ones. The central thing which we wish to make clear in this article, and to impress upon the reader - is that God has established an inseparable connection between holiness and happiness, between our pleasing of Him and our enjoyment of His richest blessing; that since we are always the losers by sinning, so we are always the gainers by walking in the paths of righteousness; and that there will be an exact ratio between the measure in which we walk therein and our enjoyment of "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Hebrews 12:11). "I will be careful to lead a blameless life; I will walk in my house with blameless heart!" (Psalm 101"2). "Thus you will walk in the ways of good men - and keep to the paths of the righteous" (Proverbs 2:20).
God has declared "those who honor Me - I will honor", and that expresses the general principle which we are here seeking to explain and illustrate - namely, that God's governmental dealings with us - are regulated by our attitude toward Him and our conduct before Him; for in proportion as we honor the Lord - so will He honor us. But suppose we fail to honor God, suppose we do not obtain from Him that grace which He is ever ready to give unto those who earnestly seek it in a right way - what then? Why, we shall not enter into His best for us; we shall miss it. For as the same verse goes on to tell us, "and those who despise Me - shall be lightly esteemed" (1 Sam. 2:30).
"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful!" (Joshua 1:8). That expresses in plain and simple language the basis on which we may enter into and enjoy God's best for us. The believer is not to be regulated by his own inclinations or lean unto his own understanding; he is not to be governed by any consideration of expediency or the pleasing of his fellows - but seek to please God in all things, being actuated by a "thus says the Lord" in everything he does. Nothing less than full and constant obedience to God - is what is required of him!
However distasteful to the flesh, whatever sneers it may produce from carnal professors, the Christian must rigidly and perpetually act by the rule that God has given him to walk by. In so doing, he will be immeasurably the gainer; for the path of obedience - is the path of prosperity!
Conformity unto the revealed will of God may indeed entail trial; nevertheless, it will be richly compensated in this life, both in spiritual and temporal bounties. It cannot be too strongly insisted upon, that the path of God's precepts - is the way of blessing. Though the treading thereof incurs the frowns of the profane world, and the criticism of many in thew professing world - yet it ensures the smile and blessing of our Master! Those words, "for then you shall make your way prosperous" (Jos. 1:8), are from the mouth of "the God of truth" (Isaiah 85:16) and are to be received by us without the slightest quibbling, and treasured in our hearts.
The "prosperity" does not always immediately appear, for faith has to be tried and patience developed; yet in the long run, it will most surely be found that in keeping the divine commandments, "there is great reward" (Psalm 19:11). So Joshua found it: he adhered strictly to the divine Law, and God crowned his labors with success; and that, dear reader, is recorded for our encouragement. Yet if we would prosper as Joshua did, then we must act as he did! That conditional promise made to Joshua was very far from being a special one made to him only - rather does it belong equally to every servant and child of God, for His governmental ways have been the same in all dispensations. From the beginning of human history, it has always been true; and to the very end of history, it will continue so to be, that "no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 4)
It was predicted of the Messiah that "Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around His waist" (Isaiah 11:5); and we are told that since He loved righteousness and hated iniquity, "therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows" (Psalm 45:7). Alas that so many have completely lost the balance between God's sovereignty, and God's righteousness.
It is His righteousness which regulates all His dealings with the sons of men now, as it is "he who will judge the world in righteousness" (Acts 17:31) in the Day to come. It is His righteousness which requires God to punish vice and reward virtue; and therefore, does He bless His obedient children and chasten His refractory ones. The central thing which we wish to make clear in this article, and to impress upon the reader - is that God has established an inseparable connection between holiness and happiness, between our pleasing of Him and our enjoyment of His richest blessing; that since we are always the losers by sinning, so we are always the gainers by walking in the paths of righteousness; and that there will be an exact ratio between the measure in which we walk therein and our enjoyment of "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Hebrews 12:11). "I will be careful to lead a blameless life; I will walk in my house with blameless heart!" (Psalm 101"2). "Thus you will walk in the ways of good men - and keep to the paths of the righteous" (Proverbs 2:20).
God has declared "those who honor Me - I will honor", and that expresses the general principle which we are here seeking to explain and illustrate - namely, that God's governmental dealings with us - are regulated by our attitude toward Him and our conduct before Him; for in proportion as we honor the Lord - so will He honor us. But suppose we fail to honor God, suppose we do not obtain from Him that grace which He is ever ready to give unto those who earnestly seek it in a right way - what then? Why, we shall not enter into His best for us; we shall miss it. For as the same verse goes on to tell us, "and those who despise Me - shall be lightly esteemed" (1 Sam. 2:30).
"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful!" (Joshua 1:8). That expresses in plain and simple language the basis on which we may enter into and enjoy God's best for us. The believer is not to be regulated by his own inclinations or lean unto his own understanding; he is not to be governed by any consideration of expediency or the pleasing of his fellows - but seek to please God in all things, being actuated by a "thus says the Lord" in everything he does. Nothing less than full and constant obedience to God - is what is required of him!
However distasteful to the flesh, whatever sneers it may produce from carnal professors, the Christian must rigidly and perpetually act by the rule that God has given him to walk by. In so doing, he will be immeasurably the gainer; for the path of obedience - is the path of prosperity!
Conformity unto the revealed will of God may indeed entail trial; nevertheless, it will be richly compensated in this life, both in spiritual and temporal bounties. It cannot be too strongly insisted upon, that the path of God's precepts - is the way of blessing. Though the treading thereof incurs the frowns of the profane world, and the criticism of many in thew professing world - yet it ensures the smile and blessing of our Master! Those words, "for then you shall make your way prosperous" (Jos. 1:8), are from the mouth of "the God of truth" (Isaiah 85:16) and are to be received by us without the slightest quibbling, and treasured in our hearts.
The "prosperity" does not always immediately appear, for faith has to be tried and patience developed; yet in the long run, it will most surely be found that in keeping the divine commandments, "there is great reward" (Psalm 19:11). So Joshua found it: he adhered strictly to the divine Law, and God crowned his labors with success; and that, dear reader, is recorded for our encouragement. Yet if we would prosper as Joshua did, then we must act as he did! That conditional promise made to Joshua was very far from being a special one made to him only - rather does it belong equally to every servant and child of God, for His governmental ways have been the same in all dispensations. From the beginning of human history, it has always been true; and to the very end of history, it will continue so to be, that "no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 4)
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Enjoying God's Best # 2
Enjoying God's Best # 2
Before considering those just requirements of God which must be met, if we are to enjoy His best, let us point out that the particular aspects of truth which is here engaging our attention concerns not the divine decrees - but rather, the divine government: for the one consists solely for the exercise of God's sovereign will, whereas the other is concerned also with the discharge of our responsibility. In no sense whatever is there the slightest failure in God's accomplishment of His eternal purpose -either as a whole, or in any of its parts. But in many respects, God's people fail to possess their possessions and enjoy those privileges and blessings to which the blood of Christ entitles them.
This subject presents no difficulty to the writer, except the findings of suitable language to accurately express his thoughts; nor should it to the reader. The formation and the effectuation of God's eternal decrees are in no way affected by man: he can neither delay nor hasten the same. But the present government of this world by God is, in large measure, affected and determined by the actions of men (His own people included), so that in this life, they are, to a very considerable extent, made to reap according as they sow - both in spirituals and in temporals.
It is not sufficiently realized that the Bible has far, very far, more to say about this present lie - than it has about the future one; that it makes known the secrets of temporal felicity - as well as everlasting bliss. Granted that the latter is of immeasurably more importance than the former - yet the one is the prelude to the other; and unless God is our satisfying portion here - He certainly will not be so hereafter.
In their zeal to tell men how to escape from hell and make sure of heaven - many evangelical preachers have had all too little to say upon our conduct on earth; and consequently, many who entertain no doubts whatever that they will inhabit a mansion in the Father's house, are not nearly so much concerned about their present walk and warfare as they should be; and even though they reach their desired haven, such slackness results in great loss to them now!
The teaching of Holy Writ is the very reverse of the plan followed by many an "orthodox pulpit"! It not only gives much prominence to - but in Old and New Testament alike - its main emphasis is on our life in this world - giving instruction how we are to conduct ourselves, here and now. "Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus!" (1 Thess. 4:1-2). "Give the people these instructions, too - so that no one may be open to blame!" (1 Timothy 5:7).
In like manner, there has been a grievous departure from the Analogy of Faith in the presentation of the attitude of God and His conduct towards men. Few indeed who have stressed the sovereignty of God have given even a proportionate place to His governmental dealings - either with nations or with individuals, the elect or the reprobate. Yet for every passage in His Word which speaks of God's eternal counsels, there are scores which describe His time dealings; and for every verse which alludes to God's secret or decretive will, there are a hundred which describe His revealed or perceptive will.
Blessed indeed is it to ponder God's predesinating grace; equally important is it that we study those principles which regulate His providential dealings with us.
The governmental ways of God - that is, His dealings with us in this life, both in our spiritual and temporal affairs - are determined by something more than an arbitrary sovereignty. God has established an inseparable connection between our conduct and its consequences, and He acts in such a way toward us as to make manifest the pleasure He takes in righteousness, and to give encouragement to those performing it; as He evidences His displeasure against the unrighteous and makes us to smart for the same.
It is a very great and serious mistake to conceive of the sovereignty of God as swallowing up all His perfections, and to attribute all His actions unto the mere exercise of His imperial will. Holy Writ does not; nor should we do so. Instead, much is said therein of God's acting both in mercy and righteousness, for they are the chief principles which regulate His governmental ways. It is true that God's mercy is shown by mere prerogative (Romans 9:18) - but not so with His righteousness. God can no more suspend the operation of His righteousness, than He can cease to be. "For the righteous Lord loves righteousness" (Psalm 11:7); "The Lord is righteous in all His ways" (Psalm 145:17); "Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne" (Psalm 97:2).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 3)
Before considering those just requirements of God which must be met, if we are to enjoy His best, let us point out that the particular aspects of truth which is here engaging our attention concerns not the divine decrees - but rather, the divine government: for the one consists solely for the exercise of God's sovereign will, whereas the other is concerned also with the discharge of our responsibility. In no sense whatever is there the slightest failure in God's accomplishment of His eternal purpose -either as a whole, or in any of its parts. But in many respects, God's people fail to possess their possessions and enjoy those privileges and blessings to which the blood of Christ entitles them.
This subject presents no difficulty to the writer, except the findings of suitable language to accurately express his thoughts; nor should it to the reader. The formation and the effectuation of God's eternal decrees are in no way affected by man: he can neither delay nor hasten the same. But the present government of this world by God is, in large measure, affected and determined by the actions of men (His own people included), so that in this life, they are, to a very considerable extent, made to reap according as they sow - both in spirituals and in temporals.
It is not sufficiently realized that the Bible has far, very far, more to say about this present lie - than it has about the future one; that it makes known the secrets of temporal felicity - as well as everlasting bliss. Granted that the latter is of immeasurably more importance than the former - yet the one is the prelude to the other; and unless God is our satisfying portion here - He certainly will not be so hereafter.
In their zeal to tell men how to escape from hell and make sure of heaven - many evangelical preachers have had all too little to say upon our conduct on earth; and consequently, many who entertain no doubts whatever that they will inhabit a mansion in the Father's house, are not nearly so much concerned about their present walk and warfare as they should be; and even though they reach their desired haven, such slackness results in great loss to them now!
The teaching of Holy Writ is the very reverse of the plan followed by many an "orthodox pulpit"! It not only gives much prominence to - but in Old and New Testament alike - its main emphasis is on our life in this world - giving instruction how we are to conduct ourselves, here and now. "Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus!" (1 Thess. 4:1-2). "Give the people these instructions, too - so that no one may be open to blame!" (1 Timothy 5:7).
In like manner, there has been a grievous departure from the Analogy of Faith in the presentation of the attitude of God and His conduct towards men. Few indeed who have stressed the sovereignty of God have given even a proportionate place to His governmental dealings - either with nations or with individuals, the elect or the reprobate. Yet for every passage in His Word which speaks of God's eternal counsels, there are scores which describe His time dealings; and for every verse which alludes to God's secret or decretive will, there are a hundred which describe His revealed or perceptive will.
Blessed indeed is it to ponder God's predesinating grace; equally important is it that we study those principles which regulate His providential dealings with us.
The governmental ways of God - that is, His dealings with us in this life, both in our spiritual and temporal affairs - are determined by something more than an arbitrary sovereignty. God has established an inseparable connection between our conduct and its consequences, and He acts in such a way toward us as to make manifest the pleasure He takes in righteousness, and to give encouragement to those performing it; as He evidences His displeasure against the unrighteous and makes us to smart for the same.
It is a very great and serious mistake to conceive of the sovereignty of God as swallowing up all His perfections, and to attribute all His actions unto the mere exercise of His imperial will. Holy Writ does not; nor should we do so. Instead, much is said therein of God's acting both in mercy and righteousness, for they are the chief principles which regulate His governmental ways. It is true that God's mercy is shown by mere prerogative (Romans 9:18) - but not so with His righteousness. God can no more suspend the operation of His righteousness, than He can cease to be. "For the righteous Lord loves righteousness" (Psalm 11:7); "The Lord is righteous in all His ways" (Psalm 145:17); "Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne" (Psalm 97:2).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 3)
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Enjoying God's Best # 1
Enjoying God's Best # 1
In the January and February 1946 issues of Studies in the Scriptures, we wrote two short articles entitled, "Enjoying God's Best" and "Missing God's Best"; and ti must be confessed that we were rather surprised at receiving no criticisms, or at least questions, from some of our Calvinistic readers, for we felt it would be very difficult for them to harmonize their contents with what they had been taught, That is not said in any invidious or satirical spirit, for some of our closest and warmest friends are Calvinists, nor is the writer in the least afraid or ashamed to avow himself one, yes, a high Calvinist - though not a "hyper." There is a very real difference between the two, though few today are aware of it.
A "high" Calvinist not only believes in the absolute sovereignty of God, in His having predestinated everything which comes to pass in time, in the unconditional choice of His people in Christ from all eternity, in particular redemption, in the invincible operations and effectual call of the Holy Spirit - but he also believes that God made choice of His elect irrespective of or without any foreview of their fall in Adam; and thus, he is a "supra-lapsarian" regarding God's act as influenced by nothing outside of Himself.
But a "hyper" Calvinist is one who goes beyond the teaching of Scripture - resorting to reasoning and philosophizing upon various aspects of truth, which leads to his repudiating other aspects thereof. He makes an idol of "consistency." That is, what appears to be consistent to his mind. He attempts to square everything by the rule of logic.
Since he finds that Scripture teaches particular redemption, that Christ obeyed and suffered only in the stead and on the behalf of God's elect - he thus regards the "free offer" of the Gospel to all who hear it as "contradictory."
Since fallen man is totally depraved, dead in trespasses and sins, utterly incapable of performing a spiritual act - he thus deems it "inconsistent" to exhort and all upon the unregenerate to repent and believe in order to their salvation.
Since God is absolute sovereign, working in men both to will and to do of His good pleasure, bestowing or withholding as He pleases - he thus cannot see how that man is, at the same time, fully responsible for all his actions.
Often he fails to perceive the connection which God has appointed between means and ends.
In like manner, since God has foreordained whatever comes to pass, to speak of an enjoying of His best (rather than His second or third best), and missing His best - strikes him as meaningless, if not erroneous, expressions.
Before proceeding farther, let us explain what we intend by "enjoying God's best."
We mean for the saint to have daily communion with God, to walk in the light of His countenance.
It is for His Word to be sweet unto our taste, light to our understanding, and strength to the inner man.
It is for prayer to be a delight, for answers of peace to be received without intermission, for the channel of supplies to remain unblocked, open.
It is to have the mind stayed upon Him, to have a conscience void of offence, to have full assurance of our acceptance in Christ.
It is for our graces to be kept healthy and vigorous - so that faith, hope, love, humility, patience, and zeal are in daily exercise. And such should be the experience of every Christian.
By God's "best," we mean a personal experience of His approbation, a manifest enjoyment of His favor in grace, in providence, and in nature. It is not to be limited unto the receiving of His special favors in a spiritual way - but includes as well His interpositions on our temporal behalf. It is to have the blessing of the Lord upon our lives, in all their varied aspects and relations, upon the soul and body alike. It is to enjoy the sense of His approval, and have Him showing Himself strong in our behalf.
Though it does not mean that such a one will be exempted from the ordinary vicissitudes and trials of life - but rather that such will be sanctified unto him and result in increased blessing, for they not only make a way for God to put forth His power in delivering him from them or elevating his heart above them - but they also serve for the developing of his graces and provide opportunities for him to glorify Him in the fire." Nevertheless, it does mean that such a one will escape those troubles and afflictions in which the follies of so many Christians involve them: it does mean that he will be immune from those sore chastisements which disobedience and a course of backsliding necessarily entail.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 2)
In the January and February 1946 issues of Studies in the Scriptures, we wrote two short articles entitled, "Enjoying God's Best" and "Missing God's Best"; and ti must be confessed that we were rather surprised at receiving no criticisms, or at least questions, from some of our Calvinistic readers, for we felt it would be very difficult for them to harmonize their contents with what they had been taught, That is not said in any invidious or satirical spirit, for some of our closest and warmest friends are Calvinists, nor is the writer in the least afraid or ashamed to avow himself one, yes, a high Calvinist - though not a "hyper." There is a very real difference between the two, though few today are aware of it.
A "high" Calvinist not only believes in the absolute sovereignty of God, in His having predestinated everything which comes to pass in time, in the unconditional choice of His people in Christ from all eternity, in particular redemption, in the invincible operations and effectual call of the Holy Spirit - but he also believes that God made choice of His elect irrespective of or without any foreview of their fall in Adam; and thus, he is a "supra-lapsarian" regarding God's act as influenced by nothing outside of Himself.
But a "hyper" Calvinist is one who goes beyond the teaching of Scripture - resorting to reasoning and philosophizing upon various aspects of truth, which leads to his repudiating other aspects thereof. He makes an idol of "consistency." That is, what appears to be consistent to his mind. He attempts to square everything by the rule of logic.
Since he finds that Scripture teaches particular redemption, that Christ obeyed and suffered only in the stead and on the behalf of God's elect - he thus regards the "free offer" of the Gospel to all who hear it as "contradictory."
Since fallen man is totally depraved, dead in trespasses and sins, utterly incapable of performing a spiritual act - he thus deems it "inconsistent" to exhort and all upon the unregenerate to repent and believe in order to their salvation.
Since God is absolute sovereign, working in men both to will and to do of His good pleasure, bestowing or withholding as He pleases - he thus cannot see how that man is, at the same time, fully responsible for all his actions.
Often he fails to perceive the connection which God has appointed between means and ends.
In like manner, since God has foreordained whatever comes to pass, to speak of an enjoying of His best (rather than His second or third best), and missing His best - strikes him as meaningless, if not erroneous, expressions.
Before proceeding farther, let us explain what we intend by "enjoying God's best."
We mean for the saint to have daily communion with God, to walk in the light of His countenance.
It is for His Word to be sweet unto our taste, light to our understanding, and strength to the inner man.
It is for prayer to be a delight, for answers of peace to be received without intermission, for the channel of supplies to remain unblocked, open.
It is to have the mind stayed upon Him, to have a conscience void of offence, to have full assurance of our acceptance in Christ.
It is for our graces to be kept healthy and vigorous - so that faith, hope, love, humility, patience, and zeal are in daily exercise. And such should be the experience of every Christian.
By God's "best," we mean a personal experience of His approbation, a manifest enjoyment of His favor in grace, in providence, and in nature. It is not to be limited unto the receiving of His special favors in a spiritual way - but includes as well His interpositions on our temporal behalf. It is to have the blessing of the Lord upon our lives, in all their varied aspects and relations, upon the soul and body alike. It is to enjoy the sense of His approval, and have Him showing Himself strong in our behalf.
Though it does not mean that such a one will be exempted from the ordinary vicissitudes and trials of life - but rather that such will be sanctified unto him and result in increased blessing, for they not only make a way for God to put forth His power in delivering him from them or elevating his heart above them - but they also serve for the developing of his graces and provide opportunities for him to glorify Him in the fire." Nevertheless, it does mean that such a one will escape those troubles and afflictions in which the follies of so many Christians involve them: it does mean that he will be immune from those sore chastisements which disobedience and a course of backsliding necessarily entail.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 2)
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