Theological and Doxological Meditation #18
Sinfulness of Man’s Estate
Q. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate
whereinto Man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell,
consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin (Romans 5:19),
the want of original righteousness (Romans 3:18),
and the corruption of his whole nature,
which is commonly called original sin.
Amazing Grace!
#460, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Stanzas 1-5, John Newton, 1779
Stanza 6, A Collection of Sacred Ballads, 1790
Amazing grace!
How sweet the sound!
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
his Word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be,
as long as life endures.
And when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil
a life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
than when we’ve first begun.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #17
Estate of Fallen Man
Q. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery (Romans 5:12).
To God My Earnest Voice I Raise
#608, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Arrangement by Edward Miller, 1790
From Psalm 142
To God my earnest voice I raise,
to God my voice imploring prays;
before his face my grief I show
and tell my trouble and my woe.
When gloom and sorrow compass me,
the path I take is known to thee,
and all the toils that foes do lay
to snare thy servant in his way.
O Lord, my Savior, now to thee,
without a hope besides, I flee,
to thee, my shelter from the strife,
my portion in the land of life.
Be thou my help when troubles throng,
for I am weak and foes are strong;
my captive soul from prison bring,
and thankful praises I will sing.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #16
Extent of the Fall
Q. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?
A. The covenant being made with Adam,
not only for himself,
but for his posterity (Genesis 1:28; 2:16-17);
all mankind,
descending from him by ordinary generation,
sinned in him,
and fell with him,
in his first transgression (Romans 5:18).
Fountain of Never-Ceasing Grace
#519, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778
Fountain of never-ceasing grace,
your saints’ exhaustless theme,
great object of immortal praise,
essentially supreme,
we bless you for the glorious fruits
your incarnation gives,
the righteousness which grace imputes,
and faith alone receives.
In you we have a righteousness
by God himself approved;
our rock, our sure foundation this,
which never can be moved.
Our ransom by your death was paid,
for all your people giv’n,
the law you perfectly obeyed,
that they might enter heav’n.
As all, when Adam sinned alone,
in his transgression died,
so by the righteousness of One
are sinners justified;
we to your merit, gracious Lord,
with humblest joy submit,
again to paradise restored,
in you alone complete.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #15
Our First Parents’ First Sin
Q. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created was their eathing the forbidden fruit
(Genesis 3:6-8).
Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray
#567, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Johann Freystein, 1697, cento.
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1863; alt.
STRAF MICH NICHT 7.6.7.6.3.3.6.6.
Rise, my soul, to watch and pray,
from thy sleep awaken;
be not by the evil day
unawares o’ertaken.
For the foe, well we know,
oft his harvest reapeth
while the Christian sleepeth.Watch against the devil’s snares,
lest asleep he find thee;
for indeed no pains he spares
to deceive and blind thee.
Satan’s prey oft are they
who secure are sleeping
and no watch are keeping.
Watch! Let not the wicked world
with its pow’r defeat thee.
Watch lest with her pomp unfurled
she betray and cheat thee.
Watch and see lest there be
faithless friends to charm thee,
who but seek to harm thee.
Watch against thyself, my soul,
lest with grace thou trifle;
let not self thy thoughts control
nor God’s mercy stifle.
Pride and sin lurk within
all thy hopes to scatter;
heed not when they flatter.
But while watching, also pray
to the Lord unceasing.
He will free thee, be thy stay,
strength and faith increasing.
O Lord, bless in distress
and let nothing swerve me
from the will to serve thee.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #14
Sin Defined
Q. What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto,
or transgression of,
the law of God (1 John 3:4).
God, Be Merciful to Me
Music by Richard Redhead, 1853
#486, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
God, be merciful to me,
on thy grace I rest my plea;
plenteous in compassion thou,
blot out my transgressions now;
wash me, make me pure within,
cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.
My transgressions I confess,
grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against thy grace
and provoked thee to thy face;
I confess thy judgment just,
speechless, I thy mercy trust.
I am evil, born in sin;
thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Savior art,
teach thy wisdom to my heart;
make me pure, thy grace bestow,
wash me whiter than the snow.
Broken, humbled to the dust
by thy wrath and judgment just,
let my contrite heart rejoice
and in gladness hear thy voice;
from my sins O hide thy face,
blot them out in boundless grace.
Gracious God, my heart renew,
make my spirit right and true;
cast me not away from thee,
let thy Spirit dwell in me;
thy salvation’s joy impart,
steadfast make my willing heart.
Sinners then shall learn from me
and return, O God, to thee;
Savior, all my guilt remove,
and my tongue shall sing thy love;
touch my silent lips, O Lord,
and my mouth shall praise accord.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #13
The Fall
Q. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God (Genesis 3:6-8; Ecclesiastes 7:29).
With Tears of Anguish I Lament
Samuel Stennett (1727-1795)
With tears of anguish I lament
here at thy feet, my God
my passion, pride and discontent
and vile ingratitude
Sure there was ne’er a heart so base
so false as mine has been
so faithless to its promises
so prone to ev’ry sin
My reason tells me thy commands
are holy, just and true
tells me whate’er my God demands
is his most righteous due
Reason I hear, her counsels weigh
and all here words approve
but still I find it hard t’obey
and harder yet to love
How long, dear Savior, shall I feel
these strugglings in my breast?
When wilt thou bow my stubborn will,
and give my conscience rest?
Break, sov’reign grace, O break the charm
and set the captive free
reveal, Almighty god, thine arm
and haste to rescue me.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #12
Providence Toward Man
Q. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?
A. When God had created man,
he entered into a covenant of life with him,
upon condition of perfect obedience (Galatians 3:12);
forbidding him to eat
of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
upon pain of death (Genesis 2:17).
My Dear Redeemer and My Lord
#238, Trinity Hymnal
Isaac Watts
My dear Redeemer and my Lord,
I read my duty in your Word;
but in your life the law appears
drawn out in living characters.
Such was your truth, and such your zeal,
such def’rence to your Father’s will,
such love, and meekness so divine,
I would transcribe and make them mine.
Cold mountains and the midnight air
witnessed the fervor of your prayer;
the desert your temptations knew,
your conflict and your vict’ry too.
Be now my pattern; make me bear
more of your gracious image here:
then God the Judge shall own my name
amongst the foll’wers of the Lamb.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #11
On Providence
Q. What are God’s works of providence?
A. God’s works of providence are,
his most holy (Psalm 145:17),
wise (Isaiah 28:29),
and powerful preserving (Hebrews 1:3),
and governing all his creatures
and all their actions (Psalm 103:19; Matthew 10:29).
God Moves in a Mysterious Way (click title to play)
William Cowper (pronounced “Cooper”),
#128, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
God moves in a mysterious way
his wonders to perform;
he plants his footsteps in the sea,
and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
of never-failing skill
he treasures up his bright designs,
and works his sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take
the clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy, and shall break
in blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
but trust him for his grace;
behind a frowning providence
he hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding ev’ry hour;
the bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
and scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
and he will make it plain.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #10
The Creation of Man
Q. How did God create man?
A. God created man male and female,
after his own image (Genesis 1:27),
in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness
(Colossian 3:10; Ephesians 4:24),
with dominion over the creatures (Genesis 1:28).
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah! (click title to play)
#110, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
William J. Kirkpatrick
Hallelujah, praise Jehovah,
from the heavens praise his name;
praise Jehovah in the highest,
all his angels, praise proclaim.
All his hosts, together praise him,
sun and moon and stars on high;
praise him, O you heav’ns of heavens,
and you floods above the sky.
Let them praises give Jehovah,
for his name alone is high,
and his glory is exalted,
and his glory is elalted,
and his glory is exalted
far above the earth and sky.
Let them praises give Jehovah,
they were made at his command;
them forever he established,
his decree shall ever stand.
From the earth, O praise Jehovah,
all you seas, you monsters all,
fire and hail and snow and vapors,
stormy winds that hear his call.
Let them praises give Jehovah,
for his name alone is high,
and his glory is exalted,
and his glory is exalted,
and his glory is exalted
far above the earth and sky.
All you fruitful trees and cedars,
all you hills and mountains high,
creeping things and beasts and cattle,
birds that in the heavens fly,
kings of earth, and all you people,
princes great, earth’s judges all;
praise his name, young men and maidens,
aged men, and children small.
Let them praises give Jehovah,
for his name alone is high,
and his glory is exalted,
and his glory is exalted,
and his glory is exalted
far above the earth and sky.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #9
On Creation
Q. What is the work of creation?
A. The work of creation is,
God’s making all things of nothing (Genesis 1:1),
by the word of his power (Hebrews 11:3),
in the space of six days,
and all very good (Genesis 1:31).
All Things Bright and Beautiful
#120, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Cecil F. Alexander, 1848
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flow’r that opens,
each little bird that sings,
he made their glowing colors,
he made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset, and the morning
that brightens up the sky.
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
he made them, every one.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
the meadows where we play,
the flowers by the water
we gather every day.
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #8
Decretal Modes
Q. How doth God execute his decrees?
A. God executeth his decrees
in the works of creation and providence.
Let All Things Now Living (click title to play)
#125, The Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Let all things now living
a song of thanks giving
to God the Creator
triumphantly raise,
who fashioned and made us,
protected and stayed us,
who guides us and leads to
the end of our days.
His banners are o’er us,
his light goes before us,
a pillar of fire
shining forth in the night,
’til shadows have vanished
and darkness is banished,
as forward we travel
from light into light.
His law he enforces:
the stars in their courses,
the sun in its orbit,
obediently shine;
the hills and the mountains,
the rivers and fountains,
the deeps of the ocean
proclaim him divine.
We too should be voicing
our love and rejoicing,
with glad adoration
a song let us raise,
’til all things now living
unite in thanksgiving
to God in the highest,
hosanna and praise!
Theological and Doxological Meditation #7
The Decrees of God
Q. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass (Ephesians 1:11).
Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right (click title to play)
#108, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Samuel Rodigast, 1675
Whate’er my God ordains is right:
his holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er he doth,
and follow where he guideth.
He is my God; though dark my road,
he holds me that I shall not fall:
wherefore to him I leave it all.
Whate’er my God ordains is right:
he never will deceive me;
he leads me by the proper path;
I know he will not leave me.
I take, content, what he hath sent;
his hand can turn my griefs away,
and patiently I wait his day.
Whate’er my God ordains is right:
though now this cup, in drinking,
may bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
and pain and sorrow shall depart.
Whate’er my God ordains is right:
here shall my stand be taken;
though sorrow, or death be mine,
yet am I not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
he holds me that I shall not fall:
and so to him I leave it all.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #6
The Persons of God
Q. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A.There are three persons in the Godhead,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost
(Matthew 28:19);
and these three are one God,
the same in substance,
equal in power and glory (1 John 5:7 KJV)
O God, We Praise Thee (click title to play)
#105, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Te Deum, 4th Century
Translated in Tate and Brady’s Supplement to the New Version, 1708
Scottish Psalter, 1615
DUNDEE C.M.
O God, we praise thee; and confess
that thou the only Lord
and everlasting Father art,
by all the earth adored.
To thee all angels cry aloud;
to thee the pow’rs on high,
both cherubim and seraphim,
continually do cry.
O holy, holy, holy Lord,
whom heav’nly hosts obey,
the world is with the glory filled
of thy majestic ray.
Th’apostles’ glorious company
and prophets crowned with light,
with all he martyrs’ noble host ,
thy constant praise recite.
The holy church throughout the world,
O Lord, confesses thee,
that thou Eternal Father art,
of boundless majesty;
Thine honored, true and only Son;
and Holy Ghost, the Spring
of never-ceasing joy: O Christ,
of glory thou art King.
The Law of Love
1 John 4:13-19 ESV
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
“Things that go together should never be separated”
It’s amazing how easy it is for us to separate Biblical teachings which ought to remain unified. In a sermon preached a few years ago, Dr. Jeffrey Bingham of Dallas Theological Seminary sought to show the unified relationship between truth and love in 2 John.
His introduction was very humorous. He talked about the fact that in life there are many things that (not exact quotes) “go together, and should never be separated.” First example, poverty and home ownership: “Once I became a home owner, companies I’d never even heard of began asking for my money; therefore, poverty and home ownership always go together.”
Dr. Bingham’s second illustrative example featured (this is a more exact quote): “Chocolate chip cookies and milk. It is wickedness of the deepest darkness (!) to have a chocolate chip cookie without a cold glass . . . of milk.” Then he went on to show the necessary unity and unbreakable link that must remain between the Biblical notions of “Truth and Love.” But that’s another story. The point of this posting is that in this passage from John’s first letter, loving God and loving others are inseparable. Love for others gives credence to our claim to love God.
But I wanted to highlight this concept from 1 John 4 because John wrote that “we love (others, in this context) because [God] first loved us.”
The Logical Order of Biblical Indicatives and Biblical Imperatives
Now, to switch gears, notice the logical order: first, God loved us; second, we love others (as evidence that we love God). The logical order is vital. This is what I called “Indicative” and “Imperative” in a past posting a couple of weeks ago. It is imperative to keep in mind that in biblical Christianity, the “indicative” always precedes the “imperative.” In other words, in biblical Christianity, the reason we work is because of what God did for us. If we have a concept of a God who loves us because of our work (placing “imperative” logically before “indicative”), then we are legalists. The book of Galatians is one of Paul’s great treatises written to distinquish biblical Christianity from legalism (Galatians 3:3). We don’t get God to do for us by doing for him, we do for him because he did for us; that’s why John wrote, “We love (God and others) because he first loved us.” This is the point John makes and this is the point of my concern that all application (the imperatives, or precepts or commands, of Scripture) should be made in preaching on the basis of the Gospel preached (The Indicative of indicatives), and not only preached as an evangelistic appeal directed toward unbelievers, but preached also to the believers as the foundation, reason and source of the particular application of each and every “practical and relevant” sermon. If application is preached as separate from the gospel, you have legalism. It’s not good enough to assume the listeners understand the foundation, it must be presented as a unified, package deal.
It is “wickedness of the deepest darkness” to preach application without explicitly basing it on the gospel.
Imperative comes from Indicative; application comes from gospel; “do” comes from “be.” Kind of like that old saying, “we sin because we are sinners.” Likewise, we walk in righteousness because we are righteous, not “we become righteous by walking in righteousness.” How did we become righteous? Righteousness was given to us by God as a free gift of his grace (Romans 1:17; 3:24).
Third Gear
John Wesley made his mark on Chrisitian theology by emphasizing that Christians ought, to weave in my own language, to perform the imperatives of Scripture, based either on the motive of fear of punishment or hope of reward. This is one of the distinctives of the Wesleyan form of Arminianism (God does his part, man does his part). In Wesley’s scheme, what do we have? Man working in order to get God to reward him and in order to keep God from punishing him. What did we call that in the earlier paragraph? Legalism! Imperative preceding Indicative. Earning salvation by my own works. What is the alternative?
Wesley was lifelong friends with fellow revivalist, George Whitefield. Now Whitefield was a Calvinist. The two agreed that while out publicly preaching they would not debate Calvinism vs. Arminianism. Naturally, they failed to maintain this bond, poor John just couldn’t help himself, but that’s beside the point. The point is, Calvinist theology (the system of doctrine the great Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon called, “another name for the gospel” or “biblical theology”), in other words, the teaching of Scripture is that the proper motive for obedience is gratitude. A few scriptural phrases: “faith without works is dead” “faith works by love” “if you love me, you will keep my commandments.” See? Imperative follows Indicative. We love (keep his commandments) because he first loved us. That’s why Paul wrote that grace and faith establish the Law rather than eliminate it (Romans 3:31).
And now, the real point
The reason I’m belaboring all of this is because it’s the theology that lies behind a song I wrote. I wanted to write a song about the Ten Commandments, but as I thought about it, it became my theology of Christian obedience to the Ten Commandments. “We Love God Because He First Loved Us.”
The Love Song © 2004, John Douglas Chitty
We love God because he first loved usby sending us his Son.
Jesus kept the Lord our God’s commands, by him the work was done.
Every day we break God’s Law in thought, word or in deed.
Jesus died and rose again for the forgiveness we need.
How do we give thanks to him? What did the Savior say?
Jesus said, “If you love me, my commandments you’ll obey.”
We love God because he first loved us, and our love is of this kind:
Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart . . .
and with all your soul . . .
and with all your mind.”
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not bow down or serve carved images.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Sanctify the Sabbath day and so rest in the Lord;
in six days God made the world, and rested on one more.
That’s not all the Savior said would praise the Lord above.
Jesus said, “Your neighbor, too, needs you to show your love.”
Give honor to your father, and at your mother’s knee.
And you shall not murder, nor commit adultery.
You shall not take away your neighbor’s belongings.
Neither lie about him, nor desire to have his things.
We love God because he first loved us by sending us his Son.
Jesus kept the Lord our God’s commands, by him the work was done.
Every day we break God’s Law in thought, word or in deed.
Jesus died and rose again for the forgiveness we need.
How do we give thanks to him? What did the Savior say?
Jesus said, “If you love me, my commandments you’ll obey.”
Theological and Doxological Meditation #5
The Uniqueness of God
Q. Are there more Gods than one?
A. There is but one only (Deuteronomy 6:4),the living and true God (Jeremiah 10:10).
My God, How Wonderful Thou Art (right click title to play in a new tab)
#35 Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Frederick W. Faber, 1848; alt. 1961, 1990
My God, how wonderful thou art,
thy majesty how bright!
How beautiful thy mercy seat,
in depths of burning light!
Wondrous are thine eternal years,
O everlasting Lord,
by holy angels day and night
unceasingly adored!
O how I fear thee, living God,
with deepest, tend’rest fears,
and worship thee with trembling hope,
and penitential tears.
Yet I may love thee too, O Lord,
almighty as thou art;
for thou hast stooped to ask of me
the love of my poor heart.
No earthly father loves like thee,
no mother half so mild
bears and forbears, as thou hast done
with me, thy sinful child.
How wonderful, how beautiful,
the sight of thee will be,
thine endless wisdom, boundless pow’r,
and awesome purity!
The Misadventures of Captain Headknowledge 