And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: (Genesis 39:12-14)

Have you read “Pilgrim’s Progress” recently? If you haven’t, I encourage you to do so. Although I read it once in school, many years (10+) have passed since then so I recently picked it up again to read. I now realize that I may have underestimated this book for far too long.

When I read it as a boy, I knew that it was an allegory of spiritual things, but I had no idea how perceptive it was in its detail. The particular edition that I am currently reading is called “The New Pilgrim’s Progress” (published in 1989). It has been both delightful and convicting to read.

This edition is particularly helpful since Bunyan’s vocabulary has been carefully updated and the text has been exceptionally footnoted by Warren Wiersbe. I was entirely unaware that there were so many allusions to Scripture in Bunyan’s masterpiece. Warren Wiersbe has annotated the text with an average of five footnotes or cross-references per page – over 700 footnotes in the entire book.

But, perhaps you are wondering how this apparent book review pertains to the verses above. It is because this is one of the passages that Bunyan perceptively enlightens in Pilgrim’s Progress and I have found his points most convicting. The context is a conversation between Faithful (a true believer) and Talkative (a religious pretender who loves talking about spiritual things, but not doing them).

Faithful asks Talkative how one can tell that the saving grace of God has been at work in a man’s heart. Talkative replies that it is when the heart cries out against sin, but Faithful corrects him by saying that it is not enough to cry out against sin in general. Instead, one’s heart must abhor (ie – detest, loathe) its own sin. After all, Potiphar’s wife “cried with a loud voice” against the sin of adultery which her heart secretly longed to commit. It is easy to cry out against sin in others, it is very much a different thing to hate and abhor the sin that is within our own hearts.

This is the difference between Joseph and “Mrs. Potiphar.” Potiphar’s wife could be heard “lifting up her voice”  in loud protest against this great sin, but in secret she coddled it and pursued it. Joseph wasn’t heard crying out against it, but his soul hated the very thought of sinning against God. Therefore he fled even the very hint of temptation.

The religious world is full of people crying out against the evil around them, but how many of those that claim the name of Christ truly abhor the sins that are found in their own hearts and lives? Religion teaches men to cry out against sin, but – as Faithful wisely observed – only God can give a man true abhorrence for sin.

Do I cry out against sin in others? Or do I abhor the sin within my heart?

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19).

[Continue reading for an excerpt of the conversation between Faithful and Talkative...]

Faithful stepped forward again and said to Talkative, “How are you doing?”

Talkative: Well, thank you. I thought we would have talked a great deal by this time.

Faithful: Well, if you will, we will go to it now; and since you left it with me to state the question, let it be this: How can you tell when the saving grace of God is in the heart of man?

Talkative: I see that our talk must be about the power of things. Well, it is a very good question, and I am willing to answer you. First, and in brief, when the grace of God is in the heart, it cries out against sin. Second–

Faithful: Wait! Hold on! Let’s consider one thing at a time. I think you should say instead that grace evidences itself by causing the soul to abhor its own sin.

Talkative: Why, what difference is there between crying out against and abhorring sin?

Faithful: Oh, a great deal. A man may cry out against sin, as a general policy, but he cannot abhor it unless he has a godly hatred of it. I have heard many cry out against sin in the pulpit, who still live with it in the heart, home, and behavior. Joseph’s master’s wife cried out with a loud voice, as though she were very holy; but she would willingly have committed adultery  with him…

Talkative: You lie in wait to catch me, I see.

Faithful: No, I just want to set things straight. Now what is the second thing by which you would prove the existence of a work of grace in the heart?

Talkative: Great knowledge of gospel mysteries.

Faithful: This sign should have been first; but first or last, it is also false; for knowledge, great knowledge, of the mysteries of the gospel may be obtained, and yet there may be no work of grace in the soul. Yes, a man may have all knowledge and still not be a child of God. Christ said, “Do you know all these things? and the disciples answered, “Yes.” Then he added, “Blessed are you if you do them.” The blessing is not  in the knowing but in the doing. For knowledge is not always accompanied by actions, like the servant who knows what his master wants but does not do it… Indeed, to know is a thing that pleases talkers and boasters; but to do is that which pleases God. Not that the heart can be good without knowledge; for without that, the heart is nothing. There is knowledge and there is knowledge: knowledge that knows about things; and knowledge that is accompanied with the grace of faith and love, which causes a man to do the will of God from the heart. The first of these will satisfy the talker; but the true Christian is not content without the other. “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”

Over a month ago, we received a question from a reader which requested a detailed explanation of Christ’s cry from the cross: “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, et al; Psalm 22:1). At my request, Ian Gibson promptly wrote a detailed article on the verse, but I have been remiss in posting it to the blog in the intervening weeks. I am pleased to now attach the article. The questioner requested an answer “in detail” and since the article is therefore lengthy, I will attach it as a PDF for all who may be interested.

Question: “Jesus was never separated from his father, not even on the cross. But he was separated from God—”my God, my God why has Thou forsaken Me ” Please explain in detail.”

Answer: Psalm 22v1 (Ian Gibson)

The very fact that we address God as “Father” is evidence of our sonship (Romans 8:15). What a precious privilege this is to us when we consider the place from which we came! It’s touching to read the adoption stories where children have been rescued from unloving, abusive homes and placed into caring, capable homes, but there’s no “rags-to-riches” adoption story quite like the spiritual biography of you and I. Have you considered how far God has brought us in order to make us His children?

Once we were “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3), but now we are “dear children” (Ephesians 5:1). “By nature” (2:3) there was enmity between ourselves and God because of our sin. “By nature” we lived in the lusts of our flesh. “By nature” we served the desires of our flesh and mind. “By nature” we were opposed to God. But what a change redemption has brought! It is not only that the wrath of God has been removed from us, but that we are now beloved of God. The word “dear” is agapētos. It is the same word that is used of our Lord Jesus when the voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved (agapētos) Son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; cf. 12:18). Who would ever have believed that this word would one day be used of those who were the children of wrath?

Once we were “children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2), but now we are “obedient children” (1 Peter 1:14). As sinners under the influence of Satan (Ephesians 2:2), we took delight in disobeying God. Another word for this disobedience is ‘unbelief’. Our sinful actions were only evidences of the disobedience that was in our hearts (Colossians 3:5,6). And because of this disobedience, the wrath of God was upon us (Colossians 3:6; Ephesians 5:6). But God, in grace, convicted us through his Spirit and brought us to the obedience of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 6:7). We no longer delight in disobedience, but we rather rejoice in obeying Him.

Once we were “children of the bondwoman” (Ephesians 4:31), but now we are children of the free and “children of promise” (Galatians 4:28). Once we were under a law whose demands we could not meet. It could  only condemn us to death. Now we praise God that this law was our schoolmaster that pointed us to Christ. No longer under its demands, “we stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free” (Galatians 5:1). No longer working to gain favour with God, we now rest in the promise of eternal life (1 John 2:25).

Once we were “children of the wicked one”, but now we are “children of light, and children of the day” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Although I may adopt a child into my family and love him as deeply as a father can, I am completely unable to give him my life and character in the same sense that I give it to my biological son or daughter. This is where God has done something much greater than any earthly father can do. He has not only brought us into his family, but He has put His divine life within us. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). And now we are “children of light, and children of the day.” His divine life dwells within us, conforming us to be like His own Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Once we were the “children of this world” (Luke 16:8), but now we are “children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26; cf. Romans 8:16). Once we were associated with a world that is temporary and passing, but now we are linked with One who is eternal and unchanging. The world cares poorly for her children. One day, her favour shines upon them, but the next they are forgotten and forsaken. In contrast, our God is the ever-caring Father (Matthew 7:7-11) and none of his children will ever be forgotten (Matthew 10:29-31). Soon this world, and all that pertains to it, will pass away, but every true child of God will be gathered to Himself. Not one will be left behind or lost along the way. What a privilege it will be to find ourselves there!

“Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age.” (Genesis 48:10)

“But the Philistines took [Samson] and put out his eyes“  (Judges 16:21)

“Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.” (1 Samuel 4:15)

“But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.” (1 Kings 14:2)

“And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah” (2 Kings 25:7)

“Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Revelation 3:17)

Whether it is the patriarchs (Genesis 48:10), the judges (Judges 16:21), the priests (1 Samuel 4:15), the prophets (1 Kings 14:2), the kings (2 Kings 25:7), or the churches (Revelation 3:17), it makes no difference. In God’s Word the end of each of these great institutions is marked by blindness. Even the local church is not immune to eye trouble as is evident by our Lord’s words to Laodicea.

Our physical eyesight may fade, but the Lord wants our spiritual vision to be 20/20.

Beware of shortsightedness. Our sight must be strong enough to see past time and into eternity, for “we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 10:7; cf. 2 Peter 3:12).

Beware of tunnel-vision. Our perspective must be broad enough to see beyond ourselves to those around. “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4).

Beware of a downcast view. Our vision must rise above earth’s horizon to the place of our hope, “for our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 3:20). We live our lives daily “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

Beware of cataracts. Cloudy vision makes reading difficult. Since the study of Scripture is critical to a Christ-centered walk, our prayer to God should always be, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18).

Beware of night-blindness. This world is a dark place, full of pitfalls and obstacles designed to trip us up. We must hold the lamp of God before our feet (Psalm 119:105) and walk circumspectly as those that are wise (Ephesians 5:15). There is also a cunning enemy who lurks in its shadows, waiting to ambush us. No wonder Paul exhorted the Corinthians: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

The race that is set before us can only be run while “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Anything that hinders our vision of Him will cause us to stumble, so may the Lord anoint our eyes with divine eyesalve (Revelation 3:18) that will enable us to see the things which physical eyes cannot see – those things that are eternal (2 Corinthians 10:7).

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)

“Humbled… Obedience… Death.” These are three remarkable words that could only be linked with our Lord Jesus Christ because of his incarnation.

Consider how He humbled himself . (1) He was humble in His birth: The wise men expected that the King of the Jews would be born in Jerusalem’s palace, but instead He was born in a stable. Nevermind a palace, there was no room for Him in the inn. (2) He was humble in His boyhood: As a child of twelve in the temple, he astounded the teachers of Israel with His answers, but His parents did not understand Him (Luke 2:51). He was all-wise, yet He left the temple, returned to Nazareth, “and was subject unto them” (2:51). The perfect, sinless Son was subject to His imperfect, sinful mother. (3) He was humble in His ministry: taking a child in His arms, touching a leper, washing the feet of sinful men, etc. These actions weren’t what Israel had expected from their Messiah. They wanted Him to manifest political power. He manifested glorious grace. (4) He was humble in His suffering: He was silent when He could’ve destroyed the world or won His release with a word. He was smitten by hands he had made and mocked by lips to which He had given voice. He was spit upon by His own creation. And He, the sinless one, was condemned to death by the sinful ones.

Consider how He was obedient. Since we have already spoken of His submission to His earthly parents, let’s now think about His obedience to His Father. During His life, our Lord endured the rejection of unbelieving men, but rested in the knowledge that His obedience delighted His Father. The sweet relationship between the eternal Father and the eternal Son is portrayed in a particularly beautiful way in John where we hear our Lord speak these words approximately 40 times – “My Father.”

In John 17:24 our Lord asserts that He was loved by His Father as a Son before the world began. And in incarnation, the first recorded words of His life sum up His mission on earth: “I must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). He came in His Father’s name (John 5:43; cf. 10:25). He worked in harmony with His Father (5:17; cf. 10:32, 37). He spoke the words that His Father had taught Him (8:28) and shown Him (8:38). And even in the hour of suffering, His eyes were lifted up to His Father (Matthew 26:39, 42, 53). Through His death and resurrection He both obeyed the command of His Father (10:18) and furnished fresh motives for the Father’s love toward Him (10:17). Indeed we could write over His entire life the beautiful words that He spoke in John 8:49: “I honour my Father.”

Consider His death. This was the place to which His humility and obedience led. “He humbled himself and became obedient unto death.” Most men, especially great men, are honoured in death, but “this Man” was put to shame in His death – for He died “the death of the cross.”

Consider His exaltation. He was humble, but God has highly exalted Him. He was obedient, but every knee will bow to Him. He died, but God has raised Him from the dead and given Him a name above every other name. And we confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Scriptural context is vital to the understanding of every passage. Awake much earlier than usual this morning, I was reading in the psalms when I encountered this verse: “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2).

Well, that seemed to be appropriate to my situation, so based on this clear word, I considered for a moment whether I should set things aside and return to my bed. Then I remembered that context is vital to the full understanding of Scripture. We haven’t understood a verse or passage until we have understood it in its complete context.

In this case, the early part of Psalm 127 reveals what is the illegitimate reason for being sleepless. We ought not to lose sleep out of fear, anxiety and worry, when we could (and should) be trusting in the Lord and enjoying His peace (Psalm 3).

Thankfully for us, the psalmist elsewhere reveals that it is sometimes appropriate to eschew sleep. Two legitimate reasons to get up early are: to praise God’s greatness (Psalm 57:8-11; 108:2-5) and to seek after Him that we might see His power and His glory (Psalm 63).

What’s been keeping you awake lately?

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[It was my daughter's refusal to sleep that made me unwillingly sleepless last night. In this affliction, the very appropriate context of Psalm 127:2 has again provided comfort, because the verse that follows the phrase "he giveth his beloved sleep" is: "Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man; so are the children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed..." The book of the Psalms truly does have a passage appropriate for any and every situation.]

“There can be no true conversion without conviction of sin. It is one thing to agree that I am a sinner: it is quite another thing to experience the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life. Unless I have a Spirit-wrought consciousness of my utterly lost condition, I can never exercise saving faith. It is useless to tell unconvicted sinners to believe on Jesus — that message is only for those who know they are lost.” [William Macdonald]

Earlier this year Counsel magazine reprinted an article by the late William Macdonald entitled “Evangelical Dilemma.” This article is a clarion call for the true, scriptural evangelism which is often missing from our testimony today. I wanted to share it with you and I’ve found an online copy published under the title ‘Evangelistic Malpractice’: http://www.plymouthbrethren.org/article/2633

Sometimes we think this world is a tough place in which to bear testimony for God, but consider Persia:

• When Darius was king, Daniel was sentenced to death for bowing to God when the king had forbidden it.
• When Ahasuerus was king, Mordecai was sentenced to death for not bowing to man when the king had commanded it.

In opposite ways, both men risked their lives to obey God and He rewarded them by delivering them from seemingly certain, imminent deaths and raising them to a place of blessing and honour. “Trust and obey.”

[Believers are still being martyred for their faith in modern Persia. Please share in praying for the spread of the gospel in the Middle East.]

“Blessed is the man…“ (Psalm 1:1)
“I am a worm and no man…” (Psalm 22:5)
“…that man whom he hath ordained…” (Acts 17:31)

 

In His life, our Lord Jesus was the “blessed man” (Psalm 1):

He was completely separate from sinners (Psalm 1:1) –  “without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). His daily delight was in the will and law of His God (Psalm 1:2; 40:8).  His food was to do the will of the Father that sent Him, and to finish His work (John 4:34). He brought forth His fruit in its season (Psalm 1:3). Every word was spoken and every action was done at the right time and in the right way. His life was one continual display of the fruit of the Spirit. His leaf did not wither: There was no variance in His spiritual life. He did not have good days and bad days. Every one of the more than 10,000 days that He lived here on earth was a perfect day. In whatever He did, He prospered. The blessing of God was upon His life. He was a greater steward than Joseph (Genesis 39:3) and Scripture reveals how all that the Father placed in His hand prospered.

In His death, our Lord Jesus was “no man” (Psalm 22:5):

Men treated our blessed Saviour in a way in which no man ought ever to be treated. Their cruelty was restrained. They felt no more guilt in torturing Him than you or I might feel in crushing a worm as we walk the sidewalk after a summer rain. Towards Him they manifested all the hatred that was in their hearts against God. He was so much more than just a man, but they treated Him as though He was less than a man.

In His resurrection, our Lord Jesus is the “ordained man” (Acts 17:31):

This word “ordained” simply means ‘appointed.’ God has not only appointed a day in which He will judge the world, but He has also appointed a man to judge this world. That man is our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the elect man – the one whom God has chosen to be everything that His heart has ever desired in a man and to fulfill every office that He ever intended for man. The world that judged “this man” (Luke 23:18) will one day be judged by “that man” (Acts 17:31). What a shock it will be for the world to learn that “that man” is “this man”!

How do we know that all this will happen? God has “given assurance unto all men”  by raising our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead? The resurrection of our Lord is not only the sign of God’s approval regarding His work of Calvary, it is also a promise to sinners of coming judgment and a promise to saints of coming glory.

What a joy we will have when we are associated with “that man” in the day of His glory!