Yes, it always gets back to assurance.
If Christ has paid for our sins, once for all time, by the grace of God, how can we worry?
"...53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.""BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD'S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST'S SAKE...
(Gasp! It's a list!)
***(Gasp! It's a list!)***
With more than 5 points!
I always laugh when we are accused of "cheap grace" because of our firm belief in salvation by grace through faith, the gift of God, not works or the will of man and the assurance it gives. In the middle of Edward's first Resolution, he says, "Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general." The fruit of this great salvation, not the cause or the cooperation. My church has the Cliff Notes version of the Resolutions which we affirm at the first prayer meeting of the New Year.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
Consider David.
When you really think about it, he was Michael Corleone in a shepherd suit. Everything in his personal life, family life, and public life wasn't worth spit. He was a great warrior 'til he hit mid-life crisis time, but even that wasn't him.
Like he says, "Blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven..."
I'll let everyone else attempt this saintliness gig on their own.
I am definitely a Christian life Calvinist. Calvin nails Romans 7. Wesley and Arminius blew it.
Consider David.
When you really think about it, he was Michael Corleone in a shepherd suit. Everything in his personal life, family life, and public life wasn't worth spit. He was a great warrior 'til he hit mid-life crisis time, but even that wasn't him.
Like he says, "Blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven..."
I'll let everyone else attempt this saintliness gig on their own.
I am definitely a Christian life Calvinist. Calvin nails Romans 7. Wesley and Arminius blew it.
Consider David.
When you really think about it, he was Michael Corleone in a shepherd suit. Everything in his personal life, family life, and public life wasn't worth spit. He was a great warrior 'til he hit mid-life crisis time, but even that wasn't him.
Like he says, "Blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven..."
I'll let everyone else attempt this saintliness gig on their own.
I am definitely a Christian life Calvinist. Calvin nails Romans 7. Wesley and Arminius blew it.
We should fear and tremble, scripture says. Worry? Let Mr. Edwards "worry".