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Lowell Brueckner

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John Bunyan's Confessions

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Some sincere pastors and teachers have “goat-phobia” and I hope that I can include myself in their number. What I mean by “goat-phobia” is that we hesitate to state some things, which are very true, but we are afraid that people, who feign Christianity (goats… Mt.25:32), might take advantage of these doctrines to justify themselves. The subjects can be quite delicate and they are meant to feed and comfort the sheep. The “goats” need awakening and conviction of sin; comfort is not on the menu for them. So, I have hesitated, but now I want to share a page and a half of a very rich offering from John Bunyan…

Grace Abounding

John Bunyan 1628-1688
Of all the temptations that ever I met with in my life, to question the being of God and the truth of His gospel is the worst, and the worst to be borne; when this temptation comes, it takes away my girdle from me and removes the foundations from under me. Oh, I have often thought of that word, “Have your loins girt about with truth”, and of that, “When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Sometimes when, after sin committed, I have looked for sore chastisement from the hand of God, the very next that I have had from Him has been the discovery of His grace. Sometimes, when I have been comforted, I have called myself a fool for my so sinking under trouble. And then, again, when I have been cast down, I thought I was not wise to give such way to comfort. With such strength and weight have both these been upon me…


I have sometimes seen more in a line of the Bible than I could well tell how to stand under, and yet at another time the whole Bible has been to me as dry as a stick. Or rather, my heart has been so dead and dry unto it that I could not conceive the least drachma of refreshment, though I have looked it all over.

Of all tears, they are the best that are made by the blood of Christ; and of all joy, that is the sweetest that is mixed with mourning over Christ. Oh! It is a goodly thing to be on our knees, with Christ in our arms, before God. I hope I know something of these things.

I find to this day seven abominations in my heart: (1) Inclinings to unbelief (2) Suddenly to forget the love and mercy that Christ has manifested. (3) A leaning to the works of the law. (4) Wanderings and coldness in prayer. (5) To forget to watch for what I pray for. (6) Apt to murmur because I have no more, and yet ready to abuse what I have. (7) I can do none of those things which God commands me, but my corruptions will thrust in themselves… “When I would do good, evil is present with me.”


These things I continually see and feel, and am afflicted and oppressed with; yet the wisdom of God does order them for my good. (1) They make me abhor myself. (2) They keep me from trusting my heart. (3) They convince me of the insufficiency of all inherent righteousness. (4) They show me the necessity of fleeing to Jesus. (5) They press me to pray unto God. (6) They show me the need I have to watch and be sober. (7) And provoke me to look to God, through Christ, to help me, and carry me through this world. Amen.


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