TBT@ITT: Jonathan Edwards on God's Testing

5 years ago

TBT@ITT: Jonathan Edwards on God's Testing

by Jude St. John

From November 7, 2009:

Jonathan Edwards explains that God does not test men so He can find evidence they are indeed sincere. Rather, He test them, already knowing their response to the test, so that He can show them where their hearts are.

For when God is said by these things to try men, and prove them, to see what is in their hearts, and whether they will keep his commandments or no; we are not to understand, that it is for his own information, or that he may obtain evidence himself of their sincerity (for he needs no trials for his information); but chiefly for their conviction, and to exhibit evidence to their consciences. (Edwards, Jonathan. A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections. United States: Kessinger Publishing. 2003. p278)

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In The Trenches

One of the things I love about football is its applicability to life. So much of what happens on the football field corresponds to our experience of living. And in particular, one can draw many parallels between the game of football and our life of faith in Jesus Christ. Most of my years playing football were played “in the trenches.” That is, I was an offensive lineman who plied my trade on the line of scrimmage. That no-man’s-land of much physical violence between opposing forces which derives its name from the battle situations of the World Wars. That place which seems, as often as not, to be an experience much like our lives. I hope to communicate with you a few things that will hopefully be of some help as you fight the good fight of faith. And since I am in this battle too, you might consider that I write these thoughts as I live my life for God in the trenches.

Books I've Read in 2022

- God at Work by Jonathan Edwards
- Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ Is Essential by Colin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman
- Gospel-Driven Ministry: An Introduction to the Calling and Work of a Pastor by Jared Wilson
- Collected Writings of John Murray, Volume 1: The Claims of Truth by John Murray
- The Roots of True Faith by William Guthrie
- Collected Writings of John Murray, Volume 2: Systematic Theology by John Murray
- Not Guilty by James Buchanan
- How to Build a Healthy Church by Mark Dever
- The End of the Law by Jason Meyer
- From Glory to Golgotha by Donald MacLeod
- Natural Law by David Haines
- Terms of Service by Chris Martin
- What Is the Meaning of Sex? by Denny Burk
- One-to-One Bible Reading by David Helm