Last night, I revisited the introduction to A.W. Pink’s book titled, The Sovereignty of God. The forward to the first introduction is, edition was written by A.W. Pink in June of 1918. The following are several quotes from the introduction of the book. I must say what resounds deep within my soul, and should do the same for those who love the Lord is, “ From every pulpit in the land it needs to be thundered forth that God still lives, that God still observes, that God still reigns.” As we look all around, preachers today prostitute the Word of Truth for pathetic feel good motivational speeches! Homosexuals are parading their detestable practices, they seemingly rise up against God in rebellion. We are not to be moved for God is sitting on His throne and laughs! Read the following quotes. May they motivate us to holiness and action according to God’s will.
“Who is regulating affairs on this earth today—God, or the Devil? What impression is made upon the minds of those men of the world who, occasionally, attend a Gospel service? What are the conceptions formed by those who hear even those preachers who are counted as “orthodox”? Is it not that a disappointed God is the One whom Christians believe in? From what is heard from the average evangelist today, is not any serious hearer obliged to conclude that he professes to represent a God who is filled with benevolent intentions, yet unable to carry them out; that He is earnestly desirous of blessing men, but that they will not let Him? Then, must not the average hearer draw the inference that the Devil has gained the upper hand, and that God is to be pitied rather than blamed?”
As evangelicals it is time to examine ourselves in the faith! Many “believers” are holding to an idolatrous image of a Jesus that is not biblical. As Pink notes, preachers today proclaim a God that is weak and needs people’s assistance if His will is to be accomplished. God has a will but He cannot carry it out because humans will not allow it. Ultimately, the individual must choose God because God will never violate someone’s will.
“Who is regulating affairs on this earth today—God, or the Devil? What saith the Scriptures? If we believe their plain and positive declarations, no room is left for uncertainty. They affirm, again and again, that God is on the throne of the universe; that the sceptre is in His hands; that He is directing all things “after the counsel of His own will”. They affirm, not only that God created all things, but also that God is ruling and reigning over all the works of His hands. They affirm that God is the “Almighty”, that His will is irreversible, that He is absolute sovereign in every realm of all His vast dominions. And surely it must be so. Only two alternatives are possible: God must either rule, or be ruled; sway, or be swayed; accomplish His own will, or be thwarted by His creatures. Accepting the fact that He is the “Most High”, the only Potentate and King of kings, vested with perfect wisdom and illimitable power, and the conclusion is irresistible that He must be God in fact, as well as in name.”
What saith the Scriptures? This is what we are to ask ourselves! We are to have done with how we feel about Jesus and understand that God the Father will one day ask us what we did with Jesus! Jesus is King, He is the absolute sovereign that rules the affairs of the universe. There is no human or anything in creation that can thwart His will. As the LORD states in Isaiah 43, “Even from eternity I am He, and there is none who can deliver out of my hand; I act and who can reverse it?
“It is in view of what we have briefly referred to above. that we say, Present-day conditions call loudly for a new examination and new presentation of God’s omnipotency, God’s sufficiency, God’s sovereignty. From every pulpit in the land it needs to be thundered forth that God still lives, that God still observes, that God still reigns. Faith is now in the crucible, it is being tested by fire, and there is no fixed and sufficient resting-place for the heart and mind but in the Throne of God. What is needed now, as never before, is a full, positive, constructive setting forth of the Godhood of God. Drastic diseases call for drastic remedies. People are weary of platitudes and mere generalizations—the call is for something definite and specific. Soothing-syrup may serve for peevish children, but an iron tonic is better suited for adults, and we know of nothing which is more calculated to infuse spiritual vigor into our frames than a scriptural apprehension of the full character of God. It is written, “The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits” (Dan. 11:32).”
Soothing-syrup is in fact what is being preached today and the people love it! It is no surprise that the church is sleeping! Followers of false religions like Islam, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Mormons easily out work Christians for that which is false! It is time for the church to arise, the Commander has gone before us! We have His commands! We must continue to press into the gates of Hell and proclaim the Truth as never before!
Pink closes His introduction stating that the doctrine of God’s sovereignty is in opposition to the mind of the natural man. Man becomes enamored with his reason and falls into the pit of empty and deceptive philosophies. The natural man sets himself as the measure of God through his human reason. What a shame! I will gladly take my shallow human reasoning and take heed to the depths of the mind of Christ! “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways.” Brothers and sisters, I leave you with this closing quote:
“We are well aware that what we have written is in open opposition to much of the teaching that is current both in religious literature and in the representative pulpits of the land. We freely grant that the postulate of God’s Sovereignty with all its corollaries is at direct variance with the opinions and thoughts of the natural man, but the truth is, we are quite unable to think upon these matters: we are incompetent for forming a proper estimate of God’s character and ways, and it is because of this that God has given us a revelation of His mind, and in that revelation He plainly declares, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Is. 55:8,9). In view of this scripture, it is only to be expected that much of the contents of the Bible conflicts with the sentiments of the carnal mind, which is enmity against God. Our appeal then is not to the popular beliefs of the day, nor to the creeds of the churches, but to the Law and Testimony of Jehovah. All that we ask for is an impartial and attentive examination of what we have written, and that, made prayerfully in the light of the Lamp of Truth. May the reader heed the Divine admonition to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21).”
http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Sovereignty/introduction.htm
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That site has some good, books and articles. If I remember right they have Pink’s book on the Atonement, as well.
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
God is definately in charge.
This is our blessed hope! For those who do not know God, as AGOGLEY put forth, the wrath of God abides upon them!
Just on a note: I mentioned homosexuals in the opening, let me just be clear, that homosexuality is an abomination at the same time, this is not the only sin that condemns them to Hell if they don’t repent, sinners stack the wrath of God upon themselves just by breathing! Union with Christ is paramount! Repent of sin, turning from idolatrous practices! We warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come! Sin is the disease, Christ is the only cure! Kiss the Son, lest His wrath be kindled and you be destroyed! Many say Jesus loves you, but have you considered the fact that you just might be His enemy?
What a scary thought this is… A.W. Pink wrote that is 1918 and it is still very true today. It is frightening how much preaching in churches today is for “ear tickling” and not for the glory of God. This should be a clarion call for preaching the one and only true Gospel loud and clear from the pulpit.
But Glen, don’t you know most Churches don’t have pulpits? It gets in the way of the skits and worship bands.
AG, How freighting your statement is (and I know you are right)… Osteen anyone???
Here is another scary thought. There is a new poll out on FoxNews.com about the religious beliefs in America. You can check out the data here… (http://religions.pewforum.org/comparisons# then click on “Beliefs and Practices”). Brothers, it looks like we need to really contend for the Truth (Jude 3-4).
Glen I saw that poll! Alarming! But with so many false teachers and motivational speakers out there, should we be surprised?
This is why the deception of philosophy will never arrive at the revealed God of Scripture! Men get lost in philosophies and false motivations. Only the solid biblical truth of Scripture put worth without compromise will bring men into union with Messiah!
Osteen’s church is in Houston, where I live. There are several megachurches here, including Osteen’s. I know a lot of people who claim to be Christians and yet their beliefs seem to contradict even the most basic elements of Scripture.
Hello,
While it is true when stated about Christians being of the elect and still having pagan ideas in their mind. However, this cannot logically equate ALL pagan ideas. Some would disqualify one from Christianity.
The Sovereignty of God is a tough one. Though most “Humanistic” Christians our a saint despite having a false understanding of this, I do wonder about those Christians whom attack this doctrine vehementantly (Hunt, Bryson, Chuck Smith in private, etc). It’s one thing for a Christian to be ignorant, it’s another thing to defend Humanism within the Christian worldview.
Perhaps we will not know this answer until we reach heaven. Whoever would dare God’s power (Romans 1:4) while declaring with the same breath they don’t, has behaviorial traits similar to the demons.
Jean Cauvin
Jean Chauvin