Part II - It could be true faith or not

Well, I just lost everything that I wrote on this section as well. MAN!

Okay, here I go again. This section was a struggle for me, but it is okay, because it is Jonathan Edwards, and some things are probably going to be a struggle.

This section explains evidences and outward expressions that neither prove nor disprove true faith. He begins with 1) strong affections/emotions and 2) physical responses (ie groaning, fainting, trembling, etc...).

Now, I have had to evaluate myself as we have read through this and come to terms with the fact that I have built up a prejudice against showing strong emotions in my faith. It began as an aversion to letting my faith be controlled by my emotions (which I think is good) since they are constantly changing, but God is always steadfast in His promises and character. However, Edwards has made a convincing case that the expression of strong emotions is not only good, but it is required:

"The scripture often requires us to exercise very high affections: thus in the first and great commandment of the law, there is an accumulation of expressions, as though words were wanting to express the degree in which we ought to love God: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.'"

So may the Lord continue to teach us as we continue on to the next section.

Religious Affections: True or Not True?

I believe Edwards is setting out to determine what and if all religious affections have validity.

I must admit that I had a difficult time working through these two sections! So forgive me if my thoughts sound jumbled! (although this is the second time I am writing this because my computer messed up while ago! grrrrrr!!!)

A few things I came away with:

AS TRUE BELIEVERS WE SHOULD...

• Not be satisfied where we are but seek to increase in our affections! (If we do not increase in our affections it is evidence that our heart has grown cold toward God!!)
• Experience and express high degrees of joy!
• Experience and express high degrees of gratitude!
• Express a high degree of sorrow for our sin and the sin of the world in which we live!
• Seek spiritual things!!

Love this. "The saints and angels in heaven, that have religion in its highest perfection, are exceedingly affected with what they behold and contemplate of God's perfections and works ... Now the only reason why their affections are so much higher than the holy affections of saints on earth is, they see the things they are affected by more according to their truth, and have their affections more conformed to the nature of things. (favorite part) And therefore, if religious affections in men here below are but of the same nature and kind with theirs, the higher they are, and the nearer they are to theirs in degree,the better, because therein they will be so much the more conformed to truth, as theirs are." Is our affections not suppose to be that great, that we are becoming conformed more to the image of the Truth, the Christ? I think so!

Sidenote: Since beginning the reading of religious Affections I have began to see certain scriptures in a new light? For example 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see that earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what seal, what punishment!" Telitha, have you came across any scriptures in your personal study that as made you think of religious affections?

Inferences Again

In Edwards inferences, I think he does a good job of portraying the balance we must have and understand concerning affections in true religion. We cannot be too extreme and make our religion all about our experiences and emotions for Christ, however, if we are entirely lacking strong emotions for Him that is not true religion either. "For although to true religion there must indeed be something else besides affection, yet true religion consists so much in the affections that there can be no true religion without them... As there is not true religion where there is nothing else but affection, so there is no true religion where there is no religious affection." He says it so well it is hard to restate it any better.

I have to say that the third inference made me step back and examine myself. Edwards concludes that since religion and affections are so closely related that we should be ashamed that we are no more moved or affected for God. He created us with affections for the purpose of using them to glorify Him, yet we often engage our affections in our worldly interests, reputation, relationships, and successes with ardent zeal, tender hearts, much concern, being "much depressed with grief at losses, and highly raised with joy at worldly successes and prosperity. But how insensible and unmoved are most men about the great things of another world... How they can sit and hear of the infinite height, and depth, and length, and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus...and yet be cold and heavy, insensible and regardless!"

I want to be affectionate for Christ and His kingdom above any interest I may have in this world.

Inferences

I wasn't exactly sure what an inference was so I looked that up! Inference: the act of passing from one proposition, statement, or judgment considered as true to another whose truth is believed to follow from that of the former

Having little affections equals having little religion... this concept keeps coming to the forefront of Edwards writings. This has came to mind often.... just thinking that what I spend my time doing and thinking on rules my affections. Instead of sitting on my behind watching movies I should be seeking to deepen my affections through study, prayer, and praise. These inferences ring true in my life... I do not want to be like a dog returning to his vomit as Edwards writes.

Since God has done this... "God disposed things in the affair of our redemption, and in His glorious dispensations, revealed to us in the gospel, as though every thing were purposely contrived in such a menner as to have the greatest possible tendency to reach our hearts in the most tender part, and move our affections most sensibly and strongly!" ... Then I should love my life with much affection!

Pray for me as I feel I have a long way to go!

VI - X

Edwards says of the apostle Paul:

"It appears by all his expressions of himself, that he was, in the course of his life, inflamed, actuated, and entirely swallowed up, by a most ardent love to his glorious Lord, esteeming all things as loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Him, and esteeming them but dung that he might win Him."

This has become a very important thought to me lately. Today I listened to John Piper speak about John Bunyan and the sufferings that he endured including the loss of his mother and sister, a blind child, the death of his first wife, and 12 years of imprisonment, yet his attitude seemed to be one of joy because even though he had lost all earthly things he had gained intimacy with Christ. As I was thinking about this I questioned the value I put on Christ compared to my earthly relationships. Could I lose all of them to suffer for Christ and count it all joy? That is a tough question, but one worth considering I think.

In addition to this statement about Paul's affection for Christ, Edwards quotes several passages in which Paul displays his affections for the church. And so I have come to the conclusion that affection for Christ is necessary in true religion, but so is affection for the body of Christ. And Christ himself displays both of these affections as Edwards points out "He was the greatest instance of ardency, vigour and strenth of love, to both God and man, that ever was."

Next, in evidence VIII he discusses the idea that in heaven there will be very strong affections, and as an example he says this, "The way to learn the true nature of anything is to go where that thing is to be found in its purity and perfection. If we would know the nautre of true gold we must view it, not in the ore, but when it is refined. If we would learn what true religion is, we must go where there is true religion, and nothing but true religion, and in its highest perfection, without any defect or mixture." In heaven there will be no false teachers or false religion. It is hard to grasp the whole, complete nature of these affections here in our corrupted flesh and corrupted world, but in heaven it is undefiled.

Finally, Edwards closes his last evidence with a statement about how true religion must produce affections. I love doctrine, and I am passionate about Jesus Christ, but if I have one and not the other do I really have true religion? I think that doctrine should produce passion and affections for Jesus Christ, or the doctrine is worthless. Likewise a passion for Christ that is not based on biblical doctrine is worthless. Great section!!!! What are you thoughts, Kara?