(1) I am very much encouraged by the reaction to my new book “Twelve What Abouts” now out in paperback. At 168 pages, it seeks to provide answers to the most frequently raised objections to the doctrine of God’s Sovereignty in salvation. For more information, click on the links to the right hand side of this page.
(2) It was a great pleasure (this week) to meet the hosts of “Backpack Radio” as they conducted an interview of me regarding my new book. The one hour program flew by and the show airs this Sunday night on 1360AM KPXQ Radio in Phoenix at 9:00 p.m. PST, which is of course midnight over on the east coast. For those outside the Phoenix area, you can hear the program as it goes out live on the internet at www.kpxq1360.com.
(3) What is at stake in N.T. Wright’s view of justification? Dr. Steven Lawson and Dr. Sinclair Ferguson explains here.
(4) Once again, Ligonier has some excellent deals on right now in this week’s $5 Friday sale. I particularly recommend the “The Atonement of Jesus” and the “God Alone” series (10 messages covering the five solas of the Reformation) downloads. Check out the $5 Ligonier sale here.
(5) TEMPTATIONS by Richard Sibbs
1. Take heed of Satan’s policy, that God has forgotten me because I am now in extremity; nay rather, God will then show mercy, for now is the special time of mercy; therefore beat back Satan with his own weapons.
2. Temptations at first are like Elijah’s cloud, no bigger than a man’s hand, but if we give way to them they will soon overspread the whole soul. Satan nestles himself when we dwell upon the thoughts of sin; we cannot prevent the sudden risings of sin, but by grace we may keep them down, and they should never long remain without opposition. Let us labor therefore as much as we can to be in good company, and run in a good course, for as the Holy Ghost works by these advantages, so we should wisely observe and improve them.
3. In every evil work that we are tempted to, we always need delivering grace, as to every good work God’s assisting grace.
4. It is hard to discern the working of Satan from our own corruptions, because for the most part he goes secretly along with them; he is like a pirate at sea who fires upon us under our own colors. Like Judas to Christ, he comes as a friend, therefore it is hard to discern; but it is partly seen by the eagerness of our lusts, when they are sudden, strong and strange, so strange sometimes that even nature itself abhors them. The Spirit of God leads sweetly on, but the devil hurries a man like a tempest, as we see in Amnon for his sister Tamar. Again, when we resist the motions of God’s good Spirit, dislike His government, and give way to passion, then the devil enters. Let a man be unadvisedly angry, and the devil will make him envious and seek revenge; when passions are let loose they are chariots in which the devil rides; some by nature are prone to distrust and some to be too confident; now the devil joins with them and so draws them on further; he broods upon our corruptions; he sits as it were upon the souls of men, and there broods and hatches all sin. All the devils in hell cannot force us to sin. Satan works by suggestions, stirring up humors and fancies, but he cannot work upon the will; we betray ourselves by yielding before he can do us any harm; yet he ripens sin when cherished in the heart and brings it forth into actual transgression.