This is the 19th, and final post in my study of Jonathan Edwards famous text, Religious Affections
Phew! I just finished getting a drink from Jonathan Edwards' fire hose. The final, and twelfth gracious affection was 80 pages of non stop, outwards evidences of the true Christian:
"Gracious and holy affections have their exercise and fruit in Christian practice. I mean, they have that influence and power upon him who is the subject of 'em, that they cause that a practice, which is universally conformed to, and directed by Christian rules, should be the practice and business of his life."
This can get a little dicey if you aren't careful, because, as Edwards points out, works are not requisite to obtain saving faith, but are clearly an evidential, and essential sign of true faith.
I have been struggling for two days, trying to sort out how to put all his final information in a readable post. I simply decided to conclude my reading of his book, with the scripture that Edwards ended his treatise with:
Matthew 5:16 - "...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to you Father who is in heaven."
Earlier, in his treatise, Edwards talked about how we are now the lanterns, that were found in the holy of holies of old. When the Holy Spirit is present, then there is present a "glow" that is not found in the natural man. This glow, if genuine, does not bring attention to the bearer of the glow, but glows in such a way that God is glorified.
That is an amazingly challenging proposition. I am to live my life, in such a way, that men see my practices, and seeing my practices, give glory to God.
This has nothing to do with my ego. Through my sanctification journey, I am to glow more, and more, thereby drawing attention to the light, and not the lantern.
If you deeply meditate on that verse, and continually seek to implement that light, your life can, and will change.
This book has been an amazing journey. For the serious reader, there are only two paths:
- For the true Christian, you will find depths and understandings, from this brilliant man, that were likely not evident to you before. In spite of his brilliance, not once did I see any ego from Edwards. His constant attention was pointing towards Christ, always guided by a healthy dose of Scripture.
- For those who do not possess a true faith, yet claim to have a true faith, Edwards will be continually knocking you aside the head with the Holy Spirit's 2X4.
Before I started reading this book, I heard of a few who made claim to knowing people who lost their faith reading this text. Having read this text, I now find that claim preposterous. This text will either greatly deepen your faith, or point out to you, that you, in fact, have no saving faith.
This was a profoundly moving, and life changing read. I will be back, and furthermore, look forward to becoming great friends with Edwards, by reading significantly more of his works in the future.
