resumé
In chapter 4, “Tormented by Sin and Satan,” John Bunyan describes several doubts that began to tempt him. He wondered if he had been chosen, if he no longer had the opportunity to convert and if he was really called by God. Some biblical texts have given him temporary comfort, but has he begun to perceive anything about the vanity and inner misery of [his] wicked heart?(49), and considered increasingly distant from conversion (50). , discovered that if the guilt of conscience was not repressed in the right way?by the blood of Christ?Would the condition of the person worsen, losing his mind worried?(52). And he wanted to do well and this increased his anguish, to the point that he wanted to be like an animal, that they are not the object of God’s wrath, nor are they destined for hell after death?(53).
- In chapter 5.
- “Satan’s Attacks Have Intensified.
- ” the tryer afflicts Bunyan with doubts about the existence of God and Christ and the inspiration of the scriptures.
- It was as if the devil said to him.
- “You have a burning desire for mercy.
- But I will soothe you.
- Will not this mood and heart last forever?(63).
- « But then.
- Was the Lord revealed himself to [him] in a more merciful and complete manner?(64) through texts such as Cl 1.
- 20 and Hb 2.
- 14-15?Bunyan understood that God and his soul were friends.
- Through the blood of Christ.
In chapter 6, “God’s Grace and Satan’s Fury,” Bunyan begins by reporting how Christ’s blood removed his guilt (72) and what has he now realized?There was clearly a big difference between the ideas of flesh and blood and revelation. God in heaven; between faith simulated according to the wisdom of men and the authentic faith that arises when a man is born of God (Mt 16:17; 1 John 5:1)?(69). However, the tempter soon reloaded furiously against him, this time the temptation was for Bunyan: to sell Christ, to exchange Christ for other things, and to abandon him (75). He resisted for a while, but the idea of “Leave Christ if it were his will?”He consted in his heart (76). This led Bunyan to wonder if he had committed unforgivable sin.
Have you ever wondered if you are really an elected official, a person God chose before the foundation of the world (Ep 1:4)?John Bunyan described in such expressive language a doubt that many of us probably had:
“You may not be a chosen person,” the Tempter said. Actually, maybe it isn’t, I thought. ” Then Satan said, “you can also abandon these doubts and stop fighting; because if you are not chosen from God, there is no hope that you will be saved, because: “It does not depend on who wants or who runs, but on using God for his mercy. “These things have puzzled me, not knowing what to say or how to respond to these temptations. In fact, it never occurred to me that it was Satan who attacked me in this way. I thought my own caution posed such questions. I said only the chosen ones were obtaining eternal life. The question was whether I was one of them. (45)
So how do I know if I’m elected? The first thing to demystify is the idea that there may be someone who truly believes but is not chosen. The Bible says that God chose from the beginning by faith in truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13) and that all who predestined for God, also justified (Romans 8:30). So if you really believe, you’re chosen and if you’re chosen, you’ll necessarily believe.
The second element that helps with this question is the tripod of the certainty of salvation drawn up by the Puritans, as expressed in Westminster’s confession:
This certainty is not merely a conjetural and probable persuasion, based on false hope, but an infallible assurance of faith, based on the divine truth of the promises of salvation, [2] on the internal evidence of those through whom these promises are made, [3] in the testimony of the Spirit of adoption that testifies with our mind that we are children of God , in the testimony of this Spirit who is a pledge of our inheritance and for whom we are sealed for the day of redemption (XVIII . II)
[1] Promises of salvation: Our salvation is based on God’s promises in Jesus Christ and not on our feelings. If we believe that Christ is dead for us and believe that God cannot break His Word, then we can be sure that He will. save us on this last day.
[2] Internal proof: God chose us before the foundation of the world for the sanctification of the spirit (2 Tes. 2:13), to be holy and unspotted before him in love (Ep 1:4). Thus, when we produce the fruit of the Spirit, we show that he lives in us. When we grow in holiness, we show that it works within us. The problem is that many seek perfection, not sanctification. Sanctification is a slow, progressive and often difficult process to perceive. Can you see a difference in your life?What your brothers say about your life (we are often not the best judges and tend to be tougher on ourselves than with our neighbors).
[3] Testimony of the Spirit: Does Scripture say that: Does the Spirit Himself testify in our minds that we are children of God?(Romans 8:16). It is a personal and intimate certainty, but it can be drowned out by routine sin. Leave all the sin that is so close to you (He 12. 1) and you will hear the testimony of the Spirit again.
Finally, I think an illustration by Richard Sibbes, from the book O Caniao Ferido (highly recommended!), can help:
Some grapes will show that the plant is a vine and not a hawthorn
In other words, you may not be in a period of great abundance of the fruits of grace, but only a few fruits, even imperfect ones, can show that you are a true Christian (see) and not a false (hawthorn). .
Ponder God’s promises of grace (Ps 119:50), examine yourself (2 Cor 13:5), and cry out for the testimony of the Spirit (Rom 5:5)
The devil is now thinking about how to cool his faith. Bunyan portrays a vivid discourse by Satan:
“Even if you do this, ” said Satan, “I will treat you harshly. Will I cool it, imperceptibly, little by little?” “If it takes me seven years to cool your heart, if I finally get it?The continuous swing soothes the crying child, makes him sleep. I’ll make you give up. At the end of the day, things have to be the way I want them to be. Even if your willpower is intense, I can get you out. Will I do it right soon?. (63)
You probably already know that we rarely stray abruptly; most of the time it’s a gradual cooldown (listen to this song). The question is, are you looking now!? Right now, reading these lines, what area of your life is gradually cooling down?Your prayer life?This sin for which you will fall alone once more, after all, God really forgives, doesn’t it?My brother, have you ever fallen in love with Satan’s devices?Watch and pray! Do not turn off the Spirit who speaks to you right now. “Then do we ask you of Christ to reconcile you with God?(2 Co 5. 20).
Would you rather read a Calvin book or the Bible? In chapter six, Bunyan criticizes second-hand theologians:
Before I strayed from these temptations until now, I wanted to read a lot about the experience of a pious man who had written hundreds of years before my birth, because I was thinking of the authors of my time, I ask you to forgive me. to say that?they only wrote the interpretation of others; He also believed that they used their intellectual ability only to respond to the objections they perceived to disturb some, without penetrating the depths of Scripture, to discover their truths (73).
Pious theology does not study what others have said about God, but seeks to know God through what He has revealed in the scriptures, with the help of others, it is not an intellectual exercise, but something done before God (coram deo).
It’s your turn
1) Have you ever doubted your salvation and your choice?How did you react?
2) What struck you most when reading?
By Vinecius Musselman Pimentel © 2014 Let’s Go Back to the Gospel. Original: 2 False Ways and 1 Good to Deal with Heavy Consciousness
Authorizations: You are authorized and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format, provided that the author, his ministry and translator are no longer no longer modified and not used for commercial purposes.