"Men imagine that the Most High is moved by sentiment, rather than actuated by principle. They suppose that His omnipotency is such an idle fiction that Satan is thwarting His designs on every side. They think that if He has formed any plan or purpose at all, then it must be like theirs, constantly subject to change. They openly declare that whatever power He possesses must be restricted, lest He invade the citdel of man’s “free will” and reduce him to a “machine.” They lower the all efficacious Atonement, which has actually redeemed everyone for whom it was made, to a mere “remedy,” which sin-sick souls may use if they feel disposed to; and they enervate the invincible work of the Holy Spirit to an “offer” of the Gospel which sinners may accept or reject as they please.The “god” of this twentieth century no more resembles the Supreme Sovereign of Holy Writ than does the dim flickering of a candle the glory of the midday sun. The “god” who is now talked about in the average pulpit, spoken of in the ordinary Sunday School, mentioned in much of the religious literature of the day, and preached in most of the so-called Bible Conferences is the figment of human imagination, an invention of maudlin sentimentality. The heathen outside of the pale of Christendom form “gods” out of wood and stone, while the millions of heathen inside Christendom manufacture a “god” out of their own carnal mind. In reality, they are but atheists, for there is no other possible alternative between an absolutely supreme God, and no God at all. A “god” whose will is resisted, whose designs are frustrated, whose purpose is checkmated, possesses no title to Deity, and so far from being a fit object of worship, merits nought but contempt." —A. W. Pink (1886–1952)
Excerpt taken form "The Attributes of God" by A. W. Pink
2 comments:
Convicting.
Great quote Bororean!
I was visiting with family over the Memorial Day weekend and visited my first ever "cowboy church".
It seemed rustic and "Christian" enough with hearty handshakes and some solid old hymns, though I suspected a distinctly Arminian flavor to the meeting.
Sure enough the pastor trotted out a few whimsical jokes, then proceeded through a long, drawn out history lesson on Lincoln's Gettysburg Address which this man claimed was inspired by the Psalms - oh how I longed to hear SOMETHING of scripture by that point! My heart cried out within me, "BRING THE BOOK!"
But nothing was forthcoming. Near the end of the service came the most blasphemous altar call I've ever personally heard wherein the pastor proclaimed that although Christ declared "It is finished!" from the cross that His work was truly NOT FINISHED!
This deceiver then informed those gathered that Christ had done all He could but that the rest was up to them and that they needed to invite Jesus into their hearts and accept Him as their Savior so that His work might be truly finished!
My spirit cried out within me and I was shocked, saddened and angered all at the same time.
I wanted to cry out "BLASPHEMER!" in the midst of the congregation but I simply sat there dumbfounded and silent.
As I reflect on that moment I wonder if I shouldn't have rebuked that so-called pastor in love after the service confronting him with the truth of scripture, but instead I shuffled out muttering Shibboleth to myself.
Forgive me Lord for not standing up and speaking out when it may really cost me something, amen.
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