Many today want to twist the Bible to their liking. Skipping the “hard” parts, ignoring the others that do not fit their personal beliefs. No greater sin is committed by those claiming to be Christians than denying the sovereignty and rule of Christ over their lives.
John Owen – A Whole Christ
This week’s new toon is a quote from Puritan pastor and theologian, John Owen.
“He that would be saved by Christ, and not ruled by him, shall not be saved by him at all. We are to receive a whole Christ, not by halves.” – John Owen
From “The Works of John Owen, D.D.” Edited by Thomas Russell, M.A. Volume 15, page 302.
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Noah was fully submitted to God’s will in spite of the evil all around him. When the rains came down and floods covered the earth, Noah and his family were saved because they were ruled by God through faith in his promise.
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” Hebrews 11:6, 7 (NASB)
Those outside of the ark were in rebellion against God. Though they may have wanted to be saved when the floods began to rise, the people’s works revealed that they did not want to be ruled by God because, “every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Gen. 6:5 (NASB)
The full context of Owen’s quote reads as follows.
“It hath been said, that faith is the receiving of Christ as a priest, and a lord, to be saved by him, and ruled by him. This sounds excellent well. Who is so vile, that endeavouring to believe, is not willing to be ruled by Christ, as well as saved by him? A faith that would not have Christ to be lord to rule us, is that faith alone which James rejects. He that would be saved by Christ, and not ruled by him, shall not be saved by him at all. We are to receive a whole Christ, not by halves; in regard of all his offices, not one or another.”
“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:14-17 (NASB)
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