Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Preparation For That Day

Michael E. Wood
September 15, 2012

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13

With this being the third poem which has come to mind in the process of reading through The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall, I thought it might be a good idea to give some introductory information concerning William Gurnall and the book itself.

Gurnall is known by his Christian in Complete Armour, published in three volumes, dated 1655, 1658 and 1662. It consists of sermons or lectures delivered by the author in the course of his regular ministry, in a consecutive course on Ephesians 6: 10–20. Comment, or recommendation, is perhaps needless in speaking of Gurnall's great work. The fact that a sixth edition was published in the year the author died, 1679, is enough to show that its merits were early recognized. It is described as a magazine whence the Christian is furnished with spiritual arms for the battle, helped on with his armour, and taught the use of his weapons; together with the happy issue of the whole war. It is thus considered a classic on spiritual warfare. The work is more practical than theological; and its quaint fancy, graphic and pointed style and its fervent religious tone render it still popular with some readers. Richard Baxter and John Flavel both thought most highly of the book. Toplady used to make copious extracts from it in his common-place book. John Newton, the converted slave trader, said that if he was confined to one book beside the Bible, he dared say Gurnall's Christian Armour would be his choice. Cecil spent many of the last days of his life in reading it, and repeatedly expressed his admiration of it. Charles Haddon Spurgeon commented that Gurnall's work is "peerless and priceless; every line full of wisdom. The book has been preached over scores of times and is, in our judgment, the best thought-breeder in all our library." The writing style is akin to that of the King James Bible, so in 1988 [Banner of Truth Trust] did a revised and abridged version in contemporary English.

The Reverend J. C. Ryle closed out his biographical account with the following:

“I now conclude this preface by expressing my earnest hope that this new edition of Gurnall’s work may find many readers as well as purchasers. It is indeed to be desired that solid scriptural theology, like that contained in these pages, should be valued and studied in the church. Books in which Scripture is reverently regarded as the only rule of faith and practice—books in which Christ and the Holy Ghost have their rightful office—books in which justification, and sanctification, and regeneration, and faith, and grace, and holiness are clearly, distinctly, and accurately delineated and exhibited, these are the only books which do real good. Few things need reviving more than a taste for such books as these among readers.

April 23, 1864 - J.C. Ryle
For my own, part, I can only say that I read everything I can get hold of which professes to throw light on my Master’s business, and the work of Christ among men.  But the more I read, the less I admire modern theology.  The more I study the productions of the new schools of theological teachers, the more I marvel that men and women can be satisfied with such writing.  There is a vagueness, a mistiness, a shallowness, an indistinctness, a superficiality, an aimlessness, a hollowness about the literature of the ‘broader and kinder systems,’ as they are called, which, to my mind, stamps their origin on their face.  They are of the earth, earthy.  I find more of definite soul-satisfying thought in one page of Gurnall than in five pages of such books as the leaders of the so-called ‘Broad Church School’ put forth.  In matters of theology ‘the old is better.”


“Doctrine: It behooves every one to arm and prepare himself for the evil day of affliction and death, which unavoidably he must conflict with.” William Gurnall

In quiet contemplations in the secret of our heart
Oh help us daily meditate on that which is our part
Of which You have designed in preparation for that day
When from this earthly body, all exposed will then display
The truth of who we are and most important in Your sight
A wretch left to ourselves or one unto You’ve given light.

For outward show and beauty will not then for current pass
As vanity and power in this life will fail -  Alas,
Nothing will then help against the judgment of that day
Apart from Christ revealed in truth, and He the only way-
Who surely will then separate the wheat from all the chaff
And each found in their final place of torment, or will laugh
At all attempts the devil sought to kill and to dethrone
The One True God for whom all things He made to be His Own!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Pride of Gifts and Grace

Michael E. Wood
September 8, 2012

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12

“Now the life of a Christian, as a Christian, is superior to the life of a man as a man; and therefore {he}doth not value himself by these which are beneath him, but in higher and more raised perfections, which suit a Christian calling. As a natural man is proud of perfections suitable to his natural state, as honour, beauty; so the Christian is prone chiefly to be puffed up with perfections suitable to his life. I shall name three: FIRST. Pride of gifts. SECOND. Pride of grace. THIRD. Pride of privileges. These are the things which Satan chiefly labors to entangle him in.” 
 “The Christian in Complete Armour”, William Gurnall

Oh death to self means so much more
Than what we know and why Christ bore
Our sins with joy while suffering
The wrath due us, and offering
Himself to shield us from the Face
Of God Almighty in our place.

Oh how pride of gifts and grace
May hinder us to run the race
When to them we do look for strength
Instead of Christ who knows the length
Of ground to cover in each day,
So look to Him alone: The Way!

Humility can teach us best
If He alone we trust and rest
With confidence for every need
Of strength and by His Spirit feed
Upon what He shall choose to bless
As He Is All our Righteousness!

But count not on humility
If boast you do in it, and flee
Into that which may only seem
To be, when truly but a beam
Which blinds the sight to really see,
To Christ alone all glory be!

Do we think confessing guilt
Is that upon which grace is built,
When lurks therein a secret pride
When flaunted and behind it hide,
And Christ alone knows every thought,
So look to Him, by who we’re bought!

So strip us Lord and more expose
Our pride which brings us no repose,
That You be seen as All in All
To those of whom You clearly call
To follow in the sweet refrain
You give to praise Your Holy Name!

So, broken, poor, by faith now go
To Christ alone, who doth bestow
More grace, as by Him we draw nigh
To God our Father as we fly
By strength the Holy Spirit gives
Each day by which we know; He Lives!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

God Chose to Love

Michael E. Wood
August 21, 2012

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14

While listening to a message entitled “Put on Love”; an exposition by Gregory N. Barkman on the above passage, the following words came to mind.

God saw us in our filthiness
And yet He chose to love
Without condition on our part
In heavens courts above.

He said now live! And washed us
With The might of His right arm
And saved us from the wrath that
Would have brought eternal harm.

And though we know this well
We often stray as though adrift
Forgetting that our anchor holds
Which jolts us back to lift
Our praise and thanks to Him
Who ever keeps us and reminds
Though frail we are and weak,
It is Himself, He to us binds.

What more then could I render
But by actions that I show
That others would be captivated
By His love and know
That He alone has wrought the change
Which brings me to embrace
Them as they are that they might see
The glory of His face!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Almighty God Triune!

Michael E. Wood
August 21, 2012

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3

One never gets too old to enjoy the simplicity and the power of the gospel of Christ.

Sometimes you need to just be still
And know that God is God.
In Him alone the peace is found
Whereby your feet are shod
With excellence and happiness
Which from Him you received
That others may then hear in truth
Good News from Christ believed!

The sincere milk of His own word
Shall never lose its taste
To those who see that He is good
And not go out in haste.
So Savor every moment and
With Him alone commune,
Who clothes you with Himself,
Who is Almighty God triune!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

In Perfection, You Adore ( New Song)

Michael E. Wood
August 14, 2012

While sitting out on our balcony, the music of a hymn of which I could not name at that moment came to mind. I later found it to be the tune of, “Still Sweeter Every Day”, by W.C. Martin, 19th Century, and C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946. Thus a new song was given to another old hymn tune.

My heart was overburdened with my sin and full of strife,
And angry at the God of glory who had given life.
In ignorance I could not see until He gave the grace
To see my Savior took my sin and suffered in my place.

God’s truth there met with mercy, at Calv’ry to partake
Of holiness which only comes to us for Jesus sake.
  
From glory unto glory now I grow in strength by grace
Though there are times my visions clouded from the smiling face
Of Him who loves me as I am and for me intercedes.
His blood e’er cleanses me from sin and meets all of our needs.

He works all things together for good for all that love
Him, as the called and justified, and glorified above.
  
And when in heaven He shall wipe away all of our tears,
We’ll glory in the Lamb who conquered sin and all our fears.
Each moment will be greater as we see with perfect eyes
The One who was, and is, the Christ; our everlasting prize!

We long to worship You Lord, both now and evermore.
To see You in Your glory, in perfection, You adore!