False Christian teachings, trends….
Burroughs describes the state of contentment further; then he talks about two ways of knowing greater contentment: by subtracting from one’s desires; and by adding his burden of sin to his burden of affliction. “The heavier the burden of your sin is to your heart, the lighter will the burden of your affliction be to your heart, and so you shall come to be content.”
It is okay to desire the affliction to be removed and to seek that via prayer; but obedience remains under the affliction; more than that, is pleased to remain under it, thanking God for His work, knowing that He only does right…. One who has learned this lesson of contentment, looks up to God in all things; he does not look down at the instruments and means God uses [to afflict him or bless him]; he sees God’s wisdom in what is happening to him
The doctrine contained in Phil. 4:11 is that it is the duty, glory and excellence of a Christian to be well-skilled in the mystery of Christian contentment …godliness is NOT great gain unless you also have contentment
Summary of the above section: when affliction comes, whatever it is, and though you feel much pain; cry to God, seek lawful ways to be delivered (via prayer, abiding in His word…); and do not murmur, repine, fret, vex yourself, nor permit tumultuousness of spirit, fear, or discouragement to destabilize and distract you; or rebellion to set you in opposition to God
Contentment is a blessing bestowed by the New Covenant and its promises; all believers may partake of all the blessings of this covenant – Burroughs clarifies the knowledge, understandings, conduct…via which one might arrive at contentment…The doctrine contained in Phil. 4:11 is that it is the duty, glory and excellence of a Christian to be well-skilled in the mystery of Christian contentment
Martyn Lloyd-Jones sermon titled: Once saved; Always Saved, with scripture proof texts
The birth of Jesus it truly a monumental event the long awaited Son of David, Son of Abraham, Immanuel, and last Adam, had come; Yahweh has finally come, and with Him is plentiful redemption; He has redeemed us from all our iniquities; that is why we sing…He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found…
Jesus has a family tree; He is a real human being; born in a specific time and place; His ancestry includes royal and common people – all sinners (King David; patriarch Abraham; prostitute Rahab; adulteress Bathsheba…); he had to be made like His brothers in every respect to be able to make propitiation: the mystery of His incarnation is that eternal God took on flesh and became a human being
Since Christ also died for our sanctification, as we grow in knowledge of Him, we will be increasingly moved to pursue holiness via grace
Dr. John MacArthur contrasts false religion with the biblical gospel message, clarifying the way of salvation