THERE is a line at the end of Ecclesiastes:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. Eccl. 12:13
PRECEDING it reads:
The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Eccl. 12:10-12
I OFTEN think of these verses as I write or prepare lessons, or sit down to counsel others. I’m surrounded by many books; a good number dealing with the Christian life, coming at it from many different directions. The thing is, it really isn’t all that difficult. Maybe it is because we are so difficult and complex, that all that surrounds us just seems that way.
NO it is not “rocket science.” Simply put, if you want a healthy Christian walk the formula is quite simple:
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Acts 2:42-43
THERE are key words here like: Steadfast in doctrine, fellowship, the sacraments and prayer. This is really what our author is talking about as we close this chapter of our study. This is the process, the simple task at hand that somehow we find or make so difficult.
ONE last comment before we get to our closing read of Chapter 45 – Romans Six Reckoning. There is an interesting wording to Westminster Larger Catechism, Q#167.
WLC Q167. How is our Baptism to be improved by us?
THE divines of old recognized a responsibility to “improve” this “one time” event of baptism. What they meant by that is seen in the answer to Q167:
Ans. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our Baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others; by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein; by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace; and by endeavoring to live by faith, to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ; and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.
NOTE that line
…. by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace; and by endeavoring to live by faith [reckoning], to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ.
The entire statement is one of beauty, but that line defines what we have been looking at here, taken from Roman 6. (see WLC Q167 referenced scriptures attached to it.) As we well know and will be reminded below, the Lord’s Table is a vital part of this process as well, another reason for our assembling together (Heb. 10:24-25).
SO, we’ll finish Chapter 6 now with the closing two paragraphs of instruction.
In the inexorable riches of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa 30:15, Jas 1:2; Prov. 21:30
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Chapter 45—Romans Six Reckoning – Parts 4, conclusion
Water baptism testifies to our position: we have died to the old life, and are alive in the new. The Lord’s Supper sets forth our experience (condition): we are being conformed to His death, so that His life may be manifested. We do not leave the influence of the cross to live, but we continually receive the benefit of its emancipation for our walk in newness of life. To what are we testifying in receiving and assimilating the broken bread and the fruit of the vine? “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Cor. 11:26).
The testimony of our baptism is a once-for-all picture of our reckoning upon the finished work, and represents our position. The Lord’s Supper is a continuous picture of our being conformed to His death, and has to do with our condition. We confess that we are continually participating in His death, via reckoning, that His resurrection life may be increasingly manifested in and through our mortal bodies.
