Charles Spurgeon Quote. Thoughts?

[preacher4truth]

The hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.
(Joshua 17:18 ESV)

​

"Certain of our sins find chariots of iron in our constitution, our former habits, our associations, and our occupations. Nevertheless we must overcome them. They are very strong, and in reference to them we are very weak; yet in the name of God we must master them, and we will. If one sin has dominion of us we are not the Lord's free men. A man who is held by only one chain is still a captive. There is no going to heaven with one sin ruling within us, for of the saints it is said, "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Up, then, and slay every Canaanite, and break to shivers every chariot of iron! The Lord of hosts is with us, and who shall resist His sin-destroying power?"

 

[notuptome]

Ro 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Completeness of Gods salvation by grace through faith.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[joaniemarie]

This devotional could be confusing if not read and applied properly with the truth that Jesus has already overcome. I have many devotionals like this and get the same sort of message that leaves out the "how too". "My Utmost For His Highest" is a lot like this one as well. Also others I've used over the years.

For instance in reference to certain strong holds of sin the writer is correct in saying some sins can be like (I say - feel like) chariots of iron in our constitution. He then says "we must overcome them they are very strong we are very weak; yet in the name of God we must master them and we will." I see the need to reference it is in the name of Jesus who has already overcome sin., that we submit to that truth BY FAITH and THEN we will see the victory over them come to fruition in our lives.

Spurgeon goes on to say; if one sin has dominion of us we are not the Lord's free men.,a man who is held by only one chain is still captive. There is no going to heaven with one sin ruling within us, for of the saints it is said, sin shall not have dominion over you.

But I see from Scripture that we ARE already have been made the Lord's free men because of Jesus., and the work we must do is by faith believing., it is then the truth will come to fruition in our lives. We NEED the rest of the verse about sin not having dominion in our lives..(because) you are not under law but under grace. Grace (unmerited love and favor) gives the truth and freedom to walk out what Christ has already done in our lives.

It is not our strength and will power that will win over the power of sin., but it is by faith in the Son of God who loves us and gave Himself for us that gives us the power over sin in our lives.

Now Spurgeon might be saying this but it's hidden to me by what was not said. That faith in the finished work of Jesus is what gives the victory., not my power of will to do it but by faith in Him and what He has already done. This makes all the difference. Only then it is possible to say; UP, then and slay every Canaanite, and break to shivers every chariot of iron because the LORD of Hosts is with us and nothing can resist His sin-destroying power!

 

[Nehemiah6]

Looks like Spurgeon undermined the eternal security of the believer with this statement, which is rather surprising:

There is no going to heaven with one sin ruling within us, for of the saints it is said, "Sin shall not have dominion over you."

God does deal with the sins of the saints (in some cases to the point of applying "the sin unto death" principle), but our assurance of Heaven is based upon what Christ accomplished for us, not our sins and failures.

 

[Ellsworth1943]

Spurgeon was/is a very admired man. But, in my opinion, he was not always correct in his teaching.

 

[joaniemarie]

Very true, no man or woman has the truth 100% down pat. I don't believe Spurgeon is saying he doesn't believe in eternal security but I do think his devotional has left some specifics out that could make what he believes easily misunderstood. One would have to read some of his other writings to know what he believes on the subject.

 

[notuptome]

Spurgeon was/is a very admired man. But, in my opinion, he was not always correct in his teaching.

Had he been a member her he could have been perfected.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Ellsworth1943]

Had he been a member her he could have been perfected.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I am sure some would have described him by words others than admired.

 

[joaniemarie]

LOL I don't think Spurgeon or anyone needs to come here to be "perfected" He would be like most who come here more or less taken to task for not being perfect.

 

[preacher4truth]

He's speaking of the process of sanctification. I get what he is saying. The key word is "dominion."

Of course, many here will hate because he's Reformed.

 

[Nehemiah6]

He's speaking of the process of sanctification. I get what he is saying. The key word is "dominion."

But to claim that one besetting sin will keep a child of God out of Heaven is TOTALLY UNSCRIPTURAL.

Of course, many here will hate because he's Reformed.

Exposing theological errors is certainly not "hatred" against those who are in error. If anything, it is the exact opposite, since it is meant to have people abandon their erroneous beliefs.

Spurgeon was an outstanding Baptist preacher who was somehow *bewtiched* into believing Reformed Theology. His testimony about how he was saved clearly shows this, since at that time he was not snared by this false gospel. It is hard to see how he could question the eternal security of the believer.