Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

 “Nothing will make men hate sin so much as a holy God; the more we see of His purity, the more our vileness is exposed.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

Prior to picking up this book, I looked to see what others—of the doctrinally sound type—had to say about it. Many love this book and see its benefits to Christ’s bride. Some, however, while recommending it, also have concern that it may lean more heavily on warnings and not enough on grace. With this in mind, I began listening to it. I paused one chapter in, went back, opened it in my Kindle, and read along from the beginning.

This book, for me, followed my reading of Holiness by J. C. Ryle. I suppose that had an effect on my reading it. It also came during the time of the assassination of a husband and dad—the martyr of a brother in Christ.

Seeing such depravity, with some in the world looking for answers and turning to the church, while others desperately work to excuse themselves of any responsibility for the evil in our world—as a Christian, I’m constantly reminded of the evil in my own heart and the beautiful truth of God’s Word. It is there I turn for truth, for answers, for certainty, and for the examination of my own heart. I’m not desperately searching; I know where to turn, and I know “why.”

So, as I began this little book, with these things in mind, my heart already challenged by Ryle’s Holiness, I set forth to see what Bunyan had to say.

I didn’t get far before what to some may read as too heavy, or “for those people,” my own heart was searched and examined. I read this fellow Pilgrim, who walked long before me, leaving behind words that vividly deal with the depths of man’s depravity—wicked man, deceived man, “Badman”—but also words by which any wise Christian must examine his own heart.

Am I a Pilgrim who loves my life so much that my words, echoed in time, would soothe wicked consciences? Or would, and do, my words challenge fellow Pilgrims in their journey and encourage them along their way? What kind of Pilgrim am I to fellow Pilgrims? If my words perish with me, so be it, but I will give an account for each one. My thoughts so often betray my profession of love for my God. Let those wretched enemies be cast down.

I long for holiness, and I thank God for such a desire, which I could never have mustered within myself, but which is evidence of His work in me.

Many stand in pulpits, and many professing Christians never hear holy preaching—words that, as they go forth, the Holy Spirit uses to convict. Instead, they hear words that shield them from holiness, that unveiling beauty which shines in our hearts and minds, exposing remaining sin—those sinful desires that have no place before our Lord. Many hear what merely baptizes their sinful desires in Christian language. They hear words, many words, but they are not holy.

Holiness strips away the veil on depravity and reveals what manner of man we really are. It exposes those things in us that have no place before our Lord. The Christian weeps over remaining sin. And the saint cries out to God against his own heart, praising God for the power He has given over those things, and for the revealing of them, that they may be put to death. He praises God for His grace—so undeserving.

If what we hear, what we read, and what we meditate on is constantly about how great we are, how much God needs us, and the big things we are going to do, then when the world is confronted with the reality of such depravity, such men have no answers. They believe man is basically good and that he just needs to find the gold within. He has been told how much God needs him. He has not sat under holy preaching that sanctifies. He has not listened to or sung songs so theologically rich and true that his own heart might be sanctified and encouraged in the reality of who God is. Instead, he hears words that teach him morality, self-achievement, and how wonderful he is. His deceived heart hides from that which is truly holy.

When that which is desperately wicked is no longer veiled, he shudders at the vileness of the heart. He has no idea what wickedness dwells in man. For he has only caught a glimpse of depravity. If he were exposed to the holiness of God, he would begin to understand something of the vileness of his own heart. What manner of words do we desire?

Oh dear saint, fellow Pilgrims, Scripture isn’t all about me or you. It’s about God! And He is holy! Are we surprised by holiness? Are we surprised by the depths of man’s depravity? We have yet to behold such holiness as we shall. And many have yet to see how vile a wretch man really is, and that God’s justice is good. Tell him now! Warn him! Proclaim Christ and His sufficient atoning work! Proclaim God’s Word, which is holy, that in so hearing it, the Holy Spirit may convict his sinful heart and he may be saved. Many proclaim an unholy gospel and sing songs that stir emotions but produce no holiness in those who sing them.

God is holy, holy, holy!

Grace and Peace, y’all
Soli Deo Gloria

April J. Buchanan