WHAT EVANGELICAL TRUTHS AIM TO DO IN THE HEARTS OF MEN
John Owens "Apostasy from the Gospel"
The aim of evangelical truths is to get the eyes of men off themselves and their own righteousness for present peace and future glory, and on to Christ and his righteousness. Evangelical truths aim to renew the corrupt minds, wills and desires of sinful men into the image and likeness of God and so to restore men – body, soul and spirit – to a life of whole hearted and holy obedience to God.
But when evangelical truths are pressed on the consciences and practices of men, the enmity in their hearts rises up in rebellion against them.
While the unconverted mind is allowed to play with these truths, speculating and arguing about them, it receives them as something satisfying and pleasing. In fact, it may even be willing to be so guided by these truths as to do many things, yet the unconverted mind still remains on its old foundation of self-sufficiency and self-determination, satisfied that all is under the control of its own free will (Mark 6:20).
But when these truths are brought home to their hearts, urging them to renounce faith in themselves, their own self-sufficiency, self–determination and self–righteousness and be renewed in Christ, then that old enmity lurking in their hearts is immediately aroused like some venomous snake ready to strike at the whole gospel. All the lusts of the mind and the flesh; all the deceitful desire of the old nature; all the powers of sin and all carnal and unmortified desires rise up to resist these truths.
So spiritual truths received only in the mind are first neglected, then despised and finally forsaken.
Men, by conviction and for natural reasons and motives may receive the gospel as truth. But when that truth is applied to their consciences, and the will and desires are called on to repent of their own ways and instead walk in God’s ways, then that old enmity rises up and objects.
Evangelical truths are easily received on Arminian terms where that rooted enmity is allowed to retain control over all its decisions, and to be self-sufficient. But when these truths urge man’s utter inability to repent and believe without the grace of God first working in them, then that enmity pleads free will, and resists with all its might the sovereignty of God in the salvation of men.
Knowing God through His Word