In the previous BLOG we looked a little deeper at what evangelical humiliation really is in light of the vital importance of it. In the modern day we simply have a person say that s/he is a sinner and then repeat a prayer, walk an aisle, or sign a card. We think of this as being a sign of faith because we think of faith as an intellectual act rather than what the whole soul does. The whole soul must receive Christ by grace in all of His offices or He is not received at all. If the whole soul does not receive Christ, then the soul does not truly believe. If the soul does not receive a whole Christ, then the soul is picking and choosing which part of Christ it desires and so does not receive a sovereign Lord. Indeed, in light of those things, it is patently obvious that a soul must have a faith that is attended with a mortification to exalt self. This teaching is so rampant in modern America that it may almost sound new to many that the whole Christ must be bowed to and received by a whole soul. One does not make Christ Lord because He is Lord already. One simply bows to Him as the utter sovereign of this universe. But when one bows to Him as He really is that means that a person must not seek to exalt self rather than Christ and must not seek the honor of self rather than Christ. Instead, true believers must seek to love God and do all to His glory.
The following quote is taken from The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards. The total quote being used can be seen in the BLOG Humility 36.
“But the essence of evangelical humiliation consists in such humility as becomes a creature in itself exceeding sinful, under a dispensation of grace; consisting in a mean esteem of himself, as in himself nothing, and altogether contemptible and odious; attended with a mortification of a disposition to exalt himself, and a free renunciation of his own glory…This is a great and most essential thing in true religion. The whole frame of the gospel, every thing appertaining in the new covenant, and all God’s dispensations towards fallen man, are calculated to bring to pass this effect. They that are destitute of this, have no true religion, whatever profession they may make, and high soever their religious affections may be.”
Without going off the point but taking in a bit more of what Edwards is saying here, he remarks that those without evangelical humiliation are destitute of true religion regardless of their profession and regardless of how high their religious affections may be. Vast numbers in our day listen to forms of music that is termed “Christian” and their feelings are lifted high. Because of the exalted feelings and of the fact that God is mentioned in the songs, people think that they are in worship of the true and living God. But that does not follow, and in fact it may be a sign that they are greatly deceived. The Scriptures tell us that God can only be worshipped in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Feelings may or may not be indicative of the worship of the true God as one can be spiritually dead and still have a high level of feelings that are worked up by forms of music. One can also have a high level of feelings based on self-love as well. A person can even be seeking the high level of feelings much as people seek adrenaline rushes by doing various dangerous sports and activities. Without evangelical humility a person can do many religious things and do them for the high level of feeling which is to do them out of self-love rather than love for God.
There is also a form of preaching that has an intensity to it that can raise a high level of feeling, but that does not make it a way of preaching the truth. We must understand that the heart is so deceitful and try to get at the depths of the intents and motives of it. Preaching that is very personal or with a lot of stories can reach our natural feelings while we are spiritually dead. Preaching that is a form of drama or is performed by or carried out by the “preacher” It can lead us to feelings about God that is based on our self-love. A lot of talking about what God has done for us can lead to a high level of feelings. We have seen how secular speakers and talk shows can lead people to tears and high feelings, so clearly something that is called “preaching” can do the same thing that has nothing to do with the truth of God and of the Gospel. However, it is even more dangerous due to the deception that can occur as a result. It leads to people thinking they love preaching and therefore love God when in fact they only love themselves and the high level of feelings that they have while hearing a type of preaching that produces the feelings of self.
The teaching of Edwards on this should be read by preachers and all professors of Christ today and taken to heart. Satan is out to deceive and it is a very deceptive work he has done and is doing when his deception is through the preaching and singing at “church.” With such a premium placed on feelings or “emotions” today, anything that produces a feeling in religious services is thought to be true. However, as Edwards observes, without evangelical humility those feelings are not true no matter how high they are raised. Those feelings can be nothing but the workings of the natural man to things thought to do good things for self. It can be the deception of the devil.
God Loves... Himself 
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