Feb 18
19
ONE DOCTRINE, TWO WORKS
Deuteronomy 32:2: My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
The gospel of Christ is one doctrine: “my doctrine.” This one doctrine declares the absolute sovereignty of God, our total fall in the first Adam and our complete salvation in the last, the unconditional election of God’s people in Christ, the limited atonement accomplished by Christ for his people, the irresistible grace of the Holy Spirit quickening us together with Christ, the perseverance of the saints by Christ’s preserving hand, our resurrection and glorification in and by Christ. It is one glorious doctrine glorifying our triune God in Christ in the salvation of his people.
Yet, brethren, by this one doctrine God accomplishes two works in us. Our new heart which God created in the new birth is tender like the herb. (Eze 11: 9; 36: 26) It is continually renewed as Christ’s doctrine “distills as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb.” At the same time, Christ’s doctrine falls heavy upon our sinful flesh “as the showers upon the grass”, laying it low like field-grass after a hard rain. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it.” (Is 40: 6-8)
Brethren, this is why we must hear the doctrine of Christ preached continually! In Romans 7, Paul speaks of us not being able to do what our inner man is willing to do because of the sinfulness of our flesh. But in Galatians 5, he speaks of us not being able to do what our sinful flesh is willing to do because of the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, our strength to walk in the Spirit so that we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh is not of us. How then shall we mortify the flesh? How shall we put off the old man and put on the new? How are we renewed in the spirit of our mind? It is given us through the hearing of faith—the hearing of Christ’s person and victorious work! Therefore, we must hear the gospel preached continually because our great Prophet promises, “My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.” (Rom 8: 10-13)
Clay Curtis.