Final Chapters and Final Thoughts

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The Bruised Reed (TBR) has been on my “to read” list for many years and I’m glad to have finally read it. I have profited greatly by doing so. With that said, I know there is so much I missed along the way, and much I failed to convey in my chapter summaries. But like any good book, I'm sure a reread would open new vistas of understanding. Perhaps I will do that someday. But for now, here are a few of my highlights from the final two chapters. One recurring theme that I found particularly encouraging in TBR was a long view of Christian growth and sanctification. Sibbes repeatedly reminds us of small beginnings and growth over time. See a flame in a spark, a tree in a seed. See great things in little beginnings. Look not so much to the beginning as to the perfection, and so we shall be, in some degree, joyful in ourselves, and thankful to Christ.[i] Another thing I appreciate about Sibbes is that, although he recognizes our frailty, sin, and weakness, there is no coddling of sin. He...
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Patient in Victory

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2 Corinthians 12:8–10 (NKJV) — Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV) — For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.







This week as I read chapters thirteen and fourteen of The Bruised Reed, there were three themes that caught my attention. The first is the ongoing battle in the believer’s life. Sibbes reminds us that growth and sanctification is a slow process. He also reminds us there will be suffering along the way, but Christ has ordained all of these things. Additionally, this process will expose our weakness. Thus, we are increasingly disabused of our self-confidence and learn to rely more fully on God.

Weakness with watchfulness will stand, when strength with too much confidence fails. Weakness, with acknowledgement of it, is the fittest seat and subject for God to perfect his strength in; for consciousness of our infirmities drives us out of ourselves to him in whom our strength lies.[1]

WHY THE ENEMY SEEMS VICTORIOUS
…why is it thus with the church of God, and with many a gracious Christian? The victory seems to be with the enemy. To understand this, we should remember, firstly, that God's children usually, in their troubles, overcome by suffering. Here lambs overcome lions, and doves eagles, by suffering, that herein they may be conformable to Christ, who conquered most when he suffered most. Together with Christ's kingdom of patience there was a kingdom of power.[2]

...this victory is by degrees, and therefore they are too hasty spirited that would conquer as soon as they strike the first stroke, and be at the end of their race at the first setting forth. The Israelites were sure of their victory in their journey to Canaan, yet they must fight it out.[3]

...we must know that, though Christ has undertaken this victory, yet he accomplishes it by training us up to fight his battles. He overcomes in us by making us `wise unto salvation' (2 Tim. 3:15); and, in the measure that we believe Christ will conquer, in that measure we will endeavor by his grace that we may conquer, for faith is an obedient and a wise grace. Christ makes us wise to ponder and weigh things, and to rank and order them accordingly, so that we may make the fitter choice of what is best.[4]


The second theme that caught my attention is the long view of salvation. I find this insight particularly helpful. Because we can become easily discouraged by our day to day struggles and lose sight of the redemptive big picture that Christ is accomplishing. In all these things we are more than conquerors and our victory is assured (Rom 8:31-39)!


Let us herein labour to exercise our faith, so that it may answer Christ's way of dealing with us. When we are foiled, let us believe we shall overcome; when we have fallen, let us believe we shall rise again.[5]

So let us never give up, but, in our thoughts, knit the beginning, progress and end together, and then we shall see ourselves in heaven out of the reach of all enemies.[6]

Christ's dislike of that which is amiss in us turns not to the hatred of our persons but to the victorious subduing of all our infirmities.[7]

Christ at length will fulfill his purpose in us, and faith rests assured of it, and this assurance is very operative, stirring us up to join with Christ in his purposes.[8] 


Lastly, Sibbes touched upon the affections of the heart. Jonathan Edwards thought this issue to be of such importance that he dedicated an entire book to it (another for my to read list). This unseen arena of the believer’s soul is of vital importance. It raises at least two very important questions: what do I genuinely love and what is the sweetest meditation of my heart? Our internal affections tend to become external realities. 


And because knowledge and affection mutually help one another, it is good to keep up our affections of love and delight by all sweet inducements and divine encouragements; for what the heart likes best, the mind studies most. Those that can bring their hearts to delight in Christ know most of his ways [Emphasis added].[9]

We should judge of things as to whether they help or hinder our main purpose; whether they further or hinder our judgment; whether they make us more or less spiritual, and so bring us nearer to the fountain of goodness, God himself; whether they will bring us peace or sorrow at the last; whether they commend us more or less to God, and whether they are the thing in which we shall approve ourselves to him most.[10]


Well, we are in the home stretch. There are just two chapters left. I'll end this week's post with another hymn. May the word of Christ dwell richly in our hearts through the coming week.






________________________

[1] The Bruised Reed (p. 91). Kindle Edition.
[2] The Bruised Reed (p. 90). Kindle Edition.
[3] The Bruised Reed (p. 90). Kindle Edition.
[4] The Bruised Reed (p. 96). Kindle Edition.
[5] The Bruised Reed (p. 91). Kindle Edition.
[6] The Bruised Reed (p. 91). Kindle Edition.
[7] The Bruised Reed (p. 92). Kindle Edition.
[8] The Bruised Reed (p. 89). Kindle Edition.
[9] The Bruised Reed (p. 97). Kindle Edition.
[10] The Bruised Reed (p. 96). Kindle Edition.

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