The Whole Counsel

The way we approach an object reveals what we think of it. Consider a child approaching a plate at dinner filled with broccoli versus that same child approaching a plate with dessert on it. So how do we approach the law of God? Or, to ask a more important question: how does God want us to approach His law?   The first step to answering that question is to realize that the moral law is a reflection of God’s moral perfection. It gives us an expression of God’s character applied to our human experience. Consider that it also expresses God’s authority as Law-Giver.   As we consider our approach the the law, we have to be aware of some ditches we can fall into. For example, we can fall into the ditch of divorcing the law and the gospel. We are tempted to put a deep division between the two. But we must realize it was God the Father, as much as God the Son and the Holy Spirit, who delivered the 10 Commandments to Moses. The law and the gospel are not opposed, though they do have different roles in redemption.   The Grace of Law: A Study of Puritan Theology: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Law-Puritan-Theology-Puritanism/dp/1877611638 The Law and the Gospel by Ernie Reisinger: https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-and-the-gospel/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were given one rule to follow. Between their exile from Eden and the days of Moses, what law did they have to obey? Careful readings of Scripture reveal they had the same moral law of God that was codified in the 10 Commandments. John Snyder and Steve Crampton spent some time on this reality last week. This week builds upon that reality by focusing on the fact that God rightfully commanded obedience to His moral law from all people at all times. This include us under the New Covenant. This does not denigrate the freedom and liberty Jesus Christ purchased through His obedient life and death. Quite the opposite. By understanding Jesus’ relationship to the law, we know how to walk close with and have true intimacy with God. This understanding helps us see the moral law as indispensably beautiful and a treasure of indescribable glory. The Grace of Law: A Study of Puritan Theology: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Law-Puritan-Theology-Puritanism/dp/1877611638 The Law and the Gospel by Ernie Reisinger: https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-and-the-gospel/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Without a biblical grasp of the law and the gospel, we cannot understand the true magnitude of what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross. By minimizing the law, we minimize the grace and mercy that must be poured upon sinners to reconcile us to God. With that in mind, Dr. John Snyder and Steve Crampton spend this episode discussing the nature of the law before the giving of the 10 commandments. God condemned Cain for murdering his brother, but the command to not murder had not been given yet. However, Cain did not rebuke God for his condemnation, he asked for mercy. He knew it was wrong. There are many more examples. But what does all this mean for us? It helps us to understand that we serve a righteous Being who has distinguished us from all other created beings, and why we have a conscience that speaks against us and for the righteousness of God. The Grace of Law: A Study of Puritan Theology: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Law-Puritan-Theology-Puritanism/dp/1877611638 The Law and the Gospel by Ernie Reisinger: https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-and-the-gospel/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

This week, John continues to use Psalm 119:57-61 to lay the foundation for a discussion of the Christian’s relationship to the law. We heard last week about the foundational importance of having God as our portion. Today, we discuss 3 responses fueled by God as our portion: Love and gratitude that lead to obedience Dependence on God Determination to apply all that we find in His Word Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges: https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/CharlesBridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf  Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1 The Grace of Law: A Study of Puritan Theology: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Law-Puritan-Theology-Puritanism/dp/1877611638 The Law and the Gospel by Ernie Reisinger: https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-and-the-gospel/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

In the coming weeks, we will be exploring the topic of the Christian’s relationship to the law. For the next two weeks, John will be visiting Psalm 119:57-61 to help us get a right approach to this question. The primary question for the believer is to ask if Christ is my only portion? Do I look to other things for fulfillment, for security, for peace? Or do I look to Christ alone? Charles Bridges, in his commentary on Psalm 119, says, “He that chooses God in Christ for his delight and portion, may conclude confidently, that God has chosen him to enjoy Him, and be happy in Him forever.” After John lays the foundation for this topic from Psalm 119, he will be joined by Steve Crampton for the remainder of the series. You may remember Steve from a previous series on revival. Steve is a constitutional lawyer and has spent much of his life defending religious liberty in America. His life experience and knowledge will be a great asset as he and John Snyder discuss the relationship between God’s Law and God’s Grace in the life of a believer. This topic has caused much confusion and controversy over the years. For now, may we pursue Christ as our only portion as we lay a biblical foundation for our discussion of the Christian’s relationship to the law. Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges: https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/CharlesBridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf  Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1 The Grace of Law: A Study of Puritan Theology: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Law-Puritan-Theology-Puritanism/dp/1877611638 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Since the beginning of this podcast, we have often pointed you to the Banner of Truth Trust for very careful, helpful books. That book publisher was started by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a pastor in London in early-mid 1900s. While we have pointed you to Lloyd-Jones, we have never truly shared one of his sermons. This week in our conclusion of his sermon from Romans 6:18 titled “Servants of Righteousness.” We pray it is a blessing to you. You can learn more about the life, legacy, and teachings of Martyn Lloyd-Jones in Logic on Fire: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/logic-on-fire?variant=39481137332358 Learn more about the MLJ Trust here: https://www.mljtrust.org/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app 

Since the beginning of this podcast, we have often pointed you to the Banner of Truth Trust for very careful, helpful books. That book publisher was started by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a pastor in London in early-mid 1900s. While we have pointed you to Lloyd-Jones, we have never shared one of his sermons. So for the next two episodes, we want to share one of John’s favorite sermons from Lloyd-Jones. It is from Romans 6:18 and is titled “Servants of Righteousness.” You can learn more about the life, legacy, and teachings of Martyn Lloyd-Jones in Logic on Fire: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/logic-on-fire?variant=39481137332358 If you don’t want to wait until next week for the rest of the sermon, click here to visit the MLJ Trust and see the other resources available through the ministry: https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/romans-6-18/servants-of-righteousness/ Learn more about the MLJ Trust here: https://www.mljtrust.org/ iOS app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mlj-sermons/id819555751 Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mljsermons.mljsermonsappnew&hl=en Want to watch the Whole Counsel podcast videos? https://youtu.be/gdeF_JN45ho  You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app  

This is our final episode focusing on Psalm 119. This week, John hones in on Psalm 119:44-45 with an emphasis on the liberty presented in these two verses. Liberty is a word Americans love to consider, but the cultural definition of that word is often not influenced by Scripture. John gives us six pictures of biblical liberty this week. For us to be truly free, truly at liberty, we must have safety, provision, inner peace, clarity, freedom to fulfill a purpose, and the ability to do what we most desire to do. Show notes: https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/psalm-119-viii-six-pictures-of-real-liberty The Golden Alphabet by Charles Spurgeon: (PDF) https://www.spurgeongems.org/chs_golden-alphabet.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Alphabet-Charles-H-Spurgeon/dp/1683072804 Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges: https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/Charles Bridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Freedom is a precious thing. Throughout history, cultures have valued it and gone to war over it, while many individuals have sacrificed their lives for it. But there is a freedom that is more precious. In today’s episode of The Whole Counsel, John Snyder discusses the meaning of the true spiritual freedom that is given to believers through Christ. Psalm 119:44-45 So I will keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. Show Notes: https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/psalm-119-vii-the-meaning-of-true-freedom The Golden Alphabet by Charles Spurgeon: (PDF) https://www.spurgeongems.org/chs_golden-alphabet.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Alphabet-Charles-H-Spurgeon/dp/1683072804 Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges: https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/Charles Bridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

We don’t know when Psalm 119 was written, but we do know it was written after man’s fall. This means the writer knew what it was to experience different seasons of the soul. He knew the warm joy of springtime, and the dreary darkness of winter. The prolonged dark seasons are particularly dangerous for the Christian. But God has given us all that we need in His Word to walk near to Him, even in the darkest of days. In this week’s episode, John Snyder focuses on Psalm 119:41-42 and discusses how we can pray Scripture in these dark nights of the soul.   May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your word; So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. Psalm 119:41-42   Show Notes: mediagratiae.org/blog/psalm-119-vi-a-prayer-for-dark-seasons The Golden Alphabet by Charles Spurgeon: (PDF) https://www.spurgeongems.org/chs_golden-alphabet.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Alphabet-Charles-H-Spurgeon/dp/1683072804 Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges: https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/Charles Bridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app