Sometimes I ask questions to spur your memory, and just give you food for thought. When the answers are quite obvious (such as number 1) I will not answer them here. Here are the answers to last weeks questions:
2) Evangelists instruction reminds us that we are not to find satisfaction and rest in this world. Rather we are to be steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, watchful over our hearts, and abound in the work of the Lord.
3 and 4) My study guide spends 4 pages on these questions alone! There is no way that I could list all the sins and discuss each one. So, rather I will quote from Spurgeon...
"The happiest state of a Christian is the holiest state. As there is most heat nearest to the sun, to there is the most happiness nearest to Christ. No Christian enjoys comfort when his eyes are fixed on vanity. I do not blame ungodly men for rushing to their pleasures. Let them have their fill. That is all they have to enjoy, but Christians must seek their delights in a higher sphere than the insipid frivolities of the world. Vain pursuits are dangerous to renewed souls."
5) There are several reasons Christian and Faithful caused the town to be in a hubbub. They were wearing Christ's robes of righteousness--so they looked different. The used spiritual conversation--so they spoke differently. And they could care less about the wares of the fair. They sought truth.
6 & 7) Bunyan knew persecution.(Remember he wrote this book while in prison.) Though Christian and Faithful were beaten and despised, they did not lose heart. Quoting Luther, "Joy in the Lord is more injurious to Satan's empire than anything. Come, let us sing a psalm and spite the devil."
9) I want to comment a bit about each witness. "Envy" is the very disposition of the Devil and very much a part of our own fallen nature. Witness 2, "Superstition" is one who rests in rituals but does not worship God in spirit and truth. "Pickthank" is a man who has no religious principles but will assume the garb of whatever party best suits his interests.
10) " By the death of Faithful, many were affected by that testimony, whose hearts might otherwise have remained hardened to the end of life." --Cheever.
As my guide says, "Oh that we would also be convicted of the same crimes as those Faithful committed and receive a verdict such is as worthy of true pilgrims."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Next week's reading assignment:
Moody in Today's English: pp 99-118
Revel Spire: 90-110
My answers were not as insightful as yours, but pretty specific to the text. Both were good I think though.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 4 jumped out at me. This is what the commentary I read stated:
The intellectual enticement of being sophisticated, not narrow minded.
The offer of short pleasurable rest from the demands of commitment.
The invitation to participate since, "once saved, always saved."
I added to this, that we lay up treasures for ourselves here on earth and having our "idols."