Reading the great Protestant books: "The Attributes of God" by A. W. Pink

Reading the great Protestant books

One of the best ways to understand Protestantism is to read the great writers of the past. Writers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Thomas Watson. The Puritans and the other great writers of the past show how the modern church has changed and watered down the teachings of the Bible in the vain hope of trying to change the world instead of trusting in God. That does not mean there are no good books written now, there are just fewer good books now being written.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

"The Attributes of God" by A. W. Pink

"“O give thanks unto the Lord: for He is good, for His mercy
endureth forever” (Psalm 136:1).

For this perfection of the Divine character God is greatly to be praised. Three times over in as many verses does the Psalmist here call upon the saints to give thanks unto the Lord for this adorable attribute. And surely this is the least that can be asked for from those who have been such bounteous gainers by it. When we contemplate the characteristics of this Divine excellency, we cannot do otherwise than bless God for it. His mercy is “great” (1 Kings 3:6), “plenteous” (Psalm 86:5), “tender” (Luke 1:78), “abundant” (1 Peter 1:3); it is “from everlasting to
everlasting upon them that fear Him” (Psalm 103:17). Well may we say with the Psalmist, “I will sing aloud of Thy mercy” (Psalm 59:16).

Wherein differs the “mercy of God from His grace”? The mercy of God has
its spring in the Divine goodness. The first issue of God’s goodness is His
benignity or bounty, by which He gives liberally to His creatures as
creatures; thus has He given being and life to all things. The second issue
of God’s goodness is His mercy, which denotes the ready inclination of
God to relieve the misery of fallen creatures. Thus, “mercy” presupposes
sin.
Though it may not be easy at the first consideration to perceive a real difference between the grace and the mercy of God, it helps us thereto if we carefully ponder His dealings with the unfallen angels. He has never exercised mercy toward them, for they have never stood in any need thereof, not having sinned or come beneath the effects of the curse. Yet, they certainly are the objects of God’s free and sovereign grace. First, because of His election of them from out of the whole angelic race
(1 Timothy 5:21). Second, and in consequence of their election, because of His preservation of them from apostasy, when Satan rebelled and dragged down with him one-third of the celestial hosts (Revelation 12:4)."

Related Tags: A. W. Pink, God, mercy, sin, grace

# posted by Johnnie Burgess : 8/10/2006 07:07:00 PM