Jul 11
15
If it be asked, in what sense I accept this Scripture I humbly answer; I accept it simply as the whole
passage stands altogether, one complete whole. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling: for it is GOD which worketh in you, both to will and to do, of his good pleasure. If it be GOD, which worketh in me to will; so that I cannot will a good thought, or intention,without the LORD willeth it in me, neither when the LORD hath worked in me that will; I cannot do that good purpose, without he that first moved it, gives energy to the performance of it, well doth it become me to be always alive and active in the important work, which this Almighty mover is, working in me, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. The work I am thus working out, is not the work of labor, or of merit, or of justification, or of recommendation to GOD, but simply an employment, in a constant attendance upon it, and that of such earnestness and anxiety, as men of the world, when engaged in an arduous concern, are fearful and trembling in, lest they should fail of success. Not a bondage fear, but an holy, child-like fear. Not a fear of the loss of divine love for the adoption of children prevents such apprehensions, and the faithful Covenant promises of GOD in CHRIST, render it impossible. But the fear of an holy weariness in the path of grace, as those who rejoice in full assurance of faith, but rejoice with trembling. Beholding the wreck of our fallen nature, in the instance of the floating carcases all around, we bless the GOD of our salvation, that he hath brought us by his grace safe on shore, while we tremble to look back and see the tremendous storm from whence we have escaped. If this be the meaning of the passage it is truly blessed, and in exact conformity to the whole tenor of Scripture. I find, through grace, the LORD working in me, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. He worketh in me, to show me my total helplessness in myself, and my complete all-sufficiency in CHRIST. Conscious of the infinite importance of salvation, I feel the LORD’S grace, prompting me to an unceasing desire after the LORD, so that I am working from life, not for life; from grace, not for grace. And thus I am going humbly and softly all my days, as one, who hath an object of such infinite moment before him, that while rejoicing in CHRIST, I am trembling in myself. These are my views of the scripture, and which I now leave with the Reader to his own judgment, under the LORD’S blessing.
Robert Hawker