"And first, if we deny this doctrine, we turn the truth, I mean the word of God, as much as we can, into a lie, and utterly subvert all those places of scripture which say that we are saved by grace; that it is not of works, lest any man should boast; that salvation is God's free gift; and that he who glorieth must glory only in the Lord. For, if the whole personal righteousness of Jesus Christ be not the sole cause of my acceptance with God, if any work done by or foreseen in me, was in the least to be joined with it, or looked upon by God as an inducing, impulsive cause of acquitting my soul from guilt, then I have somewhat whereof I may glory in myself. Now, boasting is excluded in the great work of our redemption; but that cannot be, if we are enemies to the doctrine of imputed righteousness."
George Whitefield
Concerning imputed righteousness, ol' George nails it! George Whitefield (1714-1770) has always been one of my favorite figures of the past. He was a contemporary of John Wesley, and the two enjoyed a friendship, though very strained at times due to theological differences. Whitefield was first and foremost a preacher. In writing about Whitefield, biographer J.C. Ryle observes, "He wrote no book for the million, of world-wide fame...He headed no crusade against an apostate church...He founded no religious denomination, which pinned its faith on his writings and carefully embalmed his best acts and words...No! The great evangelist..was a simple, guileless man, who lived for one thing only, and that was to preach Christ." While grateful for men like Whitefield, I pray that God will raise up others of this generation with the same single mindedness and the boldness to express that mind! Be watching for more from our friend George.
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