Applying the Bible's message

5 types of people to consider in application1 1. Those who are unbelievers and are both ignorant and unteachable . They need: a) reasoning / discussion to learn about their attitudes b) to be confronted about any obvious sins so that they may become teachable 2. Those who are ignorant , but teachable . They need: a) an organized and thorough teaching of the Bible 3. Those who have knowledge , but have never been humbled . They need: a) to be shown their own sin and led to repentance 4. Those who are believing , humbled and growing . They need: a) to be taught the gospel: the biblical teaching on justification, sanctification and perseverance. b) to be taught the law: but as it applies to those who are no longer under its curse, so that they may be taught how to bear the fruit of a new obedience in keeping with their repentance c) to continue hearing the curse of the law, not to threaten them, but to discourage abusing the mercy of God by sinful living, to increase humility, and to continue the destruction of their remaining sin. d) But, it's important to make sure the humbling is complete and sound, not light and superficial. If comfort is offered to soon they may later become hardened in the same way iron which has been cast into the furnace becomes exceptionally hard when it is cold. 5. Those believers who have fallen into moral or theological sin. Some may have partly departed from the state of grace, either in faith or in lifestyle. They need: a) the specific doctrine which corrects their error to berevealed and taught. b) to hear about repentance and experience Christian love.

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William Perkins, The Art of Prophesying, 1592, http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/perkins_prophesying.html