For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:30
My best friend just told me about John Mac Arthur's latest book. It is called Hard to Believe. Now who am I to criticize MacArthur? He is a super- author and beloved preacher of millions.
Just for fun, Google "John MacArthur's". His wife, his family his home, are all listed as items of interest. He is famous for how-to books. In fact, the only thing he has not written about, so far, is how to breathe.
So why am I concerned about this man's latest book? John has a tendency toward legalism or "hardism". It's possible, reading him, to believe that you must constantly struggle to be a Christian. Perhaps with one of his books you can make it, but it won't be easy.
I once worked with a man who had served in WWII. When his outfit left training and were assigned duties, he was given the job as clerk-typist. As he pursued his job, he started receiving reports about his former buddies. Some had been wounded. Some had died. They had gone through hardships and perils, but he "only" worked in an office.
He told me that he was afraid of guns, even in training. But he was a meticulous worker and served well. Both he and the men who had been wounded and killed were soldiers. Both were needed. Most soldiers never see combat, yet they all serve.
But what about being one of the elect? It is totally easy. The elect were chosen, before the world was made, not on how hard they worked, or how much they suffered. Little babies are chosen before they are born, or even conceived, with no effort on their part.
Being chosen--being a Christian--is easy. Some receive dangerous, even deadly jobs, by their Savior. For others, just leading a decent life and hanging on to the Faith is enough. Shame on you, John MacArthur, for trying to put your burdens on God's elect!
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. I Thessalonians 4:11
See the following reviews for more insights on John MacArthur's writings.
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