G R 'Scott' Cundiff
7th December 2006, 07:42 PM (19:42)
I've just finished Pierson's biography of George Muller, one of the greatest prayer warriors of all time.
The biography was written not long after Muller's death in 1898 and the author knew him well. Pierson takes his task very seriously and for over 350 pages examines the life of this great man of faith.
Pierson's style requires considerable patience from the reader, as he is not averse to doing some sermonizing of his own and does so at every opportunity.
Still, the story of Muller's life of faith is challenging and attractive. Muller housed and cared for thousands of orphans without ever publicly expressing a financial need, trusting only in the Lord. Across the years support came in every way imaginable, although sometimes at literally the last minute.
The book is available online here: http://www.biblebelievers.com/george_muller/
The final section of the book is made up of sayings of Muller himself. This is a good example of that section.
GIFT AND GRACE OF FAITH.
It pleased the Lord, I think, to give me in some cases something like the gift (not grace) of faith, so that unconditionally I could ask and look for an answer. The difference between the gift and the grace of faith seems to me this. According to the gift of faith I am able to do a thing, or believe that a thing will come to pass, the not doing of which, or the not believing of which would not be sin; according to the grace of faith I am able to do a thing, or believe that a thing will come to pass, respecting which I have the word of God as the ground to rest upon, and, therefore, the not doing it, or the not believing it would be sin. For instance, the gift of faith would be needed, to believe that a sick person should be restored again, though there is no human probability: for there is no promise to that effect; the grace of faith is needed to believe that the Lord will give me the necessaries of life, if I first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness: for there is a promise to that effect. (Matt. vi.33.)
The biography was written not long after Muller's death in 1898 and the author knew him well. Pierson takes his task very seriously and for over 350 pages examines the life of this great man of faith.
Pierson's style requires considerable patience from the reader, as he is not averse to doing some sermonizing of his own and does so at every opportunity.
Still, the story of Muller's life of faith is challenging and attractive. Muller housed and cared for thousands of orphans without ever publicly expressing a financial need, trusting only in the Lord. Across the years support came in every way imaginable, although sometimes at literally the last minute.
The book is available online here: http://www.biblebelievers.com/george_muller/
The final section of the book is made up of sayings of Muller himself. This is a good example of that section.
GIFT AND GRACE OF FAITH.
It pleased the Lord, I think, to give me in some cases something like the gift (not grace) of faith, so that unconditionally I could ask and look for an answer. The difference between the gift and the grace of faith seems to me this. According to the gift of faith I am able to do a thing, or believe that a thing will come to pass, the not doing of which, or the not believing of which would not be sin; according to the grace of faith I am able to do a thing, or believe that a thing will come to pass, respecting which I have the word of God as the ground to rest upon, and, therefore, the not doing it, or the not believing it would be sin. For instance, the gift of faith would be needed, to believe that a sick person should be restored again, though there is no human probability: for there is no promise to that effect; the grace of faith is needed to believe that the Lord will give me the necessaries of life, if I first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness: for there is a promise to that effect. (Matt. vi.33.)