Msg #8: Mastery Over Flesh; Richard Baxter: "Faithfully & Constantly Practice These Ten Directions"

“I charge you in his name [Jesus Christ], … that you faithfully and constantly practice these ten directions” - Richard Baxter, 1615 - 1691 1) Feed on the Word of God - Labor to gain true knowledge and sound judgement. Bible should always be in your hands and close to your heart. Listen/read divine preachers. Maintain a rhythm in your faith by keeping the Sabbath devoted to pursuing the things of God. 2) Find a faithful minister who shepherds souls to Christ - 1st Peter 3:18. Acknowledge him as your teacher and overseer. 3) Put into practice what the Lord has taught you. Good theology is good application. 4) Faithfully and diligently teach your family, friends, neighbors, … the ways of God. 5) Beware of extreme points of religion. Don’t go beyond or fall short of what the Bible teaches. Avoid the pitfalls of distorting and/or denying the truth. The Bible has authority over us, we don’t have authority over God’s word. 6) Maintain peace and unity by maintaining a charitable tone even when confronting disagreements. Beware of a censorious, self-righteous spirit. 7) Above all, be sure you get down the pride of your hearts. No sin more natural, more common, or more deadly.8) Be sure you keep the mastery over your flesh and senses. Sin always causes harm, always leads to death and destruction. 9) Admonish others lovingly and modestly, but be sure you do it, and that seriously. Don’t commit the sin of being silent. 10) Lastly, be sure to maintain a constant delight in God, and a seriousness and spirituality in all his worship. Think it not enough to delight in duties, if you don’t delight not in God.