Religious Affections 1

I’d like to share some thoughts from readings I’ve been doing in Edwards’ Religious Affections. He makes the cause, rather strongly in fact, that true religion lies in or rather is evidenced by our affections. Hardness of heart, while often implying the presence of sin, also speaks to a lack of what he calls “true religion,” best understood as an active walk with God. He cautions however though that the presence or the perceived presence of religious affections does not always mean a correct walk with God. Discernment here is key. That being said, Edwards’ rightly emphasizes that a proper understanding of God’s redemptive plan creates true affections. “If the great things of religion are rightly understood, they will affect the heart.” He further claims that a lack of affections is really a symbol of a lack of true religion. For while one can fake emotions and desires, one cannot hide the joy and gratitude that accompany a proper understanding of the redemptive work of Christ.

This struck a chord within me as I am so swayed and captivated often by earthly emotions and yet cold and emotionless in my worship and walk with God. I shamefully have to admit more excitement upon receiving my new cell phone that receiving the Word of God. This ought not be so!
“How can they (I) sit and hear of the infinite height and depth and length and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus, of his giving his infinitely dear Son, to be offered up a sacrifice for the sins of men, and of the unparalleled love of the innocent, holy and tender Lamb of God, manifested in his dying agonies, his bloody sweat, his loud and bitter cries, and bleeding heart, and all this for enemies, to redeem them from deserved, eternal burnings, and to bring to unspeakable and everlasting joy and glory; and yet be cold, and heavy, insensible, and regardless! Where are the exercises of our affections proper, if not here? What is it that does more require them? If we ought to exercise our affections at all…then they ought to be exercised about those objects which are most worthy of them…How great a cause have we therefore to be humbled to the dust, that we are no more affected!” (123-124)