Our Sufficiency in Christ [Paperback]

John MacArthur has written a straight forward and strong refutation of the all too common thinking that the Church (and Christians individually) needs something(s) more than a loving Father, an indwelling Holy Spirit, a gracious Lord and an inerrant Bible. MacArthur shows how many of the present day trends and focuses the church has adopted, grouped into three main categories of psychology, mysticism and pragmatism, are nothing less than the denial of the all-sufficiency of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Too often, the church has accepted the world's thinking that psychology is needed to help people with the really difficult problems and issues of life rather than the wisdom of God's Word applied and lived out in the strength of God's Spirit. Too often Christians have bought the world's message that we need to turn inward and empty our minds to find spiritual fulfillment and peace rather than turning outward and looking to Christ and filling our minds with God's Word. Too often we disbelieve God's instruction to do God's work God's way and church leaders adopt instead the methods of the corporate business growth model to attempt to grow their churches and get the kind of results that they would like to see instead of faithfully preaching and teaching the Word and trusting God with the results (whether or not those results always look the way we want them to).

MacArthur repeatedly calls us back to find our sufficiency in the all-sufficiency of God in Christ and in the truth, potency and universal applicability of the Word of God. And he reminds us that this is not a new battle but rather just one battle in the perennial war against God and his Word - "has God really said?...". All Christians should read this simple manual on how to recognize and reject repackaged Gnosticism.

Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, (2 Corinthians 3:5 RSV)

John MacArthur argues that many local churches and God's followers do not trust in the sufficiency in Christ. The minister believes in the authority of God's word; They believe in salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ and as a guide for righteous living. They lose patience in the word and start thinking something else is needed to bring others to Christ. Neither do they trust God's word in their daily lives: seeking other sources to help themselves and others when misfortune and difficulties come in their lives. Something other then God and His written word is sought. Christian ministers have sought the use of secular psychology to help their flock deal with the daily grind. Accepting "the notion scripture does not contain all we need in these complex and sophisticated modern times." pg. 117 It does not end here, but many local bodies seek resources though secular business, the government, politics and entertainment.

(.... traditional counseling from the bible is widely viewed as unsophisticated, naive, and even fatuous.") pg.30 In addition John MacArthur asks the question: "Does God need a psychiatrist"? pg. 55 He replies with a strong no. Psychiatry is part of the world's philosophy and not of God. He further argues that 'Christian psychology' is little more then using bits of scripture in secular psychology.

Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ.
(Colossians 1:28 RSV)

See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ.
(Colossians 2:8 RSV)

The Bible talks about Christian struggle because of his belief, temptation, and the frailty of the earthly body. God has always used suffering to perfect and purify His people. How else can he demonstrate the sufficiency of His Grace. Jesus came into the world to live as man, to suffer the daily indignities of a man, to be tempted as all other men, and to suffer like a sinner. How are you as a Christian to be Christ like if the believer does not use the same tools used in His daily walk? A symbiosis exists between the believer and God. God is at work in the believer through the Holy Spirit and the believer most strive through his daily life to be holy. The Holy Spirit is your comforter while you as a Christian walk on this earth.

And we desire each one of you to show the same
earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
(Hebrews 6:11-12 RSV)

Suffering conforms our sonship

And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? --"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (Hebrews 12:5-8 RSV)

No discipline, one is an illegitimate child of God. Contentment and joy does come from circumstance but through the Holy Spirit. ' And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit;'
(1 Thessalonians 1:6 RSV)

John MacArthur argues that the Joy of the Lord cannot come from the means of this world nor can the Body of Christ be built through the wisdom of this world. The church is to magnify God. The plain gospel is the power of God unto salvation. All messages should be God centered and not centered on the heart felt needs of man. Let God's word tell man what he needs: repentance, God's forgiveness, and to reconciled with the Father. Church is not there for man's felt wishes. The local body does not exist for the unbeliever. Christians come together for worship, fellowship, edification and mutual encouragement. Paul's goal was not to make the believer comfortable, but to leave him terrified of the judgment of God. Paul did not help a person with their 'perceived need', but with their eternal need of salvation.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
(Philippians 2:12-13 RSV)

One is saved through the power of Jesus Christ, but? Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ.
(Colossians 1:28 RSV)

How is the Christian to present himself complete in Christ if he does not flee from sin? It is only through the sufficiency of Christ and the Holy Spirit may the believer withstand temptation. This is how one grows into a closer relationship with God.

Part of renewing our minds (Romans 12:1,2) includes purging the world's way of thinking and philosophy from our lives and embracing a biblical world view. Our Sufficiency in Christ does an incredible job at identifying three dangerous worldly mentalities (psychology, pragmaticism, and philosophy) and exposing their anti-biblical content.