Longing for sensible assurance?

[commenting on the post-resurrection doubts of Thomas]

There are many, who, like Thomas, are longing for some sensible assurance of the love of Christ, beyond the general declarations of the Bible. They want some inward token that they are born again, some sensible assurance of their acceptance, before they believe and commit their souls wholly to Jesus. They desire to be Christians, but want to know that they have been converted before they trust. This is precisely the error of Thomas. They want the evidence of sense, rather than of faith. They want some inward work in the heart, as a ground of faith, rather than the outward work of Christ, offered in the gospel. Such an assurance will not be given them. Their warrant to believe is in the Word, and to give them any other warrant would be to dishonor that, and to thrust their hands into the Savior’s side before believing. They must go to Jesus, just as they are, cast themselves on his mercy, and believe that he will do as he has promised, pardon, purify, and save, and then the benediction shall descend upon them, “Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.”

T. V. Moore,
THE LAST DAYS OF JESUS, The Forty Days Between the Resurrection and Ascension; Banner of Truth Trust, 1981, pp. 86-87

“Deep thinking is not my thing”

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
Psalm 119:15 (esv)

Many would argue against the practice of meditating on Scripture, or doing deep (theological) thinking, by saying “it’s not my thing” — as if it comes only by nature to some (and not to others). Puritan Thomas Manton (c. 1680) unmasks this excuse, and exhorts all believers to get it in gear.

“Many think it is an exercise that does not suit with their temper; it is a good exercise, but for those who can use it. It is true, there is a great deal of difference among Christians; some are more serious and consistent and have a greater command over their thoughts; others are of a more slight and weak spirit, and less apt for duties of retirement and recollection; but our unfitness is usually moral rather than natural; not so much by temper, as by ill use. … Partly, want [lack] of love; we pause and stay upon such objects as we delight in. Love naileth the soul to the object or thing beloved. “O how I love they law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97).