Westminster Project 5.5-7

5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God often leaves his own children for a season to various temptations and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to show to them the hidden strength of the corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, so that they may be humbled and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, also to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for various other just and holy purposes. 

6. As for those wicked and ungodly people whom God blinds and hardens, as a righteous judge, for their former sins, he not only withholds from them his grace by which they might have been enlightened in their understandings and worked upon in their hearts, but also sometimes withdraws the gifts they had, and exposes them to such objects as their corruption makes occasions of sin. In addition, he gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan, by which it comes to pass that they harden themselves, even by those means which God uses for the softening of others. 

7. As the providence of God in general reaches to all creatures, so, after a most special manner, it takes care of his Church, and disposes all things to the good of it.  
(WCF 5.5-7)

Having studied the doctrine of providence for several weeks, we now turn to a part of the confession that directs our attention to God’s use of our sin—how He uses our wicked ways for His own good purposes (Rom 8:28). The confession examines this incredible truth in three contexts: first, with the elect; second, with the non-elect; and third, with the church.

WCF 5.5 first focuses this truth on the elect. Paul lamented in Romans 7 that he knew deep within what he wanted to do, yet at times did things he did not want to do. Why? Because the flesh remained a force to be reckoned with—a dog that still barks and bites unless actively resisted (Rom 7:15-20, 8:13). The point is that once we’re in Christ, the war might be won, but we remain in a battle to avoid being dragged back to our former ways and mindset (Rom 3–4; cf. 1 Cor 9:27). 

So at times, if we become apathetic or lazy in this battle, God—by His fatherly, tender wisdom—may allow us to face various temptations and the corruption of our own hearts, to chastise us for our former sins or to reveal to us the hidden strength of our hearts’ corruption and deceitfulness. In other words, God teaches us through experience that sin remains our soul’s enemy and that we still need Him. This truth is far from cruel; it is wonderfully personal. Imagine giving your life to Jesus and then God saying, “See you later; we’ll discuss what you could have done better when you get to heaven.” 

That would be madness. No, God reveals Himself to His elect as our Father, and as a good Father, He is personally involved in our discipleship and sanctification (Jn 20:17; Ex 34:6; Ps 23:4). By allowing us to taste and see that sin is truly savage, we hopefully turn again to the grace and hope of the gospel and become more watchful against all future occasions of sin. God does this because He loves us and for various other just and holy purposes.

WCF 5.6 then turns to those God has ‘passed over.’ No one is in hell because they wanted Jesus but couldn’t have Him; no—none are cast away from Jesus who come to Him (Jn 6:37). But the gospel calls us to believe and trust (Rom 10:9, 13). As we have seen, believing and trusting is a gift of faith given by God Himself (Eph 2:8-9; cf. WSC 86). Because we are by nature sinful and deserving of wrath, God gives some what our nature desperately seeks and desires (Rom 1; 11:7-8; cf. Deut 2:30). Notice this: the same providence that grants people what they want causes some to soften and turn to God, while in others it causes blindness and hardening, leading them to become more deeply “wallowed in their mire” (see Gen 45–50; Ex 1–15; Heb 6:7).

WCF 5.7 finally shows how God uses evil and sin for the betterment of His bride, the church. As we know, we are not yet perfect, and if we look around, the visible church still has much work to be done. So, in a most special way, when God allows difficulties to touch His bride, it is only for her good (Amos 9:8-9).

So take comfort. Have you called upon the name of the Lord? Do you trust Him? Do you have faith that Jesus has done all that needs to be done for you to be made right in God’s eyes? If you can say yes and amen, then know this: God’s people are special to Him; He is your Savior, and we are His treasured possession (Isa 43:3, 5; 1 Tim 4:10). All that is happening in your life is being worked out under your Father’s wise providence and for your good (Rom 8:28).