How One Book Changed My Life (Part 3)
If I could name just one defining feature of Mastricht's Theoretical-Practical Theology, it is that it is full of the glory of God.
Theology is not merely about living: it is about living for God, through Christ. Its chief end is God’s glory, and the great means it seeks to that end is our union and communion with God (103), which comes only through the Mediator, Jesus Christ (102). Previously I discussed how Petrus van Mastricht, in... Continue Reading
The Grace of Grieving
Sanctified grief on Ezra’s part appeared to have a blessed and positive effect on the people of Israel.
Do we, as God’s people, mourn over sin? Or is sin too comfortable for us: is it an understandable failing on our part or a most horrific offense in the sight of God? The people’s sin reduced Ezra to a disheveled beggar with torn robes and hair, fasting until evening. That is, I think, how... Continue Reading
Semper Reformanda Doesn’t Mean ‘Always Morphing’
Semper reformanda does not mean “always morphing;” to be always reforming is to be always returning to the gospel.
It does not mean that the faith is ever changing, progressing into something better. In many respects, to be always reforming is to be always returning to the gospel. It is to be continually sloughing off the baggage of doctrinal add-ons and distractions, cutting out the ever-rising innovations, theological and otherwise. To be always reforming is to... Continue Reading
Lord, Help Me See Their Destiny
Four Prayers for Personal Evangelism
Ask God to enlighten the eyes of your heart to see people from an eternal perspective. Ask him to give you the same compassion for the lost that Jesus felt when he looked upon the shepherdless crowds (Matthew 9:36). Ask him to help you see that Jesus suffered for sinners and desires for them to... Continue Reading
When Your Pastor-Husband Looks at Porn
If you discover your husband’s sin, you’ll feel like you’re sinking. In these moments, God’s Word is your lifeline.
Sister, I know you’re hurting, but remember how compassionate the Lord has been with you, and ask him to help you have compassion on your husband. If you truly desire to help him walk with the Lord and grow in holiness, then compassion will be a necessity. Pray for God to help you have godly... Continue Reading
Into the Mystic
Our pursuit of God must be Christ-centered and based upon the revealed Word of God.
The Word is our proper revealed truth, and we should be skeptical when anyone—whether in the fourteenth century or today—seeks to describe for us their own personal truth about God. To “empty” one’s mind and worship God by a noncognitive experience is to fail to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength.... Continue Reading
Trusting the Good and Sovereign God at Every Age
Although the Lord’s ways are mysterious, He is working out His plan.
He is our Creator and has demonstrated His grace by giving us the gift of life itself. He has also given each of us aptitudes, talents, and natural gifts according to His purpose. But we must also acknowledge that our natural deficiencies, whether they are physical, intellectual, or emotional, are part of His mysterious providence... Continue Reading
Don’t Hit People with the Old Switcheroo
If we only present the good stuff, we’ll end up with a half gospel that misses the reality of the Christian life.
There are obviously great things to proclaim in the gospel. There are great truths to grasp hold of and believe. But we don’t do anybody any favours if we hit them with a salesman pitch and then give them the old switcheroo. Of course, if we only present the things that will be difficult, we will... Continue Reading
Context Matters: The Ten Commandments
At Mt. Sinai, the people are not hearing rules from a cold and distant judge. They are hearing laws from a loving, powerful Father.
The holy, powerful, sovereign, covenant-making God gives these commands to his people out of love. He wants it to go well with them and with their children after them, that their days may be prolonged (Deut 4:40). Because the Israelites are God’s people, he loves them enough to give them these commands. You’ve no... Continue Reading
Your Best Parenting May Not Work
Why Children Still Walk Away
Solomon said: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalms 127:1). We were never meant to parent alone. We need God’s strong hands to build our house, and we need his all-seeing eyes to watch over our children, guarding the walls of the city. We fail our children if... Continue Reading