What Role Do Good Works Play in Salvation?
So my salvation, initially, is grounded upon good works—Jesus’ good works.
What about my own good works? Do they have a role? Most Protestants would say no. Justification is only one part of salvation. Salvation is the big word. Salvation is the word that covers all of the process by which God fully brings us to total redemption. Justification is that point in the process when... Continue Reading
Jesus Is Not Your American Patriot
God has made all people—including Americans—in his image, but we shall not make him in ours.
Instead of worshiping at the altar of a false civil religion, Christians have a dual citizenship: a lesser, temporary citizenship on earth and a supreme, eternal citizenship in heaven. Love of country is a good thing, but the interests of our eternal King far outweigh any interests of our earthly land. I live in... Continue Reading
Assurance: a Pastoral Conversation
“My dear man, let me begin by telling you that your foundation is secure."
“Do you believe that man’s condition is such that he is in need of salvation?” The man responded promptly, “Well, yes, of course.” The minister leaned even further toward the man making him a bit uncomfortable. “But,” said the minister, “do you believe that God has promised to save men and that this plan is... Continue Reading
Hollywood, Capitol Hill and the Human Heart
We ought to welcome an exposure of sexual sin in a culture that has celebrated, embraced and fought for every other conceivable form of sexual sin.
However, only highlighting one or two specific forms of sexual depravity will have the inevitable and undesired result of fueling self-righteousness among those outraged by it. When the media singles out one particular sexual sin, while approving almost all other forms, one who hasn’t fallen into a socially unacceptable form of sexual sin begins to... Continue Reading
Does 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Teach That Our Good Works Are An Instrument Of Salvation?
God the Spirit graciously produces good works in those whom Christ as justified and whom the Spirit is sanctifying.
Paul does not, however, teach any of the doctrines that are being claimed as Pauline and Reformed in the current discussion. There is in Paul no two-stage doctrine of salvation, wherein one is initially justified sola gratia, sola fide and finally saved through faith and works. The salvation in view here is present. The Thessalonians are not said... Continue Reading
Running from “the Black Dog”
Depression nips at my heels from the first week in November through the end of February.
What I have discovered is that walking in the light about my struggles helps me to fight against them because I know I am not alone and I know how my enemy works. If you struggle with depression, I want to encourage you to find a safe person you can talk to. Don’t assume they... Continue Reading
Pickpocketing Purity
“Perhaps it is time that we start thinking about love, rather than reputation.”
Some of the comments defending the Pence Rule under the link I shared are emotionally charged and hurtful, resorting to the conversation-closer of name-calling. This is what Alan Jacobs calls commitment to non-thinking. In them, Beaty is called brain dead and her article is referred to as a moronic idea, full of lies, which like the New... Continue Reading
Cain and Abel: More than Sibling Rivalry
Cain and Abel may indeed be the first story of sibling rivalry, but it is far more than that.
Cain and Abel may indeed be the first story of sibling rivalry, but it is far more than that. It is a divine theater of hope and resurrection life in Christ. It is a preview of the life of many who faithfully follow God in this world and trust in His promises while dramatically displaying... Continue Reading
10 Things You Should Know About Pride and Humility From Jonathan Edwards
Here are ten things we can learn from Jonathan Edwards on the nature of both pride and humility.
When we grow in our knowledge of something that is finite, we feel that in a sense we have “conquered” it or subdued it and that it is now within our control because we have knowledge of it in all respects. But if the object of knowledge is infinite, as God is, with every measure... Continue Reading
Uncovering Treasures in Paul’s Shortest Letter
Of all the apostle Paul’s epistles, the letter to Philemon may be my favorite
“This is Paul’s only letter that doesn’t mention his apostleship in the greeting. He wants to emphasize to Philemon that he is writing first as a friend, not as a superior. Rather than giving his spiritual son a direct command, he prefers to make his appeal on the basis of love.” I have a... Continue Reading