Unconditional Election: The Glory of Electing Grace
The doctrine of election should be a most humbling doctrine
I have no reason to stand before God except for the grace of God. There is no basis in myself as to why I should experience that grace. Even my response to God in faith is something He worked in me. As Ephesians 1 reminds us, the working of God in redemption, especially in election... Continue Reading
What Did Jesus Mean When He Said “Not an Iota, Not a Dot, Will Pass from the Law Until All Is Accomplished”?
Through His obedience, Jesus releases us from the burden of trying to earn our salvation
“This does not mean Christians should have no concern to follow God’s law. Christ frees us to obey it. Jesus’ disciples are called to a genuine love of God and neighbor (22:37–40; see 7:21). This is a lofty calling, but Jesus Himself embodied it throughout His life.” Matthew 5:17–18 is a key text for... Continue Reading
Secret Contentment
Life for everyone — David, Jesus, Paul, you and me — is like a roller coaster
“Jesus Christ also experienced the best of days and worst of days. Great joy was found as he grew in wisdom, statutory, favor with God and man. He was thrilled as disciples were found, made, and matured. Yet, he suffered much and was afflicted; he endured much physical, mental, relational, financial, professional, political, and ecclesistical sorrows.”... Continue Reading
Grace Under Fire: The Purpose of Fiery Trials, pt 2
Three results fiery trials have on our faith
Fake faith was revealed when persecution arose. It’s like a fake Rolex – it looks real until you apply the slightest amount of scrutiny…if you rub a little too hard the gold comes off. If it gets in water, it rusts. Many people are like that – as soon as their faith comes under the... Continue Reading
What the Wayward Wants
Why is it important to know what the wayward wants? Because “to reach the prodigal, you must first crawl into the story of the prodigal.”
The wayward wants autonomy without accountability. Wayward people want autonomy without the rule of love. They want to live in an irrational immaturity that allows them to indulge in sin without any responsibility. “For prodigals, maturity means indulging in freedoms, not accepting responsibility. The freedom they want is entirely on their terms. They expect money,... Continue Reading
The Almighty And Ever Present Power Of God
The definition of providence in the Catechism is stunning. “All things,” yes all things, “come to us not by chance but from his fatherly hand.”
Whatever of your hopes or fears come true, God will never be untrue to those who love him and have been called according to his purpose. He will always lead his people, always listen to the brokenhearted, and always love his children. God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform. If we can’t... Continue Reading
2 Reasons to Give Thanks this Thanksgiving
No matter what: God is good and His steadfast love endures forever
Thanking God for His goodness is a reference to His character. We know from reading Scripture that goodness isn’t His only trait but it is one that is highlighted throughout the Bible. Everything God made was good (Genesis 1). Jesus told the rich young ruler, “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except... Continue Reading
Confessing the Triune God: Retrieving Nicene Faith for Today’s Church- RTS Houston
Eternal generation establishes the distinction between the Father and the Son and preserves equality within the Godhead. The Son (and Spirit) are equal in power and glory with the Father (WLC Ques. 9). This equality of power and glory is lost when eternal generation is replaced by an eternal relationship of authority and submission. Proponents... Continue Reading
18 Prayers to Pray for Unbelievers
While we can and must pray for matters related to their lives and circumstances, the emphasis of our prayers must always be for their salvation
Pray that God would grant them repentance. Unbelievers cannot repent without the enabling grace of God. So pray that God would grant them repentance, that this repentance would lead them to a knowledge of the truth. Pray as well that they would come to their senses and that they would escape from the devil’s snare.... Continue Reading
Learning From The Judges
The grim history of Israel’s sin in the period of the judges goes against what the people pledged
“The people of God relived the cycle of relapse, retribution, repentance, and rescue over and over again throughout biblical history. And, dare I say, the church has seen a similar cycle over the past two thousand years as well. But we have a tendency to think such things cannot happen in the life of the... Continue Reading