Faith (Page 3)
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards, the 18th-century revivalist, sat down at age 17 and penned 21 resolutions by which he would live his life. Each week he did a self-check. He regularly summed up how he was doing and sought God’s help in the process.
You are in a Covenant with God
In Doctrine of the Knowledge of God (P&R Publishing, 1987), John Frame writes that everything is in covenant with God. “During the creation week, all things, plants animals and persons, are appointed to be covenant servants, to obey God’s law, and to be instruments … of His gracious purpose. Thus everything and everybody is in covenant with God…
Is Christianity a Religion?
Picture credit: Wikipedia In The Myth Of Religious Violence, William T. Cavanaugh analyses the use of the term “religion” and uncovers some very interesting things. Some of these things I may expand upon at a later date, but one part of the discussion I will quote below (p. 63). Here he quotes and paraphrases Augustine of Hippo: ‘For…
Some Proven Weapons in the Fight for Holiness
When Paul says to put to death the deeds of the body “by the Spirit” (Romans 8:13), I take him to mean that we should use the one weapon in the Spirit’s armor that is used to kill. Namely, the sword. Which is the word of God.
High Octane Calvinism
Speaking of Calvinism, I like what Douglas Wilson has to say about the grace & works dilemma and how “High Octane Calvinism” is the only solution. How can we balance our focus on God’s grace, and also our focus on obedience and discipleship? Watch here for his answer.
Attitudes and hostility to Christian faith
What makes this good news, indeed – terrific news, is that God loves us in spite of our sinful ways. God’s love is totally unmerited and is extended towards us whilst we are His enemies. Now that’s tremendous news – that’s great news -that’s the gospel.
Melbourne’s Earthquake and the True Rock
© chnrdu under Creative Commons Melbourne was struck by an earthquake on Tuesday night. The HBC Ministry Leadership Team were meeting at my home and we were deep in discussion, when suddenly the whole house started shaking. People out in the La Trobe Valley would have felt it even more than those…
Headings in the Bible
Religious rules won’t help us live for Christ and put sin to death. But if we focus on Jesus, on things above, we will be able to put sin to death and live to please God (Col. 3:1-4). So we are to set our minds on things above: on Jesus. We are to put to death earthly things, such as rules and our sins!
The Prosperity Gospel?
“If you profess to be a child of God, leave to the Lord Jesus to sanctify you in His own way. Rest satisfied that He never makes any mistakes. Be sure that He does all things well. The winds may howl around you, and waters swell. But fear not, ‘He is leading you by the right way, that He may bring you to a city of habitation’ (Psalm 107:7).”
Faith and Assurance
© Shawn Hempel – Fotolia.com In a book I was reading this week, there was a distinction made between faith and assurance. The author certainly asserted that not only is there such a thing in the Bible as assurance, but that it is most earnestly to be desired and sought. However he made it clear that in his opinion, and the opinion of many authors (he quoted 30!),…