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Posts Tagged ‘Faith’

Third Commandment

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Faith, General, Glory, God's Law, tagged , , , , , , , , on May 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »

What is in a name? Is it a mere label or representation of a concept, thing, or person? Does a name have significance, and if so, who assigns the significance? In the case of God’s name, He assigns significance to His name by the third commandment and many other commands, exhortations, and warnings. The significance of His name is more than a representation of His person, power, deeds, and glory, however. His name has innate power proceeding from His person (1) to put demons to flight, heal the sick, bring meaningful comfort to the distraught, and more. I am reminded of Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and are safe”, or more literally, “are set securely on high.”

Taking God’s name in vain is using it intentionally or flippantly with disrespect. (2) God demonstrates His intolerance of denigrating the glory of His name during several circumstances in Scriptures. The first of these appears in the early stages of Israel. “The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name and cursed… let all the congregation stone him… ‘If anyone curses his God, then he will bear his sin. Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death.'” (3)

His name is not a talisman to be wielded at the will of anyone who names it, but God does endow His name with power for those who trust in Him according to His will. We must treat His name with reverence and care, but we are also commanded to call on His name (4) and “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name” (5).

Question 59: Which is the third commandment?
Answer: The third commandment is, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7.

Question 60: What is required in the third commandment?
Answer: The third commandment requires the holy and reverent use of God’s name, titles, attributes, ordinances, words, and works.

Psalm 29:2; 111:9; 138:2; Deuteronomy 32:1-4; 28:58-59; Matthew 6:9; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Job 36:24; Revelation 4:8; 15:3, 4.

Question 61: What is forbidden in the third commandment?
Answer: The third commandment forbids all profaning and abusing of anything whereby God makes himself known.

Exodus 20:7; Malachi 1:6, 7; Leviticus 20:3; 19:12; Matthew 5:34-37; Isaiah 52:5.

Question 62: What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
Answer: The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.

Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 28:58, 59; Malachi 2:2.

  1. Psalm 29:2a, 115:1 (Notice the phrase “because of”.), 148:13 (Notice the parallel of name’s glory and “His glory”.)
  2. What is taking the Lord’s name in vain?
  3. Leviticus 24:10-16
  4. Isaiah 12:4, 55:6; Psalm 105:1
  5. Psalm 29:2a

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Second Commandment

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Doctrine, Faith, General, God Thoughts, God's Law, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »

In our day, we are not given to graven or carved images to worship. A strong argument could be made that we have substituted the visual arts, especially screen time with its plethora of images of strength and beauty. The lack of carved images does not make us any less idolaters. As John Calvin said, “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” As I was considering Calvin’s quote one day, I heard a radio preacher say, “You think most about what you love most.” Following that train of thought, it may be said that what you love most you worship.

Good theology, but how does that intersect with my daily life? Here is an example. On my way to work I pass a billboard showing the lottery millions you can win. I never have nor will I waste money on any kind of lottery, but as I passed this billboard daily, I began daydreaming about being rich and what I would do with all of that money. Of course, I could rationalize the activity as trivial or mention all of the good ways I would use the funds. One or two random thoughts about using money for good might be dismissed as an imaginative thought experiment, but this went on for more than a few days. ”If I were a rich man” (1), became a morning theme song. After a few weeks I had to avert my eyes from seeing the billboard and quote Scripture out loud to avoid the distraction.

You may be saying, he has an overwrought conscience. I don’t think so, and what if the billboard instead had pictured an insufficiently dressed man or woman? (2) The Scripture says, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”” (Hebrews 13:5) Rather than be thankful for what God had abundantly provided, I began to worship unseen riches. Ezekiel 14:1-3 says, “Then some elders of Israel came to me and sat down before me. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity. Should I be consulted by them at all?“ God is changing the hearts and minds of those whom He has called to Himself in salvation, so that they may consult with Him and be taught by Him. Let us flee “idols of the heart”, worshipping God alone, being thankful for all God has provided, and loving God more than people or things.

Question 55: Which is the second commandment?
Answer: The second commandment is, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6

Question 56: What is required in the second commandment?
Answer: The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances, as God has appointed in his word.

Deuteronomy 12:32; 32:46; Matthew 28:20

Question 57: What is forbidden in the second commandment?
Answer: The second commandment forbids the worshipping of God by images, or any other way that draws the heart away from his glory rather than toward his glory.

Romans 1:22, 23; Deuteronomy 4:15, 16; Colossians 2:18; 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31

Question 58: What are the reasons added to the second commandment?
Answer: The reasons added to the second commandment are God’s holy jealousy for his name, and the zeal he has for his own worship.

Exodus 20:4-6; Exodus 34:14; 1 Corinthians 10:22

  1. “…Ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum.” You know, “Fiddler on the Roof”
  2. Rhetorical question with an obvious answer: Matthew 5:27-28

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First Commandment

Posted in Doctrine, Faith, General, Gospel, Grace, Salvation, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 6, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Before I write these short commentaries, I interact with the questions, answers, and Scripture passages, looking for details that I think may need clarification or ideas that jump out at me. Recently, I have had multiple opportunities to witness to a young woman. She has been involved in a church all of her young life. I gently pressed her for evidence of salvation. She replied with works. I carefully shared the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone. Since she was open to the discussion, I gave her multiple verses to read over a period of time, and for us to discuss. She asked many good questions. At length, she came to an intellectual understanding of the Gospel, confiding in me at one point that she has never heard of grace through faith as the means of salvation. Let that sink in a moment. In a church for over 20 years and she had never heard the Gospel.

Reflecting on this situation, then coming to the answer in question 52 and 52, a phrase seemed highlighted to me: “the only true God, and our God”. For the sake of this story, I want to personalize the phrase “our God” to ‘my God’. You see, this young woman knows about God, and she acknowledges Him as “the only true God.” She worships Him, though I would say, not “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). She gives glory to God as Creator and Sustainer of all things. She is quite morally upright compared to others. Her one problem is, she cannot say that God is ‘my God’. She does not know Him, or rather, is not known by Him. Is that your fault, or rather sin, that you are a transgressor of the first commandment, because God is not “your God”? You have heard of Him, you may claim to “be spiritual”, but you do not have a saving knowledge of God by faith in Jesus Christ. “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart…” (Hebrew 3:15). If you sense Him calling you, respond in faith.*

Question 51: Which is the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment is, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

Question 52: What is required in the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly. Joshua 24:15; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Deuteronomy 26:17; Psalm 29:2; Matthew 4:10

Question 53: What is forbidden in the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment forbids us to deny or not to worship and glorify the true God as God and our God; and to give that worship and glory to any other, which is due unto him alone.  Joshua 24:27; Romans 1:20-21, 25; Psalm 14:1

Question 54: What are we especially taught by these words, “before me,” in the first commandment?

Answer: These words “before me,” in the first commandment teach us that God, who sees all things, takes notice of, and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God. Deuteronomy 30:17, 18; Psalm 44:20-21; 90:8

*If you have questions about any of this, email me at leonnarf@yahoo.com. I would love to help you in your search for God. If you desire to, He is the one drawing you.

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Faith Astute

Posted in Faith, Poem, Salvation, theology, tagged , , on April 12, 2026| Leave a Comment »

During the sermon today from Colossians 1, our brother said that true faith grows from a trusting root from which always springs forth obedience. Reflecting upon this idea, I connected dots to think that true, saving faith has a trusting root, an obedience shoot, and spiritual fruit. I shared it at the end of the service to smiles and even laughter from one young woman. After service, I told one young man that I felt a poem coming on after he reminded me that the ideas rhymed. Here follows my effort, many would say a bit contrived, but I always like the challenge of rhyme, syllable number per line, and complete thought.

When you share the Good News
It’s faith that you commute
True faith the Spirit gives
Lays down a trusting root
Growth will always follow
Obedience the shoot
On which grows the kingdom
Lasting spiritual fruit
Not confined to this life
An eternal pursuit

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LORD (1)

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Doctrine, Faith, General, God Thoughts, tagged , , , , , , , , on February 28, 2026| Leave a Comment »

As the people of Israel stood before Mt. Sinai, God spoke to them audibly from heaven, giving them the Ten Commandments. He began by declaring who He was, “saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”” (2) In this statement, the word translated LORD is Yahweh in the Hebrew, using this name for first to reveal Himself when He met Moses at the burning bush. Being a form of the Hebrew word for “I am”, it translates to “I am who I am” (3). This speaks of His eternality, self-existence, and self-sufficiency. Each of these concepts are worthy of considerable musing. In the context of God pursuing Israel’ s rescue through Moses, Yahweh is also associated with His covenant keeping character, as Moses says, ”Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His faithfulness to a thousand  generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments” (4). What a blessing His faithfulness is.

That He includes what He has done for them in rescue from Egypt and slavery, declares His ownership and prerogative over them. This ownership is more intimate and immediate than Creator, and is further tied to the giving of the name Yahweh at the burning bush, for He says, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.” (5) His presence, His “I Am”, is deeply connected to His care and watchfulness over His people. For all of who He is and had and was doing for Israel, He was worthy of their trust, obedience, and praise. It is no different for us. He is worthy of our complete trust, humble obedience, and heart-felt praise. As His people we may resolve by His Spirit’s enabling to better pursue Him.

A side thought of mine concerning the name Yahweh. God is eternal in His person and attributes, but had He always had the name Yahweh? Or did He begin to be called by that name when the angels were created to praise Him? Or did He just label Himself at the burning bush for purposes of glorifying His person and majesty. I feel like it should have been from eternity past, but I have no biblical reason to say that, and there is no substantial reason to believe that the Hebrew language was eternal (6). There is so much that we don’t know about eternity, heaven, and our God. For believers, we have eternity to ask and listen and learn and praise.

Question 49: What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?

Answer: The preface to the Ten Commandments is, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”  Exodus 20:2.

Question 50: What does the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?

Answer: The preface to the Ten Commandments teaches us that because God is the LORD, and our gracious Redeemer, his commandments are for our good and he does not will for us to depend on ourselves in keeping them, but to trust his grace and power.  Deuteronomy 10:13, 16; 30:6.

  1. LORD in all upper case letters indicates that the Hebrew word being translated is Yahweh.
  2. Exodus 20:2
  3. https://www.gotquestions.org/meaning-of-Yahweh.html
  4. Deuteronomy 7:9
  5. Exodus 3:15
  6. The fact that languages are changing suggests that they have a beginning, even if only coming from another language. However, one of God’s attributes is His ability and will to communicate and reveal Himself. Therefore, somehow God’s language is eternal. Was Adam’s language the same as God’s? Did Babel distort that language? Are the vestiges of original language still resident in modern languages? The questions just keep coming, and at this pre-eternal time, we may only speculate, which is OK as long as it doesn’t distort truth. Wow, that rabbit hole was deep.

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Obedience of Faith

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Doctrine, Faith, General, God's Law, Gospel, Grace, Obedience, tagged , , , , , , , on February 7, 2026| Leave a Comment »

That our first answer today says that the summary of the obedience of faith is the ten commandments was at first bothersome to me. So, struggle with me for a moment. Afterall, John 6:28-29 says, “Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”” And Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [h]that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Belief and faith that saves are trust alone in what Jesus Christ did on the cross to take away sin. Where do works come in? Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” So, works are the result of grace through faith, not the cause of it. And furthermore, James 2:17 says, “faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” That is, works are the evidence of faith.

The phrase, “obedience of faith” comes from two verses in Romans (1:5, 16:26). Paul declares that his purpose in God’s workings is to have “received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles.” (Romans 1:5) Therefore, as John MacArthur said, “Faith is by nature turned and toned toward obedience, so good works are inevitable in the life of one who truly believes.” (1) This is what is meant in Romans 8:3-4: “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” We can never keep the law perfectly this side of heaven, but God is working increased obedience to His moral law through in those who have a saving faith in Him. So, faith brings about obedience which could not exist otherwise. This connection of faith and obedience is the reason that “whatever is not of faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)

The summary of obedience of faith is further simplified and summarized by Jesus: “One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:35-40) Praise God that Christ’s saving power enables us to please Him by fulfilling righteousness.

Question 47: Where is the obedience of faith given in summary form?
Answer: A summary form of the obedience of faith is given in the Ten Commandments.

Hebrews 3:18-19; 4:2; Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 10:4; Romans 9:32.

Question 48: What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?
Answer: The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-33.

  1. https://faithalone.org/grace-in-focus-articles/the-obedience-which-is-faith-romans-15-and-1626/

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Obedience from Faith

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Consequences, Doctrine, Faith, General, theology, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 31, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The words faith and believe are used less than 30 times in the Old Testament translation of the NASB, while faithful, faithfulness, and trust are used frequently. The Old Testament is very concrete and action oriented, so faith involves action. The New Testament more utilizes the concept and intention of faith and belief, but it is still centered on active faith (1). Habakkuk 2:4 says “live by his faith”, not ‘has faith’. Faith is not an opinion or perspective or considered truth; it is a deeply held belief that changes your actions. Your stated belief is not the point. Your practical (acted upon) belief is.

Consider Hezekiah’s faith in 2 Kings 18:3-6: “He did right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done. He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan. He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. For he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses.” “He trusted” is in the context of all that he did to demonstrate that he was “following Him”.

The way that Hezekiah was able to do these things was by keeping the commandments of God. Obedience acceptable to God comes from a heart of faith. If someone says to you that they believe in Jesus, ask them if they are a follower of Jesus. Do they obey His Word, not just the convenient parts, but the whole? “Faith without works is dead.” (2)


Question 45: What is the duty which God requires of man?
Answer: The duty which God requires of man is the obedience that comes from faith.
 Galatians 5:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:11;  Romans 1:5; 16:26; 15:18.

Question 46: What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
Answer: The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the moral law.
Rom. 2:14; 15; 5:13, 14.

  1. James 2:14-26
  2. James 2:26

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Be Seen

Posted in Faith, Forgiveness, General, Gospel, Metaphor, Work of Jesus, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »

As an introduction to the Lord’s Supper in church today, my pastor read and shortly discussed the implications of Genesis 22:9-13 in light of Christ’s death on the cross. Testing and confirming Abraham’s faith is certainly a major component of this scene, but just as God was after a metaphor for Christ’s work when Moses struck the rock rather than speaking to it (1), so God was commanding a metaphor about His Son’s work through Abraham and Isaac.

“Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the Lord it will be provided.”

Notice that I included verse 14, because I read further after pastor stopped. In the NASB, which I read, there was a footnote before the last two words, “be provided”. The center notes read, “Lit. [literally] be seen” (2). I wondered, “What was seen?” They saw “a ram caught in the thicket by his horns.” (v.13) As I shared this thought after service, a brother pointed out that Abraham had earlier said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (v.8) Was he wrong, since it was a ram? No, God did provide (see) a lamb, as John the Baptist says, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) But in the immediate context, God did provide a ram, which had been a lamb of course. A ram is strong, as indicated by its horns (3). The thicket involves entanglement, thorns, and suffering.

Here is the metaphor, as I saw it anew. The powerful Son of God, the same one who “will shatter kings” and “drink from the brook by the wayside” (4) in power and victory, willingly becomes caught (incarnation) in the thicket of our sinful world, so that He would be God’s provision/sacrifice for mankind. God saw to “sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin” (5).

Abraham bound Isaac and placed him on an altar on the Mountains of Moriah (6), where the temple was later built, and where Christ Jesus was much later nailed to a cross. Thus, “In the mount of the Lord it will be seen,” our provision for a sin debt we could never repay, fully paid by our victorious Savior. Praise the Lord!

  1. Numbers 20:8-13
  2. It may seem very odd that the same word could be translated “provided” or “seen”, but in the immediate context of Abraham’s (and don’t forget Isaac) need and naming of the place, it is a legitimate translation (see also Deuteronomy 33:21). Conversely, when something needed is “seen”, it is at hand and provided. Also, KJV, GNV, and WYC translations render the word as “seen”.
  3. Numbers 24:8; Daniel 8:6-8
  4. Psalm 110:5,7: Drinking from the brook seems to be a metaphor for the warrior refreshing himself after victory, almost in defiance of the downed enemies.
  5. Romans 8:3
  6. Genesis 22:2; 2 Chronicles 3:1

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Future Benefits

Posted in Assurance, Baptist Catechism, Delights, Doctrine, Faith, General, Glorification, Reflection, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on January 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Why would God give a reward “to all who have loved His appearing”? It gives glory to Him. Have you begun to love His appearing? Think more about heaven and its rewards. At the moment of death, the believer will be perfected, no more sin or sinful tendencies, no pain, and bright and shinning because he/she is made like Jesus. There in His presence, you will worship without reservation or equivocation. Why should you think more about heaven and love His appearing? It glorifies God. What you think about is what you talk about, increasing your Gospel witness. As you consistently consider your forever blessings, you will live a holier life and persevere in times of trouble, because your heart is being sanctified and fortified.

The two catechism questions below seem to be talking about the same subject, life after death. In terms of entering eternal bliss, they are one and the same. However, they occur at a different time. Death occurs at the end of our earthly life; resurrection occurs at the return of Christ. Death is separation from the body to be immediately in God’s presence (1). Resurrection is union with a glorified body and the presence of Christ (2).

Again, I say, “When by His grace I shall look at His face, that will be glory, be glory for me.” (3)

Question 41: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
Answer: At death the souls of believers are made perfect in holiness, and immediately pass into glory. Their bodies rest in their graves till the resurrection.

Hebrews 12:23; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 23:43; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Isaiah 57:2; Job 19:26.

Question 42: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the Resurrection?
Answer: At the resurrection, believers are raised up in glory; they shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the Day of Judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity.

Philippians 3:20, 21; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 43; Matthew 10:32; 1 John 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:1-9
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:42-49 and 1.
  3. Hymn “Oh, That Will Be Glory” by Chas. H Gabriel

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Being Made Right

Posted in General, tagged , , , , on December 21, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Concerning salvation, justification is made right, sanctification is being made right, and glorification is, will be made right. The first is judicial, removing the penalty of sin; the second is progressive, removing the power of sin; and third is completion, removing the presence of sin.
Sanctification is less exciting and joy-inducing than justification and glorification, but I think that may be because we still think on some level that we have to do it. Truth be told, we cannot.

Sanctification is a gift from God like all other parts of salvation. Hear what Paul says about about three parts of sanctification in our lives: “in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:21-24) The three parts of sanctification in these verses are “lay aside”, “be renewed”, and “put on”.

Now you may say, these are things we do, not things God has gifted to us. Hear Paul again: “Consider yourself dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11) You don’t make yourself alive to God, you consider that what God has done is true. You are, no doubt, active in the process, but the Spirit within you enables you. How can you “lay aside the old self”? Romans 8:2-17 shows the way by explaining how one walks according to the Spirit. He is the one empowers and enables. This walking in the Spirit is the route to being renewed and putting on the new self. We consider to be true what God has said He has done and we act on it. This is the walk of faith.

Question 39: What is sanctification?
Answer: Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace by which we are renewed in the whole person after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 4:23, 24; Romans 6:11.

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Made a Righteous Child of God

Posted in Adoption, Assurance, Baptist Catechism, Doctrine, Faith, Forgiveness, General, Grace, Justification, Salvation, tagged , , , , , on December 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

”Be a good little boy (or girl),” we are apt to say. The problem is, even the best of children cannot be truly good. The purpose of the Law is to both to teach us what we should be and that we cannot be that. Many do not want to be good, but those effectually called (“Effectual Calling”) will persist in a desire to be good owing to the enabling indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This pushes them to Christ (Galatians 3:24) who is able to make them right. Justify is “1To demonstrate or prove to be just, right, or valid. 2To free (a human) of the guilt and penalty attached to grievous sin.” (1) Since no man or woman can prove him/herself just or right before God, the justification must come from without. “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.” (Romans 8:33) What we cannot do, God graciously does.

But how does He justify undeniable sinners? Does He merely overlook the sin and the guilt of the sinner? No, the price was paid in Christ’s death, and a glorious transfer is made. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Without this transfer from Christ to us, God would in fact be unjust. With the transfer, His righteousness is demonstrated “so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26) Trust Jesus Christ who alone can remove the source of your guilt, which is sin, and justify you in the eyes of God.

Justification is so great and gracious, but the goodness of God shines even brighter. What if I pulled someone out of a muddy ditch, cleaned them up, clothed him in clean garments, and then said, “I’ve cleaned you up. Now be on your way and have a good life.” I might even provide him with some food, a little starter money, and a place to live. But where is his sense of belonging, source of counsel, provision of friendship and mentorship? As a part of justifying the sinner, God adopts him into His spiritual family where He is his Eternal Father and other believers are his eternal and temporal, spiritual brothers and sisters. Emotional and spiritual belonging and provision are secured. He is not a cleaned-up orphan but a provisioned, protected, and purpose driven son of his Heavenly Father.

Oh, I give glory to God for justifying this sinner and adopting him into His family. I am blessed beyond understanding even as I seek to understand and pursue the God-given purpose in it all.

Question 37: What is justification?

Answer: Justification is an act of God’s free grace, by which he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

Romans 3:24, 5:19; Ephesians 1:7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16

Question 38: What is adoption?

Answer: Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, by which we are received into the company of God’s children and have a right to all the privileges of his sons.

1 John 3:1; John 1:12; Romans 8:16-17

  1. “The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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Effectual Calling

Posted in Assurance, Baptist Catechism, Dependence, Faith, Salvation, tagged , , , , , , , , , on November 23, 2025| 1 Comment »

Today we consider effectual calling and its benefits. We are never amiss to repeat and confirm the truths of God. Salvation is totally and absolutely of God. He alone draws the sinner to Himself in a way that cannot be precluded, prevented, or postponed- that is, an irresistible grace. Call is a command from a sovereign Creator and Ruler. All of this occurs in the face of a sinner who hates and resists the very God who calls Him. But the resistance does not persist, because the calling is effectual.

To change this from a theological explanation to a personal application, I ask the following question. What do you personally think is the greatest felt benefit of His effectual calling? Is it empowering to live righteously and for Him? Is it boldness to proclaim the Gospel, knowing that it will land on those He is calling? Is it peace and joy in the knowledge of His care for you?

For me it is the assurance that nothing will, and nothing can separate me from God. As Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And the thing that I feared most separating me from God was me. I would reject or neglect or displease or fail Him. But I can’t and won’t, because it says, “nor any other created thing.” I am a “created thing”, therefore, I cannot separate myself from Him. Can I reject or neglect or displease or fail Him? Yes, but it will be temporary, because His effectual calling leads to the perseverance of the saints. My faith will last to the end because He gave and sustains it in me. I am not passive in the process, and though I fail frequently, I am held tightly, securely, inextricably. Security, peace, joy, and confidence are the result as He trains me to trust Him. His training ground are trials coupled with the need to question and pray. He prevails; He sustains; He wins; I win; He gets the glory.

Question 35: What is effectual calling?
Answer: Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, to convince us of our sin and misery, to enlighten our minds in the knowledge of Christ, to renew our wills, and thus persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:9; John 6:44, 45; 16:8-11; Acts 2:37; 26:18; Ezekiel 36:26; Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 12:3.

Question 36: What benefits do those who are effectually called receive in this life?
Answer: Those who are effectually called receive in this life justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life accompany or flow from them. Romans 8:30-32; Galatians 3:26; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11; Ephesians 1:5.

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“Not What These Hands Have Done” (1)

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Doctrine, Faith, Forgiveness, General, Grace, Salvation, Work of Jesus, Work of the Holy Spirit, tagged , , , , , , on November 22, 2025| Leave a Comment »

There is nothing in salvation brought about by man, not conviction, not faith, not the purchase of the sinner, not conversion, not assurance. I rejoice with Jonah, who said, “I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9)

The catechism questions before us touch on the work that God, the Holy Spirit, does to bring about the “regeneration and renewing” of the sinner. He opens a person’s heart to respond (Acts 16:14) and be born of the Spirit (John 3:5) by washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-6), so that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

As Horatius Bonar well put it,

“Not what these hands have done
can save this guilty soul;
not what this toiling flesh has borne
can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
can give me peace with God;
not all my prayers and sighs and tears
can bear my awful load.” (1)

He goes on to praise the Christ for the singular excellence and efficacy of His saving work on our behalf. It is wonderful. From that work the Spirit applies the grace to the sinner.

Isaac Watts voices this collaborative work by saying,

”’Tis through the purchase of His death
Who hung upon the tree,
The Spirit is sent down to breathe
On such dry bones as we.” (2)

All glory goes to God for saving the unworthy sinner.

Question 33: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

Answer: We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effective application of it to us, by his Holy Spirit.  John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5-6

Question 34: How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

Answer: The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. 1 John 5:1; Philippians 1:29; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 16:14; 18:27

  1. “Not What These Hands Have Done” by Horatius Bonar, 1864
  2. “’Tis Not by Works of Righteousness” by Isaac Watts,

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Who Are We?

Posted in Faith, General, God Thoughts, The Church, tagged , , , , , on October 24, 2025| 2 Comments »

Before I gave brief commentary on and reading of the catechism questions before my church, I would greet my brothers and sisters in Christ with “Good morning, _________,” the blank being different monikers for believers. After a few times, I realized that I would need 59 different phrases for them if I was to continue with new greetings every time. My desire was to encourage the believers in how much God cares for them and is able to do so. As I considered it, I doubted that I would come up with that many biblically accurate greetings. I ended up thinking of more than 60. The congregation would call back with “Greetings” or “Good morning” in response to my greeting. Following is the list I made in the my journal and drew from for the catechism. You will notice that some are holiday oriented and that they all allude to a Scriptural passage.

Greetings……..

Church of the Living God, Assembly of the Saints, Beloved of the Lord, Followers of the True God, Believers in the Triune God, Favored of the Father, Justified of Jesus, Sanctified of the Spirit, Glorified of God1, Servants of the Most High, Pillar and Support of the Truth, Household of God, Sheep of His Pasture, Wisemen and Women of God, The Jachin2 of God, Citizens of God’s Kingdom, Saints who are in the Earth3, Godly Ones of the Holy One, Indwelt of the Holy Spirit, Empowered of the Spirit, Abiding Branches of the True Vine, Children of the Heavenly Father, The Elect, The Equipped for the Work of the Service, The True Israel of God, Warriors of Our Sovereign Lord, Purchased of Christ, Righteous Ones of God, Apple of His Eye, Servants of the Almighty, Thankful People of the Abundant Provider, Bond-servants of the Good Master, Followers of the One Wo Walked on Water4, Disciples of the Good Teacher, The Sheep wo hear His Voice, Flock of the Good Shepherd, Those Enlightened by the Light of the World, Pursuers of the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Christians, Harvest of the Son of Man5, Branches of the True Vine, People of His Pleasure6, Bride of Christ, Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, Saints by His Calling, Soldiers of His Kingdom, Beneficiaries of the Mediator of a Better Covenant, Lights of the world of the Light of Men, Fellow Soldiers of the Cross7, Celebrants of His First Advent, Citizens of Heaven, True Circumcision who worship in the Spirit8, Redeemed from the Slave Market of Sin, Redeemed from the Domain of Darkness, Redeemed of the Lord, Called of God in Christ Jesus, Co-heirs of the Resurrected One, Faith-Resting Ones of the Father, The Boaz9 of God, Living Stones of His Temple, Friends of Christ.

Many of these titles I thought of as I did my daily Scripture reading. I know that many of these have overlaps. Most have both a name for the church or saints with a name for God, so that the connection is brought to mind. I feel as though there must be more. Add any you may think of in the comments. It would be helpful if you provide a Scripture reference as I should have with all that listed, not just a few. I hope that it encourages you and points you toward God’s love, watch care, and grace.

  1. Romans 8:30
  2. ”established” I Kings 7:21
  3. Psalm 16:13
  4. Provided by a brother who got excited about me coming up with new greetings each week
  5. Matthew 13
  6. Psalm 149:4
  7. Philippians 2:25
  8. Philippians 3:3
  9. “strength”, I Kings 7:21

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Kinsman-Redeemer

Posted in Assurance, Baptist Catechism, Faith, General, God Thoughts, Person of Jesus, Salvation, Work of Jesus, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 19, 2025| 1 Comment »

The Hebrew word for Redeemer is used once in the book of Ruth to refer to Boaz, who redeemed the widow Ruth. Then also, Isaiah refers to “your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,” using the word Redeemer 13 times. A similar Hebrew term is used used twice in Ruth, kinsman or intimate friend. These are terms that show that someone like us who cares for us, rescues us. The idea is one who buys back another from slavery, debtor’s prison, or the destitution of widowhood. This concept originates in Leviticus 25:25 where God says, “If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.” The book of Ruth gives the example that specifically has the kinsman-redeemer, Boaz, marrying Ruth which is a picture of Christ and His Church. Then Isaiah fills our the description of Messiah as strong, able, willing, loving, diligent, and patient to carry out the rescue of His people. Jeremiah proclaims strongly, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, “The sons of Israel are oppressed, and the sons of Judah as well; and all who took them captive have held them fast, they have refused to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong, the Lord of hosts is His name; He will vigorously plead their case so that He may bring rest to the earth, but turmoil to the inhabitants of Babylon.”” (50:33-34)

Jesus best fulfills the dual role of kinsman-redeemer, having taken on flesh to become one of us and having died in our place to pay our sin debt, rescuing us from the wrath of God and the domain of darkness. By nature God, He had the power and purity to take the sin of everyone who believes. By nature man, He had the standing in the heavenly court to die in our place.

But wat do the offices or duties of prophet, priest, and king have to do with being a redeemer? The offices are the means and authority by which the Redeemer accomplishes this grand rescue. Consider the office of prophet. We think of a prophet as one who can reveal the future. Jesus certainly did that predicting His own future: death, resurrection, the destruction of Jerusalem, and His second coming. But in a wider sense, He reveals God, most notably in redemption through God’s justice and mercy in the plan of salvation.

Next time we will talk about Jesus as Priest and King.

Question 27: What offices does Christ perform as our Redeemer?
Answer: Christ, as our Redeemer, performs the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his condition of humiliation and exaltation. Acts 3:22; Hebrews 5:6; Psalm 2:6.

Question 28: How does Christ perform the office of a prophet?
Answer: Christ performs the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. John 1:18; 14:26; 15:15.

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2-in-1

Posted in Connotations, Doctrine, Faith, General, Gospel, Grace, Person of Jesus, Salvation, theology, Work of Jesus, tagged , , , , , , , , , on October 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Consider the mystery of Christ’s nature. Theologians refer to the hypostatic union of His divine and human nature. Hypostatic is a fancy word composed of “hypo”, underneath, and “stasis”, position. It means what is underneath all else, essential, or foundational, and by extension, unchanging.

I remind you that a catechism is an abbreviation of the a confession, just as a confession is an abbreviation and condensation of the essential truths of the Scriptures. In chapter 8.2 of the 1689 London Baptist Confession it says, “that two whole, perfect and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one person.” How mysterious and wonderful it is that eternal, divine nature eternally takes on a second human nature, now equally essential to the divine. By this act, Jesus has exalted redeemed mankind far above all other created things, angels included. He cares about us more than we can imagine.

In this description of Christ’s human nature, the writer of the catechism included the following explanation: “Christ, the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul.” This explanation was added to refute heresy that claimed Christ only appeared to have a body (1). “A true body” is not ethereal or substance of a spirit; it is flesh and bone. “A reasonable soul” means He had normal reasoning abilities of the mental, emotional capacity of His being.
So, being Spirit conceived and virgin born are not mere niceties for telling the story of Christ’s arrival. They are essential doctrines for our salvation. By reason of Spirit conception, He is divine without having Adam’s sin nature passed down through an earthly father. His divine nature enabled Him to bear the wrath of God on our behalf. By reason of His virgin birth, again the lack of sin nature, but also gave Him the judicial right to pay the penalty for our sins in our place.
Our security rests in the very double nature of our Savior. The grace of our loving Lord is all sufficient because He was and is all sufficient for the task of saving and sustaining all those He bought and brought to Himself. Praise be to the God-man, Jesus the Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Question 26: How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Answer: Christ, the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and was born of her, yet without sin.

Hebrew 2:14, 4:14, 7:26; Matthew 26:38; Luke 2:52; John 1:14, 12:27; Luke 1:31,35; Colossians 2:9

  1. This heresy is called Docetism which many Gnostics held to.

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Moving Forward

Posted in Assurance, Civil Debate, Consequences, Cultural commentary, Faith, General, God Thoughts, Gospel, Implications, Sermon, Society, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on September 17, 2025| Leave a Comment »

I avoid political comment or commentary on this blog, but Charlie Kirk’s death is not primarily or most essentially a political assassination. His was a death (1) for his faith and the boldness with which he proclaimed the truth of God’s Word and power of Christ to save those who will turn from their wickedness to trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross and in His resurrection. This past Sunday, my pastor preached on how the Beatitudes of Matthew 5 apply to this and other situations of persecution. You can hear the sermon at “The True Meaning of the Blessed Life”. Without fully reviewing or summarizing the sermon, I want to point out three ideas that he communicated about the text, Matthew 5:1-12.

Firstly, he pointed out that the word “blessed” that Jesus spoke to His Jewish hearers would be understood to mean a “spiritual well-being growing out of a close relationship with God resulting in a happiness and settled nature in the recipient.” This is not prosperity gospel; it is peace and joy in knowing God.

Secondly, verses 3-9 about what blessedness looks like will result in verses 10-12, persecution. I add that Paul said, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2) Therefore, Peter explains that since you do not do their sinful deeds, “In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you.” (3) On the other hand, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” (4). Persecution for doing what is right is to be expected.

Lastly, my pastor began listing some of the benefits of persecution even in the face of its horrors and difficulty. He seemed to have perhaps four or five items on his list, but he went on to list many more from which I made the following list:

Persecution brings

  1. Assurance of salvation
  3. Strength for the conflict
  4. Hope in the struggle
  5. Boldness to witness and life
  6. The Gospel being spread
  7. Rejoicing
  8. Prayer
  9. God’s Intervention
  10. Purification of the Church
  11. Clarity of Purpose
  12. God’s Provision
  13. Legacy to those following after
  14. Repentance for slack living
  15. Closeness among believers
  16. Zeal for the things of God

In all of these encouragements I have realized another most obvious result which Peter says most clearly, “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (4) The reason for the 16 things above in the life of individuals and the Church is the presence of God. I do not desire persecution to come, but God will bless us as believers when it does- all glory be to Him. May God give us zeal through the loss of this brother in Christ to raise up many more like him, bold to proclaim truth.

  1. I purposefully did not use the word martyrdom in the text, because it has so many connotations that may cloud the true meaning of what happened. It is a true moniker, but what I desired to explain is what it means2 Timothy 3:12
  2. 1 Peter 4:4
  3. 1 Peter 4:12
  4. 1 Peter 4:14

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Free Grace

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Blessing, Faith, General, Gospel, Grace, Joy, Person of Jesus, Salvation, Sanctification, Work of Jesus, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on June 7, 2025| Leave a Comment »

I rejoice that the transcendent, all powerful, sovereign, Creator of all things condescended to pour out His free grace upon an undeserving, rebellious sinner like me (1). I rejoice that his free grace (2) gifted me with eternal life (3), every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places while here on earth (4), all that I need for life and godliness (5), a growing knowledge of Him (6), and the ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to completion (7).

Grace was free but not cheap. That sounds like a contradiction, but to clarify, grace was free to the recipients but very costly for “…Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (8) Not only did He leave the throne of God to die on a cross, our Redeemer “became flesh, and dwelt among us.” (9) His condescension included permanently taking on the nature of a man and temporarily taking on flesh, for “much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.” (10) “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (11)

Question 24: Did God leave all mankind to perish in the condition of sin and misery?
Answer: God, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, having chosen a people to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the condition of sin and misery, and to bring them into a condition of salvation, by a Redeemer.
Ephesians 1:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 5:21; 8:29-30; 9:11-12; 11:5-7; Acts 13:48; Jeremiah 31:33.

Question 25: Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
Answer: The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person, forever.
Galatians 3:13; 1 Timothy 2:5; 3:16; John 1:14; Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9.

  1. Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 11:33; Job 42:2, Numbers 11:23; Psalm 115:3; John 1:14, Psalm 103:7; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23, Jeremiah 17:9, Nehemiah 9:26
  2. Ephesians 2:8-9, John 4:10
  3. Romans 6:23
  4. Ephesians 1:3
  5. 2 Peter 1:3
  6. 2 Peter 3:17-18
  7. Philippians 1:6, 1 Corinthians 6:11
  8. Hebrews 12:2
  9. John 1:14
  10. Romans 5:15
  11. 1 Timothy 2:5

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First Sin

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Consequences, General, Judgment, Sin, tagged , , , , , , , , , on March 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Our questions (#1-16 of the 1692 Baptist Catechism, Collins) thus far have focused on the glories of God and His Word. Now we turn a hard corner to talk about the Fall and its consequences. Many people seem to want to ask Adam, “Dude, what were you thinking? Look at all of the pain it caused.” I don’t have that question. I understand rebellion and its consequences in my life. My question for Adam would be, “What did you think and feel like the next morning when you woke up and realized that you would not be walking in the garden that evening with God, discussing the day?” From intimacy to estrangement, what a harsh turn self-inflicted. Question #18 defines sin as transgression. For most of us that is not helpful as a definition. “Trans” means across. “Gress” means step. So, transgression means to step across or go over the line. God had clearly defined the line: “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) But Adam’s reply came at his wife’s urging, and his full and willful rebellion: “…she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:6)

Thus, the beginning was ended, and the end began. Earthly bliss was only a concept in the minds of Adam’s offspring, while heartache and loneliness and longing for God are the norm. But for all that, the pronouncement of the sentence included an intimation of better days and a better life: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” (Genesis 3:15) Satan, possessing the serpent, would receive a fatal headshot for his troubles, the poison extracted, ironically through the serpent bruising our Savior’s heel.

Question 17: Did our first parents continue in the glad obedience for which they were created?
Answer: No, but desiring to be like God, our first parents forsook the obedience of faith, ate of the forbidden tree, sinned against God, and fell from the innocence in which they were created.
Genesis 3:1-7; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 5:12.

Question 18: What is sin?
Answer: Sin is transgression of the revealed will of God which teaches that we are to act in perfect holiness from a heart of faith to the glory of God.
1 John 3:4; Romans 5:13; 14:23; 1 Peter 1:16; Matt, 5:48; 1 Cor. 10:31.

Question 19: What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
Answer: The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.
Genesis 3:6, 12, 13.

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God’s Good Providence

Posted in Assurance, Baptist Catechism, Providence, tagged , , , , , , , , on February 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Providence is God’s control of and care for His Creation (1). Because He is good, His providence is good, and life is good. When bad things happen, we may benefit by trusting Him more or by coming to know Him. By faith and through peace and joy in our hearts, we will come to understand that even the hard things He allows are ultimately for our good.

Concerning providence, Hebrews 1:3 says,”[He] upholds all things by the word of His power. A few translations say “powerful word”, but this is a poor translation and an interpretation. “Word of His power” is an unusual phrase in English. It could be rendered wordful power or word’s power. The emphasis is on power, pointing to His being rather than what He does, like speak. This idea agrees with Colossians 1:17 which says, “in Him all things hold together.” His very person holds the universe together, which He brings about by His Word (“For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalm 33:9).

As to His acts by which He cares for and controls, they are “holy, wise, and powerful”. Holy works are totally separate, above, and righteous, and therefore inscrutable compared to our acts and reasonings. His acts are wise in that they apply His infinite knowledge in ways that are always to His glory and the benefit of His people. These acts are all powerful, and therefore never diminished or thwarted. Everyone says they want to be on the winning team. The perfection and excellence of His acts means that He always wins and anyone under His protection, even when the short-term pitfalls seem to say otherwise.

In question #16, I like how the answer twice points to how faith is involved in obedience. Adam and Eve could not fully understand death since they had never seen it. They had to trust God that it was bad and that eating would bring a bad result. Secondly, “the child-like dependence on God for all things” is a trust that God knows best and will provides for all of our needs. Salvation has always been by grace through faith. Jesus adds the payment for sins and power to overcome sin that Adam and Eve or anyone else could not provide. That Adam and Eve could not be perfect demonstrates that we all need God in Jesus to save our souls. I am glad He saved mine.

Q15: What are God’s works of providence?
A: God’s works of providence are the holy, wise, and powerful acts by which he preserves and governs all his creatures, and all their actions.
Q16: What special act of providence did God exercise towards man when he was first created?
A: When God had created man, he made a covenant with him that he should live and enjoy all the benefits of creation, but that he would die if he forsook the obedience that comes from faith. God commanded him not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and thus forsake his child-like dependence upon God for all things.

  1. “preserves and governs”, as the catechism answer says

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