I usually post pictures when some event has happened, a hike or climb, a family gathering, or visiting something new and interesting. But what about everyday life and simple things along the path? Do we celebrate or give them a second thought? Are we thankful for the daily indications of God’s creativity, power, and care for us? We can avoid thinking a day is dreary if we look at the little interesting and beautiful things along our path. Look all the harder on the days when struggles want to overcome you and drag you down. When the day is gray, look for the shades of gray and hints of other hues. Thankfulness to God for the daily mercies and manifold graces is glorifying to God and healing to your bones, as it is honoring and encouraging to others through pleasant words (Proverbs 3:7-8, 16:24).
Posts Tagged ‘Grace’
Random, but not Trivial
Posted in Blessing, Consequences, Faith, General, God Thoughts, Grace, Mercy, tagged Grace, Mercy, Small things, Thankfulness on June 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »
First Commandment
Posted in Doctrine, Faith, General, Gospel, Grace, Salvation, tagged bible, christianity, Faith, First Commandment, God, Grace, Grace through Faith, Jesus, Salvation, Ten Commandments 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.
Free Grace
Posted in Baptist Catechism, Blessing, Faith, General, Gospel, Grace, Joy, Person of Jesus, Salvation, Sanctification, Work of Jesus, tagged bible, christianity, Condescension, Faith, Free Grace, God, God-man, Grace, Jesus, Rejoicing, Salvation 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.
- 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
- Ephesians 2:8-9, John 4:10
- Romans 6:23
- Ephesians 1:3
- 2 Peter 1:3
- 2 Peter 3:17-18
- Philippians 1:6, 1 Corinthians 6:11
- Hebrews 12:2
- John 1:14
- Romans 5:15
- 1 Timothy 2:5
D21E, The Result
Posted in Blessing, Faith, God's Law, God's Word, Grace, Piety, Psalm 1, Sanctification, Wickedness, tagged Faith, Grace, Psalm 1, Reflection, Righteousness, Wickedness on January 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »
I will have to practice by repeating Psalm 1 in order to retain it, but I have memorized it in the process of these 21 days. Reading and reflecting for 21 days has deepened my resolve to focus more on God and His Word. In context, the Scripture says, “Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”” (1) (Galatians 3:18) A desire for God’s law and the totality of His Word is not the way of salvation but a result of it. The righteous are and will be known by these things, but salvation is by grace through faith. This grace separates the saved from the unbelieving lost, resulting in righteousness or wickedness.
I hope that you have benefited even a fraction of the amount that I have from doing this 21-day Psalm 1 Challenge. In some respects, I did it twice, because I read and journaled last month and clarified and deepened it to present to you this month.
- Habakkuk 2:4
D10M, Cart or Horse?
Posted in Blessing, Faith, God's Law, God's Word, Gospel, Grace, Piety, Sanctification, tagged Faith, Grace, Righteousness, Salvation, Works on January 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Psalm 1 lays out an overview of the characteristics of the righteous and the wicked. Do the characteristics listed in verses 1-3 make a man righteous or do those made righteous do these things?
Verse six says, “The Lord knows (approves, has regard to (1)) the way of the righteous.” Does that mean that the sinner is saved by keeping the law or that the one declared righteous lives rightly and is approved?
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) Are these two passages contradictory, or were Old Testament saints saved by a different means than we are today?
No, these two passages agree but one speaks of cause and the other effect. God saved by the same means in the Old Testament. In Habakkuk 2:4 the Lord says to the prophet, “Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith.” God is referring to those who would judge Israel, as He said, “I am raising up the Chaldeans.” (Habakkuk 1:6) But anyone is a “proud one” who seeks to make his own way apart from God, so He states how one lives (is saved, justified, continues)- by faith.
The whole of Scripture agrees: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10) Works is excluded (Romans 3:27-28). So where do works come in? They are the effect, or result. Those made righteous by “grace… through faith” will demonstrate it by their works (James 2:18-26).
- NASB 1995 center notes
D9M, “Blessed”
Posted in Blessing, General, God's Law, God's Word, Joy, Piety, Sanctification, tagged Blessing, Grace, Joy, Peace, Psalm 1 on January 9, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“Blessed is the man who does not…does” (Psalm 1:1,3)
Blessed in a biblical sense is to be “granted special favor by God resulting in joy and prosperity.” (1) That it is granted clearly shows that this blessedness results from God’s grace. The Hebrew word is “baruch” meaning “to increase (in joy, in peacefulness)” (2)
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:
The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’
So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”
(Numbers 6:22-26) God commanded the priests through Moses to speak this blessing over the Israelites. God has the intention of blessing His people, and more so those who delight in Him.
“It [blessing] bestows on a person the honor of experiencing God’s presence, His care and His favor.” (2)
The word “How” (v.1) emphasizes the overwhelming extent of the blessing. I want Your presence, care, and favor in my life, Lord.
- biblestudytools.com/blessing/
- firmisrael.org/learn/the-hebrew-meaning-of-blessed/
Of Your Grace
Posted in God Thoughts, Gospel, Grace, Poem, Work of Jesus, tagged God's Grace, Grace, Poem on September 26, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Never will I cease to remind myself and others of His grace. My words and actions will all fall short, but I will not cease to try. For He is worthy and I am eternally grateful.
The glory of Your grace
More than tongue can tell
We in the Scriptures trace
With joy our hearts swell
The goodness of Your grace
Chosen, undeserved
Guilty ones of this race
Forever preserved
The gusto of Your grace
That Holy God would
The lost sinner embrace
Ever praise we should
The greatness of Your grace
More than our deep need
Christ did our sin erase
By His dying deed
Oh, the gain of Your grace
One day raised anew
To ever see Your face
Because death You slew
On the Increase
Posted in Blessing, Faith, God Thoughts, Grace, Hymns, tagged Complete in Thee, Grace, Hymn on March 19, 2023| Leave a Comment »
The hymn that I have been enjoying recently, “Complete in Thee” (see last entry), keeps me considering how God has done “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Many thoughts and many of my best thoughts arise soon after I awake. The tune to “Complete in Thee” is catchy, so I composed another verse this morning before I even opened my eyes. I think that I would make it the last verse of “my version” of the song. Then awhile later I was reading my Bible when I came across Jacob responding to God’s call to return to Bethel (“House of God”): “…let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” (Genesis 35:3) God then blesses Him and “makes official” the angel (possibly pre-incarnate Christ) renaming Jacob Israel (Genesis 32:28). Two phrases grabbed me: “my distress” and “has been with me”. From that another verse to the song began forming. Perhaps I am not a very good hymn writer, but I cherish opportunities to give praise to God for all of His benefits (Psalm 103:2) delivered through His “manifold grace”. (I Peter 4:10)
My joy and peace ever increase
My praise of Him will never cease
All pure in heart His face I’ll see
Before His throne, complete in Thee
He answered me in my distress
And through the years and now does bless
Grace manifold He gives to me
My cup o’erflows, complete in Thee
Efficacious Security
Posted in Faith, General, Grace, Poem, Reflection, Work of Jesus, tagged Efficacy, Eternal Security, Grace, Willing and Able on December 4, 2022| Leave a Comment »
I have most of my life struggled with a sense that maybe God doesn’t care. I know from Scripture, experience with answers to prayer, blessings, and encouragements from numerous people over years of time that He does care, but still, though less now, there is this occasional nagging question in my heart as to whether He cares. I no longer believe that it is a lack of faith, because it is by faith that I quickly dismiss it by replacing it with truth.
You see, I have long known that God is able. Both my study of Scripture and experience of His grace confirm that. Sometimes I am tempted by the thought that He is not willing. Recently, I was again thinking about these things because I am reading “The Glory of Christ” by John Owen wherein he speaks of Christ being willing and able to help us. The word that came to my mind was efficacy. Suddenly it seemed to me that efficacy is the connecting bridge between willing and able. Efficacy, “the ability to produce a desired or intended result”, connects intent and ability. God accomplishes what He intends. He would not accomplish it if He did not intend to do so. When He intends to do so, it is accomplished to the extent that He speaks something into existence which was not. He did so in creation; He does so in salvation.
Also, I have long been amazed by a transcendent God who cares about an insignificant human like me. Only, based on His free sovereign grace, I am not insignificant.
Most efficacious He
Who speaks a thing and it comes to be
With a thought or His hand
It hastens to move or firmly stand
In Him power resides
Infinite, sovereign, above all rides
Yet with kindness and truth
He defends, provides, renews our youth
A picture of His grace
Power condescends for Adam’s race
Willingly was humbled
In flesh and death for us who stumbled
Willing and able He
With the greatest of all need are we
The efficacy is real
How thankful we for this hope and seal
gps
Posted in Analogy, Blessing, General, God Thoughts, Grace, Guidance, Random thoughts, Sustaining, tagged GPS, Grace, Guidance, Providence on June 27, 2022| 1 Comment »
GPS is recognized as the acronym for Global Positioning System, an amazing gridwork of 31 functioning satellites that allow very accurate position and time information for anyone with a receiver.
gps is a new acronym I have been thinking about that orients the user to true evaluation of the source of good. gps stands for gracious providential serendipity. Grace is unmerited favor, or as I like to say, “getting what you don’t deserve”, compared to mercy, which is “not getting what you do deserve.” Providence is divine guidance and provision. Serendipity is “the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for” (1) So, unmerited guidance or provision in an area unsought for is gps. God knows our need and desire and frequently graciously provides for us apart from our knowledge.
Several times recently I have been in utter need of knowledge and discernment regarding what I was doing. I prayed for clear answers. In the sense of seeking an answer, the guidance was definitely sought for, but the answer was several times surprising in content, delivery, and source. God is indeed gracious; He is sovereign; He has all knowledge and all power. I am constantly in need of His guidance but especially cognizant at the moment of that fact with significant decisions on the near horizon. I need some good gps signals.
Never Always
Posted in Assurance, Blessing, General, Glorification, Grace, Joy, Poem, Rest, Sanctification, Struggling, tagged Aspiration, Faith, Glorification, Grace, Joy, Peace, Sanctification on June 8, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Some things that we say and believe are not what we presently experience in full,
but are what is true about us in our new nature, is becoming true about us through
sanctification, and will be totally true in heaven.
Never lonely when He is near
Never overcome by any fear
Always hopeful though life be drear
Always at peace even when not all is clear
Momentarily disturbed, oh sure
Momentarily give in, not pure
Eternally made right, the cure
Eternally held tight, secure
Daily the struggle goes on
Daily His Spirit I must don
Slowly sinful tendencies gone
Slowly His righteous ways in me dawn
Fearfully and wonderfully made
Fearfully work out my salvation I am bade
Joyfully go forth with His aid
Joyfully with His Spirit arrayed
Nevermore sorrow overcomes
Nevermore to sin succumbs
Forever peace until and when He comes
Forever glorious gracious outcomes
Lay Hold of Grace
Posted in Blessing, Doctrine, General, God Thoughts, God's Word, Grace, Implications, Prayer, tagged God's glory, Grace, Love, Prayer on January 10, 2022| Leave a Comment »
My pastor’s teaching is sound biblically and practical. He was teaching from Philippians 4:20-23: “Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Packed into these closing words are a doxology, a greeting, and a benediction. He pointed out that we should make use of these words to affect how we live in the following ways. The doxology focuses us to “live for God’s glory”. The greeting encourages us to “love people”, especially the saints. The benediction blesses us to “remember the grace of Christ.” He encouraged us to pray these three things before we arise in the morning. Now I had thought at the time that this was good instruction but that the third word, “remember”, was weak. This morning upon rising I was looking for a different word or phrase. In synch with preacher language I decided upon “lay hold of the grace of Christ.” I think that I thought to pray when I awoke because he asked what we should pray before we arose. In my then present frame of mind, I suggested “In the difficulties of this day…” So, I composed my thoughts before God and hope that He will work these truths into my life this day and for many to come:
“Dear Lord, in the midst of today’s joys and difficulties, help me to live for Your glory, love people, and lay hold of the grace of Christ.”
Milestones
Posted in Blessing, Connotations, General, God Thoughts, Grace, Implications, Influence, Metaphor, Random thoughts, Reflection, tagged God Thoughts, Grace, Influence, Metaphor, Reflection, Remembering on July 15, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Blue Ridge Parkway Milestone
I enjoy the occasional foray into the realm of etymology. Word origin provides insight into the many and varied meanings and connotations of words and metaphors. There is a humorous twist on the origin of the terms mile and milestone. I assumed that since mile is a thoroughly English measurement of distance that the word, though perhaps not the concept, came from bloody ole England. Afterall, the U.S. is the only major country in the world to still be using the English system. But no, when traced back, mile comes from the Latin mil, or one thousand, which is quite base ten, or metric. Milestones then were stone markers called mille passus, meaning one thousand paces (1), along Roman roads. They were first placed every one thousand steps along the Apian Way out of Rome. Even then they would not have actually paced off the distance, but would have used a standard chain or rope length, the stade (eight stades to a mile). (2)
Etymology was only a small part of why I’m writing this blog entry, but it is fascinating. Metaphorically, milestones are visual, emotional, mental, or group markers for significant events or changes. Milestones typically include salvation, graduations from educational institutions, marriage, arrival of children, job changes or promotions, retirement, lifestyle changes, or significant personal goals reached like weight loss or the first marathon. The term can be overused, particularly in the business and education worlds it seems to me, and there is definitely a difference in significance levels from eternal to trivial. Nonetheless, the idea is solid and shows up in Scripture, even promoted by God (Joshua 4:1-7), and used by prophets (I Kings 18:31, I Samuel 7:10-12).
I have been privileged to have many profitable and enjoyable milestones in my life, and a few significant ones of late. All five of my children are now married and I have just recently retired.
I passed a small milestone in blogging, which I only inadvertently realized while rereading a few blog entries. This very entry is my 500th blog entry. Having written in this blog since July of 2007, it is quite an accomplishment for me to have continued with only a few months in all of that time of not publishing at least one entry. In fact, the average number of blog entries per month over the that period of 13 years has been just over three entries. It causes me to muse upon why I would be so consistent for so long. The obvious answer is a love and a need of the this forum. I need an outlet for my thoughts and love this particular one that is potentially interactive (3). It gives me a voice, an influence, if ever so small, and a sense of not forgetting what experiences and insights God has so graciously given to me, that is, an online journal. It may hopefully be part of my intellectual inheritance to my children and grandchildren.
But a question arose in my mind: Would a milestone be a milestone if we were unaware of it? I don’t think that this is the existentialist argument about a tree falling in the forest (4), because we are talking about a metaphor for the perception rather than a physical mile marker. When I consider this idea, it reveals to me how dull and fickle our perceptions are. They are dull because we do not perceive significant events that have eternal consequences for good or for ill (John 3:7-8), and they are fickle in that we may see them as significant in one situation and for one group or person but not for another or not at another time. What revealing of missed opportunities and privileges may be ours when our lives are reviewed in eternity. I am thankful for God’s grace to test all things by fire and reveal those works which were by and for Him (I Corinthians 3:10-15, 21-13), for I will come forth as gold (Job 23:10).
So, I conclude this 500th mille passus of sorts with one further testimony to God’s goodness in my life. He has been and will be at work in my life to bring it to a good and completed conclusion (Philippians 1:6), not because I am deserving or always willing or cooperative or able, but because He is good and powerful and has attached me to His riches by His grace. To Him be all praise.
1) How our mile got to be such an odd number, 5280 feet, is more complicated, though the origin of the whole measurement seems to have been the Roman’s copying of the distance around a Greek stadium track for running events, and thus the unit stade.
2) I wonder if they had workers who held signs for travelers to avoid collisions in construction zones?
3) Oh, that it were more so, that I had to moderate multiple comments, questions, reprimands, and encouragements on each entry. Alas, life is busy.
4) If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it does it make a sound? Being a Christian and a student of Science but not an Existentialist, I would retort that of course it makes a sound. It vibrates air particles, following God’s physical laws.
The Day of the Lord in Zephaniah
Posted in Day of the Lord, Faith, General, God Thoughts, God's Word, Grace, Judgment, Mercy, Repentance, Sermon, tagged Day of the Lord, Grace, Judgment, Mercy, Repentance, Sermon on July 16, 2019| 2 Comments »
Some of my friends have already seen this or were there, but others might benefit from what this video has to say. I had the privilege of preaching at my church this past Sunday. I felt led and carried along, so that I believe it is a message that God gave me. I give Him the glory for anything of profit therein. It is a message for the church of America. I hope that you will take the time to listen to it:
Jesus Helps Me
Posted in Faith, General, Grace, Guidance, Poem, Work of Jesus, tagged Faith, Grace, Help, Jesus, Poem on May 24, 2019| Leave a Comment »
During prayer time this morning I was convicted about the extent of my failure in relationships over the years. Rather than mope I asked God to heal relationships and continue to change me. After a short season my prayer was interrupted by the words of the first verse of the following poem. Over the next hour, as I began planning for my students, I came back to the poem until two more verses appeared.
I am not who I will become
Or who I should be
But I am not who I once was
Jesus changes me
Each day I choose for right or wrong
Reaping what you see
By His grace I can do what’s right
Jesus sets me free
Today I’m here, tomorrow there
God knows where I’ll be
Best not fret or scheme or worry
Jesus directs me
At Long Last
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Grace, Piety, Poems, Struggling, Work of Jesus, tagged Enabling, Grace, Piety, Poems, Struggles, Work of Jesus on February 3, 2019| Leave a Comment »
On the drive to church this morning,
I wrote the first verse of the following poem.
Hands free communication (as with a cellphone) disallowed me
to write it down, so the beginning of the second verse was lost
to me before I could write it down. But the direction in which
I was thinking remained for the rest of the poem to come this afternoon. God’s grace and goodness are so great, especially in contrast to our inability to comply to His commands and wishes.
So much wickedness in my heart
Made in God’s image, tarnished art
Frequent failings, falling away
To often straying from the way
Desire to follow ever grows
Distracted by pleasures and woes
Many small failings of the heart
Who will give me a brand new start?
Jesus only, beginning, end
Power to enable, transcend
All my failings and weakness
Distracted thoughts and selfishness
All by grace He has given me
From Him any good that you see
This fragile glass His strengths reveal
Demonstrates His goodness is real
One day my faulty service gone
Perfect obedience will dawn
In good time I will be steadfast
Then I will see God at long last
“All of Grace”
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Grace, Work of Jesus, Work of the Holy Spirit, tagged God Thoughts, Grace, Law, work of christ, Work of the Holy Spirit on June 14, 2018| 1 Comment »
The Lie that was promulgated in the garden is persistent and pernicious. The enemy knows it is the most subtle way to destroy us, and it is persistent because it is part of our nature. “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5) is a Lie with many iterations. It is the basis of all works salvation whether it be the religions of the world, the self-assured atheist, or the nominal, legalist Christian. Such an ominous enemy to our soul must be regularly and rigorously opposed. The remedy for me is focusing on the grace of God brought to us in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To that end, I asked my pastor recently if he had a book that would refresh my focus on grace. He loaned me the little book, “All of Grace” by C. H. Spurgeon. He leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit of convincing the reader that God “justifieth the ungodly” (Romans 4:5).
The persistence of the Lie most frequently resides here: “We stubbornly believe that there must be something in us in order to win the notice of God” (p.14) But “God, who sees through all deceptions, knows that there is no goodness whatsoever in us.” (p.14) Our pride rises up against this thought, but salvation is for those who realize “He makes those just who are unjust. He forgives those who deserve no favor.” (p.14) Those who are closest by training to what is right and good can sometimes be the fartherest from salvation because they have become self-deceived into thinking that the rightness and goodness resides, even if only partially, in them. On the other hand, some who reject the very existence of God are equally self-deceived about their own goodness. For this reason, what Spurgeon says is profoundly true: “The law is for the self-righteous, to humble their pride. The Gospel is for the lost, to remove their despair.” (p.21) To those already broken by their sin, we preach the good news of God’s grace. To those self-assured of their own goodness, we convey the law so that they will come to a point of despair over their sin and grow in desire for a solution only found in the Gospel. Though the witness is a messenger of these things, the Holy Spirit through the Word of God is the means of this grace. “When He [the Holy Spirit] comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8) and ” the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith” (Galations 3:24).
So why must I, who have long been in the grace of God, refocus on that grace? As I have already said, the Lie is persistent and pernicious. My old nature would have me believe that afterall there is some measure of works I must provide to be satisfactory to God. No, I must continue in “simple reliance upon Jesus” (p.89), cling to Him, turn constantly for a view of His goodness, love, and power, all given to me by His grace. Herein is joy and peace; hence is purpose and hope. The quicker and more deeply I can become totally convinced of the grace of God, the more readily I can love others and point them to that all sufficient grace.
Grace Enough
Posted in Faith, General, Grace, Poem, tagged Faith, Grace, Poems on March 1, 2018| 1 Comment »
I was forced to stand in silence for an hour and a half today, so I occupied my mind with thoughts of God’s grace. I was trying to decide if I should use the pronoun me, you, or us in the poem I wrote. I began with a mixture of me and you. That didn’t seem right to me. Me would be more personal, but you would be more inclusive. I decided on us, even though I was concerned that it might imply to readers that everyone has access to this grace. Believers in Jesus have been gifted with faith by God’s grace and now have access to that grace. But I wanted to use us in order to group together the body of Christ as we struggle and celebrate together. Here is the result:
Grace for us in every trial
In every hurt, for every mile
Grace enough for each new day
Through the flood and the fray
When days are up or days are down
Skies are bright or grey and brown
Days of hope or dread and fire
Grace enough for the smooth and mire
Grace enough to rescue from hell
To raise us up when we fell
Joy where we would think there is none
Rest now and when life is done
Soli Deo Gloria
Posted in Faith, General, Glory, God Thoughts, Grace, Reformation 500, Truth, tagged Faith, God Thoughts, Grace, Salvation, theology, Truth, Worship on October 31, 2017| 1 Comment »
On October 31, 1517, the Protestant Reformation began when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on to the Wittenburg Castle Church door. The Protestant Reformation was a movement in the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe, which tried to reform the Roman Catholic Church, because of perceived doctrinal and moral corruption that undermined the Christian gospel. The result was excommunication and the Protestant movement. These Latin phrases; sola scriptura (Scripture Alone), sola gratia (Grace Alone), sola fide (Faith Alone), sola Christus (Christ Alone), Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God Alone), were the fundamental principles of the protestant reformers. They were developed over time, to summarize the theological conviction of the reformers and are central to the doctrine of salvation. -John Piper
In April of 1518, the head of the Augustinian Order called for a formal disputation of the ideas that Martin Luther had put forth. This gave Luther an opportunity to expand upon his concerns. At the meeting, Luther put forward a “theology of the cross” as opposed to a “theology of glory.” -Editors Introduction to the Book of Concord
A theology of glory expects total success, finding all the answers, winning all the battles, and living happily ever after. The theology of glory is all about my strength, my power, and my works. A theologian of glory expects his church to be perfect and always to grow. If a theologian of glory gets sick, he expects God to heal him. And if he experiences failure and weakness, if his church has problems and if he is not healed, then he is often utterly confused, questioning the sufficiency of his faith and sometimes questioning the very existence of God. -Gene Edward Veith
To better understand the theology of glory, one need only look at the adjective included in the five Latin phrases. Alone. The use of this simple term suggests that the theology of glory, understood God’s work of Scripture, Grace, Faith and Christ were insufficient.
The Catholic Church adhered to what Martin Luther called the “theology of glory” (in opposition to the “theology of the cross”), in which the glory for a sinner’s salvation could be attributed partly to Christ, partly to Mary and the saints, and partly to the sinner himself. The reformers responded, “No, the only true gospel is that which gives all glory to God alone, as is taught in the scriptures.” -Monergism.com
This true and Biblical gospel, proclaimed by the reformers, was about how man can be justified before a holy God. Not by any merited favor, but by grace alone. Not any works a man can do such as the confession, penance or indulgences, but by faith alone. Not by any other sacrifice, such as mass, but only in Christ alone. Not found in the church, papacy or tradition, but in Scripture alone. And not for the veneration, worship or glory of Mary, Saints or Angels, but to the Glory of God Alone.
For Luther, the bottom line was the bondage of the will, or the deadness of the human soul. The Bible tells us that we are totally helpless. Ephesians 2:1-3, “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” We were dead in our trespasses and sin and by nature children of wrath. Only grace can raise us from the dead and only Christ could be our punishment. Those two miracles, life from death and wrath removed, can only be received as a gift. Thus, it is to the glory of God alone. -John Piper
When reflecting on today’s subject of God receiving all glory, you may have thought, “I am a Baptist. I know that we do not glorify Mary, Saints or Angels.” This, I’m sure, is true for many of us here. However, these two verses may shed some light on our weakness and who we do glorify instead of God alone.
Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” 2 Timothy 3:2, “For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy…”
The Bible tells us:
- Scripture is from God. 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God…”
- Grace is from God. Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves…”
- Faith comes from God. Hebrews 12:2, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”
- Christ was sent by God. John 3:17, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
- Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
- Proverbs 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps”
- Psalm 103: 19, “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.”
- Psalm 19:1, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”
- Romans 13:1, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
- Ephesians 1:11-12, “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.”
- Colossians 1:16-17, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
- Hebrews 1:3, “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…”
- Hebrews 11:10, “for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
- John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He sent His one and only son, that everyone believing in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
- 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
- Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
- Revelation 4:11, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
Soli Deo Gloria
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