The relationship between the doctrine of election and the understanding of man’s free will has been debated for hundreds of years (if not longer). Here, Charles Spurgeon handles the tension extremely well. It’s perhaps the best teaching I’ve heard on the differing viewpoints and how we are to handle the seeming paradox we find in Scripture.
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0442.htm
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Supplementing Our Faith
In his second epistle, Peter talks about a certain blindness that affects believers. It’s not a total blindness, but it is a crippling blindness. The Bible describes it as being similar to severe nearsightedness (2 Peter 1:9).
Our faith is central to our salvation. But the Bible challenges us to go beyond our faith and supplement it with certain qualities. Possessing these qualities leads us to an effective and fruitful Christian life. However, lacking these qualities leads to us forgetting that we have been cleansed from sin. (2 Peter 1:8-9)
What are these qualities? (2 Peter 1:5-7)
Virtue
Knowledge
Self-Control
Steadfastness
Godliness
Brotherly affection
Love
Why should we supplement our faith with them?
We should supplement our faith with these qualities, because through His divine power, Jesus has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Christ has granted to us His promises so that we may become partakers of the divine nature escaping the corruption in the world due to sin. (2 Peter 1:3-4)
What are the effects of not using these qualities?
The effects on our life when we don’t supplement our faith with these qualities are dangerous. We become so nearsighted that we are blind and we forget that we were cleansed from our former sins. We continue to live as if we are sinners and we are not a blessing to others.
What are the effects of using these qualities?
The effects on our life when we supplement our faith with these wonderful qualities are remarkable. They make us effective and fruitful in our ministry. They allow us to make our calling and election sure, and the Bible says we will never fall. We will have a richly provided way into the Kingdom.
Our faith is central to our salvation. But the Bible challenges us to go beyond our faith and supplement it with certain qualities. Possessing these qualities leads us to an effective and fruitful Christian life. However, lacking these qualities leads to us forgetting that we have been cleansed from sin. (2 Peter 1:8-9)
What are these qualities? (2 Peter 1:5-7)
Virtue
Knowledge
Self-Control
Steadfastness
Godliness
Brotherly affection
Love
Why should we supplement our faith with them?
We should supplement our faith with these qualities, because through His divine power, Jesus has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Christ has granted to us His promises so that we may become partakers of the divine nature escaping the corruption in the world due to sin. (2 Peter 1:3-4)
What are the effects of not using these qualities?
The effects on our life when we don’t supplement our faith with these qualities are dangerous. We become so nearsighted that we are blind and we forget that we were cleansed from our former sins. We continue to live as if we are sinners and we are not a blessing to others.
What are the effects of using these qualities?
The effects on our life when we supplement our faith with these wonderful qualities are remarkable. They make us effective and fruitful in our ministry. They allow us to make our calling and election sure, and the Bible says we will never fall. We will have a richly provided way into the Kingdom.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Justification
The doctrine of justification helps us to understand how God declares our sins forgiven. A right understanding of justification is absolutely critical to the whole Christian faith. Scripture tells us that we are justified by faith:
"knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." (Galatians 2:16)
(The following is an excerpt of an article by John Stevenson on Justification)
But what exactly does it mean to be "justified". The term "justify" is taken from the Greek root word "righteous." This gives us a clue as to its meaning. It has to do with righteousness. It describes the act of declaring that a person or thing is righteous.
The act of justification does not MAKE a person righteous. It is merely a declaration that he IS righteous. But how can God declare a man to be righteous when that man is really a guilty sinner? The answer can only be found in the imputation of righteousness.
"For He made Him who know no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21)
In this single verse, Paul pictures two different aspects of the work of Christ on our behalf.
1) The Imputation of our sins upon Christ - Our sins were put to His account. He was credited wth our sins. The sinless Son of God was judged as though He had committed all of the sins which have ever taken place throughout the entire history of mankind.
2) The Imputation of Christ's Righteousness Toward Us - Just as our sins were put to His account while He was on the cross, so in the same way, the righteousness of Christ is put to our account when we believe in Him.
What is the significance of this imputation of Christ's righteousness to our account? If I have been declared by God to be righteous, then God is now free to bless me with every spiritual blessing. For God to accept sinful man as he is and to fellowship with him in this condition would be for God to accept and fellowship with SIN. It would make God a sinner. It is for this reason that God formed a plan which would save man and at the same time would satisfy the righteousness of God.
This certainly does not cover all of the teachings on justification, but hopefully it will at least be helpful as an introduction to this wonderful doctrine.
"knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." (Galatians 2:16)
(The following is an excerpt of an article by John Stevenson on Justification)
But what exactly does it mean to be "justified". The term "justify" is taken from the Greek root word "righteous." This gives us a clue as to its meaning. It has to do with righteousness. It describes the act of declaring that a person or thing is righteous.
The act of justification does not MAKE a person righteous. It is merely a declaration that he IS righteous. But how can God declare a man to be righteous when that man is really a guilty sinner? The answer can only be found in the imputation of righteousness.
"For He made Him who know no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21)
In this single verse, Paul pictures two different aspects of the work of Christ on our behalf.
1) The Imputation of our sins upon Christ - Our sins were put to His account. He was credited wth our sins. The sinless Son of God was judged as though He had committed all of the sins which have ever taken place throughout the entire history of mankind.
2) The Imputation of Christ's Righteousness Toward Us - Just as our sins were put to His account while He was on the cross, so in the same way, the righteousness of Christ is put to our account when we believe in Him.
What is the significance of this imputation of Christ's righteousness to our account? If I have been declared by God to be righteous, then God is now free to bless me with every spiritual blessing. For God to accept sinful man as he is and to fellowship with him in this condition would be for God to accept and fellowship with SIN. It would make God a sinner. It is for this reason that God formed a plan which would save man and at the same time would satisfy the righteousness of God.
This certainly does not cover all of the teachings on justification, but hopefully it will at least be helpful as an introduction to this wonderful doctrine.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Welcome
Welcome to Word Stands Forever. The purpose of this blog is to share what God is showing me through His Word and in the life and teachings of others in order to grow in the faith. One aspect of growing in the faith is to understand and meditate on the rich doctrinal truths that are found in Scripture and how those truths are lived out in the Christian faith.
John MacArthur talks about the importance of Bible study and doctrine:
"Doctrine is not the exclusive domain of seminary professors. All true Christians must be concerned with understanding sound doctrine. It is the disciplining of discerning and digesting what God is saying to us in His Word so we can live lives that glorify Him. Doctrine forms the belief system that controls and compels behavior. What could be more practical-or more important? God's truth is revealed in His Word, and it is there we must ultimately go to settle any doctrinal issue."
(The Gospel According to the Apostles)
I will also discuss various aspects of the Christian faith that I find challenging. Some may come from a sermon, others from a book or blog, or perhaps a conversation with a friend or stranger. Occurrences that help lead me to a deeper understanding of God as revealed in the Bible and that challenge me to live a more obedient life.
The name of this blog comes from Isaiah 40:8, which states, “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” (NKJV).
John MacArthur talks about the importance of Bible study and doctrine:
"Doctrine is not the exclusive domain of seminary professors. All true Christians must be concerned with understanding sound doctrine. It is the disciplining of discerning and digesting what God is saying to us in His Word so we can live lives that glorify Him. Doctrine forms the belief system that controls and compels behavior. What could be more practical-or more important? God's truth is revealed in His Word, and it is there we must ultimately go to settle any doctrinal issue."
(The Gospel According to the Apostles)
I will also discuss various aspects of the Christian faith that I find challenging. Some may come from a sermon, others from a book or blog, or perhaps a conversation with a friend or stranger. Occurrences that help lead me to a deeper understanding of God as revealed in the Bible and that challenge me to live a more obedient life.
The name of this blog comes from Isaiah 40:8, which states, “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” (NKJV).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)