This year I will be sharing brief excerpts from the articles, sermons, and books I am currently reading. My posts will not follow a regular schedule but will be published as I find well-written thoughts that should be of interest to maturing Christian readers. Whenever possible, I encourage you to go to the source and read the complete work of the author.
Quoting R.C. Sproul:
“Nothing could be more irrational than the idea that something comes from nothing.”
Filed under: Bible, Christianity, God, Philosophy, R. C. Sproul, Worldview | Tagged: Christ, Jesus, John Piper, Pseudo-Science, Science, Substitutionary atonement, Theology | Comments Off on 0+0=1?
Quoting Justice Joseph Story:
“Marriage is … in its origin a contract of natural law… It is the parent, and not the child of society; the source of civility and a sort of seminary of the republic.”
Filed under: Bible, Christianity, Culture, Family, Founding Fathers, History, Worldview | Tagged: God, Justice Joseph Story, Marriage, Natural law | Comments Off on Marriage
Trust in Jesus for what you cannot do yourself. If such things were in your own power, why would you look to Him for comfort? It is yours to believe and trust – it is for the Lord to create you anew. Jesus does not believe for you and neither do you regenerate yourself for Him. Yours is to obey the gracious command; the Lord will work the new birth in us. Charles H. Spurgeon writes:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17 ESV)
[T]hink upon the person of Jesus Christ—think of who He is, and what He did, and where He is, and what He is. How can you doubt Him? It is cruelty to distrust the ever truthful Jesus. He has done nothing to deserve distrust; on the contrary, it should be easy to rely upon Him. Why crucify Him anew by unbelief? Is not this crowning Him with thorns again, and spitting upon Him again? What! is He not to be trusted? What worse insult did the soldiers pour upon Him than this? They made Him a martyr; but you make Him a liar—this is worse by far. Do not ask how can I believe? But answer another question—How can you disbelieve?
If none of these things avail, then there is something wrong about you altogether, and my last word is, submit yourself to God! Prejudice or pride is at the bottom of this unbelief. May the Spirit of God take away your enmity and make you yield. You are a rebel, a proud rebel, and that is why you do not believe your God. Give up your rebellion; throw down your weapons; yield at discretion, surrender to your King. I believe that never did a soul throw up its hands in self-despair, and cry, “Lord, I yield, “but what faith became easy to it before long. It is because you still have a quarrel with God, and resolve to have your own will and your own way, that therefore you cannot believe. “How can ye believe,” said Christ, “that have honour one of another?” Proud self creates unbelief. Submit, O man. Yield to your God, and then shall you sweetly believe in your Saviour. May the Holy Ghost now work secretly but effectually with you, and bring you at this very moment to believe in the Lord Jesus! Amen. (All of Grace)
Filed under: Bible, Charles H. Spurgeon, Christianity, Faith, God, Grace, Holiness, Reformed Christian Topics, sin | Tagged: All of Grace, Christ, English Standard Version, HolySpirit, Jesus, Lord | Comments Off on Pride Creates Unbelief
Samuel at Gilgal 