Oh Night Divine
Years ago, one of my favorite Rainer Maria Rilke poems gave me a new perspective on the night, and I’m reminded of this at Christmas time whenever we sing “Oh Holy Night,” one of the most beautiful songs that has…
Tag Christian Living
Perseverance of the Saints: John 6
The wonderful thing about the grace of God is that the grace that saves is the grace that causes perseverance in the saint. That may take some clarification. Perseverance of the saints (or believers) does not mean that the saint…
Ministerial Godliness: Its Value
What matters most to us in life? There is a ‘right’ answer to that question, but then again there are many ‘real’ answers that lurk beneath the surface. No serious-minded Christian would argue with the truth of the Shorter Catechism’s…
Perseverance of the Saints: The Persevering God
John 10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. John 10:29 is a common reference or “proof text” used in defense of…
Perseverance of the Saints: Receiving in Order to Continue
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God is life. There is no life apart from God. For life to be, God must give it and sustain it. There is no such thing as life that God…
Irresistible Grace: A Fictional Factual Dialogue
Pastor Paul was studying when interrupted by the knock at the door. The sound was rapid fire and thud-like. “Someone is upset,” he thought as he called out an invitation to enter. Jacob stumbled through the doorway carrying an armload…
Irresistible Grace: The Gauley River & God
In my adult years, I have enjoyed whitewater rafting. Several years ago, my wife and I decided to do the Gauley River. Every fall, the Somerville Dam is released and the River turns into a world class white water adventure! …
Ministerial Godliness: Rooted in Christ
During my years at seminary, in what now seems like a different lifetime, a little group of us first encountered Robert Murray McCheyne in the Banner of Truth reprint of his Memoir and Remains by Andrew Bonar. The story of…
Irresistible Grace and Condemnation: Who Are We?
When I was a child there were times when my mother, exasperated by my behavior, would ask: “Who do you think you are!?” My unruly and arrogant conduct revealed that I was not thinking rightly about myself. Understanding salvation from…
Irresistible Grace: The Lord Your God Will Circumcise Your Heart
Some Christians resist belief in the doctrine of irresistible grace. These brothers and sisters find the teaching that grace conquers all pushback repugnant. How could an all-loving God run roughshod over the freedom of his human creation? This is a…