Category: Sanctification
Sanctification by the Truth of God’s Word
It is every believer's cross to bear the struggle and battle against sin as we labor and desire to live holy unto God. But little emphasis is given today on the ordained means by God to accomplish such a task in the life of a Christian. He that works sanctification in us is God in the person of the Holy Spirit, but Scripture does not suggest at all that holiness comes by staring into nothingness ...
Sanctification by the Truth of God’s Word
It is every believer's cross to bear the struggle and battle against sin as we labor and desire to live holy unto God. But little emphasis is given today on the ordained means by God to accomplish such a task in the life of a Christian. He that works sanctification in us is God in the person of the Holy Spirit, but Scripture does not suggest at all that holiness comes by staring into nothingness ...
Turn My Unsanctified Nature to the Fire of Thy Love!
This entry off C. H. Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" devotional work strikes home personally with me. For I find myself so zealous with my battles in sanctification in certain areas, yet I am completely lax in others. Much so like I am so zealous at other facets of the Christian faith yet I would practically give little care toward the others. Oh, dear reader, may it not be so with us! If we are to be ...
Turn My Unsanctified Nature to the Fire of Thy Love!
This entry off C. H. Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" devotional work strikes home personally with me. For I find myself so zealous with my battles in sanctification in certain areas, yet I am completely lax in others. Much so like I am so zealous at other facets of the Christian faith yet I would practically give little care toward the others. Oh, dear reader, may it not be so with us! If we are to be ...
My Heart is Melted Within Me in Sorrow, in Heaviness
I determined myself to simply continually draw the Daily Devotion's from C.H. Spurgeon's recollection of his conversion, but the richness of this entry off his bi-daily devotional "Morning and Evening" impressed much on my soul that I just had to post it. Reader, I pray it would bless you and be a great balm for your soul far more than it did mine. When sin overcomes you, when temptations roll ten thousand strong, though you may ...
My Heart is Melted Within Me in Sorrow, in Heaviness
I determined myself to simply continually draw the Daily Devotion's from C.H. Spurgeon's recollection of his conversion, but the richness of this entry off his bi-daily devotional "Morning and Evening" impressed much on my soul that I just had to post it. Reader, I pray it would bless you and be a great balm for your soul far more than it did mine. When sin overcomes you, when temptations roll ten thousand strong, though you may ...
Sin’s Painted Pleasures and Sugared Poisions…
As the Scriptures often call attention to the “heart” or “soul” of a person, Owen argues that such references tend to be shorthand for the various faculties, and thus to deal with sin the whole person must be engaged. Although Owen gives ample attention to each of the faculties, let us focus on the affections as a test case to show the nature of sin and temptation. Far too often Christians working within the Reformed ...
Sin’s Painted Pleasures and Sugared Poisions…
As the Scriptures often call attention to the “heart” or “soul” of a person, Owen argues that such references tend to be shorthand for the various faculties, and thus to deal with sin the whole person must be engaged. Although Owen gives ample attention to each of the faculties, let us focus on the affections as a test case to show the nature of sin and temptation. Far too often Christians working within the Reformed ...
The Law not for Condemnation, but Sanctification
For the law indeed says that it is God’s will and command that we walk in new life. However, it does not give the power and ability to begin or to carry out this command. Instead, the Holy Spirit, who is given and received not through the law but through the proclamation of the gospel (Gal. 3:2, 14), renews the heart. Thereafter, the Holy Spirit uses the law to instruct the reborn and to show and ...
The Law not for Condemnation, but Sanctification
For the law indeed says that it is God’s will and command that we walk in new life. However, it does not give the power and ability to begin or to carry out this command. Instead, the Holy Spirit, who is given and received not through the law but through the proclamation of the gospel (Gal. 3:2, 14), renews the heart. Thereafter, the Holy Spirit uses the law to instruct the reborn and to show and ...
The Imponderable Depths of Sin and Grace
The Bible is God’s word. Therefore, it is profound. How could it not be? God inspired it. He understands himself and the human heart infinitely. He is not playing games with us. He really means to communicate the profoundest things about sin and hell and heaven and Christ and faith and salvation and holiness and death. Paul does not sing out in vain, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! ...
The Imponderable Depths of Sin and Grace
The Bible is God’s word. Therefore, it is profound. How could it not be? God inspired it. He understands himself and the human heart infinitely. He is not playing games with us. He really means to communicate the profoundest things about sin and hell and heaven and Christ and faith and salvation and holiness and death. Paul does not sing out in vain, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! ...
We Need a Knowledge of an Irresistibly Glorious God
Justifying Faith Is Lust-Fighting Faith Are we not, then, saved by faith—by believing in Jesus Christ? We are indeed! Those who persevere in faith shall be saved ((Matthew 24:13; 10:22; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Colossians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:13)). How do you lay hold on eternal life? Paul gives the answer in 1 Timothy 6:12—"Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life." That leads us to our main concern this morning—to show that the fight ...
We Need a Knowledge of an Irresistibly Glorious God
Justifying Faith Is Lust-Fighting Faith Are we not, then, saved by faith—by believing in Jesus Christ? We are indeed! Those who persevere in faith shall be saved ((Matthew 24:13; 10:22; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Colossians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:13)). How do you lay hold on eternal life? Paul gives the answer in 1 Timothy 6:12—"Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life." That leads us to our main concern this morning—to show that the fight ...
I am Vile, Wretched, Miserable and Blind!
ETERNAL FATHER, Thou art good beyond all thought, But I am vile, wretched, miserable, blind; My lips are ready to confess, but my heart is slow to feel, and my ways reluctant to amend. I bring my soul to thee; break it, wound it, bend it, mould it. Unmask to me sin's deformity, that I may hate it, abhor it, flee from it. My faculties have been a weapon of revolt against thee; as a rebel I have misused my strength, and ...
I am Vile, Wretched, Miserable and Blind!
ETERNAL FATHER, Thou art good beyond all thought, But I am vile, wretched, miserable, blind; My lips are ready to confess, but my heart is slow to feel, and my ways reluctant to amend. I bring my soul to thee; break it, wound it, bend it, mould it. Unmask to me sin's deformity, that I may hate it, abhor it, flee from it. My faculties have been a weapon of revolt against thee; as a rebel I have misused my strength, and ...
I am a Poor Weak Creature, Unstable as Water.
Set your faith upon Christ for the killing of your sin. His blood is the great sovereign remedy for sin-sick souls. Live in the light of Christ's great work, and you will die a conqueror. You will, through the good providence of God, live to see your lust dead at your feet. But you will say, 'How can we look by faith to Christ for this great purpose?' Consider, By faith fill your heart with a right consideration ...
I am a Poor Weak Creature, Unstable as Water.
Set your faith upon Christ for the killing of your sin. His blood is the great sovereign remedy for sin-sick souls. Live in the light of Christ's great work, and you will die a conqueror. You will, through the good providence of God, live to see your lust dead at your feet. But you will say, 'How can we look by faith to Christ for this great purpose?' Consider, By faith fill your heart with a right consideration ...