Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness
We must worship God in the beauty of holiness. We do this, when approaching him, in the name of Jesus Christ, and through the assistance of his Spirit, all our faculties are fixed and engaged in this work; our expressions accompanied by suitable affections, by holy longings and thirstings of soul after God. In short, when the whole man is dedicated to the solemn act of worshipping God.
Sin Is an Offence against God
Formally considered, sin is not, with respect to God, of the nature of a personal injury, but an offence against his law and government. “He that committeth sin transgresseth also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law.” As sin is not to be viewed, in regard to God, as a private offence, so divine punishment is not to be considered as an act of private revenge, but as an act of retributive justice for the vindication of law and government. Were sin to be viewed, as committed against God, as a private injury, and divine punishment as of the nature of private revenge, there would be no room for satisfaction by substitution; for revenge will rest satisfied with nothing short of the ruin of its object. But since sin is an offence against the law and government of God, and punishment, under his administration, is for the vindication of the honour of his law and government, if this end of punishment can be gained even more effectually by satisfaction from a surety than it could possibly be by the eternal destruction of the sinner, the doctrine of satisfaction by substitution must be compatible with the honour of God’s law and moral administration.
The Law-Driven Sermon
When I hear an essentially law-driven sermon, asking the law to do what only the grace of Jesus Christ can accomplish, I am immediately concerned about the preacher. I wonder about his view of himself, because if you have any self-consciousness about your own weakness and sin, you find little hope and comfort for yourself and your hearers in that kind of sermon.
HT: Reformed Quotes
To the Praise of His Glorious Grace
The Great Mystery No One Can Solve
This is the great mystery that no one can solve–-how God could love sinners, without there being anything in them worthy of his love.
HT: @OldGuyQuotes
The Paradox of Redemption
The grand paradox or supreme irony of the Christian faith is that we are saved both by God and from God.
HT: @Ligonier
Doing Great Things, but for Whose Sake?
Self likes to do great things; but grace teaches us to do little things with a great spirit — that is, for the Lord’s sake.
HT: Miscellanies
Jesus Offers an Everlasting Salvation
Some people fancy they may be justified one year and condemned another, —children of adoption at one time, and strangers by and by, —heirs of the kingdom in the beginning of their days, and yet servants of the devil in their end. I cannot find this in the Bible…. It seems to me to overturn the good news of the Gospel altogether, and to tear up its comforts by the roots. I believe the salvation Jesus offers is an everlasting salvation, and a pardon once sealed with His blood shall never be reversed.
“Just Give Your Heart to Jesus.”
Is this Scriptural?
Often an appeal is made to us “to take Christ” or we are urged to “decide for Christ” or “follow Christ” or “give ourselves to Christ” or “give our hearts to Christ.” But, again, I think we must examine this. Is this scriptural? Does the Scripture put it in that way? Surely the Scripture does not ask, “Will you take Christ?” but “Will Christ take you?” Is it possible for him to take me in view of my sinfulness, my vileness, my guilt, my hopelessness? This idea that I can take Christ or not or that I should be pleaded with or cajoled, that pressure should be brought to bear upon me to “take Christ” or “follow him” is wrong – it is “I” all along. But I am a miserable worm, a wretch!
D. Martin Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981)
HT: Reformed Quotes
Life Is Worship 