The Ultimate Purpose of the Bible

Posted on by under Paul Tripp

The ultimate purpose of the Word of God is not theological information but heart and life transformation. Biblical literacy and theological expertise are not, therefore, the end of the Word of God but a God-ordained means to an end, and the end is a radically transformed life because the worship at the center of that life has been reclaimed. This means that it is dangerous to teach, discuss, and exegete the Word without this goal in view.

Paul David Tripp, Dangerous Calling (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012), 51.

God Gave Himself To Purify unto Himself a Peculiar People

Posted on by under J. C. Philpot

‎May we never forget that the suffering Son of God gave Himself to purify unto Himself a peculiar people—a people whose thoughts are peculiar, for their thoughts are the thoughts of God, as having the mind of Christ—a people whose affections are peculiar, for they are fixed on things above—a people whose prayers are peculiar, for they are wrought in their heart by the Spirit of grace and supplication—a people whose sorrows are peculiar, because they spring from a spiritual source—a people whose joys are peculiar, for they are joys which the stranger cannot understand—a people whose hopes are peculiar, as anchoring within the veil—a people whose expectations are peculiar, as not expecting to reap a crop of happiness in this marred world—but are looking for happiness in the kingdom of rest and peace in the bosom of God. They make it manifest that they are a peculiar people by walking in the footsteps of the Lord the Lamb—taking up the cross—denying themselves—and living to the honor, praise, and glory of God.

J.C. Philpot (1802 – 1869)

God Vindicates Himself in Our Salvation

Posted on by under D. Martin Lloyd-Jones

Salvation is not ultimately for our sake; but for the glory of God.  God in salvation is vindicating Himself, and manifesting Himself to the whole universe.  He is displaying His everlasting and eternal glory.  Hence His purpose cannot and will not fail.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones from  Romans – The Perseverance Of The Saints

To Know God is To Live

Posted on by under Herman Bavinck

The knowledge of God is the central, core dogma, the exclusive content of theology. From the start of its labors dogmatic theology is shrouded in mystery; it stands before God the incomprehensible One. This knowledge leads to adoration and worship; to know God is to live. Knowing God is possible for us because God is personal, exalted above the earth and yet in fellowship with human beings on earth.

Herman Bavinck (1854 – 1921)

HT: The Old Guys

Never Be Discouraged When You Are Opposed

Posted on by under Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Servants of Jesus Christ, never be discouraged when you are opposed, but when things run counter to your wishes, expect that the Lord has provided some better thing for you! He is driving you away from shallow waters and bringing you into deeper seas where your nets shall bring you larger draughts. Paul and Silas must go to prison because a chosen person (the jailer) was to be converted in the prison who could not otherwise be reached!

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 – 1892)

The Measure of Christ’s Torment

Posted on by under D. A. Carson

Biblically faithful Christianity does not present itself as a nice religious structure that makes happier parents and well-ordered children and good taxpaying citizens. It may produce better parents and taxpaying citizens, but the issues at stake in biblical Christianity have to do with eternity: heaven and hell, matters of the utmost significance, your relationship to your Maker, what God has provided in Christ, what the cross is about, the resurrection.

At the end of the day, what hell measures is how much Christ paid for those who escape hell. The measure of his torment (in ways I do not pretend to begin to understand) as the God-man is the measure of torment that we deserve and he bore. And if you see that and believe it, you will find it difficult to contemplate the cross for very long without tears.

D.A. Carson, The God who is There

HT: Ordinary Pastor