A contrast is drawn between the person living "under the Law" and the person "under grace." The person under the Law does good works from fear of punishment or with hope of gaining some reward or favor from God. The person under grace does good works freely and with a cheerful conscience, free of punishment … Continue reading Faith Alone Works While Ruled by Grace
Readings for Midweek Lent 5
Readings for Midweek Lent 5, 29 March 2017 "Faith Alone Works...While Ruled By Grace" From: The Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VI "The Third Use of the Law," par. 15-18 [15] But in order that, as far as possible, all misunderstanding may be prevented, and the distinction between the works of the Law and … Continue reading Readings for Midweek Lent 5
Faith Alone Works in Humility Willing to Learn
God bestows on us many good gifts. Husband or wife, parents or children, home and property, birds, animals and more are all good gifts. But not all good gifts are able to save us, to make us righteous before God and holy in His sight. The Law also is a very good gift, but it … Continue reading Faith Alone Works in Humility Willing to Learn
Readings For Midweek Lent 4
Readings for Midweek Lent 4 (22 March 2017) "Faith Alone Works... ...In Humility Willing to Learn" From: The Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VI "The Third Use of the Law," par. 9-14 [9] Therefore, because of these lusts of the flesh the truly believing, elect, and regenerate children of God need in this life … Continue reading Readings For Midweek Lent 4
Cast Out and Gathered With Jesus
"...In the heat of the day, the rattlesnakes will seek a cool spot in the shade of the rocks and boulders there. Even before cell phones and Instagram, traveling people unfamiliar with Sandhills wildlife liked to send their children to climb those rocks and family to pose for pictures. The locals knew better, thus the … Continue reading Cast Out and Gathered With Jesus
Faith Alone Works…with Imperfections Perfected in Christ
"Hear this, Christian: Your count of your own fruit will always be low. It is not yours to number. If it were, you’d always be off. You would count some things as fruit which God does’t, and many others you wouldn’t count at all as God does. The Vinedresser, God our Father, counts and harvests … Continue reading Faith Alone Works…with Imperfections Perfected in Christ
Readings for Midweek Lent 3
"Faith Alone Works...with Imperfections Perfected in Christ" Readings for Midweek Lent 3 15 March 2017 / 7:30pm / 3rd in series of 8 From: The Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VI "The Third Use of the Law," par. 6-8 [6] And, indeed, if the believing and elect children of God were completely renewed in … Continue reading Readings for Midweek Lent 3
When Jesus Holds Back, Hold On!
None likes much to experience one's limits in the hour of need. Limits of time and place, talent and knowledge, strength and skill all frustrate our efforts to live and live as we want. Others can help us sometimes, but occasionally don't or won't help at all. A Caananite woman finds Jesus reluctant to respond … Continue reading When Jesus Holds Back, Hold On!
Faith Alone Works…In Freedom and Delight
God has given us great Freedom by faith in Christ and works in us a new Delight in the Law of the Lord. These two he joins together: Christian Freedom and Delight. Yet some separate them from one another, with devious and dismal result called Antinomianism. Antinomianism ends up denying the identity of God and … Continue reading Faith Alone Works…In Freedom and Delight
Readings for Midweek Lent 2
"Faith Alone Works...In Freedom and Delight" (For Wed., 3/8/17) From: The Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VI "The Third Use of the Law," par. 4-5 [4] For the explanation and final settlement of this dissent we unanimously believe, teach, and confess that although the truly believing and truly converted to God and justified Christians … Continue reading Readings for Midweek Lent 2
Isaiah 50:4 Blues 