FROM THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 12, 2011

One of My Favorite Descriptions of the Christian Life by Justin Taylor

I am not what I ought to be.
Ah! how imperfect and deficient.
Not what I might be,
considering my privileges and opportunities.
Not what I wish to be.
God, who knows my heart, knows I wish to be like him.
I am not what I hope to be;
ere long to drop this clay tabernacle, to be like him and see him as He is.
Not what I once was,
a child of sin, and slave of the devil.
Thought not all these,

not what I ought to be,
not what I might be,
not what I wish or hope to be, and
not what once was,

I think I can truly say with the apostle,

“By the grace of God I am what I am.”

—Cited in Letters of John Newton, p. 400.

Get Beyond the Talk of Election by J.C. Ryle

To talk of anyone being Elect when they are living in sin, is nothing better than blasphemous folly. The Bible knows of no Election except through “sanctification;” no eternal choosing except that we should be “holy;” no predestination except to be “conformed to the image of God’s Son.” When these things are lacking, it is mere waste of time to talk of Election. (1 Pet. 1:2; Eph. 1:4; Rom. 8:29)

~ J.C. Ryle

Old Paths, “Election”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1999], 470.

Followers of JESUS or of ME? Thoughts on Disciplemaking by Alvin Reid

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”  Jesus

“Christ is not valued at all, unless He is valued above all.” Augustine

“Be followers of me as I follow Christ.” Paul

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus

Those of us who take seriously the Great Commission recognize how Christ’s charge compels us not to make converts on a superficial level but Christ-followers in all of life. 

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What the Bible Says About Sex ... Really? by Albert Mohler

The Bible is brutally honest about human sinfulness in all its forms, including sexuality. Nevertheless, the Bible presents a consistent and clear sexual ethic. The issue is not a lack of clarity. 
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Soli Deo Gloria
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