The Effectual Internal Call of God

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Born Again, eternal life, God, Gospel, Gospel of Jesus Christ, grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Kingdom of God, New Birth, New Creation, Power, repentance, salvation, sinner, sins

Nicodemus struggled to understand what Jesus meant by that we must be born again. This struggle is clearly seen in his response to Jesus’ assertion that to enter the kingdom of God, which is to be in heaven and see God and be accorded eternal life, one must be born again. We could not determine our own physical birth and neither could we be born again spiritually by our own power or will.

John 3:3-6,9  Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”….  Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”

The power to save comes only from a Holy God who would extend His sovereign grace to save a sinner only because He has first dealt righteously with that sinner by inputting the sinner’s sins to His sinless Son Jesus Christ. He judged the inputted sins and condemned His Son and cut Him off. However, God raised Jesus Christ from the dead so Christ now lives and offers eternal life to all who would believe and follow Him.

We must be born again because only God could have the power to grant the gift of the Holy Spirit: “that which is born of the Spirit”. We believe because God by grace called us to hear the Gospel, and repent. We repent because God by grace caused us to be born again. 

John3:7-8
Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Humanly, we would not fully understand how God effect the new birth.  However, the effectual, internal call of God to a sinner to repent and believe is the Holy Spirit’s exercise of power immediately, supernaturally, and miraculously within that soul.

Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash

No fear 2023 – for my God is the Ancient of Days

Tags

2023, Ancient of Days, Book of Daniel, Climate Change, Evangelism, Global Supply Chain, God, Hymns & Songs, Inflation, King of kings, Russia, Son of Man, sovereignty, Ukraine, Worship

So much has happened to me this year. I would not call the year smooth sailing but rather my own personal life ship abruptly sailed into turbulent seas and ran aground. As 2022 tends to an end, the new year 2023 looms near. This is an ideal time to reflect on the year.

In 2022, I was blessed in the study of the book of Daniel. The stories of Daniel’s personal struggles, facing enormous challenges, and securing God’s ordained victories in Babylon are etched in my heart and mind. The center of the stories is a God, Daniel’s God who is the Ancient of Days (Dan 7:9). The year saw the long-reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain pass on. She was on the throne before I was even born and now a new King Charles has ascended to the throne. While the nation rages (Ps 2:1, Ps 46:6, Rev 11:18) and earthly kingdoms rise and fall, Jehovah has always been on the everlasting heavenly throne.

War returned to the backyard of Europe. Both Ukrainians and Russians suffered in the war. In any war, there are no winners. Sadly, there is no end in sight to this war for now. Many Ukrainians have lost their homes and families, and many would be suffering through the winter in the cold and darkness because the power grid has been destroyed by Putin’s callous indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure. As he faced severe embarrassing losses, Putin wants the world to see that he has the upper hand in wielding military power and is likely to force a negotiation for concessions. What is apparent is that Putin is a cold-blooded dictator who is desperate to stay in power and resorts to cowardly and pathetic bullying of innocent Ukrainian civilians. May the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3, Isaiah 61:2) and the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) display his grace and grant peace to Ukraine soon.

The global supply chains are already highly stretched to recover from a global pandemic. The worsening climate-induced weather patterns bring both extremes of catastrophic floods and droughts, farming, and agriculture are disrupted. The acute return of protectionism and nationalism has not helped ease the trade flows of goods and services. Nothing is business as usual. With inflation in full bloom globally, for most of us, the value of our money is shrinking and our cost of living is escalating. So is it going to get better in 2023?

The Ancient of Days who was with Daniel and his mates is still the same God who is with me in 2022. It is comforting to remember that Jehovah, the Ancient of Days has always been the reigning King of kings despite the eons of time. My Shepherd (Psa 23) is the Ancient of Days who has promised to bring me safely through the deepest and darkest valleys, to the still waters and green pastures, and defend me from preying wolves. Am I fearful of what the new year may bring? No, not at all, I am not afraid of 2023 for my God is the Ancient of Days. Therefore, it is a good time for me as a believer in Jesus Christ, to watch and pray for the Son of Man (Dan 7:13) to return soon in his power and glory. Until then, our only right response is to assert our faith in Him in worshipping and serving the Ancient of Days and serving the global evangelistic mission (Matt 28:19) given by the Son of Man.  Blessings

Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King reigning over all
So I will not fear for this truth remains
That my God is, the Ancient of Days
None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days
Though the dread of night overwhelms my soul
He is here with me, I am not alone
O His love is sure, and He knows my name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days
None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days
Though I may not see what the future brings
I will watch and wait for the Saviour King
Then my joy complete, standing face to face
In the presence of the Ancient of Days
None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days
For my God is, the Ancient of Days

Songwriters: Jesse Reeves / Michael Farren / Rich Thompson / Jonny Robinson
Ancient of Days lyrics © Farren Love And War Publishing, Integrity’s Alleluia! Music, Cityalight Music

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

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atonement, cross, Forgiveness, God, Gospel of Jesus Christ, grace, How Deep The Father’s Love For Us, Hymns & Songs, Jesus Christ, Justification, Love, mercy, sinner, sins, Stuart Townend

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

How Deep The Fathers Love For Us -lyrics by Stuart Townend

Other similar postings on this hymn:

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us – Stuart Townend

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

Shadow of the Cross

Tags

atonement, cross, Easter, Forgiveness, Frazor Evangelistic Team, Gospel, Gospel of Jesus Christ, Hymns & Songs, Jesus Christ, Redemption, Ron Hamilton, salvation

https://youtu.be/tHdre86IrwQ

Shadow of the Cross

The streets were lined with people.
The crowd was pressing in.
Then Jesus fell exhausted
As their hatred fell on Him.
His cross was rough and heavy.
I witnessed love’s great cost
As I followed Christ up Calv’ry’s hill
In the shadow of the cross,
In the shadow of the cross.The soldiers did their duty
With coldness on each face.
Christ offered them forgiveness
As the spikes were nailed in place.
His blood was freely given.
His wounds He bore for us.
Then He died as I stood watching there
In the shadow of the cross,
In the shadow of the cross.This life that I’ve been given
Belongs to Jesus Christ
Who purchased my redemption
When He died to pay its price.
I owe Him full surrender
For all salvation cost.
I will live to serve my loving Christ
In the shadow of the cross.

Words: Ron Hamilton and Cheryl Reid
Music: Jonathan Hamilton
Arranged: Shelly Hamilton and Brian Buda

Across The Lands

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atonement, Creation, Creator, cross, Galkin Evangelistic Ministries, God, Gospel of Jesus Christ, Hymns & Songs, Intercessor, Jesus Christ, Miracles, prayer, Resurrection, salvation, sinner, sins, sovereignty, Stuart Townend, The Great Exchange, Victory

Across The Lands

YOU’RE the WORD of God the Father,
From before the world began.
Ev’ry star and ev’ry planet
Has been fashioned by your hand.
All creation holds together
By the power of your voice.
Let the skies declare your glory;
Let the land and seas rejoice!

You’re the author of creation;
You’re the Lord of ev’ry man;
And your cry of love rings out across the lands.

Yet you left the gaze of angels,
Came to seek and save the lost,
And exchanged the joy of heaven
For the anguish of a cross.
With a prayer you fed the hungry;
With a word you stilled the sea;
Yet how silently you suffered
That the guilty may go free.

With a shout you rose victorious,
Wresting vict’ry from the grave,
And ascended into heaven,
Leading captives in your wake.
Now you stand before the Father,
Interceding for your own;
From each tribe, and tongue, and nation,
You are leading sinners home!

Copyright © 2003 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music

Similar Post:

You Are the Word of God the Father

His Robes for Mine

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atonement, Beloved, cross, Decalogue, Forgiveness, God, Gospel, Gospel of Jesus Christ, grace, Hymns & Songs, Justice, Justification, Law, Love, Praise, Propitiation, Righteousness, robes, salvation, sinner, sins, Substitutionary, The Great Exchange, Vicarious, Worship, wrath

Sung By: Project: 10 Men in concert – SoundForth Music

His Robes for Mine

His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!
Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered ‘neath God’s rage.
Draped in His righteousness, I’m justified.
In Christ I live, for in my place He died.

Chorus:

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:
Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.
Bought by such love, my life is not my own.
My praise-my all-shall be for Christ alone.

His robes for mine: what cause have I for dread?
God’s daunting Law Christ mastered in my stead.
Faultless I stand with righteous works not mine,
Saved by my Lord’s vicarious death and life.

His robes for mine: God’s justice is appeased.
Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father’s pleased.
Christ drank God’s wrath on sin, then cried “Tis done!”
Sin’s wage is paid; propitiation won.

His robes for mine: such anguish none can know.
Christ, God’s beloved, condemned as though His foe.
He, as though I, accursed and left alone;
I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home!

Written By: Chris Anderson

Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Tags

Almighty, atonement, Comforter, Counselor, faithful, God, Gospel of Jesus Christ, grace, Heavenly Father, Hymns & Songs, Jesus Christ, mercy, salvation, Savior, Throne, Worship

Wonderful Merciful Saviour

Wonderful, merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh you rescue the souls of men

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way
Oh, we hopelessly lost the way

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we’re falling before Your throne

Songwriters: Wyse, Eric / Rodgers, Dawn

For a similar post: Wonderful Merciful Saviour

By Faith

Tags

Creation, Creator, Evangelism, faith, faithful, Galkin Evangelistic Ministries, Gospel of Jesus Christ, Great Comission, Heaven, Holy Spirit, hope, Hymns & Songs, Jesus Christ, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Praise, sins, Stuart Townend, Worship

Sung By Galkin Evangelistic Ministries

By Faith

By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

We will stand…

By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

We will stand…

Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty
& Stuart Townend

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By Faith sung by Kristyn Getty

By Faith sung by Stuart Townend

By Faith sung by SoundForth

By Faith

Tags

Church, Creation, Creator, faith, faithful, God, Good News, Gospel of Jesus Christ, grace, Great Comission, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Hymns & Songs, Keith Getty, Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven, Kristyn Getty, Messiah, Perserverance, Power, Resurrection, SoundForth Singers, Stuart Townend, Triumphant, Victory

sung by SoundForth

By Faith

By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

We will stand…

By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

We will stand…

Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty
& Stuart Townend

Similar posts:

By Faith sung by Kristyn Getty

By Faith sung by Stuart Townend

By Faith

Tags

Church, Creation, Creator, Evangelism, faith, faithful, Freedom, God, Gospel of Jesus Christ, Great Comission, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Hymns & Songs, Justice, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Peace, Perserverance, Power, Praise, promise, Resurrection, Stuart Townend, Worship

Sung by Stuart Townend

By Faith

By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

We will stand…

By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

We will stand…

Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty
& Stuart Townend

For a similar post: By Faith

Wonderful Merciful Saviour

Tags

Almighty, atonement, Comforter, Counselor, David Wesley, Depravity of Man, God The Father, Gospel, Gospel of Jesus Christ, grace, Holy Spirit, Hymns & Songs, Infinite, Lamb of God, mercy, Praise, Redemption, Rescue, salvation, Savior, Throne

Wonderful Merciful Saviour

Wonderful, merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh you rescue the souls of men

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way
Oh, we hopelessly lost the way

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we’re falling before Your throne

Songwriters: Wyse, Eric / Rodgers, Dawn

Sung By: David Wesley

Unspeakable Comfort in Death

Tags

Comfort, faith, faithful, Fear of Death, grace, Joy, Mathew Henry

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith – 2Tim 4:6-7

“Death to a good man is his release from the imprisonment of this world and his departure to the enjoyments of another world; he does not cease to be, but is only removed from one world to another.” – Mathew Henry

“With what pleasure he [Paul] looks back upon the life he had lived: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, etc. He did not fear death, because he had the testimony of his conscience that by the grace of God he had in some measure answered the ends of living”- Mathew Henry

“It is a great comfort to a dying saint, when he can look back upon his past life and say with our apostle, “I have fought, etc. I have kept the faith, the doctrine of faith and the grace of faith.” Towards the end of our days to be able to speak in this manner, what comfort, unspeakable comfort, will it afford! Let it then be our constant endeavour, by the grace of God, that we may finish our course with joy (Acts 20:24).”- Mathew Henry

Redeemer

Tags

Cathy Burton, Comforter, Defender, faith, God, Gospel, Gospel of Jesus Christ, Healer, Hymns & Songs, Jesus Christ, Ransom, Redeemer, Redemption, Savior

Redeemer

I will cast my cares upon you God
Laying all my burdens at Your cross
I will not be proud of all I’ve done
But I’ll boast in You

I will place my heart into Your hands
For You are the author of my life
And with every breath You give to me
I will trust in You

You are my Redeemer
You are my Healer
You are my Saviour
You are my God
You are my Defender
The source of every hour
You are my reason
You are my God

Jesus my Redeemer , ransomed, now I stand
Jesus my Redeemer, You have won me back
My Redeemer, my Saviour, my Comforter and my Rescuer

You are my Redeemer
You are my Healer
You are my Saviour
You are my God

Written and Sung By Cathy Burton

Christian Life is a Continual Seeking After God

Tags

Christian Life, conversion, Discipleship, faith, God, Gospel, Gospel of Jesus Christ, grace, Jesus Christ, R C Sproul

Christian Life grows from faith to faith, from grace to grace, from life to life.

“The irony is this: Once we have found Christ it is not the end of our seeking, but the beginning.  Usually, when we find what we are looking for, it signals the end of our searching. But when we “find” Christ, it is the beginning of our search. The Christian life begins at conversion; it does not end where it begins. It grows; it moves from faith to faith, from grace to grace, from life to life. This movement of growth is prodded by a continual seeking after God.”

RC Sproul, Chosen By God, Pg 111.

Jesus Saves

Tags

Angels, atonement, cross, Evangelism, Forgiveness, Freedom, Gospel, Gospel of Jesus Christ, grace, Heaven, Hymns & Songs, Jesus Christ, Joy, King Jesus, Light of the World, mercy, penal, Praise, Redeemed, Redemption, Resurrection, salvation, Savior, Steve Pettit Evangelistic Ministries, Substitutionary, Worship

Jesus Saves

Hear the heart of heaven beating
Jesus saves, Jesus saves
And the hush of mercy breathing
Jesus saves, Jesus saves
Hear the host of angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King”
And the sounding joy repeating
Jesus saves

See the humblest hearts adore Him
Jesus saves, Jesus saves
And the wisest bow before Him
Jesus saves, Jesus saves
See the sky alive with praise
Melting darkness in its blaze
There is light forevermore
Jesus saves

He will live, our sorrow sharing
Jesus saves, Jesus saves
He will die our burden bearing
Jesus saves, Jesus saves
“It is done!” will shout the cross
Christ has paid redemption’s cost
While the empty tomb’s declaring
Jesus saves

Freedom’s calling
Chains are falling
Hope is dawning
Bright and true
Day is breaking
Night is quaking
God is making all things new
Jesus saves

Oh, to Christ, how great a debtor
Jesus saves, Jesus saves
Are the saints who shout together
Jesus saves, Jesus saves
Rising up so fast and strong
Lifting up salvation’s song
The redeemed will sing forever
Jesus saves

Lyrics by Travis Cottrell

I am so glad that Jesus loves me

Tags

Assurance, Back Sliding, Blessing, Compassion, faith, Forgiveness, God, Gospel, Gospel of Jesus Christ, grace, Holy Spirit, Hymns & Songs, Jesus Christ, Joy, King Jesus, Love, mercy, Phil­ip P. Bliss, Praise, Redemption, Satan

I used to listen to this song “I am so glad that Jesus loves me” played regularly over the CD when my children were younger. It has been a number of years since I heard it. For some strange reason, for the past few days, this song has been ringing in my mind and I start singing the chorus as I can’t remember the words of the rest of the song. When I finally searched out the full lyrics and read it, the fresh meaning of its rich lyrics that the author Philip Bliss wanted to convey all along struck home within me. I agree with Philip Bliss, it is important to love Jesus and to sing about it, it far more important to know and remember that Jesus loves me, even me. Thank You Lord for reminding me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me

I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

Refrain
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

Though I forget Him, and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms I do flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

If one should ask of me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blessed;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.

The Power to Repent with Joy

Tags

faith, fear, Galatians, Gospel, Gospel of Jesus Christ, grace, Holiness, Joy, Love, Obedience, rejoice, repentance, sinner, sins, Timothy Keller

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Gal 2:20 

And I am as loved by God as if I had lived the life Christ lived. So “It is not me that lives, but Christ” is a triumphant statement that, though “we ourselves” are sinners, in Christ we are righteous. Then v.21 comes immediately to say, “Now when I live my life and make my choices and do my work, I do so remembering who I am by faith in Christ, who loved me so much!” The inner dynamic for living the Christian life is right here! Only when I see myself as completely loved and holy in Christ will I have the power to repent with joy, conquer my fears, and obey the one who did all this for me.

– Tim Keller, Living the Gospel – Study 4, Paul’s  Letter to the Galatians.

Authority is God’s servant for your good

Tags

Authorities, Government, Law, Lawless

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. – Rom 13:1-5

Lady Blind Justice clipart
from Clker.com

The Law is not meant to be a Ladder to Climb to Heaven

Tags

Decalogue, faith, Galatians, Good Works, Heaven, Holy Spirit, holyspirit, John Piper, Justification, Law, Lawless, Legalism, Sanctification, Self Righteousness

You recall the picture of the railroad track raised into a ladder to heaven? God gave the law to show us the route to heaven along which the engine of the Spirit would pull us if we were coupled to him by faith. But the Judaizers, and many religious people today who know nothing of living union with Christ, took the railroad track of the law and raised it up on end and turned it into a ladder on which they would climb up to heaven by their own moral initiative. Wherever that happens, you have legalism or, as Paul says, you have “works of the law.” – John Piper preaching on “Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law”  from Galatians 3:10–14.

Not What My Hands Have Done

Tags

atonement, cross, eternal life, faith, Forgiveness, God, Gospel, Gospel of Jesus Christ, grace, Hymns & Songs, Jesus Christ, Joy, Lamb of God, Love, mercy, Nathan Clark George, Praise, repentance, salvation, sinner, sins, sovereignty, trust, Word of God, Worship

Not What My Hands Have Done

Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.

Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;
Your power alone, O Son of God, can all my sin erase.
No other work but Yours, no other blood will do;
No strength but that which is divine can bear me safely through.

Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord, to Thee,
Can rid me of this dark unrest, And set my spirit free.

I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine;
And with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Savior mine.
His cross dispels each doubt; I bury in His tomb
Each thought of unbelief and fear, each lingering shade of gloom.

I praise the God of grace; I trust His truth and might;
He calls me His, I call Him mine, My God, my joy, my light.
’Tis He Who saveth me, and freely pardon gives;
I love because He loveth me, I live because He lives.

Words: Ho­ra­ti­us Bo­nar
Sung By: Nathan Clark George

Related Post: Not What My Hands Have Done