Foreknowledge and predestination while sweet doctrines to the elect appear bitter,harsh,and arbitrary to human reason and understanding.But these are the means by which God's purposes are accomplished.Foreknowledge and predestination is not defined in the bible as the modern church defines them.Many in the church object to these doctrines today saying they make God a tyrant,they make God unfair,they deny human freedom,they destroy the motive for evangelism.Luther has well written,"all objections to predestination proceed from the wisdom of the flesh (human reason).Hence,whoever does not deny himself and does not learn to keep his thoughts in subjection to the divine will,never will find an answer to his questions.And that rightly so,for the foolish wisdom of the flesh exalts itself above God and judges His will,just as though this were of little importance.Today we must seriously consider the fact that God set His love upon His people and that we are to rejoice in that fact,not rebel against it.
A Work of Heart March 19, 2012 “A Work of Heart” Reggie Mcneal Notes by Dave Kraft FOLLOWING ARE WORD FOR WORD QUOTES FROM THE BOOK THAT SEEMED WORTHWHILE TO ME Only God knows how many would-be leaders turn away from the burning bush. They have...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Man- pleaser or God- pleaser March 17, 2012 As the apostle Paul defends his gospel ministry, he begins by demonstrating himself to no longer be a man-pleaser but a God-pleaser, preaching a God-centered gospel. Once filled with hatred, murder and...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
The vehemence with which Paul denounces those who teach another Gospel (literally he says, ‘Let them be damned’) has bothered some, but this shows how little the Gospel of God’s grace is understood and appreciated. The word translated “eternally...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Emancipation February 28, 2012 John Stott has said that if the nature of Christ’s death on the cross was “for our sins,” its object was to rescue us out of this present age of wickedness. J. B. Lightfoot writes that this verb meaning deliver or...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
The Gospel of Grace February 21, 2012 Paul’s letter to the Galatians is straightforward and razor sharp. Most would not consider his approach to be tender and loving. There is a reason for Paul’s no-nonsense approach – the gospel of grace was...[ abbreviated | read entire ]