Of First Importance

Fresh Applications to Christ

fredeaton — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:43:18 +0000

“If we would be sanctified, our course is clear and plain — we must begin with Christ. We must go to Him as sinners, with no plea but that of utter need, and cast our souls on Him by faith. . . . If we would grow in holiness and become more sanctified, we must continually go on as we began, and be ever making fresh applications to Christ.”

- J. C. Ryle, quoted by Tim Chester in You Can Change (Wheaton, Ill.; Crossway, 2010), 44.

Praise God for His electing grace

joshetter — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:05:13 +0000

“Make God the peculiar object of your praises. The doctrine of electing grace shows what great reason you have to do so. If God so values you, set so much by you, has bestowed greater mercies upon you than on all the ungodly in the world, is it too little a requital for you to make God the peculiar object of your praise and thankfulness? If God so distinguishes you with his mercies, you ought to distinguish yourself in his praises. You should make it your great care and study how to glorify that God who has been so peculiarly merciful to you.

And this, rather, because there was nothing peculiar in you differing you from any other person that moved God to deal thus peculiarly by you: you were as unworthy to be set by as thousands of others that are not regarded of God, and are cast away by him forever as worthless and filthy.”

- Jonathan Edwards

(HT: Jerry Deckard)

It’s okay to admit that you’re weak

joshetter — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:05:30 +0000

“Contrary to cultural opinion, it’s okay to admit that you’re weak, God’s grace is sufficient, but it’s not okay to fake strength!”

- Paul David Tripp, Twitter post

By Faith in Jesus

fredeaton — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:53:43 +0000

“We become Christians by faith in Jesus, we stay Christians by faith in Jesus, and we grow as Christians by faith in Jesus.”

- Tim Chester, You Can Change (Wheaton, Ill.; Crossway, 2010), 43-44.

The Rhythm of All Being

fredeaton — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 04:56:27 +0000

“In self-giving, if anywhere, we touch a rhythm not only of all creation but of all being. For the Eternal Word also gives himself in sacrifice. When he was crucified he ‘did that in the wild weather of his outlying provinces which He had done at home in glory and gladness’ from before the foundation of the world. . . . “

- C. S. Lewis, quoted by Timothy Keller, in The Reason For God (New York, NY: Dutton, 2008), 221-222.

Grace on the Horizon

fredeaton — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 04:25:20 +0000

“Only when we turn away from looking at our sin to look at the face of God, to find his pardoning grace, do we begin to repent. Only by seeing that there is grace and forgiveness with him would we ever dare to repent and thus return to the fellowship and presence of the Father. . . . Only when grace appears on the horizon offering forgiveness will the sunshine of the love of God melt our hearts and draw us back to him.”

- Sinclair Furguson, quoted by Tim Chester in You Can Change (Wheaton, Ill.; Crossway, 2010), 49.

You are complete in Him

Bart — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:26:49 +0000

“You are complete in Him. What words are these, from the same man who says, ‘In me dwells no good thing?’ May we learn to rejoice in Christ Jesus, while we learn, also, to have no confidence in the flesh.

It was so with the apostle. He felt that anything was too hard, the simplest thing too difficult, without Christ; the work before him only became possible—easy—when the promise was fulfilled—’My grace is sufficient for you; and my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Then he could confidently say, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’

Yes, Christian, although in your daily course you seem to struggle in your duty, and though nothing seems to go on satisfactorily, be assured of this, so long as you are really looking to Christ and relying upon Him—so long is He working in you by His Spirit—however difficult may be your tasks, you will make progress. You perhaps may never perceive it—you may not appear to make a step in advance—but, be not discouraged. Remember, ‘All the promises of God in Christ are yes, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God;’ and these promises are yours.”

—John MacDuff, The Throne of Grace