A Few Edifying Stanzas on Justification

Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness My beauty are, my glorious dress; ‘Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, With joy shall I lift up my head! This spotless robe the same appears, When ruined nature sinks in years; No age can change its glorious hue, The robe of Christ is ever new. Nicholas von Zinzendorf Could [...]

John Piper Addresses Law Students

Blog post by Jonathan Parnell at Desiring God blog.  Questions asked and addressed include: Would you agree with the definition that “righteousness seeks the good of the community?” How do you define righteousness? How do developing countries counter the prosperity gospel? How can we maintain a zeal for God’s glory throughout our work? Should churches [...]

If They Go To Christ

Those who come to Christ, need not be afraid of God’s wrath for their sins; for God’s honor will not suffer by their escaping punishment and being made happy.  The wounded soul is sensible that he has affronted the majesty of God, and looks upon God as a vindicator of his honor; as a jealous God [...]

Reflections on Genesis 6:5: Depravity and Grace

In the past couple of weeks, the Lord has grabbed my heart for meditation upon four verses in particular: Genesis 6:5, Psalm 42:2, Isaiah 42:3, and Hebrews 12:14.  Over the next couple of days, I hope to post some reflections upon them in that order. Genesis 6:5, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man [...]

The Cross of Christ in the Divine Plan of Distributive Justice

If our own hearts condemn it, we shall be ready to admit, without complaint, that God also condemns it.  And what can we say against God in the matter?  What wrong has he done?  His distributive justice does no wrong in treating the unholy according to their character.  If he has done any wrong, it [...]

Moving From Slave to Servant to Child: The Soul’s Reckoning of an Immediate Reality of Grace

The soul’s reckoning of God’s work of salvation is a common battle ground for Gospel assurance.  When I say “slave”, I intend that slavery to sin that the unbeliever relishes and continues to live in until they come to Christ.  When I say “servant”, I intend that servitude made explicit in that transference from the [...]

Piper on Addressing Justification By Faith Alone in Christ Alone with Your Children

“And to make it more pointed, mothers – and all those charged with training up the younger ones in the family and the church – are we teaching the Old Testament and the New Testament to make our children wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? The emphasis is on “faith in Jesus Christ”! [...]