Coram Deo (April 2013)

Jesus Christ spoke in parables to harden the hearts of some and create faith in the hearts of others. Let us not be ashamed of the teaching of Scripture, for it always accomplishes God’s intent for it, which is not always an individual’s salvation.

Those of us from Gentile backgrounds who serve Christ probably do not consider this fact often enough: We are fulfillments of God’s promises to His people. The Lord promised that the nations would serve Him, and as men and women from all nations are converted, this promise is kept.

The Lord will go to great lengths for his people, but He will never sacrifice His glory. Neither, therefore, should we downplay or deny His glory.

When the Lord changes a person's heart, that person puts his faith in Him, for this is the natural response of a new heart that is inclined toward Him. But that heart—and thus the faith that springs from it—is a gift of God.

Achieving exaltation through suffering is foolishness in our way of doing things, but it is wisdom in God's economy.

Born in Adam, we are God's enemies as long as we remain in Adam and are unwilling to obey Him. This disobedience must be atoned for, but only willing obedience can cover disobedience. When the Messiah went to the cross, He did so willingly in an act that capped a life of perfect righteousness, which now covers His people.

The atonement does not merely make salvation possible, it makes salvation actual and permanent for the elect. John Calvin writes, "Men are not only taught righteousness in the school of Christ, but are actually justified."

In justification, the sole instrumental means God uses is the faith He gives us to lay hold of Christ's perfect righteousness—the sole ground for our being declared righteous before Him. We must trust Jesus alone to be saved.

Our good works do not get us into the kingdom of God, but they do evidence the authenticity of our faith. Faith always and necessarily gives birth to good works of gratitude.

We who have been purchased by Christ might sometimes feel like we should just go along with the unrighteousness around us. Yet though the cost of following the Lord is great, we should never lose hope and think our suffering is in vain.

In other religions, such as Islam and Judaism, God simply waves sin away, not requiring payment for transgressions in order to forgive. This idea betrays a view of a Creator who is not really all that holy, who ultimately is willing to wink at sin or to accept imperfection before the judgment seat. Yet the Bible teaches us that He is perfectly holy and demands from us what only He can graciously provide.

Our Father graciously restores peace between Himself and us in Christ Jesus. This peace is permanent, for it is not based on ignoring our sins and faults but on God's sure willingness to accept the perfect payment of Jesus in our behalf.

Repent

Repent now while there's still time. For in hell it's too late to repent. Admit you're a sinner. Repent. Ask Jesus to forgive you. Amen