*To say that God the Father has purposed the salvation of all mankind, that God the Son died with the express intention of saving the whole human race, and that God the Holy Spirit is now seeking to win the world to Christ; when, as a matter of common observation, it is apparent that the great majority of our fellowmen are dying in sin, and passing into a hopeless eternity; is to say that God the Father is disappointed, that God the Son is dissatisfied, and that God the Holy Spirit is defeated. We have stated the issue baldly, but there is no escaping the conclusion. To argue that God is "trying His best" to save all mankind, but that the majority of men will not let Him save them, is to insist that the will of the Creator is impotent, and that the will of the creature is omnipotent. To throw the blame, as many do, upon the devil, does not remove the difficulty, for if Satan is defeating the purpose of God, then, Satan is almighty and God is no longer the Supreme Being.

To declare that the Creator's original plan has been frustrated by sin, is to dethrone God. To suggest that God was taken by surprise in Eden and that He is now attempting to remedy an unforeseen calamity, is to degrade the Most High to the level of a finite, erring mortal. To argue that man is a free moral agent and the determiner of his own destiny, and that therefore he has the power to checkmate his Maker, is to strip God of the attribute of omnipotence. To say that the creature has burst the bounds assigned by his Creator, and that God is now practically a helpless Spectator before the sin and suffering entailed by Adam's fall, is to repudiate the express declaration of Holy Writ, namely, "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain" (Psalm 76:10). In a word, to deny the sovereignty of God is to enter upon a path which, if followed to its logical terminus, is to arrive at blank atheism.

- Arthur Pink, ‘Sovereignty of God’*

Born Again Sunday
December 8, 2024

“Honor in Dishonor”

Links:
I’ll Be Honest
Christ Church
United Pursuit

*Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

1 Peter 4:15-16*

All Glory to God and Praise Jesus!

*How wise and happy is the man, who continually endeavours to be as holy in the day of life, as he wishes to be found in the hour of death!

- Thomas á Kempis, ‘Imitation of Christ’*

“Let no one deceive himself on this point. If anything is certain about the future, it is certain that there will be a judgment; and if anything is certain about judgment, it is certain that our works and actions will be considered and examined in it (John 5:29; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:13). Anyone who thinks that works are of no importance because they cannot justify us is a very ignorant Christian. Unless he opens his eyes, he will find, to his harm, that if he goes to the judgment seat of God without some evidence of grace, it would have been better for him to have never been born.”

- JC Ryle, ‘Holiness’

“The moment a man gives way to inordinate desire, disquietude and torment take possession of his heart. The proud and the covetous are never at rest: but the humble and poor in spirit, possess their souls in the plenitude of peace.”

- Thomas á Kempis, ‘The Imitation of Christ’

“But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’”

Daniel 7:18

“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.”

Daniel 7:9-10