WE return to our look at Positional Truth – now coming to Chapter II titled Justification and Assurance.  The author’s opening comments remind us how important it is to understand how God is in control of all things, our past, present, and future in achieving His purpose and design for us in

CONTINUING our consideration of Positional Truth, we pick-up from where we left off with the meaning of justification.  Using the same metaphor from the previous comment it would seem we are plowing familiar ground, but if I can stretch the analogy a little further – we need to plow straight and true,

Upon learning what my Union in Christ meant, in time learning more about my Position in Christ, I don’t think there are in two words that have – at least for me – become more precious to hear, see in print, or say then the words “in Christ.”  I never weary

Let me ask you only this:  Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Gal. 3:2-3 DURING one of my daily devotions this week, the verse above

WE will now close the chapter on Justification and Assurance, as we’ve been looking at Positional Truth, the implications of our Union in Christ.  What have we hopefully learned? WE have observed that God began training us in positional truth before we were born again, convicting us of sin by revealing our needy

HAVE you ever felt out of place, alone in a crowd or small group, like a stranger that didn’t quite belong?  Maybe it was the first day in a new school, or a job, or some kind of required-to-attend formal meeting where you did not know anyone.  There’s a dread

ONE of the things I like about what we are currently looking at, well no… there are actually three things.  First, the author leans heavily on Scripture, like a string of pearls weaving verses throughout his points to make his points.  Second, it is “others” oriented, showing how our Christian walk is really

“THIS shattering revelation of self,” are the last four words from the previous consideration.  I underlined them in my personal notes for additional comment and starting point.  HAVE you ever had a shattering revelation of self?  Of course you have. They can be quite unnerving and quite humbling.  I can still recall my

IN the previous comment I asked, “Have you ever had a shattering revelation of self?”  This was in the context of the last four words in the previous consideration – “This shattering revelation of self.” I want to draw our attention to another set of four words found below, “Accepted in the

“ABIDE in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye, abide in me.” (John 15:4)  Thus, the opening line to today’s consideration below, one of the many power-filled and significant statements our Lord made in

One of the foremost benefits of resting in our position of acceptance is the deep and undying assurance that God is for us. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jer.

IN the last consideration the necessity of “Abiding in Christ” was referenced and center staged in concluding the chapter on Reconciliation and Acceptance.  The metaphor was used of the branch severed and disconnected from the vine and the consequential effect.  I can always tell when one of my backyard plants is in distress,

WE love short cuts.  We are not a patient people.  When we pray for things like patience; but we want it now.  That’s why patience –long suffering- is part of the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), it is not a natural possession.  The point is, patience is a necessity for just about all

I RECALL reading one of my favorite periodicals, finishing one article and turning the page to the next and finding this title jumping out at me: There is Forgiveness, subtitled, But there are No Shortcuts on the Road to Reconciliation.  What a wonderful truth both of these statements make: There IS forgiveness, forgiveness being one

We come to a section in our reading that makes me a little apprehensive, where our author uses the phrase “eternal security.”  Again, he speaks from a certain evangelical frame of reference, so this is a term we could debate.  Having come from the same theological perspective myself, I know there are

IN the previous comment, I introduced a lengthy discussion concerning my reservations about the phrase eternal security, preferring the approach of perseverance of the saints.  Saying that however, I’ve learned overtime and there are different ways to look at a thing and not loose sight of the core truth.  For example, even though I

“MY little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Gal. 4:19). …is one of those great verses and phrases of the NT writer and Apostle Paul.  Referencing lessons from Galatians, Paul seems to have been less than thrilled with that church’s adherence and faithfulness

WE come now to Chapter 23 in our look into the Principle of Position.  To review, we have looked at our Position “in Christ” Defined and Illustrated, followed by a view of Justification and Assurance, the meaning of Reconciliation and Acceptance, and finally our Completeness and Security in Christ.  Now

I OPENED the previous comments saying, We don’t hear much about consecration or holiness these days (something I wish to address in the future), but sanctification is familiar territory; our confessions speak much to it.  The author here speaks rightly to the various aspects of sanctification, or what is sometimes

It is a great relief and joy for the struggling believer to realize that when he received Christ as his righteousness by faith, he also received Him as his sanctification. Many people struggle and work for a righteousness of their own, until they finally receive His righteousness by faith. Then,

IT is …By faith we know that we are justified (Rom. 5:1), that we are reconciled (Col. 1:20–22), that we are accepted (Eph. 1:5–7), and that we are sanctified (Acts 26:18). Since the Holy Spirit ministers to us through the channel of faith, He gives us in our condition what

“Whom will he teach knowledge?     And whom will he make to understand the message?     Those just weaned from milk?     Those just drawn from the breasts?For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept,     Line upon line, line upon line,     Here a little, there a little.” 

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. Matt. 1:21 I RECALL the moment that verse above struck me with the truth regarding particular redemption, or “limited atonement.”  It is very specific as to whom