Author: drthomasclothier

“For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” (I John 3:20)

The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Philippi to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Why? He knew, as we should also know, that while God saves us by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone that it is not by a faith which is alone. True saving faith is always accompanied by works (James 2:14-26).

One of the works which believers are to pursue is the work of pursuing assurance. The Apostle John has repeatedly said that if an individual loves the Lord, it will be evident by their obedience to God’s commandments: especially the commandment to love one another (I John 4:7-8).

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “When we consider the matter of assurance, it is clear that believers have a certain duty to work toward attaining certainty about their salvation. Scripture explicitly commands this; for example, 2 Peter 1:10 instructs us to be diligent to confirm our “calling and election.” Yet there are many ways in which God’s Word implicitly exhorts us to pursue assurance as well. Consider the parable of the sower, for example. Among other things, this parable tells us that it is possible to profess faith in the gospel and yet lack the true faith that perseveres and produces a harvest of spiritual fruit. Many who hear the Word of God appear to be converted, but later they fall away because the gospel never truly took root in their souls (Mark 13:1–20). That should encourage all of us to seek to know whether we are good soil, whether we have truly been saved and will persevere to the end. We cannot assume that we are good soil simply because we have confessed faith; we must search our hearts and our lives to be certain that we are not poor soil or that we will not be overcome by the thorns and thistles of life.”

Dr. Sproul made mention of 2 Peter 1 regarding the believer pursuit of assurance. 2 Peter 1:3-10 says, “³ His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, ⁴ by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”

Dr. Sproul concludes by saying, “Throughout church history, many people have thought that God does not really want us to be certain of our salvation, that gaining true assurance would make us complacent in doing good works in service to the Lord and our neighbor. Scripture, however, wants us to be sure of our salvation. The entire epistle of 1 John, for example, was written so that we would know that we are saved (5:13). Thus, we should eagerly pursue the assurance of our salvation and seek to know if we are truly in Christ. Indeed, pursuing assurance is part of our Christian duty.”

Make every effort to pursue your assurance that you are God’s child by being obedient to God’s Word.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

¹⁷ But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? ¹⁸ Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.¹⁹ By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;” (I John 3:17-19)

How do you really know that you are a believer in Christ? Do you ever experience doubts that perhaps you are not truly a Christian, but you only think you are? Maybe it occurs during a particularly difficult trial and you wonder “where is my faith?” You discover you’re filled with self-condemnation as to why you are not stronger in the Lord.

The late Dr. James M. Boice wrote, “Self-condemnation can be due to a number of factors. It can be a matter of disposition; some people are just more introspective than others. It may be a questions of health; how a person feels inevitably affects how he thinks. It may be due to specific sin. It may be due to circumstances. But whatever the cause, the problem is a real one and quite widespread. How is a believer to deal with such doubt?”

2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

There are several false evidences which neither prove nor disprove an individual is truly converted. They include (1) Visible Morality: Matt. 19:16–21; 23:27; (2) Intellectual Knowledge: Rom. 1:21; 2:17ff.; (3) Religious Involvement: Matt. 25:1–10; (4) Active Ministry: Matt. 7:21–24; (5) Conviction of Sin: Acts 24:25; (6) Assurance: Matt. 23; and (7) a Time of Decision: Luke 8:13–14.

What are the biblical evidences which prove that an individual is indeed a child of God by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone? These evidences include (1) Love for God: Ps. 42:1ff.; 73:25; Luke 10:27; Rom. 8:7; (2) Repentance from Sin: Ps. 32:5; Prov. 28:13; Rom. 7:14ff.; 2 Cor. 7:10; 1 John 1:8–10; (3) Genuine Humility: Ps. 51:17; Matt. 5:1–12; James 4:6, 9ff.; (4) Devotion to God’s Glory: Ps. 105:3; 115:1; Isa. 43:7; 48:10ff.; Jer. 9:23–24; 1 Cor. 10:31; (5) Continual Prayer: Luke 18:1; Eph. 6:18ff.; Phil. 4:6ff.; 1 Tim. 2:1–4; James 5:16–18; (6) Selfless Love: 1 John 2:9ff.; 3:14; 4:7ff.; (7) Separation from the World: 1 Cor. 2:12; James 4:4ff.; 1 John 2:15–17; 5:5; (8) Spiritual Growth: Luke 8:15; John 15:1–6; Eph. 4:12–16; (9) Obedient Living: Matt. 7:21; John 15:14ff.; Rom. 16:26; 1 Pet. 1:2, 22; 1 John 2:3–5; (10) Hunger for God’s Word: 1 Pet. 2:1–3; and (11) Transformation of Life: 2 Cor. 5:17.

Obedient living is the truth test the Apostle John sets forth in today’s text regarding an individual’s assurance that they are truly regenerated by the Holy Spirit and converted in Christ. As the believer in Christ continually displays authentic love for people, the assurance that they belong to Christ will well up within their soul.

One commentator explains that, “When we love ‘with truth and action’ (v. 18), this reassures our hearts before God that we are of the truth (v.19). Assurance with God will spring forth in the heart, in the conscience, when we demonstrate genuine and authentic love for others. It assures us that we are children of God. We have confidence in His presence that He is our God and we are His children.”

Take time today to examine your heart as to whether you truly belong to Christ. See whether or not your assurance is based upon false evidences or true, biblical evidences of genuine saving faith.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

^17 “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? ¹⁸ Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (I John 3:17-18)

Have you ever heard the expression “talk is cheap?” Have you ever used this expression? If so, what exactly does it mean when a person says “talk is cheap?”

The phrase talk is cheap means it is easier to talk about doing something than to actually do that thing. Many people say they will do something but never do it. Or many people may say that something should be done but they never envision themselves as the individuals by which that something could and should be done.

This attitude and inaction may happen anywhere and everywhere. It can happen at home, school, work and even in volunteer organizations such as the church. It can happen among members of a sports team. The true leader is one who does not necessarily talk about leading, but rather displays it by working hard, showing up early, being the last to leave, and being a positive example.

By the same token, another contrasting idiom is “Actions speak louder than words.” This means that people’s actions show their real attitudes, rather than what they say. This expression is sometimes used to advise a person to do something positive.

This is the essential meaning behind the Apostle John’s comments in I John 3:17-18. John once again used another cause and effect statement to bring this principle of action vs. inaction in Christian living to light.

“But if anyone has the world’s goods” refers to possessions or resources. We all have them, perhaps some more than others. It includes clothes, food, vehicles, tools, etc. These are the goods we own.

The principle John set forth was if a believer in Christ has possessions and sees a brother in Christ in need of one such possession but does nothing to help the fellow believer, that former individual does not have the self-sacrificial love of God within their soul. Remember, that John often speaks in black and white terms. He gives no room for the grey areas of life or extenuating circumstances. You are either into holy living or you are not because you are either a truly converted believer in Christ or you only pretend to be.

The principle John explicitly set forth is found in I John 3:18: “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” For the apostle, deed and truth is more important that words or talk.

Recently, my boss experienced car problems with his brakes. He needed to take his Honda Accord to the local Honda dealership. However, this left him without a car to drive to work. When He spoke to me about the problem, the Lord prompted me to offer him the use of my SUV until he got his car back. He was surprised and did not know what to say, but he gratefully accepted my offer.

Well, the situation lasted about a week but my boss’ car was finally repaired and my vehicle returned to me, with a full tank of gas I might add. It turned out to be a good resolution to his problem and an opportunity for me to show the love of Christ and not just speak of it. I pray that it made an impact upon him.

I do not share this story to praise myself, but rather to illustrate that each of us can do something in order to help someone we know when they are in need. To be certain, we need to have discernment and good wisdom, but we also need to be willing to risk the loss or put up with the inconvenience in order to help a friend or a fellow believer.

How may you love in deed and truth today, and not just in word or talk?

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” (I John 3:16)

Every believer in Christ probably has memorized, meditated upon and perhaps taught John 3:16. One of the most often quoted, and recognized, verses in all of Scripture says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 teaches how God loved the fallen world. However, how do believers demonstrate that they know the God of love and the love by which God loved them in their fallen and sinful condition? This is the content of I John 3; 16.

John sets forth two principles as a simple test or examination for believers in Christ, including the apostle, to show whether or not believers continually understand self-sacrificial love of the will which originates and proceeds solely from God.

The first evidence principle that we know what constitutes true love is understanding that Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. True love is acknowledging the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ on behalf of sinners. Sinner who hated Him but of whom He loved (Revelation 1:5-6).

The second evidence principle that we know what constitutes true love is that we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

As one commentator of I John writes, “Many have noticed the beautiful relationship that exists between John 3:16 and I John 3:16. The former is a demonstration of love. The latter is an explanation of love. John 3:16 says that God gave His Son for us. I John 3:16 says we should give ourselves for others. The bible says that if you want to see love, look at the cross! The Bible says that if you want to show love, looks at the cross! The bible says that if you want to know love, look the cross! The Bible says that if you want to live love, look at the cross!”

Jesus Christ lived the life that we should have lived, but couldn’t. Jesus Christ died the death we should have died but don’t have to. True love is about self-sacrifice and self-submission.

Chris Tomlin reminds us of this true love in his song You Are My King.

I’m forgiven because you were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well
Your spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be?
that you, my king. would die for me.
Amazing love, I know it’s true
it’s my joy to honor you.
Amazing love how can it be?
That my king would die for me.
Amazing love I know it’s true
it’s my joy to honor you.
In all I do
I honor you.

You are my king
You are my king.
Jesus, You are my king.
Jesus, You are my king.

How may you give yourself for someone else today and in so doing, demonstrate that you understand the love of God?

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁴ We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. ¹⁵ Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (I John 3:14-15)

One of the most effective teaching methods is comparison and contrast. When reading and studying the Scriptures, look for items, or individuals, that are contrasted with each other.  For example, Proverbs 14:31 says, “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” In the same way, look for items, or individuals, that are compared to each other. For example, Proverbs 25:26 says, “Like a muddied spring or a polluted well, is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.”

 Throughout the Epistle of I John, the apostle has used numerous contrasts to illustrate the Christian life. Thus far, he has used the following: (1) Light and darkness 1:5’ (2) The New Commandment & the Old Commandment 2:7-8; (3) Loving the Father and Loving the World 2:15-16; (4) Christ and Antichrist 2:18-22; (5) Truth and Lies 2:20-21; (6)  Children of God and Children of the Devil 3:1-10.

In I John 3:14-15, John uses yet another series of contrasts. In vs. 14 there is the contrast of eternal death and eternal life. In vs. 15 there is the contrast of love and hatred.

John said in 3:14 that the believer in Christ is no longer dead in sin but rather has passed out of spiritual death into eternal life. Therefore, this new life in Christ will be demonstrated by a love for fellow Christians.

In the same way, in 3:15, John said whoever hates a brother in Christ is a murderer (Matthew 5:21-26). This attitude demonstrates that the individual in question is truly not a believer in Christ.

Dr. John MacArthur writes that, “Becoming a Christian is a resurrection from death to life, and a turning of hate to love (cf. Gal. 5:6, 22). A lack of love indicates that one is spiritually dead. Love is the sure test of whether someone has experienced the new birth or is still in the darkness of spiritual death (1 John 2:9, 11). Someone who is characterized by hate has never experienced the new birth. Hatred is spiritually the same as murder in the eyes of God, i.e., the attitude is equal to the act. Hate is the seed that leads to murder, as seen in the example of the hatred of Cain for Abel that resulted in murder (Matt. 5:20–22; cf. Gal. 5:19–21; Rev. 22:15).”

 How has today’s lesson challenged you to be more loving to fellow believers? In what ways have you loved a fellow Christian? In what ways have you not loved as you should? Resolve to be more loving today.

May the Lord’s truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

^11 “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. ¹² We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. ¹³ Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” (I John 3:11-13)

What is the core message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? The Apostle John set forth the premise that it is the love of God for a fallen and sinful world (John 3:1-16). This love was demonstrated by Jesus Christ’s obedience in dying on the cross in the sinner’s place (Romans 5:8-10). This was done even while sinner’s for whom Christ died were His enemies (Romans 5:10).

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “As noted throughout this epistle, John often repeated the same truths, expanding on them to allow his readers to hear them in new and fresh ways. Each time he presents the same truths in “new” packages, which expand on a particular aspect of their significance or approach the subject from a slightly different angle.”

The natural result of receiving God’s love (John 1:12-13) is that the sinner not only becomes a child of God in position but also in behavior. The most basic behavioral demonstration that an individual is a believer in Christ is a love for other believers (John 15:12; I Peter 1:22-23).

The love of which John speaks is a self-sacrificial love of the will. It is this kind of love which John will address later on in his epistle (I John 4:7-11). John emphasized that what the church heard “from the beginning” (1:1; 2:7, 24) was being attacked by false teachers who were against that which God proclaimed through the apostles. 

The contrast to self-sacrificial love of the will is a selfish, self-centered love. This is the antithesis of God’s love. Rather, it is a love that is likened to Cain. John stressed that Cain belonged to the evil one, or the devil. This ownership was demonstrated and proven by Cain’s murdering Abel, his brother. Cain did so because while Abel’s actions before God were righteous, Cain’s were evil. Cain was filled with a jealous fury which resulted in him hating, rather than loving, his brother and God.

It is this type of jealous and irrational hatred that the fallen world has for believers in Christ. The world calls Christians bigots, hate mongers and intolerant. The irony is that the bigotry, hatred and intolerance is displayed by the fallen worldly culture towards the church in general, and the believer in particular.

How may you demonstrate God’s love today? How may you counteract the hatred of the world today? May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

⁹ No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. ¹⁰ By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” (I John 3:9-10)

Jesus Christ came to earth to deliver sinners from the penalty, power and eventual presence of sin, to destroy the works of the devil and to define, determine and establish children of God. In other words, to choose His elect.

Those who have been born of God are those who do not make a practice of sinning. This is because “God’s seed abides in him.” Seed (σπέρμα; sperma) means nature. God has replaced the sinner’s old nature with a new nature that occurs through the Holy Spirit’s work of regeneration. The believer is now a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

John the apostle again sets forth, in a cause and effect statement, that “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother” (I John 3:10).

The practice of righteousness, or the present, active performance from the heart of the believer for the things which please God, is evidence that the individual in question is born of God. The absence of the practice of righteousness is evidence that the individual is a child belonging to the devil.

One of the practices of righteousness in particular is the act of loving a brother in Christ. This is a present, active self-sacrificial love of the will for a fellow believer in Christ. It is a love described in I Corinthians 13:1-8a. As we will see later on in I John, it is a love sourced and originated from God (I John 4:7-8).

Are you born of God? One of the biblical evidences of such a claim is obedience to the Word and will of God. May such obedience been evident in our lives today.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!  

 

 

⁹ No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. ¹⁰ By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” (I John 3:9-10)

Jesus Christ came to earth to deliver sinners from the penalty, power and eventual presence of sin, to destroy the works of the devil and to define, determine and establish children of God. In other words, to choose His elect.

Jon sets forth his initial proposition by stating that “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God” To be born of God is another way of saying being regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

Regeneration, as set forth in the Scriptures is accompanied by repentance. Repentance is a conscious ability in one’s mind, emotions and will to turn from sin and to turn by faith alone to Christ alone for salvation. This ability to repent is a fruit of sovereign regeneration (Ephesians 2:1-5).

Regeneration is also irresistible or effective. It accomplishes and overcomes all resistance. This is set forth in Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemas in John 3:1-8.

One commentator explains that, “When we read Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus, it becomes clear that Jesus teaches our being born again must come before we believe. We cannot see or enter the kingdom of God before our hearts are changed (vv. 3, 5). And since we are saved by faith alone (Eph. 2:8–10), then regeneration precedes faith. The faith by which we enter the kingdom follows our being born again. Moreover, Romans 8:8 tells us that those who are in the flesh—who are controlled by sin and have hearts set on the things of this world—cannot please God. But faith certainly pleases God, for He commands us to believe (John 3:16). People in the flesh cannot exercise faith for they cannot please God. The Spirit must change us first.”

Dr. R. C. Sproul shares that, “The grace of regeneration is irresistible. Jesus likens the Spirit’s work in regeneration to the wind blowing (John 3:8). We cannot see the wind, but we can see its effects as trees sway and objects blow past us. Furthermore, try as we might, we cannot stop or control the wind. When it wants to blow in a certain direction, it will push against whatever impedes it until what is blocking it is knocked down, as those who have seen devastating windstorms know all too well. The same is true of the Holy Spirit. He will finally overcome all resistance to faith in those whom God wants to save. When we say the grace of regeneration is irresistible, we do not deny that people can resist the Holy Spirit for a time. The point is that the Spirit can and will finally overcome all resistance to the truth in those whom God has chosen for salvation. If you are a believer, it is because God overcame your resistance. Thank Him today for doing so.”

Thirdly, regeneration is mysterious. The work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration cannot finally be resisted or controlled and like the wind that blows, you cannot see the Spirit as He regenerates a dead sinner; rather, you can see only the effects of regeneration—profession of faith, repentance, and evidence of a changed life (John 3:8). This is what the Apostle John sets forth when he writes that no one born of God makes a practice of sinning because he has been born of God.

Finally, regeneration is gracious. Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” God is under no obligation to enable sinners to believe the gospel but He graciously chooses to do so.

John Calvin explains from Scripture that every part of salvation is authored by God. This includes even our decision to believe.

Dr. Sproul concludes by saying, “We believe only because the Lord makes us willing to believe. Apart from grace, we are fully unwilling to believe. Our hearts are dead in sin, and dead hearts—just like dead bodies—cannot move of their own accord (Eph. 2:1–3). We must not stretch the metaphor too far; Paul is not saying that human beings are unable to make choices without God’s grace. Unredeemed sinners, after all, make choices every day. What the Apostle means is that unless God’s grace resurrects our dead hearts, we cannot make decisions that are pleasing to the Lord. “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8), and to be dead in trespasses and sin is to be in or controlled by the flesh.”

Meditate upon the doctrine of regeneration today Take time to thank God for granting you a new birth by His sovereign grace alone, through God given faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁷ Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. ⁸ Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (I John 3:7-8)

Jesus Christ came to Earth in order in order to deliver elect sinners from the penalty, power and eventually the presence of sin. Jesus Christ also came to earth in order to destroy the works of the devil.

As one commentator to today’s text observes, “If sin is personal enemy #1, then Satan is public enemy #1. The flesh is our internal foe and the devil is our external foe.”

Believers in Christ fight a battle each day in order to be obedient to the Lord and to not be deceived by the world, their own sinful flesh and the devil. It can be exhausting to not stray from the truth of God’s Word and therefore wander, but this is our mission. The words of Psalm 1 come immediately to mind.

1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
² but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.                                                                              ³ He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

⁴ The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
⁶ for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

 

The Apostle John continued his argument that those who practice righteousness before God and man are those who have been born of God. Those who are righteous within their souls before God, by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone, will be righteous in their lives before men.

By the same logical argument, those who make a practice of sinning belong by nature and behavior to the devil. Why? Because the evil one has been a sinner and sinning since the beginning.

Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “Only righteousness springs from a righteous nature. By contrast, He who does what is sinful is of the devil. It would be wrong to water this assertion down. All sin, of whatever kind or degree, is satanic in nature. This is because the devil has been sinning from the beginning (cf. John 8:44). Sin originated with Satan and is his constant practice. To take part in sin at all is to take part in his activity. It is also opposing the work of the Son of God who came (appeared; cf. 1 John 3:5; Heb. 9:28a) to put an end (lysē, destroy) to that activity. Even the smallest sin runs counter to the work of Christ. Believers are to overcome “the evil one” (1 John 2:13–14), here called “the devil,” and not to participate in what he is.”

Lest there be any doubt, John states clearly and unequivocally that the reason Jesus came was to destroy the works of the devil. In other words, to bring to an end disobedient rebellion. This is not only to occur within the fallen world by God’s judgement (Revelation 19) but also within the believer’s soul by sanctification in and through the Word of God (John 17:17).

What works of disobedient rebellion is God brining to an end in your own soul? What battlegrounds still continue to be waged in spiritual warfare? Resolve to be the blessed person depicted in Psalm 1.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!