Salvation

  • Born of God

    1 John 5:1

    The Bible is clear that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21). All who trust in Jesus Christ alone are true believers, even though disagreement may exist about issues not central to ...Read More

  • Baptism and Salvation

    1 Peter 3:21–22

    Noah’s curse on his son Ham (Gen. 9:20–25) shows us that not all who were saved by identifying themselves visibly with Noah actually had true faith. Today many outwardly profess Christ and have been baptized, but because ...Read More

  • Pure Spiritual Milk

    1 Peter 2:1–3

    What is your response to the Word of God? Do you crave it with the hunger that a newborn infant has for his mother’s milk? Or are you indifferent, thinking that your study of Scripture does not really contribute ...Read More

  • Future Grace

    1 Peter 1:13

    Until we are glorified, we must daily seek to keep our minds focused on the hope of Christ’s salvation. The presence of sin makes it all too easy for us to think that we can hope partly in Christ ...Read More

  • The Means of Salvation

    Romans 3:28

    In a few days, we will discuss the differences between Roman Catholics and Protestants regarding justification in more detail. Today we will note that, according to Scripture, justification does not infuse a righteousness that we must maintain in our nature ...Read More

  • Completed Faith

    James 2:22–24

    When we first believe our faith is “incomplete” in the sense that it is small and relatively undeveloped. But even though a small faith is enough to do great things (Matt. 17:20), God does not want our faith to ...Read More

  • Faith and Works

    James 2:18–21

    John Calvin notes that while true faith always produces good works, good works are not always the result of true faith. Indeed “the unbelieving sometimes excel in specious virtues … hence works apparently excellent may exist apart from faith.” We can ...Read More

  • Saving Faith

    James 2:14–17

    The works that James discusses in 2:14–26 are the works done in obedience to God. While such works can take a variety of forms depending on the circumstances in which we find ourselves, today’s passage focuses on ...Read More

  • We Do Not Shrink Back

    Hebrews 10:37–39

    At the end of many warnings and exhortations, the author of Hebrews tells us that we are of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Such assurance encourages us to persevere despite all obstacles. If you are lacking assurance ...Read More

  • Endure With Confidence

    Hebrews 10:35–36

    We have been discussing at length the importance of the means God uses to keep us in the faith. However, as much as we are commanded to persevere, our confidence must not be in our own abilities but in Christ ...Read More

  • When Christ Appears

    Hebrews 9:27–28

    Do you eagerly await Christ’s return (v. 28)? Or are you more concerned with storing up earthly treasures? Do you truly believe that Christ will bring a reality much better than the one we presently experience? Consider these things ...Read More

  • Covenant of Works I

    Genesis 2:15-17

    It is a sobering truth to realize that God still requires perfect obedience from us. His requirements do not change and we have no excuse for disobeying Him. Since we cannot obey God, we must trust in the perfect obedience ...Read More

  • Covenant of Redemption

    John 6:37

    The covenant of redemption is one of the greatest examples of God’s grace that we have. The Father, Son, and Spirit did not have to pledge to each other that they would bring to us salvation. But when they ...Read More

  • Saved to the Uttermost

    Hebrews 7:25

    Without the intercession of Christ we have no hope. But if Christ intercedes for you, you can be assured that He will complete your salvation. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Christ only intercedes for those who draw near to ...Read More

  • Eternal Security

    Joshua 4:1–9

    God promises that those whom He foreknew and predestined He has also glorified (Rom. 8:30). God’s mighty acts of redemption show us that when God promises something, He always fulfills that promise. Remember the ways in which God ...Read More