Theology / Salvation

  • The Intercession of Christ

    Luke 22:31–34

    This promise of Christ’s intercession does not belong just to Peter, but to all whom He died for. All those who have found forgiveness in Him have the assurance of His intercession. Read John 17:20–26. What does ...Read More

  • The Law as Guardian

    Galatians 3:23–24

    Paul’s main point in Galatians 3:23–26 is to explain the Law’s role in salvation history, but the pattern of preaching in the New Testament indicates that God’s law must play a similar role in our ...Read More

  • The Lord is Patient

    2 Peter 3:9–10

    The call to repent before it is too late should never make us think that God’s election will fail to accomplish its purposes. However, the elect will never presume upon the grace and patience of God but will lead ...Read More

  • The Lord Returns to His People

    Isaiah 40:1–5

    Verse 5 of today’s passage indicates that in God’s salvation of His people after the exile, His glory is revealed and all flesh sees it. God does not save us simply for our own sake, even though that ...Read More

  • The Lordship of Christ

    Romans 10:9

    None of the Apostles ever conceived of separating Jesus’ work as Savior from His lordship over the lives of His people. To believe one can be saved without serving Jesus as Lord is to give both ourselves and others a ...Read More

  • The Lordship of Christ

    1 Corinthians 6:15–20

    John Calvin comments on today’s passage, stating that “we are not at our own disposal, that we should live according to our own pleasure.” Unregenerate people are determined to live by their own rules, to seek self-fulfillment at the ...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

  • The Mysteries of the Gentiles

    Ephesians 3:6

    That God has made those of us who are Gentiles fellow heirs of all His covenant promises should not make us arrogant. We have done nothing to deserve this grace, and our remaining sin should always remind us how far ...Read More

  • The Mystery of Christ

    Ephesians 3:4

    The way of salvation has been the same throughout all ages, but we cannot underestimate the great privilege we have to live under the new covenant. We have God’s completed revelation to His people, and can therefore understand Him ...Read More

  • The Offering of Isaac

    Hebrews 11:17–19

    God’s command that the Messiah must die (Isa. 53) seemed at first glance to be inconsistent with His promise that Messiah would rule the earth (Zech. 9:10). But now we see that both are perfectly consistent. We must ...Read More

  • The Only Foundation

    Isaiah 28:16–22

    What are you trusting in for salvation? Even if you are a professing believer, are you building your ministry to others on the foundation of Christ? Consider your life carefully—where is your confidence? If things go bad in this ...Read More

  • The Order of Salvation

    Romans 8:29-30

    The value of ordo salutis theology is that it enables us to see clearly that it is God who saves, freeing us from the sinful tendency to take some credit for our own salvation. We do not proclaim, “I found ...Read More

  • The Passover

    Hebrews 11:27–28

    The wrath of men is only temporary, but the wrath of God is eternal. Therefore, we should not be afraid to face the wrath of men. At times, however, we are more afraid of men than we are of God ...Read More

  • The Pastor’s Perseverance

    1 Timothy 4:16

    Calvin also writes, “True, it is God alone that saves; and not even the smallest portion of his glory can lawfully be bestowed on men. But God parts with no portion of his glory when he employs the agency of ...Read More

  • The Primacy of God’s Glory

    Isaiah 48:1–11

    Dr. John Piper writes: “God’s own glory is uppermost in his own affections. In everything he does, his purpose is to preserve and display that glory. To say his glory is uppermost in his own affections means that he ...Read More