Justifying Faith

John Piper wrote this in his book Future Grace:

...the faith that justifies is a faith that also sanctifies. And the test of whether our faith is the kind of faith that justifies is whether it is the kind of faith that sanctifies...The main concern with this book is to show that the battle against sin is a battle against unbelief. Or: the fight for purity is a fight for faith in future grace. The great error that I am trying to explode is the error that says, "Faith in God is one thing and the fight for holiness is another thing. You get your justification by faith, and you get your sanctification by works. You start the Christian life in the power of the Spirit, you press on in the efforts of the flesh. The battle for obedience is optional because only faith is necessary for final salvation." Faith alone is necessary for justification, but the purity that confirms faith's reality is also necessary for final salvation.

rick

Good Music

Shout out to Shai! This youtube video is an audio clip from the Way of the Master radio program. In it they break down some of Shai Linne's songs from his new album, The Atonement. Todd Friel sings nothing but praise of Shai's music and how it glorifies God through accurate solid theology. Let us rejoice with him as his music becomes more popular among Christians and hopefully others.

rick

Free Download

Pretty neat: Pilgrim's Progress Audio Book
Just click to purchase the download version and upon checkout enter, JUN2008

I have always wanted to read this book, but haven't found the time yet. Maybe I'll take a 10.5 hour road trip and listen to it all.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

Masculinity and Desire

This post probably has nothing to do with what you originally thought when you read the title. This post is actually about New Attitude and what I encountered on the trip. First is the topic of masculinity. I managed to grab this shot of an unnamed upcoming senior pastor at Covenant Fellowship while in the Philadelphia Airport. So this is some advice to guys. If you are going to serve your wife by taking her luggage for her at the airport, first check what she brought everything in. It's worth the investment to get your wife a bag that looks cool and not quite so girly.


The second topic of this post is on desire as it pertains to the word of God. During the fifth session of New Attitude 2008 Eric Simmons talked about why we diligently believe and study the scriptures. His first point was that we do this because they reveal Jesus Christ. At the end of that point he made this statement, "Perhaps I don't diligently study God's word because I love something else more." This may be a very simple and obvious statement but it's one the should demand our time in considering. If I do not diligently study God's word what is it that I love more, that demands my attention? And what do I need to do to change my priorities? This is a question I plan on spending some time asking myself and evaluating where I need change.

rick