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Today in class we took as spiritual gift inventory to help us better to understand in what areas God has blessed us. It was pretty intresting and enlightening to see what our strong areas were. For instance, I never would have considered myself a mercy shower, but in retropect it does seem to fit me as my heart can be broken easy over other's situations.

Note: It's not the length of the line that is important, but the relation to the others.

We must come to the realization that salvation is a multi-faceted process that has been the culmination of the will and plan of God from before the foundations of the world. From out of the good pleasure of His will, he purposed from eternity past to redeem an unworthy multitude to be his chosen people. Throughout the history of the world God has providentially directed the affairs of man that in the fullness of time Christ would die in our place to redeem those that the heart of God has in awe-inspiring free grace loved from eternity. It was that same divine providence that, in the fullness of time in the life of the sinner, sent the Holy Spirit to apply the salvation to the heart of those whom Christ redeemed.

It was God the Father that has appropriated our redemption. He has done the work of setting us aside. God, the Son, has accomplished our redemption. He was the ransom payment and the satisfaction for our sin to reconcile us to God. It was God, the Holy Spirit, which applied the redemption wrought in Christ to our hearts. A part of the work of the Holy Ghost in the application of redemption is that which we experience in the new birth and our being brought to faith in Christ. It is upon this subject that we will embark upon its understanding.

The question, which lies at the center of our study, is how the sinner is to partake of the accomplished work of Christ. To properly address this question, we must discern that it is not a single isolated act but a compilation of unified workings of the Holy Ghost.  It was the great theologian and Christian writer, John Murray that said:

When we think of the application of redemption we must not think of it as one simple and indivisible act. It comprises a series of acts and processes. To mention some, we have calling, regeneration, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification. These are all distinct, and not one of these can be defined in terms of the other. Each has its own distinct meaning, function, and purpose in the action and grace of God. [1]

Therefore, let us examine these works progressively as experienced by the believer.

As the farmer must first plough the field in order that fruit may grow, the Holy Spirit begins by convicting hearts of sin, righteousness, and judgment[2].  Conviction is the act of the Holy Spirit convincing the sinner of his sin, the righteousness that is found in Christ, and the judgment that is to come. Yet, conviction, in and of itself, is inadequate to be left to stand alone.

Not all those, who are convicted of the Holy Ghost, will turn in faith and repentance to Christ.  For those vessels of wrath, who have fitted themselves for destruction[3], the process of conviction only adds to their offence. They, instead of becoming tender to the revelation of the Sprit, become further hardened in their stony hearts.

Even through the general call of the gospel, combined with the Spirit’s conviction, man, in his natural condition, is unable to come to faith due to his total depravity. Christ describes the condition of man outside of the grace of God in John 3:19-20:

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Notice that we, because to our love for sin and hate of righteousness, would not come to the light. What a pitiful condition of the man outside of Christ!

Paul goes further saying that man is, “dead in trespasses and sins.”[4] There is no spiritual life. Spiritually, natural man is dead!  In another passage, Paul brings another indictment against man that “there is none that seeketh after God.”[5]

Nevertheless, for those whom God has covenanted with Christ to save conviction is a stepping stone in the path of the effectual call. We have already stated that not all men, who are convicted, will respond. To state it more clearly, outside of grace and left in the freedom of our will to choose that which we love, namely sin, we would never choose him. The Holy Spirit must overcome our natural resistance in our hearts to God if we are ever to respond in faith and repentance through his drawing[6].

Therefore, all men that are drawn will respond in repentance and faith. For Christ said in John 6:44 that “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” In this verse we see man’s inability to come and the drawing that must happen which will result in the resurrection at the last day.

He accomplishes this through what many theologians have titled the effectual call. To overcome our deadness in sin he has quickened us. [7] To overcome our love for the darkness, but He “commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.[8]” Since we would not seek Him He sought us. This is the ministry the prophet Hosea spoke of when he said, “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.”[9]

Being brought to life in Christ through the Holy Ghost enables us to turn from our sin in repentance and to Christ in faith[10]. This process of the effectual call will necessarily result in the conversion just as Christ said that “all that the Father giveth me shall come to me.”[11] Also, the need for the Holy Spirit to regenerate is found in His words in John 3:7, “Ye must be born again.” This new birth will result in the calling out in faith. It was the great advocate for the supremacy of God, John Piper, who said, “The cry of a new born babe in Christ is faith.” Of faith, we know that it is said to be given[12] and of repentance granted,[13] which is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Let us note that we are not implying that you can separate these events chronologically, but logically and that they are distinct in function. The most clear teaching of this is found in Paul’s letter to the Romans where he outlines what is known as the golden chain of redemption.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.[14]

In closing, we must be careful to give God the glory for the whole of salvation; the work of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. Let us not fail to praise Him for the Spirit’s portion in the application of what the Father has appropriated, and the Son has accomplished. Rather let us rejoice in the fullness of our salvation wrought by the fullness of our triune God.

Hezekiah upon reading this letter became deeply vexed. What was his comfort in this time of trouble? He made haste to the house of the Lord, and spread out his problem before the Lord. When was the last time you laid it all out there before God?

We are quick to spread out our problems before our family. We unload on our co-workers. We even tell our fellow church members. We take our problems to anyone who will sympatize with us, yet are we taking it before God who alone can provide real help?

I've found from the hard schoolmaster of experience that the matters that I most need to spread before the Lord, I don't. I keep them to myself to vex me, or I unload them to my wife or friend. Still, I don't bring them before my Lord who awaits me that he might help me.

What happened when he spread out his problems before the Lord? In the next verse God, through Isaiah, says "I have heard." He answers! All we have to do is lay it out there in it's entirety before him and he will come to our aid. He has never failed us yet! NOR COULD HE!

Why is it that we fail to lay it before the Lord? Is it that we are too full of pride? Is it that we don't want to give up control? Is it we don't want to admit our problems? Maybe we are just foolish? I can't answer that, but I can say there is not a good reason not to spread it before him.

So Friend, no matter the problems you are facing, just lay it out before him and await with eagerness the sweet sound of his voice whispering to your soul, "I have heard."

Bible Reader Alpha

1. Pastoral Counseling - A
2. Doctrine of Escatology - A+
   
3. Missions - A+
4. Baptist History - A+
5. Holy Spirit - A
6. Pauline Theology - B+
   

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

(Psalms 139:23-24)

The longer I live the more I realize my heart is wicked and I need God to purify me. I need him to restrain me from evil thoughts and sinful deeds. No matter how hard I try to live right I find that my flesh rises up in me and as a great wieght to my soul drawing me down.

I am not saying I do not sin willingly, for my flesh is willing. Alas, my inward man hates it. I've come to hate myself in that I hate the sin I do. Like Paul I wish to cry out for deliverance from myself.

"I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

(Romans 7:21-25)

My spirit longs for the day when at Christ's return I will be glorified never to sin again. Men have preached a 3-fold salvation being that of the power of sin, the price of sin, and the presence of sin. Yet, I am looking for that day when I will be completly delivered from the pleasure of sin. The process has been started as I hate that sin that dwells in me, but from the testomony of those older than I, they still fight the flesh.

So I pray that the Lord to search me. To seek out that evil that I might crucify it. That I might recokon myself dead to it. That I may live for God and not serve the sin. Again Paul said,

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Galatians 2:20

Each day I pray God purify me and clear my mind and heart of evil. O Lord, Crucify me! Live through me! Let me be conformed to the image of your Son, Jesus! As the hymn-writer said:

"Searcher of hearts, from mine erase
All thoughts that should not be,
And in its deep recesses trace
My gratitude to Thee."

George P. Morris  

Let us live in the newness of life, and be controlled by the Spirit. Yet we are unable to do it, let God do it for us and enable us. O' how each day I realize my total dependence on Him. Lord, help us to live for you and sin not.

"Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (Ex. 15:11)

The truth that God is unequaled by anyone or anything has been flooding my thought the past week. God alone is perfect in His excellence. The Triune Jehovah, the self sufficient God, who exists in three persons, dwelt in perfect unity within Himself. He had no need or required no help from any other source. He is perfect. We can add nothing to Him or His glory, nor can we take anything away!

I am in awe of the God I serve. The one who before the foundations of the world by His sovereign decree choose to save sinners. The Father who sent His son, my Lord, Jesus Christ to obtain the atonement for my sins and the sins of His church. That He would send the Holy Spirit to birthed me into the His family and produce faith in me! He is above all! The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, the Almighty, Creator and Sustainer!

Has Budda ever done such? Has Allah? I think not! There is none like the God of the Bible! He stands exalted above all. Worship Him for his unequaled perfection!

None is like God, Who reigns above,
So great, so pure, so high;
None is like God, Whose Name is Love,
And Who is always nigh. 
-John Bur­ton, Jr.

"For over 5 years, Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com, has been providing resources to help moms find a great work at home career and to help current work at home moms market their businesses at a fraction of the cost you'd find on other websites. Christian WAHM's can find everything they need here - from information to advertising to button and banner design!

I met Jill, the founder of CWAHM.com, at CWM as she was looking for a PHP programmer. I designed the system in place to manage her LEADS program that provides christian moms with information and resources for getting started working at home. While working for her, I found her spirit to be upbeat and inspiring, even in the face of devistating errors (Well, semi-sort-of-not-so-much devistating quirks!)!

At CWAM there are all sorts of great articles, radio casts, and even a forum for fellowshiping and asking questions. They hold great contests and offer a free devotional book! If you have a site you might even want to submit it to their directory. Or even just browse through it. Also if your looking for a place to advertise, you've found a great spot to do it with the great traffic at CWAHM.They will even help with the graphic design!

Thanks Jill for such a great resource! And yes I know I'm not a CWAHM, but my wife will be one day!

Besides being a great guy with a very kind spirit, we share a lot of the same viewpoints of doctrine and bible topics. Therefore, we know he is smart since we think alike. His father is his pastor at Memorial Baptist in Fort Wayne.

James is someone I'm proud to call a friend and a brother in Christ.

90% of the authors are christians so that adds value to it in my eyes. If your not a code monkey like me maybe you'd enjoy the graphic tutorials. Or maybe your looking for a place to advertise your site. If you can't find any other reason, which I couldn't imagine, they run a free directory for design related sites you could add your site to.

We are developing a custom CMS for the magazine dubbed Rapid Rock and are really excited about that. Our friend Gabe is helping us develop it and we are grateful for his help!

All in all, Design Studio is a great place to have bookmarked!

Listen to this Study-Cast

In this study we will be in Titus 2 looking at the blessed hope of all hopes, the supreme hope of the scriptures, the second coming of our Lord Jeus Christ. I pose this question, "Are you living like you are looking for that hope?"

While the tears rolled down my face the phone rung. I was tempted not even to answer it as I didn't what it to interfer with the time of fellowship with God. I did though, and it was my wife. She was concerned due to the sound of my voice. I was torn up and could hardly talk. I managed to get out, "God is riding with me to work... I gotta go."

Such times of fellowship with the Lord are like water to a weary soul. Such fellowship with God also causes me to desire to know Him more no matter the cost. Such fellowship makes me long for the day I can spend eternity worshiping Him in His presence.