Resources on Sanctification
Charles Simeon on the urgency of living a Christian life worthy of imitation: “We should bear in mind, that the honour of God is greatly affected by our conduct; and that our fellow-creatures also may either be ‘won by our good conversation,’ or be eternally ruined by our misconduct. We should, from these considerations, take especial care never to lay a stumbling-block in the way of others; but so to walk, that we may be able to say unto all around us, ‘Whatsoever ye have seen and heard in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you.’” – Charles Simeon, Horae Homileticae: Philippians to 1 Timothy. Vol. 18 (London: Holdworth and Ball, 1832-1836), 283.
Read More“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 John Calvin comments: From this we may gather a brief definition of true Christianity – that it is a faith that is lively and full of vigour, so that it spares no labour, when assistance is to be given to one’s neighbors, but, on the contrary, all the pious employ themselves diligently in offices of love, and lay out their efforts in them, so that, intent upon the hope of the manifestation of Christ, they despise everything else, and, armed with patience, they rise superior…
Read More“If you see the grace of God working in your life, and if you recognize material blessings that have come your way as a consequence, do not forget to thank Him. It is sad when there is nothing for which we feel grateful to God, but it is serious when there is something and we fail to show gratitude, and it is tragic when we are so busy asking for more that we forget to thank Him for what we have received.” – William Still, Letters of William Still (Banner of Truth, 1984), pp. 34-35
Read MoreA secular Jew, the late Neil Postman nevertheless understood that historic Christianity requires careful attention to the reading and hearing of scripture. “I believe I am not mistaken in saying,” he contends, “that Christianity is a demanding and serious religion. When it is delivered as easy and amusing, it is another kind of religion altogether.” A demanding and serious religion – if that’s the expectation, let’s do our best not to disappoint. _________ Source: Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business (New York: Penguin, 1985), 121)
Read MoreA single sin is not an isolated act. If unchecked by genuine repentance, a pattern of behavior is formed that propels toward ruin. Breaking a promise, for example, becomes a habit, a soul-destroying way of life. A pastor from a previous generation wisely warned: “The preservation of integrity should be superior to all other considerations, and it is a miserable confession of weakness that the love of life or limb has been stronger than the love of virtue . . . It cannot be too earnestly inculcated upon the young that to break a pledge is apt to be followed by the total ruin of one’s virtue. Transgression is not a transitory thing. The single act is soon done and over, but it leaves an influence behind, which,…
Read MoreRepenting of Our Repentance
What is genuine repentance? Charles Hodge helps us understand: “Our repentance needs to be repented of, unless it leads us to confession and restitution in cases of private injury; unless it causes us to forsake not merely outward sins, which attract the notice of others, but those which lie concealed in the heart; unless it makes us choose the service of God, as that which is right and congenial, and causes us to live not for ourselves but for him who loved us and gave himself for us.” – W. Andrew Hoffecker, Charles Hodge: The Pride of Princeton (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2011), 224.
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