Jesus Is Sovereign

What if I told you that Jesus Christ is NOT in exile, and that He is ruling and reigning, turning the hearts of kings at His good pleasure?! No matter what your popular, evangelical leader may have told you, Christ is in authority, and never skulked off, handing His authority over to the adversary. Jesus is in command, whether that is evident to us or not. All authorities are in subjection to His sovereign rule, and they are His ministers to exercise their authority with justice, punishing evil and rewarding good, as He defines it. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in the way (Psalm 2). Solus Christus. Soli Deo Gloria.
Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which isgood, and thou shalt have praise of the same:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.Psalm 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Evangelical in question:

https://books.google.com/books?id=Jm1eCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT62&lpg=PT62&dq=The+third+phase+may+be+referred+to+as+the+interim+kingdom,+the+kingdom+that+resulted+because+of+Israel%E2%80%99s+rejection+of+her+King.+The+King+returned+to+heaven+and+His+kingdom+on+earth+now+exists+only+in+a+mystery+form.+Christ+is+Lord+of+the+earth+in+the+sense+of+His+being+its+Creator+and+its+ultimate+Ruler;+but+He+does+not+presently+exercise+His+full+divine+will+over+the+earth.+He+is,+so+to+speak,+in+a+voluntary+exile+in+heaven+until+it+is+time+for+Him+to+return+again.&source=bl&ots=VMyfQ75bN-&sig=jrgcOss9A-TS9quLlkQt32Aq8GQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjzuqjFo63YAhXo5IMKHTssAQ4Q6AEILzAB#v=onepage&q=The%20third%20phase%20may%20be%20referred%20to%20as%20the%20interim%20kingdom%2C%20the%20kingdom%20that%20resulted%20because%20of%20Israel%E2%80%99s%20rejection%20of%20her%20King.%20The%20King%20returned%20to%20heaven%20and%20His%20kingdom%20on%20earth%20now%20exists%20only%20in%20a%20mystery%20form.%20Christ%20is%20Lord%20of%20the%20earth%20in%20the%20sense%20of%20His%20being%20its%20Creator%20and%20its%20ultimate%20Ruler%3B%20but%20He%20does%20not%20presently%20exercise%20His%20full%20divine%20will%20over%20the%20earth.%20He%20is%2C%20so%20to%20speak%2C%20in%20a%20voluntary%20exile%20in%20heaven%20until%20it%20is%20time%20for%20Him%20to%20return%20again.&f=false

Thou My Best Thought By Day or By Night...

A couple of nights ago Be Thou My Vision, the old Celtic Hymn was in my head and on my lips. As the phrases

"Thou my best thought by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light"
came to mind, I couldn't help think of  Philippians 4:8...

"Thou my best thought..." Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, *think on these things.


He is true and honest: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" ~John 14:6
He is just: "that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." ~Romans 3:26

He is pure: "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" ~Hebrews 7:26

He is lovely: "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple." ~Psalm 27:4

He is of good report: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." ~Luke 2:10,11
He is everything virtuous and praiseworthy: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." ~Revelation 5:20

He is our all in all and all we need, our Prophet, Priest and King. He is our Risen Lord, our Salvation, our Redeemer, our Friend, our Helper. He is our Mediator, our Husband, our Wisdom, Righteousness and Sanctification.

He is our best thought by day or by night; Waking or sleeping His presence our Light. 

The Imputation of Christ's Active Obedience and Sproul

Jesus could have teleported down to earth, and demanded His own execution on a Roman cross if that was the only requirement to achieve our redemption. No. Jesus LIVED in our place, kept every command for us, and then died suffering the wrath that we deserved. His active obedience is vital to our salvation.

"I don't think there is a more important text in the New Testament that defines the work of Jesus than this one that Jesus was sent to fulfill all righteousness...." ~RC Sproul.

Listen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=20&v=lyAPhJVbuYM

Blood of the Lamb: Nancy Guthrie

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? ~Hebrews 9:13-14 

"What could bring more joy than to know you are guilty and yet hear God say, "Yes. your sins have been blotted out. I will never throw them back in your face. I'm giving you a fresh start and fresh power for saying no the next time." The good news of the gospel is that God forgives people who don't deserve it but ask him for it anyway. And he gives it freely. ...In the blood of the Lamb of God there is deep cleansing that reaches into our inner parts where the blood of all the other sacrifices could never reach. It reaches to the place where our consciences accuse us and tell us that God would never allow someone so dirty into His holy presence." ~Nancy Guthrie

Quote from: 

The Wisdom of God: Seeing Jesus in the Psalms and Wisdom Books: Nancy Guthrie

Our Faithfulness: John Fonville

3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence *in the Lord* concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts *into the love of God* and *into the steadfastness of Christ*. ~II Thessalonians 3 

"If you're going to obey God's commands,
if you're to live a life of faithfulness, 
you first have to receive assurance of God's
faithful protection. He (Paul) is going to discipline these disorderly believers. So, how does he, quote, "straighten them out"? Does he whip them with the Law? Does he crush their conscience? Does he get them scared that if they're not faithful, they won't have final salvation, as some popular  evangelical preachers are teaching us in our day? No. He first assures the entire church, the disorderly and the orderly. He assures them all of the Lord's faithfulness to protect them from the evil one. Before  you can truly obey, you must be assured that the Lord is strengthening and protecting you from all evil. He is strengthening and protecting you from everything that would seek to destroy your
Christian life. He's doing it right now.

...Our faithulness is nurtured in the soil of God's faithfulness for us."  ~John Fonville

To hear the full sermon, "2 Thessalonians: Praying for the Gospel, Part 4, go to: "http://www.paramountchurch.com/…/2-thessalonians:-praying-f…

Courtesy of Paramount Church

Union with Christ: Fesko

So many people think that their sanctification, their spiritual transformation and conformation to the holy image of Christ, is simply a matter of trying harder, of pulling as hard as they can on their moral bootstraps—resolving to be holier. However, one thing that should be clear is that Jesus clearly tells

us that the only way we will produce fruit is if we abide in Him: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Read JV Fesko's Article at:http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/union-with-christ-in-pauls-epistles/

Jesus is the Fulfillment

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant (Covenant of Grace)

These are some helpful and comforting truths gleaned from John Fonville's sermon;
"2 Thessalonians: Praying for the Gospel, Part 3"

After the Fall, God promises this:"And I will put  enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you

on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." Bible teachers refer to Genesis 3:15 as "The Mother Promise of the whole Covenant of Grace." It is from this promise that the rest of the Scriptures begin to unfold... from this point forward the rest of the Bible tells the unfolding story of the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promise to send His Champion Seed from a Woman Who will come in victory for His people.
Promise:
The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, *preached the gospel*  beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” ~Galatians 3:8Genesis 12:3 is the  Gospel in implicit promise. ~("And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”)
Psalm 105:8 He has remembered His covenant forever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations

Psalm 100: 1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, *all the earth.*2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. 3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations. 

The Lord's ultimate and perfect fulfillment of His promise to Abraham doesn't come through the Nation of Israel. It comes through the True Israel, Who is Christ Himself. How do we know this? In Galatians 3:16

Paul is identifying the Offspring of Abraham as Christ."N ow the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ." Christ is the Offspring of Abraham through Whom all the Lord's promises come, to those who believe.

I Corinthians 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God,
*in Him* they are yes;
therefore also *through Him*
is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

Application: 

Remembering Peter's history of boasting > disloyalty > abandonment of the Lord, also remember the kindness > loyalty > faithfulness of our covenant-keeping, serpent-crushing Champion...Luke 22: 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 *but I have prayed for you*, that your faith may not fail...”

Accomplished:
Colossians 2:14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had *disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.  #SerpentCrusher #ChampionSeed

Consummation of the Abrahamic Covenant:

Revelation 5;9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men *from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.*
10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

You can hear the full sermon at: http://www.paramountchurch.com/mediaPlayer/#sermonaudio/352

Thanksgiving 2017

My favorite Psalm of Praise: Psalm 103 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. Happy Thanksgiving 2017. May our hearts be filled with gratitude for all that our Faithful God has done in the past year, in our lifetime, and in the history of redemption, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His mercy endures forever! Forget not all His benefits!

Gospel Hope for Sinning Christians: CCC Discover

The problem I see daily among evangelical friends, is that sinning Christians are reinforced in NOT trusting the Christ Who bought them, because they still sin. No assurance. Constant naval gazing and doubt. That persepective needs to change. That is not sanctification. That is accusation, and a lack of faith. Faith looks back to Christ constantly as our Hope, our Security, our Righteousness, our Sanctification, our Mediator, our Advocate, our Redeemer.

This is exactly what sinning Christians need to hear. When we hear a message of condemnation and endless naval gazing, we never change. We need to know what HE

thinks and what HE is doing for us, in spite of us. THAT is restorative. THAT is gospel hope.

Read this excellent article from CCC Discover: 4 Things to Remember after You Have Sinned

https://cccdiscover.com/4-things-to-remember-after-you-have-sinned/?utm_content=bufferfb5ac&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
"Let faith look on Christ in the gospel as he is set forth dying and crucified for us. Look on him under the weight of our sins, praying, bleeding, dying; bring him in that condition into thy heart by faith; apply his blood so shed to thy corruptions; do this daily ... The Spirit alone brings the cross of Christ into our hearts with its sin-killing power” ~John Owen

Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation: WCF 18

Chapter XVIII

Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation

I. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God, and estate of salvation[1] (which hope of theirs shall perish):[2] yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love Him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before Him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace,[3] and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.[4]
II. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope;[5] but an infallible assurance of faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation,[6] the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made,[7] the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God,[8] which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.[9]
III. This infallible assurance does not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties, before he be partaker of it:[10] yet, being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation in the right use of ordinary means, attain thereunto.[11] And therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure,[12] that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience,[13] the proper fruits of this assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness.[14]
IV. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which wounds the conscience and grieves the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the light of His countenance, and suffering even such as fear Him to walk in darkness and to have no light:[15] yet are they never so utterly destitute of that seed of God, and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart, and conscience of duty, out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may, in due time, be revived;[16]and by the which, in the mean time, they are supported from utter despair.[17]

[1] JOB 8:13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish: 14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web. MIC 3:11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. DEU 29:19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst. JOH 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

[2] MAT 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

[3] 1JO 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 1JO 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

[4] ROM 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

[5] HEB 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end. 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.

[6] HEB 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.

[7] 2PE 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 1JO 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 2CO 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

[8] ROM 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

[9] EPH 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 2CO 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

[10] 1JO 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. ISA 1:10 Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. MAR 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (see PSA 88; PSA 77)

[11] 1CO 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1JO 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. HEB 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. EPH 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

[12] 2PE 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.

[13] ROM 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. EPH 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. PSA 4:6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. 7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

[14] 1JO 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ROM 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? TIT 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. 12 Teaching us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world. 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 2CO 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. ROM 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 1JO 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. PSA 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 1JO 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

[15] SON 5:2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. 3 I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? 6 I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. PSA 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. EPH 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. PSA 77:1 I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. MAT 26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. PSA 31:22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. (PSA 88 throughout) ISA 50:10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.

[16] 1JO 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. LUK 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. JOB 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. PSA 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. PSA 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. ISA 50:10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.

[17] MIC 7:7 Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. 8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. 9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. JER 32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. ISA 54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. 9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. PSA 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?(PSA 88 throughout)

Redemption Applied & The Benefits of Redemption: Westminster Shorter Catechism

Notice Who is applying and acting and who is receiving in the following:

Q. 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.[83]
Q. 30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us,[84] and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.[85]
Q. 31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ,[86] and renewing our wills,[87] he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ,[88] freely offered to us in the gospel.[89]
Q. 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.[90]

[83] Titus 3:4-7. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

[84] Romans 10:17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. Ephesians 2:8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Philippians 1:29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake

[85] John 15:5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 1 Corinthians 1:9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Ephesians 3:17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love

[86] Acts 26:18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 1 Corinthians 2:10, 12. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.... Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 2 Corinthians 4:6. For God, who 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. Ephesians 1:17-18. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints

[87] Deuteronomy 30:6. And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. Ezekiel 36:26-27. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. John 3:5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Titus 3:5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

[88] John 6:44-45. 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. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Acts 16:14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

[89] Isaiah 45:22. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Matthew 11:28-30. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Revelation 22:17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

[90] Romans 8:30. 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. 1 Corinthians 1:30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 1 Corinthians 6:11. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Ephesians 1:5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will

Justification: WCF 11.1

"Those whom God effectually calls, He also freely justifies; not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to

them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God." #WCF11.1