These will continue to be few and far between, for now, until things are settled and the Lord has placed me where I need to be. I welcome, am surprised, and humbled by many new visitors and subscribers. The burden and responsibility of these words continue to amplify on my heart. I pray that He touches these words and speaks for me and to you. That He may strip away any foolishness and press in each of our hearts His truth and that He may be glorified.
Extra credit: I have been questioned frequently, and quite understandably, on the terminology in Sovereign Grace. It seems redundant in its language and an oversimplification of already explicit terms. With that there are still FAR to many that abuse and have no understanding of the most basic and beautiful words that there is still need to differentiate and continue to use Sovereign Electing Unmerited Free Grace. With that I add todays bonus material from Pastor Charles Pennington on why He uses Sovereign Grace.
Jhn 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Jhn 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
How does your love for another (v17) tie into His love for you?
Though we are friends of Christ and with Christ, that friendship and love did not begin with us but with Him. Men by nature hate God (Rom 8:7). This friendship was one-sided in its origin. He chose us, He set His love upon us, He redeemed us and He called us to Himself (Rom 8:28-31; Eph 1:3-4; II Thess 2:13). We love Him because He loved us, we seek Him because He sought us and we call upon Him because He made us willing (Ps 110:3; Rom 5:8; I John 4:10, 19). It was Christ who elected us out of a world of sin and darkness and ordained that we should be His sheep, His followers and bear fruit for His glory (Eph 2:8-10). Being in Christ by purpose and abiding in Christ by grace will produce lasting fruit and bring further mercies and blessing to those who seek His glory and pray accordingly. – from Henry Mahan Bible Class Commentary
