Colin S. Smith's Blog, page 49

Believer, God Wants You to Have Full Assurance Now

And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end. (Hebrews 6:11) 

God does not want you to live in constant doubt over your true spiritual position. He does not want you to wait until the end of your life to have the peace and joy of knowing that you belong to him. God wants you to have this full assurance now, and for you to continue enjoying it until the end. 

So how can you get this assurance, this confidence and peace throughout your Christian journey? How can you pursue the peace and joy that come from knowing that Christ is yours and you are his forever?  

1. A life to pursue 

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. (Hebrews 6:10) 

Remember, the issue that is being dealt with here is not “How can I be saved?” But, “How can I be sure?” Christian, your work and your love play no part in making you right with God (Ephesians 2:8-9), but they are of huge importance when it comes to assurance. 

There are certain evidences that a person is a Christian.  Here, for example, Hebrews talks about: “The love that you have shown… in serving the saints” (Hebrews 6:10).  

You love other Christians. You serve them. And you do this “for his name” (Hebrews 6:10). So not only do you love other believers, but you love other believers because you love the Lord.  

And there are many more distinguishing marks of a genuine Christian in the New Testament:  

Are you seeking to follow Christ?  

You must be one of Christ’s sheep, because he says, “My sheep follow me… and they shall never perish” (John 10:27, 28). 

Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ?  

The life of Christ must be in you, because Scripture says, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers” (1 John 3:14). 

Are you seeking to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord?  

You must have come to know him, because Scripture says, “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3). 

Do you see fruit in your life? 

You might look at these examples, saying: “I’m not sure this is going to help me. I’ve got a long way to God in keeping God’s commandments. I love other Christians, but probably not as much as I should.” 

Now, you may not be able to see any of these marks to the degree that you would like to in your life. But if you can find even one of them, you have reason to say, “By God’s grace, I have reason to believe that I too am one of Christ’s sheep.” 

Jesus said, “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). How many blackberries do you need to find before you can say with confidence “This is a blackberry bush?” It’s not a hundred. You pull a blackberry off the bush, and say, “This looks like a blackberry bush.” 

2. A promise to believe 

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” (Hebrews 6:13-14) 

We are not talking about the promises of God in general, of which there are many, but about one great promise. God said to Abraham, “I will surely bless you,” and “in your offspring, [singular, a reference to Christ] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 22:17, 18). 

So, this promise was not only for Abraham, it was also for us, “the heirs of the promise” (Hebrews 6:17). All who believe in Christ are heirs of the blessing promised to Abraham (Genesis 22:18). 

Are you blessed? One of the residues of our fallenness is that even when we hear about the blessing of God in Jesus Christ, we suspect that he might have it in for us in the end. But God wants us to have full assurance. 

God wants you to be convinced, assured, completely confident that his unchanging purpose is to bless you. So here is what God did: “He guaranteed it with an oath” (Hebrews 6:17).

When God took an oath, he put himself on the line for this promise. He said, in effect, “Let me fall under my own judgment if I do not bless you!” Then, in Jesus Christ, God placed himself under his own judgment so that the blessing he promised would become ours! 

Jesus Christ is the oath. Jesus Christ fulfilled the oath. And, Jesus Christ is the guarantee of God’s promise. In him, we can be sure of the blessing of God forever.

3. An anchor that holds 

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf… (Hebrews 6:19-20) 

Believers are called to “hold fast to the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18). We hold fast to Jesus Christ by trusting in, standing on, holding to the unchanging promise and purpose of God to bless us in Jesus Christ.

We keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, hold fast to him, and believe the promise because God sealed it by giving his Son. 

But now the writer speaks about Jesus as our “sure and steadfast anchor.” An anchor is not something that you hold.

If you were to go out on Lake Michigan and see a man standing on the bow of a 46-foot yacht with a chain in his hand, and he told you that he was holding onto the anchor, you would say: 

“Why are you holding the anchor? Isn’t that the point of the anchor to hold you?” 

So yes, you are to hold fast in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, the hope set before you. But remember, as you hold onto Jesus, that he is the anchor that holds onto you. 

When an anchor goes down into the water it is hidden from view. It goes down into the depths. You cannot see it, but it holds you.

Jesus is hidden from our view, not because he is down in the depths, but because he has ascended to the highest place. This is a gravity-defying anchor! 

Jesus Christ anchors you to heaven. He is already there. The Christ, who died to save you, lives to keep you. In Christ, your entrance into heaven is as sure as the reality that he is already there because he is your anchor.

We hold fast to the hope set before us, knowing that Jesus Christ holds fast to us. 

Photo Credit: Unsplash



[This article was adapted from Pastor Colin’s sermon, “Full Assurance,” from his series Faith That Lasts] 

On Common Faith and Saving Faith (William Perkins)

[Editorial Note: Throughout the month of April, we’ll replace our normal Key Connections with one Key Connection from the Puritan era. Today, we have an excerpt from William Perkin’s Exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles (Works 1.123-127). This is an edited and condensed excerpt, and you can find the original here.] 

Faith… is a gift of God, whereby we give assent or credence to God’s word. For there is necessarily a relation between faith and God’s word. The common property of faith is noted by the author of Hebrews when he says:  

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)   

For all this may be understood, not only of justifying faith, but also of temporary faith, and the faith of miracles. [For], faith is of two sorts: Common faith [and] the faith of the elect–as Paul said, he is an apostle according “to the faith of God’s elect” (Titus 1:1).

Three Kinds of Common Faith 

The common faith is that which both the elect and reprobate have, and it is three-fold:  

Historical Faith  

Which is, when a man believes the outward letter and history of the word. [Historical faith] has two parts, knowledge of God’s word, and assent unto (or agreement with) the same knowledge.  

[This kind of faith] is to be found in the Devil and his [demons], so Saint James says, “the demons believe that—and shudder” (James 2:19). Some will say, what a faith have they? Such as thereby they understand both the Law and the Gospel. Besides, they give assent to it to be true.  

But when the devils [displayed] historical faith, were they illuminated by the light of the spirit? No. But when the gospel was preached, they did acknowledge it, and believed it to be true. And that by virtue of the relics of God’s image, which remained in them since their fall.  

Therefore, this their faith does not arise from any special illumination by his spirit, but they attain to it even by the very light of nature, which was left in them from the beginning.  

Temporary Faith  

The second kind of [common] faith is temporary faith, so called because it lasts but for a time and season, and commonly not to the end of a man’s life. This kind of faith is noted [to us] in the parable of the seed, that fell in the thorny ground.

This faith has at least one degree more than historical faith. [Historical faith knows and assents to God’s Word, but temporary faith also professes it, but goes no further.] The [other] kind of temporary faith has in it five degrees.  

A man knows the word. He assents to it.  He professes it.  He rejoices in it.   He brings forth some kind of fruit.  

But (some will say) how can this be a temporary faith, seeing that it has such fruits?

Such a kind of faith is temporary because it is grounded on temporary causes: A desire to get knowledge of some strange points of religion… [or] a desire of praise among men.

Faith of Miracles 

The third kind of [common] faith is the faith of miracles. When a man, grounding himself on some special promise or revelation from God, does believe that some strange and extraordinary thing, which he has desired or foretold, shall come to pass by the work of God.  

Yet we must know that this faith of miracles may be in hypocrites… and at the last judgment it shall be found to have been in the wicked and reprobate. [These] shall say to Christ: “Lord, in thy name we have prophesied, and cast out demons, and done many great miracles” (Matthew 7:22).

True Faith

And thus much for the three sorts of common faith. Now we come to true faith, which is called the faith of the elect. It is thus defined:  

Faith is the supernatural gift of God in the mind apprehending the saving promise with all the promises that depend on it.  

First, I say it is a gift of God (Philippians 1:29)… I add that this is a gift supernatural, not only because it is above that corrupt nature in which we are born, but also because it is above that pure nature in which our first parents were created.  

For in their [Adam and Eve’s] state of innocence, they [lacked] this faith, neither had they then any need of faith in the Son of God as he is Messiah. But this faith is a new grace of God added to regernation after the fall, and first prescribed and taught in the covenant of grace.  

Saving Faith 

The form of faith is to apprehend the promise (Galatians 3:14)… [and] the apprehension of faith is not performed by any affection of the will, but by a certain and particular persuasion. [A persuasion] whereby a man is resolved that the promise of salvation belongs unto him.  

This persuasion is wrought in the mind by the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 2:12). And by this, the promise which is general, is applied particularly to one subject.  

By this one action, saving faith differs from all other kinds of faith. From historical, for it lacks all apprehension… from temporary faith, which though it make a man to profess the gospel…yet it does not thoroughly apply Christ with his benefits.  

To believe is one thing, and to believe in this or that is another thing: and it contains in it three points or actions of a believer:  

To know a thing To acknowledge the same  To put trust and confidence in it. 

And, the principal and main object [which you must believe for] this [saving] faith is the saving promise:  

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) 

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You Need Jesus Christ More Than You Can Imagine

Pause and ponder this question: How much do you think you need Jesus Christ?  

Maybe you believe you don’t need him at all. I urge you to keep reading. Maybe you believe you need him more than anything or anyone. I urge you to continue reading as well.  

As bible-versed and aware of man’s depraved state as we may be, the degree to which we grasp our need for Christ still falls pitifully short of the reality. This is not a claim that you lack understanding of yourself, of the gospel, or of God, but a cry to elevate all of the above. 

So, deeply consider this reality: You need Jesus Christ more than you can imagine. 

Eat Your Veggies 

Most of us know that we need to eat our veggies. Do we know exhaustively why? Probably not, we just know it’s important. 

Knowledge of how much we need Christ is on a far grander scale. The capacities needed for a complete comprehension of man’s need for Christ far exceed our own; therefore, such understanding resides in the mind of God alone.  

Having all the right theological answers does not mean that you fully grasp how much you need Christ. Not only are God’s thoughts and ways infinitely higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), we can hardly understand our own hearts (Jeremiah 17:9).

Man’s immeasurable need for Jesus Christ is a reality that God urges humanity to believe and humbly respond to (see John 8:24; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). 

Man Needs God 

God didn’t waste any time revealing this reality. This truth is so crucial that God beautifully illustrated it right in the first chapter of the Bible, through the account of Creation.

Through the account of creation, God illuminates a truth that no human can afford to ignore. Our Creator has given us a logical glimpse of man’s desperate need of him through a pattern that escapes the notice of too many.

It’s a portrait of truth missing from the gallery of too many hearts today. 

If you examine the Word of God closely as you continue to read, it will be more clear that you need Christ more than you can imagine. Are you ready to be in awe of God? Read on. 

In addition to creating man and woman, God created light, vegetation, living creatures, and more. The book of Genesis reveals that some of God’s creation was made to be separate, and others, meant to be uniquely united. 

Example of creation meant to be separate:  

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3-4, NASB here and throughout)

Notice anything interesting about this modern photo of Earth? Light and darkness are clearly separated! One look at earth is evidence of the absolute validity of God’s Word!

From the beginning, God designed light to be separate from darkness, calling the light Day, and the darkness Night. However, most of what God created was designed to have unity with another part of his creation. 

In the next set of examples, we will see how the part of creation that God spoke into existence can remain living only if it is unified with the part he referenced in the process of creating it. 

Genesis 1:11 

And God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.’ And it was so.

God spoke vegetation, plants, and fruit trees into existence by saying, “Let the earth…” Therefore, for each to live and be fruitful they must remain unified with the earth. 

The roses that beautifully sit in the vase don’t remain beautiful, do they? Why? They have been removed from the earth, from the life-giving unity that they were created for. 

No matter how hard one tries to keep them alive, the reality is, once they are removed from the earth the perishing process begins. They go from gorgeous to garbage.

Genesis 1:20 

And God said, ‘Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures…’ 

God spoke swarms of living creatures into existence by saying, “Let the waters…”. Therefore, those swarms of living creatures must in some way remain unified with the water to live and be fruitful. 

A fish out of water is a fish that is perishing, just as a rose detached from the earth. There will never be a trout that can live out of water, because God created fish to have unique unity with water. Have you ever seen the sad sight of a beached whale?

Are you beginning to see where this is going?  

Genesis 1:24 

And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.’ And it was so. 

God spoke living creatures, livestock, creeping things, and beasts into existence by saying, “Let the earth…” Therefore, for the living creatures to live and be fruitful they must remain unified with the earth. 

Imagine a cow walking the plank of a ship out at sea. Will this cow live and be fruitful once it cracks the plank and plunges into the ocean? Not a chance! Why? Because cows were created to be united with the land where they can munch on the grass to live and be fruitful. 

So, this is the pattern: To create vegetation God spoke to the earth, to create water creatures he spoke to the water, and to create land animals he spoke to the earth.  

What about Man?

What did God speak to when creating man? It’s not a what, but a who!

Amazingly, when creating man God did not speak to anything that he created, but to himself! In Genesis 1:26 the Bible says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’”

How much does a rose need earth? How much does a whale need water? How much does a cow need land? How much does man need Jesus Christ?

Jesus (God the Son incarnate) separated himself from heaven so that man might be able to reside there (2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:7-8). God created light to be separate from darkness, but because of his unfathomable love for us he sent The Light into the dark world to save our perishing souls (John 1:1-10; John 3:16).

Apostle Paul did not have an exhaustive understanding but surely was filled with the urgency of God:

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20, NASB).

How much do you think you need Jesus Christ? 

Photo Credit: Unsplash

How to Use Apologetics to Glorify Jesus

Faith is wonderful, and doubt may not always be against it. Sometimes, it is the beginning of learning. New questions can be a good thing—the laying of foundation for faith.

When you hear something—an opinion, an argument, a gauntlet phrase—that makes you doubt what the Bible says, the best thing to do is not always to run away or to fight against it. Sometimes, it is best to pray for God’s help and respond with a question to the proposed assertion or argument.

Jesus frequently asked questions in order to build a relationship. He asked questions to the teachers in the temple (Luke 2:46), to the witnesses coming to see John the Baptist (Matthew 11:7-9), to the Pharisees about the Sabbath and David in the grain fields (Matthew 12:1-7), and even of his own followers as to who they thought he was (Matthew 16:15).

That’s the art of apologetics; using a good question to begin fruitful dialogue, build a relationship, and uncover inaccuracy. When we do this we reflect Christ to others.

Apologetics

Remember that Christ’s truth does not fear an honest investigation. While you might be intimidated by the argument, God’s Word is not. Doubts arising from weak foundations are best addressed with discipline and serious investigative study, much like a detective.

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2).

God’s word calls us to engage in case-making defenses:

In your hearts honor Christ, the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)

1 Peter 3:15 admonishes us to be prepared with an apologia (a prepared case-making
defense) to everyone asking me for the hope within with gentleness and fear
(reverent respect). For in our choice to engage with the argument, we may win
others to Christ through gentleness and respect. It’s not my job to defeat
their claim; it is their job to defend it.

You might ask, how might I do this? I want to share six
questions with you that you can use in a situation where you are confronting an
assertion or argument that causes some doubt.

1.) What do you
mean by that?

Align
definition of terms or phrase. Consider, we have
similar vocabulary but oftentimes different inherent dictionaries.

Ask
yourself, does this claim sound credible? Listening to understand the meaning
of terms is of utmost importance and
perfectly alright to ask a person to slow down.

2.) How do you
know that is true?

Intelligent
belief demands reasons. Too often,
assertions are mistaken for arguments. There’s a vast difference between the
two.

An assertion is
a definitive statement made about the nature of reality. An argument is
presented to back up an assertion.

By asking “how
do you know that’s true?” you’ll move the conversation beyond two people merely
asserting what they believe to why those assertions should be taken seriously.
This step helps diagnose clarity and credibility of the claim.

3.) Where did you
get this information?

Once arguments are offered, it’s important to
ensure the arguments are valid. Our directive is to discern and recognize when
an explanation is not supported by evidence!

Compel people to provide facts in support of
their argument. Maintain focus on the central issue of the claim, with dignity
and respect. Be on guard for aggressiveness and defensiveness. The intention is
to advance clear thinking apart from hostility.

4.) How did you
come to this conclusion?

Behind the
person you are talking with, behind his or her convictions, is a story. If you
know that story, it may make more sense why they don’t find your views plausible.

Plus, it’ll
help you remember the person you’re talking with is a real, image-of-God
bearing person. Jesus engaged others with questions, not because to win over
others but to serve them and bring them closer to him.

5.) What if you’re
wrong? 

A poor choice
can have dire outcomes. Is this a rational philosophy with merit or just empty deception:

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.  (Colossians 2:8)

6.) What if you’re
right?

Ideas have consequences that are always
worth considering. Is there confidence and assurance of the claim’s validity? Just
as Jesus did in conversations, building relationship presides over winning an
argument.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Rely on God’s Word

If you find yourself in this situation,
remember the Bible has everything we need to know. Jeremiah admonishes the wise
man to boast of God’s wisdom, God’s might, that he understands and knows God:

Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord. (9:24)  

Let’s glorify Christ as we grow and mature in the study of his word to augment our apologia so we are always ready with an answer; even if that answer is a good question, just like our Lord Jesus did.

…whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11).

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Five Solas Help You Discern What to Avoid Watching

In this post, I want to tackle the much-asked question: “As a Christian, is it ok for me to watch [insert generic TV show]?”  

Somewhat surprisingly, the 16th-century “Solas” (Latin for ‘alone’) of the Reformation act as a useful test or filter through which we can measure our cultural consumption and creation.   

Sola Scriptura 

“Scripture Alone” declares that the Bible is our ultimate authority and that we must interpret the world through the Word. This is not just thinking about the Bible but thinking through the Bible—thinking biblically about everything else. 

So it’s not about cherry-picking verses, stories, and isolated truths, but going deep—going “meta.” The Bible has repeated structures and patterns which act as a pair of x-ray goggles we put on to see all the world all the time as it really is. 

If we don’t discern, articulate, and persuade others with the Bible’s blueprint for the flourishing of human life and culture, then others will with some other blueprint. Some other story. And ultimately these alternative stories are all hopeless. 

Sola Gratia 

“Grace alone” reminds us that our acceptance before God is not based on anything we “do” but what God has “done” in Christ. We contribute nothing. We can’t earn our salvation—it’s a free gift.  

What’s the cultural relevance of this? It means that our reason for watching or not watching something needs to be grace focused. We should be wary about any rationale for “No” that puts imperatives (e.g. be holy) before indicatives (e.g. you are holy in Christ). This order matters.  

If I’m saved by grace alone then the motive behind my cultural choices is not to keep rules to somehow impress God or prove myself worthy, but to love and honour God because of what he’s already done for me.  

Sola Fides 

“Faith alone” reminds me of the means through which I am united to Christ and receive all his benefits—it is through faith alone.  

These benefits include what John Calvin calls “double grace”. First, through our initial faith we are reconciled to God—Christ’s blameless record becomes our blameless record. Second, through our ongoing faith we are “sanctified by Christ’s spirit [so that] we may cultivate blamelessness and purity of life.”[1] 

Far from tip-toeing around simply trying to avoid evil, our living faith spurs us to pursue good works that spill out into our churches and communities, bringing blessings to individuals, families, and society at large: 

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13) 

Our good works include our cultural endeavors, which are part of the way we have dominion and fill and subdue the earth.

Sola Christus 

“Christ alone” should act as a sobering reminder of our call to holiness. In 1 Peter, the apostle says that we are to live in “reverent fear” for we know that: 

it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  (1:17-19)

We should be rightfully fearful of ever conducting ourselves in a way that suggests our new birth doesn’t matter—that Christ wasted his time when he laid down his life, and probably didn’t need to bother.

John Piper gives us a slap-around-the-face-wake-up-call here: “If we choose to endorse or embrace or enjoy or pursue impurity, we take a spear and ram it into Jesus’s side every time we do. He suffered to set us free from impurity.”[2] 

Sola Deo Gloria 

Finally, “God’s glory alone” is the glue which sticks all the solas together. It sums them all up: there’s nothing we bring, it’s all about him. 

So, whether or not God is being glorified is the ultimate litmus test of faithful cultural consumption and creation. Everything we do can be, and ought to be, done for his glory:  

Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10 v 31). 

Photo Credit: Unsplash

[Note from the publisher: Whether it’s TV boxsets, Instagram stories, or historical novels, we all consume culture. Dan Stange’s new book Plugged In encourages Christians to engage with everything they watch, read, and play in a positive and discerning way. He also teaches Christians how to think and speak about culture in a way that plugs in to a bigger and better reality—the story of King Jesus, and his cosmic plan for the world.]

[1] Calvin, Institutes, 3.11.1. 

[2] John Piper, ‘Twelve question to ask before you watch Game of Thrones’ https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/12-questions-to-ask-before-you-watch-game-of-thrones 

Four Windows Jesus’s Words Open at the Cross

Jesus’s words on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), open four windows into what was happening in these hours of darkness. My prayer for today is that as you look through these windows you will be changed by what you see.

Window #1: Sin

Through this window, I want you to see what sin is and learn to hate it.

Letting go of sin is hard because something in it attracts us. Repentance is difficult because part of us enjoys our sin. Sometimes, even when confess our sins, there’s some desire to return to them. How can we learn to hate our sins, so that we do not keep going back to them again and again?  

How can you get to the point where you really change? The law won’t get you there. The law can tell you what sin is, but it cannot make you hate it. In fact, the law can actually provoke sin.  

Everyone who has children knows about this. Give a child a rule and he or she will see it as an invitation, “When the commandment came, sin sprang to life” (Romans 7:9).  

Morality can tell you what sin is, but it cannot teach you to hate it. So, how can I learn to loathe sin so that I really turn from it? Listen to these words of Richard Sibbes: 

If you would… see the most ugly colors of sin, then see it in Christ upon the cross, see… how bitter a thing it was… forcing Him to… send forth strong cries to His Father, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me.” [i] 

That indulgent greed, that cherished pride, that settled envy, that secret lust, that subtle lie, that grumbling, that fault-finding, that deception—look at it now!

Look at what that sin cost and learn to hate it at the cross. This is what my sin did to my Savior. Look at how Christ was forsaken for your sin. Now, what sin is there you cannot forsake on account of him? 

Window #2: Hell

Through this window, I want you to see what hell is and learn to flee it.  

Artists and poets have speculated over the centuries about hell (Dante’s Inferno, etc.), but the clearest revelation of hell is given at the cross. Hell has six dimensions and Christ experienced all of them on the cross. Let me remind you of them briefly: 

1. He is in conscious suffering 
2. He is in blackest darkness (2 Peter 2:17)    
3. He is surrounded by demonic powers 
4. He is bearing sin   
5. He is under judgment 
6. He is separated from the love of God (2 Thessalonians 1:9) 

That is hell. 

I’m telling you about hell because I do not want you to know what that is like, ever. Christ endured this on the cross so that you would never know what it is like. It is beyond what anyone here can begin to imagine.

When some others talk about hell, their discussion is all about whether or not hell exists. When people say, “There is no hell,” I ask, “Then, what was this about? Why did the cross, the darkness, the forsakenness and the guilt-bearing happen?” 

The reason it happened is that there is wrath, forsakenness, darkness, and there is hell. Hell is as real as the cross. All of this was poured out on Jesus. He absorbed it in himself in order to save you from it. Richard Sibbes says: 

Whatsoever was done to Christ… shall be done to all that are out[side] of him. [ii] 

That is why you must come to him and be in him because you cannot be saved without him.  

Window #3: Love

Through this window, I want you to see what love is and learn to enjoy it. 

You say, “That sounds like an incredible jump—from hell to love.” Keep in mind, however, that the mercy of God and the justice of God meet at the cross.  

Sometimes I hear Christians say, “I know Jesus died for my sins, but I don’t feel God loves me.” I want to say, “Slow down.” Before he created the universe, God the Father had you in view and planned for you in love.

Before you were born, God the Son took your flesh, He lived a perfect life and he went to the cross for you. Your sins were laid on him and he entered into your hell. He was shut out from the Father’s love for you and in the dark he cried out, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” 

He was there for you and you don’t think that he loves you? I want you to see this love and learn to enjoy it. You’ll never see it more clearly than at the cross. 

How can I enjoy this? 

Jesus is not on the cross now. He is risen and exalted at the right hand of the Father. His suffering is over. His triumph is complete.

God’s righteous judgment for sin fell on Jesus. He absorbed it and drained it. He exhausted it and came through it. Here’s where you rejoice. Christian, hell burned itself out on Jesus, as far as you’re concerned. Christ was not overcome. He triumphed over hell for you on the cross.  

At the end of these three hours of darkness, the light returned. Then he said, “It is finished,” and he gave into death. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Window #4: Faith

Through this final window, I want yo to see what faith is and learn to use it. 

In the darkness, your Savior says, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Think about this: The Father’s love is, at this moment, beyond his reach. He has been shut out from it, and yet he says, “My God, my God…” Robert Murray M’Cheyne says: 

These words show the greatest faith that ever was in this world. Faith is believing the word of God, not because we see it to be true, or feel it to be true, but because God has said it. [iii] 

This is important for our faith. God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). That’s his promise. But there will be dark times in your life when you cannot feel the love or presence of God. When these times come, you need to know Jesus has been there. 

Look at the darkness he was in when he said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and you’ll see that you have a Savior to whom you can come in the darkest moments of your life.

When you feel God is nowhere near you, he’s been there! Your Savior has a tenderness towards you that no one else in the world could ever have for you.  

On the cross, Christ said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” so that today, with worship and wonder, you can say, “My God, my God, why have you accepted me—with all my sin and all my failure?”  

And the answer is—you are accepted because he was forsaken. You are righteous, because he bore your sin. You will enter his heaven because he endured your hell. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift. 

Photo Credit: Unsplash



[This article was adapted from Pastor Colin’s sermon, “The Day God Turned His Face Away,” from his series, 7 Words from the Cross] 

__________

[i] Richard Sibbes, “The Works of R.S., Vol. 1,” p. 354, Banner of Truth, 1973 http://www.amazon.com/Works-Richard-Sibbes-Sibbes–1/dp/0851511694/

[ii] Ibid. 

[iii] Robert Murray M’Cheyne, “Sermons of R.M.M.” p. 44, Banner of Truth, 1961 http://www.amazon.com/Sermons-Robert-Murray-MCheyne/dp/B0007J4TCY/

[iv] C. H. Spurgeon sermon, “Our Lord’s Solemn Enquiry,” #3507, Apr. 13, 1916 http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols61-63/chs3507.pdf

[v] C. H. Spurgeon sermon, “The Saddest Cry From the Cross,” #2803, Jan. 7, 1877 http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols46-48/chs2803.pdf

Looking unto Jesus Our Savior (Isaac Ambrose)

[Editorial Note: Throughout the month of April, we’ll replace our normal Key Connections with one Key Connection from the Puritan era. Today, we have an excerpt from Isaac Ambrose’s Looking unto Jesus. This is an edited and condensed excerpt, and you can find the original here.] 

The most excellent subject to [talk about] or write of, is Jesus Christ.  

Augustin having read Cicero’s works, commended them for their eloquence, but he passed this sentence upon them: “They are not sweet, because the name of Jesus is not in them.” Indeed all we say is but unsavory, if it be not seasoned with this salt.  

My meaning is not to insist on [one] name, in contradiction to [or, as more important than] any other names of Christ, [but I want to focus on how] Jesus signifies Savior… “for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

I shall make this my design to look at Jesus more especially, as carrying on the great work of our salvation from first to last. This indeed is the glad tidings, the gospel, the gospel privilege, and our gospel duty—looking unto Christ. 

Jesus Signifies Savior  

[Jesus] is a Hebrew name; the Greeks borrowed it from the Hebrews, the Latins from the Greeks, and all other languages from the Latins. It comes from the Hebrew word Jehoshua, or Joshua, which in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah… is Jeshua.  

This name, Jesus, was given to Christ the Son of God, by his Father, and brought from heaven by an angel; first to Mary, and then to Joseph.  

[The name Jesus means he] is the alone savior of man: “for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

And he is a perfect and absolute savior: “He is able to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him; seeing that he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Looking unto Jesus Our Savior 

[There are two parts to looking unto Jesus—the act and the object.] 

“Looking unto” is the act; but such as includes all these acts: knowing, considering, desiring, hoping, believing, loving, joying, enjoying of Jesus, and conforming to Jesus.  

It is such a look as stirs up affections in the heart, and the effects thereof in our life. It is such a look as leaves a quickening upon the spirit. [And,] it is such a look as works us into a warm affection, raised resolution, an holy and upright conversation.  

Jesus is the object; and Jesus, as Jesus, as he is our savior. Let us desire Jesus, carrying on the great work of our salvation in his death. Indeed nothing doth so cool and refresh a parched and thirsty soul as the blood of Jesus.  

Christ’s death and blood is superabundant to our sins: “The grace of our Lord overflowed for me.” (1 Timothy 1:14) It was over full, and more than enough. 

Whereas all your sins to Christ are but as a little cloud to the glorious sun; yea, all the sins of all the men in the world are but, to Christ’s merits, as a drop to the ocean.  

A Holy Soul Cannot Tire Itself in Viewing Jesus 

In things below Jesus, some have this excellency, and some have that, but none have all. Oh! What variety is in Jesus!  

Variety of time, he is Alpha and Omega; Variety of quality, he is a lion and lamb, a servant and a son; Variety of excellency, he is man and God. Oh! Where shall we begin in this view of Jesus?  

Who shall declare his generation? All the Evangelists exhibit unto us the savior, but every one of them in his particular method:  

Mark describes not all the genealogy of Jesus, but begins his history at his baptism. Matthew searcheth out his original from Abraham. Luke follows it backward as far as Adam. John passeth further upwards, even to the eternal generation of this Word that was made flesh.  

If Christ Be Yours…  

…then God is yours, the Father is yours, the Spirit is yours, all the promises are yours. For in Christ they are all made, and for him they shall be performed.  

Come let the proud man boast in his honor, and the mighty man in his valor, and the rich man in his wealth. But let the Christian pronounce himself happy, only happy, truly happy, fully happy, in beholding Christ, enjoying Christ, having Christ—in looking unto Jesus. 

Come, say on, are you willing to have Christ? Will you have your name enrolled in the covenant of grace? Shall God be your God, and Christ your Christ? 

Stay then. You must take Christ on these terms, you must believe on him, and you must take him as your Savior and Lord. You must take him, and forsake all others for him. This is the true faith, the condition of the covenant.  

Oh! Believe in Jesus, and the covenant is established, and all doubts removed.  

Photo Credit: Unsplash 

A Primer for Inviting People to Church

Since it is Easter time, people may be more interested in church than they are during other times in the year. I want to share Christ with my friends, family, or neighbors by inviting them to church, don’t you?  

It’s a hard thing to do. We may fear that the people we invite to church will respond in hostility, but that may not be the case. 

A Surprising Reply 

One Saturday, the weather was good, and so this friend and I went kayaking together. We talked about all sorts of things. At one point, I said something like, “I wonder whether you’d be interested in coming to church with me tomorrow.”  

My friend’s reply surprised me: “I didn’t think you’d want me to come with you to church.” I assured him I would be glad if he came, and my friend joined me. 

People do not go to church for all sorts of reasons. But the number one reason is that no one has invited them. They are not sure what the protocol is for church. They’re not sure how to find a seat. They don’t know whether they are meant to get there early or late. There are enough unknowns that they don’t feel comfortable just showing up. 

These days, if someone is going to come to church, 90% of them will have been invited by someone else. Inviting someone to church, as simple as it sounds, is a key way for people to connect with church and therefore, we pray, with Christ.

So, how do we invite people to church? 

Pray .  

Spend some time first praying for the person you are thinking of inviting to church. Pray for their heart and mind to be open. Pray that God would give you an opportunity (Colossians 4:3). 

Prepare. 

You do not need to wait a certain amount of time or have gained a certain amount of relational capital before you invite someone to church.

I know stories of people who have come to Christ through a simple invitation without much previous (if any) relational context from the person who invited them.

And I know people who have come to church just because a neighbor asked them when they first moved into their new home. 

But while you do not have to have a certain amount of relational capital, it is important to prepare yourself. Prepare for knowing what to say, and how to say it. Be ready to have an ongoing relationship with that person, whether or not they agree to come to church with you.  

No one wants to be a target. Prepare yourself to be ready to care for the person you are inviting to church as a person, not as a project. 

Use a reminder. 

Whether you use some form of electronic invitation or a physical postcard of some kind, having a reminder to give to someone can help solidify the invitation.  

It can tell the person where the church is, when to arrive, and give them a sense of what they are coming to. It also will allow them to think about your invitation when you are no longer there because they have a physical reminder of the invitation you gave them. 

Consider your words carefully. 

For instance, you might say “I’ve been enjoying our church a lot recently, and I wanted to give you an opportunity to be a part of it too. Are you interested in coming with me on Sunday?”  

Or you might say, “We’ve been looking at this book of the Bible at church, and it’s about this. I thought you might be interested in finding out more about that. Would you like to join me on Sunday at church?” 

Whatever the exact words you use, pick phrases that do not suggest you are targeting the person or that you are saying they are less than you because you are inviting them. You are sharing something you have found, and you wonder whether the other person would be interested in it, too.  

Consider it in the same way you would if you found a grocery store or a gym that you like and that you would want to share with a friend. 

Obviously, what you are talking about is far more important than a grocery store or a gym. But you don’t want to make it seem as if you are the righteous person and the one you are inviting is not. You are just one beggar who has found bread showing another beggar where bread can be found. 

Invite them to something afterwards too. 

Don’t just invite them to church and then leave them after the service.  

Say, “We’re going to church and then to get brunch; would you like to join us?” That way it’s clear that what you’re interested in is them, not just getting them to turn up. 

Don’t be surprised if they say no. 

People are not always going to respond with yes to an invitation to church. But a percentage of people will respond yes. And some who first say no may say yes later.  

It’s worth persevering with inviting people to church. You may at times find that a person says no and does not want to be asked again. Respect their wishes in that regard; they may change their mind at some point in the future.  

Don’t weight the invitation as a “now or never”; weight it as, “I’d love it if you joined us sometime. Here is a Sunday when we are going to go and get brunch afterward. Why not come along with us?”

Watch for God-given opportunities. 

When you pray that God will give you opportunities, don’t be surprised when he does! Look out for them.  

For instance, someone might say, “I’ve been feeling very tired at work recently.” You could say, “I know what you mean. I’ve been finding church really refreshing recently. Would you like to come along with me?” 

Overall, the model is: pray for opportunities, pray for the preaching of God’s Word to come with power and clarity, be wise in what you say and how you say it to those you are inviting.  

Reflect on this passage as you invite people to church this Easter: 

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:2-6) 

Original Post Credit: God Centered Life  



Photo Credit: Unsplash 

Reflection on Psalm 23: God’s Goodness in Suffering

 With tears in my eyes, I read the lyrics to the worship song on the screen:  

Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. 

I didn’t open my lips to sing them for fear of what sorrowful sound might leap from my mouth. In the wake of our first miscarriage, I was fighting to believe the truth of those words. 

The Good Shepherd Goes Before Us 

Months before, when my husband decided it was time for a family, fear entangled my thoughts. Before stepping into the unknowns of “trying to conceive,” we had been able to avoid hard things like infertility and miscarriage. 

But now, we were stepping into a new world and I was bracing myself. In order to fight anxiety, I committed Psalm 23:6 to memorization. It was one of many passages I sought to fill my mind with, but it was the one I continued to come back to.  

I felt the importance of the truth hidden in this verse. I knew I needed to learn it, believe it, and rehearse it to myself daily. What I was unsure of was, why? 

Why was the Holy Spirit beckoning me to hide this verse deep in my heart? Why did it seem to jump out at me as if to get my attention? I now recognize God was preparing my heart for the journey he was calling my husband and I to. 

The Good Shepherd Leads us 

When those lyrics appeared before me that day, I was left in awe of the Good Shepherd who leads us. He had led me to memorize that verse and would continue to lead me as I walked the dreaded path of recurrent pregnancy loss. 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
He makes me lie down in green pastures. 
He leads me beside still waters. (Psalm 23:1-2) 

Sometimes the “green pastures” don’t look so green, do they? And the waters—they’re certainly not still. Often, the path before us looks barren and storm-filled.  

Truthfully, even when our circumstances look grim, our Good Shepherd is near. Because he is enough and is working on our behalf, we can find beauty, growth, and peace in him in the midst of our hardest circumstance.  

If our Good Shepherd laid down his life to save us, his sheep, certainly we can trust his leading (John 10:11-17). 

He restores my soul. 
He leads me in paths of righteousness 
for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3) 

Furthermore, his paths are “paths of righteousness.” God knows best and only leads us down paths which work out for our good and his glory (Romans 8:28). As we walk through life, God is shaping us into his likeness—the most gracious thing he could do. It’s for “his name’s sake” that he does so.  

He wants to glorify himself through transforming us. 

The Good Shepherd is With Us in Suffering 

The Lord is gentle in his leading of his flock. He even carries us. 

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; 
he will gather the lambs in his arms; 
he will carry them in his bosom, 
and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)

Our Good Shepherd takes us into his arms and carries us. This is important to remember when experiencing suffering. Our God is not far off. No, he’s very near to us, strengthening us in each moment. 

Not only does he give us strength to endure trials, he comforts us as we face them. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil, 
for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, 
they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

When we face our greatest fears or most gut-wrenching trials, we can cast our anxieties upon him, knowing he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We can take refuge in him (Psalm 46:1). Under his care, we will be comforted. For, he is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). 

He’s with us and promised never to leave. This should bring the Christian deep peace and comfort, even as we face grief, suffering, and the challenges of this sin-tainted world. 

The Good Shepherd is Our Portion 

You prepare a table before me 
in the presence of my enemies; 
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 
all the days of my life, 
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord 
forever. (Psalm 23:5-6)  

David faced great suffering when he wrote this Psalm. He truly felt as though he was walking through the valley of the shadow of death as he was pursued by his enemies who sought to kill him.  

But he took comfort in this: regardless of his earthly circumstances, he would dwell in the house of the Lord for all eternity. Nothing could steal his salvation—not even death.  

This is why he could boldly proclaim that his “cup overflows.” His portion was Christ. 

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; 
you hold my lot. 
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. (Psalm 16:5-6) 

We, too, have been given this portion. And he is enough. Therefore, Christians can believe that surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life.  

Regardless of what is stolen from us on earth or the sorrow we may face, our salvation is secure and our inheritance is Christ. Truly, the lines have fallen in pleasant places for us. 

The Good Shepherd’s Plans are Good 

Sometimes, we wrestle with believing that God’s plans are good.  

Another translation replaces the word “surely” in verse six with “only.” Only goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.  

When I thought about this while weeping over our first unborn baby, I pondered before God…even this day, Lord? I wondered how it could be possible to face the loss of a child and believe goodness and mercy filled that day. 

It’s possible because of Jesus. 

Goodness and mercy follow us even in days of suffering because Jesus in near and his plans are only good and merciful—plans meant to lead us to righteousness and give us more of himself.  

In suffering, we may lose much, but we gain much more. We get more of Jesus, and this is a good and merciful gift. 

Surely, the Good Shepherd’s plans are good. And they are good for us. We can trust him. He will see us through. 

Photo Credit: Unsplash 

Hope Good Friday Brings to All Believers

In church on Good Friday, readers gave voice to the account of the crucifixion. But I scarcely wanted to listen as the stripes, the crown of thorns, and more were made audible. I diverted eye contact.  

Hearing the suffering of my precious Lord brings sorrow. Perhaps this reflects, in a limited and human manner, God’s response to mankind’s wickedness: “And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart” (Genesis 6:6). 

I wonder if some of God’s grief here is related to Jesus’s sorrow in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-56), that mankind’s sin would bring future agony to Jesus. But I know that God does not only grieve; he also compassionately rejoices that his cross would accomplish mankind’s hope (Hebrews 12:2). 

So, I call us there—to the day Jesus died—in order to witness some facets of hope evident in this account. I begin with Jesus being handed over to death after his trial, flogging, and crowning with thorns. 

Hope of Holiness

So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.

There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. (John 19:16-18)

Hebrews 13:11-13 reveals a parallel between the phrase “he went out” and the Old Testament sin offering. For this offering, the sacrifice was brought into the holy place, but then the body of the animal sacrificed was taken outside of camp to be burned.

In the Old Testament, holiness was determined by the proximity to
the Most Holy Place. First the camp, then the tabernacle court, then the Holy
Place, and finally the Most Holy Place.

What was deemed unholy was taken farthest away from the Most Holy Place—somewhere even beyond the camp.
Jesus, the holy and perfect, was disgraced and taken “outside the camp” for his
crucifixion.

Could it be that an outside-of-camp person like me could be
restored through him—taken to the holiness of God because he “went out”?

I have this hope of holiness through perfect
Christ.

Hope of a Leader

Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek.

So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” (John 19:19-22)

The Jewish religious leaders resented the teachings of Jesus and the following he had. They did not recognize him as their Messiah because their hearts took pride in their status as leaders and not in their God. But Jesus’s status as King did not alter because of this unwelcoming reception.

The account continues with a fulfilled prophecy:

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.

But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.”

This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” (John 19:23-24)

Here was the one about whom Old Testament prophets spoke. This
prophetic fulfillment was very specific and remarkably fulfilled by these soldiers—giving
further Scriptural demonstration to Jesus’s messianic kingship.

Could it be that I have a proven, trusted, and unchanging foretold
leader King who is able to lead me toward knowing and loving him more?

I have this hope of the one and only
righteous King.

Hope of Care

So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”

Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:24-27)

Jesus looked and saw his mother from the cross—he knew that this
death would uniquely impact her and her future.

He defined the arrangements for his mother’s care, who was most
likely a widow without income. He spoke with words full of the intentions he had
for her, that she would sense belonging, care, and love—and experience support
and stability.

While dying and being crucified, Jesus cared for his soon-to-be
bereaved mother.

Could it be that Jesus wants me to see his concerted, personal
care for family when I think of his crucifixion—and it is so significant as to
interrupt the account of his crucifixion? Could it be that, when thinking of
the personally caring character of God, it is not an “interruption” at all, but
only a small demonstration of the care he was already demonstrating on the
cross?

I have hope of a Lord who cares personally.

Hope of Being
Covered

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30)

With a single word in Greek (tetelestai) he spoke, “It is finished.”
According to The Bible Knowledge Commentary, this same word was
used across receipts for taxes in Jesus’s time. This word meant “paid in full.”[1]

Jesus declared that sins would certainly be forgiven because of his
sacrifice—fully, in totality, and to the uttermost.

Could it be that across me, covering everything that is wrong and guilt-inducing,
I can know Jesus writes  tetelastai—paid in full?

I have this hope of knowing, by faith, he
has forgiven me.

We marvel:

And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?[2]

And we can receive. When we welcome what he has freely done, we become reasons for the joy of his endurance of the cross.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

[1] Edwin A. Blum, “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,
vol. 2, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books,
1985), 340.

[2] John Wesley, “And Can It Be, That I Should Gain?,” hymnary.org, April
1 2019, https://hymnary.org/text/and_can_it_b....