Chris Whisonant > Recent Status Updates

Started on this book yesterday. Looking forward to the essays in this important work on definite atonement.

Justification is not a reward given to faith, but instead the empty hand of faith—bringing no plea other than “Christ is sufficient! Be merciful to me, the sinner! I believe!”—is the only hand that will find itself grasped by the hand of God’s almighty grace.

One who has been justified stands before God uncondemned and uncondemnable—not because of what he is in himself, but because of what Christ is in him.

The recognition of this truth is in no way a warrant or license to sin. The heart that knows the price paid for its redemption does not seek to add to the cost.

You are justified only when God the Father, based upon the meritorious work of Jesus Christ in your place, declares you to be so upon the exercise of the gift of faith. This faith is directed solely to the God who “justifies the ungodly” (NASB).

How can one who is running away from God be turned again? Does the answer lie within the rebel or the Savior? The truth is that the nature of man as sinner and the nature of Christ as redeemer will both point to the utter necessity of salvation by God’s grace through the empty hand of faith. Yet it is just this truth that we are very quick to dismiss, for it speaks to what fills our own hearts.

A fair reading of Edwards’s works shows him mild and compassionate, often dwelling upon the “sweetness of Christ.” He is taken with God’s love, His grace and mercy. Yet Edwards was a man of the Word. He knew what must be preached again today: God’s love shines with its full and proper glory only when it is seen in its biblical context—against the backdrop of God’s holiness and hatred of sin.

Started reading this book last night. Love this statement by James White! Thinking clearly and properly is a trait of the solidly grounded believer, and Paul felt it was something every Christian should experience. We have the mind of Christ, and we are to think in a way that honors Him. This includes working hard at resisting the influence of the world’s way of thinking.

It is my thesis that there is no understanding (let alone proclaiming!) the gospel of Jesus Christ without a firm understanding of this divine declaration whereby God the Father declares us right with Him by virtue of what Christ has done for us and our faith in Him. The weaker our knowledge of justification, the less clear and powerful will be our gospel preaching.