The Pleasantness of A Religious Life (Henry)

Following Jesus isn't always easy. Self-denial and cross-bearing take effort, stamina, and mental strength. Struggling with personal sin is a daily fight. Bearing reproach for the name of Jesus is a hard trial. But over and above these things, the Christian life is full of peace, joy, happiness, comfort, meaning, purpose, and love. Speaking of…

Great Grace and a Swelling Tone of Joy! (Warfield)

Scripture teaches that the way of salvation begins and ends with God's grace (John 1:16, Rom. 11:6; 1 Cor. 15:10, etc.). We are justified and saved by grace alone. This truth gives the Christian great joy! I like how B. B. Warfield talked about this. Note how he links together grace and joy: It belongs…

Pained by Our Pleasures (Or: What Our Joys Reveal)

Joy isn't quite as simple an emotion as we might first think. In fact, there's what we could call "perverse joy," a delight when someone else gets hurt. But then there's also joy that is delight when something good happens to a loved one. And, of course, there's joy as Scripture speaks about it. On…

The Happy Christian – A Review

I try to be a positive Christian with a positive outlook on life.  Generally speaking, I look on the bright side and press on in the Christian life with hopefulness because Christ is on the throne.  But sometimes I fall into a rut of gloom, cynicism, and I think the cup is “half empty,” so…

Hope

In The Marrow of Theology, William Ames (d. 1633) has an outstanding biblical treatment of Christian hope.  Here are a few excerpts.  (Note: the promises Ames speaks of are the promises of the covenant of grace.) “Hope is a virtue which leads us to expect things which God has promised us (Rom. 8:25).” “Hope looks…