Distinguishing between the Spiritual Kingdom and the Political Kingdom (Calvin)

Near the end of John Calvin's excellent discussion on the freedom of conscience (Christian liberty) in the Institutes, he talks about the Christian's relationship to the state (or government).  First, Calvin firmly emphasizes Galatians 5.1 (for freedom Christ has set you free...) against Rome's unbiblical binding of the conscience with all sorts of regulations not …

Distinguishing Justification from Sanctification (Vos)

Here's a good explanation of the difference between justification and sanctification. It's found in volume four of Geerhardus Vos' Reformed Dogmatics. A) Sanctification serves to take away the pollution of sin and to replace it with what is good as an inherent disposition; it restores in us conformity to the image of God. Justification serves …

These Tyrant Lusts Subdue (Toplady)

Today for Music Monday I'd like to share Augustus Toplady's hymn which is a prayer for spiritual renewal and sanctification. This is a prayer all disciples of Jesus can pray! Astonished and distressed,I turn mine eyes within;My heart with loads of guilt oppressed,The seat of every sin.What crowds of evil thoughts,What vile affections there!Distrust, presumption, …

…Pessimistic About The Possibility Of Moral Progress (Packer)

In the first chapter of his book, Keep in Step with the Spirit, J. I. Packer explained five different emphases people have put on the work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life. All five ways have foundations in Scripture, but often they become one-sided because they fail to incorporate or discuss other aspects …

The Holy Spirit, Scripture, Prayer, and Holiness (Bridges)

Christians sometimes have an unclear idea what Scripture means when it calls us to holiness (Lev. 11:45, Eph. 1:4, 1 Pet. 1:15-16, etc.). What does holiness mean in our daily life? How can we grow in holiness? Jerry Bridges wrote some helpful things on this topic of Christian holiness. Here's one section of Bridges' book, …