Therefore when I see that a man is sufficiently contrite, oppressed by the Law, terrified by sin, and thirsting for comfort, then it is time for me to take the Law and active righteousness from his sight and to set forth before . . . Continue reading →
Author Archives: Tony Phelps
A Letter To Recovering Pharisees: An Exposition Of Galatians (Part 1)
Martin Luther called Paul’s letter to the Galatians his “Katie Von Bora,” the name of his dear wife. In God’s grace, Luther had a wonderful marriage; as a former monk, he had never expected to be married.1 So Luther meant that this . . . Continue reading →
Ralph Erskine: Are You Worried That You Aren’t Elect?
Are you polluted? I offer him to you, as made unto you sanctification. Are you miserable and forlorn? I offer him to you, as made of God unto you complete redemption. Are you hard-hearted ? I offer him in that promise, I will take away . . . Continue reading →
Luther On God Pleasing Despair
I remember that Staupitz used to say: “More than a thousand times I have vowed to God that I would improve, but I have never performed what I have vowed. Hereafter I shall not make such vows, because I know perfectly well . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Law And The Gospel Both Promise Eternal Life
The law, as it has a promise of life, is very unlike the gospel. The former promises eternal life to a man on condition of his own perfect obedience and of the obedience of no other, whereas the latter promises it on . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Law Cannot Give What It Demands
The law shows us “what manner of persons [we ought] to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11), but it does not inform us by what means we may become such (Luke 10:27–28). Whereas, the gospel teaches us how . . . Continue reading →
Calvin: Through Faith Two Apparently Inconsistent Things Are Reconciled
Then these two things, though apparently inconsistent, do yet perfectly harmonize when we speak of faith; for the Spirit of God shows to us hidden things, the knowledge of which cannot reach our senses: Promised to us is eternal life, but it . . . Continue reading →
Owen: A Little Faith Gives The Whole Christ
True faith in the least degree, gives the soul a share in the first resurrection. It is of the vital principle which we receive when we are quickened. Now, be it never so weak a life we have, yet it is a . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Law In Its Commanding Power Differs Much From The Gospel
The law in its commanding power differs much from the gospel. The law says, “Do and you shall live; you shall, by performing personal and perfect obedience, entitle yourselves to eternal life” (see Matt. 19:17). Whereas the gospel says, “Live, for all . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: You Cannot Add Your Works To Christ’s
As this is a great error [to mingle law and gospel], so it is a very dangerous error. If a man attempts to add any works of his own to the consummate righteousness of Jesus Christ as the ground of his justification . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: You Won’t Get Away With It. Flee To Christ
Can you imagine that the omniscient and righteous Judge of all the earth will take no notice of you or that He who is “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Hab. 1:13) but with infinite . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Law Doesn’t Say “Try” But “Do”
Many flatter themselves that their state is good and their salvation sure because they do not live securely in a course of sin but, on the contrary, endeavor to keep the commandments as well as they can and because God is so . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Proper Preaching Of The Law Is Not Legalistic
…a minister of the gospel may often preach the law to his hearers and yet not deserve to be called a legal preacher. He cannot preach the gospel faithfully and successfully unless he preaches the law in subservience to it. If he . . . Continue reading →
Machen: Prophet Of School Choice
While Machen’s achievements are chiefly theological, he wrote and spoke extensively about education, where he observed some of the deteriorating effects of liberalism. One hundred years of policy and research have proven Machen prescient in his views on education policy, which can . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Moral Law Is The Rule Of Life For Believers
The law as a rule of life is also of great use to believers. … Now in this point of view, it serves in the following ways, under the illuminating influences of the Holy Spirit: …To show them how far they are . . . Continue reading →
Sibbes: Preaching Must Be Of Nothing But Christ
Preaching must be of Christ. Some may question, “But must nothing be preached but Christ?” Yes, nothing but Christ, or that which tends to Christ. Whatever is done in preaching to humble men, it is to raise them up again Christ. When . . . Continue reading →
Erskine: A Sonnet On The Law And The Gospel
An angry God the law revealed, The gospel shows Him reconciled; By that I know He was displeased, By this I see His wrath appeased… Lo, in the law, Jehovah dwells, But Jesus is concealed; Whereas the gospel’s nothing else But Jesus . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Republication Of The Law Points Us To Christ
In its covenant form, [the Law] serves to show them what Christ, the second Adam, did and suffered in their stead. By requiring from all who are under it perfect holiness of nature and perfect obedience of life with complete satisfaction for . . . Continue reading →
The Marrow: Seeing Evidence Of Faith Is Not A Return To The Covenant Of Works
Ant. But I pray you, sir, is not this his reflecting upon himself to find out a ground to lay his believing that he hath believed upon, a turning back from the covenant of grace to the covenant of works, and from . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Holy Spirit Applies Christ Through The Gospel
It is by means of the gospel that the Holy Spirit continues to apply Christ, with His righteousness and fullness, to the hearts of believers for increasing their sanctification and consolation. They are said in Scripture to be sanctified “through thy truth” . . . Continue reading →