We have to admit that our own resolutions to improve our lives, however well-intentioned and sincerely meant, often have little effect. We cannot even keep our resolutions to lose weight or work out at the gym, much less eliminate our sins of lust and cruelty.
Surely Edwards would agree with Martin Luther, who, in his spiritual counseling, would urge tormented souls to stop looking at themselves. Instead, they should look outside themselves to Christ on the cross.
Salvation, both would insist, is extra nos (outside ourselves), founded on the unshakable grace of God and on the objective work of Christ. When we look inside ourselves we see our sin and our weakness, leading us only to despair. But when we look outside ourselves to the promises in God's Word, we can find joy, confidence, and assurance.HT: Zach Nielsen
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Yesterday, before the fireworks sounded the close of another year, I was putting the finishing touches on my plans for the next year. I really needed to hear this from Gene Veith:
