For the Lord's Day

“Until our consciences are bound by Scripture so that our actions are the product of conviction, we will be the victims of fluctuating fancies and susceptible to the “security” that is offered in conformity to a long list of human taboos. Convinced, grace-filled, spirit-led obedience to God’s Law really is the pathway to freedom. Remember, the law is not the dynamic of our sanctification, God’s love for us is not on the basis of duty, but neither does His love for us free us from duty.”  ~  Alistair Begg, Pathway to Freedom

For the Lord's Day

 “Love without righteousness is immorality, though today in some religious circles is it called the “new morality.” Righteousness without doctrine is legalism. This is the kind of religion that existed in Christ’s day in Judaism and against which he was so outspoken. Doctrine without love is a bitter orthodoxy. It is the kind of truth that is rigorously perfect, in a sense, but which does not win anyone. All three of these elements [Love, Righteousness, and Doctrine] must be present in the life of any true and growing Christian.” – James Montgomery Boice, in the Preface to The Epistles of John

For the Lord's Day - Communion Sunday

“The Lord’s Supper is not for all indiscriminately as the gospel is. The Lord’s Supper is chiefly commemoration and communion. It is for those who discern the Lord’s body, who can commemorate his death in faith and love. And since the supper is also Communion it is obviously for those who commune with Christ and with one another in the unity of the body which is the church…. It is part of the whole counsel of God that those conditions be clearly and insistently set forth, to the end that those who are eligible partake and those who are not refrain.”  -- John Murray, Collected Writings

For the Lord's Day

“I am not worthy, Master and Lord, that you should come beneath the roof of my soul: yet, since you in your love toward all wish to dwell in me, in boldness I come. You command, ‘Open the gates’ – which you alone have forged; and you will come in with love toward all as is your nature; you will come in and enlighten my darkened reason. I believe that you will do this: for you did not send away the harlot that came to you with tears; nor cast out the repentant publican; nor reject the thief who acknowledged your kingdom; nor forsake the repentant persecutor, a yet greater act; but all of those who came to you in repentance, were counted in the band of your friends, who alone abide blessed forever, now and unto endless ages.”

                    – John Chrysostom (c. 347-407)

For the Lord's Day

“Our need to be in charge of ourselves, others and situations often makes our relationship with Christ life’s biggest power struggle. We are reluctant to relinquish our control and allow him to run our lives. We may believe in him and be active in the church and Christian causes, but trusting him as Lord of everything in life can be scary. Even though we pray about our challenges and problems, all too often what we really want is strength to accomplish what we’ve already decided is best for ourselves and others. Meanwhile, we press on with our own priorities and plans. We remain the scriptwriter, casting director, choreographer, and producer of the drama of our own lives, in which we are the star performer.”            - -Twelve Steps to Living Without Fear, Lloyd John Ogilvie

For the Lord's Day

God Substituting Himself for Man

The concept of substitution may be said to lie at the heart of both sin and salvation. For the essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting Himself for man. Man asserts himself against God and puts himself where only God deserves to be; God sacrifices Himself for man and puts Himself where only man deserves to be. Man claims prerogatives which belong to God alone; God accepts penalties which belong to man alone.   John Stott in The Cross of Christ