"...if anyone makes the assistance of grace depend on the humility or obedience of man and does not agree that it is a gift of grace itself that we are obedient and humble, he contradicts the Apostle who says, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). (Council of Orange: Canon 6)

By Faith

by Keith & Kristyn Getty

By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation's grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God's own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul's reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We'll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul's reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We'll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul's reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We'll walk by faith and not by sight

November 30, 2011 | Comments (1) | Permalink

How Sweet the Sound...

Perhaps no song captures the heart of reformed theology better than the classic hymn "Amazing Grace" by John Newton. Indeed "twas grace that taught my heart to fear..." is the heart cry of every child of God who recognizes that it was God's irresisitible grace alone that opened our hearts to see the beauty of Christ and His gospel, it is grace that has brought us safe thus far, and in what is called the doctrine of the perseverance (or preservation) of the saints, it is indeed God's grace that will lead us home.

I was sent this link today and in playing it, found it to be deeply moving. Here is Amazing Grace sung by a very talented foursome IL DIVO, with the help of a wonderful Scottish bagpipe player. Have your sound turned up, click on the link here and enjoy! - JS

March 15, 2009 | Comments (0) | Permalink