Faith: A Bond, a Gift, and an Activity (4): Salvation in Principle and in Reality

Faith: A Bond, a Gift, and an Activity (4): Salvation in Principle and in Reality

Is it not true that in a certain sense we are already saved when we are regenerated? While that is certainly true, we still must do justice to I John 5:1, which states, “Whosoever believeth [present tense] that Jesus is the Christ is born [has been born—perfect tense] of God.” In other words, the faith (believing) occurs after regeneration or is the fruit of regeneration (Canons 3-4, 12 refers to it as the “consequence” of regeneration). Similar is the testimony of John 1:12-13: “As many as received him [the activity of faith], to them gave he power to become the sons of God [adoption, which is an aspect of justification], even to them that believe on his name [faith], which were born… of God [regeneration].” Therefore, regeneration occurs before faith, that is, the activity of faith.
Put on Love - Excerpt of "Communion with God"

Put on Love - Excerpt of "Communion with God"

See below for Chapter 42 of Communion with God, by Herman Hoeksema. As you read - through the power of his marvelous grace! - let his love dominate all the manifestation of your life as a co-worker with God.
Faith: A Bond, a Gift, and an Activity (3): "Can and Must Do"

Faith: A Bond, a Gift, and an Activity (3): "Can and Must Do"

What follows is from Martyn McGeown's article "Faith: A Bond, a Gift, and an Activity,...

When Charity Fails

When Charity Fails

When charity fails, a jaundiced reading of men’s words prevails. When charity fails, suspicion and bitterness increase. When charity fails, personal attacks proliferate. When charity fails, division and strife multiply. When charity fails, and is even jettisoned under the pretext of defending the truth, the result is misery. It did not have to be this way, and even now charity is calling: choose the way of peace and love, not the way of strife, division, and misery.
Gentleness

Gentleness

In spite of our evil and unthankfulness, the Father in his sovereign kindness saves us according to his eternal counsel. Now, according to that example and on that basis, we are called to ref lect that gentleness unto our earthly neighbors in all our dealings with them.
"I am the Lord, I change not"

"I am the Lord, I change not"

Although Israel and Judah thought that God had changed because they
were not enjoying his promised blessings, it was not he but they who had
changed in departing from him. Nevertheless, he would save among them the remnant according to election whom he had eternally loved and whom he would not cast away; would save them for the glory of his own name and to show that he is Jehovah, the God of the covenant, the one who does not change. That he did do, and he continues to do the same today in his unchanging faithfulness.