The final step in the salvation process is glorification. As Romans 8:29-30 says, “For whom he foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” It is the culmination of the processes in which man is restored to a right standing with God and is able to fully enjoy a relationship like that in the garden. Read the rest of this entry →

“Once saved always saved. When you asked Jesus into your heart your eternity is settled forever. You just have to remember that,” said the Counselor to the doubting Christian. “But how do I know if I really asked Jesus into Read the rest of this entry →

Many of us who grew up in a more or less fundamentalist form of Christianity are quite familiar with legalism. It has a long, though not exactly distinguished, history in the church. In fact, legalism is a significant theme in the New Testament itself. Basically legalism is Christianity by keeping a set of rules: I don’t smoke, drink, dance, or chew, and I don’t go out with girls who do. Judaism tried to make legalism a stand-in for faith in becoming a Christian, but its primary application is in the doctrine of sanctification, the theme of Galatians. The right way to become like Christ is to Read the rest of this entry →

For those who know the word “asceticism,” the image that immediately comes to mind is the medieval monk getting interrupted sleep in a cold cell, perhaps wearing a hair shirt; eating bread and water; with little money, perhaps begging daily just to survive; living a life of voluntary hardship. In the late medieval era there were very extreme ascetic movements—one being the flagellants who would wander from town to town and repeatedly beat themselves with whips or sharp objects until the blood flowed as a means of repenting and trying to assuage the wrath of God. In some places around the world Read the rest of this entry →

I believe that there is a glorious element of God’s grace and work behind every point and doctrine in theology, and within this article it is my intention to magnify as much as possible this glorious element within the doctrines of Sanctification and Perseverance. These two points of theology are probably the two most experiential areas within the realm of our salvation. Namely, understanding the process of sanctification and perseverance in the life of believers is to understand what it is that each of us goes through every day of our lives, both through the heights of joy in God and the depths of our own despair. The believer’s sanctification and perseverance are arguably the closest areas of theology where we not only see but taste the glory of God’s grace. Read the rest of this entry →

A little girl is brought from the suburban Detroit hospital to a modest new home in St. Joseph County. Her new home! A young couple, who have no children, eagerly awaits their little bundle of joy. They excitedly meet the social worker in the driveway and triumphantly and joyously usher her into the home. After the social worker leaves, they sit next to each other holding this amazing little person in their arms and at that moment know that they would gladly give their life for hers. Later when asked if she ever wanted to Read the rest of this entry →

After their successful July 1969 landing on the moon’s surface, the lunar module, named “Eagle” blasted off the surface of the moon carrying Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to dock with Columbia, their command module piloted by Mike Collins. Only after Eagle had reconnected to Columbia were the three astronauts able to return to earth. Another way to describe their reconnecting is to say the two ships were once again “reconciled” to each other. Read the rest of this entry →

Imputation literally carries the idea of something being placed on, reckoned to, or credited to one’s account. Further, imputation is manifested, scripturally, in three primary ways: 1) the sin of Adam is imputed on all humanity; 2) the sins that receive pardon have been imputed to Christ; 3) and lastly, Christ’s righteousness is imputed to those in union with Him (believers). Read the rest of this entry →

Upon receiving a jury summons, the judge told those of us in the courtroom that if seated on the jury, we would not be deciding the innocence of the defendant, but his guilt. A jury can find a defendant “not guilty,” but that doesn’t mean he or she is innocent of the crime. A jury, after weighing all the evidence presented, is expected to render a fair and impartial verdict declaring the individual either guilty or not guilty. They cannot declare him innocent or righteous. Read the rest of this entry →

Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone! The new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Regeneration is to be reborn or to be formed again. This definition is very appropriate as we consider the word in its theological setting. Scripture is very clear that man is spiritually dead unable to do anything that could please God. In fact the soul does not even Read the rest of this entry →