The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the legal aspects of justification. God does not make us righteous in that moment; God declares us righteous in that moment, just like a judge passes sentence on the defendant in his courtroom. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit God will over time make us more and more righteous in the way we live. This process is called sanctification. But we do not grow in sanctification in order to be justified. We grow in sanctification because we are justified. The declarative act of justification is gracious soil out of which grace-filled lives will grow.
— Jay Harvey, Presbyterianischer Pastor, Theologe und Dozent
Topics: Grace & Redemption, Growth & Character
Occasions: For Reflection
Jay Harvey
Jay Harvey ist ein US-amerikanischer presbyterianischer Pastor und Theologe, der im Gemeindedienst sowie als Dozent und Direktor am Reformed Theological Seminary in New York tätig war. Er vertritt eine klassisch-reformierte Theologie mit Schwerpunkt auf Seelsorge und Bibelauslegung, unter anderem als Autor eines Studienführers zum Hohelied. Bibellesern bietet er strukturierte und anwendungsorientierte Zugänge zu biblischen Texten für das persönliche Bibelstudium und die Kleingruppenarbeit.
It wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the cross. It was love.
Max Lucado
Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part.
Philip Yancey
In our own woundedness, we can become sources of life for others.
Henri Nouwen
God does not love us because we are lovable, but because his nature is love.
Oswald Chambers
Oswald Chambers
God counts on your failure far more than you do yourself.
Hans Peter Royer
Ultimately mourning means facing what wounds us in the presence of One who can heal.
Henri Nouwen
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Tim Keller