regret Redemptive Regret August 13, 2021 Moral aspirations pursued outside Christ's redemptive work prove merciless. In the grips of graceless religion, regret over past sin twists godly sorrow into legalistic self-loathing.
Change Can You Spare Some Change? June 04, 2020 We often think of change as the leftovers – the pennies, nickels, and dimes which accumulate in pockets and car seats. What is the significance of a few coins here and there? Some people
sanctification Humpty Dumpty and Our Sanctification January 02, 2020 > Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the king’s horses and all the king’s men, couldn’t put Humpty together again. As a biblical counselor,
sanctification The Kudzu, The Elm, and The Tree of Life October 03, 2019 The Kudzu As I wrote this article, I was vacationing in Tennessee. Driving along many highways, it was startling to see the amount of kudzu growing everywhere. Kudzu is a plant native to
sanctification 3GT Episode 62: The Sanctification Scene December 05, 2017 With the Christian blogosphere aflame once again, this time with discussions regarding justification and sanctification, the 3GT men join in the fray. With Aaron pumping the questions, and Kyle and Barry responding energetically,
autonomy A Real Redeemer, or: "Remember the Rose!" December 08, 2016 Christians call Jesus the Redeemer, and he is, but we sometimes forget that biblically, to be redeemed means to be ruled. To be redeemed means more than being brought back from bad circumstances;
Calvinism Browse Worthy: Boning Up on Our Doctrine October 15, 2015 Two of my favorite bloggers have done helpful series recently on doctrine. You would do well to sharpen your minds by reading these carefully written posts. First, Kevin DeYoung reminds us of the
Discipleship Am I Being Discerning or Critical? June 19, 2015 About six years ago someone I know--one of my seminary professors--shared with me a concern he had regarding my critical spirit. The conversation went like this: "You know Kyle, if there was a
encouragement "Not In Our House!!" April 08, 2015 Have you ever tried to resist the inevitable? I do this whenever I sit down to eat. No matter how much I try to avoid it, my superlative skills in unintentionally creating social
Grace Of Kryptonite, Kool-Aid and Windex: Concluding a Series on the Practical Pursuit of Holiness March 13, 2015 As much as our hearts crave the completion of God’s sanctifying work within us, the prospect of stepping forward in newness of life can be daunting. We might fear that we will
Grace The Perfect(ionism) Excuse, part 3 in a series on sanctification ... February 12, 2015 Do you believe that it is possible to overcome a besetting sin in your life? And do you believe that this conquering is possible in _this _life? If your answer is no, or
Jesus A Letter to the Doubting Christian January 09, 2015 Dear Mr. Doubting, Thank you for your last letter. It was honest and, I am sure, difficult to write. I myself have frequently been where you are--asking questions, doubtful about the truth, searching
antinomianism Our Father's Likeness January 08, 2015 What is your gut reaction, honestly, when you hear the phrase: “Obedience to God’s law”? Do you smile, or do you cringe? And why? In the previous entry on this subject, we
Christian A Letter to the Anxious Christian November 14, 2014 Dear Mr. Anxious, Hello friend! I wanted to thank you for your letter. I must admit, however, that I was sorry to hear of your many burdensome anxieties. They are a load you
Bittersweet Bittersweet Battle November 03, 2014 In the woods behind our home here in western Pennsylvania, we have found another menace in the forest besides the deer ticks [https://gentlereformation.com/2014/08/04/a-very-little-thing/]. Actually, it is a
Rutledge Etheridge Rut Etheridge on "Refusing a Lesser Life" September 15, 2014 Rut Etheridge, chaplain at Geneva College and fellow _Gentle Reformation _blogger, recently spoke on the subject of sanctification at the Christian Life Conference of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Beaver Falls, PA.
Forgiveness This is My Father's Word September 11, 2014 Do you ever avoid certain passages of Scripture because they remind you so vividly of past sin? You've confessed your sin, and you trust that God is faithful and just to forgive you
children of God Paternity, Prepositions and Painful Prayers March 26, 2014 Worthless. Disgusting. Useless. What would you think of a father who describes his children with these words? And what if this father encourages his children to describe themselves and one another the same
David Murray Highlights of Sanctification: Overcoming Modern Challenges November 18, 2013 On Friday and Saturday I spent a wonderful time in Indianapolis with over 300 other believers being fed by Tim Challies and David Murray as they addressed the topic of growing as believers
David Murray Conference on Sanctification with Tim Challies & David Murray November 06, 2013 After classes, I'm racing off to Indianapolis next Friday, November 15th, to attend the conference "Sanctification: Overcoming Modern Challenges" being held at the Second Reformed Presbyterian Church there. Two of our blogging friends,
Christ Whatever, part ... whatever... November 04, 2013 In the previous entry, we considered Paul’s willingness to give up “whatever” in order to gain a right standing before God, a standing only attainable by faith in the risen Christ (Philippians
Conflict A Helpful Marital Thought January 30, 2013 In Christian marriage two saints, who still have plenty of sin's remnant clinging to them, form a lifelong union. This means then, with the baring of the soul's wiring that marriage exposes, sparks
David Murray Browse Worthy: Good Works' Relationship to God December 11, 2012 Though clearly our aim is not to focus on controversial issues onGentle Reformation, there are times to make known debates when doing so will help sharpen the mind of the church on vital
biblical truth Coming to Grips with Calvinism, part 2: Transformational Truth December 13, 2011 ** **The last (and first!) entry ended with a plea to consider the claims of Calvinism for whatever biblical truth they may represent and expound. This next series of entries will examine (relatively briefly)
sanctification God Knows What He's About August 25, 2011 When God wants to drill a man ** And thrill a man** ** And skill a man,** ** When God wants to mold a man** ** To play the noblest part;** ** When He yearns with all His