Sublime

Every other problem in the world is indeed just a subset of sin, sorrow, death, and the Bible is the only book on earth that has the answer to all three conditions.

Now, what exactly does our suffering produce? First, Paul says our suffering produces perseverance (Rom. 5:3). The Greek word for perseverance literally means “the ability to handle pressure.” That is what perseverance is — the ability to hang in there when under pressure, to never give up, to keep on keeping on. When we make it through a difficult

Your assurance depends on resting in the truth of the Bible.

I heard John Stott say that some people had been talking about “the irreducible minimum gospel.” He dismissed such an idea. “Who wants an irreducible minimum gospel?” he asked. “I want the full, biblical gospel.”

CARRYING OUT GOD’S PURPOSE A merciful man aims at his neighbour’s good and so does “God’s will,” consciously co-operating with “the simple good.” A cruel man oppresses his neighbour, and so does simple evil. But in doing such evil, he is used by God, without his own knowledge or consent, to produce the complex good—so that the first man serves God

In finding yourself in the three biblical images we discussed in this chapter the issue is not whether or not you are a servant, steward or son. You are all of those before Him. The issue is which imagery dominates your daily life and is the motivation of your faith.

Abraham must show that every portion of his life is open to God but not on the promise of blessing and not on the threat of punishment. Both of those are missing in Genesis 22. He must show it simply on the unqualified need of his Friend. God said, "I need Isaac." Abraham said, "He's yours."

“Having faith” in Christ is not merely believing that he exists or even believing certain propositions about his nature; rather it is more than anything trusting him with one’s life.