Tuesday 25 August 2015

Finally a schoolgirl!

Lydia has just started going to school, and here are the results after her first few days of class:


  1. About her school lunches:  Mamma, we go to a restaurant every day but don't have to pay, so you and dad can save your money to buy a house instead.
  2. About being worn out from a long (half) day of school:  Mamma, can you please put me to bed way earlier tonight, so I am not tired for school tomorrow? 
  3. About the mandatory short church service with a child focused mini sermon (it is a Lutheran school), "Mamma, I already went to church this week, so i guess i dont have to go on Sunday anymore."
  4. When asked what she thinks about her two teachers, she said, "They are both very pretty so I like them equally."
  5. Our girl who wasnt particularly interested in how she dressed is now very particular about looking nice for school. 
  6. About raising your hand in class,"Mamma, dont worry, you dont have to raise your hand at home, that is just for school kids." 
  7. And today, she was looking at something on my dry erase board and read it by herself after sounding out the letters!
  8. She is also a lot more snuggly with the time we have together, and i like that!
  9. playground (with Markus wishing he was a schoolboy too!)

    First day in "chapel"

    Opening song



    First day of class
Lots of snuggles

Wayne Grudems systematic theology, chapter 40

Perseverance of the saints

*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple summary chapter by chapter of his book for my own enrichment.*

Can a true Christian lose their salvation?  How doe we know if we are truly born again?

This doctrine means that God holds true Christians close to himself all their lives and assures them of that.   It also means that continuing in the Christian life is an evidence that the person is truly born again.

John 6 says, Wand this is the will of him who sent me (Jesus), that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day."
John 10, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me, and i give them eternal life, and they shall never perish...No on is able to snatch them out of the Fathers hand."

Christians are "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit," which is a guarantee of our inheritance.  They are also called that God has set a guard or protection around them.

Phil 1:6, I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

John 8:31-32, If you continue in my word, youa re truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free....

a false assurance that everyone who goes through the "church system" is saved, is very clearly avoided in the Bible, as many times the Bible speaks of how to know you are a Christian, what perseverance and good works as fruit of belief mean, etc.

Speaking of people who have left the fellowship of believers, John says, "they went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us."

Grudem seems to say that it is possibly for people to experience answer to prayer, the Holy Spirits blessings, a glimpse of knowledge about God, ....and yet their hearts can be hardened and they want nothing of it.    The book of Hebrews speaks of  "here is how far a person can come in experiencing temporary blessings and still not really be saved."

What then is evidence of genuine assurance?
1.  continuing in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard. Not just from a decision 20 years ago but daily life in Christ.
2. Evidence of a regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in my heart...that I can feel God's leading throughout my life and reflect the fruits of the spirit.  Also continuing to believe and accept the sound teachings of the church.  (No one who denies the Son has the Father).
3.  A life of obedience to show that you indeed "know the Father."

Do I see a long term pattern of growth in my Christian life?


The result of these questions should be a comforting doctrine and assurance for true believers.   Instead of asking, "can i persevere," rather we can say, "I am truly born again, therefore I will certainly persevere, because I am guarded by God's power working in me through my faith, and I will never be lost."

On the other hand, people who are living carnally and call themselves Christians should do as the Bible clearly says and examine themselves to see if they are in the faith.

See Paul Washer's sermon on this topic:  http://evangeliecentrerat.se/ar-du-en-sann-kristen-paul-washer-svensk-text/

Tuesday 4 August 2015

Systematic Theology, chapter 38

Sanctification, Growth in Likeness to Christ.

After we have been called, converted, adopted into God's family, then we have a progressive work where God and man cooperate in sanctification.

Sanctification, the progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.

1. Sanctification starts when we are saved, where we cannot continue to sin  as a habit or pattern in life.  (we can no longer love our former sins).

On one hand, we will never be completely free from sin, as our sanctification is never completed.
On the other hand, we should never give up regarding particularly difficult sins in our lives.  (I have always had a bad temper, and people will just have to put up with me the way I am.)

2.  Sanctification increases throughout life.  Hebrews 12:1, "Lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely...and strive for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

3.  Sanctification is completed at death and when the Lord returns.

There is a teaching of perfectionism throughout church history, that we can achieve perfection in this life as followers of Christ.  God does set a standard of perfection, but both new and old testament verses show that we will never be perfect, and the Lord's prayer, which is given as a daily prayer, includes, "forgive us our sins," thus showing that we will continue in sin throughout our life.

Often as Christians progress in their lives, the nature of the sins that persist  are not so much outwardly noticeable sins, but rather sins of the heart, like selfishness, lack of faith in God's faithfulness in every situation.


God's role in sanctification:   He wants us to become more like him,  he equips us, works in us, Jesus is our example, the Holy Spirit helps us, as we are led by the Spirit.

Our role in sanctification:  first, depend on God and secondly strive to obey God and take steps to increase our sanctification.  We must not ONLY "let God and let God," as the popular phrase goes, but also, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,"

There is no shortcut to sanctification, but the Bible recommends the time honored examples of Bible reading, prayer, worship, witnessing, Christian fellowship, and self discipline or self control.


Sanctification is usually a corporate process in the New Testament, "let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the moe as you see the day drawing near.  (Hebrews 10:24).

Sanctification affects our intellect, knowledge, emotions, will, spirit, and physical bodies.   It is not just a mental exercise, a feeling, an action, but all blended together.

Why should Christians strive in sanctification?

  • to please God and express our love to him
  • to have a clear conscience before God
  • to be a vessel for noble use and be more effective for kingdom work
  • to see unbelievers come to Christ through observing our lives
  • to recieve God's blessing on our lives and ministries
  • to avoid God's displeasure and discipline
  • to see greater heavenly rewards
  • to have a deeper walk with God
  • that even angels would glorify God for our obedience
  • desire for peace, and joy in our lives
  • and to obey God simply because his way is right and we delight in doing right. 
There is a unique beauty and joy in sanctification. 

Next week, baptism and filling with the Holy Spirit. 

Systematic Theology, Chapter 39

*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple sum...