Sunday
Jan182015

Sunday's Hymn: Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned

Majestic sweetness sits enthroned
Upon the Saviour’s brow;
His head with radiant glories crowned,
His lips with grace over flow.

No mortal can with him compare,
Among the sons of men;
Fairer is he than all the fair
That fill the heavenly train.

He saw me plunged in deep distress,
He flew to my relief;
For me he bore the shameful cross,
And carried all my grief.

To him I owe my life and breath,
And all the joys I have;
He makes me triumph over death,
And saves me from the grave.

To heav’n, the place of his abode,
He brings my weary feet;
Shows me the glories of my God,
And makes my joys complete.

Since from his bounty I receive
Such proofs of love divine,
Had I a thousand hearts to give,
Lord, they should all be thine.

—Samuel Stennett

Other hymns, worship songs, prayers, sermons excerpts, or quotes posted today:

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.

Thursday
Jan152015

Thankful Thursday

 

Here’s a list of some things I’ve been thankful for this week:

  • for warm weather and fresh air. We’re in the midst of a January thaw, so I’ve been cracking my window at night to let the breeze flow in. And I’ve been spending lots of time outside during the day, walking the dog, playing with the grandchildren, and doing a little outdoor work. I’m also thankful that January is half over.
  • for babies, rocking chairs, and the opportunity to rock my youngest grandchild to sleep yesterday afternoon.
  • for frozen Swedish meatballs in the supermarket. I love Swedish meatballs, but I’d never make them for myself. That they’re sold premade and precooked is a good gift.
  • for an exciting opportunity. That’s all I can say now because I’m not sure whether I’ll take it or not—but I’m thankful for the offer.
  • that God listens to my prayers and that he’s always with me. 
  • for “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for me” (1 Peter 1:4 ESV). The older I get, the more I cling to this promise. 

Also thankful today:

What are you thankful for? 

Thursday
Jan152015

Linked Together: Double Imputation

From the Epistle to Diognetus
Michael Kruger quotes from an early Christian author to show that some of the earliest Christians affirmed substitutionary atonement and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness. He concludes: 

[T]he Epistle to Diognetus shows that the doctrine of the substitutionary atonement, and also the imputation of Christ’s righteousness, are not late inventions, but were present very early in the history of Christianity. Did some Christian groups hold other views of such matters?  Sure.  But, the continuity between the teachings of this epistle, and the writings of Paul himself (see especially Romans 5), make it evident that the substitutionary atonement/imputation view goes back very early indeed.

Read the post.

From Berkhof’s Systematic Theology
Both the active and passive obedience of Christ are necessary if sinners are to have eternal life (The Reformed Reader).