ORDINARY PILGRIMS

In yesterday's sermon, I briefly mentioned the two wills of God. This can be a confusing topic, and for some, it might seem to unhelpfully complicate matters. However, I would argue that seeking to understand this (as best we can) will help us grow in our knowledge of God and will help us make better sense of the Bible. Ultimately, what we're trying to do is make sense of the various texts in the Bible that speak of God's will and desires. Two Wills in the Will of God In my sermon, I mentioned the sovereign (or decretive) will of God and His preceptive (or revealed) will.  The former is found in texts that speak of God's absolute sovereignty over all that is made. What God has decreed will most certainly come to pass: " All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,  and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?'" (Dan ...

Photo: Google Images On Sunday I used a lengthy quote from John Calvin's commentary on the gospels. It comes as Calvin reflects on the purpose of the parables of the mustard seed and leaven. I wanted to post it here for further reflection and encouragement.   First, the parables (Luke  13:18-21)  are:  18  He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19  It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”  20  And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21  It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”  Here's what Calvin has to say: By these parables Christ encourages his disciples not to be offended and turn back on account of the mean [i.e. humble, contemptible] beginnings of the Gospel. We see how haugh...