For Him

When we think of these lyrics, “this is my Father’s world”, we often picture serene meadows and mountains, waterfalls and butterflies. After all, those are the times we are naturally drawn to remember God made and sustains the world as we gaze upon his creation (Ps. 19:1). We see His majesty and His dominion clearly in these times and places.

But what about when the world is burning? When we listen to constant justification of the murder of precious babies, watch image bearers deny their God-given design for gender and sexuality, or receive persecution for upholding truth? When we are worn down and discouraged?

It seems those are the times we most need to remember this is our Father’s world. It is. No matter the ways and with what intensity the nations rage—the King is still on His throne. Nothing has changed in those times—the Lord is still sovereign.

From “The Call to Witness” by John Calvin:

“Let us not deceive Jesus Christ in the testimony we owe Him, by stopping our mouths, when it is needful to maintain His honor, and the authority of His gospel. Yea, and when we see our brethren afflicted for the cause of God, let us join with them, and assist them in their affliction. Let us not be shaken by the tempests that arise, but let us always remain constant in our purpose; and stand as witnesses for the Son of God, seeing He is so gracious as to use us in such a good cause…Therefore St. Paul adds, ‘Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel.’

There is no man but what would willingly escape affliction; this is according to human nature; and although we confess, without dissembling, that it is a singular grace which God bestows, when He enables men to bear affliction, and maintain His cause, yet there is not one of us, but what would willingly draw his neck out of persecution. For we look not at the lesson given by St. Paul, which saith, the gospel bringeth troubles. Jesus Christ was crucified in His own person, and His doctrine is joined with many miseries.”

Psalm 103:19

“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”

Lamentations 3:37-38

“Who has spoken and it came to pass,
    unless the Lord has commanded it?

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
    that good and bad come?”

Show some confessionally Reformed spirit repping the Second London!

Being Reformed should make us incredibly humble, gracious and tender-hearted, not Reformed jerks.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

1 Peter 3:8“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

A soft and comfy unisex hoodie that fits all your hoodie needs. The fleece fabric makes it a great partner all year round, be it a summer evening on the beach, or a Christmas dinner in a mountain cabin.

This design comes from a sweet man from the church I came to Christ in as a young teenager. Whenever anyone asked how he was doing, he’d reply “better than I deserve.” He (and his family) were used by the Lord in ways that have shaped me greatly.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
What do you think you deserve?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
We obviously tend to think very highly of ourselves and what we deserve often as we covet what others have (that should be ours, right?), become jealous of others (because people should think as good, if not better, of us) and the pride and frustration with which we interact with those around us (as we know better than they do and are clearly beneath our level of understanding). And that doesn’t even touch our inclination toward self-righteousness as believers—to glory in our good deeds and puff ourselves up.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
What do we really deserve in the eyes of a holy God in exchange for our rebellion against Him?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Romans 6:23⁣⁣
⁣⁣
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”⁣⁣
⁣⁣
“The reason why death is the result of sin is, that sin deserves death. Death is due to it in justice. There is the same obligation in justice, that sin should be followed by death, as that the laborer should receive his wages. As it would be unjust, and therefore wrong, to defraud the laborer of his stipulated reward, so it would be unjust to allow sin to go unpunished…But the gift of God, the free, unmerited gift of God, is eternal life…Sin deserves death; holiness is itself the gift of God, and is freely crowned with eternal life. The idea of merit is everywhere and in every way excluded from the gospel method of salvation. It is a system of grace, from the beginning to the consummation. It is in Christ, as united to him, that we are made partakers of eternal life. Jesus Christ and his gospel…effectually secure what the law never could never accomplish...”⁣⁣
-Charles Hodge⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Praise God for His mercy—may it lead us to repentance, humility and loving obedience.

This design comes from a sweet man from the church I came to Christ in as a young teenager. Whenever anyone asked how he was doing, he’d reply “better than I deserve.” He (and his family) were used by the Lord in ways that have shaped me greatly.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
What do you think you deserve?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
We obviously tend to think very highly of ourselves and what we deserve often as we covet what others have (that should be ours, right?), become jealous of others (because people should think as good, if not better, of us) and the pride and frustration with which we interact with those around us (as we know better than they do and are clearly beneath our level of understanding). And that doesn’t even touch our inclination toward self-righteousness as believers—to glory in our good deeds and puff ourselves up.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
What do we really deserve in the eyes of a holy God in exchange for our rebellion against Him?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Romans 6:23⁣⁣
⁣⁣
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”⁣⁣
⁣⁣
“The reason why death is the result of sin is, that sin deserves death. Death is due to it in justice. There is the same obligation in justice, that sin should be followed by death, as that the laborer should receive his wages. As it would be unjust, and therefore wrong, to defraud the laborer of his stipulated reward, so it would be unjust to allow sin to go unpunished…But the gift of God, the free, unmerited gift of God, is eternal life…Sin deserves death; holiness is itself the gift of God, and is freely crowned with eternal life. The idea of merit is everywhere and in every way excluded from the gospel method of salvation. It is a system of grace, from the beginning to the consummation. It is in Christ, as united to him, that we are made partakers of eternal life. Jesus Christ and his gospel…effectually secure what the law never could never accomplish...”⁣⁣
-Charles Hodge⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Praise God for His mercy—may it lead us to repentance, humility and loving obedience.

Show some confessionally Reformed spirit repping the Westminster!

https://westminsterstandards.org/westminster-confession-of-faith/

In the midst of uncertainty and turmoil, one constant remains..."

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”⁣ —Hebrews 13:8

A soft and comfy unisex hoodie that fits all your hoodie needs. The fleece fabric makes it a great partner all year round, be it a summer evening on the beach, or a Christmas dinner in a mountain cabin.

In the midst of uncertainty and turmoil, one constant remains...⁣

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”⁣ —Hebrews 13:8

Show some confessionally Reformed spirit repping the Westminster!

Show some confessionally Reformed spirit repping the Westminster!

https://westminsterstandards.org/westminster-confession-of-faith/