Faith, Assurance & Hope¶
We've crafted an unofficial, source-cited, non-commercial index of Dr. R.C. Sproul's publicly available teachings, weighted by how many independent sources corroborate each point. The content is authored by Dr. R.C. Sproul and published by Ligonier Ministries (a few items are third-party YouTube re-uploads); see the Methodology & Rights page for more info. Quotations are brief, linked to their source, and reproduced for study under Ligonier's Copyright Policy (ligonier.org/copyright-policy). This site is humbly offered for personal use only, out of love and respect, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ligonier Ministries or St. Andrew's Chapel.
465 positions — 42 corroborated across multiple sources.
Well-attested positions¶
Independently stated in two or more of his messages.
True faith requires a deep, lived trust in God's Word, which is necessary for the Christian to maintain joy even during periods of pain and anxiety.
Faith involves living a life of trust in the Word of God. As I live out the travail that follows life on this side of glory, hardly a day goes by that I am not forced to look at Romans 8:28 and remind myself that what I’m experiencing right now feels bad, tastes bad, is bad; nevertheless, the Lord is using this for my good.
Corroborated across 7 sources: The Problem of Pain (Ligonier article) · What Makes It Possible for the Christian to Rejoice in the Midst of Pain and Anxiety? (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 17:20 · R.C. Sproul @ 0:00 · R.C. Sproul @ 26:50 · R.C. Sproul @ 0:31 · The Eye of the Needle (Ligonier)
Christian hope is certain, cannot fail, and is grounded in God's sure promises and faithfulness, especially through Christ.
Paul’s use of the word hope isn’t the way we use the term today to refer to things that are uncertain. He and the other biblical authors talk about hope that is certain, hope that cannot fail, and hope that will never disappoint or embarrass you (Rom. 5:5).
Corroborated across 6 sources: Moving Toward the Goal of History (Ligonier article) · A Sure Hope for the Future (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 24:14 · Behave Like a Christian (Part 1) (Ligonier) · Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier) · From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Genuine faith must have Christ and His righteousness as its object, as faith in other figures or entities will not justify.
Genuine faith has an object, and that object in biblical terms is Christ and His righteousness. A person can have faith in Buddha, Moses, Muhammed, or the devil. But that faith is not going to justify anyone, because it is faith in Christ and faith in Christ alone that justifies.
Corroborated across 5 sources: Jesus Not Only Died for Us, He Lived for Us (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 21:39 · Boasting Excluded (Ligonier) · Good & Bad Fruit (Ligonier) · The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
Saving faith is not merely intellectual assent or belief in propositions, but rather personal trust in Christ alone.
But both of those elements—belief and intellectual assent—though necessary elements of saving faith, do not together make up saving faith. The critical element of saving faith is fiducia, personal trust.
Corroborated across 5 sources: A Sure Hope for the Future (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 26:44 · The Angel & Zacharias (Part 3) (Ligonier) · Jesus’ Authority (Ligonier) · The Promise Granted Through Faith (Ligonier)
If a person has genuine faith and is in a state of saving grace, they will never lose it.
And so the old axiom in Reformed theology about the perseverance of the saints is this: If you have it, that is if you have genuine faith and are in a state of saving grace, if you have it, you will never lose it. And if you lose it, you never had it.
Corroborated across 4 sources: What Is an Apostate? (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 5:22 · R.C. Sproul @ 0:00 · Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier)
Ultimately, a person's salvation depends entirely on God the Holy Spirit, not on the efforts of others.
At the same time, however, we know that their salvation does not depend on us, but on God the Holy Spirit.
Corroborated across 4 sources: A False Sense of Assurance (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 16:58 · R.C. Sproul @ 6:41 · If we do not witness and share the gospel will some people not go to heaven? (Ligonier Q&A)
Saving faith requires three elements: information (knowledge of the Gospel), assent (agreement that the Gospel is true), and personal trust (reliance on Christ).
First of all, notitia, which is the information, the data. There is content to the Gospel that we must believe. We must believe that Jesus is our Savior. We must believe that He died on the cross for us. We must acknowledge it to be true that we are sinners before a holy God. That's the information. And we have ... The second element is assensus or intellectual assent. I have to agree that these things are true, that Jesus truly died for my sins. But again, it's not just passing a theology exam. A person can be aware of the information and even agree that it is true but Satan knows the content, and Satan knows that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but he's not redeemed by that. Why? Because the crucial element of saving faith is what's called fiducia or fiducia, which means personal trust and reliance.
Corroborated across 4 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 20:52 · R.C. Sproul @ 23:08 · Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier) · Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
It is the actual possession of faith, not merely the outward profession of it, that justifies a person.
Context: Referring to a sermon by Jonathan Edwards.
No one has ever been saved by a profession of faith. If you raised your hand in an evangelistic meeting or if you walked down the aisle and professed faith, that does not save you. Rather, it is the possession of faith that justifies you, not the profession.
Corroborated across 4 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 5:22 · Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier) · Good & Bad Fruit (Ligonier) · Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
Biblical faith is rational and reasonable, meaning it is intelligible and not absurd or illogical.
So we say that biblical faith is not the same as reason, but that faith is rational and reasonable. The first assertion that faith is rational means that faith is intelligible. It is not absurd or illogical.
Corroborated across 3 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 14:02 · Faith and Reason (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 10:09
James asserts that true religion is defined by the care given to widows and orphans during times of trouble.
James, the brother of Jesus, sees this mandate to care for widows as so important that he uses it to describe the crystallized essence of true religion. Do you think you’re religious, but you don't care about the widows? Your religion is an exercise in futility, because James says pure and undefiled religion is the care of widows and of orphans in times of trouble.
Corroborated across 3 sources: Caring for Widows (Ligonier article) · The Eye of the Needle (Ligonier) · The Raising of Dorcas (Ligonier)
True faith is not merely intellectual assent to the existence of God, but rather placing one's trust in what God says.
Context: Attributing a point to John Calvin, but summarizing the concept as Sproul is discussing it.
It's one thing to believe intellectually that there is a God. All that qualifies you to be is a demon, James tells us. It's another thing to believe God. That is, to put your trust in what God says.
Corroborated across 3 sources: Faith and Reason (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 9:03 · The Nobleman's Son (Ligonier)
True childlike faith involves trusting God implicitly, unlike trusting human institutions or people.
The little boy did not even know where he was. He was looking all over the place, and his father had to keep pulling on his hand to get him to come along, but he was not fighting, kicking, and screaming against his father. The boy’s father was leading him across the street where there was traffic, and the little boy trusted the hand that held him. He trusted his father implicitly. That is what it means to have a childlike faith.
Corroborated across 3 sources: Love and Maturity: What the Corinthians Got Wrong (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 3:31 · Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me (Ligonier)
Hope provides stability and assurance, acting like an anchor that prevents the soul from being tossed about by doctrine.
The unstable are compared to boats that have no anchor, tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. Such people are characterized by vacillation and uncertainty, but the hope planted in the soul by the Holy Spirit is not like that. This hope gives a foundation and stability and assurance.
Corroborated across 3 sources: The Role of Hope in the Christian Life (Ligonier article) · Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier) · From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier)
A person always chooses according to what they desire the most at the moment, following their strongest inclination.
Let me grant that I, as a human being, always choose – I always choose according to what I desire the most at the moment. I desire according to my strongest inclination in the immediate circumstance. Because all things aren’t equal I can still have conflicting desires.
Corroborated across 3 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 14:40 · R.C. Sproul @ 12:25 · Law Cannot Save from Sin (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Faith is the only absolutely necessary and sufficient condition for salvation, and this justification occurs immediately upon trusting in Christ.
However, the rest of the New Testament makes it very clear that the only absolutely necessary condition for our salvation, which is not only necessary but sufficient, is faith. Anyone who truly puts his trust in Christ will be justified at that very second.
Corroborated across 3 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 23:08 · R.C. Sproul @ 3:15 · The Great Commission (Ligonier)
Abraham's faith was based on the absolute trustworthiness of God's promises, not on the absence of hope or evidence.
The only thing hopeless was that the promise would not come to pass, because it is impossible for God to lie. It is impossible for God to break a promise.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Abraham’s Great Act of Faith (Ligonier article) · The Promise Granted Through Faith (Ligonier)
Concern for truth is essential to the Christian faith, as it is the foundation for possessing and valuing the Bible.
But if we are not concerned about truth, then we have no reason to have Bibles in our homes. The Bible is God's Word, and God's Word is true. It is not just true but is truth itself.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Amen (Ligonier article) · What “Amen” Means in the Bible (Ligonier article)
The concept of 'chance' as a cause for creation is flawed because chance itself is nothing and therefore has no power to produce or cause anything.
Why? Chance can do nothing because it is nothing. Chance is merely a word we use to explain mathematical possibilities. It is nothing. It has no power. It cannot produce, manage, or cause anything because it is nothing.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Christians Need Not Fear Scientific Inquiry (Ligonier article) · In the Beginning... (Ligonier article)
A Christian's confidence in remaining in grace rests in the power of Christ and His intercession, not in their own ability to persevere.
My confidence in my preservation is not in my ability to persevere. My confidence rests in the power of Christ to sustain me with His grace and by the power of His intercession.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Comfort of Jesus’ Prayers (Ligonier article) · TULIP and Reformed Theology: Perseverance of the Saints (Ligonier article)
A Christian can rely on the assurance that Christ is actively praying for their eternal well-being.
If you’re a Christian, Jesus prays for you. Can you imagine that? This is what He says to Simon: “Yes, you’re going to deny me. Your fall is going to be grievous and exaggerated—but I’ve prayed for you. I’ve interceded for you so that when you turn (not if you turn), strengthen the brothers. Encourage them. Be a new example and a model to them; not one who is easily sifted by Satan, but one who will indeed follow Me both to prison and to death.”
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Comfort of Jesus’ Prayers (Ligonier article) · Peter's Denial (Ligonier)
Theology must avoid the extremes of skepticism (that language about God is meaningless) and pantheism (that we have contained God).
The pole of skepticism, which we considered above, assumes that our language about God is utterly meaningless and has no reference point with regard to Him. The other pole is a form of pantheism that falsely assumes we have captured or contained God.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Divine Incomprehensibility (Ligonier article) · God Is Incomprehensible (Ligonier article)
One common reason for false assurance is a misunderstanding of what is required for salvation, such as believing that merely living a good life is sufficient.
Another false kind of assurance is where people say: “I believe that people who live a good life will most assuredly go to heaven when they die. I have tried to live a good life, ergo, I can be sure that I’m going to heaven.” That contains another false premise because it is a false understanding of what is required for salvation.
Corroborated across 2 sources: A False Sense of Assurance (Ligonier article) · Sanctification (Ligonier)
Saving faith is not an accomplishment of the human spirit, but rather a manifestation of God's unmerited favor.
The confession does not simply speak of faith. Rather, it calls our attention to "the grace of faith." It calls faith a grace because it comes to us as a gift from God—something that we cannot buy, earn, or merit in any way.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Grace of Faith (Ligonier article) · Eternal Appointment (Ligonier)
Christ is the only one worthy of trust, and salvation is found only through Him.
Think about the depths of love that God has displayed by giving us Christ, beside whose name Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius, or anyone else are not worthy to be mentioned.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Instrumental Cause of Justification (Ligonier article) · The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (Ligonier)
To receive the benefits of Christ's work, the only necessary element is the presence of actual saving faith.
When we argue that justification is by faith alone, we mean that all that is necessary in order for a person to receive all of the benefits of Christ’s redeeming work is the presence of actual saving faith.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Making Molehills Out of Mountains (Ligonier article) · Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier)
Confidence in perseverance rests not on human ability, but on God's power and grace to preserve believers.
Finally, our basis for confidence in perseverance is really not so much in our ability to persevere as it is in God’s power and grace to preserve us.
Corroborated across 2 sources: More than Conquerors (Ligonier article) · TULIP and Reformed Theology: Perseverance of the Saints (Ligonier article)
Christian life should concern itself with three dimensions—the good, the true, and the beautiful—all of which are rooted in God.
The Scriptures are concerned about three dimensions of the Christian life: the good, the true, and the beautiful. But we have cut off the third from the other two.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Our Beautiful God (Ligonier article) · The Role of Art in the Christian Life (Ligonier article)
When God wants to give assurance, He gives Himself.
When God wanted to give them assurance, He gave them Himself.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Reformed Doctrine of God (Ligonier article) · Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Living righteously means trusting God's promises rather than simply believing something that might not be true.
Scripture says the just shall live by faith, which doesn’t mean believing something when you’re not sure if it’s true. It means that the just shall live by trusting God.
Corroborated across 2 sources: A Sure Hope for the Future (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 5:06
Hope is defined as faith looking forward, while faith focuses on what has already occurred.
The only difference between hope and faith is this: faith looks to what has already taken place, and we put out trust in it and have our confidence in it, while hope is merely faith looking forward.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Role of Hope in the Christian Life (Ligonier article) · Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Understanding Reformed theology solely through the five points of Calvinism is a serious mistake because the faith involves many other elements.
As we've said all along it would be a serious mistake to understand the essence of Reformed theology simply in light of these five doctrines, because the Reformed faith involves many, many, many other elements of theological and ecclesiastical confession.
Corroborated across 2 sources: TULIP and Reformed Theology: An Introduction (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 2:37
God's love is not unconditional in a way that requires no repentance or faith from humanity, but rather involves trusting in Christ to receive God's ultimate blessing.
Some churches say that God loves you unconditionally—their congregations will be full. Isn’t it something to live in a place where God does not require anything? No repentance or faith; He loves you unconditionally. I cannot find that in the Bible. God loves you in the Beloved: His Son, whom He loves unconditionally, but you have to trust in the Son to receive the ultimate blessing of God.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Is God’s Love Unconditional? (Ligonier article) · Blessings & Curses (Ligonier)
The necessary prerequisite for faith and salvation is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit, which is not the result of human effort.
And so that the crucial prerequisite for salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit that is the necessary condition, the prerequisite for faith to be present. That's why we insist that the first step of our justification, that which quickens us from spiritual death and makes us, enables us to come to Jesus at all, is the gracious work of God the Holy Spirit, and is never the fruit of the flesh.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 30:26 · R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
Freud argued that religion is created because of humanity's fear of nature, leading people to create a God they can plead with.
Context: Summarizing Freud's thesis, not Sproul's own position.
And he said it’s out of this fear of nature that we create religion. We create a God who rules over nature that we can talk to, that we can plead with, that we can try to butter him up with our praise and worship so that maybe he will steer the tornado in another direction.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 4:06 · Calming the Sea (Ligonier)
The primary reasons for the existence of any state government are to protect human life, protect property, and promote justice.
The first, ladies and gentlemen, is to maintain, to defend, to protect and to promote human life. That's the raison d'etat of human government. Government exists to protect the lives of its people. Secondly, to protect the property of its people. And then also, as I said, the second most basic thing really is defined in terms of the establishment and promotion of justice.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 25:01 · R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
God's love is not unconditional in a way that requires no repentance or faith, but rather requires trust in Christ to receive ultimate blessing.
Some churches say that God loves you unconditionally—their congregations will be full. Isn’t it something to live in a place where God does not require anything? No repentance or faith; He loves you unconditionally. I cannot find that in the Bible. God loves you in the Beloved: His Son, whom He loves unconditionally, but you have to trust in the Son to receive the ultimate blessing of God.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 22:33 · Blessings & Curses (Ligonier)
Abraham was counted righteous by God through faith in the promise before he was subject to the law or performed any works.
before he had done any of the works of the law, before he had offered Isaac on the altar, and before he was even circumcised—as early as Genesis 15—Abraham believed the promise of God, and God counted him righteous in His sight.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00 · The Promise Granted Through Faith (Ligonier)
There is a distinction between a childlike faith, which involves acquiescence to God's authority, and a childish faith, which is characterized by spiritual infancy.
I remind you that there is a difference between a childlike faith and a childish faith. We are to be childlike in our acquiescence to the authority of God.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Conclusion (Ligonier) · Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me (Ligonier)
Jesus affirmed that the woman's healing was a direct result of her faith.
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Forgiven Woman (Ligonier) · Jairus' Daughter (Ligonier)
Simply professing faith is insufficient for salvation; one must genuinely possess the faith that is professed.
Even though God requires every Christian who comes to faith to profess that faith, the profession redeems no one. We must not only profess our faith, but we must possess that which we profess.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Good & Bad Fruit (Ligonier) · The Parable of the Great Supper (Ligonier)
The word 'saved' can refer to immediate physical rescue, such as being healed from an illness or saved from military defeat.
If you are saved from a threatening illness, as people were in the New Testament by the touch of Jesus, Jesus might comment, “Your faith has saved you” (see Luke 7:50). He is not speaking about eternal salvation, but He is speaking about their rescue from the dreadful disease.
Corroborated across 2 sources: A Great Salvation (Ligonier) · R.C. Sproul @ 38:55
Salvation is achieved when a person confesses with their mouth and believes with their heart.
Paul says: “I am talking about the heart. If you believe in your heart, in the core of your being, in Christ, and that God has raised Him from the dead”—confess with your mouth, believe in your heart. Then, Paul can say with absolute categorical assurance that if those two things are true about you, the third thing necessarily follows with resistless logic—just as any syllogism yields its conclusion—“You shall be saved.”
Corroborated across 2 sources: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier) · The Unforgivable Sin (Ligonier)
Further positions¶
Drawn from a single high-trust (official transcript) source.
True faith-based prayer is characterized by subordination and trust in God's will, rather than demanding a specific outcome.
The authentic prayer of faith is one that models Jesus’ prayer. It is always uttered in a spirit of subordination. In all our prayers, we must let God be God.
Source: Accepting “No” as God’s Will (Ligonier article)
The Christian faith requires accepting that God allowed one person to act for another, which is the principle upon which redemption rests.
If we object in principle to God’s allowing one person to act for another, that would be the end of the Christian faith. Our whole redemption rests on the same principle, that through the actions of Christ we are redeemed.
Source: Is It Just That in Adam All Die? (Ligonier article)
For any knowledge to be possible, there must be a coherent reality that is assumed.
In any case, if knowledge is possible, what Sagan assumed must continue to be assumed—namely, that for truth to be known, for science to be possible, there must be a coherent reality that we are seeking to know.
Source: All Truth Is God’s Truth (Ligonier article)
While Saul's faith was strong and single-minded, it was not founded on truth.
Saul’s faith was strong and single-minded, but it was not founded on truth.
Source: Asking the Right Questions (Ligonier article)
The Athanasian Creed asserts that anyone who wishes to be saved must maintain the catholic faith.
That assertion is this: “Whosoever wishes to be saved must, above all, keep the catholic faith.”
Source: The Athanasian Creed (Ligonier article)
Marriage vows are sacred promises that are strengthened by being made in the presence of witnesses.
Wedding vows are sacred promises made in the presence of witnesses who will remember them.
Source: The Basis of a Christian Marriage (Ligonier article)
The ability to bear and endure suffering is made possible by love, which involves believing and having confidence in God's Word and future.
Between "bearing" and "enduring," we are told that love "believes all things, hopes all things." It's only as we believe the Word of God and have confidence in our future that we're able to bear and to endure.
Source: Bearing and Enduring (Ligonier article)
The Bible promises that those who are pure in heart will be able to see God.
Jesus said that those who are pure at their very core are the ones who will see God.
Source: Blessed Are the Pure in Heart, for They Shall See God (Ligonier article)
The ultimate promise for the believer's soul is the direct, immediate vision of the nature of God.
nothing would be a greater agent of purification than a direct, immediate vision of the nature of God.
Source: Blessed Are the Pure in Heart, for They Shall See God (Ligonier article)
The quality and faithfulness of education are determined by the instructors and the material they present.
I was insistent that we hire the best faculty possible because I knew the quality of our education and its faithfulness to Scripture would be determined finally by our instructors and the material they would present to our students.
Source: The Blessing of Great Teachers (Ligonier article)
Christian life should be motivated by gratitude rather than by fear of breaking the law.
We are not supposed to be motivated to godliness by fear of the consequences of breaking the law; rather, we ought to be motivated by gratitude.
Source: Breaking Down the Dividing Wall (Ligonier article)
Some people who profess faith may never have been truly converted, as evidenced by Scripture.
First John 2:19 speaks of the false teachers who went out from the church as never having truly been part of the church.
Source: What Is an Apostate? (Ligonier article)
Scripture and nature are two distinct sources of information about reality that can never contradict each other if understood correctly.
We may have in the Bible one source of information about reality, and in nature another source of information about reality. The Bible may provide information that is not obtainable from nature and, vice versa, nature may supply data which we have no knowledge of from the Bible. But those two sources of information can never conflict with each other if, indeed, we understand them aright.
Source: The Christian and Science (Ligonier article)
Christians should be passionate scientists, rigorously open to truth, because if the foundation of truth is true, all other truth must support and enhance it.
There is a sense in which the Christian should be the most passionate scientist of all because he should be rigorously open to truth wherever it is found. He should not be afraid that a new discovery of something that is true will destroy his foundation for truth. If our foundation for truth is true, all other truth can only support it and enhance it. It can’t destroy it.
Source: The Christian and Science (Ligonier article)
Christians should be open to truth from all sources, believing that if their foundation for truth is correct, all other truths will support and enhance it.
He should not be afraid that a new discovery of something that is true will destroy his foundation for truth. If our foundation for truth is true, all other truth can only support it and enhance it. It can’t destroy it.
Source: Christians Need Not Fear Scientific Inquiry (Ligonier article)
The Christian faith is properly supported by three essential elements: the good, the true, and the beautiful.
The three legs that properly belong to the Christian faith, the three elements of the faith, are the good, the true, and the beautiful.
Source: The Church Adorned with Beauty (Ligonier article)
When scientific consensus conflicts with Scripture, the speaker trusts Scripture over the speculations and inferences of scientists.
When the scientific consensus on a particular point is on a collision course with the unmistakable teaching of Scripture, I trust Scripture before I trust the speculations and inferences of scientists.
Source: The Creation Doctrine in Reformed Theology (Ligonier article)
God's nature requires Him to maintain His righteousness and justice, even when saving sinners.
Again, this view of the atonement fails to understand that God will never negotiate His own righteousness, even out of His desire to save sinners.
Source: Why the God-Man? (Ligonier article)
The presence of faith does not guarantee that spiritual depression will never occur.
The presence of faith gives no guarantee of the absence of spiritual depression; however, the dark night of the soul always gives way to the brightness of the noonday light of the presence of God.
Source: The Dark Night of the Soul (Ligonier article)
The most important certainty for the believer is the foundational certainty of God's existence.
The most important certainty we can ever have is the foundational certainty of the existence of God.
Source: Descartes and the Anatomy of Doubt (Ligonier article)
The intercession of the Great High Priest provides confidence regarding one's perseverance.
The intercession of our Great High Priest is the foundation for our confidence when it comes to our perseverance.
Source: The Difference Between Judas and Peter (Ligonier article)
Jesus expressed certainty that Peter would fall, but also that he would be restored and strengthen his brothers.
He said, “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). Notice what Jesus doesn’t say. He doesn’t simply hope that Peter will be able to resist Satan, or that he will return, or that he will be able to strengthen the brothers. He expresses certainty that Peter will do these things.
Source: The Difference Between Judas and Peter (Ligonier article)
When comparing independent accounts, it is possible for the accounts to agree, even if they differ in minor details.
As my friend and I looked at the first alleged biblical problem, we found it was possible for the two accounts to agree. Then, we looked at the rest of the “contradictions.” Some examples were more challenging than others, but what happened was this: in every example, we concluded together that there was no real contradiction.
Source: Difference or Contradiction? (Ligonier article)
Christians must strive to reflect God's character by being uncompromising and trustworthy.
The Christian is to reflect the character of God. The Christian is to be uncompromising with respect to ethical principles. The Christian is called to be a person of honor whose word can be trusted.
Source: Duty and Honor (Ligonier article)
The strength of the Christian faith is not dependent on the status of the church in America or Western Europe.
The strength of Christianity does not stand or fall with the strengths of the church in America or western Europe.
Source: Ecclesiastical Myopia (Ligonier article)
The gift of personal warmth is a valuable quality that can be learned from, especially in a cold, anonymous society.
But his personal warmth was a quality we can learn from. Sociologists tell us that we are living in such a highly mobilized society that our lives have become anonymous. We suffer from cultural frigidity.
Source: The “Elvis” Phenomenon (Ligonier article)
The growth of faith in Christ is ultimately attributed to God, as Scripture teaches.
Scripture says that “neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Cor. 3:7).
Source: Escaping the “Cage Stage” (Ligonier article)
The presence of apparent discrepancies in the Bible should not lead to doubting its overall truthfulness.
Other discrepancies in the biblical account have yet to be resolved, but that doesn’t mean we should doubt Scripture’s truthfulness.
Source: Explaining Anomalies (Ligonier article)
Studying alleged biblical difficulties reveals the Bible to be remarkably coherent, consistent, and unified in its details.
That’s because the more I study them and see their resolutions, the more I back away from the text in utter amazement that the Bible can be so coherent and so consistent and so unified at the tiniest level of the fine details.
Source: Explaining Anomalies (Ligonier article)
We can trust God's Word regarding unseen things because we have reasonable grounds to believe that God's Word is trustworthy.
Yet we trust that the universe has come into being by the act of God’s divine work of creation because we have come on reasonable grounds to believe that God’s Word is trustworthy.
Source: Faith and Reason (Ligonier article)
Knowledge is derived from a combination of reason and sense perception, and faith rests upon this foundation.
According to God’s Word, reason and sense perception form the foundation of knowledge. Faith rests on this foundation but takes us beyond it.
Source: Faith Has Its Reasons (Ligonier article)
Faith is not irrational or anti-sense perception, but rather a trust in God based on both what has been seen and what is revealed.
Faith never requires us to crucify our minds or deny our senses. It’s not virtuous to take a “leap of faith” if that means we plunge into irrationality. The Bible never calls us to leap into the darkness but to leap out of the darkness into the light.
Source: Faith Has Its Reasons (Ligonier article)
Many people mistakenly believe that living a good life or performing good deeds is sufficient to ensure salvation.
Most Americans, including those who call themselves evangelicals, believe that people will get into heaven if they live a good life.
Source: A False Sense of Assurance (Ligonier article)
The danger of false assurance is that it gives people a false sense of security, which is a damaging concept.
What is so damaging about it is that it gives people a false sense of security.
Source: A False Sense of Assurance (Ligonier article)
It is possible to genuinely possess saving faith without being sure of it, and conversely, to be sure of having it while actually lacking it.
Can we think we have saving faith and not have it? Can we have it and not be sure we have it? Yes, we can really have it and not be sure that we have it. We can really not have it and be sure we do have it.
Source: A False Sense of Assurance (Ligonier article)
Faith is defined as trusting in God's future promises, which involves waiting for their fulfillment.
In this phrase, “faith” refers to “trust in God.” It involves trusting in the future promises of God and waiting for their fulfillment.
Source: Waiting on God (Ligonier article)
The Christian's virtue of patience is grounded in the hope found in God's trustworthy promises.
It is this hope in the trustworthy promises of God that is the ground of the Christian’s virtue of patience.
Source: Waiting on God (Ligonier article)
The most important principle regarding abilities is to make a sober analysis of oneself, rather than thinking too highly of oneself.
Perhaps the most important principle in Scripture regarding abilities is found in the Apostle Paul’s injunction that we ought to make a sober analysis of ourselves, not thinking too highly of ourselves.
Source: God’s Will and Your Job (Ligonier article)
While listening to the community of believers is helpful for vocational search, the group's judgment is not always correct and cannot guarantee God's will.
The counsel of many and the evaluation of the group are important considerations in our search for our vocation. However, we must put up a red flag of warning. The group’s judgment is not always correct. The fact that a particular individual or group thinks we should be doing a certain task is not a guarantee that it is the will of God.
Source: God’s Will and Your Job (Ligonier article)
While God's decretive will may not always be clear in our work, His preceptive will must be done wherever we are.
While God’s decretive will may not necessarily always be clear to us even in our occupational pursuits, His preceptive will is more easily discerned. Wherever we are, in whatever work we find ourselves, His preceptive will must be done.
Source: God’s Will and Your Job (Ligonier article)
A commitment is safest when it is declared publicly with witnesses, rather than being a private, whispered promise.
There is a vast difference between a commitment sealed with a formal document and declared in the presence of witnesses before family, friends, and authorities of church and state, and a whispered hollow promise breathed in the backseat of an automobile.
Source: God’s Will in Marriage (Ligonier article)
Saving faith is enabled by the Spirit of Christ, making it impossible for a fallen human being to exercise it naturally.
The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts.
Source: The Grace of Faith (Ligonier article)
True Christian joy must be based on the assurance of salvation and eternal life, not on ministry success or spiritual power.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven
Source: The Greatest Joy (Ligonier article)
The Stoics believed that achieving peace of mind required adopting 'imperturbability,' which means maintaining emotional equilibrium and accepting things outside of one's control.
You adopt a “stoical attitude” toward all things. You do not get emotionally involved, you do not get your hopes up, nor do you let your hopes down, but you maintain an emotional state of equilibrium where nothing bothers you.
Source: What Is Hedonism? (Ligonier article)
The Epicureans believed that peace of mind could be achieved by actively pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain.
They believed that one could change the state of affairs as well as the events that affect our lives. That happens, primarily, through an active pursuit of pleasure and an active avoidance of pain.
Source: What Is Hedonism? (Ligonier article)
Jesus demonstrated a profoundly gentle and caring approach, even when dealing with serious sin, rather than reacting with wrath.
There were times that He came into contact with sinners who were involved in very serious sin, and He related to them in a profoundly gentle, sensitive, caring, forgiving way.
Source: Is It OK to Be Angry? (Ligonier article)
Seeking God is the result of faith, not the cause of it.
Seeking is the result of faith, not the cause of it.
Source: Is Jesus Knocking at the Heart of the Unbeliever? (Ligonier article)
The Bible requires all people to profess faith in Christ for salvation.
The Bible offers no hope that sincere worshipers of other religions will be saved without personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Source: Jesus: The Only Savior (Ligonier article)
Leaders are called to lead with honesty, meaning they should not pretend to be something they are not.
There is a call for leaders not to pretend to be something that they are not and not to play a role that they are not suited to play.
Source: Leadership in the Church (Ligonier article)
Only the effectual grace of God working in the heart can bring a person to faith.
His fall is great. It is so great that only the effectual grace of God working in his heart can bring him to faith.
Source: John 3:16 and Man’s Ability to Choose God (Ligonier article)
True faith is characterized by a righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees and scribes, focusing on justice and mercy.
True faith is a faith that manifests itself in righteousness exceeding that of the Pharisees and the scribes, for it is concerned with the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy.
Source: The Meaning of God’s Will (Ligonier article)
The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints asserts that salvation is a permanent reality for those whom God predestines.
we would understand that the whole purpose of God’s divine decree of election is not to make salvation a temporary possession of the elect but to make that salvation a permanent reality for those whom He predestines unto salvation.
Source: More than Conquerors (Ligonier article)
The promises of God, exemplified by the inheritance, are secure and incapable of fading away.
The promises of God, as Peter indicates here, are unspotted, and they are incapable of fading away. The inheritance that we have is secure.
Source: More than Conquerors (Ligonier article)
The doctrine of perseverance is supported by the explicit promises of Scripture, which teach that God will complete what He begins in a person.
The Scriptures teach us that what God begins in us, He will complete.
Source: More than Conquerors (Ligonier article)
The inheritance believers possess is secure because it is described as unspotted and incapable of fading away.
The promises of God, as Peter indicates here, are unspotted, and they are incapable of fading away. The inheritance that we have is secure.
Source: More than Conquerors (Ligonier article)
The security of the believer's life is found in God's promise for the future, which serves as an anchor.
Our anchor is the promise of God for the future that He has laid up for His people.
Source: Moving Toward the Goal of History (Ligonier article)
The most effective way to communicate deep and lasting impressions is through concrete illustrations.
That which makes the deepest and most lasting impression on people is the concrete illustration.
Source: The Need for Illustrations in Preaching (Ligonier article)
During the Reformation, Protestant groups used creeds to clarify their beliefs and differentiate themselves from the Roman Catholic Church.
At the time of the Reformation, there was a proliferation of creeds as the Protestant community found it necessary, in the light and heat of the controversy of that time, to give definitive statements as to what they believed and how their faith differed from the Roman Catholic Church’s theology.
Source: Norma Normata (Ligonier article)
Semi-Pelagianism teaches that while grace is necessary for righteousness, the individual must make the initial step of faith before saving grace is given.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
Semi-Pelagianism teaches that grace is necessary to achieve righteousness, but that this grace is not imparted to the sinner unilaterally or sovereignly as is maintained by Reformed theology. Rather, the semi-Pelagian argues that the individual makes the initial step of faith before that saving grace is given.
Source: The Pelagian Controversy (Ligonier article)
The speaker recounts a story where a voice from the clouds offered help to a man in peril, contingent upon trust.
Suddenly a sonorous bass voice was heard from the clouds. “Yes, I can help you. But you must trust me. Let go of the bush.”
Source: Pessimistic Existentialism (Ligonier article)
Unlike existentialism, Christianity's call to courage is based on a real, ultimate victory, whereas the existential cry is based on nothing.
Jesus gives a reason for good cheer. He was not a first-century Good Humor Man spreading sweetness and light with saccharin frivolity, singing, “Pack up your troubles in an old kit bag and smile, smile, smile.” His exhortation to joy was based on a real triumph, an ultimate victory He achieved over the threatening forces of chaos. By contrast the existential cry to courage is based on nothing.
Source: Pessimistic Existentialism (Ligonier article)
Christian faith requires personal passion and is more than mere rationality.
They were correct in seeing that Christian faith demands personal passion. They were correct in stressing the personal element of human relationships. They were correct in seeing that the Christian faith is more than rationality.
Source: Pessimistic Existentialism (Ligonier article)
Knowledge and truth remain abstract unless one communes with God through prayer.
However, knowledge and truth will remain abstract unless we commune with God in prayer.
Source: The Place of Prayer (Ligonier article)
God ordained the government to protect the safety and well-being of the people, specifically by preserving, protecting, and maintaining the sanctity of human life.
But on the other side of the coin God also instituted government for the safety and well being of the people who live in its midst. And the government has been assigned by God the responsibility of preserving, protecting and maintaining the sanctity of human life.
Source: Principles for Voting (Ligonier article)
Trusting in God's good purpose is essential to godly faith, preventing a person from becoming an ultimate pessimist.
To trust in God’s good purpose is the essence of godly faith. Thus, no Christian can be an ultimate pessimist.
Source: The Purposes of God (Ligonier article)
While the speaker is pessimistic about human government and human nature, he is fully optimistic about God's divine government and intrinsic goodness.
I am pessimistic about human government and the innate good will of men. I am fully optimistic about divine government and the intrinsic good will of God.
Source: The Purposes of God (Ligonier article)
Christian faith requires trusting one's future and life to God's sovereignty, rather than relying on sources like astrology or knowing the future.
My tomorrow and your tomorrows are in the hands of God. We make our requests before Him and we trust our tomorrows to His sovereignty. I’m delighted that my future is not in the hands of the stars or the soothsayers. Rather, my future is in the hands of the will of the sovereign God.
Source: R.C. Sproul's Warning Concerning Prayer (Ligonier article)
James believed that true faith is demonstrated as authentic by its consequent works.
He understood that anyone can profess to have faith, but true faith is demonstrated as authentic by its consequent works.
Source: Resurrection and Justification (Ligonier article)
Christians must embrace the world without adopting worldliness, and they should not try to escape the secular world.
Our task is not to escape the secular, but secularism. We must embrace the world without embracing worldliness.
Source: Secularism: Ignoring the Eternal (Ligonier article)
Seeing miracles does not automatically guarantee faith, as historical examples show that people sometimes opposed God or experienced disbelief even after witnessing great signs.
Such comments show the need for a closer reading of Scripture, for there are many cases where seeing great miracles didn't move observers to faith.
Source: Seeing Is Not Always Believing (Ligonier article)
Success and strong, confident faith are blessings given by the Lord to those who obey His commandments.
Nevertheless, success and strong, confident faith are some of the blessings that the Lord gives to those who keep His commandments (Ps. 1).
Source: Seeing Is Not Always Believing (Ligonier article)
Jesus' mission was fundamentally about actively seeking out and saving those who are lost, which requires finding them first.
He didn't simply say that He came to save the lost, but that He came to seek and to save them. That is, before the lost can be redeemed, they must first be found.
Source: If No One Is Lost, Then the Mission of Christ Was a Waste of Time (Ligonier article)
It is easy for people to deceive themselves into believing no one is lost by insulating themselves from knowing the needs of the lost.
It's easy for us to deceive ourselves into thinking that no one is lost, and one way of doing that is to distance ourselves from the search—that is, to make sure that we keep ourselves uninformed about the needs of the lost, to insulate ourselves from knowing what is really going on in the world.
Source: If No One Is Lost, Then the Mission of Christ Was a Waste of Time (Ligonier article)
The highest expression of faith is trusting God's sovereignty and submitting to His will, regardless of the outcome.
It is the highest expression of faith to submit to the sovereignty of God. The real prayer of faith is the prayer that trusts God no matter whether the answer is yes or no.
Source: Should We Qualify Our Prayers with "If It Be Your Will"? (Ligonier article)
Socrates' concern was not religious salvation, but rather saving Greek civilization.
Socrates in his mission (for which he was ultimately executed by poison) was driven by a kind of salvation, but not in the religious sense. Socrates was trying to save Greek civilization.
Source: Socrates or Sophism? (Ligonier article)
Regeneration must precede faith, which is a core tenet of Reformed theology.
That’s why at the heart of Reformed theology the axiom resounds, namely, that regeneration precedes faith.
Source: What Does “Soli Deo Gloria” Mean? (Ligonier article)
Outward professions of faith are insufficient for determining genuine belief; only the fruit of a person's life reveals the truth of their heart.
All we can ever see of a person’s profession is his fruit. And even the fruit can be deceptive. God, and God alone, can read the human heart.
Source: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church (Ligonier article)
The Christian life involves rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, and being constant in prayer.
This verse features one of Paul’s great summaries of the Christian life: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Source: A Sure Hope for the Future (Ligonier article)
True patience is not merely a superficial display of happiness but involves clinging to faith and refusing to curse God.
Instead, Job was patient in the sense that he did two things: he hung on and he refused to curse God.
Source: A Sure Hope for the Future (Ligonier article)
The certainty of hope is grounded in God's sure promises and His demonstrated faithfulness through history and Christ.
The answer is God’s sure promises and the demonstration of His faithfulness in the history of Israel, in the lives of the Apostles, and, most clearly, in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Source: A Sure Hope for the Future (Ligonier article)
Even during suffering, a person can maintain confidence that God will ultimately vindicate them and prevent their pain from being final.
But we do know that Job was certain of one thing, namely, that God would not allow his pain, suffering, and affliction to be the last chapter.
Source: A Sure Hope for the Future (Ligonier article)
Jesus' teaching was not a prohibition against prudence but rather a message against anxiety that undermines trust in God's good providence.
He understood that what Jesus was teaching was not a prohibition against prudence but a message against the anxiety that robs us of our trust in the good providence of God.
Source: Taking Thought for Tomorrow (Ligonier article)
The speaker urges people to get informed about potential dangers because being uninformed means being unprepared.
This is why I ask my friends and acquaintances to, at the very least, get informed about the possible perils of the days ahead. To be uninformed is to be unprepared.
Source: Taking Thought for Tomorrow (Ligonier article)
The future belongs to God, and human confidence regarding tomorrow must be placed in Him.
We cannot control the future; it belongs to God. This is His world. Our confidence for tomorrow must rest in Him.
Source: Taking Thought for Tomorrow (Ligonier article)
Knowing that God is benevolent and caring makes His comprehensive knowledge a comfort, assuring us that He knows our needs before we ask.
But because we know that God is benevolent and caring, His comprehensive knowledge is a comfort. He knows what we need before we ask Him.
Source: The God Who Sees (Ligonier article)
The ultimate comfort comes from knowing that God is a God of providence who is aware of all our transgressions, tears, aches, and fears.
To me, there is nothing more comforting than knowing that there is a God of providence who is aware not only of every one of my transgressions but of every one of my tears, every one of my aches, and every one of my fears.
Source: The God Who Sees (Ligonier article)
Sproul asserts that true Christian unity cannot be based on an assumption of shared faith and a unified understanding of the gospel.
I could never ground that cobelligerency on the assumption that we share a common faith and a unified understanding of the gospel.
Source: The Manhattan Declaration: Why didn’t you sign it, R.C.? (Ligonier article)
Edwards's thesis is that human choices are always determined by the strongest inclination or disposition of the moment.
Edwards’s thesis is that we always choose according to the strongest inclination, or disposition, of the moment. Again, not only can we choose according to our strongest desires, but we must choose according to our strongest desires of the moment.
Source: The Meaning of Man’s Will (Ligonier article)
While predictability is implied if man is self-determined, knowing all complex factors is impossible for humans.
If man is indeed self-determined or free, does that not imply that if his desires were completely known, man’s action in every given circumstance would be completely predictable? There is a sense in which we must agree that such a predictability would be implied.
Source: The Meaning of Man’s Will (Ligonier article)
Caring for the soul is a primary concern within the Christian life.
Not only do we have souls, but the nurture and care of our souls is a top priority for the Christian life.
Source: The Origin of the Soul (Ligonier article)
Believers must regularly evaluate their hearts and chief concerns to determine if they prioritize the things of God or the things of this world.
We need to evaluate ourselves on these criteria from time to time. We need to ask ourselves: Where is my heart? What is my chief concern? Am I preoccupied with the things of this world, or does my heart beat for the things of God?
Source: The Things of God (Ligonier article)
Christians must resist the world's seduction by being willing to risk displeasing people in order to please God.
For the Christian to resist the seduction of this world he must risk going against the tide. He must be willing to risk the loss of pleasing men to gain pleasing God.
Source: The Theater of God's Redemption (Ligonier article)
The Protestant view, following Paul, holds that faith is the sole instrument linking us to Christ.
The Protestant view, following Paul’s teaching in the New Testament, is that faith is the sole instrument by which we are linked to Christ.
Source: Tilting at Scarecrows (Ligonier article)
Christian faith requires embracing the entirety of Scripture, not just selected portions.
The issue that we face in our day is not merely the question of sola Scriptura but also the question of tota Scriptura , which has to do with embracing the whole counsel of God as it is revealed in the entirety of sacred Scripture.
Source: Tota Scriptura (Ligonier article)
The speaker describes the initial moments after the crash, focusing on the immediate concern for his wife's safety.
I bounced off the wall in the pitch dark amid the screeching noise of metal against metal. I realized we were in the middle of a wreck. But in the intensity of the moment, the first thought that came into my mind was “Is my wife all right?” And she had the same thought about me.
Source: Never Safe, Always Safe: The Paradox of God’s Providence (Ligonier article)
True security and safety are found not in human plans or provisions, but in the provisions and hands of God.
My ultimate security and safety do not rest in the plans and provisions I make for this world, but they rest in the provisions of God.
Source: Never Safe, Always Safe: The Paradox of God’s Providence (Ligonier article)
While humans are never truly safe from a human perspective, divine providence ensures that those whose lives are in God's hands are always perfectly safe.
That is to say, from a human perspective, we are never really safe, but from a divine perspective, if your life is in the hands of God, you are always in a situation of perfect safety.
Source: Never Safe, Always Safe: The Paradox of God’s Providence (Ligonier article)
The Holy Spirit changes the inclination and disposition of our wills, leading us to willingly embrace Christ.
The Holy Spirit changes the inclination and disposition of our wills, so that whereas we were previously unwilling to embrace Christ, now we are willing, and more than willing. Indeed, we aren't dragged to Christ, we run to Christ, and we embrace Him joyfully because the Spirit has changed our hearts.
Source: TULIP and Reformed Theology: Irresistible Grace (Ligonier article)
The endurance of true Christians in the faith is not based on their own strength, but rather on God's preservation.
I want to stress that this endurance in the faith does not rest on our strength. Even after we're regenerated, we still lapse into sin, even serious sin.
Source: TULIP and Reformed Theology: Perseverance of the Saints (Ligonier article)
Conditional election holds that God saves people based on His prior knowledge of their foreseen response, such as expressing faith in Christ.
They believe that in eternity past God looked down through the corridors of time and He knew in advance who would say yes to the offer of the gospel and who would say no. On the basis of this prior knowledge of those who will meet the condition for salvation—that is, expressing faith or belief in Christ—He elects to save them.
Source: TULIP and Reformed Theology: Unconditional Election (Ligonier article)
The ultimate purpose of studying Scripture is to equip the believer to be fully capable for every good work.
It comes in the final clause, where the apostle wrote, '… that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.'
Source: The Value of Scripture (Ligonier article)
The primary purpose of any government is to maintain, sustain, and protect human life.
The principal reason for the existence of any government is to maintain, sustain, and protect the sanctity of human life.
Source: The Voice of the Church (Ligonier article)
C.S. Lewis's Christianity represents a mindful faith that successfully unites intellectual thought and emotional devotion.
The Christianity of C.S. Lewis is a mindful Christianity where there is a marvelous union between head and heart.
Source: The Weight of Glory (Ligonier article)
Jesus must be sinless in order to save humanity, and this requirement is more critical than His omniscience.
The issue in our conversation, however, was not omniscience. When we talk about omniscience, we are talking about an attribute of God. That is, God knows everything. Charlie’s point was that Jesus—touching his human nature—did not know all things. He then went right to the Bible to prove it, pointing out, for example, that Jesus does not know the day and hour of His return (Matt. 24:36). But the conversation I had with Charlie wasn’t really about omniscience. It was actually about sinlessness.
Source: What Difference Does an Inerrant Bible Make? (Ligonier article)
It is crucial to correctly understand both the objective aspects of Christ's work and the subjective dimension of benefiting from it by faith alone.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to get the gospel right and to understand both the objective aspect of the person and work of Jesus and the subjective dimension of how we benefit from that by faith alone.
Source: What Does “Gospel” Mean? (Ligonier article)
A person should trust the objective truth of God's promises rather than their subjective feelings of guilt or forgiveness.
God has promised that if you confess your sins, He will forgive you of your sins and cleanse you of your unrighteousness. You don’t believe that you’re forgiven because you don’t feel forgiven. What, then, are you trusting—your feelings or the truth of God?
Source: What If I Don’t Feel Forgiven? (Ligonier article)
Because no one loves perfectly, humans must rely on the perfect righteousness of Christ through faith alone.
Now, of course, none of us loves perfectly, which is why we must be covered with the perfect righteousness of Christ by faith in Him alone.
Source: What Is Love? (Ligonier article)
The Christian faith is paradoxical because salvation is achieved both by God and from God.
The grand paradox or supreme irony of the Christian faith is that we are saved both by God and from God.
Source: What Is Sin? (Ligonier article)
Human beings are declared righteous, adopted, and forgiven only by placing their trust in Christ and nothing else.
The Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith–and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in Him and in Him alone.
Source: Why Is the Gospel Called “Good News”? (Ligonier article)
Believers do not need to worry about losing their salvation because Jesus intercedes for them, preserving them from falling away.
All of us are capable of that kind of sin and evil, but none of us has committed or will commit that sin because this is the very thing for which Jesus intercedes on our behalf at the throne of grace, that we will be preserved from falling and from losing the salvation that He has purchased for us.
Source: What Is the Unpardonable Sin? (Ligonier article)
Christian faith fundamentally concerns the restoration of the relationship between humanity and a just and holy God, rather than merely improving worldly relationships.
But the Christian faith ultimately is not the restoration of human relationships; the Christian faith at its root has to do with the repair of our relationship to God.
Source: What Was the Cause of the Protestant Reformation? (Ligonier article)
Believers who remain in Christ by faith alone are guaranteed eternal glory, and nothing can prevent this outcome.
He has now guaranteed that if we are in Christ by faith alone, we are bound for glory, and nothing can derail that train.
Source: When All Things Are Made New (Ligonier article)
A faithful servant is defined as someone who is full of faith, trustworthy, and consistent in allegiance to their owner.
But the simplest meaning of a faithful servant is one who is full of faith, who can be trusted, and who is consistent in allegiance to his owner.
Source: Will He Find You Faithful? (Ligonier article)
Predestination concerns God's involvement in the ultimate outcome of human lives and specifically relates to God's choice regarding salvation.
Predestination has to do with God's involvement in the ultimate outcome of our lives. Now this may strike you as strange, but both Augustinians and semi-Pelagians agree that predestination is something that God does. Predestination has to do with God's choice regarding salvation, God's choice regarding the salvation of people.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 26:54
The central theological question is whether God's choice to save a person is based on His prior knowledge of that person's future actions.
On what basis does God choose to save you before the foundation of the world? Is God's choice to save you based upon His prior knowledge of something that He looks down the corridors of time and sees that you are going to do?
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 26:47
If a person lacks love, they do not possess genuine faith, because true faith is inseparable from true love.
And so if agape is absent from our lives, even if we make a passionate profession of faith, we don’t have the faith that we are professing, because everyone who has true faith also has true love.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:42
The core concern of the Bible is the content of the conversation, rather than whether or not the supernatural elements (like the snake speaking) actually occurred.
Context: Quoting Karl Barth's point, but the speaker is analyzing/commenting on this point.
The real question is the content of the conversation. That's what the Bible's concerned about.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 14:11
The Christian faith is fundamentally based on truth, promises, and vows that are certified by God, who cannot lie.
The very foundation of the Christian faith is based on truth, on promises and on vows that are certified by One who cannot tell a lie.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 8:33
Abraham is presented as the supreme biblical example of faith because he trusted God's promise, which was the basis for his righteousness.
Abraham said, "I will put my life on the line by trusting You. I believe You. Do you see why it is that the Scriptures go back to this account and tell us later on that Abraham is the father of the faithful, that he is the supreme example, in the Scriptures, of faith in a human being. By faith, Abraham trusted the promise of God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:40
Authentic faith is not a myth or a perfect state, but rather a struggle that acknowledges doubt and lack of confidence.
But that would be a myth, wouldn't it? That wouldn't be authentic faith; that would be the faith of legend.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 24:02
The speaker suggests that Abraham's initial belief was more of a wish or hope than absolute confidence.
Now it seems that Abraham's belief is more hope, it's more wishful thinking than it is confidence to live by, doesn't it?
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 25:27
The speaker asserts that emotions and beliefs, including fear, doubt, and faith, are contagious.
Fear is contagious; doubt is contagious; and faith is contagious.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 27:20
Abraham's struggle to know for sure demonstrates that even in the face of God's promises, doubt is a natural human experience.
Abraham said it before God, "How can I know?" And it's again, it's because of God's answer to that question that I want this book with me in jail.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 28:42
When God swears a vow, He swears by His own eternal character and immutable being, as this is the only thing He can guarantee.
The only thing I can swear by—not the hair of my chinny chin, chin—the only thing I can swear by, Abraham, is my eternal character, my immutable being.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 44:24
God is incapable of lying, which provides strong encouragement to those who place their hope in Him.
It's impossible for God to lie, and it
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 48:08
Truth must be objective and independent of personal belief or feeling.
We're talking about objective truth, not subjective preferences, not what you want to be true or what works for you or what makes you feel good.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 18:26
While all Christian denominations affirm basic attributes of God, the unique characteristic of Reformed theology is its commitment to maintaining the purity of the doctrine of God throughout all other theological elements.
And I really think that's the central unique factor of Reformed theology; it is that it is relentlessly committed to maintain the purity of the doctrine of God through every other element of our theology.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:07
In certain human situations, the wise person must examine the facts and act cautiously rather than impulsively.
The point is that there are some earthly human situations where the wise man, if he is going to be prudent, does not jump into things impulsively without seeing where it is that he's jumping -- that if he's careful, if he's cautious, if he's sagacious and wise, he will examine the situation and not act irresponsibly on impulse.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 19:59
There are times when the two proverbial pieces of wisdom—looking before leaping and not hesitating—can come into direct conflict.
I can remember an illustration in my own life -- it's not one I'm proud of. I was in high school, and I was out cruising the streets in my hometown about three o'clock in the morning, and there was a -- you know, you were not supposed to be walking around the streets of town at three o'clock on the morning.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:06
The only way to advance in any endeavor is to persevere through periods of difficulty or paralysis.
the only way to advance in any enterprise is to persevere through that level of paralysis so that we can get beyond the roadblock and move ahead.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 14:26
Christianity is a religion built upon convictions and affirmations, not merely intellectual openness.
Christianity is a religion. It is a faith that is built on the foundation of convictions and of affirmations.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:45
Saving faith is not a human decision but rather a divine gift and act of regeneration.
Saving faith is not the result of a human decision. It is the result of a divine gift.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
Christian hope cannot be limited only to the present life, or it would be a delusion that brings pity.
Because if all we have is a religious experience and a religious hope that is confined and restricted to this world, then we are of all of the people in this world the most to be pitied.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
Sacraments confirm and sign God's promises, relating to concrete experiences rather than being merely mystical or abstract.
And then He sets up concrete signs for real experiences of people that are not just mystical experiences with no meaning, no content, but are inseparably related to the content of a promise. And that’s why we have sacraments in the church: not because the sacraments say anything new; they confirm, they sign, they seal it, what God has promised.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:46
The ability to continue in the faith is not due to human diligence but is because the individual has been preserved by God.
But they persevere not simply because they are so diligent in their making use of the mercies of God, but the only reason we can give why any of us continues on in the faith even till the last day is not because we have persevered so much as that is because we have been preserved.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:13
The assurance of the believer's future inheritance is rooted in God's preservation, not human effort.
And in His high priestly prayer Jesus prays that those whom the Father had given Him will never be lost, and that no one will ever snatch them out of His hand.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:45
Believers must be careful not to become complacent regarding their spiritual strength.
And we fall, and we fall away from grace, not that we fall out entirely, but we do fall away into very serious activities, none more serious than that of the apostle Peter who publicly with cursing, even after being forewarned, rejected Jesus Christ, swearing that he never knew Him--a public betrayal of Christ.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:36
Even if a person has publicly repudiated their faith during a serious fall, one should maintain hope that their return to faith is temporary.
But we can still hope with people who have left us that it's temporary, and that they'll be back.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:20
One's confidence in preservation rests not on personal ability but on Christ's power and intercession.
My confidence in my preservation is not in my ability to persevere, but my confidence rests in the power of Christ to sustain me with His grace and by the power of His intercession for us that He is going to bring us safely through.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:01
A person who merely makes an outward profession of faith may walk away believing they are Christian, but this does not guarantee they have experienced authentic faith or repented of their sins.
They will do the technique and answer the method that has been prescribed for them, and walk away believing that therefore they are Christians, which can be to their everlasting peril -- where they walk away thinking that they are in Christ because they raised their hand, or walked the aisle, when in fact they've never experienced authentic faith, and they've never repented of their sins.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:51
The belief that salvation is achieved merely by outward actions, such as raising a hand or saying the sinner's prayer, is fundamentally untrue.
All you have to do to become Christian, all you have to do to be saved is to raise your hand, or all you have to do is come forward to the altar and make a profession of faith. All you have to do in order to be saved is to say the sinner’s prayer. Or all you have to do in order to be saved is to ask Jesus into your heart. Those statements are simply not true.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 6:58
Skeptics often argue that religious belief is merely a psychological coping mechanism or a wish projection.
Context: Quoting the arguments of others (skeptics).
What has happened to you is that you have come to religion because you needed some kind of crutch to assist you through life. You needed what Karl Marx had called 'the opiate for the masses,' some kind of bromide that would make the difficulties of your existence more bearable.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:04
Skeptics suggest that religious belief is an error of imagination used to cope with fear and guilt.
Context: Quoting the arguments of others (skeptics).
you have experienced a common error of the creative imagination of human intelligence that the psychologists call 'wish projection,' because you want to believe in God, because you want to believe that there's someone out there who will cleanse you of your sense of guilt that has tormented you, who will deliver you from the fear of death, who will promise you significance and meaning in your life and all of these things, that you have projected that wish into a reality and have now therefore taken up the crutch of religion.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:53
Many prominent atheistic philosophers concluded that the belief in God is fundamentally driven by psychological needs.
And that is that in virtually all of those philosophers whom I have mentioned, at one point or another they came to the conclusion that the reason why people believe in God is fundamentally driven by some psychological need. That is, psychological need is the mother of all religion.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:37
Covenants require witnesses because they provide recourse and safeguard against broken promises.
And if you do break a promise, I have a recourse to other authorities, to other people who can come in and help me get justice, so that I have a safeguard.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:30
The speaker recounts an anecdote about a woman who remained convinced of her own unattractiveness despite physical improvements.
I mean twenty-five years later, she was still convinced that all she lacked to be a good wife was a bag over her head.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 12:44
When faced with danger, the natural and rational instinct is to flee or run away.
If you had half a brain, what would you do? Run, like the devil, you know, the other way! I mean if you saw two guys walking at you with knives in New York City in an alley and you could run to get out of there, that is what you'd do, right? That's a natural instinct -- self-preservation.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:03
Because humans lack hindsight, they must remain vigilant and alert while studying the future prophecies found in Scripture.
We don't have the benefit of hindsight, which is 20/20, and we want to be always vigilant and always alert watching the course of history as we are taking seriously the future prophecies of sacred Scripture.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:12
Placing confidence in Christ as Savior ensures that one will never be disappointed.
But whoever places their faith or confidence in Christ will never be disappointed!
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 21:45
He asserts that once a person is saved, they are always saved and God will ensure they persevere to the end.
I'm already convinced that once you are saved you're always saved, and that God will preserve you to the end, and that He who began a good work in you finishes it, and that if God regenerates you by His Spirit, He will never take that Holy Spirit away.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 17:58
Relying on one's own actions for salvation is dangerous because it shifts trust away from God's grace.
And if you really think that that's the reason you're saved, the danger you're in is in actually trusting in what you have done rather than somebody else.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:33
Relying on feelings rather than solid foundations makes life unstable and prone to collapse when difficulties arise.
I really think this is the most sensuous age in the history of the church, and Christians are living on the basis of how they feel.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:14
Building life or structures on incorrect foundations, even if they seem good initially, will ultimately fail when faced with real challenges.
You can build a house the wrong way. The only problem is, it won’t stand. It’ll only take you so far. But when the crunch comes, it falls.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 5:13
A common strand of thinking among 19th-century atheists, exemplified by Freud, was that religion originates from humanity's natural fear of natural forces.
And I noticed particularly among 19th century atheists that there was a common strand of thinking among them where people of that ilk were trying to explain why it is even though there is no God there are so many people who are religious. And one of the most important voices from that period was that of Sigmund Freud. You’ve all heard of Freud who is regarded as the modern of psychoanalysis . . . er . . . the father of modern psychoanalysis. Freud came up with the thesis that the reason why religion emerges in history is out of people’s natural fear for the forces of nature.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:06
The speaker emphasizes the profound danger and potential exposure of sin, necessitating a rescue or salvation from God.
That terrifies me to think that every sin in my life will be made public knowledge. Who could stand such a thing? That would be calamitous for me. It would be calamitous for you. I need somebody to rescue me. I need somebody to save me.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:06
Relying on the church or one's own righteousness for eternal life leads to a false sense of assurance.
If you’re trusting in the church, you’re in trouble. It’s a false sense of assurance. If you’re trusting in your own righteousness, you’re in trouble. That’s a false sense of assurance.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
God's saving grace is an operative work that brings the quickened person to life.
That when God sheds his grace of regeneration in the heart of man for the purpose of bringing that man or woman to faith, it works. It does what it is designed to do, that those who are quickened are indeed made alive.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 29:06
A person's salvation must be understood as a matter of extraordinary grace from beginning to end.
Paul never saw that it was a matter of credit to him that he came to saving faith. He saw his own salvation as a matter of extraordinary grace from beginning to end and so must you, my friend.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 35:30
Understanding Genesis is crucial because the entire rest of Scripture flows out of its themes and it serves as the foundation for the Christian faith.
Genesis is the foundation upon which all of these things of the Christian faith rests. And so, it's important for us to go back to our roots, to our origins, to our genesis.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:27
The core issue of the temptation in Eden was not sexual temptation, but a test of the parents' faith in the truthfulness of God's Word.
The issue centers on this question, "Hath God said?" The test of our parents in the garden of Eden was a test on the veracity and the truthfulness of the Word of God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:54
The primary vulnerability of Christianity today is the questioning of the Bible's trustworthiness and credibility.
Perhaps the most controversial issue of twentieth-century Christianity is the trustworthiness of the Word of God. The church has been exposed to over two hundred years of concentrated criticism and skepticism leveled against the credibility of the Scriptures.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:10
The true test of faith is not merely believing in God, but believing God when He speaks.
And it's not believing in God that makes the difference whether you're Christian or not; it's believing God. Do you believe God when He speaks?
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 27:13
People learn to be cautious and categorize others because they have experienced having their secrets betrayed.
I mean the reason why we’re so closed and so careful not to reveal everything about ourselves to every person that comes along is that every person in this room has had a secret betrayed, where you poured out your heart and your soul to somebody, and they tramped all over your soul.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 19:16
The core of the Christian faith is grace, and the core of the Christian ethic is gratitude, not arrogance.
To be a Christian is to be forgiven. The essence of the Christian faith is grace. The essence of the Christian ethic is not arrogance but gratitude,
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 31:58
God's grace is sufficient for us, even when we struggle with persistent difficulties.
until finally God said to Paul, "Paul, no. Not going to do it. My grace is sufficient for you."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 6:44
Before a person can be called to saving faith, they must first receive and understand the necessary information or content.
Before I can call somebody to saving faith, I have to give them the information that they’re asked to believe. And that involves the mind. That involves communication of information that people can understand.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
While knowledge can lead to pride, love has the power to build up.
We're told that knowledge puffs up, whereas love builds up.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:52
He asserts that being patient and not easily provoked is a necessary virtue.
But we are not to be easily provoked. I have pet peeves, you have pet peeves, I can't stand, I can't stand dangerous drivers on the highway, that seem to drive around with no regard for anybody else's life, you know, and they're flitting in and out and all that stuff, and I blow my horn at them, and Vesta says, "He, he, he, he, he, I'm glad the kids aren't in this car," she said, "because the first word they would learn is 'idiot'."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 18:41
Love is the enduring substance that enables people to persevere and continue in hope and faith.
Love is the substance that makes it possible for people to persevere, for people to bear, to continue to bear and endure things, to continue in hope, to continue in faith.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 21:39
Among the virtues of faith, hope, and love, love is the greatest because it reveals the character of God.
Now abide faith, hope, and love," -- this classic Christian triad of virtues -- faith, hope, and love, "these three. But the greatest of these is love." Because this is the gift, this is the fruit that most clearly reveals the character of God himself.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:25
The Reformed faith asserts that theology is life because the knowledge of God is the most vital knowledge for human life.
At the heart of Reformed Theology is the affirmation that theology is life, because theology is the knowledge of God. And there is no more important knowledge that exists to inform our lives than the knowledge of God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 17:39
True moral courage involves standing against the crowd and asserting what is right, even when facing overwhelming opposition.
One man, one man against the herd, one man steps out of the crowd, one man with courage, in the presence of tanks and an organized political coup, runs up and jumps on top of a tank and screams at the people who are there and said, "No!" He said, "This is wrong!"
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 24:00
Christian faith does not view the spiritual realm as a dualistic struggle between two equally powerful opposing forces.
One of the things that I’ve rejoiced about in the Christian faith is that we aren’t dualists. We don’t believe that there are two equal and opposite powers at work fighting to a Mexican standoff in eternity, in the universe.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:51
In the Christian faith, all diversity finds its ultimate unity in God Himself, who is the ultimate ground for both unity and diversity.
And yet in the Christian faith, and in the Christian worldview, all diversity finds its ultimate unity in God Himself, and it is significant that even in God's own being we find both unity and diversity -- in fact the ultimate ground for unity and diversity.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 5:09
Believing in God means trusting Him with all aspects of life, not just when He provides desired outcomes.
And to be a believer in God is to trust God for tomorrow, to trust Him with your life, to trust Him with your children’s lives, to trust Him with everything you have—meaning that I’m not going to love God just as long as He does for me what I want Him to do or gives to me what I want Him to give.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:06
The speaker encourages listeners to evaluate their commitment and involvement in bearing witness to Christ.
I want to ask you today, how strong is your resolve and your commitment to bear witness to the kingdom of Jesus Christ?
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:21
Sproul emphasizes that God's promise to Abraham involves protection and a great reward, which is illustrated by the text of Genesis 15.
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, 'Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield, and thy exceedingly great reward.'
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:49
Faith is inherently mixed with unbelief, meaning it involves a lack of trust and certainty regarding God's promises.
But see, our faith is always mixed with unbelief, a lack of trust, a lack of certainty about what God has promised.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:23
The question of how to know for sure is a central concern, exemplified by Abraham's doubt.
How can I know for sure? How would your life changed…how would your life be changed right now if you knew for sure that everything Jesus says in the New Testament is true?
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 11:55
God's promise is so weighty that He is willing to stake His entire existence and deity on keeping His word.
The point, dear friends, is this, that God has staked His being on this promise. His deity is on the line. The very essence of His makeup as God is put on the line to Abraham, saying, 'Abraham, if I don't keep My word to you, I cease being God.'
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 25:24
God's commitment to humanity is established through covenants and oaths, which serve as a reminder of His reliability.
The whole relationship by which we are related to God today is by covenant. That same oath that God swears to Abraham, He has sworn to you.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 26:04
The ultimate test of faith is whether one is willing to trust God with their entire life.
That's what it comes down to in life, who you believe. Are you going to trust God? With your life.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 26:52
Jesus taught that a person's faith is what causes them to be well.
Context: Quoting Jesus
Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:27
The founders of the nation were careful to prevent the type of religious persecution and violent religious wars that had occurred in Europe.
And so by the time our nation as a republic was officially formed with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the fathers of our country were very, very careful to do everything in their power to prevent the same type of setup that had produced the violent persecutions, and hatred, and religious wars that had occurred in Europe.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:50
Augustinianism holds that God ensures the salvation of the elect or those who are predestined to be saved.
now, this is the position of Augustinianism that God ensures the salvation of the elect, or of those who are predestined to be saved.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 19:40
The Christian faith and the Bible are complex, containing many instructions that can obscure the main point.
The Christian faith is complicated. The Bible is a thick book. It's filled with admonitions, instructions, and directions for the pursuit of happiness, for relief from guilt, for praise, for worship, for adoration—for all of these things. But sometimes, there's so much there in the forest—so many trees, I should say—that we miss the forest.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:36
Coercion reduces options, but the resulting choice still follows the strongest desire, which may be survival.
But when the gun's at my head, and my options are my brains on the sidewalk or my billfold in his pocket, suddenly I have a stronger desire to live and lose my money than to die and still lose my money.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:09
Before a person can positively choose Christ and life, they must first have a desire to do so.
And before a person can ever respond positively to the things of God and choose Christ, and choose life, he must have a desire to do that.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 24:47
Edwards distinguishes between natural abilities (like speaking) and moral ability (the ability to be righteous or sinful).
He makes a distinction between moral ability and natural ability. Natural ability has to do with the abilities we have by nature. As a human being, I have the natural ability to think. I have the ability to speak.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 25:43
When considering the power and promises of God, believers can find confidence and rejoice regarding their future inheritance.
But when we consider the power and the promises of God, then we can rejoice, not only in the measure of redemption that we've experienced up until this moment, but we can look with confidence to the future inheritance that God has laid up for us in heaven.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:24
People only embrace relativism when objective truth poses a threat to them.
No, no, no, no. We only embrace relativism when objective truth is a threat to us. And there is no objective truth more threatening to us than the truth of the holiness of God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:46
People should dedicate time to sincerely pursuing truth by setting aside personal impressions and preferences.
And if I can plead with any human being I ever meet, I would plead with them for that one thing that they would just stop for five minutes and just lay aside the impressions, lay aside the images, lay aside the preferences and ask that question honestly, "What is the truth?"
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 45:57
For something to be real ultimately, it must possess a real substance or essence, otherwise it would merely be an imaginative concept.
For anything to be real ultimately, it has to be in a state of being, there has to be a real substance or essence to it; otherwise it would just be a fig Newton of our imaginations.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 11:50
The speaker describes a specific, quiet winter night walk that led him to the college chapel.
It was a winter night up north and there was snow on the ground. The full moon was in the sky. It was one of those eerie, quiet, still nights. I just had to walk. I wasn’t exactly sure where I was headed but I wanted to be by myself and I wanted to think.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:00
He decided not to rely on his feelings to determine God's presence, but rather to trust God's promises.
Two things: From that day forward I said, “I’m never in the rest of my life going to depend and rely upon my feelings to determine whether God was present. Rather, I’m going to trust that God says He will be with us, He says He will be with me, He promises He won’t leave me, He promises He’ll be there when I need Him, even if it’s in the valley of the shadow of death. And it doesn’t matter if I feel Him.”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:01
The special relationship of brotherhood is made possible for believers through faith in Christ and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
We are adopted into the family of God by virtue of faith in Christ and through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:34
The way the question about belief in God is posed determines the nature of the answer, distinguishing between general belief and belief in a personal God.
If I say, "Do you believe in some kind of supreme being, that's one thing. Or do you believe in some kind of higher power -- higher power, cosmic dust, celestial energy, some kind of primordial fog out of which everything comes?" That's one kind of question, the other question is: Do you believe in God the Father? That is, a personal God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 13:12
The Philistines were practical atheists because, despite their religious trappings, they fundamentally treated matters of divine intervention as mere coincidence or chance.
bottom line, the Philistines were practical atheists. That is, in theory, they believed in religion and in God, but in actual practice, fundamentally, they were atheists.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 18:11
The Philistines' attempt to determine if a plague was divine or accidental demonstrates their belief that only two possibilities existed: God's action or mere chance.
We only see two possibilities, either it was God or it was chance. And so, we'll put this scientific experiment together and see what happens with the cows and the cart and the guilt offering that we're sending back.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 19:18
Chance cannot influence events or outcomes because chance itself is not a real force or entity.
Chance cannot do anything, because chance isn't anything.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 33:54
If the only possible solution to the equation of God or chance is God, it proves that chance cannot be the ultimate explanation for existence.
If the equation is God or chance, the only possible solution, ladies and gentlemen, is God—because chance can do nothing.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 33:45
God does not promise that the Christian life will be free from suffering, difficulty, or danger.
God never promises that we can live the Christian life without difficulty, without peril, without danger, without suffering, without calamity.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:09
A necessary condition for being saved by Christ's atoning death is having faith in Jesus Christ.
Because a necessary condition to be saved by the atoning death of Jesus Christ is to have faith in Jesus Christ.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:41
The righteousness that saves is considered 'alien righteousness,' meaning it belongs to someone else, specifically Christ.
It’s what he called justitia alienum, “an alien righteousness,” a righteousness that belongs properly to somebody else. It’s a righteousness that is "extra nos." “outside of us—namely, the righteousness of Christ.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:50
Old Testament people were saved by faith, not by obeying the law or through sacrificial rituals.
Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, again, uses Abraham as an example of people in the Old Testament who were saved, not by obeying the works of the law, not through the rites and the rituals of the sacrifices of the liturgy of Israel, but Abraham was justified by faith.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:03
While Abraham's faith was based on an unfulfilled promise, modern faith is based on a promise that has been fulfilled.
Abraham’s faith was in a promise that was not yet fulfilled. Our faith is in the promise that has been fulfilled.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:59
Lack of knowledge regarding one's redeemed status leaves a person vulnerable to the accusations of the enemy.
You need to know whether you’re in a state of grace or not in a state of grace because if you don’t know then you’re totally vulnerable to the paralysis of the accusation of the enemy.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 17:25
He is not convinced that Scripture provides compelling certainty that human life begins at conception.
I personally am not persuaded that we can know with compelling certainty or at least that we know yet with compelling certainty from the source of Scripture that life begins at conception.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:59
Modern science confirms that the entire genetic code for a person's characteristics is established at the point of conception.
that we understand in modern science that the entire genetic code that generates the individual particular characteristics, size, shape and development, all of that, of a personal human being that entire genetic code is established at conception.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:34
Before a person can exercise saving faith, God must perform a divine work in them to make that faith possible.
That before a person exercises saving faith, before they believe in Christ, before they exercise their wills to embrace Christ, God must do something for them and in them so that faith can be exercised.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:12
Humans possess psychological defense mechanisms that allow them to excuse their own sin and judge themselves with charity.
And, we have these psychological defense mechanisms to excuse ourselves, to look at our own sin in the best of all possible lights, to be quick with the judgment of charity for ourselves that we withhold it from others as a tendency.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 42:03
When the status of a fetus is uncertain, the seriousness of the sanctity of life requires caution in all deliberations.
In other words, if we're not sure that a fetus is a living human being or not a living human being, given our understanding in general of the whole picture of the sanctity of human life, this is an area that is so, so serious that we must be reminded in the course of our deliberations that we dare not make a mistake here.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:09
A person's faithfulness in small matters is necessary for being faithful in larger, more significant matters.
I think unless we’re faithful in little things, it’s very unlikely that we’re going to be faithful in the weightier matters of the law.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 21:33
The initial confession of faith for the Christian Church was the declaration that Jesus is Lord.
When the Christians were called to say kaiser kyrios, they responded by saying with boldness Iēsous ho kyrios, “Jesus is Lord.” That was the first confession of faith, long before the Council of Nicaea, long before the Council of Chalcedon, long before the Council of Constantinople, long before the Westminster Confession of Faith. The very first confession of faith of the Christian Church was a simple formula, Iēsous ho kyrios, “Jesus is Lord.”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:13
Authentic biblical faith is grounded in the trustworthiness of God, making doubt of God's word irrational.
But faith, authentic faith, biblical faith, is grounded in the trustworthiness of God Himself. Nothing could be more unreasonable, nothing could be more irrational than to doubt a word that comes from God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
Believers should strive to become people who are faithful to their words, keeping promises and meaning what they say.
That we’re to be people of the Word and people of the truth, who guard our words carefully, who keep our promises, who mean what they say and say what they mean.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:43
Sense perception, history, archaeology, and reason are tools given by God to stabilize and solidify faith.
What I'm trying to say is that Christians need to understand that sense perception, the testimony of history, the testimony of archaeology, and the function of reason itself are tools that God has given His people to stabilize and solidify that faith and trust that we have in Him.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 8:29
True faith involves utter dependency upon God's grace, unlike human merit or ability.
Where the other man couldn't even lift his head to heaven, "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner," and that man stood in a posture of utter dependency upon God's grace. There was no mixture of human merit, no mixture of human ability, adding dross to the pure gold of grace in that man's life.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 24:54
True faith is not superficial but is a profound commitment that is maintained even when it is extremely difficult.
Sometimes, the faith by which the Christian stands is a faith that is made with clenched teeth, where you're hanging on by your fingernails.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:47
Abraham's faith was not easy, but it was a deeply trusting faith that led him to the point of ultimate obedience.
What I'm saying to you is that his faith was not an easy faith, but it was a trusting faith. He did it, he did what God required him to do, he obeyed.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:53
Christianity is a faith that is credible because it makes sense and is verified by historical testimony.
But rather, Christianity is a faith that is credible, that is, it is believable because it makes sense, and because it is verified through the testimony of history.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:39
Childlike faith requires an implicit, absolute confidence in God's authority, which increases with intellectual understanding.
The more mature your intellectual understanding of God is, the greater should be your child-like acceptance of His authority. Because the more you understand of the character of God, the more utterly inconsistent with rational thought it would be that God would ever deceive you, because His track record is perfectly consistent.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
The true opposites of faith are not reason and sensation, but rather credulity and superstition.
So that, the real opposites of faith biblically are not reason and sensation, but credulity and superstition, really, which are really two sides of the same coin.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:44
The second element of faith, 'assensus,' is the intellectual agreement or acceptance of a proposition as true.
And then the second phase of faith is what they call ‘assensus,’ which is the intellectual accent, the mind accenting.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 24:12
The third element of faith, 'fiducia,' involves a personal trust and embracing that engages the will and the heart.
And that’s why Luther and the Reformers said there’s got to be that third dimension which they called ‘fiducia,’ which is a personal trust and embracing. This involves the will. It involves the heart, what Edwards called the religious affection.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 25:25
The core, classical information of the Christian faith is found in the Apostle's Creed, which is affirmed throughout church history.
And all of that, because the classical information that all Christians have affirmed throughout the church history is found in the Apostle’s Creed.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 26:52
When faced with life's difficulties, people often prioritize seeking their own immediate happiness and satisfaction over trusting God's timing and promises.
Because where the crunch comes in our life is where we seek our own happiness and our own satisfaction right here, right now, in ways that deny our trust in God’s way.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:46
Humans cannot come to faith on their own; they must be regenerated by the creative power of the Holy Ghost through God's grace.
But until we're born of the Spirit we are flesh, and the only way we can ever come to faith is that if God in His grace and His grace alone liberates us by causing us to be born a second time by the creative power of the Holy Ghost.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 19:13
Antinomianism is the heretical belief that having faith allows a person to behave badly without consequence.
The heretical notion of antinomianism is that if you have faith, you can behave as badly as you want.
Source: Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier)
True faith necessarily manifests itself in a changed life and results in some degree of obedience, meaning works flow necessarily out of faith.
The point is, if you have true faith, that true faith will not someday begin to manifest itself, but rather it will immediately and necessarily begin to manifest itself in your changed life.
Source: Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier)
Justification is granted by God in one's sight the moment true faith is present, even before any works flow from that faith.
Before a single work flows from your faith, the moment true faith is present, God declares you just in his sight.
Source: Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier)
A faith that does not result in works is considered dead and cannot save anyone.
Thus, here is James’ conclusion: “Faith by itself”—that is, faith in a vacuum—“if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). It is a dead faith. James is making the point that a dead faith cannot save anyone.
Source: Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier)
True faith requires believing what God says and living by His promises, rather than being drawn by the world's allure.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it’s one thing to believe in God, it’s another thing to believe Him—to believe what He says, to believe His promises, and live not by the allure of this world, but by the promises of God, knowing that the Lord does not forget.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Righteousness is achieved solely through faith and trust in God's Word.
To be just is to live by faith. To be righteous is to be righteous by faith. It’s why the Reformers called faith the sole instrument of our justification. It’s not faith plus something else.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 3) (Ligonier)
To be just or righteous is to live by faith, and this faith must be grounded in the trustworthiness of God.
To be just is to live by faith. To be righteous is to be righteous by faith. It’s why the Reformers called faith the sole instrument of our justification.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 3) (Ligonier)
God's Word is inherently true, regardless of human skepticism.
Let every man be a liar, but God’s Word is true.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 3) (Ligonier)
The speaker suggests that the paralyzed man's faith was strong enough to overcome his physical limitations and was a remarkable display of devotion.
However weak or strong his faith was at that moment, his friends said: “We’re going to take you on a stretcher. Whatever it takes, we’re going to bring you to this man, Jesus.”
Source: The Authority to Forgive (Ligonier)
Christianity is fundamentally about devotion to the truth contained in the creed, not merely because it is written down.
But Christianity is about devotion to our creed not because it is written down, but because of the substance of the truth contained therein.
Source: A Basket Case (Ligonier)
Scriptures were written for our learning so that we might gain hope through patience and comfort.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Source: Bearing Others' Burdens (Ligonier)
Only through Christ can a person be certain of hope, contrasting with the hopelessness of the world without Him.
If you are without Christ, you are without hope. But with Christ, you are never without hope.
Source: Bearing Others' Burdens (Ligonier)
While faith looks backward at God's past actions, hope directs the soul forward to God's future promises, which is the foundation for joy.
Faith looks backward, trusting and relying upon what God has done in the past. We trust His truthfulness. We rely upon it. But then, faith looks forward into the future and finds an anchor for the soul in the future promises of God. That is the foundation for our joy.
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Paul's message emphasizes that Christian patience involves enduring difficulty and maintaining faith, exemplified by Job's declaration.
Paul is talking about the virtue of forbearance, of hanging in there when things are tough, remembering the patience of Job, who cried out in the midst of his agony, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Because humans are prone to error and delusion, they should never trust merely in their own views, but rather in the truth defined by God.
In the final analysis, dear friends, my opinions do not mean anything. What matters is truth as God defines it. That is why, since we are so prone to error and delusion, we ought never to trust merely in our own views.
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 2) (Ligonier)
While striving for peace is important, the command to live peaceably is conditional upon what is possible for the individual.
Paul continues, “If it is possible, as much as depends upon you, live peaceably with all men.”
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The Christian life is rooted in God's promise to Abraham, which was confirmed by an oath.
What we find in Hebrews 6 drives the Christian life: we are children of Abraham, God is the father of the faithful, and God made a promise to Abraham and confirmed it by an oath.
Source: The Benedictus (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Abraham, like all people, struggled with faith and questioned the certainty of God's promises.
Here, Abraham stumbled. He was like all of us: “We believe, help Thou, our unbelief.”
Source: The Benedictus (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The children of believers do not automatically inherit salvation or faith from their parents, but they do share in the promise of God given to Abraham.
The principle in view for centuries was that the children of believers are not automatically saved because their parents are saved. They don’t automatically have faith because their parents have faith, but they do have the promise of God given to Abraham and renewed throughout the history of the old covenant and into the new covenant.
Source: The Benedictus (Part 2) (Ligonier)
God is incapable of lying because of His promise and the oath that confirms it.
We thank You, God, that there are two immutable things that make it impossible for You to lie: Your promise and Your oath that confirmed it.
Source: The Benedictus (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Sproul expresses confidence that those who belong to Christ will stand firm when faced with difficult choices.
God grant by His grace that, when push comes to shove—and it will—we who belong to Him will stand.
Source: Betrayed (Ligonier)
Nietzsche's concept of 'dialectical courage' is defined as a contradictory and irrational form of courage.
What is dialectical courage? Well, what Nietzsche meant was this: dialectical courage is contradictory courage. It’s irrational courage.
Source: The Birth of Jesus (Ligonier)
Jesus warns that a life not built on a proper foundation will inevitably fall.
But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.
Source: Build on the Rock (Ligonier)
While physical care is necessary on earth, spiritual care (preaching/theology) is also essential for human life.
Here on earth, however, we need both of those occupations. We need those who care for our physical bodies, and we need those who care for our souls.
Source: The Call of Levi (Ligonier)
God's eternal plan was not to save everyone, but rather to do more than merely make salvation possible.
But God has not decreed from all eternity to save everybody. He has decreed from all eternity to do more than make salvation possible.
Source: Christ in Our Place (Ligonier)
God's basic attitude toward the world is one of good will, meaning that His good will flows towards everyone.
The basic posture of the Creator toward the world is one of good will, and every person in the world experiences the good will of God in one way or another.
Source: Christ in Our Place (Ligonier)
Christian faith must be childlike in its acceptance of God's authority, but mature in understanding.
We are to be childlike in our acquiescence to the authority of God. But Paul says elsewhere: “In evil, be babes. Do not be pros in wickedness; be amateurs in your sin. But in your understanding, be men.”
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
A wise person builds their life upon a rock, ensuring stability when faced with difficulties.
Jesus, by the same token, said the wise man is one who builds his house upon a rock, so that when the storms come and beat against it, the house stands. Why? Because it is established.
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
Before engaging in any war, one must ask whether they can win or if they should negotiate peace terms.
Before you get engaged in either a war of conquest or a war of attrition, you must ask, “Can we win this, or should we send our ambassadors to the enemy and plead for terms of peace?”
Source: The Cost of Discipleship (Ligonier)
While a soldier might have chosen Simon of Cyrene for practical reasons, the ultimate cause for his selection was the eternal counsel of God.
Behind the scenes, however, in the eternity of God’s providence, in the secret hand of that mystery, the primary cause of the selection of Simon of Cyrene was the eternal, determinate counsel of God Himself. It was God, not the soldier, who ultimately chose this man, Simon, to carry the cross of Jesus.
Source: The Crucifixion (Part 1) (Ligonier)
When sinning against God, mitigating circumstances can be measured by the level of knowledge or lack thereof.
The Scriptures realize that when we sin against God, there are sometimes mitigating circumstances measured in part by levels of knowledge and the lack of it.
Source: The Crucifixion (Part 2) (Ligonier)
While it is hypothetically possible for a Christian to live without sin, the odds are astronomical, and struggle with sin is virtually certain.
I think it is hypothetically possible that you could live the rest of your days without sin, but I think the odds against it are astronomical. It is virtually certain that you will continue to struggle with sin.
Source: Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Antinomianism is the belief that being saved by faith means one can sin as much as they want.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
The great anthem of antinomianism is: “Saved from the law, o blessed condition. I can sin all I want and still have remission.”
Source: Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Part 1) (Ligonier)
True faith necessarily results in conformity to the image of Christ and requires a change in the believer's disposition.
The fruit of true faith, the fruit of true justification, will always be conformity to the image of Christ.
Source: Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Saving faith is only possible if the Holy Spirit has changed the believer's disposition, meaning only the regenerate possess faith.
You cannot have saving faith unless the Holy Spirit has changed the disposition of your soul. Only the regenerate have faith, and all who are regenerate are changed.
Source: Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Part 1) (Ligonier)
True faith in Jesus Christ necessitates immediate works of obedience because a justified person is inherently a changed person.
The gospel teaches us that if you have true faith in Jesus Christ, works of obedience are not only inevitable, but immediate, because a justified person is a changed person.
Source: Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Part 1) (Ligonier)
God's providence dictates that certain events, such as being hit by a bullet, are predetermined and cannot be changed by human worry.
Context: Quoting a Calvinist in a story about two men in a foxhole.
I look at it this way: there’s a bullet out there with my name on it. In the providence of God that bullet is either going to get me or it’s not going to get me, and my worrying about isn’t going to change anything.
Source: The End of Anxiety (Ligonier)
Jesus taught people not to worry about their lives, addressing both specific and general fears.
Jesus addressed the specific fears and anxieties we encounter when He said, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life.”
Source: The End of Anxiety (Ligonier)
True comfort in the face of danger comes from the assurance of God's presence, not from the absence of danger.
No. Because he was happy in the shadows? No: “I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”
Source: The End of Anxiety (Ligonier)
Biblical hope is fundamentally different from human desire, providing assurance and stability that anchors the soul against doctrinal winds.
The Bible describes hope using the metaphor of the anchor of our souls. Our souls are not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. We have stability in our lives because in the midst of the tempest, there is an anchor, and that anchor is the hope that God the Holy Ghost has spread and shed abroad in our hearts.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The hope planted by the Holy Spirit acts as an anchor, providing stability and assurance against doctrinal uncertainty.
The hope planted by the Holy Spirit gives a foundation, gives stability, and gives assurance to us. It is our anchor that keeps us from being blown about.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Hope is described as a solid stability, unlike a spider web which lacks substance.
But you cannot do that with an anchor. Hope is not a spider web. It is the solid stability that anchors the soul.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier)
True hope is produced by character, which is forged through the difficulties and afflictions of life.
Character is forged in the crucible of pain. Character is built when we have no alternative but to persevere in tribulation, because those who come out the other side are those whom God has built character into their souls.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier)
The confidence in our hope comes from the fact that God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
We have this hope and confidence because the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts. Paul is not simply saying that there is a little bit of divine love with which God has touched you in your soul.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Just as Christ asks us to place our faith in Him, we must remember His faithfulness to us.
Christ asks us to put our faith in Him and promises that He will be faithful to all who are His, even as the master who comes late at night and serves his servants.
Source: The Faithful Steward (Ligonier)
If one knows when a danger will occur, they must remain vigilant and prepared to prevent it.
If the master knew that at two o’clock in the morning his house was going to be burglarized, he would not go to bed at ease at twelve o’clock and set the alarm for six o’clock. The master would stay up and be ready to repel the invader when he tries to break into his house at two o’clock in the morning.
Source: The Faithful Steward (Ligonier)
An unfaithful steward is considered an unbeliever, and one cannot possess saving faith while living like an unfaithful steward.
When the master comes back, he not only cuts him in two, but he sends him out to be numbered with the unbelievers, because, beloved, an unfaithful steward is an unbeliever. You cannot have saving faith and live like the unfaithful steward.
Source: The Faithful Steward (Ligonier)
Jesus taught that genuine faith is the means by which salvation is achieved and leads to peace.
So, I say to you this morning what Jesus said to the woman: “If indeed you have faith, that faith has saved you, and you can go in peace.”
Source: The Forgiven Woman (Ligonier)
The theology that allows people to be saved while remaining carnal is a dangerous error that gives false assurance.
Context: Describing the problematic theology, not his own.
He has been received as Savior, and all one has to do to be saved is accept Jesus as Savior, according to this view. In this understanding, there is hope that those who embrace Christ as Savior will at some point later on embrace him as Lord.
Source: Free from Indwelling Sin (Ligonier)
Satan's primary work in the believer's life is accusation, which aims to undermine assurance and joy.
The principal work of Satan in the life of the believer is not temptation, though he is engaged in that, but his chief work in the life of the believer is the work of accusation, to take away your assurance, your joy, and the consolation that is yours in Christ.
Source: God's Everlasting Love (Ligonier)
God's love is eternal and guarantees the believer's security.
God from all eternity has loved us and has redeemed us. We are God’s elect. To be elected of God is to be chosen by God.
Source: God's Everlasting Love (Ligonier)
A person's true spiritual condition and potential for redemption are determined by their heart, not just their verbal confessions.
He warned that people honor Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from them. Even though we make a verbal confession of faith, that is no guarantee. What is in the heart will determine our redemption.
Source: God's Judgment Defended (Ligonier)
The speaker argues that agnosticism is merely a gentler form of atheism, and that this position puts the person at greater spiritual risk than outright atheism.
You say that you’re an agnostic. You’re attempting to be gentle about your atheism. You think that you’re not as militant and maybe you’re hedging your bets, but don’t you realize that your agnosticism puts you at greater risk and exposure to the wrath of God than if you were a militant atheist?
Source: God’s Wrath (Ligonier)
The Bible must continue beyond the current point in Romans to provide hope and prevent people from being lost in their sin.
Thank God that Paul does not stop here in his letter to the Romans. If the Bible stopped here, we would be without hope, lost forever in our guilt and in our sin.
Source: God’s Wrath (Ligonier)
Melanchthon's view, which is described as the prescient view, holds that God foreknows who will choose to come to Christ, and then chooses them to be saved based on that prior knowledge.
Melancthon’s view, which has become the majority report in modern evangelical Christianity, is this: Election and predestination mean that God from all eternity knows in advance by His foreknowledge which people will have a positive response to the gospel, who will choose by their own free will to come to Jesus Christ. On the basis of that prior knowledge God has of who will make the right response to the gospel, God then chooses them to be saved.
Source: The Golden Chain (Ligonier)
Justification is achieved by placing one's faith in Jesus Christ, which results in the imputed righteousness of Christ covering the believer.
The good news for us is that even though we are still sinners, we can still be justified in the sight of God by putting our faith in Him. At the moment we do so, we receive a covering. The imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ clothes us, covers us.
Source: Good & Bad Fruit (Ligonier)
Those who place their faith in Christ, his loyal subjects, will experience the fullness of the salvation he achieved both now and forever.
All who put their faith in that King, all who are His loyal subjects, experience now and forever the fullness of the salvation He has achieved for us.
Source: The Gospel of the Kingdom (Ligonier)
The New Testament is committed to establishing the historical foundation of the truth of our faith.
The New Testament is committed to the historical foundation of the truth of our faith.
Source: The Gospel of Luke (Ligonier)
True Christian faith cannot be kept private; believers are called to bear witness to Christ regarding their allegiance.
Some people say, “I like to keep my faith as a private and personal matter.” That is impossible. If it is true faith, it must be personal, but the faith of a Christian can never be private.
Source: The Gospel to Samaria (Ligonier)
Intellectual assent to the truth of God, even by demons, does not constitute saving faith.
James tells us that even the demons believe in the sense that they assent and acknowledge intellectually the truth of God. But that kind of faith is not saving faith.
Source: The Gospel to Samaria (Ligonier)
True faith requires a genuine change of heart and is not merely a superficial profession or attempt to avoid punishment.
That is not true repentance. That is the kind of repentance we call attrition, where somebody repents to escape punishment, to get a ticket out of hell, to flee from the wrath of God, not because their heart has been moved to sorrow for having offended God.
Source: The Gospel to Samaria (Ligonier)
True faith requires acknowledging God's omnipresence and accepting His gaze, contrasting with the initial impulse of hiding from Him.
I know I can’t hide from You. I can hide from men, but there’s nowhere I can flee from Your Spirit. If I ascend into heaven, You’re there. If I make my bed in Sheol, Thou art there. And before a word is formed on my lips, You know it altogether.
Source: The Greatest (Ligonier)
Christian maturity involves being childlike in the sense of trusting God, which is the essence of faith.
In what sense are we to be like children? In the sense of trusting our heavenly Father. Anybody can believe in God, but to believe God is what is involved in the Christian life. It is about trusting Him.
Source: The Greatest (Ligonier)
Trust is defined as the core element of faith, which is necessary for the Christian life.
Trust is what faith is. So, Jesus says, “He who is least among you,” which is really the most trusting among them, “will be great.”
Source: The Greatest (Ligonier)
The concept of 'faith healing' is dangerous because it suggests that a lack of faith is the fatal impediment to receiving healing.
One of the most dangerous concepts we hear in these circumstances is the idea of faith healing. It teaches that for you to be healed, you must have faith that you are going to be healed.
Source: Healing of the Leper (Ligonier)
The idea that phrasing a request for mercy with 'If it be Thy will' somehow manifests a lack of faith or commits a sin is incorrect.
This goes along with the kind of thinking that if you ask for healing or mercy from God and preface your request by saying, “If it be Thy will,” you’re somehow manifesting a lack of faith, and, in the very request, committing a sin.
Source: Healing of the Leper (Ligonier)
A miracle is defined by its extraordinary nature, meaning it is unexpected and unusual.
A miracle is the last thing that you expect. It is extraordinary. There is nothing ordinary about a miracle. A miracle, by definition, is so extraordinary and so unusual that it demands our attention.
Source: A House Divided (Ligonier)
God's comfort is a permanent, secure peace that is not conditional on human behavior.
God does not rattle the sword every time He is distressed with our behavior.
Source: Introduction (Ligonier)
True faith requires both intellectual assent (belief with the mind) and heartfelt conviction.
He adds to that condition, “If you confess with your mouth and believe with your heart.”
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
For faith to be saving, it must possess accurate content, or knowledge, because believing false things is dangerous.
Saving faith requires information, knowledge, and content that we believe.
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
True belief must move beyond mere intellectual agreement and must be internalized in the heart, which is the core of one's being.
Paul says: “I am talking about the heart. If you believe in your heart, in the core of your being, in Christ, and that God has raised Him from the dead”—confess with your mouth, believe in your heart.
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
If a person genuinely calls upon the Lord, they will be saved, regardless of whether they know if they are among the elect.
If you sincerely call upon the name of the Lord, you will be saved.
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
A person must truly put their trust in Christ from the heart to avoid future shame or embarrassment.
If you put your trust in Christ truly from the heart, you have no need of any future embarrassment. You will not be put to shame for having held to a false hope and having devoted your life to a myth.
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
A person must first believe that a person is capable of saving them before they can put trust in that person.
Likewise, when I face the biggest, deepest problem of human existence—the problem of how I shall escape the wrath that is to come from the holy God—why would I put any trust or confidence in someone unless I first believe that person is able to redeem me?
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
People cannot believe in Jesus unless they have heard about him, as saving faith requires information.
People are not going to believe a gospel they have never heard. Without a preacher, they will never hear it.
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
The believers are defined as the elect, and all who are numbered among the elect will surely be brought to faith.
Paul answers that question for us, telling us that the believers are the elect. All believers who believe are numbered among the elect. All who are numbered among the elect will surely be brought to faith.
Source: Israel Rejects the Gospel (Ligonier)
A person's desire to seek God does not begin until they are converted.
the seeking of the kingdom of God, which is the main business of the Christian life, does not start until you are converted.
Source: Israel Rejects the Gospel (Ligonier)
Humans naturally assume they have the power to motivate themselves to come to Christ, which is a flawed assumption stemming from our fallen nature.
Context: Quoting or referencing the observation of theologian Roger Nicole.
we are by nature Pelagian—that is, we assume by our fallen nature that we have the power to motivate ourselves, to incline our own hearts to make the decision unaided to come to Christ while we are yet in the flesh.
Source: Israel's Rejection of Christ (Ligonier)
Paul's opening statement is a solemn declaration of seriousness, even if it does not constitute a formal oath or vow.
Even though it falls short of a vow or an oath, nevertheless, the way Paul opens this chapter of Romans, he is giving a solemn declaration with the deepest seriousness that he is able to muster coming short of an actual sacred oath or vow.
Source: Israel's Rejection of Christ (Ligonier)
The Christian faith must clearly understand the absolute integrity and righteousness of God.
what we should understand more clearly than any other item of thought in the Christian faith is the absolute integrity and righteousness of almighty God.
Source: Israel's Rejection & God's Justice (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The woman acted with great faith and initiative, believing that merely touching Jesus' garment would be enough to heal her without requiring his direct attention or intervention.
But if I can just get close enough to touch one of the tassels on the edge of His garment, I’m sure that’s all it will take.
Source: Jairus' Daughter (Ligonier)
The woman's healing was not due to her faith having the power, but rather it was a consequence of her trusting in Christ.
It was not the woman’s faith that had the power to heal her, as some mistakenly believe. Rather, because of her faith, that is, as a consequence of her trusting in Christ, she was healed.
Source: Jairus' Daughter (Ligonier)
Paul expresses confidence in the recipients' spiritual maturity, stating they are full of goodness, knowledge, and ability to admonish one another.
Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Believers must be careful not to boast in their own religious knowledge or adherence to the law, as this can lead to spiritual pride.
If we can hide from the law, put the law in a basket, escape that mirror, shatter that mirror, and look around, we can always find someone more sinful than we are and pat ourselves on the back. But we cannot afford to do that, and God will not let us do that.
Source: The Jews Are as Guilty as the Gentiles (Ligonier)
True Christian faith requires possessing the spiritual reality that the outward signs, like circumcision or baptism, merely point to.
Do we possess the spiritual reality to which the sign points? That was what Paul was saying to the Jew: “I know you’re circumcised. The people who crucified Jesus were circumcised. The Pharisees thought that because they had biological roots to Abraham, that guaranteed them their salvation.”
Source: The Jews Are as Guilty as the Gentiles (Ligonier)
Human salvation is achieved solely through personal faith, not through the faith of family or external religious rituals.
My mother’s faith cannot save me. My father’s, sister’s, or wife’s faith cannot save me. I have to have faith, and it has to be in the heart.
Source: The Jews Are as Guilty as the Gentiles (Ligonier)
The greatest challenge in applying charity is that people most often apply the benefit of the doubt to themselves.
The problem is, sadly, the person to whom we most frequently give a charitable judgment is ourselves. We usually reserve best-case analysis to evaluate our own activity.
Source: Judge Not… (Ligonier)
Christian faith requires practical application, such as living generously, which is encouraged by God.
Jesus was talking about the practical applications of the Christian faith. He was talking about how to live. He was saying, “My people are to be generous people.”
Source: Judge Not… (Ligonier)
Paul wrote to the Romans so that the faith already rooted in the believers' souls could be established, leading them to maturity and conformity to Christ's image.
It is for our edification so that the faith that has taken root in our souls may be established and we might grow to maturity and full conformity to the image of Christ.
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
A believer's life should be characterized by a fervent dedication to serving Jesus Christ.
It never gets boring. It never gets stale to hear someone with a fervency of heart and soul say: “I’m going to quit fooling around. The rest of my life is going to be devoted to the service of Jesus Christ.”
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
The core theme of the Epistle to the Romans is that God's righteousness is revealed through faith, allowing the just to live by faith.
Romans 1:17 is the thematic verse for the entire epistle to the Romans. Everything that comes after it will be an explanation of this one line: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, ‘the just shall live by faith.’”
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
Being a Christian means believing and trusting God when He speaks, which requires overcoming pride.
What it means to be a Christian is to believe God, to trust Him when He speaks. That does not require a leap of faith. That does not require crucifixion of the intellect. It requires a crucifixion of pride, because there is no one ever more trustworthy than God.
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
During times of crisis, individuals must act immediately and cannot afford to hesitate or focus on possessions.
He who is on the housetop has goods in the house, but it is so urgent that he does not have time to go down to the house and pack his things.
Source: The Kingdom Come (Ligonier)
The principle states that those who prioritize saving their own lives will ultimately lose them, while those who sacrifice themselves will preserve their lives.
Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
Source: The Kingdom Come (Ligonier)
Historically, when facing hostile invaders, people sought protection by fleeing to walled cities.
In the ancient world, when hostile invaders crossed the borders, the people fled to walled cities.
Source: The Kingdom Come (Ligonier)
Seeing weaknesses in even great saints gives him hope that his own weaknesses are redeemable.
If the Apostle Paul had struggles like this, I take comfort in it, not because I want to rejoice in evil or in somebody else’s weakness, but because it is just human nature that when I see weaknesses manifesting themselves in the greatest of the saints, mine do not seem to be totally without redeemable hope.
Source: Law Cannot Save from Sin (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Humans generally desire to be free of sin and perfectly obedient to Christ, but this desire is often conflicted by reality.
All things being equal, you would like to be free of sin. All things being equal, you would like to be perfectly obedient to the Lord. Well, alas and alack, all things are not equal.
Source: Law Cannot Save from Sin (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Humans are naturally inclined to choose the option that is most appealing or desirable to them.
When we order ice cream, we tend to order the flavor that is most appealing to us.
Source: Law Cannot Save from Sin (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The ultimate goal of knowing God's will is to achieve spiritual maturity, transformation, and the ability to discern what pleases God.
What God wants from me and from you is that we grow into spiritual maturity, that our lives become more and more set apart and consecrated by the Holy Spirit, that our minds are changed, and that our minds are transformed.
Source: Living Sacrifices to God (Ligonier)
When a person trusts in Jesus, their sin is transferred to Him on the cross, and His righteousness is transferred to the believer's account before God.
Just as my sin is transferred to Jesus on the cross when I put my trust in Him, His righteousness is transmitted and transferred to my account in the sight of God.
Source: The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus (Ligonier)
People have lost understanding of the sanctity of oaths and must learn to guard them with their lives.
We are a people who have lost our understanding of the sanctity of oaths. We make promises haphazardly. We promise certain things before God, before witnesses, before family, before the church, and then as soon as the service is over, we forget about them. But we must learn to guard the oaths we take with our very lives.
Source: The Beheading of John the Baptist (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Jesus questioned the disciples' lack of faith, asking them why they were so fearful.
But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
Source: Calming the Sea (Ligonier)
The analogy of faith dictates that no part of Scripture can ever be set against another part of Scripture.
At the heart of the biblical and theological principle of hermeneutics in Reformed theology is the law called the “ analogia fidei, ” or the analogy of faith. It quite simply says this: no portion of Scripture must ever be set against another portion of Scripture.
Source: Defilement from Within (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Placing confidence and trust in wealth is dangerous because it is not capable of providing redemption.
In light of Jesus saying, “How hard it is for a person who trusts in their wealth,” if that’s where we put our confidence and our trust, then we have put our trust in that which cannot possibly redeem us.
Source: The Eye of the Needle (Ligonier)
True hope and life are found only in Christ and His work, requiring a surrender of self-righteousness and effort.
He offers Himself to all of those who despair of their own righteousness, who despair of their own efforts to get them into the kingdom of God, to those who know that their only hope in life and death is Christ and His work.
Source: The Feeding of the Four Thousand (Ligonier)
Christians should maintain peace and trust in God's perfect plan, even when facing suffering or tribulation.
He said: “Be at peace about this. God does all things well.” That’s the heart of a Christian, because it’s the same God who is manifest here in Jesus ministering to this afflicted man by the Sea of Galilee in the Decapolis.
Source: The Healing of the Deaf Mute (Ligonier)
The ability to believe is necessary for all things to be possible.
Listen to what Jesus says in verse 23: “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
The modern tendency to use faith as a simple talisman for magic is criticized, especially in the context of healing.
The new age movement seeks to manipulate the external world by mind control. If you can think about world peace, you can bring world peace. In the Christian world, we have simplistic ministries that reference faith healing and say to people, “All you have to do is believe, and if you believe strongly enough, you can move mountains and you can make anything happen you want to make happen.”
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
God is the one who is responsible for creating faith in a doubting heart.
It is God who creates faith in the doubting heart.
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
Christian faith is not constant, but rather fluctuates, requiring continuous reliance on God's help.
Everybody in this room who is a Christian has some level of authentic, saving faith in their hearts, but the level of our faith is not constant. It waxes and wanes. It increases. It diminishes.
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
When doubts assault faith, one should turn to the Word of God, as it is the surest source of spiritual strength.
When you are assaulted with doubts, and your faith seems rocky and frail, tie yourself to the mast. Go to the source of faith—go to the Word of God.
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
It is rational and reasonable to trust God because He is perfectly trustworthy and has never broken a promise.
Unfortunately, we project that lack of trust we experience among our friends onto God, but it is reasonable and rational to trust God. Indeed, nothing is more irrational than not to trust God, because God is perfectly trustworthy.
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
The strength of faith and prayer requires active effort and cannot be automatic.
Do you see that the strength of our faith and the strength of our prayers can never be put on automatic pilot?
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
Prayer is the most effective means of building faith among people.
Context: Quoting the Korean pastor.
He said, “That’s the secret that the Koreans learned during the war: nothing builds faith among people like prayer.”
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
The woman's hope was desperate, viewing touching Jesus' clothes as her last resort for healing.
Whatever her reasoning, the woman likely thought: “I don’t care. This is my last chance. This is my last resort. I’ve heard so many great things about Jesus. Maybe He’ll have time for me. He doesn’t have to stop. He doesn’t have to lay His hands on me. Let me just touch His clothes. If I can just get close to Him, maybe that will do it.”
Source: Jairus' Daughter (Ligonier)
Jesus desired the whole truth from the woman, which she provided.
Jesus wanted the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and that is what the grateful woman gave to Jesus: “Jesus, I touched You. I’m unclean. I’ve just made You unclean according to the law because I touched You. I hope You’ll forgive me, but I was desperate because I’ve had this for twelve years. I went to every doctor I knew of, and they took my money, and they made me worse. I’m sorry, Jesus, but I just knew that if I could touch You, I would finally be healed.”
Source: Jairus' Daughter (Ligonier)
Even when circumstances appear hopeless or too late, it is not too late to trust God and believe.
I know they said not to trouble Me anymore because it’s too late. But don’t be afraid, Jairus. Don’t give in to your terror. Keep on believing. Trust me, Jairus. You came to Me, and you were on your face. You asked Me to do this when your daughter was at the doorstep of death. Now she’s entered that doorstep, but it’s not too late. Believe. This isn’t over yet.
Source: Jairus' Daughter (Ligonier)
Genuine faith, demonstrated by believing what one says will happen, grants the ability to make things happen.
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Source: Jesus’ Authority (Ligonier)
Jesus' command to 'Have faith' is an instruction to his disciples regarding the relationship between faith and power.
Perhaps Jesus was trying to instruct His disciples at this point in the relationship between faith and power.
Source: Jesus’ Authority (Ligonier)
Jesus taught that genuine faith gives the power to command nature, such as moving a mountain.
If you think it’s impressive that I can say to a fig tree that no one shall ever eat of it again, and it withered and died, let Me tell you that if you really have genuine faith, you could say to this mountain, ‘Be moved and cast into the middle of the sea,’ and it will happen.
Source: Jesus’ Authority (Ligonier)
The failure of the fig tree and the people in the temple to maintain faithfulness were seen as potential causes for Jesus' command regarding faith.
the problem with the fig tree and the temple was a problem of infidelity, of faithlessness. The temple, which was supposed to be God’s tabernacle, where people focused their faith and trust in Him, had become a den of thieves.
Source: Jesus’ Authority (Ligonier)
The prayer of faith is defined as trusting God, and it is not a form of magic.
That is the prayer of faith. The prayer of faith is trusting God. It is not magic.
Source: Jesus’ Authority (Ligonier)
The prayer of faith involves trusting the God of grace to forgive us of our sins when we ask Him.
The prayer of faith trusts the God of grace to forgive us of our sins when we ask Him.
Source: Jesus’ Authority (Ligonier)
The Christian life is summarized by the interconnected themes of faith, prayer, forgiveness, and the authority of Christ.
To tie it all together: faith, prayer, forgiveness, the authority of Christ. This is a summary of the Christian life.
Source: Jesus’ Authority (Ligonier)
Having Jesus is absolutely necessary for hope, both in this life and in the world to come.
I say to you, there is nothing on this earth that you need more desperately than Jesus, because if you don’t have Jesus, you have no hope in this life or in the world to come.
Source: Jesus at Nazareth (Ligonier)
The Holy Spirit must change the heart of stone to allow people to believe in Christ.
Sin causes such great calluses to grow upon our hearts that if Christ Himself were to walk in front of us on the water today, unless the Holy Spirit changes that heart of stone to one that can beat and pulsate with spiritual life, people will not believe.
Source: Jesus Walking on Water (Ligonier)
Regeneration must occur before a person can exercise faith and accept Christ.
What I am saying is that regeneration comes before faith. The Holy Spirit must change your heart before you will ever say yes to Jesus.
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
The owner of the vineyard was extremely concerned with the care and protection of the vines.
So, I labor the point that the care of the vineyard is of great concern to the owner.
Source: The Parable of the Vinedressers (Ligonier)
The woman demonstrated persistent faith by repeatedly asking Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter, showing she would not accept 'no' for an answer.
Mark tells us that she kept asking Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter. She didn’t just come and say, “Please, Jesus, heal my daughter.” She was persistent. She was begging. She was asking over and over and over again, recalling to our minds the importunate widow who pestered the unjust judge until he relented and gave relief to her.
Source: The Syro-Phoenician Woman (Ligonier)
Being zealous for one's faith is a quality that the speaker would be proud to possess, even if it leads to being called a fanatic.
However, if the definition of a fanatic is somebody zealous for their faith, then I would be proud to be called a fanatic.
Source: The Unpardonable Sin (Ligonier)
The phrase 'thinks in his heart' refers not to immediate thoughts, but to core beliefs that penetrate the deepest part of a person's being.
When he said, “As a man thinks in his heart,” he was getting at this: we have all kinds of ideas that race around our minds, going in one ear and out the other, but we also have core beliefs. The word core is the word for heart.
Source: Martha & Mary (Ligonier)
James argues that a person's claim to faith is only proven to be genuine when they manifest or demonstrate that faith through their works.
James is saying that a man’s claim to have faith is justified to be a true claim before men when he or she manifests, shows, or demonstrates the reality of that faith by his works.
Source: Message from John the Baptist (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Belief in one part of the Christian faith necessarily implies belief in the others.
You cannot say, “I believe in God and reject His Son.” You cannot say, “I believe in the Son and reject His Apostles.”
Source: The Mission of the Seventy-Two (Ligonier)
A form of legalism is the belief that one can earn salvation by adhering to good works or obeying the law.
The second point of legalism is the idea that you can earn your way into heaven legally by doing good works or obeying the law.
Source: New Wineskins (Ligonier)
God is concerned with faith, but the speaker argues that the secular view suggests faith can be placed in any deity.
There are many roads that go to heaven. Some go directly, some by a more circuitous route, but in the final analysis, all God is concerned about is that you be people of faith. You can have your faith in Buddha, Muhammad, Moses, Jesus, Dao, whomever.
Source: No Other Name (Ligonier)
Jesus suggests that people will not believe unless they witness signs and wonders.
So, Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”
Source: The Nobleman's Son (Ligonier)
Modern people are spiritually resistant, requiring physical evidence to believe or trust in Christ.
But we are like those people. We have calluses on our hearts. It is like we have all been born in Missouri, and we are not going to believe or trust ourselves to Christ unless we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, and see Him do His works.
Source: The Nobleman's Son (Ligonier)
A true believer never loses their salvation, although they may experience periods of backsliding.
I do not believe for a second that a true believer ever loses his or her salvation. They may have periods of backsliding. They may be engaged in a serious and radical fall away from grace but never a full and final fall.
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
The good soil refers to the human heart that has been prepared, tilled, and made fertile by the Holy Spirit.
The good soil is that which has been changed by God the Holy Spirit. It is the good soil where the seed takes root because the Holy Spirit has prepared it, tilled it, and made it fertile, which is something we cannot do for ourselves.
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
Individuals must examine their hearts to determine if they are truly trusting in Christ alone or if they are relying on their own performance or deeds.
Every now and then, you must look in your mirror, look hard, cut away the facade, and ask yourself: “Where is my heart? Am I really trusting in Christ and Christ alone for my salvation? Or am I still resting on my performance, how many times I go to church, how many good deeds I’ve done, or how much money I’ve given away? Or have I fled to the cross as my only hope in life and death?”
Source: Paul at Cyprus (Ligonier)
Every Christian has an obligation to ensure the certainty of their calling and salvation.
I know the Scriptures tell me that I am to make my calling sure, that the assurance of salvation is a real possibility, and not only a possibility, but an obligation for every Christian.
Source: Peter's Confession and Our Cross (Ligonier)
A person's confidence in dying in faith comes not from their own ability to persevere, but from Christ's ability to preserve them through His priestly intercession.
In fact, I’m sure I will die in faith, not because I’m confident in my ability to persevere, but I’m confident in the ability of Christ to preserve me by His priestly intercession for me.
Source: Peter's Denial (Ligonier)
Cornelius's faith was recognized by God because his prayers and alms were considered sweet to Him.
The angel said to Cornelius, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.”
Source: Peter's Vision (Ligonier)
A person who has confessed Christ and put their hope and trust in Him alone for salvation is declared clean by God.
But if you have confessed Christ, if you have come to Christ, if you have embraced Christ and put your hope and trust in Him alone for your salvation, then He is in you, and you are in Him. If that relationship exists in your life right now, do not let anyone call you unclean, because God has declared you clean.
Source: Peter's Vision (Ligonier)
Many people tend to believe that they must earn their way into heaven through good works and religious observance.
We tabulated the results of hundreds of people, and 90% of them answered that question with a “works righteousness” answer. Of the people we asked, “If God said to you, ‘Why should I let you into my heaven,’ what would you say,” 90% of them answered by saying: “I tried to live a good life. I went to church every Sunday. I tithed my income. I did this and that. I did this good work and performed that good work.”
Source: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Ligonier)
True faith in Christ should motivate one to serve God and glorify Him even when physical blessings are withdrawn.
Self, if God never blesses you another moment for the rest of your life, you have no reason under heaven to do anything but glorify Him, adore Him, and be grateful to Him for the blessings you’ve already experienced.
Source: The Pool of Bethesda (Ligonier)
Historically, only a small remnant of people, even from large groups, are saved.
Yet out of that vast multitude of descendants of Abraham, only a remnant would actually be saved.
Source: Present Condition of Israel (Ligonier)
True assurance of salvation comes from an internal, invisible relationship with Christ, not from outward church activities or membership.
I do not know if underneath the surface of your skin you have a real affection for Christ. I do not know if you are trusting in Him and in Him alone for your redemption. But I do know this: If you have an affection for Him and are trusting Him and Him alone for your redemption, then you are certainly in the invisible church.
Source: Present Condition of Israel (Ligonier)
The promise of being the heir of the world was not given to Abraham through the law, but through faith.
For the promise that he”—that is, Abraham—“would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law.
Source: The Promise Granted Through Faith (Ligonier)
The only way to receive salvation and be adopted into God's family is through faith, not through adherence to the law.
In every economy of divine redemption, there is only one way of salvation, which is through justification that is by faith.
Source: The Promise Granted Through Faith (Ligonier)
A Christian's only hope in life and death is found in trusting the Word of God.
Your only hope in life and death is trusting in the Word of God. There is nothing else in which we can trust.
Source: The Promise Granted Through Faith (Ligonier)
The speaker emphasizes that believers should put their trust in God's promises, similar to Abraham.
it is in that we are to put our trust, as father Abraham did.
Source: The Promise Granted Through Faith (Ligonier)
Paul urges believers to be vigilant and alert because their salvation is nearer now than when they first believed.
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
Source: Put on Christ (Ligonier)
Christians often compromise their faith and stand aside from truth because they fear bringing the wrath of enemies upon their community.
So many times when Christians stand their ground and receive arrows, the arrows are shot into the Christians’ back rather than their front, because their brothers and sisters do not want them to rock the boat and bring the wrath of their enemies upon them—remember that as we follow in the footsteps of Christ.
Source: Render Unto Caesar (Ligonier)
True faith involves a visceral, spiritual experience that goes beyond mere intellectual understanding of scripture.
It was not simply a matter of intellectual conviction. It was not just the setting forth of the notitia , which is the necessary data of the content of our saving faith. There was more here than simply the engagement of the mind. It was visceral.
Source: The Road to Emmaus (Ligonier)
The true mark of a believer is not the fullness of the Spirit, but rather being indwelt by the Holy Ghost, which guarantees safety and regeneration.
Last time, I labored the point that what marks the life of the true believer is not that he has the fullness of the Spirit—the baptism or filling of the Spirit—but that he is indwelt by the Holy Ghost, and every single person indwelt by God the Holy Spirit is safe.
Source: Sanctification (Ligonier)
A true believer's safety and belonging to God is determined by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, not by church membership or good deeds.
Your safety in the kingdom of God is not determined by your church membership or whatever good deeds you have managed to perform in this world. Rather, your safety consists of being in Christ and Christ in you.
Source: Sanctification (Ligonier)
The question of assurance of salvation is a major struggle for Christians, concerning whether they are truly in a state of grace.
This is such a burning question in the life of the Christian: Am I really in a state of grace? How can I know for sure that I am saved and not one of those who will hear those dreadful words from the lips of Jesus on the last day, “Depart from Me; you confess Me with your lips, but I don’t know who you are’?
Source: Sanctification (Ligonier)
Regarding assurance, there are four categories of people: those who are not saved and know it, those who are saved and know it, those who are saved but are unsure, and those who are saved and know it.
There are those people who are not saved. They are not in a state of grace. They are unbelievers, unregenerate, unsaved, and they know that they are not saved. There is no difficulty with that category. Then there are those who are saved in a state of redemption, who have the full assurance of their state. They are saved, and they know that they are saved.
Source: Sanctification (Ligonier)
True faith requires personal trust in Christ alone for salvation, which is distinct from merely understanding the doctrine intellectually.
We may think that we believe in justification by faith alone because we understand the doctrine intellectually and can pass a test on it in theology class, but in our hearts and souls we are not trusting in Christ and Christ alone for our salvation.
Source: Sanctification (Ligonier)
The ultimate assurance of salvation comes through the testimony of the Holy Spirit to the human spirit, confirming that one is a child of God.
My final assurance comes by the testimony of God the Holy Spirit Himself, who bears witness with and through my spirit that I am a child of God.
Source: Sanctification (Ligonier)
To gain assurance and peace, one must turn to the Word, as the Spirit will confirm truth through it.
If you are lacking in assurance and you want your heart to be at peace, you go to the Word, and the Spirit will confirm His truth to you in and through the Word.
Source: Sanctification (Ligonier)
The Christian life involves using spiritual gifts in proportion to one's level of faith.
if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Source: Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
A true compliment is one that is believed and trusted because it originates from someone the recipient regards with authority.
A true compliment is one that we believe and trust in because it comes to us from someone that we regard with a certain authority.
Source: Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
The Apostle advises believers not to overestimate themselves, but rather to evaluate themselves with sobriety.
I say . . . to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly.
Source: Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
A genuine faith will inevitably produce real righteousness.
But if the faith is genuine, if it is the real article, the fruit of that faith will be real righteousness.
Source: From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God (Ligonier)
Eternal life is granted to those who put their trust in Christ and confess their sins.
If you’ll put your trust in Him, if you’ll confess your sins and believe in Him, if you turn your gaze upon Jesus, you will have no ultimate death and no punishment.
Source: The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (Ligonier)
Regarding Jesus, one must take a definitive side, as neutrality is impossible.
You are either for Jesus, beloved, or you are against Him. There is no neutrality with respect to Him.
Source: Song of Simeon (Ligonier)
He prays for the ability to distinguish between good and evil, and between just force and tyranny, and for the courage to speak out.
Father, give us a capacity to know the difference between good and evil, to know the difference between the just use of force and godless tyranny. Give us the courage to speak when we see these things turned upside down.
Source: Submit to Government (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Christianity fundamentally revolves around believing God, which means being justified by trusting what God says.
I have said a thousand times, it is one thing to believe in God, but what Christianity is all about is believing God. It was the prophet Habakkuk who said the just shall live by faith, or the righteous shall live by trust. Three times that verse is repeated in the New Testament with respect to our salvation, which means to be justified by faith means to be justified by trusting what God says.
Source: Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me (Ligonier)
The only being worthy of implicit trust is God, and humans should trust Him implicitly.
The only being that exists who deserves implicit trust is God. Why should we not trust Him implicitly? Has He ever lied? Has He ever broken a promise? Has He ever uttered a falsehood?
Source: Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me (Ligonier)
True courage is not the absence of fear, but the act of doing what one is afraid to do.
I have always said to my children and students that the one absolutely necessary ingredient that courage requires, the sine qua non for courage, is fear. To do something that you are not afraid to do does not require courage. Courage happens when we do what we are afraid to do.
Source: The Team of Barnabas and Saul (Ligonier)
Jesus declared Peter to be the rock upon which he would build his church after Peter made a confession of faith.
Jesus responded, “Who do you say that I am?” It was Simon who gave the great confession, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” With that confession of faith, Jesus turned to Simon and said, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven, and thou shall be called Petros , the rock, and upon this rock I will build My church.”
Source: The Twelve Apostles (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Philip confessed his faith by stating that Jesus was the one prophesied through the Old Testament Law and the Prophets, meaning He was the Messiah.
We have found the one of whom Moses and the prophets spoke.
Source: The Twelve Apostles (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Being a member of a church or making a profession of faith does not guarantee salvation.
Being a member of a church does not get anybody into the Kingdom. As I tirelessly remind you, a profession of faith never saved anyone.
Source: The Unforgivable Sin (Ligonier)
True confession of faith must be authenticated by the reality of the faith in the heart, not merely by lip service.
to know that this is not just a matter of lip service to Jesus, but that the confession we make is authenticated by the reality of the faith in our hearts.
Source: The Unforgivable Sin (Ligonier)
Forgiving someone does not require a great amount of faith, only a small amount, like that of a mustard seed.
Jesus said: “You do not need a lot of faith to forgive. If you had the faith of the grain of a mustard seed, you could talk to a mulberry tree, pluck it up out of the ground, and plant it in the ocean.”
Source: Unprofitable Servants (Ligonier)
The righteousness a believer possesses before God is entirely Christ's and not their own.
I have perfect righteousness in my hand, but it is His. It is not mine.
Source: Unprofitable Servants (Ligonier)
True Christian faith must be genuine and internal, not merely a superficial performance or outward appearance.
I want to know if your faith is something that is in you and not something that you just wear on the outside on Sunday morning.
Source: Woes to Hypocrites (Ligonier)
The speaker believes the woman was terrified and used asking a theological question to distract from her sin.
I think she was terrified, so the best defense she had at this point was to ask a theological question and detour around her sin.
Source: The Woman at the Well (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The Samaritans believed in Jesus because of the woman's testimony about her encounter with him.
Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?
Source: The Woman at the Well (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Individuals should rely on the objective teachings of Jesus regarding salvation rather than their personal feelings.
So, I would say that you need to look at the objective truths of Scripture. See what it is that Jesus teaches about salvation. If you trust in those words of His teaching, then you can be assured that you are in His kingdom.
Source: Am I really a Christian if I don’t feel any different? (Ligonier Q&A)
Relying on feelings for spiritual assurance is dangerous and insufficient.
But as soon as you start resting on your feelings, you’re cooked.
Source: Am I really a Christian if I don’t feel any different? (Ligonier Q&A)
Sproul argues that if Arminians believe their salvation is based on their cooperation with grace, they are implying that their works are the decisive factor for their salvation.
Your work, in the final analysis, is the decisive factor for your being saved, whereas the bad work of your neighbor is the decisive factor for why they’re not saved.
Source: Are Arminians saved? (Ligonier Q&A)
Believers must be willing and able to actively contend for the faith that is contained within Scripture.
Context: Quoting John Piper
Not only must we be able to confess our faith, and not only must we be able to defend our faith, but we must be willing and able to contend for the faith once for all delivered in sacred Scripture.
It is possible to achieve a full certainty, or assurance, regarding one's salvation status.
And I do think it’s possible to have what we would call an assurance—a full certainty—of whether we are in the kingdom or not in the kingdom.
Source: Can a person be 100% sure of his or her salvation? (Ligonier Q&A)
A high level of assurance of salvation is attainable if one possesses a biblical understanding of salvation and one's identity.
But if we have a biblical understanding of what salvation is and an understanding of who we are, then I think we can rise to a very high level of assurance of our salvation.
Source: Can a person be 100% sure of his or her salvation? (Ligonier Q&A)
Sproul believes that there is an increasing danger of the state forcing same-sex marriage upon the church, requiring vigilance.
I think there are some serious signs of danger, and there’s an increasing militancy for the lobbyist to try to make the state force same-sex marriage on the church. But as yet they haven’t done it, although I think we need to be alert to attempts that will come our way.
Source: Do you think the state will soon require churches to perform same-sex weddings? (Ligonier Q&A)
God sent His Son to save believers who choose to put their faith in Him, not to save everyone.
It doesn’t say that He sent His Son into the world to save everybody in the world, but rather to save those who would put their faith in Him.
Source: Does God love the wicked the same way He loves the elect? (Ligonier Q&A)
Compromising the necessary saving truth of Jesus Christ is compared to a devastating natural disaster, not a minor disagreement.
We’re talking about one that is devastating to life and limb whenever you negotiate or compromise the necessary saving truth of Jesus Christ.
Source: Does “semper reformanda” mean that the church should always be changing? (Ligonier Q&A)
Eternal life is obtained solely by putting one's trust in Christ, not through human works.
The obtaining of eternal life is simple: we put our trust in Christ and in Christ alone for our salvation. Everyone who puts their trust in Christ alone, as the Bible promises, as Jesus promises, has life eternal (John 3:16). There’s no other way to get it except by faith alone. It’s not by our works (Eph. 2:8–9).
Source: How can I obtain eternal life? (Ligonier Q&A)
People who seek the benefits of God without putting their faith in Christ are not truly seeking God.
Aquinas said: “No, they’re not seeking after God. They want the benefits of God without God.”
Source: If “no one seeks for God,” why did Paul call his listeners to seek God? (Ligonier Q&A)
People who profess faith but do not genuinely possess it are capable of falling away fully and finally.
It’s very possible for people who have made a profession of faith that was not authentic to fall away fully and finally.
Source: Is there hope for a child who turns away from Christ as a college student? (Ligonier Q&A)
Perfectionism is a view that claims it is possible for a person to achieve a state of moral perfection in this life, often through a special work of the Holy Spirit.
That view is called perfectionism, and people develop a theology whereby there’s a special work of the Holy Spirit that gives them victory over all sin or all intentional sin that renders them morally perfect in this world.
Sin is inevitable in the Christian life due to human weakness and the abundance of opportunities, although it is never necessary on any given occasion.
So sin in the Christian life, I would say, is inevitable because of our weakness and because of the multitude of opportunities we have to sin. But on a given occasion, it is never, ever necessary.