Piety is that reverence joined with love of God which the knowledge of his benefits induces. For until we recognize that we owe everything to God, that we are nourished by his fatherly care, that he is the Author of our every good, that we should seek nothing beyond him-we will never yield him willing service. Nay, unless we establish our complete happiness in him, we will never give ourselves truly and sincerely to him. (Institutes 1.2.1)
God’s Decree
What has God decreed in himself from all eternity?
All things whatsoever come to pass
The Immensity & Immutability of God
Geerhardus Vos (in his Reformed Dogmatics, Vol.1) defines these as:
Immensity – That perfection of God whereby He is exalted above all distinction of space, yet at every point in space is present with all His being and as such is the cause of space.
Immutability – That perfection of God whereby He is exalted above all becoming and development, as well as above all diminution, and remains the same eternally.
And then, there is Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, Avery present help in trouble, therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be removed into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Made in God’s Image
The first three chapters of Genesis are absolutely foundational to the Christian faith. But for the past 160 years or so they have been under increasing attack and denial. These chapters are so critical and important that every Christian should make a serious study of them in order to be fully convinced in his or her mind. But convinced of what is the question. Convinced of the truth. Genesis 1 posits the belief that God made all things—everything that exists came from God. The entire universe was made by God. All animals, all plant life, and all humanity find their origin in God as their Creator and Sustainer. On Day 6, God created man (Gen. 1:26–29). He is called Adam. God also created Eve and gave her to Adam; she became his wife (Gen 2:23–25). Adam was given dominion over all animal and plant life (1:29, 30; 2:19, 20). He was to work the garden in which he was placed and was forbidden to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death (2:15, 16). When God had completed his creation he exclaimed that it was very good (1:31). These are the bare facts of the Genesis record (1:1–2:25). [Read more…]
Promises Performed
Whatever God mercifully promises, he faithfully performs.
(Calvin, Inst. III.13.4, p. 766)
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