Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Psalm 84:10: A Heart for Church

Psalm 84:10: For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. [1]

Growing up, I remember dreading going to church, longing for the service’s conclusion, and looking forward to leaving. But this Psalmist sings that “one day” with God is better than “a long time passed” with worldly people. [2] The Psalmist adores God because “the Lord is foremost in” His “heart,” [3] which is a result of the Trinity’s work in the Psalmist. [4]

But why do so many of us feel like my childhood self, rather than the Psalmist when it comes to church? Possibly because we lack “devotion,” “piety” and/or “religious affection.” [5] Works and emotions do not ultimately determine our standing before God. [6] But if we lack love for the LORD’s house, we might want to question our relationship with Christ because “love is its own evidence” of what we value. [7] If God has saved you, and you desire a heart like the Psalmist, pray to Him and He will forgive your lacking worship and grow you. [8] For unbelievers, know that if you are not loving and worshipping the Triune God you serve something that will ultimately disappoint and destroy you. [9] Should you confess your sins, and devote yourself to God, you will have a love and object of worship worth living for, and it will sustain you for all of life. [10]

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Logos Bible Software. All Bible references will be ESV from here on out, unless noted otherwise.

[2] John Calvin, Commentary on the Book of Psalms Vol. 2, Psalms 36-92. Trans. James Anderson. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company, 1981), 364.

[3] Willem A. VanGemeren, et. al. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms-Song of Songs, Vol. 5. Ed Frank. E. Gaebelein. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), 542.

[4] Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 11:19, 36:25-27; Hebrews 8:8-10.

[5] William S. Plumer. Psalms: A Critical and Expository Commentary with Doctrinal and Practical Remarks. (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 2016), 797.

[6] Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:3-5.

[7] Plumer, Psalms, 789-99.

[8] Plumer, Psalms, 797.

[9] Psalm 16:4. See also Paul Tripp. Sex and Money. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 35 142, 164.

[10] Calvin, Commentary, 351-52.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

1 Peter 3:18: Victory

1 Peter 3:18: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. [1]

Peter so concisely depicts Christ as “Victor” [2] that we might miss Jesus’ magnitude. Peter teaches that Christ’s “unique” suffering as the sinless Savior satisfies divine “justice” which “enables us to enter God’s presence.” [3] When our sin, evil, and corruption separated us from God, [4] the Trinity worked redemption for the elect through Christ. [5]

In addition to justification for sins, when Christians suffer for righteousness [6] they have hope and power to face their trials with Christ-like “meekness” and “boldness.” [7] Believers are called to suffer for God’s glory, their good, and because Christ is our example. [8] When people rest in Jesus, their sins are forgiven and they have hope in hardship. If you are not in Christ, know that He can become yours when you see your unrighteousness, and confess your need of His. If you are a believer, continue facing your suffering in the One Who has “suffered once for sins” and gained the victory. [9]

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Logos Bible Software. All Bible references will be ESV from here on out, unless noted otherwise.

[2] Edmund Clowney. The Message of 1 Peter: The Way of the Cross. Ed. John R.W. Stott. (Leicester, England: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 154.

[3] Simon J. Kistemaker. New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Co., 1987), 138-39.

[4] Isaiah 59:2, Romans 1:18-32, Revelation 21:27, etc.

[5] Psalm 130:4-8; John 1:29, 1:36; Acts 4:10, 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 2:8-10, 1 Peter 2:24. See also: Daniel B. Wallace Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament with Scripture, Subject, and Greek Word Indexes. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 98, and John Murray, Collected Writings of John Murray: The Claims of Truth, Vol. 1. (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2001), 52.

[6] 1 Peter 2:18-25, 3:17, 4:1-13.

[7] Clowney, The Message of 1 Peter, 155.

[8] John 10:7-18; Acts 4:1-22; Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 1:12-30, 3:12-21; Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 Peter 2:18-25, 3:17, 4:1-13.

[9] 1 Corinthians 15:57-58.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

John 3:36: Not A Smorgasbord

John 3:36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. [1]

You may know, or perhaps are, someone who treats religious believes like a buffet: “Buddhist meditation relaxes me, I like the Christian heaven, and Unitarianism is welcoming.” But John 3:36 teaches only those exclusively believing in Christ, and continue believing by God’s grace [2] have eternal life. Along with John, Jesus and Scripture are clear that God enabled heart change alone produces saving faith in the Son which leads to everlasting life. [3] Further, wrath and judgment waits for those outside Jesus. [4]

How is this fair? When we ask this, we ask the wrong question. The real question: why has God given escape from just wrath? We sinned, rebelled, and made ourselves God’s enemies. [5] Who do you know Who loves their enemies so much He would kill and raise His Son so that His chosen enemies could enter His glory with all the welcome and acceptance of a child? [6] Only the triune LORD of Scripture is that loving. He is yours when you confess your sins and submit your life to Him, as is His heaven. [7] May you grow in love and knowledge of this loving God.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Logos Bible Software 6. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] Wallace, Daniel B. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament with Scripture, Subject, and Greek Word Indexes. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 621 footnote 22.

[3] Habakkuk 2:4; John 1:12, 3:3, 3:15-18, 5:24, 6:40, 6:47, 6:54, 11:25-26, 14:6, 20:31, Romans 3:23-26, 4:13-25; Ephesians 2:1-10, etc. See also John Calvin. Commentary on the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ According to John. Trans. William Pringle. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1981), 141-142, Andreas J. Kostenberger. John: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2004), 139-140, and The Westminster Standards: The Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism. (Philadelphia, PA: Great Commission Publications, 2011), chapters VI-XIV.

[4] Romans 1:17-18, 2:9; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6; Hebrews 3:18; 1 John 5:10-13, and Kostenberger, John, 139-140.

[5] Genesis 3:1-14; Romans 3:9-23, 5:6-11, 8:7-8; Ephesians 2:1-3, 2:11-12.

[6] Romans 8:14-19; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 3:1-2.

[7] 1 John 2:1-2, 2:25-29.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Hearts

John 10:29-30: The Shepherd's Repeated Promise

John 10:29-30: My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” [1]

After describing His sheep, [2] Jesus reiterates salvation’s permanence in believers. [3] Christ’s teaching on the saints’ perseverance [4] is reinforced by His and the Father’s graciously choosing the sheep. [5] Because God has predestined His people to saving faith, not on the basis of their free will or works, [6] He will complete the work. [7] Yes, Christians are responsible for their actions, [8] but their efforts do not earn salvation or qualify them for heaven. [9]

Jesus makes this promise because He is one with God the Father. Only God could promise John 10:29, [10] and God has in Christ. No sin, sinner, circumstance, etc. can “snatch” us when we embrace Jesus Christ as our exclusive means of salvation. [11] Even if your worst nightmare comes true, and comes with all Hell’s power, it could not shake the Son’s and Father’s double clenched fists around you. [12] These hands greet the elect into heaven, and all who repent of their sins.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Standard Bible Society, 2016). Logos Bible Software.

[2] Please see John 10:27-28 and corresponding blog titled “The Shepherd’s Sheep.”

[3] Andreas J. Kostenberger. John: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2004).

[4] For a thorough definition please see The Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter XVII. For now, it will suffice to say “perseverance of the saints” means God’s true elect will be eternally saved despite life’s struggles.

[5] James Montgomery Boice. The Gospel of John, Volume 3: Those Who Received Him John 9-12. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company, 1999), 780.

[6] Calvin, John. Commentary on the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ According to John. Trans. William Pringle. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1981), 416. See also Ephesians 1:3-10, 2:1-10.

[7] Philippians 1:6; Psalm 57:2, 138:8; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Galatians 3:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:24.

[8] John 6:29; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 3:10; Philippians 1:10, 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:3, etc.

[9] Judges 7:2; Romans 3:27-28, 4:1-10, 9:11, 11:6; Ephesians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 1:28-31; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:4-7.

[10] John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion. Translated by Henry Beveridge. (Peabody, Mass: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 2008), II.viii.26, page 248.

[11] Romans 8:31-39, and Calvin, Institutes, III.xxii.11, page 623.

[12] Boice, The Gospel of John, 783-784 and Calvin, Institutes, III.xxii.11, page 623.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

John 10:27-28: The Shepherd's Sheep

John 10:27-28: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [1]

Some claim: “In Calvinism everything just turns out alright in the end!” Such protests misunderstand Calvin and Scripture. Jesus came because everything is not alright. [2] Sin deafens humanity to Christ apart from God’s effectual call. [3] The Holy Spirit’s work is required for righteous living, [4] which causes humble, [5] lifelong, urgent pursuit of Christ. [6] The Trinity’s necessity for salvation and godliness makes relying on personal efforts and fruitlessness ludicrous because the spiritually dead sheep are made alive to follow the Good Shepherd. [7] We err when we assume we are Christ’s if we trust our works or lack them. [8]

Further, Jesus’ promise “no one will snatch them” brings realistic rejoicing because it implies snatches will be tried. [9] Worldly people, some posing as Christians, [10] employ philosophies and persecutions hoping to lead believers from the fold.[11] These attempts will fail because salvation begins and ends with the God Who keeps His sheep. [12] Believers: we have hope when everything is not right that Christ empowers us for the fight, and is victorious over evil. [13] Unbelievers: this same hope is yours if you surrender to the Shepherd. [14]

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Logos Bible Software 6. All Bible verses will be ESV from here on out unless noted otherwise.

[2] Boice, James Montgomery. The Gospel of John, Volume 3: Those Who Received Him John 9-12. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company, 1999), 778. See also 1 John 3:5 and 8.

[3] Genesis 3, 6:5; Psalm 51:5; John 6:44; Romans 3:9-23, 5:12-21, 8:7-8, 1 Corinthians 15:22; Ephesians 2:1-10, Colossians 2:13, etc.

[4] Ephesians 2:1-10, Calvin, John. Commentary on the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ According to John. Trans. William Pringle. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1981), 415.

[5] Boice, The Gospel of John, 780.

[6] Matthew 5-7; John 6:27; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:12-21; Hebrews 10:19-25, 12:1-3; James; 1 John 2:3-5, 2:29, 3:4-15; 2 John 8, etc.

[7] Galatians 3:1-14, Calvin, Commentary, 416, and John 10:27, Luke 13:1-9, James 2:14-26, Boice, The Gospel of John, 781.

[8] Boice, The Gospel of John, 781.

[9] Boice, The Gospel of John, 781.

[10] Matthew 7:15.

[11] Ephesians 6:10-19.

[12] Isaiah 66:22; Luke 21:18; John 6:37, 6:38, 10:16, 17:12, 18:9; Acts 13:48; Romans 8:26-39; 2 Corinthians 4:9.

[13] Psalm 34:18, Hebrews 13:5-6, and Ephesians 1.

[14] Hebrews 4:1-15.