“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Romans 8:32
John Newton wrote of God’s magnificent grace which causes us to persevere:
“Since the radical powers of the soul are … enfeebled, it is not a wonder that the best of men have found cause to make acknowledgement of the apostle, ‘When I would do good, evil is present with me.’ But … though we must feel hourly cause for shame and humiliation for what we are in ourselves, we have cause to rejoice continually in Christ Jesus, who … holds out to our faith a balm for every wound, a cordial for every discouragement, and a sufficient answer to every objection which sin or Satan can suggest against our peace.
“If we are guilty, He is our righteousness; if we are sick, He is our infallible Physician; if we are weak, helpless, and defenseless, He is the compassionate and faithful Shepherd who has taken charge of us and will not allow anything to … separate us from His love. … He remembers that we are but dust, and has engaged to guide us by His counsel, support us by His power, and … receive us to His glory, that we may be with Him forever.”
“Since the radical powers of the soul are … enfeebled, it is not a wonder that the best of men have found cause to make acknowledgement of the apostle, ‘When I would do good, evil is present with me.’ But … though we must feel hourly cause for shame and humiliation for what we are in ourselves, we have cause to rejoice continually in Christ Jesus, who … holds out to our faith a balm for every wound, a cordial for every discouragement, and a sufficient answer to every objection which sin or Satan can suggest against our peace.
“If we are guilty, He is our righteousness; if we are sick, He is our infallible Physician; if we are weak, helpless, and defenseless, He is the compassionate and faithful Shepherd who has taken charge of us and will not allow anything to … separate us from His love. … He remembers that we are but dust, and has engaged to guide us by His counsel, support us by His power, and … receive us to His glory, that we may be with Him forever.”
Scripture Focus
Colossians 2:1-12
Insight
“Many years have passed since then,/ Many changes I have seen,/ Yet have been upheld till now;/ Who could hold me up but Thou?” (John Newton, 1725-1807)
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 25-26
- Psalm 83
- Acts 3-4
