Pastor's Corner — Providence Presbyterian Church

The Morning Devotional: WCF 18.1 (Part One)

The Morning Devotional for May 26, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 18.1 (Part One)

I. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and estate of salvation,a which hope of theirs shall perish:b yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in a state of grace,c and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.d

The Morning Devotional: WCF 17.3

The Morning Devotional for May 25, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 17.3

III. Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins;a and for a time continue therein:b whereby they incur God’s displeasure,c and grieve his Holy Spirit;d come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts;ehave their hearts hardened,f and their consciences wounded;g hurt and scandalize others,hand bring temporal judgments upon themselves.i

The Morning Devotional: WCF 17.2

The Morning Devotional for May 24, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 17.2

II. This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father;a upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ;b the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them;c and the nature of the covenant of grace:d from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.e

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 19

Read: Genesis 19

After Abram pleaded with the LORD for the well-being of Sodom (and his nephew), we arrive at the answer to the prayer. You recall that God promised to spare the city if he found ten righteous people. The chapter opens with the arrival of the angels at the city who promptly meet Lot, are welcomed into his home, and protect his family. Though they are protected and brought to safety, Lot’s wife fails to heed the instruction of the angels and is destroyed.

bible readingWilliam HillMay 23, 2023Genesis 19

The Morning Devotional: WCF 17.1

The Morning Devotional for May 23, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 17.1

I. They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.a

The Morning Devotional: WCF 16.7

The Morning Devotional for May 22, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 16.7

VII. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others;a yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith,b nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word,c nor to a right end, the glory of God;d they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God.e And yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.f

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 18

Read: Matthew 18

Chapter 18 is well known for its discussion regarding church discipline (18:15-20). However, there are other important sections that surround it. First, Jesus teaches about true greatness (18:1-6). The lesson is counter-culture to what we witness in our world. In the kingdom of God, greatness comes through serving. Second, Jesus warns about temptation (18:7-9) and what lengths we must be willing to go if we are to avoid the eternal fire of hell. No one enjoys being tempted. Yet, too often, we run into it, ignoring our frailty and weaknesses. To mortify sin, we must be willing to deal with it radically and at whatever cost necessary. Third, Jesus teaches on the lost sheep (18:10-14) and the shepherd's willingness to rescue it. Fourth, Jesus teaches on the unforgiving servant (18:21-35). The lesson in that parable is simple: if you are not willing to forgive others, the Father in heaven will not forgive you.

bible readingWilliam HillMay 19, 2023Matthew 18

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 18

Read: Genesis 18

Genesis 18 can be divided into two sections. The first (18:1-21) is the account of the visit from three men in which they restate the covenant promise of God to Abram. There have been a few interpretations as to the origin of the men. Are they angels? Is it a manifestation of the Trinity? The more likely reading is that they were divine, but not members of the Godhead though 18:3 reports that Abram called one of them "Lord." The Hebrew is very specific here, using the common OT name for God (Adonai). If that rendering is correct, then it is possible that one of the members was God himself. Whatever the case may be, it is clear that Abram viewed these men with great respect.

bible readingWilliam HillMay 19, 2023Genesis 18

The Morning Devotional: WCF 16.6

The Morning Devotional for May 19, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 16.6

VI. Yet notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him,a not as though they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreprovable in God’s sight;b but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.c

The Morning Devotional: WCF 16.5

The Morning Devotional for May 18, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 16.5

V. We cannot, by our best works, merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins;a but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants;b and because, as they are good, they proceed from his Spirit;c and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection that they cannot endure the severity of God’s judgment.d

The Morning Devotional: WCF 16.4

The Morning Devotional for May 17, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 16.

IV. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.a

The Morning Devotional: WCF 16.3

The Morning Devotional for May 16, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 16.3

III. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ.a And that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure;b yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.c

The Pastor’s Corner

The blog of Pastor William F. Hill, Jr.