It was 15 years ago today that the Lord saved me. I didn't walk an isle, I didn't repeat a prayer after anyone. I had tried all that years earlier and was never saved. I was all alone in my bed with nothing but the weight of my sin and guilt and a realization of how much I

From now on, no Christians are allowed to sneak up and scare someone. If you make your brother jump, you're causing him to sin.

Men are not justified for what they are or for what they do, but for what Christ has done for them. God has set Him forth as a propitiation for sin, in order that He might be just and yet the justifier of them that believe. — Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology,

My quotes are better than my memes. You should read them. They may not be more entertaining and might require more concentration, but they are far more edifying. I'm probably going to transition to more of these and less of what some call "coal posting". I do think scripture gives place for humor and even mockery of false beliefs, but I think quotes and scripture are more edifying, even if most people don't take the time to read them.

Oh, if ever you would have your souls kept low, dwell upon the free grace and love of God to you in Christ! … Dwell upon the firstness of his love, dwell upon the freeness of his love, the greatness of his love, the fullness of his love, the unchangeableness of his love, the everlastingness of his love, and the ardency of his love. If this does not humble you, there is nothing on earth which will do it. Dwell upon what God has undertaken for you. Dwell upon the choice and worthy gifts which he has bestowed on you; and dwell upon that glory and happiness which he has prepared for you—and then be proud if you can. — Thomas Brooks, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Doctrine 1

“I will be yours forever,” says Christ, “and my Spirit shall be yours forever, and my grace yours forever, and my glory yours forever, and my righteousness yours forever; all I am and all I have, shall be yours forever!” O what matchless love is this! Oh! what a Christ is this! — Thomas Brooks, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ

They are crosses indeed, but not curses. Whatsoever we suffer in soul or body is a cross, but not a curse unto us; because the sting is pulled out. — Richard Sibbes, Christ’s Sufferings for Man’s Sin

Consider therefore, his infinite condescension, grace, and love herein. Why all this towards you? Does he stand in need of you? Have you deserved it at his hands? Did you love him first? Cannot he be happy and blessed without you? Has he any design upon you, that he is so earnest in calling you unto him? Alas! it is nothing but the overflowing of mercy, compassion, and grace, that moves and acts him herein. — John Owen, Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ

A good example of why women cannot teach men.

All traditions which are extra-biblical in nature are inventions and institutions of men. There are no traditions which have been handed down to us by Christ and the apostles. Never does Christ or an apostle direct us to unwritten traditions, but always to the Word (Isa 8:20, Luke 16:29, John 5:39, 2 Pet 1:19-20). — Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service, vol. 1, ch. 2, “The Word of God,” p. 37

By the church we do not mean the Pope, whom the Roman Catholics call the church virtual, nor his cardinals and bishops met in general council, whom they call the church representative. We mean the whole company of believers in all ages who have professed the true faith. — Benjamin Keach, The Divine Authority of the Bible, p. 21

It will be said, where is it written that Scripture is Scripture? I answer, not in any one particular place or book of scripture, but in every line and page of the whole bible to him that can read with the spirit of discerning, and can discern the voice of the true pastor, as the sheep of Christ can do. — William Perkins, A Reformed Catholic, “Of Traditions,” pp. 90–91

The sum is, that the spirit of Trent wished, by this decree, that Scripture should only signify to us whatever dreaming monks might choose. — John Calvin, Acts of the Council of Trent with the Antidote, Antidote to Session IV, p. 51

Sacred signs are the sacraments, not images. The ornaments of churches are the pure preaching of the word, the lawful administration of the sacraments and holiness of discipline. — Francis Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Topic 11, Q. 10, §XIV

And there is no difference whether they simply worship an idol, or God in the idol. It is always idolatry when divine honors are bestowed upon an idol, under whatever pretext this is done. — John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion 1.11.9 (ed. John T. McNeill, tr. Ford Lewis Battles)

🔥🔥🔥 I come now to the second council of Nice, in the sixth session, whereof these words occur: “Many things are observed by us without the authority of scripture, as for example, the worship of images,” I answer: We make no account of that council, and do not acknowledge its authority; yea, we say that it was an impious and wicked conventicle, wherein many things were concluded most plainly against scripture. As the first council of Nice was truly catholic, so this second council of Nice was absolutely heretical … If the papists had any shame, they would themselves be ashamed of this council. However, we take what he grants us, that these fathers have said that the worship of images cannot be proved from scripture. Why then is he not ashamed to abuse so foully so many places of scripture for the support of this practice? — William Whitaker, A Disputation on Holy Scripture, Question 6, ch. 11, p. 817

Unregenerate people who only know fear-motivated obedience cannot understand grace-motivated obedience.

…when we say a man is justified by faith alone, we do not fancy a faith devoid of charity, but we mean that faith alone is the cause of justification. — John Calvin, Acts of the Council of Trent with the Antidote, Antidote to Session VI, p. 119