2025 – A New Year

January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 / Christopher Terry

We have entered the year of our Lord 2025. A new year brings with it a sense of hope and anticipation. Some people look forward to the prospect of self-improvement and increased prosperity that may come with a new year. Others hope for new and exciting experiences. As Christians, a new year should look a bit different. Everything for the Christian revolves around Christ: his glory; his kingdom; his will; and his Word. All of these things are priorities for the Christian.

In beginning a new year, I would encourage you to look back and take stock of the past year(s). Ask yourself, in the past year(s):
• How did God provide for you?
• How did he sustain you?
• How did he guide you?
• How did he correct you?
• How did he teach you?
Write down your answer to these questions. As you consider what you have written, give God thanks for his good and faithful work in your life.

In beginning a new year, I would encourage you to set some goals for your Christian growth. The following list is not intended to be exhaustive.

Set goals for your Bible reading and prayer time. Here are some suggestions:
a. Read through the entire Bible in a year.
b. Read through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
c. Read through the New Testament in six months or a year.
d. Read through the Old Testament in six months or a year.
e. Read through the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Number, Deuteronomy).
f. Read through Proverbs each month. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs. On average you will be reading one chapter per day for the entire year.
g. Read through Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes.
There are many more options than the ones listed here, but it is a starting point to get you thinking. Start somewhere. Having a plan helps.
Set goals for memorizing Scripture. Here are some suggestions:
a. Memorize verses that focus on an area of need right now (ex. worry, anger, bitterness, doubt, discouragement, etc.).
b. Memorize verses that will help you share the gospel (the “Romans Road” is not a bad place to start).
c. Memorize verses that will help you defend the faith (1 Peter 3:15).
d. Memorize verses that encourage you in your worship of the Lord.
There are many more options than the ones listed here, but it is a starting point to get you thinking. Start somewhere. Having a plan helps.
Set goals for sharing the gospel. Maybe your goal will be to:
a. Share the gospel with one person each day.
b. Share the gospel with one person each week.
c. Share a gospel tract with one person each day.
d. Share a gospel tract with one person each week.
e. Leave a gospel tract in a public place each day.
One thing you should be doing each day is asking God for opportunities to share the gospel. Ask him to give you the wisdom, clarity of thought, words to speak, and courage to share.
Set goals for encouraging others in the faith. As Christians, we are supposed to be making disciples. How can you exhort others to love and good deeds as believers (Heb. 10:24-25)? A word of wisdom/caution: focus on encouraging someone of the same gender as you, unless the person is a spouse or family member. Here are some suggestions:
a. Let a fellow believer know you are praying for him or her. Just make sure you actually pray. Also, ask the person what you can be praying for.
b. Share Bible verses intended to encourage the brother or sister in Christian obedience and faithfulness.
c. Share things you are learning from God’s Word and other good Christian literature.
d. Share good sermons, podcasts, and books with fellow believers.
e. Ask the fellow believer what he or she is learning lately from God’s Word and other good Christian literature.
Set goals for reading Christian books that will encourage you in Christian maturity. There are several written works that can be a great encouragement to you in your Christian walk. It gives you the opportunity to learn from fellow believers who you will not be able to have a conversation with or be mentored by. Here are some categories:
a. Christian life – prayer, spiritual growth, Bible reading, evangelism, discipleship, etc.
b. Christian Theology – Systematic Theology, Biblical Theology, and Historical Theology
c. Family life and Marriage – resolving conflict, raising and discipling children, family worship time, etc.
d. Church – worship, ordinances, governance, discipleship, etc.

In the near future, I will share a list of suggested resources that would be a good place for you to start. In the meantime, get started on the action steps listed above. Seek the Lord each day. Seek to bring him glory in all that you do.

Sola Gratia

July 10, 2024 / Christopher Terry

Sola gratia is Latin for, “by grace alone.” “This phrase refers to the Reformation conviction that salvation is by God’s grace alone and that even saving faith is due to the gracious activity of God and cannot be viewed as a meritorious human achievement.”^[1] Scripture teaches that salvation is by grace alone. This doctrine was not invented by the Protestant Reformers. It predates the Reformation. When Martin Luther was asked to recant his beliefs he responded, “Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise.”[2] The Reformers were convinced by the Scriptures.

What is grace? Grace has been defined historically as, “the unmerited favor of God.” It has also been described as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:8–10). Luther wrote, “But no man can be thoroughly humbled until he knows that his salvation is utterly beyond his own powers, devices, endeavors, will, and works, and depends entirely on the choice, will, and work of another, namely, of God alone… then he has come close to grace, and can be saved.”[3]

What is the significance of this biblical doctrine? The only way any person can be saved from sin and eternal wrath is by God’s grace. If salvation is by grace alone, which it is, then it is clearly not by works or personal righteousness. No one contributes anything to his or her salvation. “No merit of man either before, at, or after his regeneration by the Holy Spirit contributes to his salvation. The only merit by which a sinner is saved is Christ’s merit.”^[4] It is critical because of the ramifications. If you get this doctrine wrong it has eternal consequences. Teaching that salvation is a cooperative effort between man and God (i.e. synergism) is an error that results in damnation. There have been individuals and groups that have gotten this wrong, and continue to do so.

We read in the N.T. that there were Jews who thought Abraham was saved by some form of personal merit (and by extension so were they because of their relation to him). This is why Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, debunked this error in his letter to the Romans. No one, not even Abraham, is saved by anything other than grace (Rom. 4:1-5). Why was it necessary to address this error? Because it exists and it is extremely dangerous. If anyone thinks this is an isolated error you would be wrong. Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia confronted the error of those who were seeking to blend works and grace concerning justification (Gal. 2:21; 3:1-14). The apostle declared to them that such a message is actually a different gospel (Gal. 1:6-9). So dangerous is this false message that Paul calls down a curse upon those who are preaching it (Gal. 1:9). These people were distorting the gospel (Gal. 1:7). They are acting as servants of Satan, deceiving others, as they present a counterfeit message. This is a very serious issue.

As Christians, we must hold fast to the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. Once again, this is not based upon the Protestant Reformers’ word and authority. It is squarely founded upon the Word of God. Levi Berntson writes, “Sola gratia means that from beginning to end, salvation is of the Lord (Ps. 3:8; 62:1; Rom. 8:29–30).” Augustus Toplady wrote,

“Not the Labours of my Hands
Can fulfil thy Law’s demands:
Could my Zeal no respite know,
Could my Tears for ever flow,
All for Sin could not atone:
Thou must save, and Thou alone!”[5]

Brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! Salvation is by grace alone.

^[1] C. Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), 109.

[2] Martin Luther, Cited in Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther (Ontario: Mentor Book, 1950), 144.

[3] Martin Luther, The Bondage of the Will, Luther’s Works, Vol. 33: Career of the Reformer III, ed. Jaroslav Jan Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald, and Helmut T. Lehmann, vol. 33 (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1999), 33: 61–62.

^[4] Alan Cairns, Dictionary of Theological Terms (Belfast; Greenville, SC: Ambassador Emerald International, 2002), 422.

[5] Augustus Montague Toplady | Thomas Hastings, Rock of Ages, © Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain.

The Re-Release of “Ashamed of the Gospel” by John MacArthur

June 1, 2010 / Christopher Terry / Leave a comment

I received this book free from Grace to You about a month ago. I always love to receive free things but I was swamped with work so I was unable to start reading right away. I just finished the book yesterday and here are some initial thoughts:

The book is a revision but it is still extremely relevant for our evangelical Christians today. Its message hits on the greatest dangers facing the church currently. The undermining of accurate, authoritative truth statements has been going on for some time but now it has gained traction in the church. The truth is that it isn’t alive and well only in the Emerging Church conversation. It is alive and well in conservative Bible believing churches around the U.S. Children up through adults have been effected through media of all forms. Evangelicals have been influenced to believe that it is not intellectually credible to believe authentic, authoritative, inerrant truth. They have been made to believe that no such thing exists. This is a major issue when it comes to the Word of God. The Word of God presents itself as such, so evangelicals are scrambling to redefine what the Bible means when it makes such statements.

What MacArthur has done in this book reminds me of what Spurgeon did to stand against the Down-Grade Controversy. MacArthur has spoken out against the fluffy version of love that has infected Christianity, which never stands on truth against error. The theology of tolerance and acceptance of everything has infected the church. It is a sickness and the solution is repentance and a return to the Word of God.

I think that MacArthur has provided a very timely message in this book. God used it to bring a great deal of conviction in my own life and thinking. I suggest that you read the book. I believe you will find the circumstances facing the church in England toward the end of Spurgeon’s life eerily similar to the conditions of the church in the U.S. during our time. Read the book.

The Theological Foundations are Crumbling in Evangelical Churches

December 9, 2009December 10, 2009 / Christopher Terry / Leave a comment

It seems that among evangelical Christians Theology is out of style. It is too irrelevant and boring. The self-centered question of the century is raised, “what does it have to do with me?” This arrogant and erroneous thought has led to the existential interpretation of Scripture. Every promise in the book is not mine! Nor are they all yours!

Never have evangelical Christians had so many resources for studying the Word of God and yet neglected them so. Christians for the first time are crossing denominational lines for more entertaining services and youth groups which are more activity-centered. Theological beliefs do not enter the thought process of the consumer-minded evangelical Christian. The only thing on the Christian’s mind is: what does this church do to meet my needs? This is a sad state of affairs. Read through the pages of the N.T. to find any instance where Scripture instructs believers to make decisions based on such self-centered carnal reasoning. The reason that Theology is not considered is that to the average Christian the study of God really is not important! What did you say? Theology is the study of God and to the average evangelical Christian it is irrelevant. They are much more concerned about learning and studying themselves, not God! This is why the Theological foundations are crumbling in evangelical churches. The Word of God is used as a proof-texting, self-help manual. May God have mercy on us.

The Validity of the Text

February 13, 2009March 7, 2009 / Christopher Terry / Leave a comment

The following is also a quote from “Spiritual Maturity” by J. Oswald Sanders,

“In time of severe trial there is always the temptation, while assenting to the truth in general, to feel that our present circumstances are an exception. If that were so, the text is null and void, and the truth of the overruling providence of God in the affairs of men has no meaning.”

Christian Suffering

February 13, 2009 / Christopher Terry / Leave a comment

The following is a quote from “Spiritual Maturity” by J. Oswald Sanders,

“Paul’s conception was that anything which made him more like Christ was good, altogether irrespective of its reaction on his comfort or health or success or pleasure. Christlikeness does not always thrive in the midst of material comforts. Many of the most Christlike Christians have been plagued with ill-health. Success in business has in many lives been the death knell of holiness. Seeking after pleasure often defeats its own ends.”

A Prayer to the King

February 11, 2009 / Christopher Terry / Leave a comment

Lord You are the King of all creation. You are the Master of the entire universe. Father You are all-knowing. You are all-powerful. You are omnipresent. God You made all things. Lord because You know all things, I can trust You and not worry. Lord I do not need to worry about how my church is doing, because You are in control. If they are born again, You have done it. If they are going to grow spiritually, You will do it. Lord I can only love others if I am filled with Your love. Help me to be filled with Your love, Lord. God I am sorry for not trusting You like I should. Lord my faith is so small. God please help me to trust You in all ways and in everything. Lord please help me to understand and believe Your Word always. God please strengthen me and grow me spiritually. Lord, help me to become the man of God that You have saved me through Christ to become.

in His name I pray,

amen.

Walking in the Way of Christ

by Christopher J. Terry

Theology

Christian Suffering

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A Prayer to the King

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