The contrast between Law and Gospel is to be understood, and from this distinction we deduce that, just as the Law demands work, the Gospel requires only that men should bring faith in order to receive the grace of God.

Commentary on Romans 10:8

Bridges: Only Preaching the Gospel Leads to Holiness

The sovereignty and freeness of grace are the principles of laborious activity, not the allowance of Anitnomian ease. Thus the doctrines of the Gospel not only explain the nature and obligation, but are themselves the principles – nay the only principles – of holiness. We must live every moment by faith, and as we live, we shall love – overcome the world – crucify sin – delight in the service of God. No mere precepts will extirpate the natural love of sin, or infuse this new bias in the heart. The doctrine of faith alone effects this mighty change, by exhibiting Christ as the source of life, and detailing all the exercises of holy practice, flowing from that life…

It is the promise, and not the precept; it is encouragement, and exaction; it is grace, and not nature, which consecrates a course of moral beauty and blessing, and convinces the believer, that, whether grace is to be exercised or duty discharged, he is eminently ‘God’s workmanship,’ the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Charles Bridges The Christian Ministry (265-66) emphasis original

Link

Is the Law Gracious?

Christians, Sports & Sundays

Posted on September 22, 2011 by blund

Euan Murray is a modern day Eric Liddell. Like Liddell, the protagonist of Chariots of Fire who didn’t run in the Olympics because his race landed on a Sunday, Murray will not scrummage for Scotland because the match would land on a Sunday.

It’s basically all or nothing, following Jesus. I don’t believe in pick ‘n’ mix Christianity. I believe the Bible is the word of God, so who am I to ignore something from it?

I might as well tear out that page then keep tearing out pages as and when it suits me. If I started out like that there would soon be nothing left.

I want to live my life believing and doing the things (God) wants and the Sabbath day is a full day.

It’s not a case of a couple of hours in church then playing rugby or going down the pub, it’s the full day.

Parents in the US are increasingly facing more and more activities for their kids on Sundays. (Let’s not get started on NFL Sunday football!) Here’s an individual in Murray who is giving up a major aspect of his career to obey a command that most Christians haven’t kept their entire lives. I don’t know the first thing about Murray (or rugby!). But examples like these should make us all pause and reflect on how we are obeying the 4th Commandment.