Should those who have faith in Christ seek their salvation through their own works, or anywhere else? No, they should not, as everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ. To seek salvation through good works is a denial that Christ is the only Redeemer and Savior. (New City Catechism) Continue reading “Catechism 33”
Author Archives: Matthew Pullar
Catechism 32
What do justification and sanctification mean? Justification means our declared righteousness before God, made possible by Christ’s death and resurrection for us. Sanctification means our gradual, growing righteousness, made possible by the Spirit’s work in us. (New City Catechism) First, declared – altogether Continue reading “Catechism 32”
Catechism 31
What do we believe by true faith? Everything taught to us in the gospel. The Apostles’ Creed expresses what we believe in these words… (New City Catechism) We believe: Almighty Father – maker of all living things, all things sustaining, holding all. We believe: One Son, one Lord – JesusContinue reading “Catechism 31”
Kingdom
The teachers of the law deceive, devour; The humble king is quizzed on His own law. The pure in heart see God; the kingdom’s poor Inherit what the rich lose with their power. Great David’s greater Son knows that His hour Is soon to come; He knows the loving score Composed and tuned by Father’sContinue reading “Kingdom”
Catechism 30
What is faith in Jesus Christ? Faith in Jesus Christ is acknowledging the truth of everything that God has revealed in his Word, trusting in him, and also receiving and resting on him alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the gospel. (New City Catechism) Price paid – rest. Continue reading “Catechism 30”
Catechism 29
How can we be saved? Only by faith in Jesus Christ and in his substitutionary atoning death on the cross; so even though we are guilty of having disobeyed God and are still inclined to all evil, nevertheless, God, without any merit of our own but only by pure grace, imputes to us the perfectContinue reading “Catechism 29”
Late Winter
I fought against the wind and, though I won, It threw its debris all about the place, Tossed hair asunder, tug-of-warred my face And left me with a sense of being stung. The wind did battle with the joys of sun, Though still the early spring bore marks of grace And, pulled this way andContinue reading “Late Winter”
Sonnet
Your mind’s a rhizome and your head’s at sea. Stray flotsam, jetsam drift in it; its roots Run deeper than the ocean bed and shoots Burst out of it, this way and that. The key To tracing thoughts back to their unity Lies not in system or in sticking boots Into the wildness of yourContinue reading “Sonnet”
Apology
If perhaps in sullen days I might slide back to where I fell, a child, into the dark, please wait with me as slowly I am brought again into the light. Your love has brought the truth to bear in silent corners, back- rooms where thick lies have festered in the dark. AlthoughContinue reading “Apology”
Change
To the odd square peg, the round hole said, “You really just don’t understand; The picture’s big, your needs are small. Shape up, or else ship out.” “The trouble is,” the round hole said, “That pegs like you just don’t fit in. Holes like this are not made of mes, Nor is there I inContinue reading “Change”
The Consolations of Writing 