2:15  "We {are} Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles;

2:16  nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

2:17  "But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be!

2:18  "For if I rebuild what I have {once} destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.

2:19  "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.

2:20  "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

2:21  "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness {comes} through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

a cross-section of my current (rather frazzled) stream of consciousness... excuse the disconnect

it shouldn't be considered a 'light bulb,' more a 'reminder light bulb' rather than an 'epiphany light bulb'... but i was reminded today about how we as naturally selfish and prideful beings really are so blinded to our indwelling sins because we are so caught up with examining others'...

chapterTEN: happiness

"Happy is that people whose God is the Lord." Psalm 144:15

Are you happy?

Let me warn you to remember that the salvation of your soul, and nothing less, is closely bound up with the subject. The heart cannot be right in the sight of God which knows nothing of happiness. That man or woman cannot be in a safe state of soul who feels nothing of peace within.

In this paper, Ryle seeks to clarify:

• Some things which are absolutely essential to all happiness.
• Some common mistakes about the way to be happy.
• The way to be truly happy.

false emotions

"False emotions may seem to melt the heart for a time, but in the end they harden it. People under the influence for false emotions eventually become less concerned about their sins -- their past, present and future sins. They take less notice of the warnings of God's Word and the chastenings of his providence. They become more careless about the state of their souls and the manner of their behaviour. They become less discerning in what they say and do. Why? Because they have such a high opinion of themselves. They have had religious impressions and experiences. So they think they are safe. When they were under conviction of sin and fear of hell, they may have been very conscientious in the duties of religion and morality. However, now that they think they are no longer in danger of hell, they begin to forsake self-denial, and allow themselves to indulge in their various lusts.

Such people do not accept Christ as their Saviour from sin. They trust in him as the Saviour of their sins! They think Christ will allow them the quiet enjoyment of their sins, and protect them from God's displeasure."

--Jonathan Edwards ("The Experience That Counts!" p 104; abridged version of "Religious Affections")