Non-negotiable Anchors for our Faith

If we would develop Biblical understanding we must hold unwaveringly to certain truths, certain non-negotiables, that are often up for grabs, even seen as unnecessary, like life boats on the Titanic, among many who claim to be Bible-believing, Jesus loving, gospel-centered people. There are absolute truths we need to hold to. Among the most crucial are these:

1. God is perfect, holy and loving, and His wrath is just.
2. The Bible is the one and only inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God.
3. Sin is a form of treason against God.
4. Jesus Christ is God's only solution to the problem of sin, the only way to eternal life or salvation.
5. Eternal life comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for God's glory alone.
6. God controls everything, including evil.

These are difficult days in which we live. And days are coming that will be more difficult. In the midst of it we who are in Christ have unimaginable joy and peace and comfort, knowing God is in control and our future is secure. And without these foundational truths people will be deeply shaken and even moved away from the hope of the gospel when difficult times and circumstances come.

At Grace our stated purpose is to worship God, build up believers and ache others for Christ. Restated in other words, we exist to glorify God by building a gospel-centered community that proclaims and displays the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

These are not days for entertaining ourselves with fun nd games that make us feel good about ourselves. We are living on the Sinking Titanic, frivolous music and mustering courage will not do. We need something outside ourselves, we need a God-saturated view of all things. We need a solid understanding of His sovereignty in order to survive the days ahead. These are days to prepare for the coming onslaught of persecution and hardship oof which the Bible speaks.

John Piper, speaking of these hints, says that speaking of the sovereignty of God in times like these can seem like comforting a bruised heard with a tire iron. But what a deep, abiding grasp of God's sovereignty gives you is substance, strength, a reason to stand firm and withstand in the midst of horrible circumstances. It gives us the best answer to why there is sin and evil running rampant all around.

God is good. He is holy and righteous and just. He is holy, righteous and just. He is in control of all things, even evil. Our hope in Him is an anchor for our souls, a hope built not on empty promises but on the unchangeable character of God displayed in His promises and covenant.