“It is important to note that in their emphasis on “faith alone,” the Reformers did not deny the importance of good works in the lives of believers. They taught that saving faith is a repentant faith and they stressed obedience to the commands of Christ. Nonetheless, they insisted that good works ought to be viewed only as the fruit or consequence of salvation, rather than the root or cause of it. Thus, they could assert that although believers are saved by grace through faith alone, saving faith is never alone. True faith always gives evidence of itself through fruits of repentance and obedience.” (Nathan Busenitz, Long Before Luther: Tracing the Heart of the Gospel From Christ to the Reformation)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Since the Reformation is right around the corner, I decided to sandwich the links with ones focused on it. I hope it tastes great! Here are this week’s links!

• Have you ever wondered what the Roman Catholic Church teaches about justification? Well, if you’re wondering, now that I asked the question, R.C. Sproul gave a short summary of the material issue of the Protestant Reformation, justification by faith alone.
• Tim Challies writes a timely article for young believers that is a must-read by offering the following advice: give the Lord a lot to work with.
• What does it look like to live a Spirit-filled life when you identify as a cessationist? Pastor John Divito lays out three aspects of our life in Christ while living the cessaionist life. Denny Burk preached a sermon this past Sunday, answering the question: are prophecy and tongues still for today?
• What does it look like to live for the glory of God in every stage of life? Al Mohler wrote a book that answers that very question, and is making it available for free! Don’t miss out on learning from one of Christianity’s greatest living minds today!
• If you have never read about the life of Deborah from the Old Testament, let Kathleen Nielson show you how her life demonstrates how God makes women strong.
• Kevin DeYoung writes a ’10 things you should know’ post on the 10 commandments. Even if you might know all 10 commandments, you may not know these 10 things. He also writes of the meaning of the third commandment, to not take the Lord’s name in vain.
• How can a church begin to embrace biblical counseling as part of its ministry, especially in the first year of implementation? Tim Allchin, himself an executive director of a biblical counseling training center, provides four realistic goals a church can begin aiming for to be most effective in this area.
• Over at The Cripplegate, Eric Davis writes on how best to leave a church (yes, it actually is possible!), while Jordan Standridge focuses on three ways to best glorify God.
• Since this weekend comes before Reformation Day (oh, and that other thing people celebrate on October 31st), Michael Reeves focuses on why the Reformation still matters, 501 years after Martin Luther posted his 95 theses.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the church, as this week is flocks week, and the majority will be meeting tonight, and that God be glorified in the Women’s Ministry’s Table for Six fellowship event tomorrow. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria