The Cross of Christ: The Conquest of Evil

I’m trying to get my blogging back to normal, but it’s been a struggle. This week, instead of doing a summary of the week’s chapter from John Stott’s The Cross of Christ as part of Reading Classics Together at Challies.com, I’m simply going to quote a bit from it.  This is  from Chapter 9, The Conquest of Evil, on the relationship of Christ’s death to his resurrection in the efficacy of his work.

Of course the resurrection was essential to confirm the efficacy of his death, as his incarnation had been to prepare for its possibility. But we must insist that Christ’s work of sin-bearing was finished on the cross, that the victory over the devil, sin and death was won there, and that what the resurrection did was to vindicate the Jesus whom men had rejected, to declare with power that he is the Son of God,  and publicly to confirm that his sin-bearing death had been effective for the forgiveness of sins. If he had not been raised, our faith and our preaching would be futile, since his person and work would not have received the divine endorsement.  .  .  .

To sum up, the gospel includes both the death and the resurrection of Jesus, since nothing would have been accomplished by his death if he had not been raised from it. Yet the gospel emphasizes the cross, since it was there that the victory was accomplished. The resurrection did not achieve our deliverance from sin and death, but has brought us an assurance of both. It is because of the resurrection that our “faith and hope are in God” (1 Pet 1:3, 21).

Next up is chapter 10, The Community of Celebration.

Thankful Thursday

You knew this little stink bug would be first on my list, right? (I have better quality photos, but I love this one with the little teddy bear.) She’s proving to be a vigorous little girl, awake for long periods, unable to sleep without someone touching her, and hungry, hungry, hungry. I’m thankful for that, too, because those things reassure us that everything is okay with her.

I’m thankful that she’s getting a double chin and chubby thighs.

I’m thankful for her parents, especially her mother, who has been a real trooper through everything that’s happened in the past couple of weeks.

I’m thankful that I’m feeling much, much better than I was last week at this time.

Throughout this year I’m planning to post a few thoughts of thanksgiving each Thursday along with Kim at the Upward Call and others.

Natalie Grace

Meet little Natalie Grace, born October 1, my first grandchild. She gave us all a scare at first and had to be medevacked to Edmonton with breathing problems. But she’s home now and doing fine. 

Are you wondering why I haven’t written about her before this? Here’s the deal: I had a nasty reaction to amoxicillin. I’ve been sick in bed since last Monday. I’m improving, but I see a few more sick days ahead of me.