Jesus is the “agent” of salvation. Faith is the “instrument” of salvation. We must not confuse the two. Jesus is the agent who accomplishes all saving graces for us and in us. Jesus “saves,” “justifies,” “sanctifies,” and “glorifies” his people in fulfillment of his Father’s sovereign purpose and by means of the Spirit’s power. His […]
“Great kindness; great mercy”: Augustine on adoption
Augustine’s second homily on the Gospel of John offers one of the richest commentaries on John 1.12 that I have read. His explanation of what it means for God to give us “the right to become children of God” is worth quoting in full: “What did he bestow on them? Great kindness; great mercy. Singly born, he […]
