Gleanings from the Pastor's Perspective: Faith in Christ

The Pastor’s Perspective
Vol. 29 Num. 10

According to the Holy Scriptures, FAITH is the saving response to the gospel. We all speak and hear a great deal about faith. Still, there are many who don’t seem to know what “saving faith” means. But if faith is necessary for our salvation, then it is vital that we know what it is and what it involves. Indeed, according to the Bible “without faith, it is impossible to please God" (Heb. 11:6).


In the New Testament, the Greek noun for “faith” means a person’s “conviction of the truth” (as in Acts 11:24; Rom. 3:28; Eph.2:8) or else refers to “the content of our belief” (as in Jude 3; Gal. 1:23; I Tim. 4:1). The Greek verb for the act of faith can emphasize “believing a thing to be true” (Matt 24:23), “accepting (acknowledging) a message from God’s messengers” (Acts 24:14), or “acknowledging Jesus to be the Messiah and trusting Him for salvation” (John 3:16).
A variety of word-pictures are employed in the New Testament to illustrate what it means for a person to have saving faith. Four of the most vivid examples are found in the Gospel of John. There, faith is described as “coming to Christ,” that is, turning from trust in self to trust in Christ (John 6:37). In John 6:51, faith is graphically depicted as “eating of Christ,” that is, gaining Spiritual nourishment from Christ. It is likened to “drinking of Christ” in John 4:14, that is, finding our Spiritual needs met in Christ. And our Lord speaks of it as “abiding in Christ” (John 15:5), that is, receiving our Strength from Him alone and finding our blessedness in fellowship with Him. It is evident from these passages that saving faith is much more than a momentary decision or something that we did in the past. Indeed, according to the Bible saving faith involves both acceptance of truth and personal trust. It is the instrument by which we lay hold of Christ in all His benefits.

We’ll continue exploring this theme next week. Until then, I trust that the Lord will find us all a people of faith.

Yours joyfully,



Ligon Duncan

Read more...

Gleanings from the Pastor's Perspective: Perspectives on Giving

The Pastor’s Perspective
Vol. 29 Num. 9

During our “Commitment Sunday” services, we looked at Biblical principles for Christian giving. As there are many folk still preparing to hand in their pledge cards for the 1997 Church budget, perhaps it would be good to review those principles here. We saw in our study of four New Testament passages at least nine principles for Christian giving.
1. Christians will give. Jesus said to his disciples, “when you give” not “if you give” (Matthew 6:2)! Hence, Christian giving is not optional, but rather essential. 2. Christians must give for the right motives. Jesus warned his disciples not to give for the sake of being admired by men. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them,” He said (Matthew 6:1). 3. Christians should remember that they are giving to the all-seeing Father. Jesus said “When you give to the poor . . . in secret; your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4). Our reward in giving comes from our heavenly father. 4. Christian giving is an act of worship. We see this in Paul’s word’s “On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save” (1 Corinthians 16:2). In other words, Paul sees the taking up of the collection for the needy as an act of worship which is a part of the regular Lord’s Day worship. 5. Christian giving should be done in light of the incarnation. Paul reminds us “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Our giving is to be inspired and instructed by Christ’s inexpressible gift. 6. Christian giving should be done readily and according to our means. Paul is quite clear on this: “For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12). Put another way Paul is saying that you should give in proportion to what God has given you. He said it this way in 1 Corinthians 16:2 -- “each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper.” 7. The liberality of God’s blessings to us is connected to the liberality of our Christian giving. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” About this matter J.A. Beet once said: “They who in giving think, not how little they can give, as they would if self-enrichment were the aim, but of benefits to be conferred, will receive back on the same principle. As they do to others, so God will act to them.” 8. Christian giving must be willing giving, free giving. We learn this in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion.” 9. Christian giving ought to be cheerful giving. As Paul says “God loves a cheerful giver.”
May the floodgates of your generosity be opened wide for the sake of the Gospel and the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Yours joyfully,



Ligon Duncan
Read more...

Gleanings from the Pastor's Perspective: Preparing to Call upon God

The Pastor’s Perspective
Vol. 29, Num. 4

A friend and I were talking this past week about the remarkable sense of anticipation amongst the congregation leading up to our first morning worship service in September. And what’s more, the service itself seemed to be characterized by an holy excitement and Spiritual intensity that I have rarely felt so keenly.

It was, of course, an occasion that I had personally looked forward to with much expectancy. One does not begin a ministry at First Presbyterian, Jackson everyday! But nerves and adrenalin aside, I believe that our worship was singularly God-blessed. I have had many comment about their own sense of the Lord’s gracious presence among us. Furthermore, particularly in our singing of praises to God, I have had many mention how they were moved to tears of joy by holy affections.

Such pleasant reflections have led me to ask myself about our preparation for Lord’s Day worship on a regular basis. I know, for instance, how many of the good folk of First Presbyterian had been laboring in prayer with a view to the worship services of September 1 (so many of you mentioned to me how you had regularly prayed for the Lord’s blessing on us that day). I can honestly say that I felt the effect of the those prayers. Perhaps we would more regularly know God’s presence so vividly, if we were more often so bathed in prayer for corporate worship and more desirous of truly meeting with Him.

Calvin reminds us in his commentary on Isaiah that the Bible often characterizes the whole of worship as “calling upon God.” Is it any wonder then that we ought to regularly prepare for our corporate worship in earnest prayer--calling upon God? Calvin also says, elsewhere, that “the principle of worshiping God is a diligent love of Him.” Is it any wonder then that when our love for Him is strong, our sense that we have worshiped (and that He has met with us and has been glorified) is more acute?

Let us each devote himself to Spiritual preparation for worship in prayer and single-hearted devotion to our gracious God.

Your friend,



Ligon Duncan


Read more...

Gleanings from the Pastor's Perspective: Saving Knowledge

The Pastor’s Perspective

Vol. 29. Num. 3

Last week, we were reflecting on the nature of the saving knowledge of God: what is it to know Him? We said that saving knowledge of God is more than merely being aware of God or believing in his existence. And we pointed out that saving knowledge of God is more than any real or imagined experience of God. To these two points we may add two more.

The saving knowledge of God is more than knowing about God. There is a difference between knowing notions and knowing God -- just as there is a difference between a knowledge gained by hearing a description of someone, and the knowledge one has by acquaintance with someone. To be sure there are some things to be known about God that are vital to a relational knowledge of him. We must know that he is the source of all wisdom, righteousness, goodness, mercy, truth, power and life. We must know that all things were created for his glory. We must know that he is a righteous judge who punishes sin. And we must know that he is full of mercy and freely shows his favor to those who come to him for forgiveness. That having been said, our knowledge about God contributes to a saving knowledge of God only in the context of a relationship of commitment and trust -- in other words, a relationship of faith.

Finally, we should remember, the saving knowledge of God involves knowing something about ourselves as well. We cannot have a true knowledge of God without also knowing who we are. He made us. We are dependent on him as our creator. And we are needy sinners. Apart from him we have no hope. This self-knowledge is necessary is necessary for our knowledge of God. Because his relationship to his children is a saving relationship. Only when we recognize our need do we begin to have a real knowledge of God. As J.I. Packer has said: “knowing God by faith according to the Scriptures is three things together: it is apprehension of who and what he is; it is application to ourselves of what he gives; and it is adoration of him, the Giver.”

May the Lord grant you a sure and saving knowledge of himself.

Your friend,

Ligon Duncan
Read more...

Gleanings from the Pastor's Perspective: To Know Him

The Pastor’s Perspective
Vol. 29 Num. 2

If it is true that “God has made us to know him” (an astounding thought, but true! -- see John 17:3 and Jeremiah 9:23f), and that consequently our prime aim in life is to know and glorify the triune God through Jesus Christ, then perhaps we would do well to reflect on just what it means to “know God” or “glorify God.” We are not so concerned to race ahead to the good question of “how” we know God (though the answer lies in the phrase “through Jesus Christ), but rather want to reflect on the nature of saving knowledge of God: what is it to know Him?

First, we can say that saving knowledge of God is more than merely being aware of God or believing in his existence. Paul tells us that all men have this kind of knowledge of God whether they admit it or not (Romans 1:19-21). All men know that God exists. All men are aware of him. Even unbelievers! So, there is a sense in which there is really no such thing as an atheist. Those who claim to be agnostic are engaging in psychological suppression.
Second, the saving knowledge of God is more than any real or imagined experience of God. Real knowledge of God comes by faith, and experience is the by-product not the basis of that faith. This is an important lesson for us to learn in our experience-oriented age. We tend to believe that the more extraordinary our experience, the more spiritual it is. But experience cannot bear the weight of religion. We must look outside of ourselves to a greater Reality to find the foundation of faith. Indeed, the ground of faith in God, of knowledge of God, is God himself.
We’ll continue with our reflection on this important matter next week. Until then, may the Lord give you a sure and saving knowledge of himself.


Your friend,



Ligon Duncan

Read more...

Gleanings from the Pastor's Perspective

"Aims and Goals"
Vol. 29 Num. 1

What are your aims in life? What are your real goals? When no one is listening, what do you say to yourself that your true desires are? What do you think of most, want most, long for most? Perhaps you are striving for financial security or professional achievement. Or yearning for a husband or wife or children. Or longing to be loved by your mate. Or wishing for a relationship with good communication. Or hoping to escape the shadows of past tragedies or present trials. Or aching for relief from pain. Or looking to become a better father or mother or child. I may not have touched on your particular objective or preoccupation, but you get the point -- you can fill in the blank.

Now none of these things is illegitimate in itself, but can any of them count among the “first things,” -- should any of them be our prime ambition? Is there something greater, something higher under which all these dreams are subsumed? You know the right answer because you’ve heard the Shorter Catechism tell you that “Man’s chief end is to glorify and enjoy God.” But is that your answer? Is that what you really think? And, more importantly, is that how you live? Is knowing God truly what you want? Do you want him more than anything else? Does this aim reflect itself in your priorities?

God made us to know him. This saving knowledge is the “eternal life” that Jesus gives: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). This then ought to be our prime aim in life: to know the triune God through Jesus Christ. Such an aim and such a knowledge will not mean that all your struggles disappear and that all your wishes are immediately realized, but as J. I. Packer has said: “Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.” It is my prayer that we will be, together, characterized by our mutual pursuit of the first thing.

Your friend,



Ligon Duncan


Read more...

I Love Thy Church, O Lord: Gleanings from Past “Pastor’s Perspective” Columns in the First Epistle

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

During the summer we received an encouraging email from a young man who serves as a research assistant for a well-respected evangelical theologian. In the course of his weekly duties, one of the things he regularly did was scan the pages of our First Epistle (the weekly church newsletter of First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS, USA). Along with his kind words of appreciation, he had a suggestion to this effect: “Why don’t you re-post past editions of the “Pastor’s Perspective” column for easier internet access (and in a way that people could more easily track them, for instance, via their feed readers).”

Well, we discussed it and thought it was a good idea. Though many back issues of my and Derek’s columns are archived on the First Presbyterian Church website (www.fpcjackson.org), you kind have to know where to go to find them. We thought to ourselves: re-posting these articles via the church blog would make it easier for people know about and to get to the material.

Starting next week, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, we are going to be posting many of the “Pastor’s Perspectives” articles, going back as far as 1996. It is our hope that as you read some of these articles, they will encourage you in your Christian life, and increase your knowledge of how God works with His people.

It is also our prayer that you will benefit from reading these, as much or more as when they were first written and published.

Your friend,
Ligon Duncan








Read more...

Highland Theological College - Upcoming Events

Graduation & Awards Ceremony

Fri 23rd Oct, 7pm, Castle Street Church, Dingwall

Rev. Dr Derek Thomas (Professor of Practical and Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi) will be preaching.

Come along to support our new graduates and celebrate with them.

Evening classes: 'Getting to Know the Father'

Mon 26th Oct every Monday for 8 weeks (finishing 14th Dec), 7pm, Hilton Church, Inverness

Rev Hector Morrison (Principal, HTC)

Conference Day/Open Day

Sat 31st Oct, 10.15am, HTC Conference Room

Find out what goes on at HTC. Join us for worship, meet the tutors, sample a lecture, see around the building, visit the library, and more…The day is for both students and visitors. If you're interested in our work please come along. Attending doesn't assume you'll sign up to becoming a student!

Public Lecture: 'Jesus Loves Me: the Reformed Doctrine of Assurance'

Fri 20th Nov, 7.30pm, Greyfriars Free Church, Inverness

Professor Donald Macleod (Principal, Free Church College, Edinburgh)

These events are all open to the public. They're not just for students and academics!

All welcome.

Highland Theological College, High Street, Dingwall, Scotland IV15 9HA

e-mail: htc@htc.uhi.ac.uk website: www.htc.uhi.ac.uk

phone: 01349 780000 fax: 01349 780001

Scottish Company Number: 149728 Charity Registration Number: SC 029190
A Community of Faith and Scholarship

Read more...

Men of the Covenant
Rev. Elbert McGowan

Men, our second meeting of the Men of the Covenant is this Thursday (October 1). We continue with our theme for the fall, "A Man After God's Own Heart." This month Rev. Elbert McGowan, Reformed University Fellowship Minister at Jackson State University, will be speaking on the always pertinent topic of repentance.

Elbert is a native of Jackson, MS. He graduated from Alabama A&M University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After working for several years, Elbert sensed the call of God to enter full time Christian ministry. In answer to this call, Elbert returned to Jackson to attend Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. In his final year of seminary, the Lord opened up the opportunity for Elbert to begin a new work with RUF on the campus of Jackson State. He has been serving the Lord with RUF at Jackson State for three years. Elbert is married to his lovely wife Karen. They have two children, Charis and Trip

Reservations are not required for the Men of the Covenant Luncheon. The cost of the lunch is $5 and will be collected at the door. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Craft at 601-326-9243 or shannonc@fpcjackson.org

Read more...

Fall Discipleship Luncheon Series
Dr. Tom Elkin

We have the privilege of hearing from our own Minister of Marriage and Family Life, Dr. Tom Elkin, address the important topic of marriage on Tuesdays in October (Oct. 6th, 13th, 20th, and the 27th). Won't you join us?

"Potholes on the Path: The Seven Major Problem Areas of Marriage"

Whether you've been married one week or fifty plus years, you need Biblical instruction on how to face the seven major problem areas of marriage: money, sex, children, in-laws, values, vocations and communication. The series will be in Miller Hall with box lunches served each week beginning at 11:30 a.m. Each session will last from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. The deadline to sign-up for the first session on October 6, is Monday, September 28. Watch the bulletin for sign-up deadlines for the remaining weeks. To sign up, contact Nan Whitney at 601-353-8316 or receptionist@fpcjackson.org.

Read more...