I am always amazed by the gospel

What a support to our faith is this, that God the Father, the party offended by our sins, is so well pleased with the work of redemption! And what a comfort is this, that, seeing God’s love rests on Christ, as well pleased with us, we may gather that he is well pleased with us, if we be in Christ! For his love rests in a whole Christ, in Christ Mystical, as well as Christ natural, because he loves him and us with one love. Let us, therefore, embrace Christ, and in him God’s love, and build our faith safely on such a Saviour that is furnished with so high a commission.

See here, for our comfort, a sweet agreement of all three persons: the Father gives a commission to Christ; the Spirit furnishes and sanctifies to it, and Christ himself executes the office of a Mediator. Our redemption is founded upon the joint agreement of all three persons of the Trinity.

Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed , Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2008.

That’s one way to understand human nature

This article in the Independent on Saturday 5th June 2010 presents one view of human nature: There is no one either good or bad, but circumstances make them so. But as a Christian who believes in man’s sinfulness, it is a highly frustrating read as it provides no real answer. It also shifts man’s responsibility on circumstances: It’s not my fault, it’s the circumstances, I didn’t have any choice.