Divided into 48 brief readings, Thorn expertly explains the gospel of Jesus Christ and its ramifications for those living the ebb and flow of daily Christian life. His pastoral tone and frankness serve to compliment the solid teaching found in these pages. Plus, as good as the daily readings are (and they are quite good) the introduction by Thorn and the lengthy foreword (written by Sam Storms) are easily worth the investment by themselves. Highly recommended.

What ultimately accounts for the sort of transformation that we prize and that pleases God is the truth of Scripture inspired, illumined, and applied to the human soul. Good intentions, New Year’s resolutions, promises, plans, personal discipline, and rigorous regimens designed to control and direct human choices only go so far. They rarely, if ever, effect a lasting and fruitful change in the soul. It is only when our thoughts are challenged and conformed to the principles of God’s Word and our hearts are energized to make choices consistent with God’s revealed will that a human being is transformed. [11]

Merely affirming that the Bible is inspired accomplishes very little. Asserting its authority isn’t much better. The inspiration and authority of the Scriptures are of value to us only so far as we change our beliefs to conform to its principles and alter our behavior to coincide with its imperatives. The Bible is meant to govern our lives, to fashion our choices, to challenge our cherished traditions, and ultimately to make us look more like Jesus. The question for each of us, then, is whether the Bible actually functions in this way. Do we submit to its dictates? Do we put our confidence in its promises? Do we stop living a certain way in response to its counsel? Do we embrace particular truths on its authority? Do we set aside traditional practices that conflict with its instruction? In other words, for the Bible to be of value to us it must actually function to shape how we think, feel, and act, as well as what we believe, value, and teach. [12]

Experts study sociological dynamics and trends in order to set the agenda for how we should “do” church and organize our ministries. With all due respect to sociology, in ten years studies will show that what used to work is now passé and ineffective. And through it all the Word of God will have remained true and unchanging and ever powerful. [14]

Crave the Word of God. Be desperate for it! Seek it. Yearn for it. Long for it. Desire it. Tolerate nothing in your life that might diminish your hunger for God’s Word. And apply it with vigor and spiritual energy! [19]

The Word of God, whether it is preached and heard or read and memorized, is more than simply true. It is effectual. The Word of God does more than merely announce: it accomplishes! It doesn’t just impart information: it creates life! [19]

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What is the basis of Christian hope? This entry in the series of Gospel Coalition booklets deals with the final consummation of God’s kingdom. Storms highlights the realities of the kingdom by first revealing how it’s present manifestation began (with the death and resurrection of Christ) and then by pointing to how it will be fully realized (at the return of Christ and final judgment). Storms has provided a beneficial, introductory-level survey of these important teachings.

Christian hope is not a wishful grasping at an uncertain tomorrow but a confident expectation rooted in the reality of what transpired 2,000 years ago. The efficacy and finality of Christ’s redemptive work, together with His resurrection and exaltation as Lord to the right hand of the Father, alone accounts for the anticipation all Christians have of the return of Christ and the consummate fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose in the new heavens and new earth. [7]

The kingdom of God is the redemptive reign of God, or His sovereign lordship, dynamically active to establish His rule among men. There are two decisive and dramatic moments in the manifestation of this kingdom: first, as it is fulfilled within history in the first advent of the Son, whereby Satan was defeated and men and women came into the experience of the blessings of God’s reign; and second, as it will be consummated at the close of history in the second advent of the Son, when He will finally and forever destroy His enemies, deliver His people and all of creation from evil, and establish His eternal rule in the new heavens and new earth. [10]

For the Christian, then, death is not to be feared. We know that whatever illness or debilitation we experience now, whatever degree of suffering or hardship we must face, there is promised to us by the Spirit a glorified, Christlike, transformed, and utterly eternal abode, a body in which there is no disease, no pain, no depravation, and no decay. [15]

Our deeds do not determine our salvation but demonstrate it. They are not the root of our standing with God but the fruit of it, a standing already attained by faith alone in Christ alone. The visible evidence of an invisible faith is the good deeds that will be made known at the judgment seat of Christ. [18]

To suggest, as some do, that eternal suffering means that God does not achieve consummate victory over sin and evil fails to realize that only sin that goes unpunished would indicate a lapse in justice and a defeat of God’s purpose. [20] 

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Storms does a remarkable job of examining the difficult doctrines of election and predestination. He is able to address a great deal of questions and common confusions, making good use of Scripture without shying away from passages that (on the surface) seem to contradict his view. This is one of the best books I have read on this issue, and it is rich enough to ensure that I will read and reference it many times over.

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