Christians should not be concerned with issues like status, class, caste, or economic prestige. In that sense, we need to be like Christ, who made Himself of no reputation and took on the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7). There is a true sense, however, in which we do need to be concerned about maintaining a... Continue Reading

Over and over again, from Old Testament through New, we learn the foundational truth echoed by the Westminster divines, that “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” We make realized the 5th of the Reformational solas: Soli Deo Gloria, “to God alone be the glory.” A gospel-centered church makes that... Continue Reading

Descartes’s most famous maxim, Cogito, ergo sum, “I think, therefore I am,” centered the foundation for knowledge in self rather than in divine revelation, beginning a shift in what constitutes the final authority for understanding the world from faith in God’s divine revelation to human reason. Whereas Augustine had said, Credo, ut intelligas, “Believe, so... Continue Reading

To receive communion well means receiving the body and blood of Jesus, placing our hope in Him alone. But it also means receiving His bride, the church…and not just the church in general, but a church. We can only take communion well when we take it, in part, as a commitment to a local church.... Continue Reading

Paul wants the Ephesians to experience a far deeper understanding of God’s love in their understanding and experience. At the same time, he says that the love of Christ is so great that we will never fully understand it. No matter how much we get God’s love, we’re only starting to get it. Paul wants... Continue Reading

In 1710, Mather wrote one of his most popular works, Bonifacius or Essays to Do Good, stressing the Christian duty to care for others, and including specific suggestions on how ministers, doctors, and businessmen could help others in their daily vocations. In his 1716 book, The Stone Cut out of the Mountain, he recognized love... Continue Reading

As you return to your Lord, the enemy will rear his head and say, “You might go home, but the years you have wasted are mine. The seeds of sinfulness you planted will continue to produce fruit. There is nothing you can do to get those years back.” Instead of serving God storing up treasures... Continue Reading

Peter argues that this promised prophet is Christ (Acts 3:19-26). Our Lord Jesus himself claimed to be such a prophet (Luke 13:33) who spoke the words of God (John 14:10; 12:49-50; Matt. 7:29). Not only did he claim to be a prophet, but he fulfilled his prophetic role “in all His teaching: His teaching concerning... Continue Reading

Use doctrine to divide. Encourage heresy. Find someone who reflects our master’s excellent trait of pride. That person will champion a heresy. Soon, many will follow the heretic away from the truth, because so many do not know the truth and have no discernment. Some will rise up against the heretics. Be sure they get... Continue Reading

If faithfulness to Christ is the call that stands above all others, at what point do we become unfaithful to Christ by remaining in fellowship with those who are denying Christ in their teaching or behaviour? If our overarching calling is faithfulness, at what point are we so compromised in our affiliations that we have... Continue Reading