The Prophetic Word
We depend on the Bible as God’s Truth because we know that it is inspired.
Some of those who attack us when we stand firm on God’s Word when we expose their errors claim that the Word of God is not dependable and that God still speaks outside of the Bible and when He does that He may even contradict what the Bible says. I have heard that many times.... Continue Reading
Nothing Is Too Hard for the Lord!
He is able to transform the hearts of human beings who think they know better than God.
In verses 1-8, Isaiah shows that even when Jerusalem is completely surrounded by a ruthless enemy bent on the destruction of the city—even when the people of Jerusalem are at death’s door and their voice is just a hoarse, ghostly whisper from the dust—even when it looks like there is no hope whatsoever—at that very... Continue Reading
What Happened on the Cross?
False theories on the atonement.
It is possible to talk about the cross but have false views about what actually happened. For example, MLJ notes how some argue that the cross was a “tragedy” or “accident.” Some see the cross a failure; an unexpected surprise even to Christ. However, Scripture teaches that the cross was not only expected, but it... Continue Reading
Good Music Can Become Your God: Five Reasons Jesus Is Better
Music isn’t Jesus. Only he can give lasting, profound, life-transforming comfort.
Paul prays, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” Who comforts us? Jesus Christ. By what means? The eternal comfort and good hope of grace. If... Continue Reading
Gratefulness and Generosity
Generosity begins in the heart.
“God loves a cheerful giver.” But we deceive ourselves if we assume that He loves us because we are such cheerful givers by nature. Rather, God loves ungrateful, ungodly sinners like you and me enough to make us cheerful givers. He does so by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. “Mine! I had... Continue Reading
Out of the Saltshaker, Into the Light?
Children of God, remember, you are Salt & Light!
The problem with the people in the days of Isaiah was a failure to live up to the covenant standards of behavior and thus fulfill their putative mission vocation. Of course, in the plan of God, this was all destined from the start. The Exile to Babel was vital to disavow them of their righteousness,... Continue Reading
A Few Characteristics of the Gospel of Mark
Mark’s brevity relates especially to the words of Jesus.
According to this evangelist the two natures, human and divine (to use later terminology), are in perfect harmony. This is a fact which, in studying certain passages, one can hardly fail to detect (4:38, 39; 6:34, 41-43; 8:1-10; 14:32-41; etc.). Mark’s aim is that men everywhere may accept this Jesus Christ, ‘Son of man’ and ‘Son... Continue Reading
My Rope out of the Pit
The word I needed in my worst days.
Without God’s word to remind me of truth, I would have felt hopeless. But since I knew that in faithfulness God had afflicted me (Psalm 119:75), I believed that he would bring good out of my pain. Each day, God led me to exactly what I needed. I discovered the power of God’s word... Continue Reading
Discerning the Idols of Your Heart Necessarily Involves More Than What Upsets You
Idols are those things that take the place in your heart that only Christ should have by rights.
The evidence that something has usurped the place Jesus ought to have is not how upset I am when I don’t have them. I’d be (rightly) very upset should I no longer have my children, for example. The sign they might have become an idol to me is less my upset if I don’t have... Continue Reading
4 Principles for the Exercise of Christian Liberty
How should a Christian exercise freedom in Christ?
The subtle truth is that the Christian who has to exercise his or her liberty is in bondage to the very thing he or she insists on doing. Says Paul, if the kingdom consists for you in food, drink, and the like, you have missed the point of the gospel and the freedom of the... Continue Reading