As people grow more like Christ, their lives are more righteous, and are so produce more fruit. These three aspects of what Paul means by ‘complete’ are not in competition, but are complimentary. Those justified in Christ, regenerated by God’s Spirit, will necessarily become more righteous over time through the work of the Spirit. And as... Continue Reading

Like Christ, Job was a prophet shown no honor by those closest to him (cf. Mark 6:4), a priest who made mediation for his three friends who offered no help in his anguish (cf. Mark 14:47), and was a kingly figure mocked by the rabble of society amid his greatest trial (cf. Mark 15:16–32). Like... Continue Reading

When a person becomes a believer but his spouse does not, the question of the believer’s remaining in the marriage arises (v. 12). The unbelieving spouse may consent to remain in the marriage, allowing the believer to practice his new Christian faith. In this situation, the believer is not to separate or seek a divorce... Continue Reading

For most of history, as Holland described in his book ‘Dominion’, the idea that humans have “self-evident” rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” would have been baffling: “A Roman would have laughed at it.”  Yet today, “rights” language is central to our way of life. It was at the heart of the United... Continue Reading

Satan identifies us by our sin, and we often join him in doing so, but God identifies us in Christ. God identifies us as holy and calls us to be holy because He has declared us holy on account of the holiness of Christ. As Paul writes, God “chose us in [Christ] before the foundation... Continue Reading

At the darkest moment, she ran her fingers across the grain of the wood bench. The beauty of its intricate veining and brown tones began to sing gently. He used to love working with wood and always said it was one of God’s finest creations. That is when she felt the warmth of the sun... Continue Reading

Sunday mornings are a special time in a church’s life. Yet they can also become routine. As elders, we must remember our Sunday gatherings are teeming with sacred opportunities. We can rejoice with those who rejoice, strengthen those who falter, welcome in the lost, improve our many ministries, spark new ideas, and partner as a... Continue Reading

In the small things, in the little details, in the commonplaceness of life, character shines out. I never try to find out what a preacher is when he is preaching. It is when he is in his home and when he thinks there is no one there to critically watch him, that is the time... Continue Reading

Paul’s call to Timothy to preach the word in-season and out is a word to remind the gospel proclaimers that the gospel is always relevant to the life of men and women, to sinners of all stripes, and we can’t live in a world where the Church is full of the white lie. We must do... Continue Reading

Seven words that explain the posture of a man who is humble and contrite and who trembles at God’s word. Seven words that show dependence, not sufficiency. Conviction, not arrogance. Seven words that show real faith and repentance.    Seven words. Seven words that showed the heart of a man who went home justified. Seven... Continue Reading