Which Comes First: Repentance or Faith?
We are believing penitents and penitent believers all the way to glory.
We cannot separate turning from sin in repentance and coming to Christ in faith. They describe the same person in the same action, but from different perspectives. In one instance (repentance), the person is viewed in relation to sin; in the other (faith), the person is viewed in relation to the Lord Jesus. When... Continue Reading
An Unexpected, Overlooked Benefit of Friendships
We ought to pursue friendships not just for what we can gain from the relationship, but for what we can give.
As those called to love our neighbors as ourselves and those who have seen this modeled perfectly in the One who was rightly called the “friend of sinners,” we want to have friendships for reasons of offering a blessing to others. We ought to pursue friendships not just for what we can gain from the... Continue Reading
When It Feels Like Death Has Won
I am looking forward to the day when death is finally and fully destroyed.
I lie awake in bed overwhelmed by the sting of death and the very darkness seems to suffocate me. Death is a powerful enemy that I am completely powerless to overcome. It can strike at any moment and take away those you care about most, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.... Continue Reading
5 Things Forgiveness Is Not
Whatever vulnerability true forgiveness brings, it is not the vulnerability of naivety.
You may remember geometry class in high school. You were taught “all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares.” A similar relationship exists between forgiveness and trust or reconciliation; “All trust and reconciliation are rooted in forgiveness, but not all forgiveness results in trust and reconciliation.” From the first reflection to the... Continue Reading
Who is Spiritual?
If the Spirit of God is not at work, then call it what you like, but it isn’t spirituality.
The spirituality of the New Testament is always absolutely defined by the presence of the Spirit of God. It is not a quality latent in humans. It is not something our meditating and travelling neighbor can develop outside of faith in Christ. Apparently, we live in an age of increasing spirituality. Magazines and websites... Continue Reading
Should We Divide over Homosexuality?
Therefore, teaching that homosexual sex or same-sex marriage is morally permissible is a significant and serious departure from biblical orthodoxy and Jesus’ message.
Should we divide over a church, pastor, or leader who teaches that homosexual behavior is permissible and celebrates same-sex unions? Due to the egregious theological error and the grim penalty associated with it, a believer is justified in parting ways from such a pastor or church. Why? They are giving practicing homosexuals confidence that they... Continue Reading
How the Tabernacle Communicated a Theology of Worship
God’s presence dwelt in the Holy of Holies, and worship entailed drawing near to that presence.
The instructions for the earthly sanctuary of God were not arbitrary; they reflect and picture the heavenly realities of God’s dwelling place. This implies that the specific details of the tabernacle are not unimportant even for the church today. Since they image spiritual, heavenly realities, they have direct application to our theology of worship and... Continue Reading
You are Like a Ship Sailing into Dangerous Waters
A letter from John Newton to his 14 year old adopted daughter.
You are now, as it were, in a safe harbor; but by and by you must launch out into the world, which may well be compared to a tempestuous sea. I could even now almost weep at the resemblance! But I take courage, as my hopes are greater than my fears. I know there is... Continue Reading
The Importance of What We Do in Secret
It is altogether possible to practice an outward display of piety without demonstrating any inner reality of godliness.
Outward demonstrations of piety may be no more than mere hypocrisy. The Greek word translated “hypocrites” (Matt. 6:2, 5) refers to the masks worn by ancient actors as symbols of pretense and show. Thus, give with fanfare; pray with pride; fast with notice. This ministry is inauthentic. It is a sham. According to Jesus, it... Continue Reading
Biblical Apologetics: How Shall We Respond to Unbelief?
The world is watching.
Our response to unbelief is crucial. The world is watching. May our apologetics match the biblical model. And may we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in a winsome and compelling way. For in the final analysis, all of God’s elect will hear and believe. Unbelief is in the air. Unbelief is gaining ground... Continue Reading