Paul’s description of Rome is a mirror for every culture, including ours. It’s a reminder that when we suppress the truth about God, we don’t become neutral. We become idolaters. And idolatry always leads to futility, darkness, and ultimately, judgment. Our greatest problem is not external; it’s internal. It’s not ignorance, systems, or circumstances, but... Continue Reading

Believers cannot outsource moral courage to politicians. The sword of the Spirit still belongs to us. While civil rulers restrain evil with law, we confront it with truth. But we must not despise those who bear the temporal sword rightly. Both swords—the spiritual and the civil—are gifts from the same God.   When wolves prowl... Continue Reading

Paul reminds us that whatever we do, and he uses eating and drinking as the principle example, we are to do to the glory of God. This is why we ought to give thanks for our meals.   Unlike the beasts, who eat from pure creaturely instinct, man eats on the basis of God’s permission.... Continue Reading

There are many connections we have to people and groups, but the most important one and the one that governs every other connection is our connection to God.   Some people feel alone and wish they had a sense of belonging to some group. We sometimes see the extreme of this with someone who is... Continue Reading

My theory, if you can call it that, is that the Lord gives those suffering for his name supernatural joy and courage in the midst of persecution. Not only do I think God brings us divine strength, courage, and faith if we’re killed for his sake, but the testimonies of Christians who were martyred bring... Continue Reading

The Lord will accomplish his purposes in his church for her good, he doesn’t need me for that. He may, in his graciousness, be pleased to use me to that end in some way, but they’re his purposes and down to him that they come to pass. He’ll manage to do them with or without... Continue Reading

And death on a cross for me! Death on a cross for you! Why is the rich One hanging penniless and possession-less on a cross? Why is He now so poor and humbled? Because God loved the world. Christ is hanging on the cross because He is busy inheriting your debt. He is dying in... Continue Reading

When we talk about God’s glory, we are talking about everything that comes from God and everything God is. For example, God’s greatness, goodness, power, and love are all part of his glory and are called “attributes” (Isa. 42:8; Rom. 11:36). While we can’t see God, we can see at least some of his glory... Continue Reading

But those who seek, find. The men from the East had read the heavens and left everything behind. They crossed dry lands, carrying questions heavier than their gold. When the light disappeared, they kept walking. When it reappeared, they rejoiced like men who had seen hope itself rise from the dust. Their search ended not... Continue Reading

 In Jesus Christ, we have the certain hope that the God who goes before us is the One who goes behind us. He Who guides us by his word and Spirit is He who guards us by his mighty hand. The Shepherd who leads us in paths of righteousness and is with us in the... Continue Reading