Differences Between Salvation in the Qur’an & the Bible
“What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).
Every system, philosophy, and religion proposes some form of salvation. They all articulate a problem which must be solved in order for a person to experience salvation. What matters most is what a system teaches about salvation. Whenever we seek to understand a spiritual system, this is where we need to go. What must a... Continue Reading
Don’t Underestimate the Enemies of Your Soul
Unless we engage it seriously, we will not be serious players in it, and may be swept away by it.
Demonic powers are in no way impressed by our intellect or other abilities. What impresses them is the strength of the Spirit of God and the weapons he provides. And these have divine power to destroy the works of the devil and cause us to stand firm in the evil day (2 Corinthians 10:4; 1 John... Continue Reading
What Is the Mystery of Marriage?
The Most Beloved (and Misunderstood) Wedding Text
There is indeed a mysterious element to romance and marriage. Even the classic Christian text for husbands and wives, Ephesians 5:22–33, mentions “mystery.” However, the mystery here is not what we may be prone to think — and it’s a vital lesson for every marriage. If the “mystery” in Ephesians 5 is not the universal enigma of... Continue Reading
How Satan Seduces Bitter Believers
To Paul, the Corinthians bitterness toward this repentant offender was evidence of the devil’s activity.
Satan was seeking to outfox them. The Corinthians thought they were reacting righteously to the sinner, but like the Nazi’s, they were being seduced by clever disinformation. Paul basically says: In reality, the enemy is staging an invasion. On April 30th, 1943, the corpse of Major William Martin washed up on a beach in Spain.... Continue Reading
God Doesn’t Help Those who Help Themselves
The popular phrase in the medieval church was “God will not deny his grace to those who do what lies within their power.”
As for the Reformation battle cry, faith alone, which was the central concern, how far has the preaching of justification by faith alone fallen from the priorities of the modern evangelical church as the major centers of evangelical power have now publicly acknowledged that the doctrine of justification by faith alone no longer presents any obstacle... Continue Reading
What Is the Unpardonable Sin?
Jesus then stated that “all sins” can be forgiven, including “whatever blasphemies”—except for the specific blasphemy of the Spirit.
Luke’s account of this teaching is even more specific: “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven” (Luke 12:10). At this point, we need to define blasphemy, and this verse from Luke gives us a... Continue Reading
Ten Concise Reasons to Remember the Sabbath
First and foremost, remembering the Sabbath is a command.
Hebrews 4:9 tells us that “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” Every time we gather as the church for worship on the Lord’s Day, we should be reminded, examined, and prepared for the great day of judgment and consummation that yet awaits us as Christ will return (Matt. 25:31-46). Having... Continue Reading
Crossing the Finish Line
We need endurance and encouragement to finish running the race of faith we have entered.
I was done. My coach and my teammates encouraged me to get back on the track and finish the race. I didn’t want to finish the race. They kept encouraging me. I finally walked back on the track and slowly jogged until I crossed the finish line. There is a parable in this experience. ... Continue Reading
Paul: Let Him Not Eat
One of the creational laws under which both believers and unbelievers live is the law that requires the able-bodied to work in order to eat.
Work is a creational or natural necessity but it’s also a Christian obligation. Charity is also a Christian virtue and obligation. Our English word charity is derived from the Latin caritas, which simply means love. We have come to think of charity as giving money and/or food to those in need but that is an application of charity but not charity... Continue Reading
Even This
Trusting God in Your Darkest Day
In and through every hurt, every suffering, every hardship, he is unfolding his purposes for your everlasting good. He is working this — even this — for your final joy. God gives us glimpses into his peculiarly loving ways throughout the Bible, but he does so with particular power at the very turning point of... Continue Reading