Setting an Example
Whether we like it or not, the eyes of others are always watching us.
God has handed us microphones and put us on the big screen—that can either be a platform to broadcast sin, or a stage on which to showcase how wonderful Jesus, our Saviour is, who saves us for good works. We don’t just follow examples; we also set them. The Bible doesn’t only encourage us to... Continue Reading
In Him, All Things Hold Together
God’s invisible attributes are clearly seen.
His moment-by-moment sustaining of all of being outside of himself is immutably consistent with the attributes and power manifest in the first week of creation. Because he is unchanging, perfect concurrence exists between the first utterance of his words of creation, his careful forming of his image-bearers initially for the dust, and his present upholding... Continue Reading
Suffering and Sovereignty
Where is God when we suffer greatly?
This side of eternity we see through a glass darkly, and we must just cling to God in faith. And as I and others have often said, it is not so much a case of my great faith in God, but my (often weak and failing) faith in a great God. We can only trust... Continue Reading
Asking the Right Questions in Discipleship
Go for questions that open discussion rather than simply give the right answer.
It’s important to remember that we are all a work in progress. That others have laboured had in us than we’ll ever know. And that men cannot be changed by giving the right answers, by guilt or beating them with the truth. We have to be patient as we call on the one who changes... Continue Reading
Walk Wisely
We must take to heart this call to make the most of time or we will fall back into those things of our former life.
Though the internet, cell phones, social media, etc., can be wonderful tools, they can also dull us. If you are spending hours gazing at some cyber person you do not know and who does not know you, be it as pernicious as pornography or as silly as a sports star, you will lose your heart... Continue Reading
Encourage Discouraged Pastors
What can you do?
Perhaps more than anything else, just become your pastor’s friend. Friendship has a healing aspect to it. Open your home and care for them. Think of the pastor’s wife and kids. They need you also. I doubt that you could possible know what intentional love can do for those God has, in his providence, put... Continue Reading
The Great Hope of Amillennialism
With all of Christ’s church we say with joy, longing, and marvel: Come, Lord Jesus.
Amillennials like myself have good reasons for great hope, a hope that fuels our passion in the daily hours. We aren’t defeatist, disengaged, and doleful. We smile in the light of Christ’s glorious victory and look expectantly, with the rest of Christendom, to his second coming. Defeatist. Disengaged. Doleful. That’s a caricature of what... Continue Reading
Salvation is Not A Matter of Being More Convincing
The sound of the same gospel that was life to some was the aroma of death to others.
We should expect opposition to the gospel. If the same gospel preached by Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church faced opposition, why would we assume things will be any different for us? If those who will be won are drawn by God’s Spirit, it is hardly that surprising that those who will not be... Continue Reading
Love in the Local Church
True and biblical love is a commitment to another person for his or her benefit.
When we think about what it means to love each other in the local church, we should not think, “This means that I show up for people when it works for me.” That view is both narrow and shallow. Rather, we should think, “This means that I am basically committed to each one of God’s... Continue Reading
Ensuring Our Bible Stories are Actually Christian
If I do not connect the dots of the Bible stories that I share with kids, to the gospel of Christ, can I really call my lesson “Christian”?
The way we teach children the stories of Scripture can help provide a much-needed roadmap and big-picture understanding for them of how the whole Bible fits together as “the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Since the “gospel is the power of God for salvation for all who believe” (Romans 1:16–17), may we never hinder the... Continue Reading
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