Rather than conformity to the world, we are to be transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). We are to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5) and prepare our minds for action by setting our hope fully on grace (1 Peter 1:13).   Those who study war and battle... Continue Reading

Jesus came to baptize with the Spirit and with fire. We who have received the Spirit cannot remain passive while judgment approaches. The reality of the coming separation between wheat and chaff should compel us to proclaim the Gospel with renewed urgency.   There are truths we believe we know—truths we’ve heard countless times, sung... Continue Reading

God’s answer to the chaos and rebellion of the world is the very last thing to which the world would naturally look, namely, the crucified Christ, whose death, by the inscrutable wisdom of God, is life and blessing to the world.   “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of... Continue Reading

Like the lame beggar, we’re born unable to walk in God’s ways. Like him, we’re spiritually bankrupt, unable to pay our debt to God. Like him, we can be right at the door of spiritual truth yet still be outside. And like him, healing comes wholly by grace—unearned, unexpected, transformative grace.   Our world is... Continue Reading

In 100 years’ time, everyone reading this will either be dead in their sins or alive in Christ. If you are in Christ, you will be united to His body, the church, worshiping the Lamb. You will be clothed in Christ’s righteousness, and to your left and right you will imager-bearers of every skin tone,... Continue Reading

Listen to the prayers of the saints! They are not full of pride, but they are full of confidence in Christ. On their best days, they see themselves as the chief of sinners, and still in desperate need of a Savior.    Have you ever really listened to the prayers of the saints? What do... Continue Reading

Jesus’s earthly life demonstrates a deep commitment to relationships and a remarkable sense of initiative…what would it look like for us to follow in his ways? To not only play the host but join people where they are? To pursue those outside the fold? To attend gatherings and events with intentionality and for the sake... Continue Reading

People around us will say we’re prudes or don’t want to have fun—let them. Our priority, our strategy, our goal is to please God in how we behave, speak, and think. Perhaps there’s something in your life that causes you to stumble, that influences you to behave, speak, and think like the world. If there... Continue Reading

Work was meant to be an expression of what Christ called the greatest commandment— “‘and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no... Continue Reading

Christians often fail to distinguish between the toleration and practice of sin. Daniel, like Joseph, had little choice but to tolerate idol worship among those he governed even while he would never personally practice it. Likewise, an authority may favor civil liberties that enable society to sin, but this is not the same thing as... Continue Reading