A country’s leaders will reflect the country, and a country will reflect their leaders. Even more so a church which is unconcerned with personal holiness in itself will no doubt not seek leaders which reflect the type of life Christ expects of all men. Putting up with sin has a leprous effect on the body... Continue Reading

We can’t disobey rulers without disobeying God except when we must obey God rather than man (cf. Acts 5:29). Rulers, however, often walk contrary to the very reasons God gave them authority, punishing the righteous and rewarding the wicked. No surprises there, for Paul’s Gospel explication includes rulers when he indicts the entire human race... Continue Reading

Christian growth requires submission to the work and influence of other Christians in the local church to help you grow in Christ and observe all that Christ commands. If you don’t submit yourself to the ministry of other Christians in a local church to disciple you, can you really call yourself a faithful disciple of Christ?... Continue Reading

Now is the time to live for God. Now is the time to fear the Lord. Now is the time to walk wisely under the sun. Life will not necessarily get easier as we grow older. However old you are, these are the years to love God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Don’t live... Continue Reading

The maturity of our members becomes evident when they must wear the practice of their theology, when they are on the receiving end of corrective discipline and when their preferences (whatever they may be) are challenged and must be set aside for the sake of others. It is in those moments we see just how... Continue Reading

Jesus’s baptism at the Jordan points forward to the baptism of his death (Mark 10:38; Luke 12:50). But it also points to the glorious blessings merited by his righteous life. After Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened. God’s Spirit came down like a dove, and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved Son, with... Continue Reading

We really have to get past the idea that the life of the church is accurately and realistically mirrored by social media. We could all do with a little more trust. Ethicists can help with that.   I. I read with great interest Carl Trueman’s recent post on the need for protestant ethicists to assist... Continue Reading

Our judicial system does not hand down the same punishments for every infraction. What we know to be true in ordinary life we must not forget in our spiritual lives. As much as it shows admirable humility or apologetic concern, we must not act or teach as if every sin is the same in God’s... Continue Reading

The Word, prayer, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the ordinary means of grace God has given us. These are the means through which the Holy Spirit works to bring true conversion, true revival, and true reformation. God’s awakening power is not activated by our schemes and tactics, but by His... Continue Reading

Jesus had to pass the test that Adam failed in the garden of Eden (Gen 2:16–17; 3:1–6). He refused to believe the devil’s lies and instead obeyed his Father in all things. Jesus was tempted but did not sin (Heb. 4:15). Satan has power, but Jesus has ultimate power over all creation. When Jesus said,... Continue Reading