Let the Bible’s Sexual Ethic Point You to Christ
The Bible’s sexual ethic draws us out of our shame and into the joy of the Lord.
Our sovereign God gives good gifts. He gave us the gift of sexuality, and he gave us guidelines to use that gift for his glory. The greatest gift he gave us was that of his Son’s blood to remedy all our shame, which comes not from sexuality itself but from sin. The culture around us... Continue Reading
Six Questions Pastors Should Ask in Deciding When to Confront
Whether a pastor should confront is not always obvious.
One cannot answer every confrontation question easily. Some decisions last for months and even years. Each time, our goal must be to discern wisely the right course of action. We will make sound decisions only if we sharpen our wisdom-saws regularly. Before the Covid pandemic, I don’t recall using the phrase “decision fatigue.” Now... Continue Reading
A Selfless Life
Not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
Jesus always chose the path of sacrifice, substitution, and self-denial if in so doing it would bring life to others. This began, in His human days, with laying aside His crown in heaven and humbling Himself to be housed in human flesh for our salvation. What determines what you do and when you do... Continue Reading
The PCA & Egalitarianism
The Egalitarian Question is Not a Single Issue
The question before the church is not whether Scripture is unclear. Scripture speaks plainly about church office, worship, and the created order. The real question is whether we will submit to what God has said, even when it cuts against cultural instincts or contemporary sensibilities. If you have recently been keeping up with online... Continue Reading
False Teachers Or Just Different?
John Calvin on “Charitable Judgment”
When someone disagrees with us on practical church issues…we need to judge charitably in their favour if at all possible. Do they confess the faith? …confess God, Christ, and salvation by mercy? Do they live a good life, free of greed and sexual exploitation? …receive the true sacraments? These are the sorts of basic outward... Continue Reading
God Does Not Want You to Be a Fragile Christian
God uses suffering to make us strong and resilient, not weak and fragile.
Right now, you might be going through trials that are rocking your world. You’re hanging on for dear life. You’re in the thick of something menacing and awful. So here’s what I want you to know: God is using this. He’s not being cruel. He doesn’t hate you. He’s making you into the saint he’s... Continue Reading
Rebellion
The Bible condemns rebellion against lawful authority.
To resist lawful authority without just cause is not a mark of maturity or courage. It is a sign of a heart that has not yet learned to bow. And until we recover a biblical seriousness about rebellion, we will struggle to cultivate the peace, order, and godly fear that Scripture envisions for society, home,... Continue Reading
Who Was Lydia?
When she heard the gospel of Christ, she experienced the Lord’s sovereign, saving grace.
Most importantly, Lydia was a believer whose heart the Lord opened and transformed by grace, so she gladly offered her home, her staff, and herself to Christ—the firstfruits of gospel harvest in Macedonia and in Europe. Eager to spread the good news throughout Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) but banned by God’s Spirit from entering Asia... Continue Reading
A Grandad’s Advice
John Stevenson (c.1655-1728/29), a Covenanter, wrote down his life experiences for the sake of his children and grandchildren.
Flee to the city of refuge with all speed, and join yourself to Christ as your prophet, priest ,and king, who came to seek and save those who were lost, for there is no other name given under heaven by which we can be saved. Britain is in the midst of what one thinktank... Continue Reading
The Gospel and Identity in Christ
As our Savior and Master, Jesus gives explicit mandates about self-identification, because we are united to him.
Recategorization of SSA as an untouchable identity fails the biblical and confessional test. This new perverse doctrine of sanctification requires befriending an identity that opposes Christ. Deciding that a particular besetting sin is no longer sinful may temporarily placate one’s emotions. But friendship with the world is enmity with God. And to whatever degree we... Continue Reading
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