Faith is not something that merits the favor of God. All the efficacy unto salvation resides in the Savior. As one has aptly and truly stated the case, it is not faith that saves but faith in Jesus Christ; strictly speaking, it is not even faith in Christ that saves but Christ that saves through... Continue Reading

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness,” (ESV). For my part (personally), I am of a nature that would rather have other men do this kind of work, so that I could slip into the background somewhere. . . .... Continue Reading

What Yancey did certainly WAS sinful and evil. It is one thing to sin this way for 8 weeks or 8 months, but 8 years really is alarming. It does show how believers can so easily deceive themselves and think they can get away with murder.   All Christians are sinners, and all can fall... Continue Reading

Persecution against true Christianity (as opposed to cultural Christianity) has a long history beginning with the birth of the Church. In fact, Jesus said that “if the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (Jn 15:18) and “In the world you will have persecution. But take heart; I have... Continue Reading

“As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4–5... Continue Reading

Grace and peace never lead to complacency, grasped as the gift they are not something we’re entitled to, they always lead to sorrow over sin, and repentance that resolves to be who we’ve been saved to be. Grace causes Paul to overflow with thankfulness for them, because they are a trophy of grace.   (3)Is... Continue Reading

Prayer is worship because it tells the truth about who God is and about what He has done. When we pray, we honor God by relying on Him. We confess that He alone can deliver, forgive, sustain, and save. This is why prayer is never a transaction. We are not just asking for things. We... Continue Reading

When I was a boy we used to be sent outside by sadistic teachers to complete cross-country runs of about three miles, invariably in the coldest, windiest winter weather. Unhappy memories—but oh, the joy of finishing! A greater joy by far awaits the Christian athlete. We are called to endure, to persist all the way... Continue Reading

We are born with our ears tuned to hear our own voices. We like hearing ourselves. What’s worse is that everyone around us is doing the same thing! So we cheer each other on. That’s right! You should be heard! Don’t let anyone tell you differently! That’s your truth! Say it! That means we have... Continue Reading

God is present, in control, and faithful, even when we cannot understand his ways. As Christians, we know this reality, but too often we can be tempted to focus our eyes on things ‘under the sun’. In Japanese the character for eye is 目 and the character for look is 見 – an eye with... Continue Reading