Our salvation is more than a legal ledger. It involves more than justification. It involves the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts to unite us to Christ…We are children of the living God (1 John 3:1), born again of the Spirit. He is at work forming Christ in us, orienting our hearts to... Continue Reading

When Christians embrace their identity as God’s image-bearer, they discover what it means to embody God’s glory and goodness in every area of life. This is especially important for youth and young adults who are in the throes of identity-formation. By teaching them what it means to be iconic, we aren’t merely helping them answer... Continue Reading

Surviving Mainline congregations in future years will reorganize into new networks and collaborations that we cannot now imagine. Some congregations that are dramatically heterodox will survive but most will not. They will no longer have the buffer of supportive denominational structures. Ultimately, nature reasserts itself in churches. Orthodox theology that feeds souls wins and attracts... Continue Reading

NiNOs aren’t aligned with organized religion but still pray and maintain belief in God. Rather than assuming they’ve rejected Christianity (as the Dones have), we can understand better by simply listening to them. We might be surprised to find they’re unaffiliated with organized faith not because they’ve rejected it but simply because they’re unfamiliar with... Continue Reading

We might well ask, “Why would God send saviors to a people so persistently disobedient and fickle?” Judges tells us: “The LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them” (Judg. 2:18; see Neh. 9:27). As the Puritan Thomas Goodwin once counseled believers, “Your very sins move him... Continue Reading

When feelings of discontentment tempt us toward sin, we point to Jesus who promises to never leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5–6). Though our feelings, emotions, and physical stamina are ever changing, our hope rests in him who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). As we encourage each other with these truths... Continue Reading

Asylum seekers fleeing religious persecution should not be detained while their cases are heard. They should be free to access the legal representation and resources necessary to make as strong a case as possible. When they are denied that freedom, especially when the stakes are life and death, we as Christians have a duty to... Continue Reading

Every man longs to be admired. The forbidden woman knows this. She praises him. She compliments his work which makes him feel respected. Many men fall because a woman flattered his ego. Brothers, beware of flattery. That little thrill you feel from the admiration of an attractive woman should sound like a fire engine in... Continue Reading

Christian parents can be encouraged that they have a message of goodness, hope, and life to share with their children that contrasts with the nihilism of our day…The onslaught of erroneous messages from the world requires frequently revisiting who we truly are. As Timothy Keller observes, “Christian maturing is a process in which the most... Continue Reading

Sticking to the point of the parable is important as the church has a long history of allegorizing these parables, assigning a “deeper” meaning to every detail…We get into trouble when we don’t stick to the point. The story is the means of communicating that point. Often the point is not as clear as we... Continue Reading