One of the unfortunate fruits of the Enlightenment is the tendency to regard the aesthetic experience as one separate from faith. In fact, the aesthetic experience has a religious character, and the religious experience is aesthetic. Art requires selfless humility, imaginative faith, and wise judgements, just as Christian spirituality requires receptivity, imagination, and good judgement.... Continue Reading

The truth is, as sinners we only want to hear good things. We want to hear that we are OK. But what we need to hear is the hard truth that we are not OK, but under God’s wrath – unless we repent. Thus before we can proclaim the wonders of God’s matchless grace to... Continue Reading

When we worship other gods, fail to rest and worship on the Christian Sabbath, do not honor those in authority, or struggle with any form of adultery, it is because we are coveting. When we worship the ways of the world, long for a self-serving Sabbath, claim our own authority, or desire our neighbor’s spouse,... Continue Reading

Recognize that the holy God has called us to Himself. In doing so, He has united us by His Holy Spirit to Christ. Old unholy passions have been cut off from their food supply. New holy affections have been implanted. The seeds of holiness have started to grow. Meanwhile, Peter directs us onto the right path to take: don’t... Continue Reading

If you have ever wondered whether God answers your prayers, then wonder no more. By praying to him what he has given you to pray, you are assured he not only hears but answers your prayers according to his good and perfect will.   Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your... Continue Reading

The meek can put aside their rights, privileges, and power because they believe that if God is for them, none can be against them. The meek have been robbed of the need to advance their own cause and status and had it replaced with confidence in the will and fatherhood of God. They have this confidence... Continue Reading

How beautiful are the feet of mothers who preach the good news! Our feet do not grow tired in vain if our mouths do what God designed them to — daily proclaim to our children the greatest love story ever told. Preaching the gospel is not one to-do item on a mother’s endless list. It... Continue Reading

Throughout the book of Revelation, the Lord uses images that affirm the reality we are experiencing – that of a beleaguered group under siege (see 11:2, 7-9), but God balances these pictures with others that remind us of who we are in God’s ultimate plan and purpose (see 11:6, 11-12).  We experience but a small... Continue Reading

We must not send missionaries (especially church planters) to the nations who do not love the local church. If their position is the way we’ve done church all along is deeply flawed, then I would suggest they are at great risk of falling into deeply unhelpful, even dangerous, trajectories. How will they reproduce what they have... Continue Reading

It is not that if we keep these lists, we can get saved and earn God’s approval. We keep these lists because we are already saved by God’s grace, and living such lives demonstrates our saving faith. As the virtue list in Gal. 5 informs us, these are the fruit of the Spirit. It is... Continue Reading