The Many Names of God
Perhaps the most dramatic name change in the Old Testament took place when Jacob’s name was changed to Israel.
The old name, which means “deceiver,” suited him because of the crooked, hypocritical, devious tricks he pulled on his own family. Jacob is over. From now on, his name will be Israel, the one who wrestles with God. What a beautiful name. The rest of the Old Testament is the history of a nation that... Continue Reading
What it Means to Be Reformed Part 3: Confessionalism
The Importance of Confessions
In our day it is especially important to be confessional. When we looked at the dismal state of theology in the American Church, we saw significant and disheartening errors in the average Christian’s views of Scripture, God, man and sin, salvation, the Church, and current issues like extramarital sex, abortion, gender identity, and homosexuality. Basically all of these errors are clearly addressed in the confessions, so... Continue Reading
The Visible Church vs. the Invisible Church — What’s the Difference?
The invisible church consists of those throughout the ages who have new life in Christ, which will never be taken away from them.
Believers did nothing to earn regeneration and there is nothing they can do to become unregenerated. The Spirit indwells all true believers, and he convicts God’s children of their sin in his sanctifying work. No one will snatch Jesus’ sheep from his hand (John 10:28). There exist the visible church and the invisible church.... Continue Reading
Sin Leading to Death
It’s hard to imagine God telling us not to pray about something.
John is not prohibiting us from praying for the salvation of our lost family and friends. Rather, he is saying that we cannot pray for salvation apart from Jesus Christ. That would be the unanswerable prayer in the face of the unforgivable sin. Rejection of Jesus is unforgivable because God has given no other name... Continue Reading
God Understands and Is Compassionate Toward Parents of Prodigal Children
God is the perfect Parent, and even he reared children who rebelled against him and went their own way!
God knows what it is to be rejected by those whom he has loved and cared for (see John 1:11). He knows what it is like to see a loved one headed for disaster. He knows what it is to long for his children to return to their senses (see Matt. 23:37). He knows what it is... Continue Reading
Don’t Be Ashamed of Repentance
Our pride keeps us from admitting our foolishness.
Here’s the good news: Jesus always accepts those who repent and believe the gospel. This is the Christian way. This is how we entered the Christian life (Mark 1:15), and this is how we continue in the Christian life (Gal 2:20). If you are still in your sin, hear this word: “Repent therefore, and turn... Continue Reading
Burning Out for God: Lessons from Henry Martyn
Review: ‘Henry Martyn’ by Constance Padwick
Though Martyn preferred a quiet life of prayer and study, he demonstrated a commitment to what many today would call being incarnational. As chaplain aboard multiple East India Company vessels, he ministered to the sailors and crew. In India, he opened his home to British soldiers and Indians alike for Bible studies and church services.... Continue Reading
Praying in Grace By the Power of God
How the Trinity Informs and Enlivens Our Time Spent in Prayer
Prayer is worship. It is why that word adoration is used in the A.C.T.S. You are confessing your faith in Him, in His person as the Creator, and in His Work as the giver of all things by the word of His power. It is a statement of humble reliance upon the one who alone is able... Continue Reading
Who Is a God Like You?
Finding hope in the incomparable character of God.
The insanity of the world has reached a fever pitch in recent years, but let’s not forget that the God who upholds the universe, and the God who sent His Son into the world to save sinners, is a God who delights in steadfast love. Ultimate reality, the bedrock beneath this whole terrestrial ball, is... Continue Reading
Remember the 4 ‘Alls’ of the Great Commission
The missionary mandate Jesus gave his disciples, as seen in Matthew’s formulation.
The call of discipleship includes teaching everything Christ taught. The goal isn’t just a cognitive level of doctrinal understanding but total obedience. To obey all that Christ teaches. Nakah and Poobalan comment: The Great Commission forbids a selective attitude to Christ’s demands on all who follow him. We cannot pick and choose or add what we like. His... Continue Reading
What Was the Burning Bush?
The fire was in the bush, but not of the bush.
It’s not so much what was in that bush, but who was in that bush—who it was who was speaking to Moses centuries before Moses would speak with Him on the Mount of Transfiguration, which was clearly the most magnificent display of the shekinah glory anywhere in the New Testament (Matt. 17:1–8). Just as that bush was burning... Continue Reading
Who Can Understand Sin?
Deep Mercy for Our Dark Insanity
In our sin, we need the desperation of the prodigal son who, after he squandered all his inheritance, recognizes his only hope is to return to his father (Luke 15:17–19). Or like the psalmist who calls to the Lord for mercy from the abyss of his sin (Psalm 130:1–2), we too must turn to God... Continue Reading
Two Sides of Motherhood; Joy and Pain
Processing a Miscarriage
As much as you may feel like it is your fault, it is NOT. There is nothing that could have been done to change the will of God for your life and for the life of your child. This miscarriage is not a fault of you, it is a fact of the world and a... Continue Reading
Meditation on Proverbs 30:7-9
The Importance of Honesty and Contentment
Agur asks the Lord to provide him with his needs so that two scenarios would be avoided. First, he does not wish to be tempted to steal through poverty. Second, he does not wish tempted to deny his need for God because of his riches. And the balance of the Christian life is to receive... Continue Reading
What it Means to be Reformed Part 2: Calvinism
Calvinists laid out what we now know as the Five Points of Calvinism.
All in all, the five points of Calvinism like the Five Solas recognize that God is the one who works salvation so only God deserves glory for every aspect of it. God is the one who predestined all of the elect before time began apart from any merit of our own. Jesus Christ’s atoning work... Continue Reading
The Difference Between Repentance and Remorse
How do we ensure that we respond obediently when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin in our lives?
Genuine repentance always ends in renewal of worship. God created us to worship, and we are always worshiping something or someone. Repentant people have concluded that only God is worthy of worship, and they will long to gather with other likeminded worshipers to ascribe glory to Christ alone. It’s not always easy to tell... Continue Reading
An Encounter with the Word
Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is living and active.
It is good when the Word of God troubles our souls. If the depth and majesty it reveals about the Lord of all creation does not produce the fear of Him in our hearts, then the blessings it pronounces do not belong to us either. Think through your most recent encounters with the Word. How... Continue Reading
The Art of Rest: A Christian Perspective
Embracing Rest as a Lifestyle
Cultivating a life of rest involves understanding its value, learning to take breaks, and allowing margin in our lives. As Christians, we are invited to embrace rest not just as an occasional retreat, but as a lifestyle that permeates our daily routines. Resting IS needed. For all of us. I’m terrible at resting—and that’s... Continue Reading
What Should We Do With 1 Enoch? A Biblical Approach to Extra-Biblical Literature
Seeing 1 Enoch with the Eyes of Jude.
We can clearly say that Jude is aware of 1 Enoch (cf. Jude 14–15), and that if he has Genesis 6 in mind, which I will argue below, then he likely has the stories of 1 Enoch in mind too. This does not mean he accepts everything 1 Enoch says, but we can make the... Continue Reading
Confidence in Prayer
Sometimes we can treat Jesus like a genie at our disposal.
If we treat Jesus as a genie we will use Him to serve our will. But if we regard Jesus as our Lord and God we will serve Him and seek His will. That is the qualifier that John gives us here. “If we ask anything according to His will,” He promises to hear us... Continue Reading
The Good in Regret
My regrets aren’t good in themselves, but they can do me great good if they drive me to Jesus.
Creating habits of hiding, self-deception, and self-justification is a dangerous game, and I’m the first loser. I must own my wrongs fully. But that doesn’t mean I have to live under the guilt and shame of regret forever—I have a Saviour who offers full forgiveness freely, though it came at great cost to himself. ... Continue Reading
The Art of Extemporaneous Preaching
Lessons from Charles Spurgeon
Public speaking can be terrifying, and even more so without a manuscript. How does the preacher not give way to fear and anxiety? Only by depending on God. “Everything depends upon your being cool and unflurried. Forebodings of failure, and fear of man, will ruin you. Go on, trusting in God, and all will be... Continue Reading
The Church’s Peace and Purity as a Witness
The vocation of Christians is to be practitioners of peace.
Our liberty in Christ is not to be wielded as a club, that we might beat up the weaker brother (see Rom. 14:15). Nor is it to be used to create a club where some believers are “in” and others are “out” (see Col. 2:18). The highest expression of Christian freedom is to serve others in love (Gal. 5:13). Part... Continue Reading
Higher Ed Is Reaping What has Been Sown
Student protests and trusting the “cult of youth.”
Today, youthful naïvete and this thirst for attention is supercharged by social media. After all, until now, no generation has ever been able to virtue-signal to the whole world before. The powerful desire, not only to speak truth to power, but to be seen doing it while claiming the mantle of Civil Rights, is intoxicating. Joy Pullman once called... Continue Reading
Jesus: The True Vine
Jesus is the source of sustenance, power, wisdom, and strength in the Christian life.
Apart from Jesus, we don’t have the strength to live fruitful lives. Trying to live a God-honouring life without Christ is like a branch trying to bear fruit without being attached to the vine. It is impossible. If you are a member of God’s vine in Christ, rejoice at His kindness and goodness toward you. Abide... Continue Reading
Christian Teaching on Sex Should be More than “Don’t do It”
Where do young people get their information about sex from?
Love and sex are great gifts from God in the right setting. There is joy to be found in marriage and love. And this joy, these great gifts, are a pointer to a greater love, of Christ for his church. When we understand the power of the gifts of love and sex, we will understand... Continue Reading
I Believe in the Holy Spirit
The Spirit shines on the face of Christ; the Son leads us to the Father.
The Scriptures use a series of descriptions to identify the Spirit. He is the Spirit of glory, truth, holiness, sonship—and much more (Rom. 1:4; Rom. 8:15; 1 Peter 4:14; 1 John 4:6). We should notice particularly how our Lord Jesus introduces the Spirit in Jesus’ Farewell Discourse in John 13–17. In essence, Jesus tells His disciples that the Spirit will... Continue Reading
Book Review: Patient Ferment of the Early Church
Kreider’s work is well-researched, not surprising as he is a first-rate historian.
While Lactantius appealed to Constantine to honour the weak, deal with evil patiently, and promote religious liberty, Constantine was emphatic that he would be a Christian “on his own terms” (p.260). Constantine denounced paganism and embarked on a Christianisation of the law with heavy penalties on what he saw to be immoral practices. He saw... Continue Reading
Head of Every Head
How to Lead Like Jesus
Our Head makes provision and supply for the growth of his wife. As Head, he not only loved her at the cross with covenant-making allegiance, and loves her daily with ongoing concern, but he even loves her enough to take action for her growth, her improvement, her advance. Now we add a fresh kind of encouragement... Continue Reading
Why Should We Have Hope?
There’s only one place to find it when we desperately need it.
Hope is a person—Christ crucified and risen—and he is actualized in the life of the church through the Holy Spirit as she goes about her daily, routine business of preaching the gospel, baptizing, and serving communion. There we encounter life in the Christ who defeated death not be escaping from it but by coming through... Continue Reading