Biblical Conversion is Not Self-Improvement
Forget this bogus idea that we can somehow save ourselves.
The very bad news of the gospel regarding the sinner’s hopeless and diabolical situation is more than matched and surpassed by the very good news of the gospel that speaks of the incredible saving power of God. It is the power to transform us into forgiven saints with the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and... Continue Reading
Divine Images, Part 9: Mountains
God's righteousness is like great mountains.
In Song of Solomon the sin of the bride is like great mountains or hills that separates her from her beloved Groom. Sin separates us from God. Here is One Altogether Lovely. And yet we cannot come near Him. We have no right of access, no privilege of communion. We are by nature condemned... Continue Reading
The Quest for Community
What can we do to cultivate community in our own settings?
I’ve yet to talk to a Christian who doesn’t think community is inherently good for us. We’re meant to be a people. The local church is supposed to be the household of faith—something different to our modern concept of family but in the same broad arena—where everyone fits and is loved and is able to... Continue Reading
Definitively Dead and Alive
Why is it important that being united to Christ in His death, we are also united to Him in His resurrection?
We enter into a new life by the Spirit, a new spiritual life, in which sin no longer reigns over us. Because our sins have been dealt with and our old man has been crucified with Christ, the barrier that existed between us and God has been removed and we now receive the gift of... Continue Reading
O Beard, Where Art Thou?
Why did God make men with the capacity to grow beards?
This article, with all its bearded banter, has nothing negative to say to you. We agree with Shakespeare that “he that hath a beard is more than a youth,” but not when he continues, “and he that hath no beard is less than a man” (Much Ado about Nothing, 2.1). For if you walk according... Continue Reading
A Short Exhortation for Suffering Saints From Psalm 6
This psalm is stained with tears, as David pleads his misery in order to receive mercy.
Psalm 6 proves the truism that says: hope may despair, but despair can hope. As the Bible unfolds, we see the cross of Christ as God’s solidarity with and compassion for the assaulted. And we see the resurrection as his promise that he will heal and redeem all our suffering. As we appropriate the grace given... Continue Reading
“Luther’s Psalm”: A Look at the 46th Psalm
He began spending much time reading and reflecting upon Psalm 46, especially its promise that God is the bulwark (fortress) who never fails. From Luther’s reflection on that word of comfort, the famous hymn was born.
The Psalmist uses three metaphors to describe God in the opening verse. He is a refuge–a safe place to hide in times of trouble. He is strength–he can do all things, as the people of Israel had just witnessed with the victory of Judah over the Moabites and Amorites as recounted in 2 Chronicles 20.... Continue Reading
For Thine is the Kingdom
When we seek the encouragement of God in prayer we are boldly testifying to our dependence on the power and authority of our Sovereign King.
To go back to Jeremiah 32:38 it is because of the promise the people have of belonging to something bigger than themselves, “They shall be my people and I will be their God.” That is the source and foundation of all of our hope and peace. We belong body and soul to our Lord and... Continue Reading
The Compromised Church – Ungodly Discernment
Those who say they are Christians, but don’t keep those commandments as a way of life are not Christians at all. They are part of the Compromised Church who are unregenerate works righteousness converts.
We must walk in repentance always seeking the Lord’s will. This obedient walk is one of spiritual growth. Instead of works righteousness we must obey the Lord in our good works all for His glory. We will do good works, but as a product of Christ’s Righteousness in us not earning salvation by those works.... Continue Reading
From Baptist to Presbyterian: Reflections on Polity and Pastoral Ministry
Though I had pastored for many years before and learned many things during that time, the particularities of being Presbyterian are new.
I give my time to the ordinary means and the people God has placed under our care. But saying it’s been freeing doesn’t mean it’s been made easier. Quite honestly, it’s more demanding than ever because I understand what these things are. The true biblical understanding of the fear of God takes greater space in... Continue Reading
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- …
- 2973
- Next Page »