True faith is grounded in Christ’s work alone, not in anything we do. Yet, let me be clear: there is no pardon of sins without repentance (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30). Repentance proceeds from faith; it does not precede faith. The cause of our pardon is Christ through faith. If repentance preceded faith, then our work... Continue Reading

Samson’s story is Israel’s story. But it is also our story, and his tragedy may be ours too if we resist God’s call as he did. We too are holy people, or “saints” in the proper Biblical sense of that term (1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:1, 2; 14:33; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2). In the words of... Continue Reading

From the evidence we find in the Bible, the extra-biblical sources written so close in time to the events of the four Gospels, and the rapid growth of the Christian faith after the resurrection, Christians can proclaim with confidence that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God who was born in the flesh, was... Continue Reading

Those who follow Jesus will be where He is. This is the heart of the message to the Greeks. Jesus responds, “Do you want to see Me? Do you want to be where I am? Then follow Me. Serve Me. And if you are My servant, you will be in my presence.” Men and women who... Continue Reading

As is displayed in Acts and his other letters, Paul’s love and compassion for others overflows in the Pastoral Epistles. He refers to Timothy as “my son” and as “my beloved child.” He calls Titus “my true child in a common faith.” But we especially see Paul’s heart for others at the end of his... Continue Reading

Why does the light still shine in the darkness, both now and until the end of the age? It’s because our Lord was willing to let his Father shatter the alabaster vial, so that the divine life within him—with all the light and fragrance it was meant to bestow upon a sin-darkened world—might pour forth from... Continue Reading

All of our hearts are shaped by the habits we’ve formed over years, for good or for ill. Consequently, it’s not the sudden, grand gestures of repentance and change that have the greatest impact. But the long, well worn, ordinary habits of weekly gathered worship, personal prayer and real engagement with the Bible that God... Continue Reading

This was a grave. But now it’s just a rock. This was the shortest-running graveyard in human history, going out of business in three days. The stone was repossessed by the risen King. The angel sitting on the stone shows us that it’s time to rejoice that Christ “has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6). There isn’t... Continue Reading

To speak truth in love means taking the time to know other people and to understand them. It means taking the time to know where they are at in their lives and in their spiritual maturity. It means taking the time to ask good questions, to listen carefully, and to prayerfully consider the right truth... Continue Reading

In the end, any personal vengeance we could pursue or desire is pitiful and useless in comparison to the wrath of God that awaits anyone who remains unrepentant.  If that desire is against our fellow saints, it is a great affront to Christ who has born that wrath already.  Still, it is appropriate to cry... Continue Reading