Thessalonians confirms that believers remain forever with the Lord. But the location and circumstances of that blessed condition are assumed rather than articulated. Recalling the “tenses” of salvation, we see that salvation is completed only when God’s final favorable judgment is rendered. Douglas Moo’s summary of Pauline theology observes that “salvation covers the entirety of... Continue Reading

Jesus is first shown to be majestic and mighty. He is king, ruler, the Lion. He is sovereign, and fulfills our longings for greatness, for a ruler strong and mighty to impress us with power and win our trust and protect us and provide for us and give us life. But we long not only for... Continue Reading

In our time there is so much moral confusion, political tension, fear of environmental ruin, and financial uncertainty. As the people of Christ, we should not let our perspective on such things be shaped by the endless and often pessimistic news commentary. We have no reason to despair but every reason for hope. For we... Continue Reading

Look at your calendar and your checkbook. How you spend your time and your resources is a great indicator of what you think is most important. Evaluate everything else in light of the value of experiencing Christ’s presence—walking and talking with Him every day—and rest in the most important thing.   Everyone has values, the... Continue Reading

Soul, you were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ! Your sins were not marked to you, but they were marked. Your sins were laid on the Lamb of God, and you are forgiven and redeemed by His blood. You have been purchased with the most costly of fortunes. “Plentiful Redemption” (Psalm 130:7). Soul, rejoice... Continue Reading

The church has a special interest in Christ, and He has interest in His church as His own special subjects, for whose good He governs all the matters of the world. “Thy King cometh unto thee.” This is the glory of His crown, that He is so gentle and merciful to us that He will... Continue Reading

Part of the reason why we don’t see revival in our day is that for too many Christians it just seems far fetched to believe that it can happen. We don’t have it because we don’t pray for it. This petition of the Lord’s Prayer is a reminder that not only can it happen, but... Continue Reading

Just as the mother crimson worm goes to the oak tree voluntarily to give her life for her children, so Jesus offered himself on the tree of the cross for your sins, according to the will of God (Gal. 1:4). Just as the crimson worm bleeds out a scarlet dye in the death she endures... Continue Reading

Satan loves to trivialize and diminish the horrors of sin by cloaking it in soft, therapeutic language. He loves to deceive us into playing the victim rather than the perpetrator. Don’t fall for it, Christian. As the Scriptures testify, sin is real and there is death and hell to pay for our rebellion against God’s kindness... Continue Reading

The Bible teaches us to set apart the Lord’s Day in some way for the Lord, meaning time with him. The whole concept of sabbath—a day for rest, reflection, renewal and recalibration was designed by God to be a great blessing to us. Some Christians have turned it into a legalistic rule about whether you can eat out at a restaurant or watch football games on... Continue Reading