How can we avoid judging others on a superficial, external level? How can we put off the old and live as new creations in Christ? How can we engage in the great task of reconciling others to God? Who around us can we urge and implore to accept the free gift of salvation through Christ? If we were living for Jesus this week, that’s what we’d be doing. Let’s give it a try. Read More ...
God’s work of reconciling the world to himself continues today through people like us. We have the ministry of proclaiming the word of reconciliation to our generation. Read More ...
This great change is something God does—he is working in us “both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil 2:13). Growth and maturity in the Christian life come from yielding ourselves to God (cf. Rom 6:13). Life begins to change when we live for him who died for us (cf. vs. 15). Read More ...
The central truth of the Christian Gospel is that Jesus died for us and rose again. His death and resurrection have monumental significance for us. It provides both salvation and motivation for obedience and service. Because Jesus died for us, we should respond by living for him. Read More ...
I hope all of us strive to value things that are eternal and profound rather than things that are flashy, superficial, and shallow. Christians have historically promoted things that are good, beautiful, and true. Our culture values just the opposite—things that are wicked, ugly, and false. We should love what God loves and hate what God hates. Read More ...
What are you doing to store up for yourself gold, silver, and precious stones? What have you done that will withstand the fire of God’s judgment? We want that great graduation ceremony to be one of rejoicing and gladness, not shame and regret. The prospect of the JSOX should motivate us toward faithfully serving God, serving his people, and obeying his word. Read More ...
Our ultimate approval in God’s sight comes because we are saved. God approves of us because we are united to Christ by faith; we are “accepted in the beloved” (Eph 1:16). The only way that we can be well-pleasing in God sight is through faith in Christ. Otherwise, there is nothing we can do that is acceptable to God. Read More ...
Paul is confident about the things he’s saying here, and we can be confident about them as well. We can know for sure that, when our earthly tents—that is, our bodies—are untied and fall down, we have an eternal home in heaven. We can be assured of that; it’s guaranteed; we can be and should be confident about it. Read More ...
As we face difficulties in ministry, we should keep in mind that whatever problems we encounter are light and brief. As we think about time and eternity, our time here is momentary. We have only a limited time to serve Christ and his church, so we should make use of our opportunities. Even if Christian ministry is difficult, we should persevere in it and not grow weary of well doing. Read More ...
Those who engage in Christian ministry don’t do it for themselves. If you want to have an easy life and avoid persecution, opposition, and threats of violence, then Christian ministry is not the place for you. But if you are willing to endure the difficulties of ministry for the sake of God’s glory and for the benefit of God’s people, then perhaps God could use a clay pot like you in his service. Read More ...