We all wish that we could live without conflict. But in our sinful world, conflict is virtually inevitable. Even in the church, conflict happens. Someone offends you; he says something unkind; she snubs you or insults you. How do you respond? Either forgive and put it behind you or start this process—go to your brother and tell him his fault. And if you are the offender, respond appropriately to such confrontation. That’s the proper way to deal with interpersonal conflict within the church. Read More ...
There is no excuse for spiritual compromise. We don’t enter into dialogue with the idolaters. We must have no fellowship with false religion. Our goal and task is to lead people to denounce idolatry and false religion and to believe in the true and living God—to turn to God from idols. An in order to do that, we must not compromise spiritually. We must maintain our commitment to truth and our opposition to error. The key to avoiding compromise is to love what God loves and hate what God hates. Read More ...
Where is the source of our daily dependence?
What do we understand about our times? God is in control; he is sovereign over the events of this world, and for his own purposes and in his own ways, he is moving world events toward the intended goal—Jesus will return, establish a kingdom, the earth will be renewed, and we’ll enjoy the rest of eternity. Until that time arrives, because of human sin and corruption, the times will be full of chaos and conflict. Read More ...
This message is good tidings of great joy if you believe in Jesus. If you have not believed in Jesus, you should do that. For those of us who have accepted that message, Jesus’ birth should be the heart and center of our Christmas celebration. The Savior, Christ the Lord, has been born. Read More ...
The danger is that succeeding generations lose the history and meaning of the faith. They don’t see how it matters to them; they don’t understand it, and they don’t adopt it. That would be a very great shame. We want to do everything we can to avoid that outcome. Read More ...
If you want to prevent a decline in faith in your family, you must love God with your heart, soul, and strength, and keep God’s word before you, as if it were written on your hands, head, home, and hometown. If we fail to do that, we should not be surprised when members of our family no longer have any interest in the things of God. Succeeding generations will become dull instead of being sharp. Because the word of God is not in their hearts, they’ll not have a love for God. That would be a great tragedy. Read More ...
I wonder if we are giving thanks biblically, in the same ways we find reflected in the NT. I hope that during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, we’ll be thanking God unceasingly, abundantly, universally, diligently, sincerely, and gastronomically. Our expressions of thanks to God “always for all things” should extend throughout our lives and keep on going throughout eternity. Read More ...
To the Jewish mind, the Shema was a summary of the 10 Commandments, and the 10 Commandments were a summary of the entire OT law. Jesus said that the whole law and prophets “hang” on these two profound ideas—love God and love your neighbor (Mt 22:40). Read More ...
The 10 Commandments are a summary of the entire OT law. When Jesus summarized God’s law, he said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Mt 22:37–38; cf. Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18; Rom 13:9). In other words, the Ten Commandments can be summarized by two commandments: love God and love your neighbor. We obey these commands because we love God and neighbor. Read More ...