The cross of Christ will always be one of the great ironies of all time.  The day that Jesus died for our transgressions was at once the darkest and the most joyous day of all time.  Without the cross upon which Jesus shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins, we would be destined […]

Having the proper attitude towards sin is sometimes challenging.  This is because sin is so common in the world that we can easily get used to it.  It is like the frog and boiling water fable.  If you put a frog in boiling water, it would immediately try to jump out.  However, if you put […]

We use many words and catch phrases when bidding a friend or loved one farewell, especially when the goodbye is only for a short period.   We say things like, “See you later” or “Talk to you soon.”  One that I hear a lot these days is “Stay safe.”  Never do those words apply more than […]

In some religions, only a few select people are considered saints.  For example, in the Catholic Church, a person must have lived a life of heroic virtue before death and be the subject of at least two verified miracles after death. The truth is in the Lord’s body, every member is a saint.  We became […]

Do you want to grow in Christ?  Do you expect to be stronger a year from now than you are right now?  I hope we all answer those questions with a yes.  Too many children of God lack real forward progress in their Christianity, and it is nothing new.  The Hebrews writer admonished some of […]

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus shared a parable directed at those who trust in themselves (Luke 18:9). While the tendency to trust in oneself was not exclusive to the Pharisees, they are the first group that comes to mind when we hear that Jesus was addressing those who relied on self. Why is that? Because they […]

Hebrews 3:1 (ESV) 1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, As Christians, nothing or no one should be considered more than Jesus.  He is the goal at which we aim “for the prize of the upward call of God” (Philippians 3:14).  […]

That we are saved by grace through faith is a clearly taught truth set forth in the Word of God.  Paul put it like this: Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)  8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result […]

Paul often contrasted the righteousness that faith could obtain with righteousness based on the law.  Righteousness obtained by faith has been made available by Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.  This is why the Bible affirms that we are justified by faith, as well as by the blood of Christ. Romans 5:1 (ESV) […]

“Please yourself” seems to be the mantra echoing through society today. While helping others is praised, prioritizing ourselves is the practical choice, or at least that’s what the world suggests. The shelves of bookstores are filled with books on self (self-love, self-care, self-improvement, self-development, self-made, etc.). Predictably, this emphasis on self leads to selfishness, culminating […]