At times perseverance can be a burdensome concept. We are called to remain faithful to the end and to hold fast to Christ; battling sin and exercising faith. And it is no small issue: our continued perseverance in the faith demonstrates that our salvation is real and God has been and is currently at work … Continue reading Drawing Near to God: The Key to Perseverance
Grace and Comparing Ourselves with Others
Over the past couple of weeks I have been writing on the subject of pursuing the spiritual disciplines in the power of the Holy Spirit. The most recent post discussed how we need to avoid the spiritually dangerous practice of wrongly comparing ourselves with others in a way that makes us slavishly emulate their life and ministry. … Continue reading Grace and Comparing Ourselves with Others
Do You Love Others?
Love is the defining characteristic of a Christian. Love for God and love for others are the two fountains from which all other duties flow, and are the underlying motivations for all true Christian practice. Several verses attest to this fact, but a few key texts should suffice. In John 15:12-13, Christ gives His disciples the commandment that they … Continue reading Do You Love Others?
We Never Get Beyond the Gospel
Several months ago, I wrote a book review on The Gospel for Real Life by Jerry Bridges. Bridges, in the introduction, describes the book as, "Gospel 101." The entire book is a refreshing, thorough, clear exposition of the gospel in all its glorious aspects: justification, reconciliation, redemption, etc. Bridges argues in this book, and also his book, … Continue reading We Never Get Beyond the Gospel
Fighting and Resting – Thoughts on Romans 7:13-25
The longer I am a Christian, the more I realize of how great a sinner I am. This realization is not necessarily a virtue in and of itself: if I am only acutely aware of my sin, I will wallow in despair and fear. On the other hand, it is by recognizing the depth of … Continue reading Fighting and Resting – Thoughts on Romans 7:13-25
'Unless the Heart is Broken'
Unless the heart is broken True love to Christ cannot flow Only a heart that is broken Can the beauty of Christ know O that I would be broken Over a true sight of my sin Then real compassion and love Would flow to enemy and kin But pride is most crafty It loves to … Continue reading 'Unless the Heart is Broken'
From the Study 