In Tuesday's post, I argued from Matthew 25:14-30 (the Parable of the Talents) that diligence is an assurance of salvation issue. I also suggested that some of us may be struggling in our Christian lives because we have neglected to exercise our gifts and use our God-given resources for the glory of Christ and the … Continue reading Diligence and the Gospel of Grace
The Connection Between Assurance, Depression, and Diligence
A few weeks ago I took our college group---and later in the week, our young professionals---through a study on what the Proverbs say about diligence. The week prior we had all been laid low by the many Proverbs that condemn laziness. I began the lesson my noting that diligence is an "all of life" issue. … Continue reading The Connection Between Assurance, Depression, and Diligence
A Sustainable Christian Life is Characterized by Steady Faithfulness
Horton says it well and memorably: "The key to maturity is time and community" (64). Our impulse for the extraordinary, however, fuels a desire for quick growth which in turn draws us away from community; at least, a community to which we commit ourselves for any length of time. The Restless Generation It's become a truism to say that millennials … Continue reading A Sustainable Christian Life is Characterized by Steady Faithfulness
When Your Work is Unfulfilling
How does a Christian cultivate joy in Christ when he or she is laboring in a job that is occasionally unfulfilling? This is a question over which many Christians will struggle at some point during their pilgrimage. Whether you are in a job that is outside your field of expertise or interest, or you're in a line … Continue reading When Your Work is Unfulfilling
Godly Diligence Leads to Recognition without Self-Promotion
The desire for self-promotion is native to the human heart. We are all tempted to exalt ourselves in some measure, whether on a large or small scale. It seems, however, that social media has a special way of encouraging and showcasing one's indulgence in this temptation. Granted, social media is not the cause of self-promotion; it is only … Continue reading Godly Diligence Leads to Recognition without Self-Promotion
8 Traits of The Sluggard
Over the past several years of my Christian life I have found that regular reading through the Proverbs is an immediately useful practice. For one thing, I am brought face-to-face with the sluggard. As I read and linger over passages that speak of the lazy man, my own heart is exposed and I am convicted of my tendency toward … Continue reading 8 Traits of The Sluggard
How Shall We Serve the Poor? Reflections on 'Nickle and Dimed' by Barbara Ehrenreich and 'The Natural Family' by Carson T. Mero
I would see them about once every three weeks; not that they only came in every three weeks, but my Pastor on Duty assignment and their periodic visits would only seem to coincide about once every twenty-one days. The stories, though told by many different faces—men, women, black, white, young, old—were remarkably similar: they could … Continue reading How Shall We Serve the Poor? Reflections on 'Nickle and Dimed' by Barbara Ehrenreich and 'The Natural Family' by Carson T. Mero
From the Study 