James tells us that the Word of God can save our souls (James 1:21). Paul tells us the same thing (1 Corinthians 15:1-2). We are not surprised then when Paul refers to the Word of truth as the gospel of salvation (Ephesians 1:13). The Word of God has the power to save. There are not […]
That we are saved by grace is undeniable. It is one of the great themes of the New Testament. 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, 9not a result of works, so that no one may […]
Martin Luther was the progenitor of the sixteenth-century Reformation Movement. We are not surprised that his theological thinking became the core belief and doctrine of most Reformation churches. What did Martin Luther believe regarding faith and justification? Here are a couple of quotes from him. “It is faith—without good works and prior to good works—that […]
Jesus has done more for us than we probably even realize. Sacrificing heaven and taking on the form of a servant was just the beginning. Ultimately, Jesus was willing to die on the cross for our sins (Philippians 2:8). The question is what are we willing to do for Jesus? One thing we should be […]
Regardless of who you are, life can sometimes be tough. Job once said, “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). In this sinful world, things can get tough for Christians. Not only do we have to bear the ups and downs of everyday life, but […]
Pressing toward the goal involves being an active member of the Lord’s church. I have often pointed out that Christianity is not for lazy people. It involves a lifetime of activity. It involves working, participating, and volunteering, especially in the local church. Make no mistake about it, if you are not working for the Lord; […]
When Paul wrote about pressing on toward the mark, he obviously used the analogy of running a race. He often used the illustration of running in a race to teach us how Christians should live. Here are a few of the similarities that he points out. A Christian must run lawfully if he wants to […]
As we press toward the goal in order to make it to heaven, the Word of God must be a central part of our lives. The truth is, without it, we cannot go forward. Pressing on toward the goal involves doing the will of God and His will can only be found in one place—the […]
While pressing toward the goal involves definite actions, it begins with our minds. If we are to finish the spiritual course that we are on, we must first be determined to do so. Pressing toward the goal demands a strong and healthy spiritual mindset. Paul delivers one of the great teachings on the importance of […]
Even after Paul had accomplished more than most for the cause of Christ, he still felt there was much more for him to do. He had room for growth in his life and he fully planned to do something about it. Philippians 3:12–14 (ESV) 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already […]