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 […]
“Man, that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). Time, as we know it, is running out for each one of us. Compared to eternity, our life is short. You get married, and before you know it, you are celebrating your fiftieth wedding anniversary. You have children, […]
Walking Worthy of Our Calling Those of us who are Christians are richly blessed to have been called by God into His spiritual family. We were all called the same way, that is, by the gospel of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). Having been called by the gospel, we must now walk worthy of it. Ephesians […]
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 […]
This parable condemns those who are self-righteous and who treat others with contempt. Self-righteousness was a common trait among the Pharisees, and it continues to plague people today. When a person is self-righteous, he thinks he is not only better than he really is, but also better than the people around him. In this parable, […]