Are we saved by good works alone?  Of course not!  Good works alone do not save us any more than faith alone does.  Nevertheless, good works are important in the eyes of God and, therefore, a vital characteristic of a Christian.   Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV) 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, […]

Revelation 3:15-16 (ESV) 15 I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Settling into a mediocre Christianity is a danger we all face.  It is easy […]

As long as we are in this world, we will have to fight against materialism.  It does not matter if you are rich, poor, or in-between, the devil will use the material things of this world to steal your heart away from God.  Being attracted to the material things of this world comes naturally to […]

1 Samuel 17:46-47 (ESV) 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that […]

The importance of walking in the light is clearly seen in 1 John 1:5-7. 1 John 1:5–7 (ESV) 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we […]

Twice, when writing to Christians, Paul reminded them that they were “called to be saints” (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2).  This is true of all of us who are Christians.  We have all been called by the gospel of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 (ESV) 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that […]

This blog’s title is a saying often used to describe justification.  It is not a lexiconic definition of the word, but it sums it up well.  Justification is a forensic term meaning to be acquitted in heaven’s court.  When we are justified, we are declared “not guilty” by God.  It is the most blessed condition […]

Pride is an emotion that God simply will not tolerate among His people.  It is the consistent teaching of God’s Word that He hates arrogance. Psalm 101:5 (NASB 95) 5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure. When the […]

Do you ever waste time?  The answer, of course, is yes.  I know that because we all waste time occasionally.  What we must avoid is making a habit of wasting time. Suppose most of your time is spent productively and wisely. In that case, your “downtime,” when you are just relaxing in whatever way you […]