Fake Converse All-Stars and James 2:17

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When I was in elementary school, Chuck Taylor’s Converse All-Stars were the shoes to wear. So I begged my mom for some, and to my surprise, she agreed. I couldn’t wait to get my own pair of the canvas high tops with the coveted star on the ankle. I would finally fit in! When Mom
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Conducting Family Worship During the Coronavirus 

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Over the next few weeks, due to coronavirus restrictions, many churches will be doing online services and you will be worshiping at home. The current situation is a good reminder that the Church is the people, not the building. The buildings might close, but the Body of Christ goes on.  I pray that doing online services during these difficult times will keep people connected to
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Clarence Larkin on National Repentance (Matthew 4:17)

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A basic Biblical distinction more or less ignored by most Christian theologians is the difference between “the Gospel of the kingdom,” as emphasized in the Synoptic Gospels, and the “promise of eternal life,” as emphasized in John’s Gospel.  Part of the kingdom gospel included the call to repentance. Since most theologians improperly mix the promise of life
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Pray to God, and Wash Your Hands

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How should Christians act during the coronavirus epidemic?  There have been many epidemics throughout the history of the church. For example, in 1527, there was an outbreak of plague in Martin Luther’s city of Wittenberg. Since Luther was a pastor’s pastor, many asked him for advice. Here’s some of what he told them:  I shall
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The Short Commandment 

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Jesus commanded you to love (Mark 12:31). Paul said that if you do not have love, you are nothing (1 Cor 13:2). And John said “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1 John 3:14).  Love is key, but what does it
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Christian Perfection, Forgiveness, and the Lord’s Prayer

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This weekend I read a biography of George Fox by Arthur O. Roberts, Through Flaming Sword: The Life and Legacy of George Fox. The book is an excellent read.  You may know that Fox was one of the founders of the Quaker movement. Interestingly, about one hundred years before John Wesley came preaching the doctrine of entire sanctification (which became the hallmark of Methodism), Fox was
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Why Do People Feel Frustrated in Their Sanctification? 

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As you seek to live your life for the Lord, what keeps you motivated? Do you ever feel frustrated at your progress—or lack thereof? Are you looking in the right places for motivation? Lyle Lange offers some insights:  When Christians look to their own efforts for increasing sanctified living, one of two things will happen. First, their consciences will
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Why Holiness Churches Lack Assurance

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If you’re in a Pentecostal or Holiness church, or if you’ve recently come out of one, you probably struggle with assurance of salvation. Why? Lyle Lange, a Lutheran theologian, explains:   The “holiness bodies” (such as Pentecostal, Church of the Nazarene, Church of God) look to special manifestations of the Spirit’s work in their lives to assure them of salvation.
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