Does Faith Create a Relationship?

by in - , ,
Readers of this blog are well aware of the danger of Lordship Salvation or works salvation, which denies that you can be eternally saved by faith alone in Christ alone for eternal life. But are you also aware that it is also possible to emphasize “grace” to unbiblical extremes? That, in fact, some people emphasize
read more

Grace vs Permissiveness

by in - ,
I was recently chatting with an Episcopal priest about grace. He was very nice, and it was a pleasure talking to him. I asked how the message of grace was received in the Episcopal church. He suggested that while the Episcopal church is not very theological—in that people are not talking about and debating theology—he
read more

Is Anyone Unreachable?

by in - , ,
We all have a ministry from God. In fact, you’re in full-time ministry right now. So…how are you doing? What are you doing? Who are you reaching? One of the things I try to emphasize at church is that everyone should be self-consciously serving God in their lives. Not everyone has a visible ministry on
read more

Breakfast on the Beach (John 21:12)

by in - , , ,
God’s grace shows up in little moments that are often practically unnoticeable. For example, read John 21. Jesus had died, risen again, appeared to the disciples, and gave them a commission to be sent out into the world. No wonder Peter promptly declared, “I am going fishing” (v 3)! I would have done the same.That’s
read more

God Is Rich (Eph 2:4, 7)

by in - , ,
Tax refund season is coming up. Are you hoping for a nice return from the government? It makes you feel rich, doesn’t it? What will you spend it on? Did you know that God is rich? And more importantly, He likes to spend! By contrast, the Ephesians were poor. In fact, in a manner of
read more

An Open Letter on Sex Offenders

by in - , ,
Dear Shawn, I read with interest your article on “No More Scarlet Letters.” My question is why authors like you refuse to address, and why churches are slow to forgive, restore, and embrace sex offenders? [He gives examples of churches excluding sex offenders.]   Dear Reader, Thank you for your letter. I think grace can,
read more

Studying the Real Thing (John 3:16)

by in - , ,
I don’t know if it is true or not, but many years ago I was told that the Treasury Department has a specific way of training agents involved in preventing counterfeit money. They do not train them by showing them different examples of illegal currency. Instead, they spend thousands of hours studying what authentic money
read more