Some Strong Language About Sanctification and Sin

by in - ,
What does it mean to be sanctified? What’s supposed to happen to the sin in your life? As I’ve been meditating on that subject—wondering to what extent Scripture describes sanctification as a process, or as an event, or as both—I noticed some of the verbs that Paul uses to describe what has happened, or what should happen, to the sin in your life. You should “put off” the old man (Eph
read more

Knowing Him in Our Experience (1 John 2:3-11) Nine Principles of the Christian Life

by in - , , ,
The following is a condensed version of a message I gave on Nov 22 at the New Jersey/Pennsylvania GES Regional Conference.    The longer you live in fellowship with someone, the better you get to know that person.  A couple might have been married for 50 years and yet not know each other very well
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 thought
read more

Leaving Sin City (Romans 6:1-2)

by in - ,
The Red Light district in Amsterdam is one of the most depressing places I’ve ever been. Abby and I had just moved to the city. We loved walking through it. Amsterdam is more like a large village than a city, filled with beautiful architecture, canals, and shops. But it has some ugly parts, too.  We were admiring the town when we turned down
read more

Burden Bearing (Galatians 6:1-6)

by in - , , ,
I believe that Christian “spirituality” boils down to loving Jesus and loving your neighbor. There are some other elements, to be sure, but that’s the master theme.  And this isn’t an emotional-sentimental love. It’s a practical, get-your-hands-dirty kind of love. It’s a give a hungry person a sandwich, or better yet, give him a job, kind of love. Christians shouldn’t be known for their spiritually useless liturgical calendars (Gal 4:10) or esoteric
read more

Commentaries Recognize Philippians 2:12 Is Not about Individual Salvation

by in - , , ,
While working up my recommendations for various books of the Bible, I looked up how two commentators, Ralph Martin and Gordon Fee, handle Phil 2:12. While both men believe that perseverance is required to attain “final salvation,” neither sees Phil 2:12 as dealing with that.  Fee says, Obedience in this case takes the form of
read more

Good Apostasy?

by in - ,
by Brad Bell “Apostasy” is usually thought of in negative terms. When you think of an “apostate,” it is usually someone who has denied the faith, or who has turned aside from what is true. Would you be surprised to learn that Paul actually commanded Timothy to apostatize? Yes, he did! Let me explain. We
read more