Of what does true repentance consist? We tend to focus on actions — sacrifice this, pray that, promise to read the bible every day for a month — and so we jump through our self-prescribed hoops trying to act out repentance. In some ways, action-oriented repentance is easier. We have something tangible to do. We can see our progress; we can check off a box and pat ourselves on the back. Action-oriented repentance leaves the reigns firmly in our hands. Yet, for this reason, it is ultimately … [Read more...] about True Repentance
Imputation
"In the same way in which Adam's sins were imputed to us, so God imputed our sins to Christ; that is, he thought of them as belonging to Christ, and, since God is the ultimate judge and definer of what really is in the universe, when God thought of our sins as belonging to Christ then in fact they actually did belong to Christ." (Grudem, 1995, p. 574) That is why Good Friday is great. Christ on the cross bears the sins of the world. In particular, he bears my sins, and he bears your sins. … [Read more...] about Imputation
Wave Upon Wave
I sit in a borrowed car watching wave upon wave crush the rocky shore of Magnolia Beach. It's raining. The waves surge in and out of time with the windshield wipers. The rolling swells are endless, tireless, massive. The thought occurs to me: "No wonder shores are sandy." How could rocks ever resist such an onslaught over minutes and years? No one wave could pulverize rock into sand, but wave upon wave it is possible. Rocks standing buffeted and rebuked night … [Read more...] about Wave Upon Wave
Tips for Reading the Old Testament
If you're like me, you may struggle through the Old Testament. It seems irrelevant, too distant, too Old. But the Old Testament is the story. We can't let go of it. (Unless of course you're a hardcore dispensationalist…wink) Here's what I try to keep in mind as I read the Old Testament (I hope it helps you): God inspired the Old Testament, and thus we know it will always be important because His word endures forever.The Old Testament points to Jesus.The Old Testament sweetens and … [Read more...] about Tips for Reading the Old Testament
Unbelief
"'But there are some of you who do not believe.' (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)" - John 6:64 It's interesting here that John equates unbelief with betrayal. Unbelief betrays Jesus. Most people would probably agree with that at a certain level. It makes sense somewhat that an unbeliever is a betrayer of Jesus. An unbeliever, someone who is created for communion with God, has outright rejected God, switching to … [Read more...] about Unbelief
I Will Make You
"Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." -Jesus (Matthew 4:19) Thank God. Left to myself, it wouldn't look good. There is not much in me that is naturally disposed to the work of God. I'm selfish. I'm not real magnetic. I'm a bit moody. I have bad days. As for evangelism, I can be pretty introverted. But this verse gives me great hope. It gives me great joy. If I follow Jesus, he can make me into what I need to be. Fewww! Thank you, God. For so long, I've … [Read more...] about I Will Make You