Here's a brief thought based on the first chapter of 2 Peter. In this chapter the apostle Peter expresses a desire for grace and peace to be abundant in the lives of the believers. After making reference to the tremendous promises God has given, us Peter tells us how we should respond to these things. … Continue reading Are we forgetting something?
Month: July 2017
Let’s keep our message offensive, part two
In the last post we noticed that the apostle Paul was determined to not to give in to those who were offended by the simplicity of the gospel. Adding even a little commandment like circumcision could ruin the whole thing. We started to see that when the apostle uses the word “law” he can have … Continue reading Let’s keep our message offensive, part two
Let’s keep our message offensive
The apostle Paul knew how to preach about Jesus without giving offense, but he refused to do so. In fact, he understood offensiveness as a characteristic of the true gospel. It's a hallmark of the faith to be offensive to those who seek to be justified in the flesh. And I, brethren, if I yet … Continue reading Let’s keep our message offensive
Two witnesses
Warning labels are so common in modern life. We see them all over the place. Sometimes I make fun of them. Other times I reason that if there's no warning label, it must be safe. That's a dangerous line of thinking. Consider the instruction that Ezekiel received from God: And it came to pass at … Continue reading Two witnesses
An example to follow
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and … Continue reading An example to follow
Spheres of Authority
I want to use today's post to lay out the concept of spheres of authority. It explains the response of the Jews when questioned by Nebuchadnezzar, but it also explains much more. The primary purpose of acknowledging the concept of spheres of authority is recognizing the limits. The only individual with an unlimited sphere of … Continue reading Spheres of Authority
Maybe we shouldn’t call it science
Here is a great article by Austin L. Hughes that sheds some light on the faith that science can answer every important question. In the article, this notion is called scientism. It's not a short read, but I think it can be very helpful for those who want to be able to discern between legitimate … Continue reading Maybe we shouldn’t call it science
King issues decree; receives ultimatum
Today let's look at another instance in which God endorses disobedience to a civil authority. The record is of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the burning, fiery furnace. Or rather, how they got themselves tossed into that furnace. The quick version is that the king of Babylon ordered them to worship an idol, they refused … Continue reading King issues decree; receives ultimatum
You don’t scare God
Yesterday I wrote about how Jesus avoided arrest. The law enforcement officers were afraid to arrest him because “never man spake like this man.” The officers were right to hesitate at arresting the Son of God, not only because of the injustice of it, but because it might well have been dangerous for them! After … Continue reading You don’t scare God
Wanted for telling truth; Apostle skips town
I have wondered whether it is ever right for Christians to engage in civil disobedience, and if so, under what circumstances. This morning I've seen a clear example of such disobedience in the ministry of the apostle Paul. The apostle relates this event in the context of the suffering and weakness that characterized his own … Continue reading Wanted for telling truth; Apostle skips town
