There are a lot of people who still feel more comfortable in religious Christianity if they are told to do something. There is something within our inherent nature that we feel we must always do something, especially when an authority [...]
A faith that merely says "Christ died" is little or nothing. A faith that says "Christ died for me" (and says nothing more) is good, but still embraces only part of the Truth, and so will keep life in the [...]
Book titles can be great triggers to get the thought processes going. Last week in a bookstore I saw this title and smiled: "The Last Decision You'll Ever Make: A Groom's Survival Guide." See what I mean? Its "a laugh-a-minute [...]
In his review of Phillip Cary's book Good News for Anxious Christians in Christianity Today (December 2010), Christopher Benson writes: "How do we follow the commandment to not be anxious about anything" (Phil. 4:6)? The gospel, Cary argues, gives us [...]
"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). Several years ago, a pastor made an appointment to see me. He said he had heard of my ministry, and he needed to talk with [...]
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (II Corinthians 1:21-22). Suppose I [...]
"Do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?" (II Corinthians 13:5 ESV). "Surely you know that Christ Jesus is in you?" (GNB). It would seem that Paul found it difficult to understand a Christian who was [...]
"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere" (II Corinthians 2:14). It amazes me how many who teach "in Christ" truths emphasize [...]
"Out of my bondage, sorrow and night; Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come; Into Thy freedom, gladness and light, Jesus I come to Thee". So reads the first verse of the popular invitational hymn by William Sleeper. It is based [...]
It is the small words that make a big difference in understanding the Bible. In a book I'm reading at the moment, the author writes, "God uses three Greek prepositions to reveal "in Christ" truth." I would probably include more [...]