There is a real sense in which the Christian must be separated from “the world”—and by that term, I mean “society without God.” As the children of God, we are in the world physically but not of the world spiritually. We are sent into the world to let our lights...
Remember that hypocrisy robs us of reality in Christian living. We substitute reputation for character, mere words for true prayer, money for the devotion of the heart. No wonder Jesus compared the Pharisees to tombs that were whitewashed on the outside but filthy on the inside! Hypocrisy not only robs...
Phillips Brooks said, “The great purpose of life—the shaping of character by truth.” Godly character and conduct are far more important than golf trophies or home-run records, though it is possible for a person to have both. Paul challenged Timothy to be as devoted to godliness as an athlete is...
You do not become patient and persevering by reading a book (even this one) or listening to a lecture. You have to suffer. What were the believers in Thessalonica enduring? Paul used several words in 2 Thessalonians 1 to describe their situation: persecutions, which means “attacks from without,” or “trials”;...
NO LONGER GUILTY In justification, God declares the believing sinner righteous; He does not make him righteous. Before the sinner trusts Christ, he stands guilty before God; but the moment he trusts Christ, he is declared not guilty and he can never be called guilty again! Justification is not simply...
TWIXT COMING AND GOING The people of Israel in Moses’ day failed to claim their promised inheritance and thus were forced to wander about aimlessly in the wilderness. It is impossible to stand still in the Christian life; we either go forward and claim God’s blessing, or we go backward...
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH The writer of Psalm 73, Asaph, was able to evaluate time in the light of eternity and earth in the light of heaven. He looked at godless people and said, “They have more than heart could wish” (v. 7). But later he reverses that...
During my years of ministry, I have endured many offering appeals. I have listened to pathetic tales about unbelievable needs. I have forced myself to laugh at old jokes that were supposed to make it easier for me to part with my money. I have been scolded, shamed, and almost...
God made Sodom and Gomorrah an example to warn the ungodly that He does indeed judge sin. The citizens did not occasionally commit unnatural sexual sins; this was their way of life—and death! The bent of their lives was constantly downward, indulging in unnatural acts. It is possible that the...
It is easy for Christians to get accustomed to sin. Instead of having a militant attitude that hates and opposes it, we gradually get used to sin, sometimes without even realizing it. The one thing that will destroy “the rest of our time” is sin. A believer living in sin...