El miedo cambia su enfoque (Lucas 12:4)
Temprano en mi vida cristiana, cuando tenía unos dieciocho años, tuve la oportunidad de convertirme en un pastor de jóvenes, pero dije que no. En los próximos años, en diferentes iglesias, y en contextos diferentes, fui llamado a ingresar al ministerio pastoral a tiempo completo. En cada instante, rehusé. ¿Por qué? En parte, era porque […]
According to the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3-4), Part 1
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3-4). Have you ever wondered what Scriptures Paul was referring to? Some have […]
Jesus Defines What is Good (Luke 18:22)
Did Jesus claim to be God? In a previous blog, I looked at Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler, and I suggested that the Lord was trying to get the young man to think more deeply about His identity. The Lord wanted the young man to reason to the conclusion that Jesus was not […]
Comiendo a la mesa del Rey para siempre (2 Samuel 9)
¿Qué es la gracia? Aquí está una ilustración del Antiguo Testamento, de 2 Samuel 9. Jonatán, hijo de Saúl, era el mejor amigo del Rey David. Después de que murió Jonatán, David deseaba mostrar bondad hacía alguien en la familia de Jonatán: “¿Ha quedado alguno de la casa de Saúl, a quien haga yo misericordia […]
When Did Luke Write His Gospel? (2 Corinthians 8:18)
I have a little piece of interpretive tidbit for you Bible nerds. I’m writing a review of Brant Pitre’s The Case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ, which is a defense of the deity of Christ and traditional authorship of the Gospels, against the charges of liberal scholars such as Bart Ehrman, […]
Did Jesus Claim to Be God? Walking on Water (Mark 6:45-51)
Did Jesus claim to be God? And in the Synoptic Gospels did He claim to be God? In John’s Gospel Jesus’ deity is much more unambiguous and more explicit than in the Synoptics, and some academics have even claimed that in Matthew, Mark, or Luke, Jesus never claimed to be God. Is that true? In […]
Did Jesus Claim to Be God? Calming the Storm (Mark 4; Psalm 107)
Did Jesus claim to be God? Consider the episode when Jesus stilled the storm: On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats […]
Coronavirus Disciplines: Praying for All the Saints (Ephesians 6:18)
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— (Eph 6:18). My prayer life is not as it should be. I’ve gone through different “phases” of prayer—a legalistic phase (complete with prayer book[s]), a mystical phase, and, frankly, many dry […]
The Right Attitude During Coronavirus
Bill Fiess, frequent Grace in Focus contributor, sent me a reminder of the right attitude to have during the coronavirus lockdown. His email was to the point: I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Ps 34:1). In everything give thanks; for this is the will of […]
Five Differences Between Perseverance of the Saints and Eternal Security
By Shawn Lazar Q: What’s the difference between eternal security (or once saved, always saved, OSAS), and perseverance of the saints (POTS)? Aren’t they the same thing? A: Well, they are often taken to be the same doctrine, but they shouldn’t be. I admit that some people use the terms interchangeably. But I think we […]