He Who Believes That Jesus Is the Christ Is Born of God (1 John 5:1)
I received a super question from Europe via email: I have got a question for your podcast or for a blog article. How can you know what “Christ” means, without John 11:25-27? And can you recommend a monograph about what “Jesus is the Christ” means? I have got the impression that only a few theologians […]
Clarence Larkin on National Repentance (Matthew 4:17)
A basic Biblical distinction more or less ignored by most Christian theologians is the difference between “the Gospel of the kingdom,” as emphasized in the Synoptic Gospels, and the “promise of eternal life,” as emphasized in John’s Gospel. Part of the kingdom gospel included the call to repentance. Since most theologians improperly mix the promise […]
Christians and the Coronavirus
Response #1: If the Lord Wills James 4:15 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor […]
Pray to God, and Wash Your Hands
How should Christians act during the coronavirus epidemic? There have been many epidemics throughout the history of the church. For example, in 1527, there was an outbreak of plague in Martin Luther’s city of Wittenberg. Since Luther was a pastor’s pastor, many asked him for advice. Here’s some of what he told them: I shall […]
The Short Commandment
Jesus commanded you to love (Mark 12:31). Paul said that if you do not have love, you are nothing (1 Cor 13:2). And John said “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1 John 3:14). Love is […]
Christian Perfection, Forgiveness, and the Lord’s Prayer
This weekend I read a biography of George Fox by Arthur O. Roberts, Through Flaming Sword: The Life and Legacy of George Fox. The book is an excellent read. You may know that Fox was one of the founders of the Quaker movement. Interestingly, about one hundred years before John Wesley came preaching the doctrine […]
The Saving Message Prior to Church Age
I received a question about what people in the OT had to believe in order to be saved: Hi. You said that in the Old Testament people had to believe in the coming Messiah to be saved. Is the message of everlasting life to the one who simply believes in the Old Testament? And where […]
Find the Poor, Sick, and Needy, and Serve Them
Since Jesus gave you everlasting life by simply believing in Him (John 3:15-16, 36; Eph 2:8-9), what should you be doing with all your free time? You don’t need to be earning, keeping, or securing your eternal salvation—so that eliminates 99% of what usually passes for religious activity in the world—so what kinds of things […]
Being Cut Off God’s Olive Tree (Romans 11:19-24)
You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore, consider the goodness and severity […]
Why Do People Feel Frustrated in Their Sanctification?
As you seek to live your life for the Lord, what keeps you motivated? Do you ever feel frustrated at your progress—or lack thereof? Are you looking in the right places for motivation? Lyle Lange offers some insights: When Christians look to their own efforts for increasing sanctified living, one of two things will happen. […]