Judging a Book by Its Cover
I live in South Carolina. It is a part of our state constitution that after church we must go out to eat. This is especially true for pastors. A favorite food is BBQ. Recently, I fulfilled the law and was eating at such an establishment. To make the day perfect, it was a buffet and […]
Paul’s New Year’s Resolution (Philippians 3:10-11)
If the Lord delays His coming, we will be celebrating a new year in a few days. In our culture, it is customary to make New Year’s resolutions. In them, we commit ourselves to do something that will make our lives better. It might be to eat more healthy food, lose weight, or spend more […]
She Is from Asher (Luke 2:36)
Imagine that I tell you a story in which I met a man at the grocery store. In an expression of generosity, this man bought all my groceries. While talking about this man I state that he is from Montana. It is a nice story, but if you thought about what I said, you might […]
What Is the Role of God’s Word in Sanctification?
God’s Word is not only the key to being born again. It is also the key to sanctification. You can only become more like Christ by abiding in His Word. Many people mistakenly think the condition for sanctification is turning from sins, submission, commitment, obedience, and perseverance. But the Scriptures are clear that the major […]
Where Did We Get the Name Christmas?
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11).” The word Christmas is not found in […]
What Is the Role of God’s Word in Regeneration?
God’s Word is the key to everything. It is certainly the key to being born again. You can only be born again by believing God’s Word. Many people mistakenly think the conditions for everlasting life include turning from sins, submission, commitment, obedience, and perseverance. That makes sense to them. That is what their tradition teaches. […]
Christmas Memories
In my younger days I often heard stories about how Christmas was a sad time for many people in our churches. The season brought back memories of loved ones who were no longer alive. Those left behind felt lonely, and Christmas was no longer the joyous time it used to be. I have heard of […]
Compromise or Compromising?
A few months ago, I wrote a blog about why millennials are leaving the Church. You can check it out here. In that blog, I argued that while there are many reasons that younger people are leaving the Church, a common one is bad theology. I would like to offer another reason that I think […]
What Is Faith Without Works? James 2:17, 20, 26
Twice in James Chapter 2 we read: “Faith without works is dead” (Jas 2:20, 26). And once we read, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (Jas 2:17). Many commentators focus on the word dead. They wrongly think James means that faith without works is not faith. But dead in this […]
The Christmas Manger (Luke 2:7)
We are all familiar with the fact that Jesus was placed in a manger after He was born. I think most of us think of a small wooden structure in which owners of animals would place hay for those animals to eat. Church tradition tells us that Jesus was born in a cave and that […]