Christians and Miserable Marriages: Living God’s Way in Tough Times
Picture an elderly couple’s hands, weathered but intertwined, symbolizing love, trust, and perseverance. For those of us who are married, that’s the dream—a marriage marked by mutual honor, respect, and companionship. But what if that’s not your reality? What if your spouse ignores you, disrespects you, or even despises your faith? How do you live as a Christian in a miserable marriage? In 1 Peter 3:1-7, God’s Word through Peter offers hope and guidance for navigating these challenges with grace.
The Silent Sin: How Sloth Disguises Itself in Our Busy Age
What if one of the most dangerous sins wasn't rebellion at all, but just... not caring?
Sloth. Of all the classic "seven deadly sins," it's the one we think we understand. Lazy people. Couch potatoes. Avoiding work. But that's barely the tip of it. What the Bible and church fathers warned about runs way deeper and hits closer to home than most of us realize.
The Church as The People of the Triune God:To the Praise of the Son—Part 1
Who is Jesus? This is the central question of Christology, and the one asked of the disciples. We affirm with Peter that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. But we quickly find out that more needed to be said. Others can affirm this too. We must affirm more! In a world of lies, we cannot settle for simple affirmations of who Jesus is.
Following the Law of God as Imaging God_ Obedience as Participation in the Divine Life
The relationship between divine law and Christian living has historically been a central concern of Christian theology. While contemporary evangelicalism often struggles to articulate a proper understanding of the law’s role in the believer’s life, classical Protestant confessions provide rich theological resources for understanding obedience to God’s law not as mere external compliance, but as participation in the very character and nature of God Himself.
When Wolves Become Beloved: The Hidden Spiritual Cost of Affection for False Teachers
The Church has been trained to recognize growls and teeth for ages. But what if the smiles from the pulpit, rather than the snarls at the gate, pose a greater threat? Conventional warnings emphasize violent wolves masquerading as sheep, but wolves that gain the flock's affection pose a more subtle threat. These well-liked liars cause the most severe injuries not because they are likable, but rather because of it. They seem genuinely concerned, trustworthy, and relatable.
When Pain Becomes Your Most Faithful Friend
What do you do when pain feels safer than healing? When suffering has become so familiar that letting go of it feels like losing yourself? Many who've walked through deep trauma, betrayal, and abandonment feel this but rarely say it out loud. Pain becomes predictable in ways it was never meant to be. It doesn't lie to you or get taken away just when you start to trust it. In a life where love has sometimes meant harm, pain starts to feel like the only companion that doesn't betray.
To The Praise of the Father
We are who we are because of who our Triune God is and what he has done—nothing more, nothing less. The fact is, if we get this wrong, we get everything wrong.
Let Suffering Speak: From Escape to Endurance
Suffering shows up, and we often look for the fastest way out. That reaction is learned. It is what the world teaches us to do. But trying to rush through pain, escape it, or dull it can cause us to miss what God is doing in the midst of it. Our culture offers quick comfort. Take something. Scroll endlessly. Drown it out with noise. Sadly, the church sometimes reflects that same instinct.
Two Ways to Live: The King’s Sermon on Obedience
In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus concludes His “King’s Sermon” with a stark contrast between two ways of life: obedience to Him or disobedience, leading to eternal security or ruin. This final passage, part of the Sermon on the Mount, challenges hearers to examine their faith through their actions. Salvation comes by faith in Christ’s finished work, not works, but true faith produces fruit—obedience to Jesus’ commands. As Charles Spurgeon noted, this sermon doesn’t explain how to be saved but reveals the marks of those who are.
When Public Passion Masks Private Passivity
We're living in an age where Christian talk is abundant, but Christian obedience is rare. The disconnect isn't just disappointing, it's deadly. We've mastered the art of theological discussion while abandoning the discipline of faithful action.
Fruit and Its Root: The Heart of the King’s Sermon
In Luke 6:43-45, Jesus delivers a concise yet profound lesson in His “King’s Sermon,” revealing how the heart shapes our lives. This passage, simple on the surface, holds transformative power: our actions and words—the fruit of our lives—flow from the root of our hearts. By understanding this, we can address sin at its source and grow to reflect Christ, producing good fruit through God’s grace.
Balancing Softness and Hardness in Pastoral Leadership
Martin Luther observed, "The pastor must be soft and hard at the same time—a rare combination." Picture a pastor on Sunday morning, knowing that in the third row sits a man whose drinking is destroying his family, while two rows back, a grieving widow struggles with doubt after losing her husband. They both need to be shepherded, but in different ways. One calls for a firm confrontation, while the other calls for a gentle presence. How can a shepherd handle this conflict without allowing the destructive to flourish or crushing the weak?
Judging with Grace: The King’s Sermon on Humility and Mercy
In Luke 6:37-42, Jesus delivers a piercing yet grace-filled lesson in His “King’s Sermon,” challenging His disciples to reject judgmental attitudes and embrace humility, mercy, and forgiveness. This passage, part of the Sermon on the Mount, exposes the hypocrisy of self-righteous criticism and offers a path to reflect God’s character. As Christians, we’re called to judge rightly but with love, ensuring our hearts are free from pride before addressing others’ faults.
Afraid of Joy: Overcoming Self-Sabotage
God gives us joy, which is a direct path to the eternity He has promised. But when it comes up, a lot of us automatically dismiss it. We distrust it because we believe we don't deserve it or that it will eventually disappear. This causes us to ruin our relationships, peace, and prosperity before they deteriorate on their own.
INTRO The Church as The People of the Triune God
The doctrine of the Trinity is one of these truths and it is foundational to our faith. In it, we assert that the one true God, creator and covenant Lord, eternally subsists in the three persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—co-equal and consubstantial; of one essence in power, authority, glory, and all divine perfections; distinguished by personal relations.
Bridging the Gap Between Generations in the Body of Christ
The body of Christ is a beautiful mix of people from all walks of life, different cultures, backgrounds, and generations, old and young alike. However, churches often tend to categorize people based on their age, just like the world does. I believe the Bible shows us a more extraordinary and beautiful perspective on life and age.
The Radical Love of the King’s Sermon: Mercy in Action
In Luke 6:29b-36, Jesus continues His transformative “King’s Sermon,” calling His disciples to embody the character of God’s kingdom through radical love and mercy. This passage, part of the Sermon on the Mount, challenges believers to live differently in a world that thrives on retaliation and self-interest. Jesus outlines a love that goes beyond human instinct, reflecting the heart of God Himself. As citizens of His kingdom, Christians are called to love their enemies, show mercy, and trust God to empower them in this countercultural mission.
Holy War Requires Holy Hands
It's admirable that you young Christian men are passionate about cultural conflicts, but before God can give you spiritual authority, you must be clean. There are many examples of fallen leaders in the modern church who bravely battled against outside forces but harbored hidden sins that ultimately destroyed their ministries and harmed the gospel message. The warrior who enters combat with a compromised character is more dangerous than the one who chooses not to fight.
Love Your Enemies: The Radical Call of the King’s Sermon
In Luke 6:27-29a, part of Jesus’ transformative “King’s Sermon,” He delivers a command that challenges every instinct: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” These words, echoed in Matthew 5:38-48, are not just counterintuitive—they’re revolutionary. Jesus calls His disciples to a love that defies human nature, a love that reflects the heart of God in a world steeped in hostility. How do we live this out in a culture that thrives on retaliation?
God’s Design for Order: Headship, Gender, and the Glory of Christ
“But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3)
God is a God of order, not chaos. In His divine wisdom, He has built institutions—government, the church, and the family—with structure, leadership, and submission for human flourishing. When we rebel against God’s design then things go awry.