May 6, 2015

If You Have Been Raised Up with Christ

Sun and clouds

The resurrection of Christ is one of the matters “of first importance” in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). It provides us with hope beyond this life (1 Corinthians 15:17-22). We should always remember and give thanks for this event.

As Christ was raised, we must be “raised up with [Him]” (Colossians 3:1). When Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians, he was writing to those who had been raised with Christ. He explained what this obligated them to do. Let us consider what our responsibility is after being “raised up with Christ.”
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April 7, 2015

A Letter to Little Children

1 John

Seven times in John’s first epistle, he referred to his audience as “little children.” He was not writing to actual “little children.” He was writing to Christians. But Christians are to be like “little children” – innocent and in need of guidance and protection. We are also “children of God” (1 John 3:1). In this article, I want us to consider the seven instructions that John gave to the “little children” and see what we should also do today.
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January 5, 2015

The Root of the Problem (Index)

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

Over the last few months, I’ve been posting chapters from my book, The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. The list below is an index of all of the posts in this series:
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December 22, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 21): Conclusion

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

To remove sin from our lives seems like a daunting, if not impossible, task. While is it true that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23), that does not mean that we must resign ourselves to a sin-filled future. Many, even those who would call themselves Christians, are content to remain in sin. This must not be our attitude. We must be of the mindset that we are uncomfortable in sin, and then work diligently to overcome it.
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December 15, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 20): No Fear of God

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

When Paul indicted all under sin, he quotes several passages from the Old Testament to describe the sinful state of man: there is none righteous, there is none who does good, their feet are swift to shed blood, etc. (Romans 3:9-17). At the end he reveals the mindset that leads to all these failings:

“There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18).

When one does not fear God, there is no motivation to listen to God. In both the Old and New Testaments, fearing God is connected with one’s obedience.
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December 8, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 19): Lack of Love for God

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

If we are to put away sin from our lives, we would do well to remember what Jesus describes as the greatest commandment.

“And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).

It is essential that we love God. But it must be a real love – something that goes beyond mere emotion or appreciation. Loving God should lead us to obedience.
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December 1, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 18): Lack of Love for Man

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

One obstacle to overcoming sin is the failure to develop the love that we are to have for our fellow man. Many sins we commit are against others. When we do such things, we are demonstrating a lack of love for those whom we sin against. Paul tells the saints in Rome that if we start with loving others, many sins will be avoided.
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