Sharing Life and Christ

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin… 1 John 2:1a For quite some time, the above words of the Apostle John seemed strange to me. That I may not sin? C’mon, John, like that will ever happen! When I started asking a different question from the text, understanding came. Instead of viewing this statement as an unrealistic ideal, I began to ask, “What is John writing about that might keep me from sin?” John is writing about fellowship with Jesus Christ. He is writing about being forgiven through the blood of Christ. He is writing about unsurpassed joy found only in Christ. He is reminding his readers of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ so that we may not sin. He is reminding us of the Gospel. When we are thinking rightly about the Good News of Jesus Christ, sin is the farthest thing from our minds. Consider it with me. God creates man in His own image. He looks upon everything that He has made an...

You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:12b-14 After spending significant time writing about Jesus, our merciful and faithful High Priest, the writer of Hebrews turns to give his readers a good old fashioned wallop over the head. Here is King Jesus who is the “radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature” who even “upholds the universe by the word of His power.” (Hebrews 1:3) He rose from the dead! He lived a perfect, sinless life on earth for thirty-three years! He is kind of a big deal! And He wants His creation to know Him and experience sweet fellowship with Him. Here is the Word of Righteousness that the Hebrew people ultimately are unskilled in knowing and understanding. Why, O, why set...

I’m not sure I have much of an agenda for writing today. Sometimes I just feel like I should write. I think today is one of those days. Nothing seems to be as appropriate for me to do right now. So that’s why I’m writing. Have you ever been overwhelmed by God’s grace? At a loss for words at His kindness? In tears because of His mercies? Has your heart ever been stirred to such emotion because of Christ Jesus who died as a ransom for your eternal soul? More and more I am convinced that this is a natural response for those whose lives have been profoundly transformed by God’s grace. And not only is it a natural response, but I believe that some similar response should be present in the life of a born again Christian if he/she is thinking rightly about God’s awesome love. Now, I realize that not everyone is going to break down and cry every time he ponders the goodness of God and the Good News of Jesus Christ. But to ponder the unbelievable message o...

It probably doesn’t take one very long knowing me to pick up on an easily-agitated character. As my friend Alex would say, “it’s one of my quirks.” However one describes it, the truth is that it is a sinful response and Jesus Christ’s blood frees me from it. As I’ve been reminded recently, an attitude that is quick-tempered or overly frustrated is frowned upon and could end up costing me much more than I’m willing to lose if I can help it. God has also reminded me that I am incapable of redeeming my attitude without His merciful help. Perhaps I can control the external responses in my own strength, but real, lasting change only comes through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s this change that I’m after. And it’s for this reason that I write today. Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29 As I read this verse, a question comes to mind almost immediately. What is great understa...