Stop! Don’t read this post. (I know. That’s not an advisable way to start a blog post.) Before continuing with this post, thought, if you haven’t read the previous post, part 3, please go back and read it here. In this series of posts, we’re studying the amazing teaching of Titus 3:1-8, so actually, IContinue reading “God’s purpose for your life – Titus 3:1-8, Part 4”
Tag Archives: salvation
How you can know that you are truly a Christian – Titus 2:11-15, Part 5
How do you know if you are truly a Christian? Have you ever doubted? Have you wondered if your faith is real? We’ve heard a lot of good news in this series of posts on Titus 2:11-15 about God’s love for us. Before we get a big head from all this good news that GodContinue reading “How you can know that you are truly a Christian – Titus 2:11-15, Part 5”
How to be adopted into God’s family – Titus 2:11-15, Part 4
Would you say that you are close to God? Or distant? Thinking in family terms, would you say you are part of God’s family? I recently blogged about the phrase that people sometimes use, “We’re all God’s children.” As I reflected on that phrase, I found it needed further explanation. You can read that postContinue reading “How to be adopted into God’s family – Titus 2:11-15, Part 4”
When you forget to save your work – Titus 2:11-15, Part 1
I was listening to a podcast recently that was talking about research into the mob. Organized crime families. What the research revealed was fascinating: most mobsters don’t want to be mobsters. In fact, even when they themselves cannot break free from a life of crime, they will go to great lengths to help their kidsContinue reading “When you forget to save your work – Titus 2:11-15, Part 1”
False Ideas Christians Believe About…Salvation
What happens when we die? Is there a way to know? In this post we are fact-checking phrases about salvation and the afterlife: We’re all God’s children. We need people to pray the Sinners’ Prayer. Jesus wants to live in your heart. I’m so sorry for your loss. Heaven must have needed another angel. First,Continue reading “False Ideas Christians Believe About…Salvation”
God doesn’t expect that much from me? [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s desires for Christians. Part 5]
How much does God expect from us, really? It is very tempting to think, “God does not expect that much from me,” when you know you are so thoroughly loved by God, so thoroughly forgiven, and in fact rightfully believing that there is nothing you can do to earn your salvation. We can almost theologicallyContinue reading “God doesn’t expect that much from me? [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s desires for Christians. Part 5]”
Love the sinner, hate the sin? [False ideas Christians believe about…Sin. Part 5]
Have you ever heard a Christian say, “love the sinner, hate the sin”? We hear that all the time. Maybe you’ve said it yourself. On the surface it sounds really good. We should be a people that love others no matter who they are. What could be wrong with that? If that was all itContinue reading “Love the sinner, hate the sin? [False ideas Christians believe about…Sin. Part 5]”
Reflections on perseverance in difficult times
This week, I’ve been reflecting on suffering and salvation from 1 Peter 1:6-12. In verses 10-12 Peter takes a moment to talk about this salvation. He says that prophets in past spoke of this salvation. The Spirit of God, he said, was at work in these prophets. In verse 11 the Spirit of Christ inContinue reading “Reflections on perseverance in difficult times”
What to do when life is hard and filled with tears
A friend of mine has graciously allowed me to borrow his tiller each year to get our garden ready for planting. It is a monster of a tiller. You have to grip that thing with all your might, lower your center of gravity, and hold on for dear life. I am not kidding. It isContinue reading “What to do when life is hard and filled with tears”
Surprising ways people come to know God (and never hear about Jesus!)
Is God fair? Will he send people to hell who never had a chance to know about salvation in Jesus? Yesterday we looked at some options for how Christians try to answer this difficult question. Today we seek for any other biblical passages that might give us some help. Thankfully there are some. Last weekContinue reading “Surprising ways people come to know God (and never hear about Jesus!)”
Engaging Scripture 