The Culture of Hope Founded on Faith
Born Again, Part 3
To be born again entails faith that Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection was the final and only sacrifice required for the remission of sins and the cleansing of all unrighteousness for those who believe. Setting aside the legalism of the “thou shalt nots” involved in how we should then live as born-again believers, we are called to take positive steps towards the obedience that God both calls us to and enables us to do by His…..
Born Again, Part 2
Part of Jesus’ explanation of the term “born again” to Nicodemus included “He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). Paul forcefully reiterates this in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh [i.e. their sin nature], but…..
Born Again, Part 1
When Nicodemus asked Jesus about being “born again” (John 3:4), he was possibly not the first nor was he, by any means, the last to ask that question. Jesus’ response is written in John 3:5-6:
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you; except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which…..
Your Life As A Missionary
When David Livingstone began his studies, he planned to go to China as a missionary. He was sent, instead, to Africa. Little did Jim Elliott know that his mission would involve his death, and the subsequent salvation of many Auca Indians as a result. We never know how God will use us or where our daily mission field will be.
In Romans 1:1, Paul declares that he is “a servant of Jesus Christ, called to…..
Ashamed No More
When I was a young Christian, I suffered a great deal from recurring shame for the same issues over and over again. An older friend pointed out that Jesus had forgiven me and I had no reason to be ashamed any more of those things that are past that I have confessed and have asked forgiveness for. I came to understand that this is one way that Satan side-tracks and immobilizes Christians. If he can keep up…..
More Than Comforter, Part 5
There are concepts in the Bible that range from difficult-to-grasp to incomprehensible for the limitations of the human mind. One of those is the triune nature of God. The Bible is clear that God is three-in-one. One of the references to the three persons is in 2 Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all.” Another is found in…..
More Than Comforter, Part 4
As a teenager, I struggled with the concept of knowing the will of God. Should I become a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse, a detective? Is it God’s will for me to go on a short-term evangelical mission to France or not? Who will I marry? When we talk about the will of God, we generally think in terms of three sources to verify whether we are following the will of God or not: the…..
More Than Comforter, Part 3
The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter in Scripture, but the Greek word that is used, paracletus, is also translated Helper and Teacher. Two weeks ago we looked at the Holy Spirit as coming in place of the physical Christ to be there as Comforter, Helper, and Teacher for the disciples and for believers since then. Last week we looked at the function of the Holy Spirit in terms of the world, reproving the world…..
More Than Comforter, Part 2
During and after His last Passover supper, Jesus gave His disciples instructions regarding His upcoming absence from them. As written in John 13-17, He spoke for their comfort and about the Holy Spirit who would come in Jesus’ absence. The presence of the Holy Spirit in each Christian is assurance of our salvation:
“And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter that He may abide with you forever,…..
More Than Comforter, Part 1
During and after His last Passover supper, Jesus gave His final instructions to His disciples. They are recorded in detail in John 13-17 and are just as pertinent to our individual walk with God as they were some two thousand years ago at the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth. They include information about the function of the Holy Spirit in the life of each believer:
“These things have I spoken unto…..