Steven Wales

Is There Tension Between Law and Grace? Titus 2:14.

My friend Blake writes on Facebook that the Ten Commandments are irrelevant to Christians today. What do you think? I disagree. First, the obvious answer: nothing in the Bible is irrelevant. Second, there is something special about the Ten Commandments. First, God chiseled them on two stone tablets. After Moses broke the tablets in angerContinue reading “Is There Tension Between Law and Grace? Titus 2:14.”

DOES EVERY SECRET NEED TO BE EXPOSED? Ephesians 5:11-12.

One writer describes Wikileaks as “a whistleblowing platform … established to obtain and disseminate classified documents … from anonymous sources.” But should every secret be told? Imagine if it were. Believe it or not, the Bible counsels that some secret things should not be talked about. “Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, butContinue reading “DOES EVERY SECRET NEED TO BE EXPOSED? Ephesians 5:11-12.”

Give Alcohol to the Man Without Hope. Proverbs 31:4–7.

Photo above: New York City Deputy Police Commissioner John A. Leach (right) watching agents pour liquor into the sewer following a raid, c. 1920. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection/Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (neg. no. LC-USZ62-123257) Please allow me to speak from personal opinion on the matter of drinking. First, IContinue reading “Give Alcohol to the Man Without Hope. Proverbs 31:4–7.”

Soup Bowls or Toilet Bowls? 2 Timothy 2:20-21

Every house has so many bowls, “some for honor, some for dishonor.” In the House of God, what sort of bowl do you want to be? According to Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy, it is up to you. “Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels ofContinue reading “Soup Bowls or Toilet Bowls? 2 Timothy 2:20-21”

Does what you say matter? Does Jesus care about language? Ephesians 5:4

God forgives people for huge sins, right? If God can forgive the worst of humanity, surely He is not worried about the small things? There’s grace—and He can handle words. Of course He can. Language is one of the ‘small’ issues, right? It’s not like adultery or being an alcoholic or deserting your family orContinue reading “Does what you say matter? Does Jesus care about language? Ephesians 5:4”

What Can You Say About Slavery? What Can You Say About Politics? Ephesians 6:5-9.

The Apostle Paul took on one of the most controversial topics in history: slavery. Did he argue for the abolition of slavery? Or did he argue—as some American preachers once did—that certain people are better off slaves? Let’s look: “Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, asContinue reading “What Can You Say About Slavery? What Can You Say About Politics? Ephesians 6:5-9.”

HOPE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO “QUALITY OF LIFE.” Ephesians 3:10.

Joni asks hard questions—What about the quadriplegic on a ventilator? What about that person who can communicate only by blinking? How do you respond to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis? What hope is left when disease has spread and pain is increasing? Why hang on? What about those who live their entire lives trapped inside bodies andContinue reading “HOPE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO “QUALITY OF LIFE.” Ephesians 3:10.”

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE? Philippians 1:21-24; 2:12-15.

People love to ask, “what is the meaning of life?” It has become a cliché. Homer asks God the question on the Simpsons and just as God is about to tell him, the credits begin to roll. On Monty Python a man opens an envelope labeled “the meaning of life,” and it says: “Well, it’sContinue reading “WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE? Philippians 1:21-24; 2:12-15.”

Is Your Life Driven by a Purpose?Ephesians 2:10.

Rick Warren’s 2002 book THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE was a hit, selling over 50 million copies in over 85 languages. People are looking for purpose! Another way we say it is ‘What is the Meaning of life’? Have you noticed how many books and movies ask the big question: “What is the meaning of life?” PeopleContinue reading “Is Your Life Driven by a Purpose?Ephesians 2:10.”

YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT. Ephesians 1:4-13.

Was it God’s will that Jim’s mother got pregnant when she was 19? Was it God’s will that Jim then fathered a child at 17? God wills that we save sex for marriage. But God also wills that sex results in children, even difficult, unplanned pregnancies. Now what? Now Grace! Grace is God stepping “outside”Continue reading “YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT. Ephesians 1:4-13.”