“I spent my whole education degree studying how Jesus taught. He never asked anyone to memorize anything.” That was my friend James talking. James is focused on grace. He only reads the New Testament. He says things like, “Well, I’m not really an Old Testament guy.” James considers the idea of spiritual disciplines to beContinue reading “Paul, the Great Teacher of Grace, Did Not Hesitate to Place Great Demands on Christian Behavior; Good Behavior is Not Legalism. Galatians 5:4.”
Tag Archives: 1 Peter 1:16
Grace is Amazing, But You are Peculiar. A Rambling Conversation About Grace and Legalism. Deuteronomy 14.
Are you peculiar? You should be. More on that below–first, a word about grace. Grace is incredible. It is similar to forgiveness, but not the same. You might say forgiveness falls under the umbrella of grace. But grace is more than forgiveness. Grace is restoration. God does not simply forgive your sins. He restores yourContinue reading “Grace is Amazing, But You are Peculiar. A Rambling Conversation About Grace and Legalism. Deuteronomy 14.”
Electric Holiness. Leviticus 10:1-3.
I had to be taught to respect electricity. Before I learned, I played games with it. Once I held a long nail above a lamp plug. I loosened the plug just enough to expose the two metal prongs, but the lamp was still lit. Experience had taught me that the prongs would shock me ifContinue reading “Electric Holiness. Leviticus 10:1-3.”
The Fork in the Road is Three-Pronged. 2 Kings 22:2.
You always have three options. There is Jeroboam’s path, Rehoboam’s path, and Josiah’s path. Jeroboam was the first king of the Northern Kingdom. He worried his people would desert him and return to Rehoboam (Solomon’s son who was now king only of Judah). To keep his people loyal to him, Jeroboam built idols and altars,Continue reading “The Fork in the Road is Three-Pronged. 2 Kings 22:2.”
“I Am So Disappointed in You.” Genesis 8:21.
Image generated with A.I. The worst thing I ever heard from my parents was, “I am so disappointed in you.” They said it regularly. It seemed natural to disappoint my parents. I expected to disappoint them. After all, I spent my time trying to please myself. They were collateral damage. But when they said IContinue reading ““I Am So Disappointed in You.” Genesis 8:21.”
Policing the Police. Joshua 8:25.
Nations have long struggled with corruption in government. What if organized crime bosses are paying bribes to the police so officers will look the other way? Who will police the police? What do you do when the justice system is unjust? What can you do when men of God are ungodly? Peter says, “It isContinue reading “Policing the Police. Joshua 8:25.”
Be Holy. Ezekiel 38:16
God is holy and expects us to be holy. He says, “Be holy, even as I am holy” 1 Peter 1:16, quoting Leviticus 11:44. And He uses judgment to remind us of His holiness. Even when that means using our enemies against us. He tells Gog He will send them to attack Israel. I willContinue reading “Be Holy. Ezekiel 38:16”
Worship Means Recognizing God’s Holiness.
“Holy” means “other.” God is OTHER than us, He is different, He is perfect. He embodies TOTAL TRUTH and PERFECT PURITY. He must be FEARED and RESPECTED. After a lifetime witnessing miracles, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu were ordained as priests through a week-long process of sacrifices. How did they respond? “Now Nadab and AbihuContinue reading “Worship Means Recognizing God’s Holiness.”
Household Words: 