Tag Archives: Romans 8:1

The ‘Good Enough’ Work Ethic. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14.

Image: the cockpit of an airbus. The World War Two generation understood how to fight to the death. They knew what it was to live through a world at war, and to fear how things would end up, should the Allies lose. Life for the WWII generation (often called “The Greatest Generation”) must have beenContinue reading “The ‘Good Enough’ Work Ethic. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14.”

“The King is Dead; Long Live the King!” The Restoration of Mephibosheth, 2 Samuel 9:6-8

Pictured: David restores Mephibosheth, artist unknown. A king may have a long and peaceful rule. But when the king dies, the Problem of Succession asks who will be the new king?  Who will succeed to the throne? To address this problem, the French and English began announcing one king’s death with the next king’s successionContinue reading ““The King is Dead; Long Live the King!” The Restoration of Mephibosheth, 2 Samuel 9:6-8”

“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.”

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.”

THE ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN. Revelation 12:10-11.

In the book of Job, the devil appears before God to slander Job. God taunts him, “trash talking” if you will: “Have you seen my servant Job? What a faithful man” Job 1:8. And the devil accuses Job of being faithful because God has blessed him. So God lets the devil destroy Job’s blessings. ThenContinue reading “THE ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN. Revelation 12:10-11.”

NO CONDEMNATION. Romans 8:1.

What is Christianity to you? Rules and guilt? Yuck. No wonder you’re not excited about it! Judaism was about rules—613 rules. Jesus rescued us from rules. If church or faith or conversations about God leave you thinking about rules, then your faith is still in elementary school. Let’s graduate: Jesus delivers you from rule-following—and HeContinue reading “NO CONDEMNATION. Romans 8:1.”

ROMANS CHAPTER EIGHT. Romans 8.

Hey! Stop whatever you’re doing and read Romans 8! Is that not the richest passage, filled with amazing promises for your life? No condemnation. The Spirit gives peace. In Christ, we conquer sin. The coming glory outweighs present problems. God helps us, even fixing our prayers. God causes good to come in all things. IfContinue reading “ROMANS CHAPTER EIGHT. Romans 8.”

The Apple and the Tree.

You know the expression: Teachers say it about difficult parents, to explain the behavior of the children.  People say it when the children of criminals become criminals themselves. Or when children raised by alcoholics become alcoholics: “THE APPLE DOES NOT FALL FAR FROM THE TREE.” Children follow the model placed before them. But there areContinue reading “The Apple and the Tree.”