The Daily Practice of Looking to Christ for Perspective

Does one concern keep crowding out everything else? The daily practice of looking to Christ redirects our attention through Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and obedience, helping us rest in His presence when life feels overwhelming.

Does one concern keep crowding out everything else? The daily practice of looking to Christ redirects our attention through Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and obedience, helping us rest in His presence when life feels overwhelming. Continue ReadingThe Daily Practice of Looking to Christ for Perspective

How Prayer Helps Us See Our Problems from God’s Perspective

Does one problem seem to fill your whole field of vision? Prayer helps us see our problems from God’s perspective, lifting our eyes from fear and uncertainty to His wisdom, power, care, and faithful promises.

Does one problem seem to fill your whole field of vision? Prayer helps us see our problems from God’s perspective, lifting our eyes from fear and uncertainty to His wisdom, power, care, and faithful promises. Continue ReadingHow Prayer Helps Us See Our Problems from God’s Perspective

Jesus Christ is the Greater Prodigal Elder Brother

Do not remain in the far country. Do not stand outside in resentment. Come home through Jesus Christ, the true and greater Elder Brother, who lavished His life to bring prodigals home.

The parable exposes both rebellion and self-righteous resentment. We learn that Jesus Christ is the greater Elder Brother, lavishing divine grace and perfect redemption upon us through His costly life sacrifice on the cross. Continue ReadingJesus Christ is the Greater Prodigal Elder Brother

Jesus Denounces Moralism (The Most Respectable False Gospel)

Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the publican is one of the clearest denunciations of moralism in all of Scripture. The shocking point is that the religious moralist went home unjustified, while the repentant sinner went home justified. The issue was not that God approves of sin. The issue was that God rejects self-righteousness and gives mercy to sinners who humble themselves before Him.

Beware the false gospel of moralism! Jesus powerfully denounced relying on good works for acceptance with God. True salvation is a gift: received only by grace through faith in Christ, not human performance. Continue ReadingJesus Denounces Moralism (The Most Respectable False Gospel)

Don’t Overemphasize the Wrong Word in Romans 12:1-2

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Understanding Romans 12:1-2 requires looking at the whole truth! This teaching prevents legalism by showing that true Christian discipleship is not about emphasizing one word, but a full life sacrifice motivated by God’s mercies. Continue ReadingDon’t Overemphasize the Wrong Word in Romans 12:1-2