Christian Life
Forgiveness
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). The character of the Christian includes “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you” (Col. 3:13). What has God said about this beautiful gift that we can (and must) extend to each other? Specifically, what roles do repentance and restitution play in the interchange…
How Do I Make 2019 Better than 2018?
The time for resolutions has come. If you are among those who like to refocus with the dawning of a new year, here are a few suggestions. Assess the Past Year Self-examination is important and helpful. “Examine yourselves” is the admonition of 2 Corinthians 13:5. In the spirit of that passage, set aside some time to sit down in a quiet place and contemplate your life. What are your strengths? In what areas are you weak? What temptations seem the…
Why do we . . . ?
If someone were to ask me which house on Sabine Court in Hurst was mine, my description of it would focus on those traits that distinguish it from the other houses on the street. Every home has its unique characteristics. The same is true with churches. To analyze the religious landscape is to realize quickly that not every church is the same, a fact that begs for an explanation. Why do we do the things that distinguish us from others?…
How Should We Serve God?
The Christian’s relationship to God is that of servant to master. When one opens his heart to God and obeys the gospel of Jesus Christ, he becomes a servant of righteousness (Rom. 6:16-18). No longer is he his own master. He belongs to another (1 Cor. 6:19-20). As servants of God, what characteristics should govern our service? We should serve fully. Tragically, it was said of Solomon that he “did not fully follow the Lord” (1 Kings 11:6). Jesus said, “No…
What Lies Beneath?
On 24 March 2015, Andreas Lubitz took control of Germanwings Flight 9525 and crashed the Airbus A320 into the side of a mountain in French Alps. 124 passengers and 6 crew members perished. Investigations into this catastrophe revealed that Lubitz, a co-pilot on the flight, had a history of severe depression and suicidal tendencies, characteristics that might have kept him out of the cockpit. So why didn’t they? We may never know the full story, but it seems to have…