The Effective Sharing of Faith

Philemon 6

That too many believers rarely consult other believers and elders in the church before making a decision reflects the degree to which a non-biblical individualism has corrupted even the thinking of Christians. While the church is not to legalistically bind ...Read More

A Personal Yet Public Faith

Philemon 4-5

John Calvin writes, “Even the most perfect, so long as they live in this world, never have so good ground for congratulation as not to need prayers, that God may grant to them, not only to persevere till the end ...Read More

A New Humanity in Christ

Colossians 3:9-11

The image of God has not been entirely destroyed in fallen humanity, but our sense of what it means to function as we were originally designed has been severely warped. Consequently, we must learn what it means to be human ...Read More

Epaphras and Luke

Colossians 4:12-15

We should never despise the work of our pastors and elders in prayer, for it is this task to which they are called (Acts 6:1–7), and it is necessary for the building up of our churches. Ordained elders ...Read More

Greetings from the Brethren

Colossians 4:7-9

As believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must always speak the truth, but we must always speak it in love (Eph. 4:15). Our default position should be to build networks with other believers and churches who are ...Read More

The Love and Peace of Christ

Colossians 3:14-15

When church elders, committees, and other bodies need to make a decision, their choice should in large measure be based upon what will bring peace to the church in the matter without compromising the gospel of Jesus Christ. Similarly, as ...Read More

A New Humanity

Colossians 3:11

One commentator has aptly said that “no one is joined to Christ except together with a neighbor.” We cannot therefore be “lone ranger Christians,” and we cannot survive without the local church. It is incumbent upon all believers to become ...Read More

Creation Ordinances

Genesis 1-2

In this day and age, there is a great temptation for the church in the United States to think that its mission is coextensive with the platform of one or more of the political parties in this country. Yet while ...Read More

Love and Assurance

Colossians 2:1-2

Like concern, love is not a mere emotional feeling but must also involve action. We can love other believers in our churches through encouraging them and pointing them to Christ. Contributing regularly to the deacons’ fund or other collections taken ...Read More

The Gentiles’ Full Inclusion

Ephesians 3:1-6

We receive individuals as full communing members in the local church based not on their ethnic background, income, social status, or any other category. Instead, all those who put their faith in Christ become full heirs of all the promises ...Read More

Jerusalem Receives the Nations

Isaiah 60:10-14

The incredible contribution of Gentiles to the building and restoration of the church of God demonstrates the accuracy of Isaiah’s passage. Since the first coming of Christ, Gentiles have been streaming into the Lord’s Holy City, using their ...Read More

The Bride and Her Husband

Ephesians 5:22-33

Jesus certainly loves us individually and justifies us via our personal faith in Him. However, the relationship between Christ and His bride is a relationship between the sovereign Lord and a corporate body. Jesus loves a people as His bride ...Read More

Putting Your Faith in Action

Examine your heart today: Are you believing the right things, yet doing the wrong things? Are you believing the wrong things while still trying to do the right things?Read More

Emulating the Supreme Model

Thank God for role models who have influenced your life; then thank Him for the Supreme Model who died for you.Read More

Understanding Relationships

Reflect on how God has used the church to birth you, nurture you, and mature your faith. Thank God for this divine process that is at work in you.Read More