Christian Living / Spiritual Growth

  • Patience and Kindness

    Proverbs 21:21

    Showing patience to others takes a significant amount of wisdom. There comes a point when even God ceases to be patient with us, and there are times when we will need to stop being patient with someone for that person ...Read More

  • Joy and Peace

    Galatians 5:22–23

    John says we should not be surprised that the world hates us (1 John 3:13). Still, we do not have license to give the world rational reasons to oppose us. We can do nothing about the irrational opposition unbelievers ...Read More

  • The Imitation of Christ

    Ephesians 5:1

    The Apostle Paul’s teaching on our sanctification is ultimately a call to the imitation of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). Therefore, we should pay close attention to the words and actions of Jesus if we want to understand what ...Read More

  • Our Final Rescue From Affliction

    2 Thessalonians 1:5–10

    At His return, Jesus “will take me and all his chosen ones to himself into the joy and glory of heaven” (The Heidelberg Catechism, A. 52). What greater comfort could there be than to know that we will live before ...Read More

  • The Gift of the Spirit

    John 14:16–17a

    Christ has ascended to heaven and has poured out the Holy Spirit to equip us for ministry, pray for us, and convince us of the truth of God’s Word. This work is necessary for us, and without the Spirit ...Read More

  • Raised Up to New Life

    Colossians 3:1-4

    John Calvin comments on today’s passage: “No one can rise again with Christ, if he has not first died with him.” If we would enjoy the new life that fuels our sanctification and grants us imperishable bodies, we must ...Read More

  • Our Living Hope

    1 Peter 1:3-5

    Jesus’ death is not significant because He was a good man who died but because He was a perfect man who died and rose again. The resurrection is certain proof that death has no rightful claim on those who obey ...Read More

  • Dead and Buried with Christ

    Colossians 2:11–12

    Our old Adamic nature has been mortally wounded, but it refuses to stay buried. Having a new nature in Christ, we must put sin to death when it rises up. This means that we must resist temptation and repent when ...Read More

  • Reigning With Christ

    2 Timothy 2:11–13

    The truth that we are kings and queens in Christ is not some idea conjured up to boost our self-esteem but a present reality that we will enjoy in its fullness at the resurrection of the dead. At that point ...Read More

  • The Christian’s Anointing

    1 John 2:27

    Christ is the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King, but in His grace He allows His people to serve in prophetic, priestly, and kingly roles as well. We are not saved to remain sedentary but to proclaim God’s Word, devote ...Read More

  • Providence and Gratitude

    1 Thessalonians 5:18

    The Heidelberg Catechism says that knowledge of God’s sovereign providence enables us to be thankful when things go well for us (Q&A 28). That is certainly true. However, we can also be thankful when things go ill, not because of the pain in and of itself, but because we know the Lord is working in it for His glory and our good. Let us cultivate a grateful attitude toward God, informed by the knowledge that everything is truly in His hand.Read More

  • The Gifts God Gives

    James 1:12–18

    James focuses here on one excuse we may use to rationalize our sin. We are not only practiced sinners but practiced rationalizers. We do not hesitate to blame our environment or genetics or the sovereignty of God. Some even claim ...Read More

  • Increasing Our Guilt

    Galatians 5:2–4

    Coming to terms with the extent of our sin takes a lifetime. Even those of us who have trusted in Christ alone for salvation understand how easy it is to think that God loves us because of something that we ...Read More

  • Strength in Christ

    Philippians 4:13

    If we depend on our own power and character in the midst of storms, we will by no means find lasting peace. But when we trust in Christ and seek to do everything in Him, we can serve Him faithfully ...Read More

  • Prayer and Peace

    Philippians 4:5b–7

    Matthew Henry comments, “When anything burdens our spirits, we must ease our minds by prayer; when our affairs are perplexed or distressed, we must seek direction and support.” A consistent prayer life increases our peace about the Lord’s sovereign ...Read More