Living in light of eternity

The Scripture is quite clear on matters of morality and conduct.  There are many things that we are to DO.  Likewise, there are many things that we are NOT TO DO. But there are some things that are questionable.  We usually call these things DOUBTFUL THINGS.  In these areas, well-meaning and sincere Christians sometimes disagree.   Now I'm not primarily talking about doctrinal disagreements, but rather lifestyle issues.  Paul addresses this problem in two famous passages, Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8. In 1 Cor 8 Paul addresses one doubtful thing- eating food offered to idols. In Romans 14 he addresses this as well as the observance of special days.  In both cases there were well-meaning Christians at the time who felt strongly that you should not eat food that had been previously used in idol worship.  They felt defiled when they would partake.  They also would be concerned when they saw others eating this so-called contaminated food....

  1 John 3:1–3 (NET): 3:1 (See what sort of love the Father has given to us: that we should be called God’s children—and indeed we are! For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know him. 3:2 Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that whenever it is revealed we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is. 3:3 And everyone who has this hope focused on him purifies himself, just as Jesus is pure).    How incredible. The infinite creator calls us His children. And not only calls us such, but we  actually are  His children. He has made us so. Not by creating us, but by recreating us in Christ. It’s more than a title, but an absolute reality.  He literally “fathered us”. And we have His seed within us (1 Jn 3:9). I assume this refers to the indwell Holy Spirit. How could we have a more special relationship than that? And this privileged...

  There is a phrase that the Apostle Paul uses repeatedly to pinpoint a particular attitude, "selfish ambition".  In our secular world the person who is ambitious is often considered a leader, and the one who is selfishly ambitious is usually the norm.  But what about in Christian work?  Well, that is another story. Among those who truly know Christ and are led by His Spirit, we would not expect to see this sin raising its ugly head.  But look again. In the book of Philippians, Paul makes a curious observation: Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some al...

  I’m on the last day of a short mission trip. We were in Chicago for several days before  Memorial Day.  I joined with 65 international students from around the world. It was a great week to visit because of all the vacationers coming to this beautiful city. In the mornings, we had training sessions, encouragement, worship, and motivation. Every afternoon we went out around the city to parks, lakes, college campuses, and other locations where we could easily meet people and engage in spiritual conversations. I think everybody was a bit nervous as we went out, but that nervousness  didn’t last for long. In the parks and locations were people just sitting around with nothing to do. They were very agreeable to talk about philosophical questions, the nature of life, where do you find purpose, and other topics that easily lead into the gospel.    What was surprising to me about this week was how deeply satisfying it was. When I was falling asleep...

Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and  the kingdom of God is at hand ; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mk 1:14-15)   Throughout the Bible we see accounts of God at work.  Certainly, God’s sovereignty is always active, but there seem to be times and places where His influence is more keenly felt. This was true during the earthly life of Jesus.  As the coming King, He often proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom of God.     This term, “The Kingdom of God” primarily refers to God’s kingly power exercised over creation and people. His message and His miracles were demonstrations of His kingly authority.  He had a new message, one that went well beyond the law and the prophets of the Old Testament. And He saw a dramatic response to this message.  Those who responded were literally "pressing into" His kingdom.   Now the Pha...

  Over the years I have noticed a slow transition in church and parachurch ministries.  In the early days discipleship was emphasized as the strategy at the heart of many ministries. Young leaders who were growing in their faith were challenged early to start bible studies with their friends.  About a year after I came to Christ as a freshman in college, I was encouraged to start my own discipleship group.  I asked, “Are you sure I am ready?”  They answered, “Sure.” Previously, I had been led to Christ by an older student at Penn State.  A different student followed me up by sharing the basics of the Christian life with me: assurance of salvation, God’s love and forgiveness, confession of sin, how to be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, how to pray, etc. He also took me out witnessing on campus.  After showing me how to use a little booklet called the 4 Spiritual Laws, he said to me, “Now you try it.” ...

  Currently, Jesus reigns in the hearts and minds of all who trust in Him.   But one day soon, the kingdoms of this earth will also be under the direct reign and rule of the Lord Jesus Christ.   We see this predicted by the prophet, Daniel. “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. (Dan 7:13-14) In the book of Revelations, we see a future reign of Christ over all earthly kingdoms.   His reign will be an everlasting one. Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will re...