The Bible shows how the Lord kept his promises to ordinary, everyday, faithless, godless sinners who didn't deserve it, revealing a message of justification by faith alone, which has been God's method of salvation for sinners from the beginning, as seen in the story of Abraham and the unfolding redemptive plan of God, which centers on the promises made to Abraham and finds its fullest expression in Christ, who is the fulfillment of all the promises of the Old Testament and the heart of the gospel. [... more]

The Reformation's third pillar, Sola Gratia, emphasizes that salvation is by grace alone, not through human cooperation or works. This concept is rooted in the Bible's teaching that God's grace is a person, Jesus Christ, who redeems us from our sins. The Reformers rejected the medieval view of salvation as a combination of God's grace and human effort, instead affirming that God's demerited favor is the sole cause of our salvation. This understanding of grace is seen in the lives of biblical figures such as Abraham and Adam, who received God's unilateral covenant promise despite their sinfulness. Ultimately, the purpose of God's grace is to bring glory to Himself, as He saves sinners through Jesus Christ and attributes all glory to Him alone. [... more]

The Bible's underlying message is the good news that God justifies the ungodly by grace through faith alone, a message that has been consistent from the beginning of the story of redemption, starting with Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:15, and unfolding through the promises made to Abraham, with Jesus being the fulfillment of all God's promises. [... more]

John's letter to his children emphasizes the importance of confidence in their relationship with God, which is rooted in their love for one another and generosity towards those in need. He explains that our hearts can condemn us for our failure to love, but we must persuade our hearts with the comforting truth that God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. This persuasion leads to confidence in prayer and generosity towards others. [... more]

Generosity is a fundamental aspect of Christianity, as demonstrated by the example of Christ who laid down his life for others. The Holy Spirit guides believers to give generously to those in need, prioritizing support for the church and fellow believers, while also encouraging universal giving to all people. This generosity is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, effecting change in the hearts of believers and creating a similar generosity in their lives. [... more]

The book of 1 John is not a series of tests for assurance of salvation, but rather a letter to assure believers of their faith in Jesus Christ. John contrasts the children of God with the children of the devil, highlighting the love and generosity of those who trust in Jesus, and the meanness and tight-fistedness of those who reject Him. [... more]

Iranian Christians are facing severe persecution under the Islamic regime, with many suffering imprisonment, torture, and even death. Sama Salimi, author of 'A Modern Exodus', shares her family's story of fleeing Iran and finding freedom in Turkey, highlighting the bravery and resilience of those who risk everything to follow Jesus. [... more]

The story of the Bible unfolds through four gardens, representing the progression of God's redemption and restoration of his people. From the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve's rebellion led to the curse of the covenant, to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus' obedience reversed the curse, the story of God's people is one of faithfulness, disobedience, and ultimate redemption. Through the typological garden of Israel and the redemptive garden of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, God's promise of salvation is fulfilled in the new garden of the new heavens and new earth, where fellowship between God and man, man and man, and man and creation is fully restored. [... more]

The Bible teaches that those who abide in Christ have confidence to stand before God when Christ returns, free from shame and guilt. Jesus' propitiation for our sins means we don't have to fear judgment, but can have confidence in our salvation and eternal life. [... more]

The Reformation's emphasis on Scripture Alone is rooted in the understanding that God's Word is the ultimate authority, not tradition or human reasoning. Thomas Cranmer's teachings on the power of Scripture to transform human hearts and minds are a key aspect of this movement, as seen in his work on the English Reformation. The story of Augustine's conversion highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit's role in guiding individuals to faith and the dangers of relying on human efforts to achieve salvation. The Bible's promise of salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, is a central theme in Cranmer's teachings and a key aspect of the Reformation's message. [... more]

The vandalism of sacred sites, including Canterbury Cathedral, highlights a culture of desecration, where the rejection of beauty and the commitment to transgression have become characteristic. This phenomenon is not merely a result of disenchantment, but rather an active destruction of the holy, which is a trait of modernism. Christians know that beauty has the potential to point to something beyond nature, and its denial, mockery, and caricature are a sign of a desecrated age. [... more]

The return of Israeli hostages highlights the stark contrast between Israel's celebration and the chaos in Gaza, underscoring the moral equivalence of critical theory. The Chinese Communist Party's crackdown on the Christian church in China raises questions about the nature of totalitarianism and the role of Christianity. Meanwhile, a Christian revival may be underway, with rising Bible sales and downloads of religion and spirituality apps. However, this revival must be approached with caution, avoiding the pitfalls of purity tests and infighting. The importance of individual faithfulness, corporate faithfulness, and waiting on God's timing are emphasized. [... more]

John teaches that the children of God love fellow believers in the church, while the children of the devil hate them, demonstrating their spiritual state of death. He assures his little children that they have passed out of death into life because they love the brethren, and that eternal life is found in Jesus Christ, who has come in human flesh. [... more]

John distinguishes between the children of God and the children of the devil, highlighting the importance of love for fellow believers in the church as a mark of being a true child of God. He argues that the gospel creates love for others, and that the Holy Spirit subdues unbelief and hatred towards Christ and others. The secessionists, who reject Christ and his teachings, are compared to Cain, who murdered his brother out of hatred and rebellion. [... more]

John teaches that the children of God are characterized by their love for Christ and their obedience to God's commandments, while the children of the devil are marked by their rebellion against Christ and their sinful living. He exhorts his readers to see the great love of the Father and to abide in Christ, lest they be deceived by false teachers and live a life of rebellion against God. [... more]

Spiritual growth and nourishment come from the means of grace, which include preaching, baptism, and the Lord's Supper. These gifts are present and gospel-centered, keeping believers nourished and sustained. However, many believers neglect these means of grace, instead focusing on spiritual disciplines that are actually means of gratitude. Understanding grace as the person of Christ himself is essential, and it determines the means of grace. The ministry of the word and sacraments is the primary means of grace, and it manifests Jesus and his saving benefits to believers. [... more]

The church's central message should be the gospel, and its worship should be centered on Christ's work and the Trinity. A church's corporate worship should reflect a gospel-centered logic, with God's service coming first and the emphasis on His activity, not human activity. The doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, and Christ alone should be central in the church's confession and ongoing educational teaching. [... more]

In corporate worship, the primary emphasis should be on God's service and actions towards us, not our actions and service towards Him. A covenant renewal ceremony involves God's gracious acts of service to needy sinners, where He remembers His covenant and we respond with confession and praise. The liturgy of the church should be shaped by the gospel logic and trajectory given to us in Scripture, with a focus on Christ's atoning sacrifice for sin and the covenant of grace. [... more]

The doctrine of perseverance is often misunderstood as a covenant of works, where one must perform to achieve final salvation. However, the Bible teaches that we live under a covenant of grace, where Christ's performance is the basis for our salvation. This understanding frees us to live in assurance and perseverance, not based on our performance, but on Christ's perfect work for us. [... more]

David's Psalm 6 reveals his dark night of the soul, where he felt God's anger and displeasure, but ultimately, he called upon God's mercy and faithfulness, reminding us that God is a God of covenant promises and that we can experience spiritual struggle, yet still find comfort and peace in His presence. [... more]