“By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:5-6).What does it mean to “abide” in Jesus? After all, this is an important word. It comes up 40 times in the Gospel of John and … Continue reading Close or distant? Permanent or occasional?
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Your advocate in the divine court room
“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1)This verse was written by the apostle John. In it, he offers a powerful word of encouragement. But to see the full scope of his reassurance, we need to keep something in mind.Picture a legal setting, a … Continue reading Your advocate in the divine court room
If all your prayers were answered
In his book, Your Story Has a Villain, John Pokluda asks: “What would you change if all your prayers were answered?”When I first read that question, I paused and tried to think about all the prayers I had said the previous day. Pokluda’s question made me wonder if my prayers were too timid or small. … Continue reading If all your prayers were answered
A trustworthy eyewitness is speaking to you
The first letter of John the apostle starts with a lot of enthusiasm—and this energy is for a reason:“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life…” (1 John 1:1)Let me explain … Continue reading A trustworthy eyewitness is speaking to you
Are you dying for him?
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).In A Tale of Two Cities two men look a lot alike. Their names are Charles and Sydney. They both fall in love with the same woman. She falls back in love with … Continue reading Are you dying for him?
Wisdom. Purity. Clarity.
In 1 John 1:5-6 John the apostle says “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”In this verse, what does “light” mean? In the Bible, light often refers to wisdom. It “illuminates” our understanding. It can also refer to purity or holiness. It also provides clarity. Let’s say you’re stumbling around in … Continue reading Wisdom. Purity. Clarity.
Evicting dark thoughts
“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 John 1:6).Nectarios Trevino is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was as a squadron commander and also worked in intelligence. He served on General Schwarzkopf’s staff during the Gulf War. After Trevino … Continue reading Evicting dark thoughts
Who is your highest authority?
There’s usually more happening in the Bible than we realize. Here’s an example.In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus famously said: “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44). That’s huge. The love that Jesus taught and exemplified changed (and changes) the world.But let’s also take note of something that happens in … Continue reading Who is your highest authority?
If fifty million people say something foolish
A writer named William Somerset Maugham said: “If fifty million people say something foolish, it is still foolish.”*His words are a helpful (and accurate) reminder that we need to evaluate ideas based on their merit, not popular opinion. As followers of Christ, we also need to evaluate ideas based on whether or not they agree with … Continue reading If fifty million people say something foolish
How do I discern God’s will when the path is uncertain?
The words of Psalm 143:10 are a good prayer for all of us: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”As followers of Jesus, we want to do God’s will. Sometimes his will is clear. Sometimes it is not. What do we do … Continue reading How do I discern God’s will when the path is uncertain?
