“By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6).Neil Anderson and Timothy Warner say that “Satan loves to be ignored.”* What do they mean?Think about it. If the Devil jumped out from behind every bush with horns and a pitch fork, we’d easily be able to identify and reject … Continue reading He loves to be ignored
daily devotional
Angels and demons on our shoulders?
You sometimes see artwork where a person has an angel over one shoulder and a demon over the other. Sometimes they are shown to be whispering into the person’s ear. Regardless of whether the artist thinks these good and evil spirits are literally on someone’s shoulder, the idea is clear—that there are good and bad … Continue reading Angels and demons on our shoulders?
The gospel of our liberated age?
There are times when we humans make simple things difficult and difficult things too simplistic. Mark Bauerlein was speaking to his friends about a group of monks in Vermont who spend most of their time in contemplation and prayer. His friends respected the monks, but were puzzled by them. “It doesn’t occur to them,” Bauerlein writes, “that … Continue reading The gospel of our liberated age?
Christian is also a verb
When we call ourselves “Christians” what do we think that means?The earliest followers of Jesus were called “disciples.” That word is used about 269 times.In those early days, the followers of Jesus were also called the people of “the Way.” That phrase occurs five times. So, when did the title “Christian” come into use? We first … Continue reading Christian is also a verb
Do. Not. Be. Surprised.
There’s no denying it. The Bible tells us like it is! No holding back. In 1 John 3:13 we read: “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” In my Bible, I have those first four words underline separately. Do. Not. Be. Surprised.In this context, “the world” is a reference to “human systems that … Continue reading Do. Not. Be. Surprised.
Their God is my God
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).In February 2015 twenty Coptic Orthodox Christians were killed for their faith in Lybia by Muslim terrorists. They had been labourers. These … Continue reading Their God is my God
Love one another, regardless
Through thick and thin, and regardless of whether things are easy or difficult, the apostle John has some sage counsel: “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 4:11).We tend to pay attention to what some people say more than others.For example, let’s … Continue reading Love one another, regardless
Purification
According to the apostle John, followers of Christ engage in a process of purification. Speaking about the return of Jesus in 1 John 3:3, he writes: “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”But what does purification entail?Think of something which is purified with fire. A biblical example is from … Continue reading Purification
Righteousness includes love
In 1 John 3, the apostle discusses the importance of being “righteous.” Our society hates the idea of righteousness. In fact, it has equated it with being “self-righteous.” Being self-righteous is thinking you are better than others and looking down your nose at them with a dripping sense of moral superiority.But that’s not what the Bible … Continue reading Righteousness includes love
A biblical definition of sin
“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4).When I was young and we went to church I would usually go to Sunday School.Before too long, however, I wanted to be up in the service with the adults so that I could hear the sermon.I remember the preacher … Continue reading A biblical definition of sin
