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salvation

What we want to be true vs. what actually is

December 14, 2022December 12, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Here in the modern west, a new set of cultural values are emerging, both positive and negative. Let me highlight two of the negative. If someone says you are being “exclusive” or … Continue reading What we want to be true vs. what actually is

Clarity in confusing times

December 13, 2022December 12, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

M. Scott Peck wrote: “one of the characteristics of evil is its desire to confuse.”* That makes sense. Jesus calls Satan the “father of lies” (John 8:44). If we’re always confused and distracted and spinning, we are unable to stand firm on God our Rock and live in a way which is consistent with his … Continue reading Clarity in confusing times

Presently, not just eventually

November 25, 2022November 24, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

“make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue…” (2 Peter 1:5, ESV) Salvation. It’s a big word. When a lot of people hear that word, they think about heaven. And they should; it’s one of God’s promises. When you believe in who Jesus is and what he has done for you on the cross, … Continue reading Presently, not just eventually

Can we earn heaven?

October 26, 2022October 25, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

I was recently asked this question: “What Jesus says in Matthew 7:21 unsettles me because it indicates that you can only get into heaven if you do God’s will. I thought we couldn’t earn heaven so this seems a bit confusing to me. I'm also very aware of my many faults and sins! Can you … Continue reading Can we earn heaven?

He had mine

July 18, 2022July 14, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

A Christian in China was about to be baptized. The pastor asked her a question to ensure that she understood the meaning of the cross: “Did Jesus have any sin?” The answer, of course, was “No.” Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus “has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” Since … Continue reading He had mine

Playing the part, neglecting the heart

June 30, 2022June 28, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

This week I’ve been talking about when we try to satisfy our deepest spiritual appetites with things or people who aren’t God. Today let me share one last idea. This is something people do to satisfy their spiritual cravings, but in so doing miss the point. It’s religion. Wait, isn’t religion good? Yes it is. … Continue reading Playing the part, neglecting the heart

God took our heads out

May 20, 2022May 20, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Eugene Nida was a famous Bible translator. He tells a story about a missionary and a man from West Africa. The Bible was being translated into the local Bambara language. The translator wanted to know how to translate the word “redeemed” so that the locals would understand what God has done for us in Jesus. … Continue reading God took our heads out

Saved FROM calamity FOR abundance

March 29, 2022March 28, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

“Jesus saves.” We’ve heard it. We’ve said it. We’ve seen it on a thousand billboards.  When we put our trust in who Jesus is and what he has done for us, he saves us from the consequences of our sin. Since “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) this is extremely good news! He … Continue reading Saved FROM calamity FOR abundance

The value of a lifebuoy

March 10, 2022March 9, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

I’ve been sharing some thoughts about John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Max Lucado says: “If you know nothing about the Bible, start here. If you know everything in the Bible, return here.”* … Continue reading The value of a lifebuoy

If I should wake before I die

March 9, 2022March 7, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

When Tony Campolo was in college a professor talked about the well-known childhood prayer: “If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” He then pointed out what he perceived to be a flaw. Couldn’t it also say: “If I should wake before I die…”?* The implication is that … Continue reading If I should wake before I die

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