Today is known as “Shrove Tuesday.” It’s the day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.What does it mean?The name comes from a practice in England to “shrive” on this day—meaning confessing our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness.Since many people fast during Lent, there was a custom of using up fatty foods on this day to … Continue reading Shrove Tuesday, “Shriving,” Sin and Mercy
sin
Following it helps, neglecting it hurts
Let’s say you take some illegal drugs (I hope you don’t be the way, but just hear me out). Let’s say you take some illegal drugs and then ask God to bless your experience. Would you then think that God was bad or negligent if he didn’t bless it? Of course not. After all, you’re … Continue reading Following it helps, neglecting it hurts
Your three enemies and overcoming the world
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5)In these verses, John introduces the idea of “overcoming the world.” What … Continue reading Your three enemies and overcoming the world
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
The only one qualified to throw the stone didn’t
In yesterday’s devotional I shared a few words about the woman caught in adultery in John 8.It’s a powerful and beautiful example of how Jesus “came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).Today let’s focus on a much-neglected detail. In verse 7 he said: “Let any one of you who is without … Continue reading The only one qualified to throw the stone didn’t
He is not shocked
Last week I sent a note to the congregation I pastor. It was about being deliberate about our attitude on Sunday mornings.It’s so easy to forget what (and who) worship is all about. All of us are influenced by the prevailing individualism and consumerism of our time. What mindset do we have as we prepare … Continue reading He is not shocked
Priorities and social pressure
In yesterday’s devotional I highlighted something from Augustine: “The essence of sin is disordered love.”In short, we all love certain things and certain people. But if we get the order wrong, that’s a problem. For example, if I love my job to the neglect my family, that’s sin. In that scenario I’m living in a … Continue reading Priorities and social pressure
Your example matters
In Mark 9:42 Jesus said: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”Wow! He went on to say that if their hand, foot or eye caused them to sin … Continue reading Your example matters
The slavery of sin
An angel told Joseph something significant about Jesus’ role: “[Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). What does it mean for Jesus to save someone from their sins? Firstly, he saves us from the “consequence” … Continue reading The slavery of sin
The ‘unforgivable sin’
I sometimes get asked about the ‘unforgivable sin.’ It’s found in Mark 3:28-30. Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—for they were saying, “He … Continue reading The ‘unforgivable sin’
