James 2:8 says, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.” With that in mind, let me tell you a story. In 1993 a well-known theologian from Croatia named Miroslav Volf was doing a talk on loving your neighbour. Afterward someone asked him, “But … Continue reading Love boldly. But when you miss the mark…
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Being loyal… to God
Yesterday I said that we can misunderstand what Jesus meant when he used the word “love.” I suggested that the word he used for “love” was close in meaning to “loyalty.” It is to have a kind of committed attachment to someone as a fellow child of God, and to seek God’s best for them. … Continue reading Being loyal… to God
Love by being… loyal
It’s easy to misunderstand what the Bible means by “love.” In today’s world, we use that word for so many different things. We say we “love” basketball, or we “love” someone’s new outfit, or we “love” the new Avengers movie. In this sense, “love” is just REALLY liking something. It’s like “like” on steroids. But … Continue reading Love by being… loyal
The cardinal virtue
The cardinal virtue is humility. It stands opposite pride and ego. So the more you cultivate humility, with God’s help, the more you prepare yourself to be a more loving person. In fact, and just in case you need some extra motivation to cultivate humility in your life, check out James 4:6: “God opposes the … Continue reading The cardinal virtue
Christ-centred or self-centred
Jesus defined the greatest command like this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Mark 12:29-31). Obviously, love is massively important. But many of us don’t love like we … Continue reading Christ-centred or self-centred
The difference between information and wisdom
Have you heard of data overload? Researchers at the University of Southern California found that the average person in 1986 was exposed to the equivalent of 40 newspapers worth of information each day. By 2006 that number had increased to an equivalent of 174 newspapers a day. And that was way back in 2006! Can … Continue reading The difference between information and wisdom
Hearing back from God
Have you ever talked to someone… and they just sit there in silence, never saying anything back? It ends the conversation pretty quickly. Silence tends to make you think that the other person isn’t listening, or doesn’t care. That’s how a lot of people feel about prayer. Since they tend to do all the talking … Continue reading Hearing back from God
Powered by God
This week I’ve been focusing on Acts 2:38 that describes how Peter preached to a huge crowed in Jerusalem, saying: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This week we’ve already talked … Continue reading Powered by God
The only comfort in life and death
Yesterday I highlighted Acts 2:38 where Peter preached to a huge crowed in Jerusalem and told them this: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Yesterday I talked about repentance. Today I’d … Continue reading The only comfort in life and death
The Religion of Self
In Acts 2, Peter preaches a sermon about the resurrection to thousands of people. In response they ask, “What shall we do?” “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,” he replies, “And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (verse … Continue reading The Religion of Self
