“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better…
Kindred
This blog is impacted by the events in Charlottesville, South Carolina this past week. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment;…
The Righteousness of Christ
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes…
The Visible Church-Community
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people…
The Beatitudes
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20 ESV) Therefore, “Blessed!” Jesus is speaking to the disciples (cf. Luke 6:20ff). He is speaking to those who are already under the power of his call. That call has…
Discipleship and the Individual
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-27 ESV) This chapter presented a…
Discipleship and the Cross
And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and…
Simple Obedience
Jesus thinks that obedience matters and it is connected to faith. During his final week before the crucifixion He is teaching in the temple and tells the following parable: “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And…
The Call to Discipleship – Part 3
What do I do when I doubt? Cheap grace says I don’t need to do anything. I believed in Jesus once, so even though my doubt leads to an unending list of questions, they don’t need to be answered and my obedience doesn’t matter. I believed and that’s the end of the matter. I don’t…
The Call to Discipleship – Part 2
The four Pevensie children, whisked back into the Narnian world, make their way through woods in search of the refugee Prince Caspian. They use sound navigational reasons for the course they take, led by the boys, who have the better sense of direction. But Aslan appears to little Lucy and tells her to follow him….