Can I do this faithfully as someone who belongs to Jesus? Can I receive this with gratitude to God? Will my choice help someone else move toward Christ or make their discipleship more difficult? Does this reflect the God whose glory I want my life to reveal?   Read More

“No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. But God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it” (v. 13). This verse is sometimes shortened into the idea that “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” That isn’t what Paul says.   Read More

There is a tremendous difference between changing the gospel to suit people and changing ourselves so people can hear the gospel. One compromises the message. The other looks a lot like love.   Read More

Witness matters. Not because Christians are supposed to spend our lives anxiously managing everyone’s opinion of us. And not because holiness means constructing endless rules so nobody is ever offended. Witness matters because we belong to Jesus and we belong to one another.   Read More

Jesus is Lord. That was true yesterday. It is true today. It will still be true when tomorrow looks nothing like what we expected.   Read More

The gospel has already given believers an identity more fundamental than any status the world can offer. That is where this passage presses into our lives. We can easily imagine that faithful discipleship will begin after something changes. When I'm married. When my family situation improves. When I have a different job. When life becomes less complicated. When people finally understand me... the list goes on, and no matter what we insert here, grace asks: Why not now?   Read More