What binds followers of Christ together? Are all believers in Jesus Christ truly joined together, and if so, how does this unity happen? Is it automatic, or are we called to take action? Jesus prayed for our unity (John 17:21), indicating that both divine initiative and our response matter. God’s love is the initiator, andContinue reading “Who is the Weaker?”
Category Archives: Free Will
The Gravity of it All
There was nothing extraordinary about my life yesterday, but I experienced a deep soberness related to the concept of personal choice. You see, I interacted with two people I hadn’t seen in a while, and I had the opportunity to hear about their choices. A couple of years ago, I shared my faith withContinue reading “The Gravity of it All”
RSVP
Being invited to celebrate a feast with those who share a common love for the host should be an exciting and joyous experience. Consternation can arise when the invitee has (1) unresolved feelings between competing loyalties or (2) concerns about their capacity constraints. The host sets the terms (such as the venue, date, format, andContinue reading “RSVP”
Dare to Understand Romans 9?
Romans 9 has caused readers to question, debate and form various opinions that sometimes separate believers. From what I can find, questions and conclusions about God’s election have been recorded since Augustine’s book “Confessions,” written in 397/398 A.D., and Pelagius’s response to Augustine in 405 A.D. Then the debate continued through centuries up to thisContinue reading “Dare to Understand Romans 9?”
Eternally Loved & Earnesly Longing – Romans 8, Part 3
Have you ever noticed that some of the strongest warnings and exhortations in the Bible are to those who toy with the idea of compromise with other worldviews or systems? There is a central theme throughout Scripture that anyone who desires God’s eternal life, love, and promises must be willing to be devoted to God despiteContinue reading “Eternally Loved & Earnesly Longing – Romans 8, Part 3”
No Condemnation or Separation – Romans 8, Part 2
My Father started me on a voyage with siblings through various terrains that I was never to make my home. I was naive when I started. I was just so excited to be here; travelling; learning; and with so much to do! For a time, I forgot who He was and why I was even here! At first,Continue reading “No Condemnation or Separation – Romans 8, Part 2”
No Condemnation in Christ – Romans 8, Part 1
I am so thankful that my eternity rests in the hands of my Father who is made a covenant with me that He cannot break without ceasing to be what He has declared about Himself in His Word. Consider that for a moment. If God breaks His covenant to bring those whom He has redeemedContinue reading “No Condemnation in Christ – Romans 8, Part 1”
The Outcomes
The 2nd chapter of Romans personalizes the reality of willful blindness in a “virtuous” person, and it ought to cause great introspection. In this chapter, the word “you” is used 27 times within 12 out of a total of 29 verses. That’s on average over 2 times per statement which is fairly confrontational. It becomesContinue reading “The Outcomes”
The Just
For God to be good and have a relationship with us based on mutual love, He had to give humanity a choice. So, God created our species in His Image, made us perfect (knowing only good), and provided everything needed to succeed including perfect direction (and what to avoid). Then He gave us liberty; theContinue reading “The Just”
Dress Code in Effect
Why do we feel that everything is negotiable? When invited to a wedding, is the invited permitted to determine the date, time, venue, and nuptial garments? Certainly, those invited have a choice to determine whether they will attend, they make preparations to journey to the ceremonial site, and they make the effort to get there. ButContinue reading “Dress Code in Effect”
DesiringFruitfulness 