This morning I was reading a section of 2 Corinthians. I love 2 Corinthians 5 and the section on 'the ministry of reconciliation'. And 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 got me thinking about the church and its relationship to Israel again. But it was 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 that I saw in a fresh light. Paul reminds us … Continue reading God does it, but through means
devotional
Baptism as Effectual Means of Salvation
I know those words will create a visceral reaction in some. I'm sorry (not really). Those words aren't my own...and I'm not pulling them from a Catholic Catechism. In fact, they show up in a Baptist Catechism (from 1677)! Q. 98. How do Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effectual means of salvation? A. Baptism … Continue reading Baptism as Effectual Means of Salvation
Days of Creation and the Sabbath
Last week I published a brief summary of Justin Taylor's post 'Biblical Reasons to Doubt the Creation Days were 24-Hour Periods'. One of my friends raised the question/objection that if the days of Genesis 1 aren't literal 24-hr days, then the outline of the week ending in a Sabbath rest outlined in Exodus 20 makes … Continue reading Days of Creation and the Sabbath
To Be Seen or Not to Be Seen
Yesterday I was reading through the Sermon on the Mount in my personal devotions. I'm sure I've noticed this before, but I was struck by two apparently conflicting statements and have been pondering how to reconcile them. In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus calls his followers to let their light shine before the watching world. In v. … Continue reading To Be Seen or Not to Be Seen
Lord, Restore my Simplicity
This week I'm praying a new prayer for myself - "Jesus, restore my simplicity." It's not a prayer about being to materialistic (though I'm sure I am) or too busy (I know I am). No, this is a prayer about my faith. Restore the child-likeness of my faith, restore the ability to be amazed without … Continue reading Lord, Restore my Simplicity