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The Best Way to Imitate Jesus is Sometimes…

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… to imitate Paul. Or David, or Peter, or James, or the apostle John. The reason for this is that, first, Paul points us to his own example. “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). So, this is the right thing to do. But, second, the reason for this is that we […]

Cuts from the Book, 1: Sorrow _And Sighing_ Will Flee Away

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In writing my book, I actually ended up laying the groundwork for about 4 other books as well. I didn’t set out to do that, but I found that seeing the things I wanted to say over the next few years from the perspective of the whole enabled me to make this book better. Thus, […]

The Character of a Christian Develops in Proportion to His or Her Faith

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Sinclair Ferguson’s observations here from John Owen on the Christian Life are full of incredible insight. The quotes are from Owen: Every Christian lives by faith. The Christian character is not recognized by the degree of faith, but by its presence. The growth of character will, however, inevitably be related to and dependent on the […]

How is the Golden Rule "The Law and the Prophets"?

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Toward the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12) I love that. The entire Old Testament is summed up in a single principle, and the principle is exciting: be […]

All of Life is an Arena for God's Glory

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Gene Veith, in his article Our Calling and God’s Glory: Christian’s preoccupied with their families, struggling to make ends meet, living their mundane lives “are all in a state of holiness,” according to Luther, “living holy lives before God.” Read the whole thing.

A God-Centered Theology Has to be a Missionary Theology

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John Piper: Here are some of my favorite quotes from the video: “The unwasted life is the life that puts Christ on display as supremely valuable.” “A God-centered theology has to be a missionary theology.” “The need of the nations who do not know the name of Jesus is an immeasurable need. It is an […]

Racism and the Utter Necessity of Understanding the Spirit of the Law

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I watched the beginning of John Piper’s Bloodlines documentary the other day, and something Piper said really stands out to me. Segregation was referred to as “separate but equal” — but, as Piper points out, it was really just separate. There was nothing equal about it. It was discrimination, pure and simple. Claiming that you […]

The Point of the Story of Mary and Martha

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Have you ever noticed that the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) comes right after the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)? There is a purpose in that — the authors of the gospels arranged their material very carefully, with thought and intention. The connection between the two is not hard to see. […]

Piper: God's 4 Purposes for Mission

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God’s purpose is to be known: “That your way may be known on earth” (v. 2) God’s purpose is to be praised: “Let the peoples praise you” (v. 3). God’s purpose is to be enjoyed: “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy” (v. 4). God’s purpose is to be feared and reverenced: “Let […]