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Showing posts with the label good

When Love is Genuine

You want to be loved? You want to love someone? These desires lay within the core of every human being. An issue, however, is that we often hear about others' desires to love or be loved and they seek it in the wrong way or find it in the wrong places: the young man who thinks he can win a woman's heart by buying her nice things; the woman who quickly gives herself physically to a man who then leaves her shortly thereafter; the person who thinks becoming physically attractive is the key to attracting others into a loving relationship; the list goes on. This desire to love and be loved, however, also extends beyond the intimate relationship between a man and a woman. It also pertains to extended family members, friends, and even in the work place. People naturally try to determine in their own mind what love is and what it looks like. Unfortunately, our ideas are influenced by social media, movies, and what we see others doing. Much like all facets of life, the Bible provides...

Thankful for the Lamb of God

In this season of Thanksgiving, there are many facets of life we ought to be thankful for: our family, friends, food, shelter, jobs, entertainment, and the breath in our lungs. The problem, though, is that all of those things can be lost in the blink of an eye. Those who are bought by the blood of Christ, however, have an inheritance kept for them in heaven that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading" (1 Pet. 1:4). Didn't Jesus tell us that His followers would experience tribulation and be hated by the world for His name's sake (Matt. 24:9)? Despite this, here are five truths from God's Word upon which we can meditate and be thankful. Jesus lived a life we could never live. God's standard is that of perfection which is summarized in following His Law perfectly (cf. Ex. 20). The problem we have is that "nobody's perfect" and so we all fall short of this standard (Rom. 3:23). Jesus Christ lived in perfect obedience to God for us in our stea...

Righteous Restoration

Galatians 6:1-5 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness...” BUSTED! Nobody enjoys being caught red-handed in his or her sinful nature. Society tells us that we are “good” people and that there is “good” within every person. Sure, every person is capable of doing “good” things here and there but all of us fall short of perfection (even society tells us that “no one’s perfect!”). Nonetheless, this “good person” idea often does more damage than anything else. In order to reaffirm the mindset that “I am a good person,” it deceives us into thinking that we must show our best on the outside, despite the filth that resides within. Instead of accepting that we are flesh, we put on a façade that makes us more like plastic. When someone is caught in sin, however, it is unfortunate that it is often the religious crowd within the walls of a church building that condemn and rouse, instead of care and restore. ...