Posts

How do I know if I am a Christian?

-
Image
Jesus taught that the condition of a person’s heart will manifest itself in his or her behavior: “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart” ( Luke 6:43–45 ; cf.  Matthew 7:16 ). So, when considering whether or not you are a Christian, you can consider the kind of fruit that is produced in the life of a Christian: 1.  Complete trust in Christ’s death and resurrection as sufficient payment for the debt we owe God.  A Christian is one who  trusts Christ  exclusively. Doubts come when we fear we must add something to the work of Christ to ensure our salvation.  Ephesians 2:8–9  makes it clear that we are not saved by our works, but by God’s grace alone. No matter how righteous we may appear, none of us come close to e
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the Christian walk?

-
  The Bible does not use the exact phrase  Christian walk  at all; however, the New Testament does explain to Christians how to “walk” in faith. A “walk” in this context is a metaphor for practical daily living. The Christian life is a journey, and we are to walk it—we are to make consistent forward progress in our faith. The Christian walk involves  Christlikeness . Christians are people who follow Christ. “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” ( 1 John 2:6, ESV ). Speaking of suffering, Peter said, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” ( 1 Peter 2:21 ). Believers have God the Holy Spirit indwelling them, and He will lead them in the way they ought to go. The Christian walk involves righteousness .  Romans 8:4  explains God’s purpose “that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Sp
Post a Comment
Read more

Is there an afterlife?

-
Image
  The book of Job asks a question about the afterlife very simply: “If a man dies, will he live again?” (Job 14:14). Asking the question is easy; more difficult is finding someone to answer the question with authority and experience. Jesus Christ is the one person who can speak with real authority (and experience) concerning the afterlife. What gives Him sole authority to speak of  heaven  is that He came from there: “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man” (John 3:13). The Lord Jesus, with His firsthand experience in heaven, presents us with three basic truths about the subject of life after death: 1. There is an afterlife. 2. When a person dies, there are two possible destinations to which he or she may go. 3. There is one way to ensure a positive experience after death. First, Christ affirms there is an afterlife a number of times. For example, in an encounter with the Sadducees, who denied the doctrine of the resurrection, Jesus said, “A
Post a Comment
Read more

What does the Bible say about setting goals?

-
Image
The Bible offers a balanced approach to setting goals that includes making plans yet doing so with wisdom and humility. Jesus’ illustration of building a tower implies that it is a good thing to have set goals ( Luke 14:28 ). To live with no motivation or planning is not God’s desire.  Proverbs 6:6-11  says, “Go to the ant, O sluggard;     consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief,     officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer     and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard?     When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber,     a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber,     and want like an armed man.” Laziness causes a person to neglect work and fail to exploit the window of opportunity. Summer is the preparation time for winter, and we dare not wile it away. Failure to plan ahead will result in “poverty” and “want.” Wisely setting goals leads to better results: “Th
1 comment
Read more