Articles

Many Christians in the United States are finding it difficult to live out their faith. In a recent Barna study, 60 percent of American evangelicals reported experiencing opposition from their surrounding culture. As societal values and morality have shifted, these Christians have felt caught in the transition. They see traditional Christian values mocked in the public square and those who express them facing rejection and financial loss. In light of this cultural pressure, some Christians have chosen a path of silence. Others have questioned their traditional beliefs. A few have spoken up and faced the consequences. What is the answer to this problem? How should we as the church in America react to the increasing animosity toward our faith? Jesus answered this question in His introduction to the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is […]

Have you been praying for the salvation of a friend, neighbor, or family member? Maybe God has placed several people on your heart, calling you to intercede and share the love of Christ. It is an awesome privilege to participate in the growth of God’s Kingdom. But it is also mysterious. Though we know God is at work, most of the time His movements are hidden from our view. In the waiting, it is easy for us to lose patience when we pray and see no fruit. Questions rise up within us: “Don’t they see the Truth? Don’t they want a relationship with God? Why haven’t they accepted Christ as their Savior?” When we begin to lose heart and are tempted to give up, what should we do to persevere in prayer?  We can rest in some important truths that will strengthen us to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest […]

Your spouse hangs up the final garland, the smell of gingerbread floats in from the kitchen, and the doorbell chimes for the final time as the last guests arrive. Your whole family is there, ready to start the Christmas celebration. There’s just one problem. The guest of honor hasn’t been brought up. There hasn’t been a mention of the name of Jesus. He hasn’t been celebrated. He hasn’t been adored. Did you even invite Him to the gathering? THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL From the very beginning, when the Son of God came from heaven down into our world, there was no room for Him. It was no accident that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph ended up in a barn—it was part of God’s plan: “‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matthew 1:23). When God decided to send His Son to earth, a decision that […]

You aimlessly unlock your smartphone for the what might be the millionth time today and scroll through your Facebook feed. After twenty minutes you ask yourself, “What was I even looking for?” Then later in the evening you finally sit down and relax in front of the TV. You know you need to catch up on sleep, but before you realize it, you’ve already watched 3 episodes of the top trending series (half of which you missed because you were scrolling through feeds on your phone). And Netflix is launching you directly into the fourth as you think, “Just one more.” Before you start to sink into guilt about every moment of entertainment you’ve enjoyed or simply dismiss the rest of this article to avoid the discomfort of impending shame, let me adamantly assert that entertainment in itself is not sinful. There is plenty of entertainment to be found in the Bible: Jesus attended parties and enjoyed food and drink; […]

In today’s world and even in many of our churches, grace is no longer amazing; it is boring, just as J. I. Packer has diagnosed: “The thought [of grace] means nothing to them; it does not touch their experience at all” (Knowing God, 129). It is true that, in this age of human rights and animal rights and every other kind of right, grace is neither needed nor appreciated. People are no longer enthralled with the grace of God because they believe they are good without God and that everyone has the right to go their own way. Therefore, the world rejects any concept of sin—not to mention the judgment such rebellion deserves. And so, it spurns the awesome grace of God. This grace is the defining characteristic of Christianity, making it absolutely unique among all religions. For, whether we are talking about the Eightfold Path of the Buddha, the Hindu doctrine of karma, the Jewish ceremonial laws, or the […]

What does it mean to be a Christian? Does church attendance qualify you to be a Christian? Is it enough to own a Bible or to come from a Christian family? Although our culture would have us believe that Christianity is this cheap, Jesus both challenges us more than we expect and gives to us much more than we can even imagine. Jesus Christ demands our all. He unapologetically tells us, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me,” and, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching” (Matthew 16:24 and John 14:23). He also warns us, saying, “Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples” (Luke 14:33). “But where is grace?” you might ask. It is in God’s invitation to salvation, in the sacrifice of Jesus for us, and in the gift of the Holy Spirit that empowers us to live in submission […]