Tag Archives: works

Losing our blessedness (Galatians 3-4)

Posted on September 28, 2018 by

What then has become of your blessedness? (3:15, ESV) That’s a good question. Many Christians today have lost their blessedness. Why? They’ve forgotten who they are. And they’ve forgotten how they came to be what they are. What do I … Continue reading →

Posted in Galatians, New Testament, Pauline epistles | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

James 4:13-17 — How true faith expresses itself (Part 8)

Posted on February 5, 2016 by

I think with this passage, James pretty much concludes his speech on how true faith expresses itself. And again, throughout his whole letter, he has focused on love, speech, and purity. In these last few verses, I think he’s going back to … Continue reading →

Posted in General Epistles, James, New Testament | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

James 2:17-26 — How true faith expresses itself (Part 3)

Posted on January 30, 2016 by

We said yesterday that it’s not simply enough to say, “I believe in God,” in order to be saved. Nor, for that matter, is it enough to say “I believe that Jesus died for my sin and rose again” in … Continue reading →

Posted in General Epistles, James, New Testament | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

James 2:14-26 — How true faith expresses itself (Part 2)

Posted on January 29, 2016 by

I think it’s easy at times to parse the Bible into neat little sections, especially as we do our daily Bible reading. What I’ve been noticing more and more over the past year, though, is that when we do that, … Continue reading →

Posted in General Epistles, James, New Testament | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Galatians 5:7-12 — Abolishing the offense of the cross

Posted on August 27, 2015 by

I mentioned not too long ago that many people find Christianity narrow-minded.  They take offense at the idea that it is only through Christ’s work on the cross that we can be saved.  Paul calls this, “the offense of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Galatians, New Testament, Pauline epistles | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Galatians 3:1-5 — Starting by faith, continuing by faith

Posted on August 15, 2015 by

It is so easy, especially in Japan, to fall into the trap of trying to follow “the rules” after becoming a Christian.  After all, every other group the Japanese are a part of, whether it’s a school club, a company, or even their … Continue reading →

Posted in Galatians, New Testament, Pauline epistles | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Galatians 2:21 — The main problem with a gospel of works

Posted on August 14, 2015 by

Throughout this chapter, Paul has kind of been on the defensive, fighting the claims that God’s gospel of grace leads to a promotion of sin. But here in verse 21, he goes on the offensive.  He says, I do not … Continue reading →

Posted in Galatians, New Testament, Pauline epistles | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Romans 9:30-33 — Why can’t there be another way to God?

Posted on March 9, 2015 by

One of the things that bothers people about Christianity is that Christ claims he is the only way to God.  That there is no other way.  And they say, “Why can’t there be another way?” There are many ways to … Continue reading →

Posted in New Testament, Pauline epistles, Romans | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Romans 4:4-16 — Salvation: gift or obligation?

Posted on February 5, 2015 by

In this passage, Paul takes on a very important issue.  Is salvation from our sins and eternal life with God a gift from Him, or an obligation on his part to give us what we deserve? Paul is very clear here.  He … Continue reading →

Posted in New Testament, Pauline epistles, Romans | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Matthew 19:16-26; Mark 10:17-27, Luke 18:18-27 — The impossibility of salvation

Posted on August 7, 2014 by

My religion professor in university brought up this story when talking about Christianity.  His point?  “If you want eternal life, you have to sell everything you have.” Which shows the fallacy of not looking at a scripture in its context, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gospels, Luke, Mark, Matthew, New Testament | Tagged , , | Leave a comment