The Christian applies the knowledge of God to his life

I made the point yesterday that the Christian is a man with the knowledge of God. But that’s not all. The truth of God is a living truth, a truth that begets life. Mere knowledge of God, even knowledge of God’s truth, isn’t an end in itself. Rather, a true and saving knowledge of God’s will is the foundation of Christian character and conduct.  Continue reading “The Christian applies the knowledge of God to his life”

The Christian is a man with the knowledge of God

What’s the relationship between Christian life and Christian doctrine? Can a man be a Christian without knowing God in a saving way? Of course not. But can a man have a saving knowledge of God and not live a life that accords with it? Again, of course not. Christian life and Christian doctrine are not only inseparably connected, but vitally connected. Continue reading “The Christian is a man with the knowledge of God”

Being zealous for God

There have always been those who object to zeal, calling it a rash and heady temper that hurts more than it helps, and a harsh and fiery spirit that blindly burns up everything in its path. It’s strange, however, that those who argue against zeal are themselves zealous. It could be their political persuasion, favorite sports team, reputation as the one who ‘never loses,’ pursuit of riches, or being ‘the best dressed’ among their peers, whatever it is, it’s safe to say that we’re all zealous about something. We all love something enough to make considerable, if not foolish, sacrifices for it. So it’s not really zeal itself which is opposed, is it? Continue reading “Being zealous for God”

The missing ingredient

Who among us cannot see the difference between the ancient church and us? between the Apostles and us? or even between the Reformers and Puritans of several hundred years ago and us? It was as if a fire burned in their bosoms. Are we even aflame at all? They seemed driven by a holy passion and resolve. Are we motivated by a holy passion for God? They were as men at war with their sin and they strove for holiness as if empowered by a heavenly strength. Do not so many seem to be at home with much of their sin and content to do the minimum God requires? Continue reading “The missing ingredient”

What are you living for?

Each of us lives for something. We labor and strive every day and throughout our whole lives to get somewhere, to gain something, to move beyond where we are, to add to what we presently have. And whatever that thing is for which we live, it shapes our lives and deeply affects the decisions we make every day. In a real sense, it governs us. We’re enslaved to it. We’re driven by it. It preoccupies us. So what is it for you? What are you living for?

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Christianity in practice

We cannot be said to be true Christians until the religion of Christ becomes our animating motive and our predominating principle and pursuit as much as worldly things are the predominating motive, principle, and pursuit of worldly men. Thus no man ought to flatter himself that he is in the favor of God whose life is not consecrated to the service of God. Continue reading “Christianity in practice”