'March - Enthusiastic Ideas' Archives - Page 4 of 4

Sportsmanship (March 1)

Despite our tortured legal arguments, it usually isn’t that hard to figure out what’s fair. We may, for one reason or another, find it difficult to do what is fair, but knowing what a good sport would do isn’t as complicated as we make it out to be.

Human Progress Is Perilous (September 6)

The truth is, we can't help ourselves where we need help the most. Yes, we can "science" our way out of some of life's lesser problems, but the potential of human self-help is limited. We do not have it within us to solve the problem of sin.

God’s Way Is Conducive to Humility (September 5)

God's way often goes against our opinions, and eventually the honest person will have to admit, "Well, I didn't think such a plan would work, but I was wrong. Although I would have set things up differently, God's way turned out to be the best."

Conformity to Christ: Both a Fact and a Process (September 4)

Our sinful past will try to pull us back -- and sometimes the pull can be very strong. We wouldn't have been what we used to be if there weren't some very pleasant aspects of being that kind of person. So we must choose between the old and the new!

Sensitivity to Sin (September 3)

The more we learn to love our Father, the more our hearts are going to hurt when we realize we've failed Him. The person who rarely sees any sin in his own life -- or seeing it, is not bothered by it -- is not a spiritual senior but only a sophomore.

Nominal Christians (September 2)

"Nominal" Christians are Christians in "name only." They are the modern embodiment of the mentality God spoke of in Isaiah's day: "[They] draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me" (Isaiah 29:13).

Enter by the Narrow Gate (September 1)

God will help us and discipline us (Hebrews 12:5-11). But having been disciplined by God, we will have to discipline ourselves. We will have to exert ourselves to go uphill rather than downhill, doing a good deal more than what comes "naturally."

Choices That Exclude Each Other (August 31)

When we start following our own will in the "secular" parts of life, we tell ourselves that we won't let these "other things" get out of hand. But we are deceiving ourselves. We have let something else sneak back onto the throne of our hearts.

What the Lordship of Christ Means (August 30)

Wonder of all wonders, God is willing to forgive us of our treason against His rightful rule over us. But His grace requires that we begin doing what we have not been doing: obey His will. He must become our Master, our Ruler . . . our LORD.

Seeking the Kingdom of God First (August 29)

Very people few are willing to "seek first the kingdom of God," even among professed believers. Especially in the modern culture of so-called "Christian nations," very few do more than add a little "Christianity" to their busy lifestyles.

Confessing Our Sins (August 28)

Confession of sin comes from "a broken and contrite heart" (Psalm 51:17), and it hurts. But the joy of forgiveness is on the other side of this sorrow, and the process of confessing our sins and properly grieving them should not be rushed through.

What Trust Moves Us to Do (August 27)

Are we willing to accept God in general matters like love and faith, but when it comes to His instructions in the Scriptures about how these principles are to be carried out, do we balk? If we truly trust God, we will respect His means and methods.

When We Reach God’s Goal (August 26)

As creatures living in a world broken by sin, we have never experienced what it is to be a human being -- not fully and perfectly. But God does not plan to leave His masterpiece broken. In Christ, He proposes to bring us all the way back to life.