'March - Reaching Forward' Archives - Page 4 of 4

The Pursuit of God . . . or Mere Polemics? (March 1)

Living in a society where competition in all its myriad forms is almost a national obsession, we need to watch out. When we find ourselves in conflict with another person over some spiritual matter, what are our real motives for waging war?

Real Restoration to God (December 21)

Even when we see that sin is what is hurting us, we often don't go deep enough to see the real problem. What needs fixing is not just our actions; we need new hearts. At the deepest level inside of us, we need to be renovated, rebuilt, and renewed.

What Profit? (December 20)

Jesus' priority was the forgiveness of our sins so that we could look forward to a perfect relationship with Him in eternity. That ought to be our priority too. It ought to matter more than economic security, emotional well-being, or anything else.

The Two Great Alternatives (December 19)

God's judgment will be on the basis of our actual works and not merely good "attitudes" or good "intentions." The lordship of Christ requires more than mere sentiment. "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46).

Seeing the Truth, Deciding to Respond (December 18)

We have defined "obeying the gospel" as rightly responding to the gospel. To be morally "responsible" means "able to choose our response." So with the power to decide, let us decide. We've wasted enough time. Now is the time to quit being foolish.

We Can’t Get Back to God on Our Own (December 17)

Not only must we accept God's solution, but we must accept it on His terms. If we could never have worked our own way back to Him, neither can we refuse, or attempt to modify, the conditions God has attached to the granting of His salvation to us.

What Happens When We Say No? (December 16)

Do we not feel the urgency of God's concern when He said, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?"

Will All Be Saved? (December 15)

God will not force us to accept His salvation. He makes salvation available to all (John 3:17), and grants the gift to those who accept it on His terms (John 5:39,40). If we reject the gospel, we won't share the same destiny as those who obey it.

In Christ, We Can Be Everything God Intended (December 14)

In Christ, our humanity can be restored -- and what Christians are now waiting for is what Paul described as "the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Romans 8:21). God is not a hindrance to us. He is our only hope of becoming fully human.

God, the Support of the Saved (December 13)

"O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest, and peace at last."

Looking Beyond Our Salvation to the Savior (December 12)

When we get to heaven, we will be completely happy. But our thoughts will not be centered on how happy we are. We will be so completely caught up in the glory of God that our happiness will simply be a byproduct of thinking rightly about God.

Obedience Is Not a Negative Concept (December 11)

We need to view obedience in a more kindly light. Wherever we look in the New Testament, we see Jesus recommending obedience as something to be honored and appreciated. It was not obedience that got us into trouble, but obedience to sin.

The Most Disturbing Message in the World (December 10)

If the seed of the kingdom is going to grow, the fields of our hearts have to be plowed up. And the harder the ground, the more painful the plowing is going to be. "If Christianity has never disturbed us, we have not yet learned what it is."