By His Word “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” — Luke 6:27 When we read Jesus’ words in Luke 6, we may feel inspired for a moment—and then troubled. Loving our family and friends is understandable. Loving a stranger may be difficult, butContinue reading “The Love We Could Never Manufacture”
Tag Archives: grace and forgiveness
Grace at the Door Before Sin Returns
On Second Thought “As you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.” — 2 Corinthians 8:7 Grace is not only God’s mercy after we fall; it is also God’s strength before we fall again. Many believers think ofContinue reading “Grace at the Door Before Sin Returns”
The King with the Towel
In the Life There are moments in the life of Jesus that stop us in our tracks, and John 13 is one of them. We expect the King of kings to stand in majesty, to command angels, or to silence His enemies with a word. Instead, we find Him kneeling on a dusty floor withContinue reading “The King with the Towel”
Grace That Replaces Judgment
As the Day Ends As the day comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the weight of Paul’s words in Romans 14:10–13: “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ… So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” There is a quiet humbling that settles inContinue reading “Grace That Replaces Judgment”
Grace That Replaces Judgment
As the Day Ends As the day comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the weight of Paul’s words in Romans 14:10–13: “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ… So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” There is a quiet humbling that settles inContinue reading “Grace That Replaces Judgment”
When Blood and Mercy Meet
DID YOU KNOW There are passages in Scripture that make us uncomfortable. Leviticus 9–11 is filled with detailed descriptions of slaughtered animals, blood sprinkled on altars, and flesh burned in fire. “Then he slaughtered the burnt offering… and he burned them on the altar” (Leviticus 9:12–13). It is graphic. It is raw. And yet, hiddenContinue reading “When Blood and Mercy Meet”
Grace Has Been Rewritten
DID YOU KNOW Scripture has a way of returning us to familiar truths and allowing us to see them again with fresh eyes. The study before us invites that kind of rediscovery by drawing a thoughtful comparison between Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” and the far greater, eternally consequential new covenant accomplished through Jesus Christ.Continue reading “Grace Has Been Rewritten”
Grace Beyond the First Failure
On Second Thought There are few longings more deeply human than the desire for another chance. Whether the failure is public or private, recent or long past, the ache is the same. We want to know that our worst moment does not have the final word. Scripture speaks directly into that longing, not with vagueContinue reading “Grace Beyond the First Failure”
When Shame Masquerades as Humility
DID YOU KNOW The Scriptures are honest about the human heart, especially when sin is exposed. Genesis 37, Matthew 26–27, and Ecclesiastes 9 together trace a sobering pattern: people often recognize wrongdoing long before they understand repentance. When failure comes into the light, shame can feel like the appropriate response. Yet Scripture quietly presses usContinue reading “When Shame Masquerades as Humility”
Grace When You Have to Start Over
DID YOU KNOW Did You Know… God welcomes us most openly at the very moment we feel spiritually bankrupt? Jesus begins the Beatitudes with a startling promise: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3, italics). The phrase “poor in spirit” does not describe mild humility; it pointsContinue reading “Grace When You Have to Start Over”