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In: Bible and Theology, Grace, Prayer and Devotions, Sin and Holiness

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Sin leads to death: physical death, spiritual death, death of relationship, etc. Any time something dies, it is the wages of sin–Adam’s in the garden at minimum.  But this law no longer has the last word. Oh death, where is your victory? Oh grave, where is your sting? Because the Lord’s tomb is empty, and sin is nailed to the cross, this physical life is not the end, His Spirit can live in us, we are restored to relationship with Him andRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Faith, Gospel, Prayer and Devotions, Sin and Holiness

“ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11) I was really reluctant to write a devotional based on today’s verse of the day. Tons of commentaries have been done on this passage, and entire books written on the armor of God. We can apply the same lens we’ve held up before to the scripture: what God commands us to do, he will empower us to do. View this as a blessing and a promise and allow theRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, God's Character, Idols, Sin and Holiness

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” (Colossians 3:12) Then tells us we need to ask: why are we, God’s chosen holy and beloved ones to put on compassion, kindness, meekness and patience? What are we missing by not asking why? The answer to that question for this verse, and to the same question regarding an earlier list of  sinful inclinations of our fallen flesh that we’re to put to death, is found in verses 1-4 and 11: If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated atRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, God's Character, Prayer and Devotions, Sin and Holiness

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15) Quite a bit packed into this one verse. First,  Peter reminds us Christ isn’t like us. He’s holy, not a sinner, and should be honored as such. If we don’t watch ourselves, we will project our sinful thinking onto Christ to justify our pet sins, since, obviously, Jesus would think that is okay (often we pull out our sinful version of love here.)Read More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Grace, Prayer and Devotions, Sin and Holiness, Suffering

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” (2 Timothy 1:8-9) Verse eight is not nearly as popular as verse nine. We much prefer the assurance  we’re saved by grace not by works, to the context of this verse. We tend to avoid suffering, not want to share in the suffering of others. OurRead More →