Having a conformity mindset easily leads to doing things which one knows are wrong in the sight of God.  If everyone uses bad language, conformists will use bad language also.  They will dress immodestly because everyone else does so.  They will drink alcohol since everyone else is drinking at the get-together.  Conformists do this because they are afraid of the scorn and ridicule which inevitably comes from their peers if they do not conform and instead behave differently than them.  Fear makes it much easier to conform, all the while forgetting or ignoring the fact that conforming to the sinful ways of the world makes one an enemy of God (1 John 2:15-17).… Read More “Do Not Be Conformed to this World”

When we turn to His Word and obey it, His light illuminates our lives, no matter how darkened by sin they may be (Psalm 119:105).  It’s tragic that many refuse this Light because they refuse to obey God’s Word.  Don’t be one of them!  Accept what His Word says about receiving the salvation He offers through His grace and our confessed faith, repentance and baptism into His body which is His one and only church (Titus 2:11-12; Romans 10:9-10; John 3:16; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:4-6).  Once you’ve come up out of the waters of baptism having obtained His gift of grace, keep it by continuing to obey His Word, penitently confessing your sins when you commit them (John 8:31-32; Hebrews 10:26-31; 1 John 1:7-9; 2 Corinthians 7:9-11).… Read More “I Am the Light of the World”

Forbearance is the putting up with the wrongs of another for a season with a view toward repentance.  The person we forebear is not what he or she should be yet, but we forebear with a view toward their maturing.  Forgiveness is releasing a person from their sin.… Read More “Should You Not Have Had Mercy?”