Category: My Thoughts on Things

Here’s where I give some thoughts on passages of scripture, theological topics, or current events from a Christian perspective. Some of these thoughts are topics which I’ve preached about in the past and are now putting here in article form. I hope you find them spiritually helpful.

Church Discipline: There’s More to be Said…

If someone in the church wants to get us involved in practicing discipline against someone else in the church, we must make sure that their reasons for doing so are completely honorable and solely revolving around concern for that person’s soul and the sanctity of the church as a whole.  This is why church discipline is intended as a result of actual sin as defined as such by Scripture rather than one’s own standards and scruples, and is to be done under the wise and prudent parameters of Matthew 18:15-16 before any further action involving the church and disfellowship is taken.… Read More Church Discipline: There’s More to be Said…

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Church Discipline: Let’s Talk About It

I get it.  I really do. Awkwardness….uncomfortable situations…the probability that someone will get upset at you…the potential loss of friendship…all of that and more is part of the package you unwrap when you go to a brother or sister in Christ who is “caught in any transgression” and tell them, no matter how lovingly and kindly you try to do say it, that they are sinning and they need to repent (Gal. 6:1; cf. Matt. 18:15; James 5:19-20).… Read More Church Discipline: Let’s Talk About It

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My Thoughts on 2023

The good news of the Bible is that God wants to give us eternal life (Romans 6:23).  Going to heaven is not something we earn, nor is it something we deserve because of our sins.  Sin in a nutshell is disobeying God (1 John 3:4), and everyone has done it (Romans 3:23).  The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), the spiritual death which is eternal separation from God in hell (Revelation 21:8).  Yet God still offers us hope through His gift of eternal life, made out of love through the death of His Son (Romans 5:8).  Jesus lived a sinless life and died on the cross to take our place, to pay the price for our sins (1 John 4:9-10).  What wonderful love God has for us!… Read More My Thoughts on 2023

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My Thoughts on “Performing Deeds In Keeping With Repentance”

What produces repentance that leads to salvation?  “Godly grief” or “godly sorrow” over one’s sins.  Not worldly sorrow over our sins, but godly sorrow.  Worldly sorrow over sin is comparable to the thief who isn’t sorry he stole, but is terribly sorry he’s going to jail.  Godly sorrow would have the thief, regardless of whether he’s caught, truly sorrowful that he stole in the first place.  That’s because he feels the same kind of sorrow and grief over his sins that God feels.… Read More My Thoughts on “Performing Deeds In Keeping With Repentance”

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My Thoughts on Psalm 119

Many believe they can be faithful in the sight of God without following the Bible.  Yet when the psalmist had “chosen the way of faithfulness,” he “set (God’s) rules before” him (v. 30).  He clung to the Lord’s testimonies (v. 31), ran in the way of His commandments (v. 32), and asked God repeatedly to teach him “the way of your statutes” and give him understanding in order to keep His law (vs. 33-34).  We rightly cite Paul’s words in Romans about how faith comes from hearing God’s Word (Rom. 10:17), but Psalms 119 shows us exactly how God wants us to hear His Word and the type of faith He wants it to produce.  Christians, are we like the psalmist?… Read More My Thoughts on Psalm 119

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