All the Difference

Foolishness is a default terminus for humankind. Far from a tabula rasa, Proverbs teaches that the human is simple – a setting that naturally evolves into foolishness. In the larger biblical context, we learn that without divine intervention provided in Messiah Jesus, no person can avoid descending into foolishness and its attendant suffering. Even for those changed by faith in Messiah, practical...

Peter looks ahead, seeing through the prophets and the gospels the great change that is to come. In light of that prophetic truth, he lays out a powerful series of commands that answer the question he had himself asked of Jesus: "How should we then live?"

Peter looks ahead, seeing through the prophets and the gospels the great change that is to come. In light of that prophetic truth, he lays out a powerful series of commands that answer the question he had himself asked of Jesus: "How should we then live?"

Peter prepares us for the inevitable spiritual battles that come at us in this life. Stepping beyond our limits of space-time, Peter shows us depth of theology that changes perspectives. Further, he prepares us for these thought battles in a manner similar to what I employed in preparing our quarterback when I was a coach. He mentions truths to remember, attacks to watch out for, and issues that c...

Peter prepares us for the inevitable spiritual battles that come at us in this life. Stepping beyond our limits of space-time, Peter shows us depth of theology that changes perspectives. Further, he prepares us for these thought battles in a manner similar to what I employed in preparing our quarterback when I was a coach. He mentions truths to remember, attacks to watch out for, and issues that c...

Peter blasts the false teachers who provide fake freedom as a cloak for prideful sin. He then describes the nasty temporal situation for Christians who fall for that crap.

Peter blasts the false teachers who provide fake freedom as a cloak for prideful sin. He then describes the nasty temporal situation for Christians who fall for that crap.

Peter points out the sad reality that false teachers will come. Rather than getting God's people stirred up, these heretics make everything messed up.

Peter points out the sad reality that false teachers will come. Rather than getting God's people stirred up, these heretics make everything messed up.

Peter describes the great epistemological foundation of Christianity.

Peter describes the great epistemological foundation of Christianity.

Peter shows us the way to flesh out life according to Jesus' truth that with much blessing comes much responsibility.

Peter shows us the way to flesh out life according to Jesus' truth that with much blessing comes much responsibility.

Peter lays out his plan to stir up the churches of Jesus. He does so in a rather OT prophet manner, showing both the wretchedness of the world and the contrasting richness of God's provision.

Peter lays out his plan to stir up the churches of Jesus. He does so in a rather OT prophet manner, showing both the wretchedness of the world and the contrasting richness of God's provision.

Ungodliness is not limited to wretched pagans devoted to sin. Ungodliness is true of many (most) Christians who live the bulk of our time with no thought of the Triune God, His majesty, His will, or our need to continually depend on Him. Unthankfulness is the insensate chariness of spoiled brats who forget that every breath is a gift from God. After mortifying ourselves to these sins, we can vivif...

Ungodliness is not limited to wretched pagans devoted to sin. Ungodliness is true of many (most) Christians who live the bulk of our time with no thought of the Triune God, His majesty, His will, or our need to continually depend on Him. Unthankfulness is the insensate chariness of spoiled brats who forget that every breath is a gift from God. After mortifying ourselves to these sins, we can vivif...

Despite the greatness of our God, His closeness in the Spirit, and the promises of Christ, Christians are regularly beset with faithlessness. At least I am; and my faithlessness exhibits itself in worry and in the prideful sins of impatience and irritability. The saddest part is that these three sins are poorly appraised by our churches and culture. Worry is seen as a sign of caring, while impatie...

Despite the greatness of our God, His closeness in the Spirit, and the promises of Christ, Christians are regularly beset with faithlessness. At least I am; and my faithlessness exhibits itself in worry and in the prideful sins of impatience and irritability. The saddest part is that these three sins are poorly appraised by our churches and culture. Worry is seen as a sign of caring, while impatie...

There are three basic types of discontentment: the positive trait of "pressing on" in growth, fighting complacent inertia; the often positive discontent over injustice exemplified by Israel's prophets; and the negative discontent Christians show over long-standing circumstances. This latter is the point of our study, and it is rendered most difficult by a culture that highlights victimization. We...

There are three basic types of discontentment: the positive trait of "pressing on" in growth, fighting complacent inertia; the often positive discontent over injustice exemplified by Israel's prophets; and the negative discontent Christians show over long-standing circumstances. This latter is the point of our study, and it is rendered most difficult by a culture that highlights victimization. We...

Our penchant to accept sinful displays of temper erodes our capacity to enjoy true righteous anger. Our temper is understandably directed toward those with whom we are closest and predictably sparked by situations out of our control. To change, we have to...listen to find out.

Our penchant to accept sinful displays of temper erodes our capacity to enjoy true righteous anger. Our temper is understandably directed toward those with whom we are closest and predictably sparked by situations out of our control. To change, we have to...listen to find out

Personally, in our homes, in business, as nations, and even theologically Christians accept and even promote dishonesty. This particular sin pattern is possibly the most dangerous of all as failure here threatens the capacity to grow in all other areas. We must acknowledge our evil; re-ignite our consciences; and find power and courage in Christ to be continuously honest.

Personally, in our homes, in business, as nations, and even theologically Christians accept and even promote dishonesty. This particular sin pattern is possibly the most dangerous of all as failure here threatens the capacity to grow in all other areas. We must acknowledge our evil; re-ignite our consciences; and find power and courage in Christ to be continuously honest.