Encounter the Truth

In an apparently shocking contrast, Jesus calls out the religious insiders for hypocrisy and exposes their sin, while ultimately welcoming an outsider who comes to him in humble faith. He makes it clear that religious ritual is worthless as a means to cleanse from sin. Only humble faith in the Son of David has any power. Where have religion and ritual become a mask for sin in our lives? Are we cas...

What does it look like to live as those who represent Jesus Christ in the world? If we are his people, then we must learn to pray and walk and speak faithfully in his name, commending him and his gospel to the world in our everyday interactions.

What does it look like to live as those who represent Jesus Christ in the world? If we are his people, then we must learn to pray and walk and speak faithfully in his name, commending him and his gospel to the world in our everyday interactions.

God is worthy of all praise because he has blessed us so richly, and without our merit. He has purposed to include us in Christ—even as he plans to bring all things in the universe under the headship of Christ—all for the praise of his glorious grace.

God is worthy of all praise because he has blessed us so richly, and without our merit. He has purposed to include us in Christ—even as he plans to bring all things in the universe under the headship of Christ—all for the praise of his glorious grace.

The Lord causes us to become steadfast and complete when he brings us through trial—and he makes us wise as we come to him in faith. Trust him in times of trial—call out to him for the wisdom you will need to navigate those times of trial with a godly perspective.

The Lord causes us to become steadfast and complete when he brings us through trial—and he makes us wise as we come to him in faith. Trust him in times of trial—call out to him for the wisdom you will need to navigate those times of trial with a godly perspective.

Here is a rebuke for the believer who has not made appropriate progress in the faith. And here is a warning that is designed to keep us close to Jesus—and to unsettle any who may not be truly converted. But the comfort is that true believers are safe in Christ because God’s promise and saving action in Jesus is our sure hope, an anchor for the soul.

Here is a rebuke for the believer who has not made appropriate progress in the faith. And here is a warning that is designed to keep us close to Jesus—and to unsettle any who may not be truly converted. But the comfort is that true believers are safe in Christ because God’s promise and saving action in Jesus is our sure hope, an anchor for the soul.

The church at Crete faces challenges on every side. Crete is a toxic culture, and there is false teaching threatening the church. This is why a godly eldership is needed to protect the church from error. And this is why Paul is so concerned that the believers will live out their faith in integrity. The culture will call them to compromise at every turn. How very contemporary all of this sounds!

The church at Crete faces challenges on every side. Crete is a toxic culture, and there is false teaching threatening the church. This is why a godly eldership is needed to protect the church from error. And this is why Paul is so concerned that the believers will live out their faith in integrity. The culture will call them to compromise at every turn. How very contemporary all of this sounds!

Abram and Sarai knew the promise of God, but grew impatient with God’s timeline, not seeing how the promise could be fulfilled. They took matters into their own hands to further God’s agenda—and the results were disastrous. In this messy incident, we see the cost of sinful self-reliance and the abundant grace of God.

Abram and Sarai knew the promise of God, but grew impatient with God’s timeline, not seeing how the promise could be fulfilled. They took matters into their own hands to further God’s agenda—and the results were disastrous. In this messy incident, we see the cost of sinful self-reliance and the abundant grace of God.

David knows that the Lord is committed to protecting those of his covenant community; he knows that God is a God of faithfulness to his people; a God of mercy to those who call on him. If we are sensible and wise people, we will want to join David and cry out to the Lord as he cries out, "Keep me safe, O God."

David knows that the Lord is committed to protecting those of his covenant community; he knows that God is a God of faithfulness to his people; a God of mercy to those who call on him. If we are sensible and wise people, we will want to join David and cry out to the Lord as he cries out, "Keep me safe, O God."

Life in this world is hard, and opposition is real. But the Christian believer has a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These trials may test our faith, but real faith will be proved genuine in trial. We who love Jesus have joy in the prospect of his coming. And this joy and this hope have power to sustain us in days of darkness.

Life in this world is hard, and opposition is real. But the Christian believer has a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These trials may test our faith, but real faith will be proved genuine in trial. We who love Jesus have joy in the prospect of his coming. And this joy and this hope have power to sustain us in days of darkness.

Moses—and other heroes of the faith—were willing to endure hardship because they trusted the unseen God. Does our faith equip us to do the same? Hebrews says that the world was not worthy of these men and women. Could the same be said of us as we live by faith today?

Moses—and other heroes of the faith—were willing to endure hardship because they trusted the unseen God. Does our faith equip us to do the same? Hebrews says that the world was not worthy of these men and women. Could the same be said of us as we live by faith today?

If there is a distinction between grace and mercy—it is that God’s mercy speaks of his goodness to us in our misery and distress when we cannot save ourselves, while his grace speaks of his goodness to us in our guilt when we deserve only his punishment. In mercy God spares us destruction—and in grace he forgives us and makes his children, lavishing his kindness upon us.

If there is a distinction between grace and mercy—it is that God’s mercy speaks of his goodness to us in our misery and distress when we cannot save ourselves, while his grace speaks of his goodness to us in our guilt when we deserve only his punishment. In mercy God spares us destruction—and in grace he forgives us and makes his children, lavishing his kindness upon us.

Here Jesus focuses on our response to his Word—and the eternal implications of that response. We need to avoid false teachers as being very dangerous, we need to bear fruit as a sign of our response to the Word, and we need to be careful to build our lives on the solid and secure foundation of his Word.

Here Jesus focuses on our response to his Word—and the eternal implications of that response. We need to avoid false teachers as being very dangerous, we need to bear fruit as a sign of our response to the Word, and we need to be careful to build our lives on the solid and secure foundation of his Word.

As our heavenly Father treats us with grace and kindness, Jesus calls us to treat others with grace and kindness (and not judgmentalism). This sums up the requirements of the Old Testament Law—and it acts as an indicator of our spiritual state. Living as Jesus calls us to live is an indicator that we are entering life by the narrow gate; hypocrisy in this area is a sign that a person may be headin...

As our heavenly Father treats us with grace and kindness, Jesus calls us to treat others with grace and kindness (and not judgmentalism). This sums up the requirements of the Old Testament Law—and it acts as an indicator of our spiritual state. Living as Jesus calls us to live is an indicator that we are entering life by the narrow gate; hypocrisy in this area is a sign that a person may be headin...