Learning to love others the way Jesus loves us
The last word 1 John 5:18-21 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who… Continue reading 1 John 5:18–21
The origin of love is God. The manifestation of love is the incarnation of Jesus. The perfection of love is completed in us, those who are so overwhelmed and overflowing with God's love that it spills out and over the people around us. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and… Continue reading 1 John 4:7-12
They'll know we are Christians by our love _"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). This powerful… Continue reading 1 John 3: 11-18; 3 John
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life — is not from the Father… Continue reading What happens when the world loves itself.
Christians must be the Light of Jesus in this dark world “But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:11) I wrote part one of this 1 John section a week ago and… Continue reading 1 John 2:7–11 part 2
Light and Dark “Beloved, I am writing to you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you… Continue reading 1 John 2:7–11, part one
A post for Juneteenth and Independence Day For Freedom "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (1 Corinthians 3:17) Two major wars define the United States. World Wars defined the U.S. role in world affairs, but domestic conflicts outline American identity. Both wars fought for… Continue reading For Freedom
Reflection after Memorial Day By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16 The driving force for all followers of Jesus must be love. Love God and love others are the two greatest commandments. We cannot show… Continue reading Love is greater
Worldviews in the church I started writing this chapter in August of 2021, at the height of the COVID pandemic. Two-and-a-half years later, most of it still holds. If anything, churches are often more divided over world views, and if not divided, more deeply entrenched in their cultural belief systems, turning away from the simplicity… Continue reading Defaulting to grace: Part two
How do we determine the value of a life? I opened my Substack inbox on April 1 and was struck by the very pretty face of a young woman leaning contentedly on a man's chest. The story headline read, "I'm 28. And I'm Scheduled to Die in May." It wasn't a joke. As I read… Continue reading Dignity, not Death
Defaulting to Grace 