Rigor Mortar: Hard Hearts in God’s Hands
Like a potter’s clay, we need to put ourselves in His hands every morning, to be kneaded and molded and slowly made holy.
Faithworks: Balancing Faith, Grace, and Works
Living, growing, fruit-producing faith requires what I’m calling “faithworks”. Like fireworks. Because without faithworks there’s nothing to see.
Trust Fund: Credited with Christ’s Righteousness
It’s our father Abraham’s faith that first reveals that our righteousness is not our own, it’s the Lord’s. And now our sins are not on us, they’re on the cross.
Lawbreakers at Heart: Breaking the Curse of the Law
The law doesn’t reward its followers, it only punishes its violators. That’s what Paul calls the curse of the law.
Foremost Foreshadow: Circumcision of the Heart
It doesn’t matter if it’s circumcision, catechism, confirmation, or communion: At best, the ritual can only reflect the reality.
Don’t Settle for Pseudo: Overcoming Superficial Spirituality
Don’t settle for superficial renewal and pseudo transformation. Keep going and growing until you’re so alert, loving, and sober-minded that people can smell it on you!
Training for Glory: True Believers and Make-Believers
Transformation takes determination, and progress takes patience. Because gains in glory come one degree at a time.
How do we remain faithful in those inevitable, uncomfortable situations that can daily challenge our faith?
Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, God wants us to undergo mind metamorphosis – by resetting our cruise control.