A Word of Encouragment to Those in Ministry: God Does Not View Your Labors as “Filthy Rags”
When it comes to our justification–our legal standing before God–our own good works are in no way the grounds of God’s declaration that we are “righteous.” Indeed, that is the very thing that makes the gospel good news. We are saved not by what we have done, but by what Christ has done. We are accepted by God not because of our works, but in spite of them.
But what does God think of our good works after we are saved? Here is where, unfortunately, Christians often receive mixed messages. Somewhere along the way we have begun to believe that our pride is best held in check, and God’s grace … Continue reading...
Missions and the Kingdom of God
What is “missions” anyway? I suppose most people would equate the missions enterprise with evangelism. It is about preaching the gospel in order to get conversions, we might think.
Now, this conception of missions is largely correct. It is certainly about evangelism. But, it also about more than this. Biblically speaking, the missions task is about the spread of the Kingdom of God. It is about the spread of God’s reign, his rule, his dominion, to the ends of the earth.
And as God’s Kingdom advances, the world is changed. People submit to his rule. Business practices follow the teachings of Scripture. Marriages are renewed and revived. Vocations are … Continue reading...
Seminary Wives: You are Not Wasting Your Lives
Every year I see a new crop of seminary students, eager to jump into their studies and to prepare for ministry. But, behind the scenes, there is another story that often goes untold. The story of the seminary wives.
Of course, I recognize that there are also seminary husbands, but there is a unique challenge for seminary wives as they sometimes struggle to find their own calling in the mist of following their husband’s.
Seminary can be a wonderful, exciting time, full of fresh spiritual growth. But it can also be a struggle–financially, spiritually, and relationally. In the mist of these struggles, it is easy for wives to wonder whether … Continue reading...