Playing Fast and Loose with the “L” Word
Over the last few months I have written a number of posts (e.g., here and here) dealing with a tendency I have observed in some Reformed circles to downplay the moral commands of Scripture. The motivating factor behind this tendency is often positive, namely a desire to make sure that people remember that salvation is by grace alone and not by works. In other words, the downplaying of moral commands is designed to preserve the integrity of the gospel.
However, such attempts to preserve the gospel (while well-intended) can have negative side effects. One such side effect is that those who pursue serious obedience to God’s law are sometimes … Continue reading...
Do You Obey God with Hopefulness?
God has a habit of asking his people to do difficult things. Unthinkable things. Nonsensical things. He asked Noah to build a 400 foot ark in the middle of dry land. He asked Gideon to send 32,000 troops home before the battle with the Midianites, leaving him only 300 men. And he asked Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman—a prostitute. In all such instances, God calls his people to radical obedience. He calls us to trust Him.
But do we? The issue isn’t just whether we obey. The issue is how we obey. Do we do the difficult thing God is calling us to do with hope and confidence that … Continue reading...