Some of us do speak of to/about God and people in the exact same way, making our communication with God (or lack thereof) truly profane. That is, we take something sacred and precious and make it common , just like everything else. There is a startling paradox to ponder in James 3:5-12 : "How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature,...

"Before you can ever make a clean and unamended confession of your sin, you have to first begin by confessing your righteousness. It’s not just your sin that separates you from God; your righteousness does as well. Because, when you are convinced you are righteous, you don’t seek the forgiving, rescuing, and restoring mercy that can be found only in Jesus Christ." (p. 22) “Grace is for the willing and we only become willing when we confess not only the gravity of our sin, but our inability to deliver ourselves from it. Then our willingness opens to us all the sustenance...

9 “Therefore I still contend with you, declares the Lord, and with your children’s children I will contend. 10 For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see, or send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has been such a thing. 11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. 12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken...

Next to our kitchen sink we have a "slop bucket." It serves in the way a garbage disposal does for most Americans: all the food scraps go in it. At least once a week we take it out before the flies congregate too much. (I’m told it was the norm of previous generations to have slop buckets in their homes.) It seems that many Christians have a "slop bucket" when it comes to sin. We simply dump our little sins throughout the days and weeks with hardly any care at all, and then go to Jesus seeking forgiveness when things get really bad (or the slop bucket is full). We repent...

"A person must confront his own sinfulness in all its ravaging depths before he can enjoy the comforts of salvation." -Martin Luther SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "A person must confront his own sinfulness", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/04/30/a-person-must-confront-his-own-sinfulness/" });

A few weeks ago we wrapped up Winter term at Cornerstone School of Ministry. In our NT 133 class we ended with John’s writings, first the Gospel of John and then his letters: 1st, 2nd and 3rd John. (My good friend, Director Adam Poole taught 1st John as I was away; I was both envious and joyful for I know his character, ability and passion for exposition of the Word. The students are extremely blessed to have him as their pastoral leader.) In John’s writings we saw the glory and beauty and love of Jesus on display for all the world to see, know and love. And yet we read of people questioning...

“… the choicest believers, who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin, ought yet to make it their business all their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin… Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it whilst you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you. Your being dead with Christ virtually, your being quickened with him, will not excuse you from this work.” – John Owen, Mortification of Sin SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Be killing sin", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/02/15/be-killing-sin/"...

I recently began reading Overcoming Sin and Temptation, the updated and edited version of John Owen’s classic Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers (find it on CCEL here). This edited version is helpful, not just because of the updated language and comments, but also because it brings Owen to life for a new generation who need his influence, insight, theology and boldness. One may download the new book, Overcoming Sin and Temptation, from JohnOwen.org here (PDF). Owen was… Here’s one of my favorite quotes from Owen: Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always...

Owen Strachan recently wrote this thought-provoking post: Seeking Honest Answers: Are You a Christian? …. Here is a very short list of questions to ask those who claim to be saved but who show little evidence of such commitment. It’s not exhaustive but is intended to help start conversation. Do you love God? In your heart, do you desire to follow Him, worship Him, and obey Him? Does your professed love for God stretch into action? Does it have any practical effect on your life? Would others characterize you as one who loves God? Do you adore God? Do you want to adore Him? Do...

Six years ago Kari was stuck in Birmingham, AL with about 15 others coming home from a short-term missions trip in Brazil. Their plane was rushed to land and all their items left on-board for four days in wake of the World Trade Center attacks. I was on a runway in a plane in Atlanta headed home with about 40 others (in our group), and we too had to halt our travel plans. We all walked off the plane, confused, checking voicemail, looking at the TV monitors in the airport, trying to figure out what was going on. (To the right is Kari holding up a paper the next morning in Birmingham.) September...