“Unsanctified Knowledge of Christianity”

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“Let us beware of an unsanctified knowledge of Christianity. It is a dangerous possession, but a fearfully common one in these latter days. We may know the Bible intellectually, and have no doubt about the truth about its leading texts, and be able to talk glibly about its leading doctrines. And all this time the Bible may have no influence over our hearts, and wills, and consciences. We may, in reality, be nothing better than the devils.”

  1. Does our knowledge bear fruit in our lives?
  2. Does our knowledge of sin make us hate it?
  3. Does our knowledge of Christ make us trust and love him?
  4. Does our knowledge of the will of God make us strive to do it?
  5. Does our knowledge of the fruits of the Spirit make us labour to show them in our daily behaviour?

“Knowledge of this kind is really profitable. Any other religious knowledge will only add to our condemnation at the last day.”

– J.C. Ryle writing about Luke 4:34

Why I Would Prefer Guilt Over Bitterness

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Over the years we have all met bitter people and guilty people. More than likely we have all experienced bitterness and guilt at some stage to some degree. We quickly feel the weight of guilt, but I do not think we identify bitterness quite as well. Bitterness is one of those sins we see in … Read more

A Quiet and Peaceable Life

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(1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our … Read more

Almost Obedient?

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God’s grace should never cease to amaze us. We should never overestimate our complete lack of merit or underestimate our sinfulness. All good things come from God and we deserve none of them. Our very best does not reach God’s required standard of perfection. Our very best effort at earning salvation would still leave us … Read more

Christmas Journeys

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Travelling over the Christmas season is fraught with excitement, anticipation and sometimes problems. People travel all over the country and all over the world to spend time with family and friends. As I read Luke 2 I see several “Christmas” journeys. 1. Journeying to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-5) In the first 5 verses we read about Joseph … Read more

Balancing On Your Bandwagon

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Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the … Read more

Getting a Burden for the Persecuted Church

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“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” – Hebrews 13:3 With no real benchmark for persecution in our personal lives, some Christians in the West believe they or others they know have suffered persecution. However, most Christians in the West … Read more

The Missionary Manifesto – G. Campbell Morgan

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The Missionary Manifesto, by G. Campbell Morgan, takes a detailed look at the commission given by Christ to believers to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Morgan goes into great detail and covers aspects of the commission which have not been brought to my attention before. His book has 6 chapters: The … Read more

How Can We Pray for One Another?

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In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Paul made this request, “Brethren, pray for us.” It is a simple request and one we desire for ourselves and one another. Sometimes we need some help to know how to pray for one another. Using the example of Scripture here are a few ideas. Pray for one other’s Sanctification – … Read more

Dealing with Difficult Texts

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We have all been there. While trying to share the Gospel an alleged contradiction or perceived error from the Bible gets thrown into the conversation to try and trip us up. Or, during our own reading of the Bible we find a passage that doesn’t make sense perhaps logically or measured against our own understanding … Read more