Category Archives: Christian Life

Our daily warfare

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We ought not to think that [the Devil’s] activity is primarily, or even mainly, to be seen in dramatic, extraordinary “power” encounters, where people are exorcised or delivered of demons. His warfare against us – and make no mistake it is real – takes place primarily at a far more frightening level: at the level of ordinary, everyday life.

We see this illustrated repeatedly in the Epistles when our battle with the Devil is mentioned. We keep him at bay when we deal promptly with anger and do not allow it to fracture relationships.…

Be bold!

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What I meant to do, when writing my previous post on William Gurnall, was to present this more extended quotation on boldness.  It is vintage Gurnall, and a magnificant encouragement to Christians.  So here it is:-

O how uncomely a sight is it to see, a bold sinner and a fearful saint, one resolved to be wicked, and a Christian wavering in his holy course; to see guilt put innocence to flight, and hell keep the field, impudently braving it with displayed banners of open profaneness; [to see] saints hide their colours for shame, or run from them for fear, who should rather wrap themselves in them, and die upon the place, than thus betray the glorious name of God, which is called upon by them to the scorn of the uncircumcised.
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Play

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We spend much of our time, energy and other resources on play, leisure and recreation, and yet rarely reflect Christianly on such things.

Arthur Holmes has some insightful thoughts on the subject of play:-

Difficulty of Defining Play

‘Play is customarily seen as nonproductive activity. This is not strictly correct, for play can be economically productive for professionals, quiz-show participants, and many others. The intent of the definition is that the purpose of play is not to be found in elements extrinsic to the activity, as supposedly with work, but is to be found in the activity itself and its enjoyment.

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Quotes on assurance

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Assurance is glory in the bud, it is the suburbs of paradise. (Thomas Brooks)

Assurance is, as it were, the cream of faith. (William Gurnall)

Sin can never quite bereave a saint of his jewel, his grace; but it may steal away the key of the cabinet, his assurance. (William Jenkin)

A letter may be written, when it is not sealed; so grace may be written in the heart, and the Spirit may not set the seal of assurance to it.…

“Put Off – Put On”

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Matthew Henry, the famous Bible commentator, once preached a series of sermons on sanctification.  In each sermon he would deal with a sin to be ‘mortified’, and then the corresponding grace to be cultivated.…

Acts 4:23-31 – Under fire – sermon notes

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Peter and John are under fire for two reasons: they have been speaking boldly for Jesus and they have been performing miracles in his name.

They’re thrown into jail, and the next day they are hauled in front of the Jerusalem authorities.  Peter and John explain that the crippled man has been healed in the name of Jesus, and, since the man himself is standing there, the accusers are left speechless.  Peter and John are released, but given a stern warning not to teach any more in the name of Jesus.…

How can God forgive us?

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What can the brutal death of a single Jew, two thousand years ago, have to do with us finding peace with God?  And why, if God wishes to forgive us, why does he not just do so, without all the paraphernalia of sacrifice?

As one sceptic put it: “Of course God will forgive me; that’s his job”.

It might further be objected that we are required by God himself to freely forgive one another.  Why can’t God simply do the same with us?…

What should we pray for?

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This piece by John Piper answers this question by directing us to the prayers of the New Testament.  Do our prayers have anything like the same breadth and depth?

They called on God to exalt his name in the world.  Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name (Matthew 6:9).

They called on God to extend his kingdom in the world.  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10 ).…

Tactfulness

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Tactfulness is a notable virture. Although worldly people can show it to a remarkable degree, Lk 16:8, in its highest form it is a Christian grace. It is the offspring of love and wisdom. It is the ability to be honest without being rude.

God himself is the model for tactfulness, as shown in his dealings with our first parents, Gen 2:18-24; 3:9-19; with Cain, Gen 4:7, 15; with Abraham, Gen 12:1-3; and Jonah, Jon 4:10,11.…

Spirituality, or discipleship?

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I was struck by John Stott’s comment about the concept of ‘spirituality’:-

‘I confess that the recent evangelical adoption of the word and concept of “spirituality” troubles me for three reasons.

‘First, it is a traditionally Roman Catholic term, which means that inevitably it carries with it some Catholic baggage. Then we spread confusion by using the same language for different notions.

‘Second, the term spirituality threatens to perpetuate the disastrous dichotomy between the sacred and the secular, the spiritual and the material.

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