If we have power, we must use it to help the powerless. While John was preaching hot and heavy about what authentic repentance looks like, three groups of people approached him with the same operative question, “What should we do?” Okay, Messiah’s coming and God will judge the unrepentant. His ax is ready for swinging, so …
“What should we do?” (Part 2 of 3)
We’re talking about how John the Baptizer sized up the legitimacy of one’s repentance. Hip deep in the river he preached, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance!” When three different groups of people came for baptism John gave each of them a litmus test to assess whether or not they’re ready for Messiah’s kingship. First, …
What does Jesus Want From Me? (Part 2 of 2)
The Rich Young Ruler walked away unhappy that Jesus wasn’t offering eternal life on his terms. Jesus told him what he had to give up to follow him and he wasn’t up for it. He preferred his demon-imbued idol named Mammon to following the Son of God. Now let’s contrast that incident with the story …
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My favorite book on “justice” so far (other than the Bible, of course)
I’m ashamed to admit that I came to the table late on the social justice topic. As an aspect of God’s compassionate personality and as a significant portion of our responsibility as his followers, somehow over the years this ubiquitous Bible theme eluded me. I’ve since discovered that with the possible exception of idolatry, the …
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On being neighborly (Who do I have to love and how much?) Part 2 of 5ish
“There are no gradations in the image of God. Every man from a treble white to a bass black is significant on God’s keyboard, precisely because every man is made in the image of God. One day we will learn that. We will know one day that God made us to live together as brothers …
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