John Woodward
A Portrait of Discipleship, Part 2
We have been comparing the process of discipling another person to a disciple’s framed portrait. The countenance of the portrait’s subject symbolizes the Spirit of Christ–the One who empowers and directs the spiritual life. And the sides of the “frame” represent four a basic elements involved in making disciples. Side 1. “Discipleship requires TEACHING.” Side…
A Portrait of Discipleship, Part 1
What brings you joy? A rise in the stock market? A lower golf score? An A on your exam? Fine dining at restaurant? While they may bring some temporary happiness, spiritual ministry provides abiding joy. The Apostle John declared: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John…
Made Right to Live Right: A Study of Justification (Part 3)
Practical Justification: A New Quality of Living We have looked at legal justification (a new standing), and spiritual justification (a new nature). Both of these aspects of being made right with God occur at conversion. Now we will consider practical justification (a new quality of living). In terms of God’s role, legal justification is what…
Made Right to Live Right: A Study of Justification (Part 2)
Spiritual Justification: A New Spiritual Nature I part one we examined legal justification: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1) As amazing as legal justification is, however, there is still more. Being placed into God’s family at conversion is so miraculous, that no single…
Made Right to Live Right: A Study of Justification, (Part 1)
Current events give indications that we are living in the last days. One of the signs of the times not usually mentioned is predicted in 2 Timothy 4:1-4: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the…
The Bridegroom
In 2002 ABC began producing the dating and relationship “reality” TV program known as The Bachelor. In that first season a newspaper article reported, “The show … premiered last month with 25 women vying for the affections of a 31-year-old San Francisco management consultant … For fans of the series, the show plays like a…
The Book of Esther: Pictures of the Spiritual Life
As Canadians and American’s observe a Thanksgiving holiday each fall, the Jewish people also have days of special thanksgiving and celebration; these are based on events recorded in the Tanakh (Old Testament). One of these holidays is the feast of Purim, which commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the Persian empire from the…
How to Get Free From Stubborn Guilt
When I was about eight years old, I got intrigued with cartridge pens. Regular ballpoint pens weren’t cool anymore; cartridge pens were classy! The soft plastic cartridges that held the ink were replaceable. After getting used to handling one of them, I graduated to a fountain pen. These pens were similar, but instead of a…
Four Spheres of Discipleship
When our Lord commissioned His church to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, He left a blueprint and an adequate source of power. The enablement comes, not by our own good intentions, but by the ministry of the Holy Spirit in and through our lives: “But you shall receive power…
The Seeds of Forbidden Fruit, Part 4 (Conclusion)
Now we consider the question, If the “seeds of forbidden fruit” (pride, independence, unbelief and self-will) comprised the original sin of Adam, could their opposites point the way for Christians to experience life more abundantly? In other words, are humility, dependence, faith, and submission essential to the Abiding Life? The answer is yes indeed! 1.…