John Woodward
Only a Sinner?
Are you “only a sinner” saved by grace? As an evangelical Christian, this is probably a statement you’re familiar with. It sounds right, but is it? I regularly hear that this sentiment is all to common in conservative church circles. Why is that? 1. The good old hymn declares, “I’m only a sinner saved by…
Read MoreThe Grammar of Galatians 2:20
Question: …I need you to help with the interpretation of the last phrase in Galatians 2:20: “I live by faith in the Son of God,” or is it ” I live by the faith of the Son of God ” Our discipleship group is looking for an answer to this as the meaning is very…
Read MoreThe Great Problem-Solver
Do you struggle with problems? “Who doesn’t?!” Then, if there were Someone capable and willing to manage your problems, would you be interested? Imagine being a salesman for a large company. Something goes wrong with an important account. The other company is breaking their agreements, threatening legal action, and blaming you for the trouble! You…
Read MoreGod in Us (Part 2)
At Christ’s first Advent, we were blessed with “Immanuel”–“God with us” (Isa 7:14; Matt 1:23). Through the New Covenant, we have an even greater advantage–God in us! We are His tabernacle on planet earth today. As 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit…
Read MoreGod’s Will for Your Life
When we consider the matter of God’s will for our life, we usually think of major issues of guidance. For example, Which school should I attend? What job/career should I pursue? How can I use my talents/spiritual gift(s)? Whom should I marry? Where should I live? Although these kind of decisions do need divine guidance,…
Read MoreGod is Faithful (Part 2)
It is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny himself” (2 Tim. 2:11-13). Continuing with our main text: “If…
Read MoreGod is Faithful (Part 1)
It is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny himself” (2 Tim. 2:11-13). When I was on a mission…
Read MoreTwelve Stones of Remembrance
Recently, another counselee ‘crossed the Jordan River’. It was evident that identification with Christ had gone from head to heart. Hallelujah! I prepared this 12 Stones list for him as a reminder of the rest of the Gospel. In the book of Joshua, the Lord miraculously parted the Jordan River (as He had parted the…
Read MoreThe Apostle Paul: Chief Sinner or Saint?
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Tim. 1:15). Have you ever wondered what Paul meant by this instance where he refers to himself as the chief of sinners? We would have expected him to use…
Read MoreThe Sovereignty of God and the Responsibility of Man: A Quest For Balance
The apparent contradiction in the doctrines of God’s sovereignty have occupied the hearts and minds of believers throughout history. Augustine’s refutation of Pelagius, the teaching of John Calvin and the eventual response of Jacob Arminius, the letters of doctrinal debate between the great evangelists John Whitefield and John Wesley–all show that this paradox resists simple…
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