Tag Archives: repentance

Zeal; June 11, 2024


Revelation 3:19 “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.” This verse is good in English, but it’s even better in Japanese. After verses 15-16 talking about their being lukewarm, the Japanese word for “earnest,” … Continue reading

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Faith and Works; June 1, 2024


James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. It is this section that made Martin Luther call James “a book of straw.” Luther was combatting the then-current practice of indulgences, where the … Continue reading

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Our Image of God; May 30, 2024


Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” This is not at all what you … Continue reading

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Proclaiming the Word; May 27, 2024


2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. This, along with verse 5, is rather heart-wrenching when you realize that it was written shortly before … Continue reading

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Projection; May 21, 2024


Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. I had never thought about … Continue reading

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Preaching; May 16, 2024


Acts 17:30 “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” From every perspective this was a masterful sermon, beautifully reasoned and contextually grounded, even using cultural references with which his hearers would … Continue reading

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Discrimination; May 13, 2024


Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” This was an absolutely shocking moment for the Jerusalem church. I can imagine the … Continue reading

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Hearing Ears; May 5, 2024


Luke 16:31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” This goes directly to something Jesus said many times, about hearing ears. … Continue reading

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The Joy of Repentance; May 4, 2024


Luke 15:10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Do you want to make heaven happy? Repent! We have such trouble imagining what it … Continue reading

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Spiritual Humility; May 3, 2024


Luke 13:2-3 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” This was a shocker … Continue reading

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