By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent his only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9) God does not love us merely with words or positive thoughts. His love is demonstrated with actions and in the sending of his only…… Continue reading Why did God do that?
Author: Paul Ellis
Author of award-winning commentaries
What does God see when he looks at me?
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Light and dark cannot coexist. Neither can perfection and imperfection coexist. For the Lord to have any sort of relationship with you, he had to make you into something you weren’t and he did. When you came to Christ, you were cleansed…… Continue reading What does God see when he looks at me?
Am I worthy?
And they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4b) Those who are clothed with Christ and his righteousness are worthy to walk with the Lord. You are not worthy because you go to church twice a week or give, serve, pray, fast, abstain or do anything. You are made worthy…… Continue reading Am I worthy?
How to be free from sin
May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:2) Here are three words to set you free: “We who died.” The first step to being free from sin is realizing that you have died with Christ. Every believer knows that Jesus died on the cross, but not…… Continue reading How to be free from sin
What to do with your sins
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) “We need to maintain short accounts with God.” Heard that one? Apparently it means we need to confess our sins to stay forgiven. But what if we miss one? What…… Continue reading What to do with your sins
Is God making a movie of your life?
Love keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:5) Have you heard the one about how God is recording everything you say and do, and on Judgment Day he’ll show all your dark, dirty secrets on a big TV screen? It’s a frightening thought—but it’s a fiction. God is not like that. God is love,…… Continue reading Is God making a movie of your life?
What should I call God?
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15) When we think of adoption, we think of small children in orphanages, but in Roman times powerful men adopted young men to make…… Continue reading What should I call God?
What if I sin?
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 2:1) A woman, caught in the act of adultery, is brought to Jesus for judgment. She’s as guilty as sin. In the…… Continue reading What if I sin?
Am I obligated to the law?
Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4) The previous chapter of Romans says you died with Christ (Romans…… Continue reading Am I obligated to the law?
What does it mean to continue in grace?
Continue in the grace of God. (Acts 13:43) In the New Testament we are exhorted to… continue in God’s kindness (Romans 11:22) continue in the faith (Colossians 1:23) continue in the teaching of Christ (2 John 1:9) continue in what we have learned and been convinced of (2 Timothy 3:14) continue in the grace of…… Continue reading What does it mean to continue in grace?