The following is a poetic essay in response to Rob Bell’s book Love Wins:

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Should a Christian ask forgiveness for his sins?  Yes.  Must he do so in order to be forgiven?  Not necessarily. According to Jesus, we should regularly ask forgiveness for our sins–perhaps just as regular as asking for daily bread.  In doing so, the … More Does a Christian Need to Ask God for Forgiveness After Sinning? (Part Four)

“Jesus saith to him, ‘He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all’” (John 13:10). In typical fashion, John presents us with a bold statement followed by an apparent contradiction, just as he did earlier in saying, “No man receives his … More Does a Christian Need to Ask God for Forgiveness After Sinning? (Part Three)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). For many Christians, this verse is an invitation verse, inviting sinners to confess their sins in order to receive the forgiveness of sins.  Cut and dried. Interestingly, this verse is … More Does a Christian Need to Ask God for Forgiveness after Sinning? (Part Two)

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). Here is the rub.  Suppose you are a Christian.  You sin, and then repent.  Should you ask God to forgive you?  According to the Scriptures, the forgiveness of sins is something you already have through the blood of Christ.  If … More Does a Christian Need to Ask God for Forgiveness After Sinning? (Part One)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, NKJV). Mark it as a fact.  Jesus was very clear.  If you are not born again, you are not going to heaven. Two concepts are involved.  One: Birth.  This is an instantaneous entrance into life.  … More Being Born Again Is (Surprisingly) Not Our Decision

“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases” (Song of Songs 3:5, NKJV). Romantic love cannot be forced.  There is something almost magical, when, as one Puritan put it, God pitches the heart of a man … More The Dangers of Decision-Based Evangelism

When the year is yet fresh, it is time to breathe deep, re-evaluate our priorities, and get back to basics.  And what can be more basic than the most famous verse of the Bible, John 3:16–the Gospel of John, chapter three, verse sixteen? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten … More Back to Basics: John 3:16

Yesterday, I had two people ask me independently about the state of believing souls after death.  This is not the first time this topic has been brought up, and I suspect it will not be the last.  Interestingly, it is a topic that the apostle Paul himself addressed, and on which he did not want … More Where Does the Believing Soul Go after Death?

You need both an inner Christ and an outer Christ. The outer Christ was the hallmark of the Reformation, when Martin Luther wrote that we need be Christ to one another.  The inner Christ was the hallmark of the Great Awakening, when George Whitefield asserted the necessity of the new birth.  Both are necessary to … More To Be Saved, You Need a Double Christ