Serious About Scripture

Mentoring and motivating Christ’s people to live his words

The Gospel and Divine Visitation—An Indivisible Union

It was spring in 1630. A few ladies were traveling through the Scottish countryside near Shotts when their carriage broke down. Thankfully the minister of the Kirk of Shotts, John Home, was able to assist them in their predicament. Struck with the poor condition of his manse, these wealthy Christian ladies determined to build another one for this kind man. Naturally, the grateful Home asked if he could do anything in exchange for their generosity. The ladies asked if they…

Is the “Rebellious Teen Phase” to be Expected?

What do you hope your children become when they are teenagers? Top athletes? Academic overachievers? Those wishes are not necessarily bad. Most importantly, I trust that you really hope your teenage children will love and follow Jesus.  The Bible gives us some hope that this might happen, though it’s not guaranteed. I would put it like this: Christian parents should not be surprised if they have teenagers who are believers, or who are at least submissive and respectful. This immediately confronts…

How Much Suffering Can You Take?

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (Hebrews 12:3-4) You have suffered — some — if you are among the godly followers of Jesus. The suffering that is described in the passage above is not the kind that comes with cancer or car wrecks, but that which is associated with adverse…

The Law of Love: New Covenant Primacy

The Law of Moses and the Prophet’s admonitions are all fulfilled in the law of love. “Treat others the way you would have them treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Mt. 7:12). The New Covenant responsibility for the believer is similar: “Bear one another’s burdens and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2). Or, put another way, “Do not look out for your own personal interests, but for the interests of others” (Phil 2:4). Love…