Moments For You

In the New Testament, “forgiveness” comes from the Greek word aphiemi. Literally this means to send away, or to put apart. Thus the root meaning of forgiveness is to put away an offense. In secular Greek literature, this word was fundamental. It was used to indicate the sending away of... Read more →

“I [Jesus] have called you friends” (John 15:15). Jesus came to bring life. He came so that we can experience life the way it was meant to be. Through Him we can have deep fulfilling relationships, contribute to the world in meaningful ways, have joy that isn’t dependent on circumstances,... Read more →

He should have known better. He never should have stayed at home alone while his army was fighting in the field. He never should have lingered late at night on his rooftop. He never should have set his eyes on that beautiful lady. He never should have inquired about who... Read more →

The Christian life is all about following Christ on a journey of personal transformation. But we were never meant to make that journey alone. We were meant to be accompanied by other travelers, because it’s more fun that way, and because God uses those friendships to shape us—to form us... Read more →

A person walking in the light does not deny his sin or try to cover it up. He does not blame others for it or make excuses about it. Rather, he confesses it: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to... Read more →

In today’s busy world, friendship often takes a back seat to “more important matters.” Most of us are too busy with family and careers and hobbies to invest in meaningful friendships. Now, if you’re in middle school, friendship is a life or death situation. But once you’re an adult, friendships... Read more →

Before we can understand what it means to have peace with God, we must recognize that human beings in our natural state are enemies of God. Because we inherited a sin nature from our first parents, Adam and Eve (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12), we are born with a disposition to... Read more →

“Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” (Matthew 18:21). In Matthew 18, we see our Lord teaching on the childlikeness of the believer. In verse 2, the text tells us that Jesus actually took an infant and held that infant in His arms to... Read more →

“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2). Jesus Christ has come into... Read more →

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Paul says not only “don’t be bitter,” but “be kind and forgiving to one another.” And we’re not going to do it just because we’ve decided to do it. We’re going to do... Read more →

In every one of his New Testament letters, Paul greets the recipient with some variation of “grace and peace”—combining the standard Greek greeting, charis (grace), with the standard Hebrew greeting, shalom (peace). Taken together and in the right order, these two words give us a window into mysteries unknown apart... Read more →

One of the most difficult things a Christian will face is offering genuine forgiveness to those who have deeply hurt us. When Jesus commands us to love our enemies and offer our forgiveness to them it’s hard for us to believe that He knew what He was talking about. “Jesus... Read more →

“Whoever desires to love life and see good days … let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:10-11). The good life is turning from evil and doing good. If you want to love life and see good days, if... Read more →

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB) that genuine love “does not keep an account of a wrong suffered.” This is one of those word pictures in Scripture where something familiar is used as a metaphor. Here Paul uses an accounting term describing a merchant who keeps tally of... Read more →

Dear Lord Jesus, were I to sit down to list the titles I would instinctively give You, I’m not sure “preacher” would be on my initial list. But if anyone deserves that name, it is You. What is Christmas? It’s You coming nearer than near to us in Your incarnation.... Read more →