Who are the “Saints”?

The identity of the “saints” in the Bible has sometimes been the subject of debate between evangelical Christians—often triggered by the claim that the NT uses “saints” as a designation of Jewish Christians only. The consequences often drawn from this view have such an impact that it is worth taking another look at the issue, not to stir up needless controversy, but in the quest for clarity and consensus. Paul and the Saints Because Paul uses this expression more than any other NT author, what follows is an attempt to summarise what his letters reveal. First, a concordance will quickly...

Allan Chapple

Secret Sins Will Undermine (and May Destroy) Your Ministry – Here’s How to Fight Them (Part 1/2)

Peter Adam

Different Paths to Sanctification

Bethany Downes

Rejoice in the Lord!

Peter Adam

The Stingy Religious?

Gordon Cheng

What Sins are You Killing Today?

Peter Adam

This is the first part of a two-part series. See the second post here. I admit it is an intrusive question, and one that tends to stop a conversation! (The context is someone I am mentoring or advising or counselling, not everyday conversations! And it takes place some months after the serious conversations begin.) If I ask it of someone I am talking with, I always allow time for a stunned silence. Then say, ‘I don’t want to know what they are, I just want to know that you are doing it.’ That allows some colour to return to the...

What Sins are You Killing Today?

Peter Adam

Moment-by-Moment Faithfulness

Renee Tan

When I was a younger Christian, I used to be captivated by God’s dramatic work through Bible heroes: his call to Noah to build an ark to save the world from judgement; his behind-the-scenes work through Queen Esther to save God’s people. I thought of Jonah emerging from the great fish: such dramatic flair! What a way to demonstrate God’s hand in motion. I used to translate these expectations into my daily life, making them the standard for my life and service. I’d ask myself, how will God use me to achieve His purposes? Will he call me away from...

Moment-by-Moment Faithfulness

Renee Tan

Whatever Happened to Pursuing Godliness?

Matthew Payne

In my experience most Christians aren’t very interested in godliness. That’s a strong statement, but I remain persuaded that modern evangelical culture has a real problem here. My experience is that calls to godliness among modern Christians are largely met with silence and slowly coasting tumbleweed. Sadly, this appears to be just as true at the ministry conferences and pastors’ retreats as in churches. It doesn’t excite or interest us much. The Bible tells us endlessly to “be holy, be godly, pursue righteousness.” But that doesn’t get our hearts racing. What excites us are new ministry strategies and initiatives. That...

Whatever Happened to Pursuing Godliness?

Matthew Payne

Toilet Training and the Holiness of God

Matthew Payne

Ask the parents of small children about the joys of toilet training and they will probably have some amusing stories to share. Not that those events are funny at the time—sometimes they seem very tiresome. Parenting literally involves getting your hands dirty. It means dealing with the bodily wastes of other people. This fact is not adequately highlighted on the “have a baby” brochure. You discover it after you’ve already got one. Parenting literally involves getting your hands dirty. It means dealing with the bodily wastes of other people. This fact is not adequately highlighted on the “have a baby” brochure....