Two Phases of Gratitude for Our Salvation

Jared Wilson defines "gospel wakefulness" as treasuring Christ more greatly and savoring his power more sweetly. He illustrates with the following: ...

The Litmus Test for Our Understanding of the Gospel

The litmus test of whether or not you understand the gospel is what you do when you fail. Do you run from God and go try to clean yourself up a bit before ...

Parents Pay Their Son's Debts and Credit His Account

Michael Horton uses the following story to illustrate how Christ has paid our debt of sin and credited us with his righteousness:

After my junior year ...

How Justification by Faith Transforms Lives and Communities

One day theologian Miroslav Volf was visiting a friend who pastors a church in Sandtown, a desperately poor and dangerous neighborhood in Baltimore. As ...

The Gospel Breaks Life's Old Foundations

"My hearing [the good news of Jesus] gave me a heart wound. By God's blessing, my old foundation was broken up, and I saw that my righteousness ...

Billboard Asks “Are You Good Without God?”

In 2009, a new billboard in downtown Chicago got everyone's attention, stirring some controversy. In big letters it asked: "Are you good without ...

Grace and Works on a Train Ride

The difference between righteousness by works and righteousness by grace is illustrated by a ride on a commuter train.

A train rumbles into the station ...

The Rigor of Grace

Grace is opposed to merit, but it is not opposed to effort.

—Bradley Nassif, professor of biblical and theological studies at North Park University ...

Immigrant Unaware of Legal Status

Wilfredo Garza lived the life of an illegal immigrant for more than 35 years. Year after year, he eked out a living crossing the border from Mexico into ...

Earning a Free Gift

Editor David Neff writes:

This morning I received the latest promotional e-mail from a clothing provider I really like to patronize: L. L. Bean. I read ...