James, the Lord’s half-brother, speaks clearly in his epistle of the relationship between faith and works. It is true that we are saved through faith alone, but James goes on to point out that faith that saves is never alone. In fact, he concludes that “faith without works is dead” (James 1:26) and by implicationContinue reading “An Unruly Evil”
Author Archives: randylivingston
Adulterers and Adulteresses
James made a comparison of earthly wisdom to wisdom that is from above (James 3:17). It is understandable that James spoke of a wisdom that is “from above” when he described how Christians should live. After all, believers are in the world but are not to be of the world. Yet his audience was characterizedContinue reading “Adulterers and Adulteresses”
An Expectation for Growth
The Apostle Paul had made clear to the Corinthian believers that God had given his children his Spirit “that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Corinthians 2:12). In spite of that blessed privilege, they had remained spiritually immature so Paul found it necessary to rebuke them forContinue reading “An Expectation for Growth”
His Understanding is Infinite
The Psalmist wrote “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite” (Psalm 147:5). It really should not surprise us to understand that the God who created all things quite literally knows all things, as well. One naturally follows the other. He created the galaxies, our universe and solar system; he hungContinue reading “His Understanding is Infinite”
Five Reasons to be of Good Cheer
We live in challenging times, do we not? Perhaps, many might think “challenging” is a bit of an understatement. Truth seems to be such a rare commodity. We do not trust our government, the media, even one another. There is little in the way of civil debate over social or political issues. Rather, harsh condemnationContinue reading “Five Reasons to be of Good Cheer”
A Warning Against Contentious Behavior
The Apostle Paul thanked God greatly for the evident grace in the lives of the Corinthian believers (I Corinthians 1:4). Even so, as often is the case with every Christian, they had just as evident a need for correction as well. Consequently, Paul rebuked them for the contentions that had arisen among them as reportedContinue reading “A Warning Against Contentious Behavior”
A Steward of the Manifold Grace of God
The Corinthians had some question about spiritual gifts and Paul took time in his letter to respond. He first reminded them that before becoming Christians, they were “carried away unto… dumb idols, even as ye were led” (I Corinthians 12:2). Simply speaking, they knew not Christ. But the new birth changes their relationship to GodContinue reading “A Steward of the Manifold Grace of God”
A Soldier’s Life for Me
As he closed out his letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (I Corinthians 16:13). Every exhortation in this brief series of commands is comprised of language with a military origin. Paul frequently used such language because it was readily understandable given theContinue reading “A Soldier’s Life for Me”
The Gadarene Demoniac
In Mark 5:1-20, the gospel writer records for us Christ’s encounter with “a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him,Continue reading “The Gadarene Demoniac”
Lovest Thou Me?
Those who are familiar with the account of our Lord’s passion are mindful that Peter denied the Lord three times the night our Lord was betrayed. Christ had foretold Peter that he would indeed “be offended because of me” though Peter denied it (Matthew 26:33-35). When it came to pass, Peter “wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75).Continue reading “Lovest Thou Me?”
From the Chaplain 