Category: Ethics

Bible, Christian living, Church, Commentary, Ethics, Faith, Gospel, Theology

A Sinner’s Guide to Repentance

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Repentance is sincere remorse or regret for an action. Theologically, repentance is associated with the idea of turning away from sin and turning to God.

James 4:7-10 gives what’s almost like a “how to” guide for repentance. It’s not exhaustive, but he says five things that are important to repentance.

1. Repentance involve submission to God

Repentance isn’t just about moralism. It’s about an actual desire for God.

It’s not “well I’ll just drink less” or “get control my temper better.” It’s not just “don’t do that,” but it’s a turning to God. It’s recognizing that God is greater than your sin, that he is better. That his ways are better. That turning from sin is turning to a better way. Continue reading “A Sinner’s Guide to Repentance” →

Bible, Church, Commentary, Ethics, Faith, Gospel, Theology

Blessed are the persecuted? 

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

-Matthew 5:10

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins the sermon with a section called The Beatitudes, 8 statements, most of which seem counterintuitive at first glance. But these are much deeper than pithy statements. They point us to the ethics of Jesus. 

The final beatitude is in Matthew 5:10, while verses 11 and 12 elaborate on it. 

Blessed are the persecuted.  Continue reading “Blessed are the persecuted? “ →

Bible, Christian living, Church, Commentary, Culture, Ethics, Faith, society

Only you can prevent forest fires: the destructive force of our words 


I was in Florida several years ago and Florida was having wildfires. Some areas were evacuating. If a person smoked a cigarette, they were told that they couldn’t throw it on the ground or it would start a fire. 

Something so small, such a small amount of smoke, could start a huge fire. 

With our words, the tongue, a relatively small part of the body, can be hugely destructive if a person isn’t careful. 

James uses fires as an illustration for the destruction that our words can cause. “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” (James 3:5).  Continue reading “Only you can prevent forest fires: the destructive force of our words “ →

Bible, Christian living, Church, Commentary, Culture, Ethics, Faith, Gospel

Why does Jesus say “the poor in spirit” are blessed?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins the sermon with a section called The Beatitudes, 8 statements, most of which seem counterintuitive at first glance. But these are much deeper than pithy statements. They point us to the ethics of Jesus. 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Continue reading “Why does Jesus say “the poor in spirit” are blessed?” →

Bible, Christian living, Church, Commentary, Ethics, Faith, Gospel, Theology

Can a person have faith without living it out? 


Vegans. 

When you’re a vegan, you don’t eat meat or use animal products. Being vegan is a lifestyle.

Now if I said that I was vegan and invited you over to my place for dinner, and you said what are we having “surt and turt….we’re having some fish and steak” and then I was washing it down with a glass of milk, and my kitchen table was on a bearskin rug, and I was eating the meal with ivory handled silverware while wearing a fur coat, and we were facing my trophy wall that had deer heads….” You might start to think “you’re not vegan.”

Continue reading “Can a person have faith without living it out? “ →

Bible, Church, Commentary, Culture, Ethics, Faith, Gospel, Theology

You can’t love God if you don’t love people 
W.H. Margetson

James says If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well” (James 2:8).  points 

Royal Law is an interesting phrase. That’s the only time it’s used in the entire Bible. James follows up mentioning this royal law by saying “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” which seems to be what he’s referring to as the Royal Law.  Continue reading “You can’t love God if you don’t love people “ →

Commentary, Culture, Ethics, Sports

Harbaugh, practice film: what sportsmanship is and isn’t
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Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons @Eric Upchurch

Fairness.

Last weekend, the college football season began as Hawaii and Cal played a game in Sydney, Australia.

This week, Cal is off while Hawaii plays in Ann Arbor, MI against the Wolverines.

For the Wolverines, they’ve had a chance to see Hawaii play a game. Hawaii enters this game with no such luxury and asked Wolverine coach Jim Harbuagh for film of an inner squad scrimmage. Continue reading “Harbaugh, practice film: what sportsmanship is and isn’t” →