Cultivating Virtue  

There are two main components to growing in Christlikeness - putting off vice and putting on virtue. You see this all throughout the New Testament. 

For example, Colossians 3:5-9 concerns behaviors to be eliminated and 3:12-17 lists virtues to cultivate. 

You find this same pattern all throughout the New Testament. 

And in every place, we have are called to act. In other words, cultivating virtue doesn't happen on accident. It requires intentional effort, albeit effort enabled by God's grace through the Spirit. 

In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast we consider some of the  things we can do to cultivate specific virtues. 

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Letting the Bible Shape our Parenting 

In this episode I share two big truths about kids from the Bible that shapes the way we relate to our kids and parent our kids. 

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;

Mark 10:13-16

13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He would touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

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John 1:14 and the Tabernacle - A Christmas Reflection

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

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What does it mean to be "God fearing"?

It used to be common to describe someone who was particularly devout as "God fearing," but that phrase is rarely used any more. But the Bible does call God's people to fear the Lord and promises good blessings for those who are God fearing. So what does it mean to fear God in the Bible? 

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The Kingdom of God and the Gospel  

Why does Jesus say that he preaches the gospel of the kingdom of God? 

The way the gospel is talked about by Christians today usually has little if anything to do with the kingdom of God. Usually Christians describe the gospel as being about Jesus' death and resurrection and how people can be saved. 

So what exactly is the gospel and how does it relate to the kingdom of God? 

Note: this episode comes about in answer to a question sent in by a faithful listener. 

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How is God going to work out his plans if humans are so disloyal to Him even though they have the Holy Spirit? 

I saw this question recently: It doesn't seem as if God's plans are working out too well. Humans are loyal to him; only Jesus has been. The Holy Spirit doesn't seem to be making much of a difference. So how is God going to have loyal human partners and work out his plans? 

But this question misunderstands the entire storyline of the Bible. It fails to understand that "In hope we are saved" (Romans 8:24).  

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5 Things I'm Learning about Life and Ministry from 2 Corinthians, pt. 2  

In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, I share the more lessons I am learning about faithfully serving God from Paul's example in 2 Corinthians. The full list of five things we reflect on in this two-part series are:

1. the connection between God's faithfulness and our integrity

2. embodying the cross 

3. celebrating our weaknesses

4. confidence in God over self-confidence

5. setting our eyes on our eternal hope

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5 Things I'm Learning about Life and Ministry from 2 Corinthians, pt. 1  

In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, I share the first 2 and half lessons I am learning about faithfully serving God from Paul's example in 2 Corinthians. We reflect on:

-the connection between God's faithfulness and our integrity

-embodying the cross 

-celebrating our weaknesses

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Now that we're saved, how should we relate to unbelievers? 

Once we start following Jesus, we don't stop living public lives in which we interact with people who don't follow Jesus. So how should we relate to unbelievers in our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and online? And how does our salvation affect our interactions with unbelievers? 

Titus 3:1-7  

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  

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What difference does grace make?

In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John reflects on Titus 2:11-14, considering four key differences the grace of God makes in our life.

Titus 2:11-14  

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for good deeds.

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