For Christ & His Church

  David Powlison’s How Does Sanctification Work? rejects one-size-fits-all views of Christian growth. Sanctification, he argues, is personal, relational, and multifaceted which means God meets each believer uniquely through His Word, Spirit, promises, and people. Powlison contrasts “unbalancing” truth for personal ministry with “rebalancing” truth in theology. Remembering justification is essential but not the sole path to growth. Real change happens as God applies different truths in different seasons of life, showing sanctification as both deeply human and divinely guided. It would not be an overstatement to say that within Reformed circles, the cornerstone of our salvation—justification by faith, is faithfully proclaimed in nearly every corporate worship service. I deeply appreciate this emphasis because it humbles us and anchors our identity in Christ’s finished work. However, when it comes to progressive sanctification, many Reformed brothers seem to remain tethered almos...

  The Prodigal God , written by Timothy Keller, is a profound exploration of the parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15. Keller through the story reveals that both sons—the younger and the elder—are spiritually lost. He shows that Jesus’ parable is directed at two audiences: the “sinners” (the younger brother) and the religious leaders (the elder brother). Keller’s central insight is that the gospel is not merely for the rebellious and wayward. Keller urges readers to see the gospel as a message of grace for everyone. As I read chapter 2 attentively, I encountered a profound and eye-opening insight. Keller writes, “The Greek word translated as ‘property’ here is the word bios, which means life… To lose part of your land was to lose part of yourself and a major share of your standing in the community… This younger brother, then, is asking his father to tear his life apart. And the father does so, for the love of his son.” I had never been aware of this deeper cultural and...

  1 Samuel 4: 1b-22 Last month was a storm for me and my family. Wave after wave of depression and anxiety hit me. Darkness kept closing in. I cried out to God to lift it. But I didn’t realize the Holy Spirit in me was grieved. For I had sinned against my brother Jack. I misunderstood him deeply. Whenever that topic came up, I shut down. I could talk with him about other things, but my heart grew cold when that issue surfaced. Bitterness took root. It got worse. During our book discussion, I didn’t want to hear him—I even avoided looking at him. I was bitter. And though I kept reading Scripture and praying each morning, my prayers felt unheard. They became an offense to God because I was holding onto bitterness. So, the depression stayed. Joy vanished. Peace disappeared. Darkness covered me—because the Holy Spirit was grieved. In 1 Samuel 4, the nation Israel was also going through like I have recently gone through... At this point in Israel’s history, Eli and his sons—Ho...