A Paralytic's Pilgrimage

Sanctification often times feels like dying. Dying, because the old man is in fact being put to death by the Spirit. Part of growing in holiness is mortification. A grace-induced mortification of the flesh. Deep within my regenerate soul is the cunning old man, cowering as he is dealt lethal blows. This is a gracious work of the Holy Spirit. While it feels like God is killing me, He is actually saving me. The resulting pain is a reminder of the love of God. For in love, He set me apart to be holy and blameless like Him. He is actively working in my life to restore in me the 'Imago Dei' - the image of God that was marred by Adam’s sin and mine. The life I now in the flesh I live by faith in Jesus Christ, who loved me gave Himself for me. I am the disciple whom Jesus loved. He set his affection on me before the ages began - not because I am worthy, but precisely because I am unworthy. His love for me is from everlasting to everlasting. His love awakened me from the rotten de...

The Trinitarian God of the Bible is the most basic and majestic Being in the universe. He is basic in that He is foundational to everything that exists. From Him, and through Him are all things . The laws of physics and reason exist, because He is. He is majestic in that He is far beyond the comprehension of any created being, whether angels or human beings. His ways are unsearchable and inscrutable. He is in the heavens, and He does all that He pleases according to the council of His will. He does all things for the glory of His name. He is loving and He is just. He is holy and He is merciful . He is sovereign over all things in life and death, and there’s no maverick molecule in the universe. He is also a relational God. Between the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit exists Tri-unity, a love that cannot be described in anthropomorphic terms. To showcase that love, and His other attributes, God sent mankind into the world. We were created to draw and drink from Him. But we for...

If you've known me awhile, you're probably aware of my speech issues. Over the past few months God has been teaching me to “bridle” my tongue, to use James’ language.  Like most learning periods, this surely has been a trying one. But thanks be to God for His continuous patience with me. He is faithful to have not let me continue in my tendencies to be dishonest, prideful, and hurtful with my tongue. I am thankful that His love for me is steadfast, and that He does not let me flee the fold – for He bought me for Himself at the cost of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the Word of God that thoroughly convicts me and help me grow.  One of the means God has used me to help me grow is the book of James. Interestingly, I had to give a talk at a campus ministry tonight on James 3:1-12. James, the half brother of Jesus, addresses what is the longest section on the tongue in all of New Testament: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who ...

Last week, I stumbled across one of the most depressing songs I’ve ever heard on the interwebs. It’s called ‘My Least Favorite Life” by Lera Lynn. I’ll be honest – I found myself identifying with parts of the song. In a world marred by sin and its consequences, there’s an underlying human restlessness. This restlessness is universal in the sense that it affects every human soul regardless of age, race, social stature and other constructs. Until We Find Rest On top of this default condition of human restlessness, there’s added sorrow and groaning as results of poverty, opulence, wars, lost relationships, deaths of loved ones, and sicknesses as life goes on. Often we are left stumped by such circumstances and find ourselves utterly helpless. In order to forgo these circumstances some of us seek release in the form of alcohol, drugs, sex and violence. Most of us try escaping these realities by keeping ourselves busy, joining meditation groups, yoga classes, and taking vacations. Yet...

I just realised only recently, that I have been singing David Crowder's recent song 'My Victory' all wrong. It's a beautiful song put together by Darren Mulligan, Ed Cash and David Crowder himself. The lyrics of the song juxtaposes the beautiful ironies of the cross: A Holy Sacrifice - for the Unholy Mankind The Symbol of Death, - Giving Life to those who Believe The Death and Resurrection of Christ, - ultimately Defeating Hell and Death  If you aren’t allergic to contemporary folktronica, I recommend that you listen to it. Due to my hearing difficulties as an aging individual, I have been singing the last line of the chorus as "What the cross meant to kill is my victory” as opposed to "A cross meant to kill is my victory". There are glaring differences between my deafened version (no bloating intended) and that of Crowder's but both carry important truths about Christ's ultimate atonement for mankind.  Growing ...

I woke up Wednesday morning after 3 long hours of sleep to a variety of messages on social media. I noticed heavy mourning among some voters and also came across a barrage of celebratory posts from some friends. However, I was caught by surprise when I came across posts that read along the lines of "We (Christians) won", "Lock her up", "Thank you Jesus", "Revenge of the fallen", "Take that, Satan", etc. from fellow friends and believers. As a Christian, part of me rejoices in the fact that the election of Donald Trump will put a dent or a halt to the progressive agenda. I rejoice because I believe this Republican platform  pledged to focus on fighting issues like abortion, religious liberty (especially that of the persecuted church), political corruption, etc. But part of me also mourns this results because I feel a sense of decay in Christianity in America. I write this not because I intend to vilify the evangelical church of Ame...