Darkened Glass Reflections

Category: Christian Life

  • The Two Sides of Discipleship—Luke 10:38–42

    When a Mary rises from the feet of Jesus and brings His presence into the world by serving others like Martha would, discipleship is complete.

  • Cheap Grace or Transforming Grace?

    “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

  • All Have Sinned—Romans 3:21–25

    All Have Sinned—Romans 3:21–25

    Several of my recent posts have addressed the believer’s need for confession and repentance. These do not tell the full story of salvation. However, they lay a firm foundation for one to come to faith in Jesus Christ. True Christian faith must begin from the perspective expressed in Romans 3:23—“all have sinned and fall short…

  • Repentance Brings God Joy—Luke 15:7

    Repentance Brings God Joy—Luke 15:7

    It does not matter how far you have wandered, or in what kind of mire you have soiled your soul. Forgiveness is available. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is seeking you. Run into His arms for protection and preservation. He is looking for a reason to celebrate.

  • Confession and Freedom—Proverbs 28:13

    Confession is the first step to freedom. Before we can live the victorious Christian life, we have to admit that we are failing. More importantly, we need to admit to God where and how we are failing. Then, He can guide us out of our darkness into the full experience of His light.

  • Confession and Deliverance—James 5:16

    Confession and Deliverance—James 5:16

    When one believer has admitted his sins to another, they should pray for deliverance and for the power to resist temptation. Confession is the first step to repentance, restoration, and deliverance. Your prayers are the greatest tool you have to bring this to fruition.

  • The Soul Abhors a Vacuum—Matthew 12:43–45

    The Soul Abhors a Vacuum—Matthew 12:43–45

    Those in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction may understand this passage very well, along with others who have fought the battle against life-controlling issues. “Out with the old” is not enough: We have to welcome the new things God has for us.

  • Tempted from Within—James 1:13–15

    “The devil made me do it.” Those words were made famous by Flip Wilson’s brash female character, Geraldine Jones. They have been repeated by numerous people, including many Christians. They echo Eve’s excuse for eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

  • Fulfillment of the Law—Matthew 5:17-20

    Matthew 5:17-20 reminds us the Jesus has fulfilled the law of God. The entire law is summed up in loving God and your neighbor. Because it is love, the New Covenant in Christ calls us to a higher standard.

  • Judge Not

    Jesus’ instruction, “Do not judge,” is frequently abused, since those who are in open rebellion against God quote it out of context. Regrettably, many Christians have swallowed the bait of falsehood that has been presented to them.