By Thomas H. Duke “Salt” describes the penetrating impact on sinful humanity of the lives Christians live. Who they are in Christ and what they do because of it – summarized in the Beatitudes – opposes the godlessness of Adam’s race with a holy savor that … [Read more] about GOOD FOR NOTHING CHRISTIANITY
By Thomas H. Duke In describing Christian influence, Jesus used two metaphors, not one, to encompass fully the nature and target of that influence. Christians are both “salt” and “light.” They are not just “salt” or not just “light.” Each metaphor has a … [Read more] about Christian Salt
By Stormy Penn It is no secret that our country is severely lacking in good leadership at the moment. The question is what are WE the People going to do about it? WE can no longer sit and wait for our elected officials to lead. WE must take up the mantle, … [Read more] about Rise to the Occasion and BE the Leaders
Salt and Light Impact: Christian Influence, Part II In Part 1 of Christian Influence, I said the most important difference between Christian influence and worldly influence is a Christian’s “new” life in Christ. It would be impossible to exaggerate how great … [Read more] about Salt and Light Impact: Christian Influence, Part II
In our day, it would be good for Christians to remind themselves of the influence they were created in Christ Jesus to have in the world. I am aware of the shocking and accelerating spiritual and moral decay in America. I am also aware that, for the most … [Read more] about CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE – PART 1
There are difficult ironies in the final Beatitude, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Mt. 5:10. For instance, the same righteousness for which the new man hungers and thirsts, which alone … [Read more] about HAPPY ARE THE BULLIED
By Thomas H. Duke Jesus identifies three related ways the new man’s intense spiritual desire – his hunger and thirst – for righteousness actually produces God-glorifying, soul-satisfying righteous living [Mt. 5:6]. First, as the new man in … [Read more] about HAPPY ARE THE IMITATORS
By Thomas H. Duke The new man’s hunger and thirst for righteousness [Mt. 5:6] changes the way he relates to others. Now he is moved by deep compassion for them to help ease the earthly misery of sin and, through the gospel, to offer them release from its … [Read more] about HAPPY ARE THE HEAVENLY-MINDED
By Thomas H. Duke The next three Beatitudes [Mt. 5:7 – 9] answer the question, “What happens to the new man as he hungers and thirsts for righteousness? He becomes merciful, pure in heart and a peacemaker. Why these three qualities only? Why not … [Read more] about HAPPY ARE THE HELPERS
By Thomas H. Duke Photo by Timna RutledgeNew life in Christ awakens a hunger and thirst for righteousness. The phrase “hunger and thirst” emphasizes the power of this new spiritual desire. For the new man, it is no longer physical desire, but the … [Read more] about Happy Are THE DESPERATE, Part II
