Galatians 2:15-21: Seeking Justification in Christ (Part 2)
We will never become sinless as long as we live in these bodies, but, in Christ, we will learn to sin less as justified sinners through the process of justification […]
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Galatians 2:15-21: Seeking Justification in Christ (Part 1)
Good works we do in obedience to God as a result of our justification should never be confused with the reason for our justification. Galatians 2:15-21: We ourselves are Jews […]
Galatians 2:11-16: Jesus, the Justification for All
We need to learn to lean on Jesus’s justification in all situations and not our own justification based on good works and ethical code.
Galatians 2:6-14: Self-Condemnation
No matter where we are, our presence should oppose ungodly behaviors and attitudes to avoid self-condemnation. Sometimes it may mean opposing a fellow believer.
Galatians 2:1-10: When Not to Yield
Paul shows the Galatians when not to yield their faith. Galatians 2:1-10: Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I […]
Galatians 1:6-12: Deserting God
In Galatians 1:6-12, we find ways to test if you are deserting God, and how to be vigilant as you deal with small spiritual icebergs.
Galatians 1:1-5: The Power of Grace
In Galatians, Paul responds to false teachers by providing a defense of the power of grace against reliance on following the law.
Philemon 1:24-25: Perspective on Grace, Part 2
In Philemon, Paul offers a unique perspective on grace. Because we have received grace freely, we must offer grace freely to others.
Philemon 1:24-25: Perspective on Grace, Part 1
In Philemon, Paul offers a unique perspective on grace. If we understand God’s undeserved forgiveness of us, we must extend grace to others also.
Urgent Need: Flooding in Pakistan
This year, severe seasonal flooding in Pakistan during the monsoon season has devastated my home country. Here’s how you can send support.
Philemon 1:21-23: Perspective on Obedience
In Philemon, Paul offers a unique perspective on obedience. Do we put obedience to Christ first? Can others testify to that?
Philemon 1:17-20: Perspective on Partnership
In Philemon, Paul offers a unique perspective on partnership. God does not force us to partner with him, but rather he invites us to share in the work of the Gospel, which does not discriminate.
Philemon 1:8-16: Perspective on Service
In Philemon, Paul’s perspective on service shows us that agape love, not obligation or guilt, should motivate us to serve God and others.
Philemon 1:4-7: Perspective on Fellowship
The idea of Christian fellowship in the Bible necessitates mutual participation, contribution, and sharing of life and faith in all seasons whether joyful or painful.
Philemon 1:1-3: Perspective on Love
Agape love changes our perspective on our circumstances in life and the challenges of life. When we are committed to the Gospel love we can be assured that God will turn our life challenges into an opportunity to love Christ more and love His people more.
Why Colossians Is So Relevant to Our Era
Earlier this year, I preached through the book of Colossians at my church, First Baptist Church Metuchen, focusing on two questions. 1) Does truth matter in this day and age? […]
Philemon Sermon Series – Spiritually Free
Philemon is a unique letter about the how the Gospel changes our perspective on life and gives us hope for reconciliation and forgiveness.
The Five Cs of Christmas That Every Christian Should Know
During the Christmas season many take shots at the origin, meaning, and purpose of this day and post articles, videos, and arguments against or for Christmas on the internet. I thought it would be appropriate to go a little beyond the traditional stories to address the elephant in the room that is the origin of Christmas day, and to try to distinguish it from the purpose and meaning of Christmas that we celebrate as believers.
Good News Friday Guest Post for the Do Good Better Blog
Every week, Rachel Pieh Jones, the author of Pillars: How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus, writes a Good News Friday post on her blog, Do Good Better. She celebrates good things that happened in the past week to remind us that there is light amongst all the darkness.
Last Friday, I guest-wrote the Good News Friday post and shared a variety of positive stories about education, interfaith relations, and Pakistanis fighting blasphemy laws.
Thanksgiving is a Great Time to Focus on the Family
November is a very special month for me. Arius was born in November (he’ll be 5 this Friday), thus, this is the month that I became a father. Being a father is a privilege and great responsibility. I have learned so many things about my relationship with God the Father that I would not have learned otherwise.
Impartiality in the Church of Christ
At first, I didn’t want to be bothered. I didn’t want to just give him money because I wasn’t sure what he would use it on, even though he held a gas can. I just needed to finish the sermon, which of course was on loving your neighbor and showing mercy instead of judgment.
Our Urban Voices Podcast Now Streaming
The Our Urban Voices Podcast is now streaming wherever you get your podcasts. For the first episode, I spoke with Pastor Boto Joseph of Jackson Heights Community Church about his journey from India to ministry in ‘Little India’ in Jackson Heights, Queens—the most ethnically diverse community in New York City.
How to Prepare a Congregation for a Transition of Leadership
A healthy transition is strongly correlated to the health of a congregation and its leadership. Further, a church’s capacity for a healthy transition can reveal more just the health of a church and its leadership. It tells how deep the congregation’s trust is in the Lord, and whether or not it is prepared to acknowledge God’s leading when a new pastor is elected.
How to Know If You Are Ready for a Senior Pastorate
As a first-generation Pakistani immigrant in the US, I knew I would need more than the usual qualifications and experience necessary if I was to pursue a Baptist senior pastorate, especially during a global pandemic. What I needed was a miracle—the hand of God in action.
The Overturned Conviction for Daniel Pearl’s Murder, and Where to Place Blame in Pakistan
Imran Khan’s government is intentionally distancing Pakistan from its traditional allies, Saudi Arabia and the United States, in favor of Turkey and China. But replacing the United States with China is premature.
Podcast Launch Update: November 2
At long last, I’m excited to announce the new podcast launch date! The first episode will be available the early morning of Tuesday, November 2.
Is God Impartial to Everyone or Only to Christians?
The Kingdom people, followers of Christ who submit to the authority of God’s Word, should never show favoritism in the church. This raises the question: what about those who are outside the church? Well, we may want to answer this with another question: is our God impartial to everyone or only to those who are members of God’s household?
How Do We Deal with Painful News?
One of the sisters who attends our church had been battling cancer for five years, and now she has been told that this is it. She has been sent to hospice. This wonderful sister in the Lord was not bitter that her life is being cut short, but she was grieving over the fact that her expected departure from this world will break her children’s hearts.
Eternally Safe & Secure in Christ: Calvinism vs. Dispensationalism
Both Calvinists and Dispensationalists believe that the Christian is eternally secure in Christ. However, these two groups have different understandings of biblical faith, and which kind of faith is associated with our security in Christ. Pastor and dispensational theologian Charles Stanley believes that a saving faith might not be one that endures.
New Things Ahead: Accepting a Senior Pastorate
It goes without saying that if church leadership is healthy, the church will be healthy, and when the church is healthy, they follow Christ. Whenever change comes, they lean on Christ in and through the change.
