Promises for the Battle
Doug Knighton
Transformation #7—Specialized Transformation
To each one of us Christ graciously gave a gift … for the equipping of the saints for the work of service: the building up of the body of Christ; until we all reach the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God. Ephesians 4:7–13 We all began as babies; but today … Continue reading
Transformation #6—Beneficial Transformation
To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the benefit of all. 1 Corinthians 12:7 First, creation; then, recreation. When God first assigned human beings the task of exercising authority over creation as his representatives, he intended for us to continue subduing chaos so that he, and we, could label the end … Continue reading
Transformation #5—Fearful Transformation
Evil individuals are rebellious to the core. They do not fear God, for they are too proud. The words of their mouths are treacherous and troubling; they never consider doing good … How happy is the person who fears Yahweh, who takes great delight in obeying his commands. Psalm 36:1–3; 112:1 Fearing God will transform … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About a Good Reason to Rejoice at Easter
Sometimes the answer to the question Why celebrate Jesus’ resurrection? focuses on the forgiveness of our sin. That is a good reason to celebrate. Knowing that God no longer holds our sin against us, because Jesus cleared God’s name of any charge of unjustly doing good to those who deserve punishment, should take a load … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Humble Exultation
Because the gospel writers frame their narratives differently, we sometimes need to weave them together in order to see the big picture. Only Luke reprises Jesus’ parable about the noble who went to a distant land in order to receive the authority to rule as king. Because he was near to Jerusalem, and because his … Continue reading
Transformation #4—Holy Transformation
Fix your hopes totally on the grace which will be yours when Jesus Christ reappears. As obedient children, do not conform yourselves to what you desired when you were ignorant, but, like the Holy One who called you, you be holy in all your behavior. 1 Peter 1:14–15 Almighty God, who was revealed through the … Continue reading
Transformation #3—Transforming Thoughts
Do not conform yourselves to our current culture. Rather, transform yourself by renewing your mind so you can experientially confirm what the will of God is—that which is good, soul-satisfying and well-designed. Romans 12:2 Picture an ox-drawn wagon traveling down a wet dirt road; then another cart and another and another … Imagine how deep … Continue reading
Transformation #2—Glorious Transformation
With unveiled faces, we who are beholding the glory of the Lord in the gospel of the glory of Christ—who is the image of God—are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18 It seems to be a natural law that we become like those we admire. After all, imitation … Continue reading
Transformation #1—Purposeful Transformation
When Jesus calls us to follow him, he’s not just inviting us to go where he’s going; he’s challenging us to imitate him while we walk through life with him. When we respond to him, we agree to begin a process of transformation called discipleship. But as we look at the first disciples, we see … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Defeating Covetousness
The Bible teaches that certain attitudes of mind and heart give Satan a foothold in our lives. For example, Ephesians 4:26–27 says that to allow anger against others to persist is to give place to the devil. 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 urges us to cast down all those attitudes (“arguments”) which scorn the knowledge of God. … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 