Articles that address the process of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ for the glory of God and for the sake of others (II Corinthians 3:17-18).
When you have friends or family making drastic changes and you feel panic or want to change with them, before doing or saying anything, remember that you aren’t saved by your right theology or lifestyle—you are saved by the grace of Christ. You aren’t even saved by your belief in being saved by grace—you are saved by the grace of Christ.
What if it’s okay to get the things that weren’t clearly addressed wrong? What if God isn’t expecting us to know all the nuances that arise when we consider the elements not mentioned? And what if Christians could stop trying to hold other Christians to their understanding of those unspoken words?
As I listen to story after story, I realize the church has a crisis of relationships—we have a crisis of connection. We don’t stay at a church because of what it believes. We stay where we develop relationships. We stay where we find community.
What if the feelings and tensions we feel at the surface—too focused on externals, not allowed to use instruments, too robotic, not kind enough—are actually pricking at something much deeper in our souls that we don’t have the words to describe…so we use the word life?
We are all shaped by way more than we realize when it comes to how think about the Bible, about God, and about life.
When I listen to those who are leaving, I hear of young people whose parents never allowed them to question what the church did; or who, when they decided to leave, were told they were a great disappointment to their parents.
The fact that God uses government to accomplish his purposes does not allow us an excuse for ignoring the assignment he gave his disciples. If government reform were the way to redeem the world, he would have told us. But he didn’t.
My choice to not vote isn’t because I don’t think God wants to see a government that honors him. Rather, I don’t vote because Christ has set a clear example that we are to be caught up in another kind of work.
Does Jesus set an example for us to use politics in building the Kingdom of God? Is Romans 13 God’s stamp of approval upon his people participating in government? Did Jesus (and the apostles) not address political involvement because they lived during a time where they couldn’t vote?
I didn’t vote during these last elections. In fact, I have never voted. My choice not to vote is more than following a church tradition—it’s fundamental to my faith. Let me explain.
I can hardly believe it. My new book, Live Free, is out today!
If you long for true freedom, if you want to be able to look yourself in the mirror and not feel ashamed of what you do or have done behind closed doors, don’t miss this series.
Author Asher Witmer knows what it’s like to want freedom from sexual sin only to continually fail. We’re often told we need more personal discipline, that we need to think godly things instead of fleshly things.
What if I told you that discipline won’t solve your problem with lust?
Our male sexuality is given by God for advancing beauty and goodness. But somewhere along the line it becomes something that causes devastation and guilt. The good news is we don’t have to live with guilt. In Live Free, Asher Witmer shows us how we can find freedom from sexual sin, live with nothing to hide, and be able to fight for others.
