I want to say ‘thank you’ to each and every one of you for your support! I know the internet if full of blogs and articles, so I consider it an honor anyone someone takes the time to read from “Growing in Grace.” Since we all like end of the year lists, I thought you might be interested in the ten most viewed articles of 2021:
10. Three Dangers of an Over-Realized Eschatology
If we don’t understand this tension, we are liable to get an incorrect balance. When we assume blessings that are “not yet,” meaning they will not be realized until the return of Christ, it’s called “over-realized eschatology.” While this might seem to some a meaningless, impractical error, it actually reveals itself in very practical ways. Here are three dangers of an over-realized eschatology…
9. Walking the Streets of Gold
Last week I preached the funeral of a dear friend and sister in Christ. The Lord used her as a constant reminder of his amazing grace to me and so many others. I knew her as Mrs. Jo, and she passed away at the age of ninety-eight.
8. What Does it Mean to Glorify God
Christians often talk about ‘glorifying God,’ but what does it really mean? We know passages like Psalm 29:2, ‘Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name…’ and 1 Corinthians 10:31, ‘So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.’ How do I eat and drink to the glory of God?
7. When You Can’t See God Working
Do you wonder if God is at work in your life? You feel like you’re going through the motions, yet God’s hand seems to have vanished.
6. A Greater Longing
Our greatest desire guides every decision we make. When faced with options, we will choose what we want and what we perceive to provide the greatest benefit. Oftentimes, we have competing desires and we’ll make our choice based on the greatest desire in that moment.
5. Uniquely Gifted: Overcoming Comparison
Comparison has been around forever but it seems more powerful in a digital age. In the past, our comparisons were limited to people we knew “in real life.” Now, we can compare ourselves to just about anyone in the world. The temptation for comparison follows us wherever we go.
4. Seven Evidences of a Spirit-Led Life
What comes to mind when someone says they are Spirit-led? Your answer will likely depend on your experience and what you’ve been taught. For some, it will conjure up images of some highly emotional experience. Others might imagine a quiet prayer warrior or someone with a servant’s heart. If it’s true that “as many as are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God,” then it should be an important question for all of us to consider.
3. Should We Pursue Unity At All Costs?
Are there priorities that we should place even above unity? Should our pursuit of unity be at all costs, or is there something else we should pursue even at the expense of a supposed unity?
2. Why Does Hell Exist?
When Scripture talks about the realities of hell, it almost seems too much to bear. Burning, stinking sulfur tormenting forever and ever with no rest or reprieve. I can’t imagine keeping just my finger on an iron for more than a few seconds, so complete torment with no end is absolutely unimaginable to me.
Is such punishment too extreme? Does my selfishness or pride really deserve such treatment? How can God be loving and send someone to hell?
1. The Dreaded Answer
Waiting and trusting are closely connected. I can say I trust God, but when the answer seems delayed and the waiting tarries, the true nature of whether or not I trust is revealed. When he tells us to wait, he’s not necessarily saying ‘no,’ but it just may not be the right time. Anytime the Lord calls us to wait, there’s a good reason for it.
