I Will Help You

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Dana Dill
C.H. Spurgeon | 1834 - 1892

C.H. Spurgeon | 1834 – 1892

Charles Haddon Spurgeon:

“Let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: ‘I will help you.  It is but a small thing for me, your God, to help you.  Consider what I have done already.  What! not help you?  Why, I bought you with my blood.  What! Not help you?  I have died for you; and if I have done the greater, will I not do the less?  Help you!  It is the least thing I will ever do for you.  I have done more, and will do more.  Before the world began I chose you.  I made the covenant for you.  I laid aside my glory and became a man for you, I gave up my life for you; and if I did all this, I will surely help you now.  In helping you, I am giving you what I have bought for you already.  If you had need of a thousand times as much help, I would give it to you; you require little compared with what I am ready to give.  ’Tis much for you to need, but it is nothing for me to bestow.  Help you?  Fear not!  If there were an ant at the door of your granary asking for help, it would not ruin you to give him a handful of your wheat; and you are nothing but a tiny insect at the door of my all-sufficiency.  I will help you.’

O my soul, is not this enough?  Do you need more strength than the omnipotence of the United Trinity?  Do you want more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Spirit?  Bring here your empty pitcher!  Surely this well will fill it.  Haste, gather up your needs, and bring them here – your emptiness, your woes, your needs.  Behold, this river of God is full for your supply; what can you desire beside?  Go forth, my soul, in this your might.  The Eternal God is your helper.”

HT: Matt Papa

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He Made an Example Out of Him

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Dana Dill

AN EXAMPLE FOR CRIMINALS TO FEAR

"At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul." Acts 7:57-58

“At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” Acts 7:57-58

There is an idea that many fear: to be made an example out of when we have done wrong. This is to receive a particular kind of punishment that often is severe and unrelenting so that other potential law breakers can see what happened to you and resolve to not follow the same course. For example, say you were caught cheating on a test, but beyond punishing you, your teacher wanted to make an example out of you in order to scare straight the potential cheaters of the future, instead of giving you a zero on the test, he may do something much more severe such as dropping you from the class, suspending you or even appealing that you be expelled. Upon seeing what happened to you, others would be more inclined to avoid cheating given what happened to you for you have been made an example of.

This idea is not new to teachers in today’s age, but has been an important strategy for all authorities in restraining people from doing wrong. In fact, the Roman cross, of the kind that Jesus was crucified on, was meant to be an example maker to the criminals of the ancient world. The cross was designed to be public, gruesome, violent, painful and to take a very long time in killing its victims. In this way, people were daily exposed to the reality and severity of punishment for criminals. The cross was made to make examples of criminals and reveal that Rome will punish with power.

However, although being made an example of often is thought of in terms of punishment and pain, it can be used to the contrary…

AN EXAMPLE FOR CRIMINALS TO CHERISH

Who can think of a greater sinner than Paul (who was called Saul before He was saved, but I will refer to him as Paul for clarity)? Saul cursed God and His people, mocked the cross of Jesus, and even made it his goal to put believers behind bars and to death. No doubt, Paul was one who approved of Jesus’ own crucifixion, who thought about it with glee, but he thought too that all of Christ’s followers should suffer the same fate. For Paul, it was not enough that Christ suffered and died, but His followers must as well.

However, to this man grace was offered and applied (see Acts 9). Why? The reasons are infinite, however I’ll highlight one. Jesus saved Paul so He could show the world how great his patience is; extending even to those who deeply hate Him and His people. When we ask Paul, “Why did Jesus show you mercy?” His answer is…

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

In other words, Jesus made an example out of Paul. Not in the way of punishment, but in the way of grace. An example to criminals everywhere of the unspeakable grace of the King. Jesus saved Paul so the world may have proof of His great patience and willingness to forgive even the worst of sinners.

What does the world see in the example Christ made out of Paul? In Paul’s salvation, the world witnesses God’s grace to the worst of sinners. The sinners with Christian blood on their hands. In Paul, the world puts it’s hand over it’s mouth and looks on with awe that God, “Would give His only Son, To make a wretch His treasure.” In Paul, the hungriest men see Christ with food in hand, the guiltiest men see Christ willing to pardon and justify, the men who are furthest from God’s house hear Christ say, “I have prepared a place for you in my home.” In Paul, the riches of Jesus’ grace are displayed and the depths of love are revealed. Through giving Paul grace, Jesus speaks clearly to a guilty world, “I freely all forgive.”

The Roman cross was an example to criminals of the punishment that awaits them if they decide to continue in their crimes. The salvation of Paul was (and still is) an example to criminals of the grace that awaits them if they decide to repent and turn to Christ. One is an example of punishment, the other is an example of patient and powerful love. One tells you stop. The other beckons you come. One cries, “Death awaits,” the other proclaims, “Love is here.”

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Simple Tips for Self-Discipline

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Dana Dill

disciplineThe Christian life requires great effort. Does that make you nervous? If it does, then read this, but this post isn’t about Christian effort, it is about how to grow in self-discipline.

Over at the Grace to You website, there is a small article I thought would benefit the youth of my church (actually any Christian at all). The article is a list of tips to develop self-discipline. I know quite a few young men (in particular) that desperately need to grow in the realm of self-discipline and I know that this is an ever important topic for all Christians to grasp well. Pastor MacArthur gives a brief explanation of his list:

“These practical suggestions may not seem to involve any deep spiritual principles. Yet you cannot split your life into the secular and the spiritual. Instead you must live every aspect of your life to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). And self-discipline cultivated in the seemingly mundane things of life will spill over into the spiritual realm.”

Here are his simple points to help you to that end:

START WITH THE SMALL THINGS. Clean your room at home or your desk at work. Train yourself to put things where they belong when they are out of place. Make the old adage “A place for everything and everything in its place” your motto. After you’ve cleaned your room or desk, extend that discipline of neatness to the rest of your house and workplace…Learning self-discipline in the little things of life prepares the way for big successes. On the other hand, those who are undisciplined in small matters will likely be undisciplined in more important issues.

GET ORGANIZED. Make a schedule, however detailed or general you are comfortable with, and stick to it. Have a to-do list of things you need to accomplish. Using a daily planning book or a personal information manager program on your computer would be helpful. But get organized, even if all you do is jot down appointments and to-do items on a piece of scrap paper. The simple reality is that if you don’t control your time, everything (and everyone) else will.

DON’T CONSTANTLY SEEK TO BE ENTERTAINED. When you have free time, do things that are productive instead of merely entertaining. Read a good book, listen to classical music, take a walk, or have a conversation with someone. In other words, learn to entertain yourself with things that are challenging, stimulating, and creative. Things that are of no value except to entertain you make a very small contribution to your well-being.

BE ON TIME. If you’re supposed to be somewhere at a specific time, be there on time…Being punctual marks a life that is organized. It reveals a person whose desires, activities, and responsibilities are under control. Being on time also acknowledges the importance of other people and the value of their time.

KEEP YOUR WORD. If you say you’re going to do something, do it–when you said you would do it and how you said you would do it. When you make commitments, see them through. That calls for the discipline to properly evaluate whether you have the time and capability to do something. And once you’ve made the commitment, self-discipline will enable you to keep it.

DO THE MOST DIFFICULT TASK FIRST. Most people do just the opposite, spending their time doing the easier, low priority tasks. But when they run out of time (and energy), the difficult, high-priority tasks are left undone.

FINISH WHAT YOU START. Some people’s lives are a sad litany of unfinished projects. In the words of poet John Greenleaf Whittier, For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: “It might have been!” If you start something, finish it. Therein lies an important key to developing self-discipline.

ACCEPT CORRECTION GLADLY. Correction helps you develop self-discipline by showing you what you need to avoid. Thus, it should not be rejected, but accepted gladly. (Prov. 19:20; 15:31-32).

PRACTICE SELF-DENIAL. Learn to say no to your feelings and impulses. Occasionally deny yourself pleasures that are perfectly legitimate for you to enjoy. Skip dessert after a meal. Drink a glass of iced tea instead of having that banana split that you love. Don’t eat that doughnut that caught your eye. Refraining from those things will remind your body who is in charge.

WELCOME RESPONSIBILITY. Volunteer to do things that need to be done. That will force you to have your life organized enough to have the time for such projects.

Remember the instructions of Paul, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

You can read the whole post here.

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Christianity is War

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Dana Dill
J.C. Ryle 1816-1900 | Sporting one of the best beards Christendom has to offer.

J.C. Ryle 1816-1900 | Sporting one of the best beards Christendom has to offer.

Christianity is war.

I needed to be reminded of this truth and my old friend J.C. Ryle was there to jam it into my soul once again. I find myself referring young Christians to this sermon often; especially when they begin to feel the effects of the battle they have found themselves in as Christians.

I think you’ll see why…

J.C. Ryle:

The true Christian is called to be a soldier, and must behave as such from the day of his conversion to the day of his death, he is not meant to live a life of religious ease, indolence, and security, He must never imagine for a moment that he can sleep and dose along the way to heaven, like one traveling in an easy carriage. If he takes his standard of Christianity from the children of this world he may be content with such thinking, but he will find no agreement in the Word of God. If the Bible is the rule of his faith and practice, he will find his lines laid down very plainly in this matter. He must “fight.”

What do the Scriptures say? “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12).… Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:8). “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:11-13). “Strive to enter in at the strait gate” (Luke 13:24). “Labour for the meat that endureth unto everlasting life” (Luke 13:24). “Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matt. 10:84). “He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one” (Luke 22:36). “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:18). “War a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience” (1 Tim. 1:18-19). Words such as these appear to me clear, plain and unmistakable. They all teach one and the same great lesson, if we are willing to receive it. That lesson is, that true Christianity is a struggle, a fight, and a warfare.

Reader, consider well what I have been saying. Take care that your own personal religion is real, genuine, and true. The saddest symptom about many so-called Christians, is the utter absence of anything like conflict and fight in their Christianity. They eat, they drink, they dress, they work, they amuse themselves, they get money, they spend money, they go through a scanty round of formal religious services once every week. But of the great spiritual warfare—its watchings and strugglings, its agonies and anxieties, its battles and contests—of all this they appear to know nothing at all. Take care that this case is not your own. The worst state of soul is when the “strong man armed keeps his palace, and his goods are at peace,” when he leads men and women “captive at his will,” and they make no resistance. The worst chains are those which are neither felt nor seen by the prisoner. (Luke 11:21; 2 Tim. 2:26).

Reader, take comfort about your soul, if you know anything of an inward fight and conflict. It is not everything, I am well aware, but it is something. Do you find in your heart of hearts a spiritual struggle? Do you feel anything of the flesh lusting against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh, so that you cannot do the things you would? (Gal. 5:17). Are you conscious of two principles within you, contending for the mastery? Do you see anything of war in your inward man? Well, thank God for it! It is a good sign. It is evidence not to be despised. Anything is better than apathy, stagnation, deadness, and indifference. You are in a better state than many. The most part of so-called Christians have no feeling at all. You are evidently no friend of Satan. Like the kings of this world, he wars not against his own subjects. The very fact that he assaults you, should fill your mind with hope. Reader, I say again, take comfort, the child of God has two great marks about him, and of these two you have one. HE MAY BE KNOWN BY HIS INWARD WARFARE, AS WELL AS BY HIS INWARD PEACE.

I encourage you to read the whole sermon from which these excerpts are pulled. I also encourage you to read Ryle’s other writings; some of which you can access online for free here. If you are going to read one book from Ryle, make sure it is this one. You won’t regret it. I guarantee it.

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If Satan Took Over Philadelphia

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Dana Dill

Philadelphia-Skyline-1Michael Horton:

What would things look like if Satan really took control of a city? Over a half century ago, Presbyterian minister Donald Grey Barnhouse offered his own scenario in his weekly sermon that was also broadcast nationwide on CBS radio. Barnhouse speculated that if Satan took over Philadelphia, all of the bars would be closed, pornography banished, and pristine streets would be filled with tidy pedestrians who smiled at each other. There would be no swearing. The children would say, “Yes, sir” and “No, ma’am,” and the churches would be full every Sunday…where Christ is not preached.

— Christless Christianity, p. 15. (You can read the first chapter online for free.)

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Eternity in Common

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Dana Dill
jc_ryle21

J.C. Ryle | 1816-1900

Jesus has saved us into a family called the Church. As a new Christian, one does not only gain a new Father, a new Savior, and a new Spirit who dwells within them, but they have gained new brothers and sister and moms and dads (1 Tim. 5:1). By being in Christ, we have been adopted into a new family. Praise God!

As it is with all families we share much in common even when, on the outside, it may not seem like it. In his book Practical Religion, J.C. Ryle speaks about the family resemblance Christians share with one another, no matter how much they don’t have in common. As you read this, think about your own experience. What is it like when you meet Christians who are different from you in many ways, yet seem like they have been life long friends?

J.C Ryle:

This family likeness among true believers is a thing that deserves special attention. To my own mind it is one of the strongest indirect evidences of the truth of Christianity. It is one of the greatest proofs of the reality of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Some true Christians live in civilized countries, and some in the midst of heathen lands.

Some are highly educated, and some are unable to read a single letter of the alphabet.

Some are rich and some are poor.

Some are old and some are young.

And yet, despite all these differences, there is a marvelous oneness of heart and character among them. Their joys and their sorrows, their love and their hatred, their likes and their dislikes, their preferences and their aversions, their hopes and their fears, are all most curiously alike. Let others think what they please, I see in all this the finger of God. His handiwork is always one and the same. No wonder that true Christians are compared to “a family.”

Take a converted Englishman and a converted Indian, and let them suddenly meet for the first time. I will ensure you, if they can understand one another’s language, they will soon find common ground between them, and feel at home. The one may have been brought up at Oxford, and enjoyed every privilege of English civilization. The other may have been trained in the midst of gross heathenism, and accustomed to habits, ways, and manners as unlike the Englishman’s as darkness compared to light. And yet now in half an hour they feel that they are friends! The Englishman finds that he has more in common with this Indian brother than he has with many of his old college companions. Who can account for this? How can it be explained? Nothing can account for it but the unity of the Holy Spirit’s teaching. It is “one touch” of grace (not nature) “that makes the whole world family.” God’s people are in the brightest sense “a family.” (J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion, Family of God chapter)

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Watch and Be Ready

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Dana Dill

MatthewHenry“Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. …So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:42-44

Matthew Henry commenting on what it means to watch and be ready:

To watch implies not only to believe that our Lord will come, but to desire that he would come, to be often thinking of his coming, and always looking for it as sure and near, and the time of it uncertain. To watch for Christ’s coming, is to maintain that gracious temper and disposition of mind which we should be willing that our Lord, when he comes, should find us in. To watch is to be aware of the first notices of his approach, that we may immediately attend his motions, and address ourselves to the duty of meeting him. Watching is supposed to be in the night, which is sleeping time; while we are in this world, it is night with us, and we must take pains to keep ourselves awake.

Be ye also ready. We wake in vain, if we do not get ready. It is not enough to look for such things; but we must therefore give diligence, 2 Pt. 3:11, 14. We have then our Lord to attend upon, and we must have our lamps ready trimmed; a cause to be tried, and we must have our plea ready drawn and signed by our Advocate; a reckoning to make up, and we must have our accounts ready stated and balanced; there is an inheritance which we then hope to enter upon, and we must have ourselves ready, made meet to partake of it, Col. 1:12.

(For) the issue of our Lord’s coming will be very happy and comfortable to those that shall be found ready, but very dismal and dreadful to those that shall not.

Matthew Henry is a card -carrying G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). If you haven’t ever read his commentary on the whole Bible (yes, the whole thing), you can get it for free online here. You can buy the volumes here.

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A Preacher’s Reflections

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Dana Dill
The preacher's view.

The preacher’s view.

This last weekend I had the opportunity to preach at Ponderosa Pines Christian Camp in Running Springs, Ca. I had a great time with the leaders and churches up there. As I was driving down the mountain, I had various thoughts running through my mind that I thought to jot down and share. In no particular order, here are some reflections from a weekend of preaching.

Preaching is terrifying. I think I can relate better to high school girls after all the range of emotions I felt from preaching at a winter camp. Throughout the weekend I felt emotions of terror, joy, grief, sadness, delight, and complete helplessness. There are few things like watching busloads of kids unload onto camp grounds and remember, “They will all look to me to hear God’s Word.” It truly is a burden of many colors. Pray for your pastors and whoever else preaches the Word.

Proverbs 18:22

Proverbs 18:22

I am very fond of my wife. Every day leading up to camp she made sure to ask how she can help me prepare. She freed me up to take some extra time for sermon prep. She packed all our bags and even bought us snacks for the road. Upon arriving at camp she was continually encouraging, comforting, and serving me as I experienced the range of emotions that come along with having the weighty task of preaching. Not one complaint or heavy sigh. Only intentional, selfless, sacrificial love and care. She wanted those kiddos to hear about Jesus and she made sure to do whatever was in her power to make that happen. Additionally, she is a crack up and had me laughing all through the trip which served my soul immensely as well. She is a gift from God, indeed. Truly, the epitome of a suitable helper. 

Lovelite are some cool peeps. Chawna and I had the privilege of staying in the same cabin as the band who lead the the musical worship. At first I was somewhat wary. I looked on their website before leaving for camp and thought they were much edgier and cooler than I could ever wish to be. I mean, look at this. However, upon meeting them, all those fears washed away. Don’t get me wrong, they are still very cool, but they’re kind and welcoming too. From the gut wrenching laughter that came from epic rounds of Telestration to watching them lead the camp in song to Christ, I was thankful for the chance to get to know them and serve alongside of them.

Christians love God’s Word and get excited when they hear it. It was a blessing to see people come up to me with one sentiment to express, “Thank you for teaching us God’s Word.” They loved that they heard their Savior’s voice in the sermons. Even though we worked through hard truths about sin, judgment, and God’s wrath, they were thankful. In fact, I believe it was because we worked through those truths that they were thankful for there are few things that magnify Jesus like talking about the sin/wrath He saved us from. If you want to bless Christians, preach the Word and let them hear their Savior’s voice.

I really love Ponderosa Pines Christian Camp. Dan and Becky Skipper are my favorite kind of people: those who give their best effort and energy to tirelessly provide thousands and thousands of people the chance to encounter the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even as Chawna and I sat with them to eat they shared with us the various things they have in the works to reach even more people with the gospel. Cool people, indeed. Also, Dan is one of the coolest dressers I know. I’m taking notes, sir.

It is a lie that kids (especially middle schoolers) can’t sit still during sermons. Prepare for a minor rant. I have lost count of how many times I have been told this or things like it. Essentially, it is widely believed that today’s youth are unable/unwilling to sit still and listen to someone preach. “We live in a visual age!” “Kids can’t sit still and listen to sermons!” “Don’t dare go any longer than 10 minutes or you’ll lose them all.” Blah, blah, blah. Phooey.

Every week at The Ride and especially this weekend at Pondo was proof of the silliness of such thinking. I preached four times. Each time over 35 minutes at least and some close to 50 minutes. As I stared into 300 or so faces I saw nothing but complete focus. Additionally, throughout the camp I had student after student come up to me for no other reasons than to talk about the sermons they were hearing. In fact, the most excited bunch I met were a pack of 6th grade boys! Kids might not like boring sermons (who does?), but don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

My goal here isn’t to toot my own preaching horn. You can ask my wife, I don’t think I have a horn to toot. But this is to show the power of God’s Word to do God’s Will. Preaching is the way God has chosen to spread His gospel to the ends of this earth and our day of technology doesn’t nullify that. His sheep will hear His voice and love it. You can have your visual media, I’m sticking with the rock smasher. Keep the Word and work hard to deliver it as clearly and compellingly as you can. Preach to those dry bones. (Note. I have nothing against visual media, only when it is used in place of sound, Biblical preaching).

Camp is a great way to get kids to focus on Jesus. It may be something in the air. It may be the fact that kids are away from their usual surroundings. It may be that their hormones are super-charged from being around members of the opposite sex. I am not quite sure. But there is something about camp that helps students get real with Jesus and where they stand with Him. I saw it this weekend. I hope to see it next weekend when we bring our kiddos up to Pondo. If you have the chance to help kids get to summer/winter camp or even help out a faithful camp in your area, I think that is money well spent.

In the end, this weekend strengthened my resolve to preach and increased my desire to truthfully say with Paul, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

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The Saturday Post(s)

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Dana Dill

urlStop Comparing Your Trials. “How many times have you looked at someone else’s suffering and thought, “How on earth do they keep going? I wouldn’t survive a day in that job, or with those disabilities, or with that many kids!” Then, after marveling at their endurance, you look at your own life and feel like the most miserable, sniveling excuse for a Christian ever to disgrace the faith.”

Two Great Theologians/Pastors Discuss the Theology of Spiritual Gifts. Take the opportunity to read two respected theologians graciously discuss their views about Spiritual Gifts. You can get to both from here and here.

How Does Hell Glorify God? “Many people think that, if it even exists, hell must reflect some defect in God’s character. Yet as hard as it may be for us to grasp, the reality is just the opposite: hell displays God’s glory.”

Old Testament Summary. “In this 10 minute video we give an overview of the key events that take place in the Biblical Story leading up to Jesus’ Birth. We’ve split it up into 5 Easy to remember sections, these are Eden, Election, Exodus, Empire and Exile and Return.”

Helping Someone Through the Salvation Experience. As a youth pastor, I found this to be helpful and instructive. “What should we say and what should we do when God grants us the privilege of harvesting a new follower of Christ?”

As You Prepare for the Bowl.

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Submit to Ugly

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Dana Dill

church1Jonathan Leeman:

Truth be told, people are not afraid to submit. They just want to submit to beauty, like the valiant hero who submits himself to rescuing damsels in distress.

What’s unexpected about Christianity is that its hero doesn’t risk all for a damsel but for what the Bible likens to a harlot. Then he calls everyone that he save to submit themselves to this same harlot – the Bride still being made ready, the Church.

Now, submitting to ugliness does scare people. And that’s what submitting to the local church can be. Churches are filled with other sinners whose visions of glory contradict our own. But this is how Christ loved us: “Just as I have loved you you also are to love one another” (John 13:34).

Christ’s love wonderfully transforms the ugly into the beautiful (See Ephesians 5:22-31). Our love for one another should do the same thing – help the ugly become beautiful.

Who can love in this way? Only the ones whose eyes have been opened and whose hearts have been freed from the slavery of loving this world: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed ” (John 8:36). (Church Membership, p. 102-103.)

Do yourself a favor and buy this book. You haven’t read anything like it.

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