The Christian life is a long-distance race, and lasting endurance requires the means God provides. Scripture feeds and encourages believers to persevere, so move beyond a few familiar verses and regularly take in the deeper substance of God’s Word. Do not attempt the struggle in isolation. Run alongside faithful Christians through active participation in a …
Yes. In Christ, believers are forgiven, justified, adopted, and securely loved by God. That covenant relationship provides a permanent foundation: God does not abandon his children whenever they stumble. Within that secure relationship, Scripture also says Christians can please or grieve God. Walking in the light, confessing sin, obeying him, praying, and serving others are …
Faithful interpreters disagree about Romans 7:15–20, so the passage should be read within Paul’s larger argument in Romans 6–8 rather than isolated from its context. The present tense and first-person language make the paragraph challenging, but neither feature by itself decides whether Paul is describing his Christian experience. Pastor Mike understands the passage as Paul …
Discovering another area that needs repentance does not mean sanctification has failed. Christian growth is progressive: as one sin is confronted, God often exposes another. Believers should expect an ongoing struggle against sinful desires and continue fighting them rather than assuming they have reached complete obedience. Assurance is not found in identifying every possible sin …